All posts by Sara Dempster
May Teen Volunteer Opportunities
Children’s Room
Children’s room volunteers must have completed the Children’s Room Volunteer Application and have attended training before signing up for volunteer opportunities. Email Sara at sdempster@chelmsfordlibrary.org to sign up for any of the open volunteer opportunities below.
Dads & Donuts
You will help serve juice and donuts and help with crowd control.
Saturday, May 13, 9:45-11:45 AMFULL!
Terrific Tuesday Tales
Help with crowd control, craft, and storytime for elementary school children.
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Tuesday, May 9, 3:45 – 5:15 PMFULL!
Lego and Duplo Club
You will help the kids build Lego creation, encourage creativity, and help with crowd control.
Saturday, May 6, 9:45 -11:45 PMFULL!Thursday, May 18, 3:30 – 5:15 PMFULL!
Creative Crafts
Tuesday, May 23, 3:45-5:15 PMFULL!
The Make It! Club
You will help with set up and clean up, and you will help others with the activity.
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Thursday, May 25, 3:30-5:30 PMFULL!
Shelf Reading
Shelf readers must have completed the Volunteer Shelf Reader Application and have attended shelf reader training before signing up for volunteer opportunities. Email Sara at sdempster@chelmsfordlibrary.org to sign up for a shift in any of the open time slots below. You may choose a one or two hour shift at any time the library is open.
Children’s Room (Main Library)
- Monday, May 1 – Sunday, May 7 (1 Volunteer)
- Monday, May 8 – Sunday, May 14 (1 Volunteer)
- Monday, May 15 – Sunday, May 21 (1 Volunteer)
- Monday, May 22 – Sunday, May 28 (1 Volunteer)
- Monday, May 29 – Sunday, June 4 (1 Volunteer)
Nonfiction (Main Library)
- Monday, May 1 – Sunday, May 7 (1 Volunteer)
- Monday, May 8 – Sunday, May 14 (1 Volunteer)
- Monday, May 15 – Sunday, May 21 (1 Volunteer)
- Monday, May 22 – Sunday, May 28 (1 Volunteer)
- Monday, May 29 – Sunday, June 4 (1 Volunteer)
Teen Area (Main Library)
- Saturday, April 1 – Wednesday, May 31 (1 Volunteer)
MacKay Branch Library (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday ONLY)
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Monday, May 1 – Sunday, May 7 (1 Volunteer)
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Monday, May 8 – Sunday, May 14 (1 Volunteer)
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Monday, May 15 – Sunday, May 21 (1 Volunteer)
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Monday, May 22 – Sunday, May 28 (1 Volunteer)
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Monday, May 29 – Sunday, June 4 (1 Volunteer)
April Teen Volunteer Opportunities
Children’s Room
Children’s room volunteers must have completed the Children’s Room Volunteer Application and have attended training before signing up for volunteer opportunities. Email Sara at sdempster@chelmsfordlibrary.org to sign up for any of the open volunteer opportunities below.
Dads & Donuts
You will help serve juice and donuts and help with crowd control.
Saturday, April 8, 9:45-11:45 AM (2 Volunteers)FULL!
Terrific Tuesday Tales
Help with crowd control, craft, and storytime for elementary school children.
Tuesday, April 11, 4:00 – 5:00 PM (1 Volunteers)FULL!
Lego and Duplo Club
You will help the kids build Lego creation, encourage creativity, and help with crowd control.
Saturday, April 1, 9:45 -11:45 PM (2 Volunteers)FULL!Thursday, April 20, 3:30 – 5:15 PM (2 Volunteers)FULL!
Spring Crafts
Tuesday, April 18, 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM (6 Volunteers)FULL!
Creative Crafts
Tuesday, April 25, 3:45-5:15 PM (1 Volunteer)FULL!
The Make It! Club
You will help with set up and clean up, and you will help others with the activity.
Thursday, April 27, 3:30-5:30 PM (2 Volunteers)FULL!
Candy Craft Wars: Peep This!
You will help with set up and clean up, and you will judge the best creations based on originality, edibility, and best overall.
Thursday, April 20, 1:30 – 3:30 PM (4 Volunteers)FULL!
Chess for Beginners
You will help with set up, clean up, and crowd control.
Saturday, April 22, 9:30 – 11:00 AM (2 Volunteers)FULL!
Shelf Reading
Shelf readers must have completed the Volunteer Shelf Reader Application and have attended shelf reader training before signing up for volunteer opportunities. Email Sara at sdempster@chelmsfordlibrary.org to sign up for a shift in any of the open time slots below. You may choose a one or two hour shift at any time the library is open.
Children’s Room (Main Library)
Monday, April 3 – Sunday, April 9 (1 Volunteer)FULL!Monday, April 10 – Sunday, April 16 (1 Volunteer)FULL!Monday, April 17 – Sunday, April 23 (1 Volunteer)FULL!Monday, April 24 – Sunday, April 30 (1 Volunteer)FULL!
