Here are new goings-on at LaPorte County Public Library and its branches to help you through the rest of winter:
Kids’ winter reading program
There’s a new reason to love your library this February! Children from birth to fifth grade are invited to have some reading fun with Chill Out and Read, LaPorte County Public Library’s first system-wide winter reading program.
Kids in grades K-5 are welcome to stop by any of the library’s eight locations each week to pick up a bookmark filled with easy activities. They then complete seven of the activities and return the bookmark to the library to select a special treat. There’s new bookmark each week, and anyone finishing all four bookmarks will receive a book to keep AND a book for their classroom.
For little ones who are not yet in school, there is a calendar of activities. Parents or caregivers simply complete 14 of the activities throughout the month and their child will receive a board book of their choice.
Chill Out and Read is made possible through a grant from the LaPorte Literacy Council and the Unity Foundation, as well as funding from Friends of the Library.
Public workshop meetings
The library will host five public workshop meetings to gather input from the community about the library’s budget issues.
Meeting schedule:
– Tuesday, Feb. 14, 6:30 to 8 p.m., South Central School
– Wednesday, Feb. 15, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Rolling Prairie Elementary School
– Friday, Feb. 17, 8 to 9:30 a.m., LaPorte library
– Tuesday, Feb. 21, 6:30 to 8 p.m., LaPorte library
– Saturday, Feb. 25, 10 to 11:30 a.m., Coolspring library branch
Input will be sought to discuss issues relating to the library’s structure, organization and financing, and to receive and consider proposals from the public to address these issues. All the meetings will be conducted by an outside facilitator.
An online survey will be created as an opportunity for people who cannot attend a meeting, to offer their thoughts on issues relating to the library’s structure, organization and financing. It will contain both the summary report from Umbaugh and Associates and the same questions as the meetings.
Geeks of the Week
Have you visited the library’s website lately? If so, perhaps you have recognized some of the local people who are featured as the Geek of the Week.
In addition to seeing a variety of people from the community, you can read about what they geek (are interested in.) Visit www.laportelibrary.org every week to see who appears!
Library and YMCA team up
LaPorte County Public Library and the YMCA are teaming up on Wednesday afternoons at the Y’s Youth Activity Center. The center is open Monday through Friday between 3 and 7 p.m. for students ages 11 to 18. It’s free!
Each Wednesday, library staff will host after-school activities. Participants play games, do crafts, make movies and more. So if you’re looking for something to do after school, come to the Y!
Free tech help
You can get free help from the IT professionals at the LaPorte library:
– Social Networking & Employment — Tuesday, Feb. 7, 1 to 2:30 p.m. Learn how to use online sites such as LinkedIn, Monster Jobs and Indeed.com to find employment opportunities.
– Borrowing eBooks from Your Library — Tuesday, March 6, 5 to 6:30 p.m. Learn how to download free eBooks from the library onto your Kindle, Nook, smart phone, laptops and other devices. Bring your device with you or just come and soak up the information.
To register for either class, please call the computer lab at 219-325-7128.
Great Backyard Bird Count
On Saturday, Feb. 11, at the LaPorte library from 10 a.m. to noon, our friends from the Potawatomi Audubon Society will be back to educate and inform us about local birds. Make a pine cone bird feeder and drink apple cider!
LISA NIELSEN is marketing coordinator for LaPorte County Public Library.
