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August 2021

Late summer provides the perfect opportunity to tackle that summer reading list. Whether it's in the form of relaxed vacation reading or frantic read-it-before-school-starts reading, we hope you can squeeze in some time this month to enjoy the programs and activities below to help you obtain that late summer bliss.

Summer Library Challenge
June 1 - August 27

There's still time to start the Adult Summer Library Challenge. Get a library water bottle and a free book when you earn eight badges by reading books, watching movies, and doing summer activities. Here's some ideas to get you started:

Visit the Chalk & Cheese Festival on August 14 and enjoy the artwork ("Be Creative" badge), listen to some live music ("Sound of Music" badge), and support a local food truck ("Think Local" badge)
Too hot to clean your house? Sit down and clean out your email inbox instead ("Home Improvement" badge)
Take a walk around town ("Great Outdoors" badge) and stop by a Little Free Library to take or leave a book ("All About the Books" badge)
Going somewhere in August? Send a postcard to a friend ("Companion Care" badge). Not going anywhere? Send a Platteville postcard!
Learn the rules to a sports event you don't know about (sport climbing, anyone?) and watch Olympic athletes compete in it ("Fun and Games" badge)

Adult Book Club
Tuesday, August 17
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Library

Our August book club will meet in the Community Room in the Library. In August, we will be discussing The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead.
For information on how to join book club, please email Kelli at kmiller@plattevillepubliclibrary.org. No registration required.

Adult Grab & Go Kits
Adult Grab & Go kits will continue through the end of summer, thanks to funding from the Platteville Library Foundation! Kits are available during library hours on a first come, first served, basis while supplies last. Look for these upcoming projects:

August 2 - 7: Origami Cranes
August 9 - 14: Floating Chalk Prints
August 16 - 21: Magazine Strip Art
August 23 - 28: Squeaky Pet Toys
August 30 - September 4: Paint by Numbers

Bingo in the Park
Tuesday, August 10
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
City Park
Bring your lawn chair or blanket (and your bug spray!) to City Park for an evening of free bingo fun. Winners for each round will get to pick out a new book as a prize. All ages are welcome.

Chalk drawings with a side of cheese slices

PATH's Annual Chalk and Cheese Fest
Saturday, August 14
8:00 am - 7:00 pm
City Park
Chalk & Cheese is an outdoor chalk art, food, and music festival in Platteville’s City Park sponsored by the Platteville Arts, Trails & History Project. Chalk & Cheese features nationally recognized artists; emerging local creators and you! Amateur adults and children can win cash prizes!

Registration for amateur artists will be the day of the event:
- $20 for adults (18 and older) and
- $10 for youth (12-17).

Open to artists of all ages and abilities. Artists will create colorful artwork on the sidewalks in and around City Park. Visitors will be able to watch the art as it unfolds (8 am - 4 pm) and listen to live music (4 pm - 7 pm)

Messy Mondays

3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Ages: 7 and up
Smith Park

August 2– Mud Painting
August 9– Water Fight
August 16 – Mad Scientist Day
August 23 – Owl Pellet Dissection

Join the library at Smith Park every week from 3-5 pm (weather permitting) for some messy crafts and activities. This is part of the city Parks & Rec "Recess" program. Crafts will be geared for elementary age children.
Children under the age of 7 should be accompanied by an adult.

Registration not required

Animal Pose Yoga for Kids
Tuesday, August 17
6:00 pm- 6:30 pm
City Park

Young children and an adult are invited to City Park for yoga. Bring your own mat or towel and a water bottle.

Registration required

Kids reading different colored books on a bench

Kids Book Club in the Park
Tuesday, August 31
6:30 pm
Smith Park
Ages 7-11

Join Ms. Lydia at Smith Park on the last Tuesday of the month June-August to talk about books. August is Sci-Fi books.

Registration required

Pictures of watermelon, pineapple, and banana

Snack Workshop
2:00 pm
Library
For Ages 7-11

August 5 – Cucumber Boats
August 12 - Ladybug Crackers
August 13- Edible Bugs!

Children 7-11 are invited to a program presented by UWP's AmeriCorps Farm-to-School. Held in the Community Room.

Registration required

Storytime in the Park
Tuesdays at 10:00 am until August 24
Smith Park

Join the library for Storytime at City Park! We'll have stories, songs, bubbles and more (weather permitting)! Bring a stuffie and a blanket or towel to sit on. Social distancing is expected.

Registration not required

Magnify glass, paper clip, and rubber stamp that says Escape Game

Break Out of the Library! For Teens
Wednesday, August 4
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Library
Ages 12-17

Breakout of the library in this escape game style event. Due to social distancing a limited number of sign ups are available- register today!

Registration required

Pasta Mia for Teens
Thursday, August 5
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Library
Ages 12-17

Do you love pasta? From beginner to budding chef (ages 12-17 years). Learn how to make handmade pasta and customize your sauce. Presented by UWP's AmeriCorps Farm-to-School. Space is limited.

Registration required

Chop and Share: Make Your Own Salsa
Wednesday August 11
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Library
Ages 12-17

Create your own salsa then sample the fresh creations with a variety of chip options. Ages 12-17. Presented by UWP's AmeriCorps Farm-to-School.

Registration required

Various paintbrushes next to five colors of paint

Teen Paint Day
Wednesday, August 18
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Library
Ages 12-17

Let’s paint a cow! Due to social distancing a limited number of sign ups are available- register today!

Registration required

Please note that children ages 11 and under must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times in the Library.

Gale courses: your library card gives you access to 360+ online classes

Check out these courses in a variety of topics. Each class is held over a 6 week period. Learn a new language, freshen up a professional skill, or earn a health care certificate from the comfort of your home. Just follow the link below to view the courses offered. Sign up is free with the use of your library card.

Browse Catalog

Two of our staff are headed for new opportunities come August. You can help us in wishing them a fond farewell.

Best wishes to our library page Tim Hankes! Tim has been working at the library for over 5 years. In addition to his daily duties you may have seen him in the last year appearing as one of our murder mystery suspects. Tim is always willing to lend a helpful hand and was the reason that the book on the library shelves are always beautifully lined up. He's a whiz at trivia, especially anything related to the Flamingos (Madison Forward FC team). We wish him all the best in his new adventures!

Children's Specialist Troy Hoppenjan started in the children's department right in the middle of the dreaded pandemic. He was just in time to provide ukulele relief via virtual story times and hilarious jokes through the revamped Platteville Dial-A-Story to help get us all through the days with a smile on our faces. We wish Troy all the success, happiness, and joy in his new adventures!