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

• Tue, Mar 1^st at 8:45am
• Tue, Apr 5^th at 8:45am
• Tue, May 3^rd at 8:45am
• Tue, Jun 7^th at 8:45am
• Tue, Jul 5^th at 8:45am
• Tue, Aug 2^nd at 8:45am
• Tue, Sep 6^th at 8:45am
• Fri, Oct 7^th at 8:45am
• Mon, Oct 31^st at 8:45am, November Meeting a day early
• Tue, Dec 6^th at 8:45am

Join Rachel Mendell in the 1st of 4 writing workshops that will be held at the Galion Public Library. This workshop will focus on how to create your raw material by unchaining your creator self from your editor self. This will be done through several 5-10 minute writing exercises. Create short fiction, resurrect forgotten memories, start a new project and allow your mind to surprise you. Please call 419-468-3203 to register. Wed, Mar 2^nd, 6:30-8pm.

We'll meet at the library and discuss the book. See here for a list of recent and upcoming titles and other details.

• Thu, Mar 3^rd at 6:30pm, One Hundred Years of Solitude, by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
• Thu, Apr 7^th at 6:30pm, Assassination Vacation, by Sarah Vowell
• Thu, May 5^th at 6:30pm, Lucky You, by Carl Hiaasen

Test your chess skills in our four-round Swiss System tournament. There are no eliminations! Points are assigned for each win, lose, or draw, and the highest score wins. Participation prizes and prizes for the top three competitors will be awarded. Refreshments will be served. Registration is required. Sat, Mar 26^th, Noon-5pm.

Ann Browning, local Galion author, will be at the library to read from and share her self-published book, Six Days Till Sunday: Inspiration for the other 313 Days. Copies of Ms. Browning's book will be available for purchase. Ms. Browning will also be signing books. Please join us for an evening of inspiration. Refreshments will be served. Thu, Mar 3^rd, 6:30-8pm.

We've all been trapped indoors for months. We've all been brushing up on our Wii Bowling skills, come to the library to show what you've learned in our 1st Wii Bowling Tournament. Register as a Doubles Team or a Single Player. Have fun either way! The tournament will be double elimination. The top 2 Doubles Teams and top 4 Singles players will advance to the finals. Prizes will be awarded for the top doubles team and top singles player. Participation prizes will also be awarded. Limited spots available. Call 419-468-3203 to register. Sat, Mar 12^th, 2-4:30pm.

Join local writer Rachel Mendell in her 4th writing workshop held at the Galion Public Library. Her final workshop will focus on poetry. Writers will try their hand at many different types of poems and poetic forms using a variety of activities. This workshop will prepare those attending for the Annual Poetry Contest held at the Galion Public Library. The Poetry Contest will be held in April. Please all 419-468-3203 to register for the workshop. Wed, Mar 16^th, 6:30-8pm.

Mike Hocker, cooking enthusiast with over 40 years of experience, will do a roundtable discussion and hands-on tasting of various herbs and spices that we normally cook with in America...and some we may not. This workshop will encourage the home hobbyist cooks to dust off that bottle of whatever herb they have not used in a while. Discussion will focus on the differences of herbs and spices, their origins, history and uses, as well as buying and storage tips. Registration is required. Please call 419-468-3203 to register. Mon, May 16^th, 6-7:30pm.

Bring in your original poetry to read aloud in a relaxing, coffeehouse atmosphere. Those who want to read a favorite poem written by someone else are also welcome. Remember Brad Williams (from Faces Made for Radio) who had so much fun at our Poetry Night the last two years? Well, he's coming back, and he's bringing friends. Poetry games, trivia and group poetry projects will inspire all who attend. Come see if Brad will come up with a masterpiece in the Songs from a Hat challenge! Door prizes will be awarded, and refreshments will be served. For grades 7-12. There is no cost for this program, but registration is required. Thu, Apr 7^th.

Learn to fold glossy advertisements, junk mail, food wrappers, and other scrap paper into delightful creations. It's a great way to celebrate Earth Month. Learn to make works of art such as butterflies, wallets, boxes and envelopes. Refreshments will be provided. For grades 7-12. There is no charge for this program, but registration is required. Mon, Apr 18^th at 6:30pm.

Artist Charlotte Motz will be here to present The Art of the Pop-Up Book. Children will learn how to make their very own pop-ups. The techniques that will be presented can be used for books, reports, greeting cards and scrapbooks. All materials will be provided for constructing a pop-up book with an ocean theme. This class is designed for grades K-6, but we ask that children in grades two and under be accompanied by an adult. There is no charge for this program, but registration is required. Sat, Apr 16^th, 2-3pm.

This game of kings is one of our most popular ongoing programs for young people. Whether you're learning to play for the first time, improving your strategy, or testing your advanced skills against other players, you're bound to have a great time with this classic. For grades 6-12. No registration required: just come and play.

• Thu, Mar 10^th, 6-8:15pm
• Thu, Mar 24^th, 6-8:15pm
• Thu, Apr 14^th, 6-8:15pm
• Thu, Apr 28^th, 6-8:15pm
• Thu, May 12^th, 6-8:15pm
• Thu, May 26^th, 6-8:15pm, Canceled due to Friends book sale.