Nonfiction (Main Library)
- Monday, April 3 – Sunday, April 9 (1 Volunteer)
- Monday, April 10 – Sunday, April 16 (1 Volunteer)
- Monday, April 17 – Sunday, April 23 (1 Volunteer)
- Monday, April 24 – Sunday, April 30 (1 Volunteer)
Teen Area (Main Library)
- Saturday, April 1 – Sunday, April 30 (1 Volunteer)
MacKay Branch Library (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday ONLY)
- Monday, April 3 – Sunday, April 9 (1 Volunteer)
- Monday, April 10 – Sunday, April 16 (1 Volunteer)
- Monday, April 17 – Sunday, April 23 (1 Volunteer)
- Monday, April 24 – Sunday, April 30 (1 Volunteer)
March Teen Volunteer Opportunities
Children’s Room
Children’s room volunteers must have completed the Children’s Room Volunteer Application and have attended training before signing up for volunteer opportunities. Email Sara at sdempster@chelmsfordlibrary.org to sign up for any of the open volunteer opportunities below.
Library Lab (Science and Math for Kids!)
You will help with setting up the activity, and you will assist the kids with the activity of the day.
Wednesday, March 8, 3:45 – 5:00 PM (1 Volunteer)FULL!Wednesday, March 15, 3:45 – 5:00 PM (1 Volunteer)FULL!
Dads & Donuts
You will help serve juice and donuts and help with crowd control.
Saturday, March 11, 9:45-11:45 AM (2 Volunteers)FULL!
Terrific Tuesday Tales
Help with crowd control, craft, and storytime for elementary school children.
Tuesday, February 14, 4:00 – 5:00 PM (2 Volunteers)FULL!
Lego and Duplo Club
You will help the kids build Lego creation, encourage creativity, and help with crowd control.
Saturday, March 4, 10:30 -11:45 PM (2 Volunteers)FULL!Thursday, March 16, 3:30 – 5:15 PM (2 Volunteers)FULL!
The Make It! Club
You will help with set up and clean up, and you will help others with the activity.
Thursday, March 30, 3:30-5:30 PM (2 Volunteers)FULL!
Shelf Reading
Shelf readers must have completed the Volunteer Shelf Reader Application and have attended shelf reader training before signing up for volunteer opportunities. Email Sara at sdempster@chelmsfordlibrary.org to sign up for a shift in any of the open time slots below. You may choose a one or two hour shift at any time the library is open.
Children’s Room (Main Library)
Monday, February 27 – Sunday, March 5 (1 Volunteer)FULL!Monday, March 6 – Sunday, March 11 (1 Volunteer)FULL!Monday, March 12 – Sunday, March 19 (1 Volunteer)FULL!Monday, March 20 – Sunday, March 27 (1 Volunteer)FULL!Monday, March 27 – Sunday, April 2 (1 Volunteer)FULL!
Nonfiction (Main Library)
- Monday, February 27 – Sunday, March 5 (1 Volunteer)
- Monday, March 6 – Sunday, March 11 (1 Volunteer)
- Monday, March 12 – Sunday, March 19 (1 Volunteer)
- Monday, March 20 – Sunday, March 27 (1 Volunteer)
- Monday, March 27 – Sunday, April 2 (1 Volunteer
Teen Area (Main Library)
Monday, February 27 – Friday, March 31 (1 Volunteer)
MacKay Branch Library (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday ONLY)
- Monday, February 27 – Sunday, March 5 (1 Volunteer)
- Monday, March 6 – Sunday, March 11 (1 Volunteer)
- Monday, March 12 – Sunday, March 19 (1 Volunteer)
- Monday, March 20 – Sunday, March 27 (1 Volunteer)
- Monday, March 27 – Sunday, April 2 (1 Volunteer
The MIC at CPL: Candy Making Workshop!
This week at the Main Library and at the MacKay branch we held our first meetings of the MIC (Make It! Club)! We celebrated by making one of my favorite things: candy. Everyone customized their own batch by combining up to five of twelve flavorings: cherry, coconut, green apple, lemonade, orange cream, peach, pear, pineapple, pomegranate, strawberry-kiwi, watermelon, and tropical punch. The best part? It tastes great, and it’s easy to make at home! Here’s how we did it.
You’ll need:
One tub or package of gum paste (can be found in the cake decorating aisle of big box stores like Target and WalMart)
Fruit flavorings (can be ordered on Amazon)
Vegetable Oil
Powdered sugar
Wax Paper
Drinking straws (we used fat straws made for drinking milkshakes, but you can use regular straws, too)
Instructions:Step 1: Take a sheet of wax paper and lay it out, then dust the surface with a little bit of powdered sugar (just enough so that your candy won’t stick to the surface).
