Between Tuesday, September 9, and Wednesday, September 10, seventh grade students in three clusters had the opportunity to visit C.H. Booth Library.

According to Language Arts teacher Kristin Norden, the students left from Newtown Middle School to visit the library by 7:30 each day, and workshops centered around having the students familiarize themselves with using the library’s resources, like research tools, downloading eBooks, and applying for interlibrary loans.

The students also learned about a number of programs offered through the library, about upcoming events, and more, courtesy of library staff.

Students in Ms Norden, Brooke Nucifora, and Mary Connolly’s classes made the visit.

Rotating between three areas in the library, students heard from C.H. Booth Library Director Brenda McKinley about the library’s programs and saw a demonstration of the library’s 3D printer; heard from C.H. Booth Head of Reference Andy Forsyth about online databases, downloading Ebooks, how to request materials from other state libraries, and other library resources; and heard from Children’s Librarian Lana Bennison and Young Adult Librarian Kim Weber about the “New Stories for Newtown: Words and Images” contest and played a game about banned books, according to a handout for the event.

Students also had the opportunity to renew or sign up for library cards, and many students took the opportunity to sign books out of the library.

Ms McKinley told the students about an upcoming open house, set for September 27 from noon to 4 pm at the library that will highlight its chbMakers program. The open house, according to the library, will highlight arts, crafts, engineering, science, technology, and “the do-it-yourself mindset.” The event will include more than 20 exhibitions, hands-on projects, and workshops, according to the flyer.

Ms Bennison and Ms Weber reminded the students about the New Stories for Newtown: Words and Images contest, when they spoke before the groups. The Newtown Stories for Newtown: Words and Images contest was introduced this year with the theme, “What Inspires Me.” The original deadline for the contest was at the end of August, but it was extended to October 31. All Newtown students under the age of 19 are eligible for the contest. Newtown High School Class of 2014 graduates are also welcome to submit entries. The student submissions will be printed along with the works submitted by professional authors and illustrators in a book.

Awards will also be given out for the student submissions, according to a release from the library, for pieces that volunteer judges deem deserving of gold and silver awards.

More information and an entry form for the New Stories For Newtown: Words and Images contest is available online at Facebook.com/NewStoriesforNewtown or at CHBoothLibrary.org. Original works of art, illustration, poetry, fiction, graphic novels, digital art, paintings, collages, prints, fabric art, and photography will be accepted through October 31. Mixed media or three-dimensional pieces can be submitted via a clear photograph of the piece. Each piece must relate to the theme “What inspires me.”