We've been posting more batches of pictures from our summer programs in our photo galleries. This time we've added photos from the Shizzle Dizzle Magic Show, Mike Hemmelgarn's juggling and variety act, and the teen photography and improv programs. See them all in our photo gallery archive.

Participants are invited to come dressed as their favorite Olympian, demigod, or Greek hero. Join us for Percy Jackson trivia, Greek mythology team trivia, creating your own sword and shield for dueling, food, and more. Prizes will be awarded to the trivia winner(s) and for best costumes, including a $10 Cinemark gift card to go see Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters. Registration is required. Call or stop by the main desk to sign up. Thu, Aug 1^st, 6-8pm.

Come watch the movie on our big screen. The movie we will show is an animated feature film and is rated PG. Call or stop by the library to sign up and to find out the movie title. Popcorn and punch will be served (but we're fresh out of meatball-making weather machines). Remember to bring your own blanket and pillow. For grades K-6. Sat, Aug 17^th at 2pm.

Come in for an afternoon of fun stories, crafts, and games all about Elephant and Piggie. For grades K-2. Registration is required. Sat, Sep 7^th, 2-3:30pm.

Challenge yourself and your friends to complete activities featured on the TV show, Minute to Win It. For grades 3-6. There will be prizes for all participants. Call or stop by the Children's Room to sign up. Sat, Sep 21^st, 2-4pm.

Come to the library for pumpkin stories, pumpkin decorating, and pumpkin games. For grades K-2. Registration is required. Call or stop by the children's room to sign up. Sat, Oct 5^th, 2-3:30pm.

Celebrate Halloween with activities from your favorite twisted fairy tales. Create a candy house, decorate a poison apple, complete a scavenger hunt, and more. All partygoers will be entered into a drawing for the popular children's book A Tale Dark and Grimm, by Adam Gidwitz. There is no charge for this event, but registration is required. Call the library or stop by the Children's Room desk to sign up. For grades 3-6. Registration is required. Call or stop by the children's room to sign up. Sat, Oct 19^th, 2-4pm.

Join us as we play Disney Scene-It on our large screen. Teams will play together to work their way through our life size game board by answering questions from clips of popular Disney films. Refreshments will be served. There is no charge for this event, but registration is required. This game is for grades K-2. Registration is required. Sat, Nov 2^nd, 2-3:30pm.

Create your own putt-putt holes. We'll set up your holes throughout the children's room and design our own miniature golf course. For grades 3-6. Registration is required. Sat, Nov 16^th, 4:30-6:30pm.

Bring your favorite board, card, or video games and join us for pizza, snacks, and fun. For grades 7-12. Advance registration is required. Call or visit the library by Saturday at 4:30pm to register. Sat, Aug 24^th, 7-9pm.

Bring a dessert to share with this seasonally-meeting club. Feel free to bring some of your cookbook collection to show off or trade, as well. Tue, Aug 20^th at 6pm.

Join history expert Mike Hocker as he edu-tains on all that America has brought to the table (pun intended). There will be a slide presentation and a question and answer session. Call or stop by the library to register. Sat, Aug 24^th at 10:30am.

Historian, lecturer, and author Kenneth Hammontree will return to GPL to portray John Chapman on the library lawn. Chapman, commonly known as Johnny Appleseed, lived from 1774 to 1845 and was a nurseryman, missionary, humanitarian, and early pioneer of the Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Indiana wilderness. He planted over a thousand acres in apple trees across three states and traveled more miles than any other recorded pioneer of his generation. Sat, Sep 14^th at 10am.

Learn new strategies and face new opponents. Join us for a casual game or enter our ongoing ladder tournament and see how many opponents you can knock down a rung. For grades 6-12. New members are welcome any time. Refreshments are provided. You do not need to register for this event: you can just show up.

• Thu, Aug 15^th, 6:30-8:15pm

Starting September 1^st, 2013:

• Each person may have up to 15 items on hold at a time.
• Items may be renewed up to 3 times, except for video materials.

As before, videos still may only be renewed once. Thanks for your patience and understanding as we implement these changes.

Looking for something new to read? Join us the last Friday of the month. We'll discuss bestsellers, books we're currently reading, and books that are new at the library. Come for some coffee and a chat, 10am the last Friday of each month.

