FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Concerts, holiday celebrations, booksale, more in December at Newport News Libraries

December Library Closings and Events.

Library Closings

The Newport News Public Library System will be closed Thursday, Dec. 23, Friday, Dec. 24, and Saturday, Dec. 25, for Christmas, and Friday, Dec. 31, and Saturday, Jan. 1, 2011, for New Years.

Can Your Fines

A nonperishable, nonexpired food item or personal item can take the place of a fine for overdue materials from Saturday, Nov. 27, to Thursday, Dec. 30, at all Newport News Public Library System locations. This includes outstanding fines for long-overdue items that are returned, but does not apply to lost or damaged materials or to fees charged once an account has been sent to the collection agency. Items collected will be donated to the Food Bank of the Virginia Peninsula.

Winter Concert Series: Rock-It Men

Rock-It Men, a band made up of rocket scientists, will present a free concert of music from the 1950s and 1960s, 6-7 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 1, at West Avenue Library, and 6-7 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 8, at Grissom Library. No registration required.

Grissom Tree Trimming

Children ages 4-10 can share holiday stories, make ornaments for the Grissom tree and to take home,1-2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 4, at

Grissom Library. Registration is required and begins Nov. 20 online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Grissom Library at 757-369-3190.

Decorate Your Table and House for the Holidays

Floral designer Michelle Belsches will teach adults how to decorate their tables and homes for the holidays, making a statement using holiday colors, 1-5 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 4, at Pearl Bailey Library. Registration is required and is ongoing online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677.

Paws to Read

Children ages 6 to 10 build their confidence by reading out loud to trained therapy 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, Dec. 4, at Grissom Library. Parents are required to fill out a permission slip and may accompany their children, as well. No registration is required.

Vintage Christmas Ornaments

Adults can learn to collect and care for 1800s-1960s ornaments and make their own vintage-inspired ornament with the help of crafting instructor Ruthann Grabowski, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Monday, Dec. 6, at Grissom Library and 6-8 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 9, at Main Street Library. Registration is required and is ongoing online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Grissom Library at 757-369-3190 or Main Street Library at 591-4858.

Games On! Board, Card and Video Games Galore For Youth

All board game and video game players ages 6-18 can play the new card games Monopoly, Slam and Pictureka with other players, 4-6 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 7, at Pearl Bailey Library. Don't miss this chance to meet other players the first Tuesday of each month. New members are always welcome. No registration required.

Teen Advisory Committee
Teens ages 12-18 can meet to help advise Library staff on ways to improve Library programs and services. The group meets 5-6:30 p.m., the second Wednesday of each month at Pearl Bailey Library. The next meeting is Wednesday, Dec. 8. A Teen Advisory Committee application is required to join, and visitors are welcome. For more information, call Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677.

Up for Discussion: Main Street Library Book Discussion Group

Adults will discuss the book “Skipping Christmas” by John Grisham, 7-8 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 8, in the Friends of the Newport News Public Library Bookstore at Main Street Library. This book is available to borrow from the Newport News Public Library System, and participants are asked to read the book completely before attending. Registration is required and begins Nov. 12 online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling any Newport News Public Library.

Friends of the Newport News Public Library Booksale

Get great deals on gently used books and more at the Friends of the Newport News Public Library’s book sale, Dec. 9-11, at West Avenue Library. Hours for the sale are noon-6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 9; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10; and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11. A special preview for Friends members is 10 a.m.-noon on Thursday, Dec. 9. Prices are $1-$3 or as marked for hardbacks, 50 cents or as marked for paperbacks, 25 cents for children’s books, 50 cents for audiobooks on cassette, 50 cents for VHS tapes and $1 or as marked for CDs/DVDs. Collectibles and special interest items are individually priced. Contact the Friends of the Newport News Public Library at friendsnewportnews@yahoo.com for additional information or call 757-247-8875.

Holiday Fest Super Saturday

Children and their families can enjoy a free holiday celebration on Saturday, Dec. 11, at Pearl Bailey Library. Storytime

with a holiday-themed craft for ages 3-11 is 10:30-11:45 a.m.; visit with Santa is Noon-1 p.m.; and holiday music by the Elliott Family String Quartet is 1-2 p.m. Registration is ongoing online or by calling Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677.

