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Chester County Press

Pop culture conventions, writing contests, and Science in the Summer at local libraries

07/09/2014 08:03PM ● By Acl

There was a time when the only treasures to be found at the local library were the books themselves, which offered explorations to faraway lands, adventures with Tom and Huck, or astute observations about life in a little house on the prairie. 

Today, libraries are diverse centers of the community, and while they still offer those beloved hardbound and paperback treasures, there are many different events and activities for people of all ages to enjoy throughout the summer months. For instance, this Saturday, the Bayard Taylor Memorial Library is staging its first Insta-Con, a pop-up pop culture convention that brings the excitement of a larger comic convention right here to southern Chester County.

The Bayard Taylor Memorial Library is also holding a six-week camp for children between the ages of 13 and 18 that will give them these teens a chance to use the library's 3D printer as they work on art, technology, and design projects during weekday afternoons in July and August.

The Avon Grove Library is hosting a teen writing contest. The library also schedules “game days” throughout the summer when youngsters can play Wii and enjoy board games. There are also regular meetings throughout the summer of the Lego Club. Youngsters can also take part in arts and crafts and story times.

The Oxford Public Library also has a full schedule of activities for youngsters and teens, including a Literature in the Garden series where children over the age of eight can read award-winning books that have garden themes. The children will also participate in hands-on gardening activities.

All three of the libraries in southern Chester County are also participating in the Science in the Summer program, which offers second- through sixth-graders the chance to take a fun science course that is experiment-oriented. In Chester County, the Science in the Summer program consists of four one-hour sessions. These classes take place at the Bayard Taylor Memorial Library and Oxford Public Library from July 14 to July 17, and the at the Avon Grove Library from July 28 to July 31.

These activities are not only educational, they are a fun way to spend a hot summer day. Residents in the area are fortunate to have three quality libraries as a resource, and we encourage anyone who hasn't done so in awhile to visit the local library. You'll be amazed by the things that are going on there now.