FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Library hosts free programs in May

Laptops, teen events, Wii games, Navajo Code Talkers, more featured

List of free programs sponsored by the Newport News Public Library System for May 2009.

Sara Hoagland Hunter will discuss her book, “The Unbreakable Code,” as Main Street Library celebrates the history of the Navajo Code Talkers of World War II, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, May 16

Library closings

The Newport News Public Library System will be closed Sunday, May 24, and Monday, May 25, in observance of Memorial Day.

 Investment Fundamentals

Amanda Blanks with the Virginia Division of Securities will teach participants the basics of getting started in investing, where to find help, and how to avoid fraud, 10:30 a.m.-noon, Saturday, May 2, at Main Street Library. Registration is required, and is ongoing online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Main Street Library at 757-591-4858.

Paws to Read

The Paws to Read program helps children ages 6 to 10 build their confidence by reading out loud to dogs at Grissom Library on the first Saturday of each month. The next Paws to Read program will be 3-4 p.m. on Saturday, May 2, at Grissom Library. Parents are required to fill out a permission slip and may accompany their children, as well. No registration is required.

 Virginia Employment Commission Website Orientation Sessions

In the Business Center, the Main Street Library staff will offer orientation sessions to help patrons register to use the Virginia Employment Commission site, VAworkconnect.com, 10 a.m. to noon, Mondays, May 4, 11, 18; and 2 to 4 p.m., Thursdays, May 7, 14, 21, 18. Registration is required and is ongoing online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Main Street Library at 757-591-4858.

Learning on Laptops: Computer Basics for Kids

As part of the new Learning on Laptops program, children ages 8-12 can learn overview of the computer, light typing, mouse navigation, and some word processing. The one-session training course is 4:30-5:30 p.m., Monday, May 4, at Grissom Library. Each participant will receive a free flash drive. In order to use the laptops, youth must have a library card and signed parental permission.  Registration is required, and begins April 20 online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Grissom Library at 757-369-3190.

Yu Gi Oh Learn and Duel Card Club

Youth ages 9 to 18 can learn the basic rules to play Yu Gi Oh, 4:30-6 p.m., Tuesday, May 5, at Pearl Bailey Library. Participants are encouraged to bring their own deck of cards and duel with other players. Trading is allowed, but players will not lose their cards in the games. No registration is required.

Teen Knit and Crochet Night

Teens ages 12 to 17 can learn how to knit or crochet or just hang out and have fun crafting, 6:30-8 p.m., Tuesday, May 5, at Grissom Library. Registration is required and begins April 24 online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Grissom Library at 757-369-3190.

‘Yes, You Can Go to College’ for Teens

Diana Durham, coordinator of the Southeast Higher Education Center of Thomas Nelson Community College, discusses the steps necessary for teens ages 14-18 to prepare for college and  what to consider for each step, 4-5:30 p.m., Wednesdays, May 6 and 20, at Pearl Bailey Library. No registration required.

Mother's Day Celebration

Children ages 5-9 can get ready for Mother's Day by listening to stories and making a gift to take home for mom, 4:30-5:30 p.m., Thursday, May 7, at Grissom Library. Registration is required, and begins April 23 online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Grissom Library at 757-369-3190.

Learning on Laptops for Youth Session II

As part of the new Learning on Laptops program, youth ages 8-17 can learn how to use Microsoft Word/(MS)Word, practice skills such as selecting and modifying text, cutting, pasting and saving a document, 4-5:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 12, at Pearl Bailey Library. In order to use the laptops, youth must have a library card and signed parental permission.  Registration is required, and is ongoing online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677. 

Kids' Wii Party

Children ages 7-11 can celebrate Children's Book Week with Wii games, snacks and friends, 6:30-8 p.m., Tuesday, May 12, at Grissom Library. Registration is required, and begins April 28 online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Grissom Library at 757-369-3190.

Introduction to the Business Decision database

Main Street Library staff will teach participants how to use the Business Decision database, located in the Business Information Center at Main Street Library. The small-business-oriented database allows users to create maps based on various statistical data, such as extensive consumer household data, market segmentation data, population forecasts and demographic data. The class is offered 10-11 a.m., Thursday, May 14. Registration is required and is ongoing online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Main Street Library at 757-591-4858.

