The Toddler and Preschool Story Time is held at the library on Wednesdays at 10:30 am. Stories, crafts, and fun!

Parents, come in to the library with your children on Tuesdays at 6:30pm for stories, crafts, and family fun together. Family Story Time is designed for family interaction, so the craft is more difficult than what we do at the Toddler/Preschool Story Time.

Here are the teen chess dates for the first part of 2009.

• Thu, Jan 8^th, 6-8:15pm
• Thu, Jan 22^nd, 6-8:15pm
• Thu, Feb 5^th, 6-8:15pm
• Thu, Feb 19^th, 6-8:15pm
• Thu, Mar 5^th, 6-8:15pm
• Thu, Mar 19^th, 6-8:15pm
• Thu, Apr 2^nd, 6-8:15pm
• Thu, Apr 16^th, 6-8:15pm
• Thu, May 7^th, 6-8:15pm
• Thu, May 21^st, 6-8:15pm

Films, speakers, food, and cosplay. No registration required, just come.

• Mon, Dec 8^th, 6:30-8:15pm
• Mon, Jan 5^th, 6:30-8:15pm
• Mon, Feb 2^nd, 6:30-8:15pm
• Mon, Mar 2^nd, 6:30-8:15pm
• Mon, Apr 6^th, 6:30-8:15pm
• Mon, May 4^th, 6:30-8:15pm

Join us in the community room for an afternoon movie matinee. We'll watch the movie together on our big screen. Refreshments are provided.

• Tue, Dec 9^th at 5:30pm, Polar Express (upstairs)
• Sat, Dec 13^th at 1pm, Fred Claus
• Sat, Jan 10^th at 1pm, Mamma Mia!
• Sat, Feb 14^th at 1pm, Mamma Mia!
• Sat, Mar 14^th at 1pm, Nights in Rodanthe

Test your skills against other players! Teens in grades 6-12 are invited to this Swiss-system tournament in which there are no eliminations. Note: this event has been postponed. The new date will be announced once it has been rescheduled. Points are assigned for each player's win, loss, or draw, and after four rounds the player with the highest score wins! Prizes will be awarded for participation and for the three highest scores. Refreshments will be served. There is no cost to enter, but registration is required.

• Sat, Mar 21^st, 11-5pm, CANCELLED
• Thu, Apr 9^th at 6:30pm, Round One
• Thu, Apr 16^th at 6:30pm, Final Round

Our first-Thursday book discussion group now meets at the library. Each month we all read the same book then come together to discuss it. If you are interested in joining the group, contact Cyndi

• Thu, Dec 4^th at 6:30pm, A Redbird Christmas, by Fannie Flago
• Thu, Feb 5^th at 6:30pm, Red Water, by Judith Freeman
• Thu, Mar 5^th at 6:30pm, Mercy, by Jodi Picoult
• Thu, Apr 2^nd at 6:30pm, Cold Mountain, by Charles Frazier

We've scheduled our computer classes for February, March, and April. Topics covered include the internet and world wide web, basic word processing (typing up things you're going to print out on paper), and Windows XP. Classes are $2 per person per class and generally last 2-2.5 hours. Signup sheets are at the main desk.

Girls and boys in grades 3-6, come Bead it Up! Join us for a creative time to make a bracelet that's all you! We will have plenty of beads to choose from for boys and for girls, so drop in and make your own one-of-a-kind bracelet. There is no charge for this program, but registration is required. Sign up now at the Children's Room desk. Sat, Jan 31^st, 2-3pm.

The Galion Public Library will be accepting non-perishable food products in lieu of cash for the payment of overdue fines during the month of February, 2009. All the collected food will be donated to a local food bank. Only overdue fines (not lost item charges or other fees) are eligible. Please donate an amount of food in keeping with the size of your fine, and remember that foods with expired use-by dates cannot be given to those in need.

Come in after hours for an evening of board games and video games. We'll play DDR, Rock Band, Guitar Hero, and others (depending on availability). Refreshments will be served. For teens in grades 7-12. Registration is required. Fri, Feb 6^th, 7-10pm.

Unemployed? Perhaps this free all-day workshop can help. Topics covered include assessing your skills, searching for jobs, filling out applications, sharpening up your resume, interviewing, and attending job fairs. Registration is required. Lunch will be provided. Fri, Feb 13^th, 9:30-4pm.

The Friends of the Library are raffling off a hand-stitched Mennonite quilt, which is on display at the library. Tickets are $1, or six for $5.

• Fri, May 8^th, Winner to be drawn.

Join us here at the library for an informal book chat. We'll discuss books we've been reading and share recommendations. Fri, Feb 27^th at 10am.

Are you interested in photography? The library will be hosting a workshop, conducted by Brian Foley of Photography in Focus. Cameras are optional.

• Wed, Mar 25^th, 6-7:30pm, 1st workshop

We would like to hear from you! Join us for tea and coffee and help us plan adult-oriented library programs for 2009. Would you enjoy crafts, games, new projects, or just a meeting place to socialize? Let us know what you think. Mon, Mar 30^th, 6-7pm.

Come celebrate a mouse with a big heart... and ears! If you are a boy or girl in grades 3-6, please join us for crafts, games, and a door prize! Registration is required. Sat, Mar 28^th, 2-3:30pm.

The library will be closed all day for a staff inservice. (Items may still be returned in the book drop.) Fri, May 15^th.

The friends of the library will be holding their spring book sale the last week of May. Watch this space for specific dates.