• Fri, Aug 30^th at 10am
• Fri, Sep 27^th at 10am
• Fri, Oct 25^th at 10am
• Fri, Dec 27^th at 10am
• Fri, Jan 31^st at 10am

P.L. Gaus, author of the Amish-Country Mysteries will give a talk entitled The Interesting Amish People of Holmes County, and My Amish-Country Mystery Series. Gaus will discuss his novels and his writing process, and will also share humorous and poignant stories about Amish people that illustrate the culture, religion, and lifestyles of these remarkable people. Copies of Gaus' books will be available for purchase and signing by the author. This event is free to attend, but registration is required. Sat, Sep 21^st at 10am.

The Friends have managed to secure two OSU tickets to the Nov. 23^rd Indiana game. These tickets are being raffled off. Raffle tickets are selling for $5 each and are available now from Friends members and at the main library desk. The drawing will be held on November 2^nd, and the winner will receive a pair of tickets to the Indiana game.

• Sat, Nov 2^nd, Drawing

Our reading therapy dog Griff (and his handler, Joyce) will be coming on Tuesday evenings from 5-6 pm this fall. Griff, a black lab, has been trained as part of Therapy Dog International's Tail Waggin' Tutors program. He listens to boys and girls read books. Reading to Griff is relaxing and fun. Parents can sign their children up for a ten-minute session of reading with Griff. Call the library or stop by the Children's Room to sign up.

we'll explore Book Art Fun by making treasures out of trashed literature: books, magazines, catalogs, newspapers, book covers, and junk mail will all be upcycled in creative ways. Each year during Banned Books Week, the ALA promotes awareness of challenges to library materials and celebrates freedom of speech and the freedom to read. You can learn more about culturally significant banned books through the ALA's interactive timeline, 30 Years of Liberating Literature. Thu, Sep 26^th, 6:30-8pm.

Learn new strategies and face new opponents. Join us for a casual game or enter our ongoing ladder tournament and see how many opponents you can knock down a rung. For grades 6-12. New members are welcome any time. Refreshments are provided. You do not need to register for this event: you can just show up.

• Thu, Sep 19^th, 6:30-8pm
• Thu, Oct 17^th, 6:30-8pm
• Thu, Nov 21^st, 6:30-8pm
• Thu, Dec 19^th, 6:30-8pm

Bring an original poem or a favorite to share, or just come and enjoy poetry. Hot chocolate and desserts will be provided. We'll also be decorating mugs to keep and playing poetry and word games. Ages 12-18. Registration is required: call the library or stop by the main desk to reserve your spot (and your mug). Tue, Oct 15^th, 6:30-8pm.

Refreshments, music, dancing, games, and costume awards. Costumes are highly encouraged but not required. Prizes will be awarded for the best costumes. Just feel like chilling out? We'll be showing Warm Bodies too. Zombie-related refreshments will be provided. Open to grades 7-12. Registration is required, with a sign-up deadline of 4:30pm on Saturday the 19^th. Call the library or stop by the main desk to sign up. Sat, Oct 19^th, 7-9pm.

Join us for your chance to win free copies of books by Nora Roberts, Wanda E. Brunstetter, and more. Several book-influenced DVDs and VHS tapes, and other prizes will be given out as well. Refreshments will be served. For ages 18 and older. This event is free, but please register in advance so we can be prepared. Call the library or stop by the main desk to sign up. Wed, Oct 16^th, 6-7:30pm.

Join us Mondays at 6:30pm, Tuesdays at 10:30am, and Wednesdays at 10:30am for stories, songs, crafts, and lots of fun.

Cathy and Barry Moneysmith will share tales of their adventures, including their experiences leading Paranormal Investigations tour groups through Brownella Cottage. Refreshments will be served. Thu, Oct 24^th, 7-8pm.

We'll be showing a classic film from 1967, starring Audrey Hepburn and Alan Arkin, on our big screen. In the film, a recently blinded woman is terrorized by a trio of thugs while they search for a heroin-stuffed doll they believe is in her apartment. Popcorn and soda will be served. This will be a joint Adult/Teen program. Registration is required. Call the library or stop by the main desk to sign up. Thu, Oct 31^st, 6-8pm.

Calling all aspiring writers... Join us at Galion Public Library and write a novel in one month. This will be our second year of participation in NaNoWriMo. Participating writers will be able to share their progress and support one another through the NaNoWriMo process. Refreshments will be served at the kick-off and wrap-up parties. Call the library or stop by the main desk today to register for these programs.