The Galion Public Library Association meets annually at the library. Mon, Apr 11^th at 7pm.

Want to know about prehistoric animals that once roamed Crawford County? Join Crawford County Park District experts, Bill Fisher and Josh Dyer, as they discuss mastodon finds in Crawford County dating back to 1834. Registration is required for this program. Mon, Apr 25^th at 6:30pm.

Preschool story times are Tuesdays at 6:30pm and Wednesdays at 10:30am. Join us in the Community Room at the library for stories, crafts, games, and fun.

Help us celebrate National Library Week, April 10^th - 16^th. Mon, Apr 11^th.

This 2-hour workshop is designed for those 18 and older with little (people who have never done much more than doodling) to no experience in drawing. Carol Kable will lead this workshop; the emphasis will be on drawing principles and practices. Participants should bring a sketchbook or pad of white paper (9x12) and several pencils. Wed, Apr 6^th, 6-8pm.

The Galion Public Library is holding our 2nd Annual Poetry Contest in honor of National Poetry Month and National Library Week. We encourage those 18 years and older to submit an original poem for this growing contest. Poetry Contest Rules: 1) Poets must submit original poems, 2) Poets must be 18 years or older, 3) Poets can submit a maximum of 2 poems, 4) Poems can not exceed one 8 1/2 x 11 page. You can download a copy of the entry form here. Winners will be announced by Monday, April 25^th. Prizes will be awarded for 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place poems. Winning poems will also be displayed on the Galion Public Library website during the month of May.

• Fri, Apr 15^th, All poems must be submitted by 6:00pm

Only 38% of Americans are eligible to donate blood. Out of those, only 8% do. That amounts to about 3 out of every 100 people. Your donation makes a difference! To make a difference, schedule an appointment to donate blood at the Galion Public Library on Friday, April 15th! We look forward to seeing you there. Fri, Apr 15^th.

Wed, Apr 27^th.

Our 2011 Poetry Contest winners have been announced. First place goes to In Your Hands by Kay A. McNaul. Second place goes to Waves by Anne Mahoney, and third place goes to GIRLS of '64 by Bonnie Hildebrand. Thanks to everyone who participated. You can read all three winning poems here.

Come to the library and help solve a Nate the Great mystery! Kid detective Nate the Great has lost his dog somewhere in the library and needs your help to find him. Follow the clues and earn your detective's badge! For grades K-2. This program is free, but registration is required. Sat, May 7^th, 2-3:30pm.

Join us for anime, manga, writing, cosplay, and Japanese culture.

• Mon, Mar 7^th, 6:30-8:15pm
• Mon, Apr 4^th, 6:30-8:15pm
• Mon, May 2^nd, 6:30-8:15pm

We'll have races, contests, and trivia, all based on the popular book series. Try to avoid getting the "cheese touch", help create a toilet-paper mummy, and answer trivia questions to win Mom Bucks! For grades 3-6. This program is free, but registration is required. Sat, May 21^st, 2-4pm.

We've already started planning the special programs and other details. More information will be available soon.

• Mon, Jun 6^th, Children's Summer Reading Starts!

June 6^th - July 30^th. We've already started planning special programs and other details. More information will be available soon.

Once again the Friends of the Library will raffle off a beautiful quilt in honor of Mother's Day. A larger photo of the quilt is available in our photo gallery.

As a follow-up from Marcheta Gibson's very popular Digital Camera workshops earlier this year, Marcheta will be back to instruct on the use of Picasa Software. Picasa is free photo editing software from Google that makes your pictures look great. Sharing your best photos with friends and family is as easy as pressing a button! NEW! The Galion Public Library will be using our NEW Laptop Lab for this workshop. We will have 10 laptops available for participants if they do not have or want to bring in their own laptops. The use of the Laptop Lab and personal laptops will make this a truly hands on workshop! Please call 419-468-3203 to register. Sat, May 7^th, 10-Noon.

Adult summer reading starts June 1^st. Watch this space for details.

The Friends of the Library will be hosting their Used Book Sale again. Don't miss it! This time the Modern Woodmen, Fraternal Financial will be sponsoring the event with up to $2500 in matching funds. Thu, May 26^th at 9am, Sat, May 28^th at 9am, and Fri, May 27^th at 9am.

What is organic farming? What are all-natural meat products? Is conventional farming a thing of the past? Come find answers to these questions and so many more! OSU ATI College senior, Amanda Wagner has brought together a panel of local experts for this exciting program. Join Mendy Selman from Rus-Men Farms, Dave Reidel from Fairview Farms, Dale Norwood from Springwood Valley Farms, and Amanda Wagner from Wagner Brothers Farms as they discuss (and encourage questions) their various farming techniques. Registration is recommended for this program. Call 419-468-3203 to register. Thu, Jun 2^nd, 6:30-8pm.

Preschool story times are Tuesdays at 6:30pm and Wednesdays at 10:30am. Join us in the Community Room at the library for stories, crafts, games, and fun.

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