Winter Concert Series: Elliott Family String Quartet

This family ensemble will perform classic holiday music, 1-2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 11, at Pearl Bailey Library and 2-3 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 18, at Main Street Library. No registration required.

Winter Concert Series: Acclaim! Barbershop Quartet

Acclaim! will perform barbershop classics as well as holiday favorites, 2-3 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 14, at Grissom Library. No registration is required.

Learning on Laptops for Youth: Online Databases

Youth ages 8-11 will learn basic skills using free online research databases such as Find it Virginia, Mango Languages and more, 4-5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 14, at Pearl Bailey Library. These classes will be held the second Tuesday of each month through May 2011. Registration is required and is ongoing online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677.

FKO Youth Advisory Committee
Children ages 6-11 can meet to help advise Library staff on ways to improve Library programs and services, as well as book purchases. The group meets 4:30-5:15 p.m., the third Wednesday of each month at Pearl Bailey Library. The next meeting is Wednesday, Dec. 15. Registration is required and is ongoing online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677.

Lego party

Children ages 6 -11 can use Lego building blocks provided by the Library to build a creation based on the theme of the day, 3-4 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 18, at Grissom Library. Creations may be displayed in the children's area. Registration is required and begins Dec. 4 online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Grissom Library at 757-369-3190.

Learning on Laptops for Teens: Online Databases

Teens ages 12-18 will learn basic skills using free online research databases such as Find it Virginia, Mango Languages and more, 4-5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 21 at Pearl Bailey Library. These classes will be held the third Tuesday of each month through May 2011. Registration is required and is ongoing online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677.

Teen Urban Lit Book Club

Teens ages 12-18 meet to discuss "Schooled," a Bluford Series book by Paul Langan, 4:30-5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 22, at Pearl Bailey Library. The Urban Lit Book Club will meet the fourth Wednesday of each month. New members are always welcome. Registration is ongoing online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677.

Loosely Knit Group

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

All Tied Up: Bailey Knit & Stitch Group

Adults are welcome to join the All Tied Up Group, which meets 6:30-8:30 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at Pearl Bailey Library. Participants can socialize with others while learning a new skill or enhance their current skills. Registration is required and is ongoing online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677.

Computer classes

Registration begins Dec. 1 for January 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.

Second Fall Storytime Session

The Late Fall Storytime schedule runs Nov. 8-Dec. 18. Registration is required and begins Oct. 25 online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling the respective Library.

Grissom Library

· Babygarten for ages birth to 2½ (with parent or caregiver)

Mondays at 10 a.m.

· Preschool Storytime for ages 3 to 5 (Children only)

Tuesdays at 11 a.m.

· Tiny Tot Storytime for ages 2½ to 3½ (with parent or caregiver)

Wednesdays at 11 a.m.

Pearl Bailey Library

· Preschool Storytime for ages 3 to 5 (Children only)

Mondays at 10 a.m.,

· Super Saturday Storytime (ages 2½ to 11 with family members)

Dec. 11 with special holiday craft at 10:30 a.m.
 

Main Street Library

· Tiny Tot Storytime for ages 2½ to 3½ (with parent or caregiver)

Tuesdays at 10 a.m., Dec. 7 & 14

· Preschool Storytime for ages 3 to 5 (Children only)

Tuesdays at 11 a.m., Dec. 7 & 14

· Wee Ones Storytime for ages birth to 2½ (with parent or caregiver))

second and fourth Thursdays at 10 a.m., Dec. 9 & 16

Register for all programs online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling the respective library:

· Grissom Library, 366 DeShazor Drive, Newport News, VA 23608, 757-369-3190

· Main Street Library, Bookmobile, 110 Main Street, Newport News, VA 23601, 757-591-4858

· Pearl Bailey Library, 2510 Wickham Ave., Newport News, VA 23607, 757-247-8677

· West Avenue Library, 2907 West Ave., Newport News, VA 23607, 757-247-8505

· Public Law Library, 2501 Washington Ave., Newport News, VA 23607, 757-926-8678

The Newport News Public Library System consists of four public libraries, a public law library and a bookmobile. Programs presented by the Library System are free and open to the public. For more information on Newport News Public Library System programs, please call 757-247-8875 or visit www.nngov.com/library. View photos from the Newport News Public Library System’s programs at www.flickr.com/photos/25845028@N05/. View all Library News Releases at http://www.nngov.com/pressroom/press-releases/library-press-releases

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