Youth Career Café

Sharnya Smith, coordinator for Peninsula Council for Workforce Development (Youth Career Café), will focus on summer employment opportunities for teens ages 12-18 as part of Youth Career Café, an ongoing program that offers workplace readiness skill training activities as well as career awareness, exploration and planning, 4-5:30 p.m., Thursday, May 14, at Pearl Bailey Library. No registration required. 

Remembering the Code Talkers of WWII

Before World War II, the Navajo people shared stories in a language that had never been written down and was virtually unknown to outsiders. It became a "secret weapon" in preventing the Japanese from intercepting and decoding American radio messages during the War. In Sara Hunter’s book, “The Unbreakable Code,” an elderly Navajo man tells his grandson the story of how he and other Navajo men left their canyon home to perform this crucial mission for the U.S. government. Hunter will discuss her book and reflections on the Navajo people based on her interviews. Local artist Edward Condra will unveil his paintings of the Code Talkers that were commissioned by the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation. Arline Cordova Page will demonstrate American Indian cooking and provide samples. The free event is 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, May 16, at Main Street Library. No registration is required.

Introduction to the Foundation Directory Online

Main Street Library staff will teach participants how to use the Foundation Directory Online database, which allows grant-seekers to search for grants and research potential donors. This class will be offered 3-4 p.m., on Tuesday, May 19, in the Business Information Center at Main Street Library. Registration is required and is ongoing online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Main Street Library at 757-591-4858.

Learning on Laptops for Youth Session III

As part of the new Learning on Laptops program, youth ages 8-17 can learn how to locate, select,  import  and save pictures and photos. Participants will also practice skills such as editing and saving photos as well as cutting and pasting pictures to a document, 4:30-5:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 19, at Pearl Bailey Library. In order to use the laptops, youth must have a library card and signed parental permission.  Registration is required, and is ongoing online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677.

Declutter Your Head and House

Mary Frances Ballard, owner of Orderly Places, will discuss how unused items take up space not only in your house, but also in your mind. She will also demonstrate how to organize items through the three P’s of the Organizing Process, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 19, at Grissom Library. Registration is required, and begins April 30 online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Grissom Library at 757-369-3190.

Learning on Laptops: Intro to Facebook for Teens

As part of the new Learning on Laptops program, teens ages 13-17 can learn how to use the social networking website Facebook. The one-session training course is 4-5 p.m., Tuesday, May 26, at Grissom Library. Students will learn how to create and edit Facebook profiles, and each participant will receive a free flash drive. In order to use the laptops, teens must have a library card and signed parental permission.  Registration is required, and begins May 12 online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Grissom Library at 757-369-3190. 

Healthy Weight, Healthy Teens

Jacqueline Simmons, 4-H Family Nutrition Program assistant,  shares information that will help teens ages 12-18 establish healthy living practices that will assure productive lives. Teens will also have an opportunity to make and sample healthy foods and snacks, 4-5:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 26, at Pearl Bailey Library. No registration required.

Teen Urban Lit Book Club

Teens ages 12 to 17 can meet to discuss books from the Bluford Series, “Lost and Found,” 4:30-5:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 27, at Pearl Bailey Library. No registration required.

Interviewing 101

Christopher Newport University professor Dr. Michaela Meyer will teach participants how to use interviewing skills, including theory and practical use for employment situations, resume design and question design/response, 1-40 p.m., Saturday, May 30, at Main Street Library. Registration is required and begins April 27 online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Main Street Library at 757-591-4858.  

Wii Appreciate Vets Day

Members of Pearl Bailey Library’s Teen Advisory Committee and other teens will present  special "Thanks For Your Service" certificates to veterans from Disabled American Veterans Hampton Unit 6  and play games, including those on the Wii game system, 4-5:30 p.m., Thursday, May 28, at Pearl Bailey Library. No registration required.

Loosely Knit Group

Everyone is welcome to join the Loosely Knit Group, which meets 9:30-11:30 a.m. every first and third Thursday of each month at Grissom Library. Anyone who enjoys knitting, crocheting, or any craft is welcome, and no registration is required.

Computer classes

Registration begins May 1 for June classes online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling the respective library. Classes are offered on an ongoing basis covering various topics, including computer and Internet basics, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, resume writing and more. Search for classes and register at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling the respective library.

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