The Milford Library had a great turnout at the instant pot nutrition program on Feb. 25. Watch for information on the next nutrition program, scheduled for May 6.

MILFORD — The Milford Public Library will be offering the following events this month: 

 BOARD MEETING

The Milford Public Library board will meet at 5 p.m. Monday, March 18, in the meeting room. Board meetings are open to the public. Attend a meeting and learn how the board navigates ongoing business at the library.

 KNITTING CLUB

Learn a new skill with the Knitting Club from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. Thursday, March 21. The members will teach anyone interested how to knit and crochet. Individuals are also welcome to stop by to work on a project. If you can’t make it to this meeting, future meetings are always on the first and third Thursday each month. No library card or registration needed.

 ADULT READING CLUB

Adults 18 and older can win prizes just by reading and filling out a bingo sheet. For each row on the bingo sheet, a participant can enter their name into a weekly drawing for a prize. No library card needed. Just sign up at the adult circulation desk. The Adult Reading Program will continue until March 30, 2019, so hurry in and fill out a bingo card to win prizes for reading. We only have two more drawings until the end and the big drawing. Every Friday in March, the adult circulation desk is giving away free leprechaun treats to anyone in Adult Reading Club. Stop by and pick up your magical treat along with a books to win our bingo prizes.

 AWARD WINNING BOOKS AVAILABLE

Most of you have probably heard of the Caldecott and Newbery Awards given to a children’s book each year.  These medals have been awarded since 1922. The Caldecott Medal was named in honor of Randolph Caldecott, a nineteenth-century English illustrator. It is awarded by the Association for Library Service for Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children. This year’s winner is “Hello Lighthouse,” by Sophie Blackall. The masterful ink and watercolor illustrations tell the story of a lighthouse and the family inside. The 2019 honor books are: “Alma and How She Got Her Name,” by Juana Martinez-Neal; “A Big Mooncake for Little Star,” by Grace Lin; “The Rough Patch,” by Brian Lies and “Thank you, Omu!,” by Oge Mora. Each of these books was also illustrated by its author. The Newbery Medal was named for eighteenth-century British bookseller John Newbery.  It is also awarded annually by the Association for Library Service for Children, to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. The 2019 Newbery Medal winner is “Merci Suárez Changes Gears,” written by Meg Medina. This book tells the story of Merci and her Cuban-American family. The 2019 honor books are “The Night Diary,” by Veera Hiranandani and “The Book of Boy,” by Catherine Gilbert Murdock.  All of these books are available, or soon will be, in the children’s department of the library. 

The Indiana Early Literacy Firefly Award is an initiative of the Indiana Center for the Book. This is a newer award, beginning in 2015. The state award is administered by the Indiana Early Literacy Firefly Committee made up of professionals in Indiana including librarians, teachers and caregivers, all of them being involved in childhood development. Picture books serve a very important role in the life of a child. The purpose of the Firefly Award is to encourage parents and other adults to interact with young children by sharing excellent picture books. This year’s nominees are:  “A Hippy-Hoppy Toad,” by Peggy Archer; “Jabari Jumps,” by Gaia Cornwall; “There’s a Monster in Your Book,” by Tom Fletcher; “Hello, Hello,” by Brendan Wenzel and “Play This Book,” by Jessica Young. Children ages 0-5 can vote for their favorite book. The last day to turn in votes is May 15, 2019.  These books are available in the children’s department.  These are just a few of the award-winning books at the library.  We hope you will come in soon and check some of them out.