Books in the Belfry: Read for your mental health

CAMBRIDGE – Before we share our exciting upcoming events schedule, we want to let you know of some upcoming closures to help better plan your visit with us. Both branches will be closed for the Maryland/Delaware Library Association Conference for professional development on May 9. Both branches will also be closed in observance of Memorial Day on May 27.

Did you know that May is both Asian American Pacific Islander Month and Mental Health Awareness Month?

To help celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander history and culture, stop by our displays for some featured titles. More can be found in the stacks and not just in the adult section of the library. There are many different titles to broaden horizons in the children's sections featuring Asian American authors and characters, as well.

According to the Neuroscience Institute at Nuvance Health, "Research shows that regular reading can lower blood pressure , reduce stress and improve sleep quality. Researchers have also found a link between reading books and longevity; reading keeps your brain active and promotes mental and emotional fitness" (from nuvancehealth.org).

Prioritize your mental wellness by checking out a book from our Mental Health Display - or any book in general! We have many books that can help you better understand mental wellness, medical diagnoses, and strategies for treatment and coping.

For children and teens, we carry titles focused on learning all about emotions, dealing with stress and anxiety, and promoting self-confidence and positive habits. And for those with more enchanted and fantastical interests, give your busy brain a break and escape to new worlds with our Enchanting Dragons Display at the Cambridge Branch.

Happenings at both Cambridge & Hurlock Libraries:

• All Month: Craft To-Go Egg Carton Bird Feeder - Grab a free craft to-go craft kit containing all you need to create your own bird feeder! Full instructions and suggested birdseed are included. Colors will vary. Available while supplies last. For all ages.
• Every Wednesday: Story Time, 10:30 a.m. - Develop your child's social-emotional skills and build a love for reading by bringing your youngest readers to enjoy stories, songs, and activities with us - every week - at either our Cambridge or Hurlock branch. For ages 0 to 6.

Happenings at the Cambridge Library:

• All Month: Scavenger Hunt & Giveaway -How well do you know our library? Test your knowledge with our library scavenger hunt this month.Participants will be entered into a giveaway for a basket full of books on gardening and the outdoors. See more in the glass display upstairs by the elevator. Scavenger hunt forms are available at the Information Desk. Adult program.
• Every Wednesday: Teen Anime Club, 4 p.m. - Meet up with fellow anime lovers weekly for games, episodes, snacks and fun activities. For ages 13+.
• Tuesday, May 7: Mother's Day & Maternal Guardian Paint & Craft Night, 4:30 p.m. - Come paint and create a butterfly windchime as your own special little gift of gratitude to your mother or the maternal guardian in your life. Craft supplies and light refreshments will be provided. Adult program, but children with supervision are also welcome to attend.
• May 11: Second Saturday Story Time, 10:30 a.m. - Come out to the library for a special Saturday Story Time and stay for the amazing Friends of the Library Booksale, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. For ages 0 to 6.
• May 14: Stitch & Knit, 4:30 p.m. - Calling all crafters: Bring your knitting needles or crochet hooks and come craft with us! Don't have a project? Small weaving looms will be available for you to try. Adult program.
• May 18: Spoken Word Open Mic, 3 p.m. - Do you have the heart of a poet? Do you write your own song lyrics? Do you have a favorite poem that just needs to be read aloud to be fully appreciated? Then join us! First come, first signed up. Every performer will be allotted three minutes in the spotlight. Poems and prose may not contain profanity or sexually explicit content. This is a family-friendly event. Acoustic instruments welcome, but no amps or electric guitars. Mark your calendars and invite friends to join this unforgettable celebration of language, community and expression. For ages 13+.
• May 24: Blossoms Await Seed Shaker Workshop, 4 p.m. - Make your own wildflower seed shaker to spread some positive energy and grow something special for the pollinators! Supplies and light refreshments will be provided. Adult program, but children with supervision welcome as well.
• May 14 and 28: Lobby Event - Mid Shore Behavioral Health, 12-5 p.m. - Walk into the Cambridge Library's downstairs lobby during these afternoons to meet a representative from Mid Shore Behavioral Health who will be hosting an information table about their services. Thanks to the library's partnership with Mid Shore Behavioral Health, gun locks are available for free for patrons who would like to pick one up.

Happenings at the Hurlock Library:

• Thursday: Stitch & Knit, 5:30 p.m. - Calling all crafters: Bring your knitting needles or crochet hooks and come craft with us! Don't have a project? Small weaving looms, crochet hooks and knitting needles will be available for you to try! Light refreshments will be available. Adult program.
• May 23: STEM Night, 5:30 p.m. - Experience the excitement of STEM! Our program offers hands-on activities, demos and presentations on science, technology, engineering and math. For all ages.
• Hurlock Drop-in Crafts -May 6-16: Frog Craft- Create a fun froggy friend. For all ages.

May 20-30: Scavenger Hunt - Barry Bookworm is at it again, hiding in the Hurlock branch. Visit the library, follow the clues and search for him in the stacks.

Did you know?

The Dewey Decimal number for books on mental health is 616. Check out this section for a variety of mental health topics.

Can't find the title or topic you're looking for? We can request it for free from another library on the Eastern Shore by using your Dorchester County Public Library card - or it may be available through our free digital libraries, Hoopla and Libby. Ask a staff member for more information.

For event updates and additions, be sure to visit our website at dorchesterlibrary.org for our calendar of events. Our summer schedule of events has recently been added. Like us on Facebook at at dorchestercountypubliclibrarymd or follow us on Instagram at dorchesterlibrarymd for more information about events, resources and library announcements.

We would like to give a very grateful shoutout to one of our longtime Cambridge Library families, the Hansons, for donating early literacy toys and program snacks from our Amazon Wishlist. Your support is greatly appreciated.

If you or someone you know would like to give our library system a helping hand or join the Friends of the Library, visit the "Support Us" tab on our website. Your support directly helps us support our communities.

Ms. Rodriguez is information associate, and Ms. Kennedy is assistant director at the Central Library.