Congratulations to Lucille

Brutus wishes to congratulate Lucille Couzynse.  This morning, she was the first person to turn in a completed bingo sheet. (And a little bird also told him that it was also her birthday).

There's still five weeks let to complete a bingo (and even Brutus thinks that it's fairly easy); you only have to complete 5 tasks in a row.  Pick up a sheet at Owosso's adult circulation desk or print one off our website (www.sdl.lib.mi.us).  Anyone who completes a sheet may choose a free book.

None of Brutus's bones have been found yet.  He buried four more today; there are also prizes for those who find a bone.  Brutus wants everyone to join him in the summer fun at the library!

Groundbreaking Reads

Brutus has been a little upset with the library staff lately--they have been too busy to help him type up any blog entries.  To make matters worse, now some of them are taking vacations, but he hasn't being taken along with them.  Of course, this means that he has more time to fill, and this summer's theme of groundbreaking reads is perfect!  He hasn't been allowed to dig in the flower beds, but he will be burying (hiding) some bones in the Owosso branch.  Anyone who finds one between June 10th and July 27th may turn it in at the circulation desk for a prize.  In addition, he hopes that many of you will join him in the teen and adult summer reading program.  Anyone who completes a bingo sheet may choose from a selection of new books.

Brutus and the Summer Reading Program

Brutus has been enjoying this summer's adult summer reading program.  He has been working hard to complete his bingo sheet for a prize.  He is having a hard time finding a book for the Michigan history category about dogs though.  He wishes to remind all his friends that the program continues through July 28th so there is still plenty of time to finish a bingo sheet!  This has also been a perfect summer for reading--it's too hot to do anything else.  Just ask the staff to stamp the appropriate square after completing a task.  (And Brutus thinks that his paw print makes a better stamp than the library logo which has been used).

Novel Destinations

Brutus is enjoying this year's teen and adult summer reading program. He has been traveling all over the world by reading about other countries (and the dogs who live there). Never having gone past obedience school, he also needs an atlas to show him where these countries are. Right now he is looking for a book about a European dog, and planning to stowaway on Margaret's upcoming trip to China. If he can't go again this year, he may just have to clean off her desk while she's gone! (Margaret's note: If Brutus knows what is good for him, he will leave my desk alone. Chewed up folders, papers, etc. is not the same as cleaning. If he wants my desk cleaner, he needs to help with the work instead of creating a bigger mess).

Brutus Enjoys the Library Carnival

As you can see, Brutus got very involved with the Library carnival this year. He helped blow up balloons in the morning, and then played a few games in the afternoon. He liked the one where he sniffed out the princess the best; he was better than most of the kids at it. (A few humans considered this to be cheating, but Brutus felt that he should be able to use dog abilities to their fullest). Loose Tooth wasn't quite as much fun--bean bags kept being thrown at him.

His favorite part of the afternoon though was the food. He kept the staff busy keeping him out of the cakes for the cake walk, the sno-cones, and the hot dogs and chips. One small dog can sure get into alot of mischief! Mr. Flayer finally had to take him into his custody so that other staff members could work. This had the benefit, though, of meeting a former childrens' librarian, Trixie Steck. He learned that she had been in charge of the very first library carnival.

His least favorite part of the day was the rain! The fun had to wrap up early when the scattered showers became a steady rain. It doesn't look like Brutus will ever be much of a retriever; he didn't like getting wet. As a whole, it was a doggone good day and Brutus is looking forward to next year's carnival (and he promises to pray for sunshine).

Brutus & Science Alive

Science Alive!

Brutus had a wonderful time at this morning's Science Alive program! He made lots of new friends with the animals who visited the Owosso branch, including a chinchilla, armadillo, alligator, Burmese python, and a duck! He loved watching the armadillo curl up into a ball to defend itself against any animal predators.


Mr. Neil demonstrates how to get a hug from a Burmese python. Many brave children and even a few brave grown-ups got a hug from the "baby" python!






The Children's Library's dragon carpet remains ever vigilant about ducks in the library. Quack!











Henrietta stole a few hearts when she hopped through the library!





And she even climbed the steps to check out the picture books!

Brutus joins the Summer Reading Program

Brutus was first in line this morning to have his bingo sheet stamped. He has finished his first book for this year's adult summer reading program, a mystery. Of course, Brutus only likes books about dogs so he chose Dog on It by Spencer Quinn, a story which features a dog who is smarter than his master. (Aren't most dogs?) He's thinking of working across the row--didn't Curwood write a story or two about dogs? Do recipes for hot dogs count? Brutus invites all high school students and adults to join him in some reading fun.

Library Carnival

Brutus had lots of fun at Saturday's Library Carnival. He was involved with almost everything at some point in the afternoon. The wrecking ball game was his favorite. (If he missed the house with the ball, he could always use his tail). There were lots of prizes to choose from, and some of them looked like lots of fun--the only thing missing was a good bone to chew one. He hoped to win the dog cake, but, alas, it went to one of the kids. He also had to put his nose to the grindstone for part of the afternoon and help Harriet sell tickets. Staff wouldn't let him near the food booth, to his dismay; but he's still not too sure about eating "hot" dogs.

Pre-School Winners in the Summer Reading Program

Brutus joined a group of pre-schoolers for a picture yesterday. He loves kids and was thrilled to learn that this group represented the top "readers" (or in their case, probably listeners) in this summer's reading program for their age group. He was so excited with the hugs and pats on the head from the kids, that his tail didn't quit wagging for several hours. He is just as anxious as the children, to see them spend their library dollars at the carnival on September 12th. The children pictured are Charles DeWeese, Charlotte DeWeese, Omaleigh McVay, Sophia Wellman, Everett McVay, and Savannah McVay. Congratulations to all the children who read this summer! You're all winners in Brutus' book.

Brutus Goes to Storyhour

Brutus had a very busy day yesterday. In the morning he helped Cindy tell stories at Emerson School. The boys and girls enjoyed meeting Brutus, and they spoiled him with lots of love and affection. Brutus liked all the attention he received. There is only one more week of summer reading program, and he hopes to meet even more kids next week.

Brutus Marches to the Beat of a Different Drummer

Brutus was involved in a visit from Drummunity this afternoon. He joined about 75 kids and their parents for a chance to march to the beat of various items used as drums. (He found it difficult to keep all four feet in time with the beat). Everyone had a great time. Brutus is also looking forward to next week's program being done by the Howell Nature Center on Tuesday, July 7th at 1 p.m. Rumor has it that live birds are involved. Can he run fast enough to catch one?

Brutus and the Bubble Man

Brutus met the Bubble Man this afternoon in Owosso's Children's Department. He thought that the bubbles were very neat (and would have chased some of them if the staff had allowed it), but the heat began to get to him. The Bubble Man needed one of the fans turned off and there were about 60 people at the program. At first he thought that he might take a swim in the vat of bubble solution, but Annie told him that it wasn't just plain water--there was a lot of soap in it! Brutus settled for a nice cold drink from the water fountain instead. Brutus is enjoying the summer reading program so far and hopes to meet even more kids at story hours and Drummunity on July 2nd at 1 p.m.

Summer Reading Program Signup

Brutus has been pestering the staff, like a dog with a bone, to let him sign up for this summer's reading program. Today he had his chance. He's now look for dog stories and can't wait to join some of the kids at the story hours. Story hours will be held at the following locations from June 15th to July 24th at 10 a.m.:
Mondays: Roosevelt School
Tuesdays: Shiawassee District Library--Owosso
Wednesdays: Curwood Castle
Thursdays: Emerson School
Fridays: Bryant School

In the case of rain, Storytime will be held at the library.