Year: 2017

New U.S. Citizens Sworn in During Naturalization Ceremony at Douglas County Libraries in Parker

Posted on by melissa

For immediate release May 24, 2017:

In partnership with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Douglas County Libraries hosted its first Naturalization Ceremony at its Parker, Colorado, location on Saturday afternoon, May 20. Twenty-eight individuals from 19 different countries took the Oath of Allegiance to become U.S. citizens in front of their families, friends and library patrons. The new citizens all reside within Douglas County and Aurora.

Tiffany Curtin, adult literacy specialist with Douglas County Libraries, worked closely with USCIS to coordinate and facilitate the Naturalization Ceremony. “I have had the pleasure of seeing firsthand how new Americans enrich our lives,” Curtin said. “At the library, we see new Americans gain the language skills to become volunteers, gain employment, pursue professional goals, earn promotions, enter higher education, support their children in school, and transform their lives,” she added.

Bob Pasicznyuk, executive library director of Douglas County Libraries, was the keynote speaker at the event, which was open to the public. Other speakers from Douglas County Libraries included Tiffany Curtin; Norma Akers, a library volunteer and naturalized citizen; and Jessica Bassan, a library volunteer and citizenship class student. Political speakers at the event included Mark Jackson for Rep. Ken Buck, Andrew Dunkley for Sen. Cory Gardner, and John Griego for Sen. Michael Bennet.

Representatives from the Smoky Hill Trail Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution presented American flags to the citizen candidates. Two fifth-graders from the Parker Performing Arts School performed the national anthem and “Dream a Dream,” and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by the two daughters of one of the citizenship candidates.

The emotion and excitement in the event hall were palpable. Melek Eckhardt, a Highlands Ranch, Colorado, resident originally from Turkey, was one of the first to arrive for the ceremony, excited to be taking the Oath of Allegiance to conclude her journey to becoming a U.S. citizen. “I love the U.S.,” said Eckhardt, beaming with pride. “I love the people here, and this state.”

Douglas County Libraries offers one-on-one language tutoring (English as a second language); citizenship preparation classes to prepare for citizenship application and interviews, with representatives from USCIS available to answer questions; English-language conversation groups so non-natives can practice their English; and basic adult education classes for aspiring citizens.

USCIS is the government agency that oversees lawful immigration to the U.S. USCIS partners with libraries, national parks, schools and other entities to host naturalization information sessions and administrative naturalization ceremonies. The organization naturalized 752,800 people in fiscal year 2016. Information on how to become a U.S. citizen is available at uscis.gov/citizenship. For more information about USCIS, visit uscis.gov.

Douglas County Libraries elevates our community by inspiring a love of reading, discovery and connection. For more information, visit DCL.org or call 303-791-7323.

Douglas County Libraries’ 2017 Summer Reading Program Is All About Readers @ Play

Posted on by melissa

For immediate release May 22, 2017:

Douglas County Libraries’ 2017 Readers @ Play Summer Reading Program is a carnival for the mind! The program kicks off at all seven library locations on Saturday, June 3, from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. The kickoff parties include arts and crafts, games, face painting, photo ops, and themed Storytimes for children. And when readers sign up for the program, which runs through July 31, they’ll also receive sign-up gifts.

The annual reading program is for all ages. For kids and teens, it’s a great way to strengthen reading skills and continue building literacy. This year’s program has a community goal of 4 million minutes of reading time between June 3 and July 31:

  • For children 12 and under, the goal is 720 minutes of reading. Kids can pick up reading logs to track their minutes at the kickoff parties or they may track their time online. Once they reach the midway point (at 360 minutes), they’re eligible to receive free prizes at their library. And once they complete all 720 minutes, they can receive a free book (while supplies last)!
  • For ages 13-plus, the goal is 900 minutes of reading. Teens and adults can track their reading and finish online. When the 900-minute goal is reached, finishers will be entered into a drawing to win a valuable gift card.

Douglas County Libraries is hosting several Play! events over the summer in conjunction with the Summer Reading Program.

  • LEGO Amusement Park: Bricks 4 Kidz teaches the mechanics of favorite amusement park rides, helps kids build carousel and swing rides, and much more.
  • Band Practice: Kids can learn to play instruments in unison, as well as sing.
  • Motion Madness: Discover Sir Isaac Newton’s three laws of motion and then have fun with them!
  • The Zoo Comes to You: Explore animal habitats and learn more from live animal and human guests from the Denver Zoo.
  • Move Your Body: Test speed and agility with pros from Karate Denver and learn about martial arts.

Visit DCL.org/summer-reading for more information on event dates, times and registration, as well as Summer Reading Program details.

Volunteers Needed!

Douglas County Libraries is seeking volunteers of all ages to help with Summer Reading Program kickoff parties on Saturday, June 3, and throughout the summer. No special skills or prior experience is needed, and teens can earn community service credit toward graduation requirements. Volunteers will help with manning arts and crafts stations, games and snacks, as well as registering participants in the reading program. Interested volunteers can sign up via VolunteerConnectDC.org; search for a Douglas County Libraries location of choice.

For more information, call (303) 791-7323 or visit DCL.org. Douglas County Libraries elevates our community by inspiring a love of reading, discovery and connection.

‘An Evening of Dance’ Benefit Performance to Support Douglas County Libraries Foundation

Posted on by melissa

For immediate release: April 24, 2017

Dual Star Academy of Dance is sponsoring “An Evening of Dance” that will benefit the Douglas County Libraries Foundation. This annual community fundraising performance takes place at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 26, at the Parker Arts, Culture & Events Center in Parker (20000 Pikes Peak Avenue). There is no charge for the performance, but a $10 donation is suggested.

