The Friends of the Library meets at the library on the first Tuesday each month.

• Tue, Sep 6^th at 8:45am
• Tue, Oct 4^th at 8:45am
• Fri, Oct 7^th at 8:45am
• Tue, Nov 1^st at 8:45am
• Tue, Dec 6^th at 8:45am

Ken Hammontree of Living History Productions will portray Tecumseh. Tecumseh was born in 1768, probably at Old Piqua, along the Mad River in Ohio. He was a Shawnee Indian and eventually became one of their greatest leaders. Known as the Panther Crossing the Night Sky, Tecumseh fought against the expansion of the United States into the Midwest Indian lands. Join us for this one-hour presentation followed by a question and answer period. Registration is required. Please call 419-468-3203 to register. Mon, Aug 8^th, 6:30-8pm.

The library's front stairs and the front book drop will be unavailable while some repair work is done on the stairs. This will start soon. The lower entrance (from the library parking lot) and downstairs bookdrop will remain open during regular hours. Thanks for bearing with us. We hope to have both entrances and both book drops back in operation before too long. We were told the repairs would start on August 17^th, so that should be happening any time now. We hope they will be finished by the end of September.

Tuesdays at 6:30pm starting September 6^th through October 18^th. Join us in the Community Room for songs, stories, crafts, and fun! These activities are designed for preschoolers, their parents, and older siblings to share together.

Wednesdays at 10:30am starting September 7^th through October 19^th. Join us in the Community Room for stories, crafts, and activities. All preschoolers are welcome.

The Friends of the Library will be hosting their fall book sale in October. Proceeds will benefit the library.

• Tue, Sep 27^th, 10-8pm
• Wed, Sep 28^th, 10-5pm
• Thu, Sep 29^th, 10-Noon
• Thu, Oct 27^th, 9-8pm
• Fri, Oct 28^th, 9-5pm
• Sat, Oct 29^th, 9-Noon

Picture this: millions of teens all across the country gathering at libraries to celebrate reading, October 17^th-22^nd. We'll be hosting special events all week, aimed at encouraging area teens to read for the fun of it. Thousands of libraries across the country will hold similar events centered on this year's theme, Picture It!, which encourages teens to check out a variety of materials, including graphic novels, movies, books about photography, and more.

Don't miss out on capturing some great end of summer pictures this year. Join local photographer Mark Blum as he provides his tips and tricks for capturing the best pictures. Remember to bring your camera! This is a hands-on workshop. The workshop will begin with a walking tour of the library grounds and around the block. During this time, Mark will aid you in trying to capture great pictures. Then, come inside where you can upload your photos on our laptops (or bring your own). You'll be able to critic your photos and get pointers on what could be improved upon. Registration is required and limited to 10. Call 419-468-3203 to register. Sat, Aug 20^th, 10-Noon.

The library will be closed in observance of the holiday.

• Mon, Sep 5^th, Labor Day
• Thu, Nov 24^th, Thanksgiving Day
• Fri, Nov 25^th, Day After Thanksgiving
• Sat, Dec 24^th, Christmas Eve
• Mon, Dec 26^th, Closed for Christmas
• Mon, Jan 2^nd, Closed for New Year's

Mockingjay, or I am Number 4? Clockwork Angel or Hex Hall? Which book was your favorite of 2011? You have until September 16^th to make your choice count in the National Teens' Top 10 Vote, and you could win some prizes doing it. Here's how:

1. Starting Monday, August 29^th, Come in to the lower level of the library and pick up a paper ballot, which will be your ticket in the prize drawings and the Galion Teens' Top 10 vote.
2. Then go online at the library to participate in the National Teens' Top 10 vote.
3. During Teen Read Week, October 17^th-22^nd, the results will be posted, and we'll draw names from the ballots for $10 gift cards for local shops and restaurants and iTunes cards.

Kids in grades K-6, come watch a movie projected on our big screen. The movie is rated PG. (We're not supposed to say what movie it is, but one of the characters has really long hair.) This program is free, but you must register. Popcorn will be provided. Sat, Sep 17^th at 2pm.

Come help us celebrate fall.

• Sat, Oct 1^st, 2-3:30pm, Grades K-2
• Sat, Oct 15^th, 2-4pm, Grades 3-6

Join us for a story, crafts and a life-size game of SkippyJon Jones Memory and Bingo. For grades K-2. The program is free, but registration is required. Sat, Nov 5^th, 2-3:30pm.

