Good morning, Dear Library Friends! 

Merriam-Webster concisely defines a “mentor’ as “a trusted counselor or guide;” while the Oxford English Dictionary is considerably airier. According to the Oxford, a mentor is “an experienced person in a company or educational institution who trains and counsels new employees or students.”  With prose, I nearly always subscribe to the “less is more” school of thought, but considering these two definitions, I must give the nod to the Oxford definition as my favorite. As a description, it better suits my purposes today. 

And what exactly are my purposes today? I’ll tell you: 

To give my heartiest congratulations to our Head of Reference, Alyson Walzer, for her acceptance into the prestigious Sunshine State Library Leadership Institute (SSLLI) Mentoring Program!

During this 10-month program, Alyson will be taking a new librarian mentee under her wing, establishing goals and projects with her mentee, and preparing her mentee for the standards and rigors of a fruitful career in the library profession. 

The raison d’etre for the Sunshine State Library Leadership Academy is to “Develop diverse leaders who can serve in library leadership roles at local, regional, state, and national levels, develop leaders with the skills to replace those who retire, and establish professional support systems using recognized leaders as mentors.” 

That last bit, “using recognized leaders as mentors,” is where Ms. Walzer comes into the picture. Alyson is certainly a recognized leader here at your Delray Beach Public Library. In my view, some lucky mentee from the SSLLI will soon receive the career-shaping counsel of a great mentor. 

If anyone has any questions or concerns, please let me know. And, as always, be safe, well-read, and happy.

Mykal Banta, 
Executive Director 
Delray Beach Public Library
561-266-9488
[email protected]

All Hallows Reads

Tuesday, October 31 @3:30-4:30PM 
Ages: 0-12

Get ready for a spine-tingling adventure at our All Hallows Reads program! Join us for an unforgettable evening filled with spooky tales, immersive escape rooms, a bone-chilling haunted house experience, and so much more. Mark your calendars and join us for a frightfully fun All Hallows Reads – it's going to be a wickedly good time!  
Online registration required.

Register for All Hallows Reads

Library on the Go: There’s a Garden on My Plate!

Wednesday, October 25 
3:30PM 
Ages: 3-6
Location: St. Matthew's Episcopal Church

There are a few spaces left for today, so register now! Early learners will snicker at the sneaky, hungry animals in the story, Handa’s Surprise by Eileen Browne read aloud by Ms. Tea and will learn how to plant, prune, and pick pineapples and other yummy edible garden items from our friends at St. Matthew's Community Garden! All registered children receive a fresh treat, a free book and scented pineapple stickers.
Online registration required.  

Register for LOTG: There’s a Garden on My Plate!

Oh, Baby! 

Wednesday, November 1 
10AM
Ages: 3mo-2.5yrs

Join Ms. Tea, Mommy Turtle & her little hatchlings at the library for a story, songs, stimulating, developmentally appropriate exercises … and bubbles! 
Online registration required.

Register for Kindergarten-Readiness Story Time

Sneek Peek: Toy Dinosaur Sleepover Weekend!

Drop off: Friday, November 3 by 4:30PM 
Pick Up: Monday, November 6: 5-7:30PM 
Ages: 3-7

Calling all dino-loving adventurers! Bring your toy dinosaurs for a roaring good time at our first ever Toy Dino Sleepover. Watch as your toy dinosaurs come alive amid the library's prehistoric wonders and embark on epic adventures. On pick up day, receive pictures capturing their incredible escapades at the library. What a thrilling and unforgettable weekend adventure and never-to-forget dino-mite memories! 
Online registration required.

Anime Club

Friday, October 27
3PM
Ages: 13-17

Anime is one of Japan’s most popular forms of entertainment that made international success since the 1960s! If you are interested in or curious about anime, join us in the Teen Room to watch anime on Crunchyroll and discuss your favorite scenes. 
Online registration required.

Register for Anime Club

Teen Advisory Board

Monday, October 30
5PM
Ages: 13-17

Do you have ideas for improving the library? Come to our Teen Advisory Board meeting, where we brainstorm how to make Delray Beach Public Library the place to be for teens. You can earn volunteer hours by attending.  
Online registration required.

Register for Teen Advisory Board

Halloween Party/Movie Night

Tuesday, October 31
5PM
Ages: 13-17

Join us for an unforgettable evening filled with a spooky movie, a scavenger hunt, and more! Dress up for the costume contest! Invite a friend to watch Tyler Perry's Boo! A Madea Halloween. Mark your calendars and join us for a frightfully fun and wickedly good time!
Online registration required.

Register for Halloween Party/Movie Night

Intro to Kickboxing

Saturday, November 4
11AM
Ages: 13-17

Learn the basics of Kickboxing with Coach Mark and Coach Carlos! Wake up your inner strength and discover what you can gain from this popular fitness sport. This introductory class trains teens to develop proper punching and other striking techniques. Wear your favorite gym clothes! Parents must sign and return the program permission slip for their child to participate. Send an E-mail with the signed document to [email protected]. 
Online registration required.

Register for Intro to Kickboxing

How to Build a Better Brain through Better Food Choices

New Date! Thursday, October 26
1PM 

Explore the MIND diet that targets the health of the aging brain. Research shows that you don’t have to follow the MIND diet perfectly to benefit from it. In a recent study, adults who followed it rigorously,   lowered their AD risk by as much as 53%. Those who only followed it moderately lowered their risk by 35%. Come and learn more so that you can do something today that your future self will thank you for. Presented by Keri Greenfield, MSN, AGPCNP, NP-C, Licensed Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner at the Comprehensive Center for Brain Health, UM Miller School of Medicine, Boca Raton.

Register for Building A Better Brain

November is Just Around the Corner

Wild Things 
Paintings by Sue Gurland 
October 30 – December 9

Visit the 2nd floor art gallery to view this one-woman show  entitled “Wild Things” in homage to Maurice Sendak’s book of the same name. For Gurland, her colorful animals convey the joy and wonder of the natural world as seen through the eyes of a child.   

Gurland grew up in Woodstock, NY surrounded by nature and animals. Transformed by time and space, these childhood influences emerge in her paintings as vibrant images that reflect our connection to nature and spirituality.  “Wild Things” will bring a smile to the young and the young at heart.

Artistic Journeys Art Talk and Reception

Wednesday, November 8
6PM

Join artist Sue Gurland as she takes you on a journey inside her whimsical art. Light refreshments will be served. Please register. 

Register for Artistic Journeys Art Talk and Reception

Click Here to view the Delray Beach Public Library The Next Chapter - October 25, 2023