Magicians — Mrs. Armstrong, Ona and Finn Grimmette — took part in a recent Homeschool Thursday program at the Lake Placid Public Library. (Photo provided)

February seems to be giving us a break from the bitter cold month of January. We are all enjoying the longer daylight hours that have been slowly increasing each day. With the Winter Olympics in Beijing well underway the Lake Placid Public Library is participating in celebrating “The Legacy Continues” with Olympic-themed take-away activity kits for children and families.

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AARP volunteer tax prep

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We are so fortunate to have the AARP volunteers back at the library. The AARP volunteers will once again provide tax preparation help through the library, but it will be a little different this year. People can pick up a packet at the following libraries: Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, Keene Valley, Wilmington, Upper Jay and Ausable Forks. You complete the packet and gather all the paperwork required.

The Martinez family — Isa, 7, Maceo, 5, and Ceanna, 3 — took part in a recent Homeschool Thursday program at the Lake Placid Public Library. (Photo provided)

Once the packet is complete, call the library at 518-523-3200 and leave your name. An AARP volunteer will call you back to set up a telephone consultation appointment. Once you have gone over all your materials with them, you will bring it in for them to review and sign. Please let us know if you have any questions, and thank you for your patience as we’re trying to keep everyone safe.

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Homeschool Thursdays

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Recently the Homeschool Thursdays group enjoyed a drop-in day where families were able to get help with book selection, research projects and STEAM ideas, in addition to subject-area stations, take-away activities/supplies and homeschooling resources.

On Feb. 3, the families met in St. Eustace Episcopal Church’s Herbert’s Hall to explore “magic.” Students were able to explore this multi-disciplinary theme through a read aloud, books to check out, hands-on activities and numerous opportunities for extended learning at home. These programs are geared for grades K-6, but other ages are welcome.

Our next Homeschool Thursday event will be Feb. 24. Anyone interested in homeschool updates may email librarian@lakeplacidlibrary.org.

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Ms. Linda’s story time

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Every Friday morning at 10:30, children are being entertained in the children’s room with a story and an activity with Ms. Linda. A few weeks ago the children listened to “The Rainbow Fish” and “Swimmy,” two of Ms. Linda’s favorite stories, followed up by creating some wonderful fish pictures to take home. Anyone wishing to join either in-person or via Zoom give us a call for information at 518-523-3200 or email libratrian@lakeplacidlibrary.org.

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Math tutoring with Chris Ward

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Any student in grades 6-12 in need of a math tutor can contact the library at 518-523-3200 to set up an appointment. This program is made available thanks to the Lake Placid Education Foundation Technology and Education Grant 2021.

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New arrivals

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Children’s room: “Stacey’s Extraordinary Words” by Stacey Abrams, “Group Hug” by Jean Reidy, “New Tricks for the Old Dog” by Jane Yolen and “Learning with Llama Llama /colors” by the Anna E. Dewdney Literary Trust.

Juvenile fiction: “Katt Loves Dog” by James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein, “The Brightest Night” graphic novel by Tui T. Sutherland, “Sunlight on the Snow” by Mary Pope Osborne and “Otto: a palindrama” by Jon Agee.

Adult fiction: “Department of Rare Books and Special Collections” by Eva Jurczyk, “Last Seen Alive” by Joanna Schaffhausen, “Greenwich Park” by Katherine Faulkner, “The Fields” by Erin Young, “One Step to Far” by Lisa Gardner, “The Good Son” by Jacquelyn Mitchard, “Quicksilver” by Dean Koontz, and “The Magnolia Palace” by Fiona Davis.

Non-fiction: “American Injustice” by David Rudolf and “The Betrayal of Anne Frank” by Rosemary Sullivan.

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Computer room, meeting space

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Meeting spaces are now open for public use. For more information on using the meeting spaces call the library 518-523-3200 or email librarian@lakeplacidlibrary.org.

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North Elba Narratives oral history project

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The Lake Placid-North Elba Historical Society is reaching out to the local community to find those who are interested in sharing a 3- to 5-minute story for this project. We are honored to be hosting many of these interviews here at the library. Anyone interested in sharing a story for the North Elba Narratives has the option of coming to the library to record or recording at home. Visit this website to sign up: www.northelbanarratives.com.

(Madonna Barney is a library assistant at the Lake Placid Public Library.)