Something for everyone at Aurora Public Library District

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There will be something for everyone at the Aurora Public Library District (APLD) in the Summer. As part of our Summer Reading Adventure, Read Beyond the Beaten Path, Library staff members have planned programs to appeal to all ages and interests.

If cooking is your thing, we’ve got two great foodie programs lined up for June. If you want to learn how to make the best barbecue for friends and family, June 13 we will offer a virtual program with cooking instructor and nutrition coach, Kristyn Slick who will explore basic grilling techniques, how to cook different types of protein, and provide a live cooking demonstration with recipes.

June 22 we will speak with award-winning chef and Top Chef contestant Kwame Onwuachi on Zoom when he discusses his cookbook, My America: Recipes from a Young Black Chef. Onwuachi will share stories behind his family’s recipes, and the importance of the connections between cuisine, place, and culture.

The celebration of African American culture continues when we honor Juneteenth with an in-person program at Santori Library June 18. Through traditional folk stories and drumming, professional storyteller Oba William King will explore how the African American community shares stories of the struggle, acknowledges its perseverance, and honors those who never gave up in the quest to be fully recognized as true United States citizens.

For teens, we have a cooking program scheduled and bugs are on the menu! Brave folks in grades 6-12 can join us for an adventure in snacking that includes gummy worms and real crickets. Allergen information will be provided for each snack, and drop-ins are welcome.

If eating bugs is not your thing, how about a new craft hobby? Learn how to stamp metal to make your own personalized keychain. All Library locations will be host to this event, with all materials provided. Jewelry-makers and scrapbookers alike use this technique to add embellishments to their creations. Learn about creating something out of big metal from the members of the Roaring Robotics team at the Eola Road Branch on June 25. See robots built by students, learn how robots were designed and programmed, and watch demonstrations at the Library.

Robots certainly are fun for the whole family! We hope families will enjoy the puppet show happening this weekend, The Magic Fish with Roz Puppets. There’s a morning performance at Santori Library and an afternoon show at the Eola Road Branch Saturday, June 11. The Magic Fish is the story of two bored Sniffle Rats whose lives change when one of them catches a magical fish that grants wishes.

Do you think there are any magical fish at Phillips Park Zoo? We can find out because staff members from the zoo are coming to the Eola Road Branch for the Meet Birds and Reptiles program June 18. Participants can get up close and personal with residents of our zoo and learn how to respect wildlife and the great outdoors. Looking for more outdoor fun? The Library will be host to multiple outdoor storytimes in the Summer, including one at Phillips Park Zoo! Storytimes are back in session at all Library locations for children of all ages. For the latest storytime schedule, download a storytime calendar from our website
www.aurorapubliclibrary.org/storytimes.

We want many residents to include the Library in their Summer fun this season. There really is something for everyone! For more information about any of the events included above, please visit www.aurorapubliclibrary.org/events or call us at 630-264-4117.

Andrea Tiberi is the communications coordinator for the Aurora Public Library District.

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