“Dual Star Academy of Dance is committed to providing the highest level of quality dance education and believes it’s imperative to give back to the community with an annual benefit performance. This fundraising performance for Douglas County Libraries will help financially support the activities and programs for the community and foster building brighter futures,” says Deborah Christopherd, community outreach coordinator at Dual Star Academy of Dance.

The Evening of Dance will include selected performances, from solos to group productions. All proceeds raised will directly benefit the Douglas County Libraries Foundation, which helps fund Douglas County Libraries activities that reach youth, adults and families in Douglas County and across Colorado. All donations support programs and events that help create bright futures and encourage lifelong learning, including Storytime and other early childhood literacy activities.

“Research shows that experiences with reading and writing throughout the early years profoundly affect the development of literacy,” says Laura Olson, childhood literacy specialist at Douglas County Libraries. “Pre-literacy skills are developed and modeled every day in our library Storytimes, programs and events. Donations help fund those existing activities, as well as new projects, such as 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten, which encourages parents and caregivers to read aloud at least one book to children each day for three years.”

To attend An Evening of Dance, register at DCL.org/Foundation. Donations may be made at the event and also via ColoradoGives.org by designating the Dual Star Dance Academy Benefit.

About Dual Star Academy of Dance

Located in Centennial, Colorado, Dual Star Academy of Dance offers dance instruction in everything from ballet and jazz to poms and hip-hop. Under the direction of award-winning choreographers, teachers and coaches Natalie and Lauren Hellerstein, the teachers at Dual Star are committed to providing high-quality dance instruction and development of dancers, including building confidence and self-esteem, enforcing a strong value system, and providing an environment that nurtures growth and development.

About Douglas County Libraries

Douglas County Libraries is the fourth-largest library system in Colorado and plays a vital role in the life of its community. Its seven locations offer a large collection of popular materials, including children’s books; reference materials; digital media; wireless access; public internet stations; and professional staff. The library offers reading programs for all ages, more than 75 Storytimes each week, children’s and teen writing groups, book clubs, and a variety of interesting events that engage, educate and entertain patrons of all ages. Study rooms and large meeting rooms are available to the public.

For more information, visit DCL.org or call 303-791-7323. Douglas County Libraries elevates our community by inspiring a love of reading, discovery and connection.

Share Your Passion for Early Literacy: Volunteer to Read to Children

Posted on by melissa

For immediate release March 29, 2017:

Douglas County Libraries (DCL) is seeking adult volunteers for its Book Start program, which brings Storytime fun to children in child care centers throughout Douglas County.

“Book Start has been a lifesaver for me in so many ways, as it brings the library to the children when I cannot provide that service to them at this time,” says Lori Hafner of Backyard Kids Preschool, a participating Book Start child care provider.

No experience is necessary to volunteer for the program. However, volunteers must attend a Book Start workshop, which provides a program orientation and offers tips and techniques to help volunteers learn to blend beautifully written books with simple songs and fingerplays. These activities offer an educational, fun and playful way to connect with the day care children in this program.

“The kids really look forward to Mr. Steve’s visit every week, and the puppets are fantastic,” says Joey Dame of Back to Basics Preschool, a participating Book Start in-home child care provider. “He has become an integral part of my program, and the kids light up when he’s here on Thursdays (and everyone wants to come to school)!”

Interested volunteers should contact Kristin Davidson at 303-688-7658 or kdavidson@dclibraries.org to register for the next workshop, taking place Friday, April 28, 2017, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the DCL in Castle Rock, Philip S. Miller, location at 100 S. Wilcox St. Volunteers can also register for the workshop via VolunteerConnectDC.org.

Douglas County Libraries elevates our community by inspiring a love of reading, discovery and connection. For more information, visit DCL.org or call 303-791-7323.

Douglas County Libraries Presents an Evening With NYT Bestselling Author Lisa Scottoline

Posted on by melissa

For immediate release March 23, 2017:

Douglas County Libraries (DCL) is excited to welcome New York Times bestselling author Lisa Scottoline as she introduces and talks about her new domestic thriller, “One Perfect Lie,” at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 13, at CU South Denver (10035 Peoria St., Parker). Sponsored by RidgeGate, the ticketed event includes a hardcover copy of “One Perfect Lie” (which releases April 11, 2017), reserved seating, dessert bites, and a book signing following the author’s presentation.

Scottoline is known for titles like “Look Again” and “Don’t Go” and the bestselling Rosato series. She has over 30 million copies of her books in print and is published in more than 35 countries. Her books have landed on all the major bestseller lists, including The New York Times, USA Today, and Publisher’s Weekly.

Scottoline’s engaging and entertaining speaking style make her a fan favorite and a must-see for anyone wanting to know the author behind some of America’s bestselling crime thrillers. Her novels are known for their emotionality and warm, down-to-earth characters. She has also authored seven humorous nonfiction titles and writes a weekly column with her daughter, Francesca Serritella, for the Philadelphia Inquirer titled “Chick Wit.”

Ticket price for An Evening With Lisa Scottoline is $30, and tickets can be purchased via DCL.org. Scottoline’s other books will be sold at the event courtesy of Tattered Cover Book Store.

For more information, visit DCL.org or call 303-791-7323. Douglas County Libraries elevates our community by inspiring a love of reading, discovery and connection.