Children’s Programs

Valentine Craft: Marie Walker will conduct a Valentine craft workshop on Saturday, February 10, from 11-12:30 pm for ages 6 and up. Participants must register in person on or before February 9. A $2 materials fee is due at the time of registration.

Book Discussion: The Library will host a book discussion on February 16 from 4-5 pm for students in grades 4-6. The topic will be Jane Yolen’s book, Merlin. Library volunteer Liz Arneth will moderate the discussion. Copies of the book are available in the children’s department.

Author Visit: Award-winning children’s author Jane Yolen will visit the library on Sunday, March 4, at 2 pm in the meeting room. Ms Yolen is the author of hundreds of books, including the Caldecott winner, Owl Moon. Following the program she will be signing copies of some of her most popular titles. Mark your calendars and don’t miss this unique opportunity to meet one of the most talented and prolific children’s authors in America. For more information about this or any other children’s programs call 426-3851.

Adult Programs

Tax Help: Ken Wilkinson is returning to the library on Tuesday afternoons from 1:30-4:00 pm during tax season to help with tax related questions. No appointment is necessary. Mr Wilkinson can be found in the Large Print room, which is located next to the circulation desk on the main floor of the library.

Beginning Internet Class: Bob Brand will be teaching an Internet class for beginners on Saturday, February 3, from 10 am-noon in the meeting room of the library. The class is free but please register by calling the library at 426-4533. An intermediate class will be offered on February 17 from 10 am-noon, also in the meeting room. A $10 supply fee is charged for this class, and it is also requested that you call the library to register.

Sydney Eddison and Primroses: Newtown author, lecturer, and gardener Sydney Eddison will be coming to the library to speak about primroses on February 6 at 7 pm in the meeting room. For the daughter of an expatriate Briton, English primroses are a sentimental favorite. Sydney will show slides of her woodland garden awash with color from these and other early spring blooming wildflowers from Europe, Asia, and eastern North America. The program is free and the public is invited to attend.

Mystery Discussion is back: Due to the popularity of the Fall Mystery Book Discussion the library will be hosting another mystery series starting in January. This time around we’ll be discussing “The Landscape of the American Mystery.” Featured authors will be Carl Hiaasen, Lilian Jackson Braun, Tony Hillerman, and Marcia Talley, a relatively new mystery writer who will be joining us for the discussion of her first book. Dates and titles for the series will be Sick Puppy by Carl Hiaasen on January 23, The Cat Who Sang for the Birds by Lilian Jackson Braun on February 13, Sing it to her Bones by Marcia Talley on March 6, and a mystery by Tony Hillerman still to be determined on March 27. Join fellow mystery lovers for lively discussion and fellowship. Several copies of these titles will be available. The books will be located in a special book discussion area, so please be sure to ask at the circulation desk if you have any trouble finding them. All discussions will take place in the Special Collections Room on the third floor at 7:30 pm.

Creative Sampler: Ginger Humeston will be leading a five part course on “Creativity” beginning in January on Thursdays at 9:30 am. The workshop will focus on ways to enrich ourselves through a variety of mediums. The series continues with “The Creative Energy of Dreams” with Anita Hall on February 8, and a book discussion led by Ginger Humeston on Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh on February 15. The current workshop series is filled to capacity but due to the positive response the library is considering sponsoring another series, this time in the evening. If you would be interested in such an offering please call the library at 426-4533.

Visit Japan with Wally Wood: The travel series will be continuing on Thursday, February 8, at 7:30 pm with Lester Burrough’s slide illustrated talk on Tanzania and Kenya. Included in the talk will be cultural tips, special places to visit not always mentioned in the guide books, as well as practical advice on how to get around. The series will continue on March 1, with Wendy Leon Gambetta introducing a film about Peru; and on March 8, Ian McMahon will share his knowledge of Ireland. Refreshments will be served. This promises to be a fun and cultural experience. All are invited to attend.

NEW Daytime Book Discussion: For all of you unable to make the evening book discussions please consider joining us at the library for a new daytime book discussion group on Monday, February 26, at 1 pm. The group will be discussing Anita Shreve’s novel The Weight of Water. In March the book will be Anita Diamant’s popular best seller, The Red Tent. Please call the library at 426-4533 if you are interested in attending.