Join us for activities based on the Caldecott Award winning book The Invention of Hugo Cabret, by Brian Selznick. Create your own clock and a special notebook to take home. For grades 3-6. There is no charge for this event, but registration is required. Sat, Nov 19^th, 2-4pm.

The chess club is the longest-running teen program at the library. Whatever your skill level, join our ongoing ladder tournament and find out which rung you will dominate.

• Thu, Sep 1^st, 6-8:15pm
• Thu, Sep 15^th, 6-8:15pm
• Thu, Oct 6^th, 6-8:15pm
• Thu, Oct 20^th, 6-8:15pm
• Thu, Nov 3^rd, 6-8:15pm
• Thu, Nov 17^th, 6-8:15pm
• Thu, Dec 1^st, 6-8:15pm
• Thu, Dec 15^th, 6-8:15pm

Join us after hours for a night of gaming. Showplace Rent-to-Own will provide big-screen TVs, and Stickman's will provide the games. For grades 7-12. Registration is required. Sat, Sep 10^th, 7-10pm.

Come to the Most Likely Club Banquet at Hollywood High School, assume the role of one of the colorful characters, learn their secrets, and solve the mystery while dodging suspicion yourself. Guests include nerdy Duncan Flushwater, athletic Fletcher Bysepps, and glamorous Tanya Bunsoff. When the banquet is interrupted by a fire in the science lab, you'll have to figure out which one of the guests started it. There will be refreshments and door prizes. Please come in prior to the mystery to register and choose a character to play. Sat, Oct 22^nd, 7-10pm.

Japanese culture, films, and manga. For teens in grades 7-12.

• Mon, Sep 5^th, 6:30-8:15pm
• Mon, Sep 12^th, 6:30-8:15pm
• Mon, Oct 3^rd, 6:30-8:15pm
• Mon, Nov 7^th, 6:30-8:15pm
• Mon, Dec 5^th, 6:30-8:15pm

Don't miss out on capturing some great pictures during the school year! Join local photographer Marcheta Gibson as she provides her tips and tricks for capturing the best pictures. Remember to bring your camera! This is a hands-on workshop. The workshop will begin with a walking tour of the library grounds and around the block. During this time, Marcheta will aid you in trying to capture great pictures. Then, come inside where you can upload your photos on our laptops (or bring your own). You'll be able to critic your photos and get pointers on what could be improved upon. Registration is required and limited to 10. Call 419-468-3203 to register. Sat, Sep 3^rd, 10-Noon.

Interested in Astronomy and want to learn more? This workshop is for you! Following a successful 2010 workshop, local astronomy expert, Dan Everly is back! This workshop will focus on astronomy basics - stars, planets, comets, star clusters, meteors and galaxies. You won't want to miss Dan's presentation! Call 419-468-3203 to register. Thu, Sep 8^th, 7-8pm.

Get hands-on experience using a web browser to find information on the internet. This course will start you off on the ground floor and rocket you into the online world. Help us break in our laptop computer lab. We can only take ten people for this class ($2 reserves your seat), so sign up now. Tue, Oct 11^th, 2-4:30pm.

Back by popular demand. Join Rachel Mendell for her 2nd fall workshop. Unlock memories as simple every-day objects are used to open doors that have long been shut. Then, learn tips on making a memory into a story. Finally, get advice on creating a longer work - your memoirs. Registration is required. Please call 419-468-3203 to register. Sat, Oct 1^st, 9:30-11:30am.

Local photography expert Marcheta Gibson will show how to set up a scene with props, lighting, and people. Design a poster using photographs and the Picasa software. A digital camera with an SD card is required. Registration is also required.

• Mon, Oct 17^th, 6:30-8:15pm, Postponed

This isn't your grandma's book club. We'll be taking a look at book trailers on YouTube, author websites, and other sources that can help you find your next favorite book. Try out an ebook reader to see what all the buzz is about. We'll have trivia contests, games, and door prizes. Bring the best book you've read lately to share with others. Wed, Oct 19^th, 6:30-8:15pm.

There's no school for Galion, so drop by the library for a relaxing afternoon watching movies that have come from books. Refreshments will be served. The movies will be rated from G to PG-13. Titles are TBA (or you can stop by and ask Ellen if she has any inside information). Fri, Oct 21^st, Noon-5pm.

The Galion Public Library is thrilled to welcome back Peggy Lauritzen for 2 Genealogy programs this fall. Many might remember Ms. Lauritzen from her EXCELLENT programs in 2010. If you're interested in genealogy, want to learn more about your family, and enjoy history, this is the program for you. This workshop will aid both those that haven't started their genealogy project yet and those who are well into their family history. The focus will be on how to discover the stories that are waiting to be discovered in the cemeteries. Please bring information up through your grandparents (date of birth, city of birth, marriage dates, date of death). Call 419-468-3203 to register. Wed, Oct 5^th, 6-8pm.