Step 2: Pull off a piece of gum paste about the size of a golf ball, and knead it until it’s soft.
Step 3: Punch your thumb into your ball about halfway to make a well, and then put five drops of any flavor (or a combination of two or three flavors) into the well. Next, add two drops of food coloring to add color to your candy. Last, add five drops of vegetable oil.
Step 4: Knead your candy again, and keep kneading until the color and flavor are even throughout the mixture.
Step 5: Pull off a bit of your candy and taste it—if it needs more flavoring, add another drop and repeat step 4. Do the same with the food coloring. Doesn’t look right? Add more color!
Step 6: Flatten out your candy on your wax paper until it’s about ¼ of an inch thick.
Step 7: Use your straw to punch out your candy! You can also use a knife if you want to try to make other shapes.
Step 8: Put your candy into a plastic bag, toss it with just a bit of powdered sugar so they don’t stick together, and wait for them to harden overnight.
Step 9: Enjoy your candy!
You can eat your candy right away if you want it to be soft, and if you want a harder candy (like an Altoid, but fruit-flavored) you can let it harden overnight. You might be tempted to put it in the fridge, but it’s not necessary!
At the MIC, you’ll be able to make and take home an awesome DIY project, snack, or dessert. Don’t worry if you missed us this time. We’ll be meeting every month with a new DIY!
Next month, we’re making Cookie Mix Kits. Customize your cookies with different add-ins like chips and sprinkles! It makes a great gift… Or you can take it home and treat yourself, instead! We’ll be meeting on Wednesday, March 8th at the MacKay branch and Thursday, March 30th at the Main Library. This program is drop-in, so no need to sign up.
See you there!
February Teen Volunteer Opportunities
Children’s Room
Children’s room volunteers must have completed the Children’s Room Volunteer Application and have attended training before signing up for volunteer opportunities. Email Sara at sdempster@chelmsfordlibrary.org to sign up for any of the open volunteer opportunities below.
Library Lab (Science and Math for Kids!)
You will help with setting up the activity, and you will assist the kids with the activity of the day.
Wednesday, February 8, 3:45 – 5:00 PM (1 Volunteer)FULL!Wednesday, February 15, 3:45 – 5:00 PM (1 Volunteer)FULL!
Dads & Donuts
You will help serve juice and donuts and help with crowd control.
Saturday, February 11, 9:45-11:45 AM (2 Volunteers)FULL!
Terrific Tuesday Tales
Help with crowd control, craft, and storytime for elementary school children.
Tuesday, February 14, 4:00 – 5:00 PM (2 Volunteers)FULL!
Lego and Duplo Club
You will help the kids build Lego creation, encourage creativity, and help with crowd control.
Thursday, February 16, 3:30 – 5:15 PM (2 Volunteers)FULL!
Winter Crafts
You will help with crowd control, craft, and clean up for elementary school children
Tuesday, February 21, 9:30 – 12:00 PM (8 Volunteers)FULL!
Creative Crafts
Help with crowd-control, craft, and clean up for elementary school children.
Tuesday, February 28, 3:45 – 5:15 PM (2 Volunteers)FULL!
Shelf Reading
Shelf readers must have completed the Volunteer Shelf Reader Application and have attended shelf reader training before signing up for volunteer opportunities. Email Sara at sdempster@chelmsfordlibrary.org to sign up for a shift in any of the open time slots below. You may choose a one or two hour shift at any time the library is open.
Children’s Room (Main Library)
- Monday, February 6 – Sunday, February 12 (1 Volunteer)
- Monday, February 13 – Sunday, February 19 (1 Volunteer)
- Monday, February 20 – Sunday, February 26 (1 Volunteer)
Nonfiction (Main Library)
- Monday, February 6 – Sunday, February 12 (1 Volunteer)
- Monday, February 13 – Sunday, February 19 (1 Volunteer)
- Monday, February 20 – Sunday, February 26 (1 Volunteer)
Teen Area (Main Library)
- Wednesday, February 1 – Tuesday, February 28 (1 Volunteer)
MacKay Branch Library (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday ONLY)
- Monday, February 6 – Sunday, February 12 (1 Volunteer)
- Monday, February 13 – Sunday, February 19 (1 Volunteer)
- Monday, February 20 – Sunday, February 26 (1 Volunteer)
Top 10 Most Anticipated Young Adult Books of Winter 2017
Winter is going to be awesome for YA book fans! Make sure you don’t miss these new and upcoming books by authors like A. G. Howard, Veronica Roth, Victoria Aveyard, and Adam Silvera!
