FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Free programs in November

Traveling astronomy exhibit, teen events, how to use your library workshop, more in November

The Newport News Public Library System presents the following free programs and events for November 2011.

Library closings
The Newport News Public Library System will be closed Friday, Nov. 11, for Veterans’ Day. It also will be closed Thursday, Nov. 24, and Friday, Nov. 25, for the Thanksgiving holiday.

It’s All in the Fold: Advanced Origami Club
Youth ages 8-18 who are tired of making the same old cups and swans can join this new club at Pearl Bailey Library that will go beyond basic origami to create more advanced animals and boxes. The Club meets 4-5:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month, excluding holidays, at Pearl Bailey Library. The next meeting is Nov. 3. Registration is required and is ongoing online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling
Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677.

It’s Your Move: Chess Masters Club
Youth ages 6-18 can play chess, 5-6 p.m., on Wednesday, Nov. 2, and Wednesday, Nov. 30, at Pearl Bailey Library. Library volunteer Lonnie Dixon also will teach youth how to play chess. No registration required. For more information, call Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677.

How to Use Your Library
Adults can learn about free classes, programs, and services that are available through the Library, 10:30 a.m.-noon, Saturday, Nov. 5, at Grissom Library. Library staff will review how to use the online card catalog and the multiple free research databases. No registration required. Please call Grissom Library at 757-369-3190 for more information.

Paws to Read
Children ages 6 to 10 build their confidence by reading out loud to trained therapy dogs, 3-4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5, at Grissom Library in Newport News. Parents are required to fill out a permission slip and may accompany their children, as well. Dogs are accompanied by certified trainers. Paws to Read is normally held on the first Saturday of each month, excluding holidays. No registration is required. Call Grissom Library at 757-369-3190 for more information.

Learning on Laptops for Youth: Online Databases
Youth ages 8-18 will learn basic skills using free online research databases such as Find it Virginia and more, 4-5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 8, at Pearl Bailey Library. Any 8- to18-year-old with a library card in good standing may use a laptop. 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 at Pearl Bailey Library
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, excluding holidays, at Pearl Bailey Library. The next meeting is Wednesday, Nov. 9. A Teen Advisory Committee application is required to join, and visitors are welcome. For more information, call Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677.

D.I.A.L: Drop In and Learn Computer Skills (A Learning On Laptops Program)
Youth ages 8-17 can “drop in and learn” basic computing skills, 3-5 p.m., on the second and fourth Thursday of each month, excluding holidays, at Main Street Library. The next sessions are Nov. 10 and 17. Using the Library’s laptop computers, students choose from a list of skills that they can learn in a 15-30 minute lesson, one-on-one, with a knowledgeable youth services staff person. Skills include how to cut, copy and paste; safely save documents; format documents in Microsoft Word; and Internet searching tips and tricks. After the lesson, students may take a bookmark that reinforces the skills. No registration is required. Call Main Street Library at 757-591-4858 for more information.

Movie Night at Main Street Library
Adults can enjoy the showing of a free movie, 6-8 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 10, at Main Street Library. No registration required. Call Main Street Library at 757-591-4858 for more information

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, 2-3 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 12, at Grissom Library. Creations may be displayed in the children's area. Registration is required and begins Oct. 1 online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Grissom Library at 757-369-3190.

National Gaming Day @ Grissom Library
Kids and teens ages 8-18 can enjoy an afternoon of gaming fun, 4-5:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 12, at Grissom Library. Battle on the Wii, enjoy board games, bring your own Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh, and Magic: The Gathering cards to challenge other players. No registration required. Please call Grissom Library at 757-369-3190 for more information.

Break-Out Sessions for Job Seekers
Adults can get help with creating an email account, designing a resume to showcase strengths, completing a worry-free application online, and more during Pearl Bailey Library’s Break-Out Sessions for job-seekers. The next session is 3-5 p.m., Monday, Nov. 14, at Pearl Bailey Library. No registration required. For more information, please call Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677.
Tuesday Afterschool Make and Take Craft
Children ages 5-11 can make a craft to take home, 4-5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 15, at Pearl Bailey Library. The craft program will be held the third Tuesday of each month, excluding holidays. 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 at Pearl Bailey Library
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, excluding holidays, at Pearl Bailey Library. The next meeting is Wednesday, Nov. 16. Registration is required and is ongoing online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Male Mentoring Program with Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity
Big Brothers Big Sisters and Zeta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., in conjunction with Pearl Bailey Library, will host a Male Mentoring Program for boys and young men ages 9-18 the fourth Thursday of each month, excluding holidays, at 4:30 p.m. Because of the Thanksgiving holiday, the November sessions will be held Thursday, Nov. 17. The program empowers youth to aspire toward higher education through self-creation, avoidance of risk- taking behaviors, and participation in positive, esteem-building activities. Registration is required and ongoing online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677.

