FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Library hosts free programs in September

Classes on grant-writing, starting a small business, job-seeking, more

Newport News Public Libraries offer free classes for adults and fun activities for kids and teens during the month of September.

Library closing

The Library System will be closed Monday, Sept. 7, for Labor Day.

Sign up for new Library newsletter

Everyone can keep up to date on all of the programs and new services offered by the Newport News Public Library System by receiving the new monthly “Books & Beyond” newsletter by email. Sign up online at http://www.nngov.com/library/custom/newsltr. The newsletter is free, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

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, Sept. 1, at Pearl Bailey Library. New members are welcome. Call Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677 for more information.

Virginia Workforce Connection Orientation

Learn how to register for and use the Virginia Employment Commission’s career website, 10 a.m.-noon, Mondays, Sept. 14 and 28, and 2-4 p.m., Thursdays, Sept. 10 and 24. 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, Sept. 5, at Grissom Library. Parents are required to fill out a permission slip and may accompany their children, as well. No registration is required.

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, Sept. 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.

Small Business 101

Dr. Stephanie Bardwell, business professor at Christopher Newport University, will present information on all the functional areas of creating your own business.  Topics to be covered will include business plans, managing and marketing your business, and legal dos and don'ts. This workshop is 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 12, 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.

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, Sept. 14, 21 and 28 in the meeting room at Pearl Bailey Library. Registration is required and is ongoing by visiting Pearl Bailey Library or calling 757-247-8677.

Tickets available for David Baldacci Author Talk and Book-Signing

David Baldacci, the No. 1 New York Times bestselling novelist, will speak at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15, at Thomas Nelson Community College. Presented by the Virginia Peninsula Literary Consortium, his appearance is free to the public, but tickets are required. Free tickets for the author talk, question-and-answer session and book-signing are available beginning Sept. 15 at all Newport News Public Libraries. Tickets will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis and limited to two per person while supplies last. Open seating at the event, to be held in the Dr. Mary T. Christian Auditorium in Templin Hall, is limited, and attendees are advised to arrive early. Ticket holders will be seated first. Any remaining seats will then be open to the general public. Visit http://library.cnu.edu/vplc.html for more information.

Learning on Laptops: Guide to Informational Databases

Children and teens ages 8 to 18 can learn about the Library System’s databases, 4:30-6 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 15, at Pearl Bailey Library. The databases provide a wealth of information, including newspapers and journal articles, health information, and much more.  All participants must present a 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.

Kids 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. The Book Club will meet once a month beginning 5-6:15 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 17, at Pearl Bailey Library. Registration is required and begins Sept. 1 at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677.

Teen Wii Night

Teens ages 12 to 17 can hang out with friends and compete in Wii games, 6:30-8 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 17, at Grissom Library. Registration is required and begins Sept. 3 online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Grissom Library at 757-369-3190.

Teen Urban Lit Book Club

Teens ages 12 to 18 can meet the fourth Wednesday of each month, Sept. 23-Dec. 23, at Pearl Bailey Library for the Teen Urban Lit Book Club. At the next meeting, teens will continue to discuss “Lost and Found,” from the Bluford Series, 4:30-6 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 23, at Pearl Bailey Library. 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, Sept. 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.

Grant Writing Workshop

Participants can learn the basics of grant-writing, including search strategies and practice exercises, 5-8 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 23, at Grissom Library. Workshops will be conducted by Dr. Jean Filetti, associate professor and writing instructor at Christopher Newport University. Registration is required, and begins Sept. 7 online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Grissom Library at 757-369-3190.

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 Sept. 1 for October 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 first session of Fall Storytimes runs Sept. 14-Oct. 23, and registration begins Sept. 1. The second session runs Nov. 9-Dec.18, and registration begins Oct. 26. online

Grissom Library

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

Mondays at 10 a.m., Sept. 14, 21, 28; Oct. 5, 12, 19

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

Wednesdays at 11 a.m., Sept. 16, 23, 30; Oct. 7, 14, 21

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

Tuesdays at 11 a.m., Sept. 15, 22, 29; Oct. 6, 13, 20

·         Family Storytime for all ages

Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m., Sept. 15, 22, 29; Oct. 6, 13, 20

Pearl Bailey Library

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

Mondays at 10 a.m.

·         Family Storytimes: Sept.  26, 10:30 a.m.; Oct.10,1 p.m.; Oct. 24,10:30 a.m.; 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.

Sept. 10, 24; Oct. 8, 22; 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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