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by Becky Albertalli
Molly can’t stomach the idea of rejection. So she’s careful. Fat girls always have to be careful. Then a cute new girl enters her twin sister Cassie’s orbit, and for the first time ever, Molly’s cynical twin is a lovesick mess. Luckily, Cassie’s new girlfriend comes with a cute hipster-boy sidekick. If Molly can win him over, she’ll get her first kiss and she’ll get her twin back. There’s only one problem: Molly’s coworker, Reid. He’s a chubby Tolkien superfan with a season pass to the Ren Faire, and there’s absolutely no way Molly could fall for him. (Coming April 11, 2017)
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by Victoria Aveyard
In this breathless third installment to Victoria Aveyard’s bestselling Red Queen series, allegiances are tested on every side. And when the Lightning Girl’s spark is gone, who will light the way for the rebellion? Mare Barrow is a prisoner, powerless without her lightning, tormented by her lethal mistakes. She lives at the mercy of a boy she once loved. Now a king, Maven Calore continues weaving his dead mother’s web in an attempt to maintain control over his country—and his prisoner. (Coming February 7, 2017)
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by Heidi Heilig
Nix has spent her whole life journeying to places both real and imagined aboard her time-traveling father’s ship. And now it’s finally time for her to take the helm. Her father has given up his obsession to save her mother—and possibly erase Nix’s existence—and Nix’s future lies bright before her. Until she learns that she is destined to lose the one she loves. Desperate to change her fate, Nix takes her crew to to meet another Navigator who promises to teach her how to manipulate time. (Coming February 28, 2017)
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by A. G. Howard
In this modern day spin on Leroux’s gothic tale of unrequited love turned to madness, seventeen-year-old Rune Germain has a mysterious affliction linked to her operatic talent, and a horrifying mistake she’s trying to hide. Hoping creative direction will help her, Rune’s mother sends her to a French arts conservatory for her senior year, located in an opera house rumored to have ties to The Phantom of the Opera. (Coming January 10, 2017)
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by S. Jae-Jones
When her sister Käthe is taken by the goblins, Liesl journeys to their realm to rescue her sister and return her to the world above. The Goblin King agrees to let Käthe go—for a price. The life of a maiden must be given to the land. A life for a life. Without sacrifice, nothing good can grow. Without death, there can be no rebirth. In exchange for her sister’s freedom, Liesl offers her hand in marriage to the Goblin King. He accepts. Yet even as her talent blossoms, Liesl’s life is slowly fading away, the price she paid for becoming the Goblin King’s bride. (Coming February 7th, 2017)
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by Veronica Roth
Cyra is the sister of the brutal tyrant who rules the Shotet people. Cyra’s currentgift gives her pain and power—something her brother exploits, using her to torture his enemies. Akos is from the peace-loving nation of Thuvhe, and his loyalty to his family is limitless. Though protected by his unusual currentgift, once Akos and his brother are captured by enemy Shotet soldiers, Akos is desperate to get his brother out alive—no matter what the cost. (Released January 17, 2017)
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by Adam Silvera
When Griffin’s first love and ex-boyfriend, Theo, dies in a drowning accident, his universe implodes. Even though Theo had moved to California for college and started seeing Jackson, Griffin never doubted Theo would come back to him when the time was right. But now, the future he’s been imagining for himself has gone far off course. To make things worse, the only person who truly understands his heartache is Jackson. But no matter how much they open up to each other, Griffin’s downward spiral continues. (Released January 17, 2017)
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by Laini Taylor
Since he was five years old, Lazlo Strange has been obsessed with the mythic lost city of Weep, but it would take someone bolder than he to cross half the world in search of it. Then a stunning opportunity presents itself, in the person of a hero called the Godslayer and a band of legendary warriors, and he has to seize his chance. What happened in Weep two hundred years ago to cut it off from the rest of the world? What exactly did the Godslayer slay that went by the name of god? And what is the mysterious problem he now seeks help in solving? (Coming March 28, 2017)
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by Angie Thomas
Sixteen-year-old Starr lives in two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she was born and raised and her posh high school in the suburbs. The uneasy balance between them is shattered when Starr is the only witness to the fatal shooting of her unarmed best friend, Khalil, by a police officer. Now what Starr says could destroy her community. It could also get her killed. Movie rights have been sold to Fox, with Amandla Stenberg (The Hunger Games) to star. (Coming February 28, 2017)
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Goodbye Days
by Jeff Zentner
Carver Briggs never thought a simple text would cause a fatal crash, killing his three best friends, Mars, Eli, and Blake. Now Carver can’t stop blaming himself for the accident and there could be a criminal investigation into the deaths. Then Blake’s grandmother asks Carver to remember her grandson with a ‘goodbye day’ together. Carver has his misgivings, but he starts to help the families of his lost friends with their memorial days, along with Eli’s bereaved girlfriend Jesmyn. But not everyone is willing to forgive. (Coming March 7, 2017)
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