Teen Advisory Committee at Grissom Library
Teens ages 12-18 who want to be more involved in the Library and the services it provides to teens, who want to provide input about the Library’s teen programs and who need Community Service hours are encouraged to join the new Teen Advisory Committee at Grissom Library. The committee will meet 7-8 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of each month, excluding holidays, at Grissom Library. The next meeting is Thursday, Nov. 17. Registration is required and is ongoing online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Grissom Library at 757-369-3190.

The Knit Wits: Junior Knitting and Crafting Group
Youth ages 10-17 are invited to learn to knit and participate in other craft projects, 2-4 p.m. on the fourth Saturday of each month, excluding holidays, at Grissom Library. The next meeting is 2-4 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 19. Registration is required online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Grissom Library at 757-369-3190.
Teen Advisory Committee at Main Street Library
Teens ages 12-17 can join the Teen Advisory Committee to make a difference at Main Street Library. Committee members provide valuable input in developing teen programs and policies and recommend library book purchases. Any time spent on the committee counts as community service hours. The next meeting is 4-5 p.m., Monday, Nov. 28. No registration required. For more information, call Main Street Library at 757-591-4858 ext. 6.

Teen Poetry Slam
Teens ages 12-18 are invited to perform their own original poetry or their favorite poem in a coffee-house-style poetry slam, 4-5 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 19, at Grissom Library. Winners will be chosen by people's choice for "Best Original Poem" and "Best Performance." Registration is required and begins Nov. 5 online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Grissom Library at 757-369-3190.

“Visions of the Universe: Four Centuries of Discovery.”
A new traveling exhibit about the universe will be at Grissom Library, Nov. 29-Feb. 15, with special opening events at 7 p.m. on Nov. 29. The exhibit uses dramatic imagery from Galileo’s observations to the Hubble Space Telescope and other space missions to show how our understanding of the universe has changed over the past 400 years. The exhibit is presented by the Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, Maryland; the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Cambridge, Massachusetts; and the American Library Association, Chicago, Illinois, through funding from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Grissom Library will offer free programs and events in connection with the exhibit. Please call Grissom Library at 757-369-3190 for more information.

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, excluding holidays, 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
Free computer classes are offered at Grissom, Main Street and Pearl Bailey Libraries in Newport News on an ongoing basis covering various topics, including computer and Internet basics, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, resume writing and more. Registration begins Nov. 1 for December classes. Search for classes and register at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling the respective library.

Fall Storytime Sessions
The second Fall Storytime schedule runs Nov. 7-Dec. 17. Registration is required and is ongoing 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., Nov. 7, 14, 21, 28; Dec. 5, 12
• Preschool Storytime for ages 3 to 5 (Children only)
Tuesdays at 11 a.m., Nov. 8, 15, 22, 29; Dec. 6, 13
• Tiny Tot Storytime for ages 2½ to 3½ (with parent or caregiver)
Wednesdays at 11 a.m., Nov. 9, 16, 23, 30; Dec. 7, 14

Pearl Bailey Library
• Preschool Storytime for ages 3 to 5 (Children only)
Mondays at 10 a.m., Nov. 7, 14, 21, 28; Dec. 5, 12
Super Saturday (For ages 2½ to 11 with family members)
Saturdays at 1 p.m., Nov. 19; and noon on Dec. 17 (Christmas program)

Main Street Library
• Tiny Tot Storytime for ages 2½ to 3½ (with parent or caregiver)
Tuesdays at 10 a.m., Nov. 8, 15, 22, 29; Dec. 6,13
• Preschool Storytime for ages 3 to 5 (Children only)
Tuesdays at 11 a.m., Nov. 8, 15, 22, 29; Dec. 6, 13
• Wee Ones Storytime for ages birth to 2½ (with parent or caregiver)
second and fourth Thursdays at 10 a.m., Nov. 10, 17; Dec. 8, 22

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