Get hands-on experience using a computer to create documents. This course starts you out on the ground floor with word processing and will teach you to create documents, edit them, format them to look just like you want, copy and paste, insert pictures, and more. We have our laptop training lab now, so you'll have the chance to practice everything the instructor is doing on the big screen, following along at your own seat, using one of our laptops. Cost is $2 when you sign up. Tue, Nov 1^st at 2pm.

Join Ms. Peggy Lauritzen for her 2nd workshop this fall. This workshop will focus on the Migration Trails that brought our ancestors into Ohio. This workshop will aid both those that haven't started their genealogy project yet and those who are well into their family history. Please bring information up through your grandparents (date of birth, city of birth, marriage dates, date of death). Call 419-468-3203 to register. Wed, Oct 12^th, 6-8pm.

Are you a Senior who is curious about the buzz behind Facebook and our local website GalionLive!? Want to know more about these 2 social media sites? This workshop is for you. This workshop is designed to introduce both social media sites to participants. Through the use of our Laptop Lab, participants can create their own Facebook page (if desired) and explore the GalionLive! website. Thomas Palmer, creater of GalionLive!, will be on hand to show us the in's and out's of the website. Tue, Oct 18^th, 10-11am.

Join local Stampin' Up demonstrator, Kerrie Zeuch for a Holiday Card Making workshop. Participants will get creative tips and ideas for making the perfect Holiday Cards. Each participant will create 2 holiday cards and multiple holiday gift tags during this 2 hour workshop. This workshop is FREE but registration is required. Call 419-468-3203 to register. Tue, Nov 1^st, 6-8pm.

Griff, an American Labrador Retriever, is a trained therapy dog as part of Therapy Dog International's Tail Waggin' Tutors program, and he listens to boys and girls read books. He'll be here on Wednesdays from 5-6pm starting September 7^th 14^th. Studies show that therapy dogs calm students so that they can practice, gain confidence, and improve their skills in a relaxing environment. Parents can sign their children up for a ten-minute session of reading with Griff.

Join us for music, refreshments, storytimes, and children's crafts. The wish tree will be up. Sat, Dec 3^rd, 1-3pm.

New to using e-books and e-readers? Join Director, Vicki Eckenrod and Technology Specialist, Nathan Eady of the Galion Public Library for this instructional session offering hands-on training. Participants will be instructed on how to utilize Galion Public Library's e-book lending program, OverDrive. All patrons have access to the e-book collection starting Monday, December 5, 2011. Thu, Dec 8^th, 6-8pm.

Do you have the desire to blog? Want to learn how to share your daily stories and insights with your friends and family far and near? This workshop is for you. Create Your Own Blog will be lead by Rachel Mendell and Marcheta Gibson. We will use our laptop lab and by the end of class you will have your own blog. Limited availability. Call today to register! 419-468-3203 Sat, Nov 19^th, 10-Noon.

Join our lively book discussions. Contact Cyndi for details.

• Thu, Sep 1^st at 6:30pm
• Sun, Oct 16^th at 6:30pm
• Thu, Nov 3^rd at 6:30pm, Blue Highways, by William Least Heat-Moon
• Thu, Dec 1^st at 6:30pm, A Christmas Blizzard, by Garrison Keillor

Our annual Gingerbread House contest is back! Gingerbread houses this year can be constructed out of any edible ingredient, not only from gingerbread. Entries will be judged in three categories: 12 and under, 13 and up, and groups. In addition to the first and second place prizes for each age group, we will also be having a grand prize for Best in Show. Gingerbread houses should be brought to the library during the week of November 28^th. Your creation will be put on display at the library. Patrons will be encouraged to visit the library and vote for their favorite house during the week. Judging will take place on December 3^rd. Contestants do not need to be present to win. Sat, Dec 3^rd.

The board meets at the library at 4pm on the third Monday of each month.

Do you have a Point and Shoot camera that you're not sure how to use? Join photography expert, Marcheta Gibson, for her "get-to-know-your-camera" class. Bring your camera and your manual in order to take full advantage of her expertise. Sat, Jan 7^th, 10-Noon.

Do you have an SLR camera that you're not sure how to use? Join photography expert, Marcheta Gibson, for her "get-to-know-your-camera" class. Bring your camera and your manual in order to take full advantage of her expertise. Sat, Jan 14^th, 10-Noon.