FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Library hosts free programs in December

Holiday crafts, music and more

The Newport News Public Library system offers many free programs this December including winter crafts, book sales, Holiday Fest, and Paws to Read.

Library closings

The Library System will close early at 1 p.m., on Thursday, Dec. 24, and will be closed all day on Friday, Dec. 25, for Christmas. The Library System will close early at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 31, and will be closed all day on Friday, Jan. 1, 2010, for New Year’s.

Can Your Fines

A nonperishable, nonexpired food item or personal item can take the place of a fine for overdue materials from Saturday, Nov. 28, to Thursday, Dec. 31, 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.

Yu Gi Oh Card Club

Yu Gi Oh card players aged 8-18 can play Yu Gi Oh, learn to play, or  trade Yu Gi Oh  cards with other club members, 4:30-6 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 1, at Pearl Bailey Library. New members are welcome. Call Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677 for more information.

Tree-Trimming Storytime

Children ages 5-11 can enjoy holiday stories and songs, and make ornaments to help decorate the Grissom tree and one to take home, too, 4-5 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 2, at Grissom Library. Registration is required and begins Nov. 18 online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Grissom Library at 757-369-3190

Virginia Workforce Connection Orientation

Learn how to register for and use the Virginia Employment Commission’s career website, 2-4 p.m., Thursdays, Dec. 3 and 17. Classes are held in the Business Information Center at Main Street Library. This powerful online job-seeker system provides fast access to a complete set of employment tools including job-searching, resume/cover letter builder, career exploration, training/education programs and unemployment services. 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 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. 5, at Grissom Library. Parents are required to fill out a permission slip and may accompany their children, as well. No registration is required.

Winter Concert Series: Acclaim! Barbershop Quartet

Acclaim! Barbershop Quartet will perform barbershop classics and holiday favorites, 2-3 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 8, at Grissom Library. No registration is required.

Friends of the Newport News Public Library Book Sales

Get great deals on gently used books and videos while supporting the Library when you shop Friends of the Newport News Public Library’s Book Sales. The December Book Sale is noon  - 5 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 10;  10 a.m.-5 p.m., Friday, Dec. 11; and 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 12, at West Avenue Library. Thousands of selections in fiction, non-fiction and textbooks are available, including collectibles and out-of-print books, with more books arriving weekly. Prices for the Book Sales are $1 for hardbacks, CDs and DVDs; 50 cents for paperbacks, VHS tapes and audiobooks on cassette; and 25 cents for children’s books. Bargain Corner Books are 10 to 15 cents. Collectibles and current best sellers are individually priced. Email friendsnewsportnews@yahoo.com for more information or to make special requests.

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 marketing 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, Dec. 10. Registration is required and is ongoing online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Main Street Library at 757-591-4858.

LOL Math Blast: Math Strategies for Algebra I, II and Geometry

Teens in grades 9-12 can get extra help with math, 4:30-6 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 10, at Pearl Bailey Library. Teen Advisory Committee member Brandon Ashlock will share his personal math strategies for Algebra l, II and Geometry with other high school students. Classes will be held the second Thursday of each month. Call Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677 for more information.

Winter Craft Program

Anyone aged 12 and up can make ornaments and decorations to take home anytime 2-5 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 12, at Grissom Library. Participants also can enjoy holiday music, have refreshments and socialize with other creative crafters.  All supplies are provided. No registration 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, Dec. 15, 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: Guide to OPAC

Youth ages 8-18 can learn basic skills for using Newport News Public Library System’s Online Public Access Catalog, 4:30-6 p.m., Tuesday,  Dec. 15, at Pearl Bailey Library. Classes will be the third Tuesday of each month. All participants must present their Library card and have a laptop registration form signed by a parent/guardian on file. Call Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677 for more information.

For Kids Only Book Club

Children ages 7-11 can join Pearl Bailey Library's New Book Club for Kids to read and discuss favorite books and do fun, book-related activities, 3-4:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 16, at Pearl Bailey Library. The Book Club will meet once a month. Call Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677 for more information.

Up for Discussion: Main Street Library Book Discussion Group

Adults will discuss the book “Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury 7-8 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 16, at Main Street Library. This book is available to borrow from the Newport News Public Library System.  Registration is required and begins Nov. 19 online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Main Street Library at 757-591-4858.

Holiday Fest Super Saturday

Everyone can enjoy a family holiday celebration with stories, a make-and-take craft, a visit with Santa Claus and special musical entertainment by the Elliott Family String Quartet, 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. at Pearl Bailey Library. Call Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677 for more information.

Chess Masters Club for Kids and Teens

Youth in grades 2-12 can play chess or learn how to play chess, 4:30-6 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 22, at Pearl Bailey Library. Teen Advisory Committee members and chess team members Chris Smith and Trent Sims will teach beginners how to play chess. Call Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677 for more information.

Teen Urban Lit Book Club

Teens ages 12 to 18 can meet the fourth Wednesday of each month at Pearl Bailey Library for the Teen Urban Lit Book Club. Members will continue their discussion of the book "Lost and Found" from the Bluford series, 4:30-6 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 23, at Pearl Bailey Library. Call Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677 for more information.

PB Jobseekers Club

A new job club for adults, PB Jobseekers Club offers members the ability to network with each other while obtaining some needed skills for entering the workforce. Membership is open to about 30 residents of the Southeast Community and surrounding areas. Weekly meetings are 9:30-11:30 a.m. on Mondays, in the meeting room at Pearl Bailey Library. Registration is required and is ongoing by visiting Pearl Bailey Library or calling 757-247-8677.

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.

Bookmobile

The Newport News Public Library System’s Bookmobile makes scheduled stops Mondays through Thursdays, except for holidays. The schedule is available online at http://www.nngov.com/library/resources/bkmschedule or call 757-591-4858 for information. The Bookmobile is wheelchair accessible.

Computer classes

Registration begins Nov. 1 for December 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.

Fall Storytimes

The second session of Fall Storytimes runs Nov. 9-Dec.18. Register now online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg

Grissom Library

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

Mondays at 10 a.m., Nov. 9, 16, 23, 30; Dec. 7, 14

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

Wednesdays at 11 a.m., Nov. 11, 18, 25; Dec. 2, 9, 16

·         Preschool Storytime  for ages 3½ to 5 (Children only)

Tuesdays at 11 a.m., Nov. 10, 17, 24; Dec. 1, 8, 15

Pearl Bailey Library

·         Preschool Storytime  for ages 3½ to 5 (Children only)

Mondays at 10 a.m.

·         Family Storytimes: Nov. 7,1  p.m.; Nov. 21,10:30 a.m.; Dec. 5, 1 p.m.; Dec. 19,10:30 a.m.

Main Street Library

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

second and fourth Thursdays at 10 a.m.

Nov. 12, 19 (change due to Thanksgiving); Dec. 10, 17 (change due to Christmas)

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

Tuesdays at  10 a.m.

·         Preschool Storytime  for ages 3½ to 5 (Children only)

Tuesdays at 11 a.m.

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

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