FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Newport News libraries offer free programs in October

Newport News Libraries celebrate Teen Read Week, Halloween, more in October

The Newport News Public Library System offers free programs and events during October 2011.

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, Oct. 1, 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.

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 first meeting is Oct. 6. Registration is required and begins Sept. 16 online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling
Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677.

Couponing 101
Instructor Perrenial Decosta will teach adults the basics of how to start couponing for savings, 10:30 a.m.-noon, Saturday, Oct. 8, at Grissom Library. The class will cover organizing, coupon policies, “stacking” coupons, resourceful websites, store policies and more. No registration required. 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, Oct. 10, at Pearl Bailey Library. No registration required. For more information, please call Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677.

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, Oct. 11, 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, Oct. 12. A Teen Advisory Committee application is required to join, and visitors are welcome. For more information, call 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, 2-3 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 15, 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.

Learning on Laptops: Drop In and Learn Computer Skills
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 Oct. 13 and 27. 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.

Teen Read Week
Newport News Public Library System celebrates Teen Read Week, Oct. 16-22, with these special programs for ages 12-18:

• WrestleMania Reading Challenge

Teens can win prizes donated by World Wrestling Entertainment and other organizations during Teen Read Week, Oct. 16-22. Call Grissom Library at 757-369-3190 for more information.

• Minute to Win It

Back by popular demand, teens ages 12-18 can sign up to play Pearl Bailey Library’s version of the popular TV show, 5-6 p.m., Monday, Oct. 17. Registration is required and begins Sept. 26 online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677.

• Iron Chef: Ultimate Smoothie Challenge

Teams of two teens ages 12-18 will compete to prepare the tastiest healthy smoothie, 4:30-7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 20, at Pearl Bailey Library. A total of 14 teens (seven teams), are needed for the competition. The first, second and third place winners’ scores will be based on taste, presentation and creativity.
Registration required online beginning Sept. 19 at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677.

• Teen Cupcake Challenge Part Deux

Teens ages 12 -17 are invited to compete team with a friend or work alone to decorate cupcakes with a theme and creative freestyle, 3-5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 22, at Main Street Library. Winners in each category will win prizes, and entries will be eaten after the contest. No registration required. Call Main Street Library at 757-591-4858 for more information.

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, Oct. 17. No registration required. For more information, call Main Street Library at 757-591-4858 ext. 6.
Tuesday Afterschool Make and Take Craft
Children ages 5-11 can make a craft to take home, 4-5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 18, 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, Oct. 19. 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. The first meeting is 4:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 19, at Pearl Bailey Library. 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 begins Aug. 29 online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677.

Preparing a Winning Resume and Interviewing Skills
Virginia Employment Commission’s Stephen Larosee will show adults the Career Resource Center tools for developing an excellent resume and handling a job interview on Friday, Oct. 21. The program will be at 10 a.m. at Main Street Library and at 3 p.m. at West Avenue Library. Registration is required
and begins Sept. 19 online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Main Street Library at 757-591-4858 or West Avenue Library at 757-247-8505.

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, Oct. 22. Registration is required online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Grissom Library at 757-369-3190.

PB Jobseekers’ Club
Adults who are in the market for a job can find help through the new, free Job Seekers’ Club. Library staff members will provide resources to help adults explore jobs, network with other club members, gain insight from local companies and learn career strategies. The group will meet quarterly. The next meeting is 3-5 p.m., Monday, Oct. 24, at Pearl Bailey Library. No registration required. For more information, call Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677.

Halloween @ Your Library
Celebrate Halloween with the Newport News Public Library System, including the following special programs:

• Ghost Hunting 101

Central Virginia Paranormal Investigations, a ghost-hunting team founded in 2008, discusses do’s and the don’ts of getting started in ghost-hunting, organizing a team, avoiding legal issues, finding the history of a location, working with the media and more, 6-8 p.m., Monday, Oct. 24, at Grissom Library. They also will demonstrate their equipment and answer audience questions. No registration required. Call Grissom Library at 757-369-3190 for more information.

• Halloween Family Fun Night

Children and families can dress in costumes and come to Grissom Library, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 25, for not-so-scary fun such as a Halloween craft, story time, Halloween safety tips, a parade of costumes, and trick-or-treating in the Library. Registration is required and is begins Oct. 7 online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Grissom Library at 757-369-3190.

• Teen Fright Night

Teens ages 12 to 18 can dress in costumes, 6-7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 27, at Grissom Library. Prizes will be awarded for best costume, and spooky snacks and a haunting scavenger hunt will be available. Registration is required and begins Oct. 13 online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Grissom Library at 757-369-3190.

• Movie Matinee: “Hocus Pocus”

All ages are invited to a special Halloween Saturday Movie Matinee of the movie “Hocus Pocus,” 2-4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 29, at Grissom Library. No registration required. Call Grissom Library at 757-369-3190 for more information.

• Halloween Family Fun

Families and children ages 0-11 are invited to a special Halloween storytime, 4-5 p.m., Monday, Oct. 31, at West Avenue Library. Not-too-spooky stories and a craft will be shared. Children are welcome to wear costumes and should be accompanied by an adult. No registration required. Call West Avenue Library at 757-247-8505 for more information.

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, Oct. 27. Registration is required and is ongoing online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Grissom Library at 757-369-3190.

Catherine Coulter author talk and book-signing
Best-selling author Catherine Coulter will give a talk, answer questions and sign books, 7 p.m., Oct. 27, at Christopher Newport University’s Ferguson Center for the Arts. Presented by Virginia Peninsula Literary Consortium, admission is free with ticket. Others will be seated if space is available. Visit www.thevplc.org or call 757-926-1350 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 Oct. 1 for November classes. Search for classes and register at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling the respective library.

Fall Storytime Sessions
The Fall Storytime schedule runs Sept. 12-Oct. 22 and 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., Oct. 3, 10, 17; Nov. 7, 14, 21, 28; Dec. 5, 12
• Preschool Storytime for ages 3 to 5 (Children only)
Tuesdays at 11 a.m., Oct. 4, 11, 18; 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., Oct. 5, 12, 19; 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., Oct. 3, 10, 17; Nov. 7, 14, 21, 28; Dec. 5, 12
Super Saturday (For ages 2½ to 11 with family members)
Saturdays at 1 p.m., Oct. 22; 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., Oct. 4, 11, 18; Nov. 8, 15, 22, 29; Dec. 6,13
• Preschool Storytime for ages 3 to 5 (Children only)
Tuesdays at 11 a.m., Oct. 4, 11, 18; 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., Oct. 13, 27; Nov. 10, 17; Dec. 8, 22

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