FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Library offers free events in September

Newport News Libraries celebrate romance novels, start new programs

The Newport News Public Library System offers free events, including romance novelists and new programs, in September 2011.

Library Closing
The Newport News Public Library System will be closed on Monday, Sept. 5, for Labor Day.

National Library Card Sign-Up Month
In September, the Newport News Public Library System is encouraging parents to make sure that their children have the smartest card of all – a library card – so that they can access all of the free resources in the Newport News Public Libraries, including the use of laptop computers to do homework. Any Virginia resident of any age may get a Newport News Public Library System membership card by completing an application and presenting proper identification at the Library. September is National Library Card Sign-up Month. Visit www.nngov.com/library or call 757-926-1350 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, Sept. 3, 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.

Saturday Matinee
Children and families are invited to a free showing of the movie “Rango,” 2-4 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 10, at Grissom Library. No registration is 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, Sept. 12, at Pearl Bailey Library. No registration required. For more information, please call 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, Sept. 14. A Teen Advisory Committee application is required to join, and visitors are welcome. For more information, call Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677.

Anime and Manga Club
Teens ages 12-18 can enjoy Anime screenings and Manga discussions in this new club at Pearl Bailey Library. The new club will meet 4-5 p.m., Friday, Sept. 16, at Pearl Bailey Library. No registration is required. Call Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677 for more information.

Love Among the Stacks: Newport News Public Library System celebrates romance novels
National best-selling romance novelists present author talks, book-signings and more, Sept. 17-24. Rochelle Alers will present an author talk, question-and-answer session and book-signing, 10:30 a.m.-noon, Saturday, Sept. 17, at Virgil I. Grissom Library; and 1-2:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 17, at Pearl Bailey Library. Kristan Higgins will conduct a romance writers’ workshop and book-signing, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 24, at Main Street Library. Free and open to the public. No registration required. Call 757-926-1350 for more information.

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, Sept. 21. 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, Sept. 22, 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.

Main Street Library Movie Night
Adults can enjoy a movie, 6-8 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 22, at Main Street Library. No registration required. For more information, call Main Street Library at 757-591-4858.

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, Sept. 22. 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, Sept. 24. 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. Meetings are 4-5 p.m., the fourth Monday of each month, excluding holidays, September through May. The next meeting is Monday, Sept. 26. No registration required. For more information, call Main Street Library at 757-591-4858 ext. 6.

Grant Writing Workshop
Adults can get grant-writing tips and recommendations of sources, 5-8 p.m., Monday, Sept. 26, at Virgil I. Grissom Library. Workshops will be conducted by Dr. Jean Filetti, associate professor and writing instructor at Christopher Newport University. For more information, call Grissom Library at 757-369-3190.

Tickets available for Catherine Coulter Author Talk and Book-Signing
Free tickets to see best-selling author Catherine Coulter are available beginning Sept. 27 at the Newport News Public Libraries and all other libraries of the Virginia Peninsula Literary Consortium. Coulter will speak at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 27, at Christopher Newport University’s Ferguson Center for the Arts. Tickets will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis and limited to two per person while supplies last. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.thevplc.org or call 757-926-1350.

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 Sept. 1 for October. 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., Sept. 12, 19, 26; 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., Sept. 13, 20, 27; 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., Sept. 14, 21, 28; 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., Sept. 12, 19, 26; 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., Sept. 13, 20, 27; 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., Sept. 13, 20, 27; 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., Sept. 8, 22; Oct. 13, 27; Nov. 10, 17; Dec. 8, 22

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