A space to create and learn

bands, and string. It wasn’t a quiet activity, and nobody shushed anyone as they shared their successes and failures and refined the basic design. It began with reading plans and following the directions; and evolved into design tests runs and giggles. The Shuter Library is not stacks of books only. It has open spaces to twirl with your music-maker to see if it works.

STEAM activities are specially planned for elementary school-aged children. However, siblings and caregivers are always welcome.

of Alexander The Great (356-323 BCE) were repositories of knowledge – and in the era of enlightenment, vaults to keep knowledge safe. But in the modern-age, libraries are a collection of materials, books or media that are accessible for use and not just for display. A library provides physical (hard copies) or digital access (soft copies). There are computers, of course. And new this year, an activity center.

The Angel Fire Shuter Library, under the direction of Melody Costa, is a hub of the community. She takes seriously her duty to attract people to read and develop the habits of a lifetime for reading and learning. Her innovative activity programs to increase thrust for reading and learning begin early and attract the young of all ages – and their adults.

STEAM Tuesdays for children and families are interactive sessions in the library’s newly-opened and totally stocked activity center. Steam stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math. Participants make musical instruments, create unique artwork, make paper rockets, and recently, noise makers of cards, rubber

STEAM Tuesdays 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. June 6, 13, 20, 27, July 11, 18, 25

Specially planned for elementary school-aged kids, siblings and caregivers.

Angel Fire Littles Wednesdays 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. June 7, 14, 21, 28, July 5, 12, 19, 26

Specially for children, birth through age 4 , siblings and caregivers.

Adult and Teen Programs

Various Thursdays 5 - 6:30 p.m. and various Saturdays

1 - 2:30 p.m. Dates TBA. Adults and teens.

Angel Fire Littles, another program, is an interactive story time which includes books, music and crafts for children up to age 4 and their caregivers.

Summer Reading Program Plan. The summer reading kickoff began May 27 with activities for all ages. There will be tasks to complete and prizes to be won.

Adult and teen programs this summer will include sewing machines, Lego Robotics, artwork, design and building 3D-printed pieces.

Not the library of my childhood. — j.binford-bell

Shuter Library of Angel Fire

11 N Angel Fire Road, Angel Fire; 575-377-6755 shuterlibrary.net