As some of you may have noticed, we've officially launched our library discussion forum. On the forum, we can all share our thoughts about issues related to the library. The rest of the website is pretty one-way: we put it up, and you read it. The forum is different in that it allows you to answer. All you need to sign onto the forum and share your thoughts is the number printed on the back of your library card (under the barcode).

Are you interested in Japanese animation and graphic novels? Would you like to know more about Japanese culture? On January 18^th at 6:30pm we will be having an organizational meeting for grades 7-12 to start a club for fans of anime and manga. Registration is required.

Are you uncomfortable with your computer? Does it sit and collect dust because you don't know what to do with it? Maybe you could benefit from a class or two, to get you started.

• Intro to the Internet, January 30^th, 6:00-8:30pm
• Windows Basics, February 15^th, 6:00-8:30pm
• Intro to Word Processing, March 19^th, 6:00-8:30pm

These classes are just $2 each. Sign up at the main desk.

Teens in grades 6-12, come play chess with us, 6:30pm on these Thursday nights:

December 14^th and 21^st

January 11^th and 25^th

February 8^th and 22^nd

March 8^th, 22^nd, and 29^th

Tournament March 31^st circa 11am

April 12^th and 26^th

May 10^th and 17^th

There will be a party for grades 3-6 on Saturday, January 27^th, 2-4pm. The party is free, but it is limited to 20 children, so sign up now in the Children's Room.

Teens, try your hand at making something warm and cozy out of fleece. Little sewing skill needed, supplies provided. Registration required. February 1^st, 6:30-8:15 pm.

The library will be holding a Food for Fines drive from February 5^th—17^th, 2007. We will be accepting canned goods and non-perishable food items, and in an equitable exchange we will take that amount off the overdue fines on your account. If you have fines, you can help out your community and take care of your fines at the same time. All food items that we receive will be donated to the local food bank.

Be creative when photographing family and friends! We all take photos of people, from newborn babies to grandparents to celebrations. A few composition guidelines and helpful tips will help you capture lifestyle images that are natural and show how people feel, not just how they look with frozen or cheesy smiles. Come prepared for class with a working knowlege of your camera (digital or film), a notebook, and any specific questions or concerns that you have.

Teens will celebrate the beginning of the Year of the Pig, learn about the Chinese Zodiac, and explore the customs, crafts, food and superstitions. Registration required. February 16^th, 7-10 pm.

These matinees are free and open to the public. Join us in the Community Room at 1pm on the following Saturdays:

• February 24^th, 1-3pm — Zoom, starring Tim Allen
• April 7^th, 1-3pm — Night at the Museum, starring Ben Stiller
• May 5^th, 1-3pm; — to be announced

You won't want to miss being a part of these lively book discussions. The group meets on the first Thursday of the month at the Off Center café at 6:30. So why don't you stop by, have some coffee and discuss a great book!

• March 1^st — These Is My Words by Nancy Turner
• April 5^th — The Good Journey by Micaela Gilchrist
• May 3^rd — My Invented Country by Isabel Allende

There is also an informal book chat on the last first Friday each month at 10am in the Community Room. Newcomers are welcome.

They've arrived! Starting March 1^st, you can trade in your old library card for a new set. You get a wallet card and a matching keychain tag. If you have trouble remembering your library card, but you can manage to remember your keys, this is for you. We'll even update your old card to a new set for free. Bring your old card with you, or a photo ID.

Sandy Hansen from Women's History Alive brings us a wacky audience-participation program with hula dancing, sign language, songs, magic, and silliness about twentieth century American women. March 5^th, 6pm

Teens, come play this hot dancing game on our big screen! April 20^th, 7-10pm. Registration required.

Teens, go beyond fabric paints and tie dye to make cool summer fashions out of t-shirts. Little or no sewing skills will be needed. Registration is required. May 3^rd, 6:30-8:15 pm

This program covers such things as which offices to contact for various records, internet research (including Ancestry Library Edition), and researching house histories. This is an excellent opportunity for beginners to learn and for experienced genealogists to share knowledge and information. We will be having fun and eating together, too!