FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Library hosts free programs in March

Children's and business programs, booksale, and more

Visit your library in March for Games Galore, Learning on Laptops, Paws to Read, Resume Writing Workshop, book clubs, and more.

Games Galore Plus Yu Gi OH! 

Youth ages 6-18 can play Yu Gi Oh, card and video games, 4:30-7 p.m., Tuesday,  March 2, at Pearl Bailey Library. The gaming event will be the first Tuesday of each month, January through June. The new card games Monopoly, Slam and Pictureka are available. Bring your own deck of Yu Gi Oh cards. New members are always welcome. No registration required.

Getting Your Foot in the Door: Effective Resumes and Cover Letters

Michael Willits, a communications instructor, will teach participants strategies to make their resumes and cover letters stand out, 1-4 p.m., Saturday, March 6, at Main Street Library. This workshop will cover crafting a successful application package, from analyzing a job description and highlighting skills and experiences, to using language that will capture the employer's attention, and how to account for gaps in a career record. Participants are encouraged to bring in their current resumes and job descriptions of interest. Registration is required and begins Feb. 15 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, March 6, at Grissom Library. Parents are required to fill out a permission slip and may accompany their children, as well. No registration is required.

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., Tuesday, March 9, 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. All participants must present their Library card and have a laptop registration form signed by a parent/guardian on file. 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 Advisory Committee
Teens ages 12-18 can meet to help advise Library staff on way 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, March 10. A Teen Advisory Committee application is required to join, and visitors are welcome. For more information, call Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677.

Introduction to the Business Decision database

Main Street Library staff will teach participants how to use the Business Decision database. 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, March 11. Registration is required and is ongoing online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Main Street Library at 757-591-4858.

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, March 16, 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 Online Databases

Youth ages 8-18 can learn basic skills for using Newport News Public Library System’s Online Databases, such as Find It Virginia, Mango Languages and other research sources, 4:30-6 p.m., Tuesday, March 16, at Pearl Bailey Library. All participants must present their Library card and have a laptop registration form signed by a parent/guardian on file. Registration is required and begins Jan. 19 online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677.

For Kids Only Book Club

Children ages 7-11 can join Pearl Bailey Library's book club for kids to read and discuss favorite books and do fun, book-related activities. The Book Club meets once a month, and the next meeting is 3:30-4:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 17, at Pearl Bailey Library. Refreshments are provided. No registration is required. Call Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677 for more information.

FKO Youth Advisory Committee
Children ages 6-11 can meet to help advise Library staff on way 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, March 17. Registration is required and is ongoing online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677.

Friends of the Newport News Public Library Booksale

Get great deals on books and more March 18-20 at West Avenue Library, 2907 West Avenue. Hours for the sale are noon-6 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday. A special preview for Friends members is 10 a.m.-noon on Thursday. Sale prices are $1 for hardbacks, 50 cents for paperbacks, 25 cents for children’s books, 50 cents for audiobooks on cassette, 50 cents for VHS tapes and $1 for CDs/DVDs. Collectibles and current bestsellers are individually priced. Contact the Friends of the Newport News Public Library at friendsnewportnews@yahoo.com  for additional information.

It’s Your Move: 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, March 23, at Pearl Bailey Library. Teen Advisory Committee members and high school chess team members Chris Smith and Trent Sims will teach beginners how to play chess. 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 to 18 can meet the fourth Wednesday of each month at Pearl Bailey Library for the Teen Urban Lit Book Club. Members will discuss “Monsters,” by Walter Dean Myers, 4:30-5:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 24, 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.

Interviewing 101 

Dr. Michaela Meyer, assistant professor in the Department of Communication Studies at Christopher Newport University, will teach participants how to effectively interview for jobs, 1-4 p.m., Saturday, March 27, at Main Street Library.  The instructor will cover both theory and practical use of interviewing techniques for employment situations, resume design, and question design/response.  This program is sponsored by the Herbert H. Neisser Business Information Center. Registration is required and begins Feb. 15 online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Main Street Library at 757-591-4858.

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.

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 March 1 for April 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.

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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