Bring Home The Bacon

Our "Be Creative" summer reading pigs are closing up the circus tent and looking for good homes to go to after a wildly successful summer appearance at Bernardsville Public Library.  These papier mache piggies have charmed and delighted us with their various talents, including juggling, painting, singing, and dancing. They have inspired the children to test out their own creative interests under the guidance of the Youth Services staff as well. Now it is time for them to retire to happy homes, and so the library has set up a silent auction this week where you can bid on each of the available pigs.

Come into the library, enter your bid on the clipboard of the pig you want, and check regularly to see if someone has outbid you.  Then return the favor and outbid them! It's for a good cause, as all the proceeds go to fund the childrens' programs here. You have until 11 a.m. Saturday, September 12th, to clinch the bidding on your favorite porker. Winners will be announced that afternoon at 2 p.m. We want to thank library volunteer, Keiko Matsuura, once again for creating these wonderful, creative pigs.

Pig Fever, Yes! Swine Flu, No!

Be Creative @ Your Library, Bernardsville Public Library's summer reading program, has attracted a huge number of young readers, but it has also caused "Pig Fever" to break out among our patrons.

Anyone who enters the library is sure to experience symptoms that include gasps of amazement, feverish urges to smile, and an overwhelming sense of complete happiness. No one seems to be immune.

This is all due to the performing pigs who highlight the summer reading program theme of creativity...

...and to their creator, Keiko Matsuura, who is one of our very talented library volunteers. Last year Keiko helped with the summer reading program by making the reading bugs that were so popular (see June 24, 2008 posting.)

Michaele Casey, Bernardsville librarian, once again asked Keiko to help her with this year's summer reading display, and Keiko came up with a design concept that incorporated her fondness for pigs. It was decided that pigs doing creative things would be the perfect visual accent to the summer reading theme. Obviously, Keiko was the first one to come down with "Pig Fever" because she worked feverishly for two months to create the piggies out of papier mache and other materials.

Working from her home, Keiko glued multiple layers of brown paper around large balloons to form the pigs' bodies and then attached limbs and other features with more papier mache. This process took days to complete, followed by many layers of paint, trim and accessories to give each pig a unique character. Eyes and some lips were formed from sponges that Keiko cut, and hair and clothing were created with sculpted paper, paint or yarn.

Keiko reports that the rock 'n roll pig was the hardest one to make because he had to be able to stand even without the microphone. Although the pigs "hogged" the sofa in Keiko's house for the past two months, she and her husband were sorry to see them go. But they are delighted that the pigs have made themselves right at home in the library! Come see for yourself, and catch the fever.

The "Hams" Have Taken Center Stage At Bernardsville Public Library!!

LIGHTS!!!

CAMERA!!!

ACTION!!!

The stage is set at Bernardsville Public Library for Be Creative @ Your Library, a show-stopping summer reading program starting Monday, June 22nd. Children and young adults are invited to participate in a summer-long schedule of creative activities and reading programs. Sign-ups begin June 22nd, but first you'll have to get past those marvelous performing pigs in the lobby!!

STARRING!!!

Ham Jones? Elvis Piggly?

Cirque du Porc

The Divine Swine

Phantom Pig of the Opera

The Little Piggy Mermaid, Porky Nureyev, Super Pig

and Pigcasso

CREDITS!!!

A huge round of applause goes to Michaele Casey, Bernardsville Public Library's youth services coordinator, and Keiko Matsuura, our limitlessly talented library volunteer!! Under Michaele's meticulous planning, the library has brought the New Jersey Library Association's statewide summer reading program to life in a way that will bring smiles and looks of amazement to all who visit us. Keiko designed and handmade all the pigs, painting and accessorizing each of them with incredible detail. Her visionary staging of this display exceeded our wildest dreams. Keiko's imaginative artistry shows just how exceptional the results can be when you decide to "be creative."

...and Cecil B. DePig, Director, wants credit, too, for overcoming his fear of heights!