Toddler Story Telling Time (0 – 5 yrs)

Toddler Story Telling Time is packed with over an hour of reading, singing, dancing and arts & crafts.  Early literacy and language development begins in the first three years of life.  Children learn to talk, read and write through social literacy experiences.  Story time provides fun and rich experiences that build a love of books, libraries and reading that will stay. Surveys are conducted semi-annually

Program Days:
Hagatna Library – Every Wednesday, 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Agat & Dededo – Every Tuesday, 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Barrigada Branch – Every Thursday, 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Merizo Branch – Every Monday, 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Yona Branch – Every Wednesday, 10:00 am – 11:30 am

National & Local Library Events

National Library Week

National Bookmobile Day

National Library Week was celebrated on April 13^th – 19^th , 2014.  The activities included a proclamation signing by the Governor of Guam declaring the event, special guest story tellers during the weekly programs.  Employees of the library, volunteers and corporate sponsors such as the Guam International Reading Association for bringing in authors, South Pacific Petroleum Corporation (SPPC) & Matson who maintain and provide fuel services for our Bookmobile were also honored with an awards and certificate presentation.

Every year on April 16^th, libraries across the nation celebrate Bookmobile day in celebration of the bookmobiles and the dedicated staff that provide vital library services in their communities.  National Bookmobile Day is an opportunity for patrons to express their support for these important mobile institutions.  Bookmobile Day is also celebrated in conjunction with National Library Week.

National Library Workers Day

It is a day for library staff, users, administrators and patrons to recognize the valuable contributions made by all library workers.  This day is also celebrated in conjunction with National Library Week.

GPLS Annual Book Sale

Our 8^th Annual Book Sale was held on April 5, 2014.  This book sale provides another opportunity for the library to bring its awareness into the community.  Books, videos, cassette tapes & CDs sold are donated items from the community.  Funds raised benefit the library.

Click Here for Event Photos

Amnesty Month

GPLS provides once a year, the opportunity to allow patrons to have their fines forgiven, which is amnesty Month!  Beginning in April until the end of the month, anyone with a late book or a fine can find forgiveness at the library.  It doesn’t matter how old it is, we’ll waive it.  Preexisting fines and recent fines are both covered by the declaration of amnesty.  This is also a great way for patrons to return back to the library in utilizing our services.

Library Card Sign-Up Month

September is Library Card Sign-up month, a time when the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country remind parents and caregivers that a library card is the smartest card you can own.

A press release is sent out to all media and newspaper print encouraging the public to sign up for this FREE card.

Library Tours

Library tours are offered at the Main Library or any of the five (5) branches.  A reading session and an arts & crafts activity are included in the tour.  The tour provides a unique experience of the Library and its resources. 

Press Release

Press Releases are done for all GPLS events.  Press releases provide exposure and the potential for the public to know of our library.

Bookmobile Services

BOOKMOBILE SERVICES

The Bookmobile is a vital part of the Guam Public Library System (GPLS), for it services many remote locations throughout the island.  Our Bookmobile also makes scheduled stops to our village community centers, churches, hospital, daycares and low cost housing subdivisions (Guam Housing and Urban Redevelopment Authority ~ GHURA) around the island.  The technician assigned to the bookmobile will have a short reading session and at times a simple activity for the children.  Because there are a few public elementary schools that do not have a library, a visit from the bookmobile is requested at their school.  A tour is conducted and the kids are able to sign up for a library card and begin checking out books.  We also receive special requests from the schools for a visit from the “Cat in the Hat” or “Clifford the Big Red Dog.”  J.M. Guerrero and Liguan Terrace, which are both elementary schools has a diverse population of English Language Learners (ESL) that avail of the bookmobile services.

Reading at the Children’s Ward at the Guam Memorial Hospital (GMH)

We have regularly scheduled bookmobile stops at our only civilian hospital.  A reading session is held in the play room with the children present.  For those kids that are not able to leave their room for the reading, we pay a special visit to them in their room.  The “Cat in the Hat” along with “Clifford” ride along for this visit.

Reading at Day-Care Facilities

We have regularly scheduled bookmobile stops at several of our daycare facilities on the island.  The library technician would read a story or two to the kids and at time even a simple arts & craft activity.  Daycare kids are also treated to a special visit from the “Cat in the Hat” or “Clifford the Big Red Dog.”

SUNSATIONAL SUMMER CAMP BOOKMOBILE VISITS

For the past two years, we have partnered with one of our village community, the Sinajana Community Center, as they hold each year, their “Sun-Sational Summer Camp”.  At the beginning of the camp session, we promote by having the kids sign up for their very own library card.  Once completed, the bookmobile pays a visit every week to the camp program.  Campers are also treated to guest appearances from “Cat in the Hat” and “Clifford the Big Red Dog.” The bookmobile visit is incorporated into their program schedule of activities for the entire summer.

Guam Housing and Urban Redevelopment Authority (GHURA)

The Bookmobile makes regularly scheduled at the GHURA housing subdivision, which is a housing area for low and moderate families.  A story or two is read to the children visiting the bookmobile along with a simple craft activity.

Sister Libraries

GPLS is happy to announce that we have developed a relationship and are now sister libraries with the Antwerp Sunshine Library in Mattawan, Michigan and the O’Fallon Public Library located in Illinois. We exchange with our sister libraries postcards, pictures, stories about our library and where we live.

Collaboration with Community Based Organizations

Our community-based outreach seeks to move libraries beyond their traditional institutional boundaries to improve both access to and effectiveness of health, educational, technology, and historical information.  They provide our patrons with much needed information to educate and promote public awareness. This is done with agencies within our local government as well as businesses in the private sector and non-profit organizations such as the following….

Government Agencies

• Office of the Governor
• Department of Parks & Recreation
• Guam Preservation Trust
• Guam Fire Department
• Department of Agriculture
• Department of Mental Health
• Superior Court of Guam
• Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities (DISID)
• Guam Environmental Protection Agency (Marine Club of High School Students)
• Sinajana Mayor’s Office

Education & Higher Learning Institution

• University of Guam (UOG’s) Early Childhood Education Department
• Guam Community College
• Guam Trades Academy
• Department of Education High Schools
• George Washington High School Marine Mania Class
• Guam Community College Eco-Warriors
• St. John’s Private School

Non – Profit Organizations

• Guam Bar Association
• Sunshine Lions Club
• Rotary Club of Guam Sunrise
• Healthy Child Healthy Moms
• Healing Hearts
• Child Protective Services
• Guam International Reading Association
• Pacific Islands Bi-Lingual Bi-Cultural Association
• Cultural Groups such as CAHA (Council on the Arts & Humanities Agency)
• PA’A I TaTao Tano
• Guam Public Broadcasting System (PBS)
• Guam Animals In Need (GAIN)