• Fri, Oct 18^th, 4:30-5:30pm, Organizational Planning Meeting with Rachel Mendell
• Fri, Nov 1^st, 4-5:30pm, NaNoWriMo Kick-Off Party
• Mon, Nov 4^th, 6-8pm, NaNoWriMo Write-In
• Mon, Nov 11^th, 6-8pm, NaNoWriMo Write-In
• Mon, Nov 18^th, 6-8pm, NaNoWriMo Write-In
• Mon, Nov 25^th, 6-8pm, NaNoWriMo Write-In
• Sat, Nov 30^th, 3-4:30pm, NaNoWriMo Wrap-up Party

Make a material out of basically any material you wish. Bring it to the library. Hide it anywhere you like. (Please try to avoid using materials that will smell bad.) We'll keep scarecrows on display throughout the month of October.

In honor of Teen Read Week (October 13^th-19^th), you can review up to 10 books you have read in 2013. If you read at least 5, you get a free paperback book. We'll hold drawings for gift cards at the end of the week. Pick up and return your review slips downstairs at the children's desk.

Voting is open until October 19^th. There is a flier on the ledge in the YA section, and all of the nominated titles that were checked in are on the ledge as well. All of the books are cataloged as YA except for Son by Lois Lowry and Between the Lines by Jodi Picoult. Go to YALSA's Teen's Top Reads site to see the book summaries and vote for up to 3 of your favorites.

The fall book sale has been scheduled. Bring your friends. Watch this space for more details as the dates draw nearer. Thu, Oct 10^th, 9-8pm, Fri, Oct 11^th, 9-5pm, and Sat, Oct 12^th, 9-Noon.

We are pleased to offer a mini-course on eBay Basics, in time for everyone to get going on their holiday shopping... and selling. Instructor Katie Hux, eBay Education Specialist, was trained by eBay University in 2006 and has since helped hundreds of people understand the ins and outs of eBay. Some of the workshop's topics will be: selecting an item to buy, writing an accurate description of your saleable item, taking the perfect photo, signing up for a PayPal account, and learning various shipping methods. This program is free, but registration is required. Call the library or stop by the main desk to sign up. Wed, Nov 6^th, 6-8pm.

The Friends are holding their annual Christmas raffle again. The prizes this year include a Cleaning Done Right gift basket, donated by Dez Smith; a hand-painted signed and dated figurine, donated by Barb Farina; Galion Community Theatre tickets for 2 to a 2014 season production; two gift certificates for $60 toward a computer tune-up from Galion Computers and Tools, donated by Johyn Renock; 18 holes of golf for two, including cart use, at the Galion Country Club; an Advance Auto gift box; a Friends of the Library gift basket set; a Ballreich gift basket; a swan statue from the Evergreen Company, donated by Sue Gimbel; a $20 gift certificate from the CDandi Bar, donated by Beth Cramblett; a handmade plush bear, donated by Betty Unkrich; a Crossroads scents gift basket, donated by Cori Kreuger of State Farm Insurance; original photographic art donated by Rosie Faulds; and an anonymously contributed wine gift basket. Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5. Stop by the library to see the items on display.

• Wed, Dec 18^th at 1pm, Drawing

There will be carriage rides from here to Brownella and back, and everyone who comes to the library during our open house will receive a free raffle ticket. Watch this space for more information as the details emerge. Sat, Dec 7^th.

Join us for an evening of food and fun as the Cookbook Club meets again. This gathering will celebrate the coming of the holiday season and all the food it brings. Bring your favorite holiday dish to share (from Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any winter holiday tradition) as well as your cookbooks to show off or trade. This event is free, but registration is required. Call the library or stop by the main desk to sign up. Tue, Nov 19^th, 6:30-8pm.

Got a list, but no cards to get ready to mail? Thinking of how you'll wrap the gifts you'll give this year? Are you on a budget, feeling green, or just wanting to add a personal touch with a literary slant? This workshop is for you. Greeting cards, bows, and gift wrapping will be created out of discarded literature: books, magazines, catalogs, newspapers, and junk mail will all be upcycled in creative ways. This event is free, but registration is required. Call the library or stop by the main desk to sign up. Wed, Nov 20^th, 6-7:30pm.

You won't want to miss being a part of these lively book discussions. Contact Cyndi for more details and to find out what the Book of the Month will be.

• Thu, Sep 5^th at 6:30pm, Blood of the Prodigal, by P.L. Gaus
• Thu, Oct 3^rd at 6:30pm, The Returned, by Jason Mott
• Thu, Nov 7^th at 6:30pm, The Returned, by Jason Mott
• Thu, Dec 5^th at 6:30pm, TBA
• Thu, Jan 2^nd at 6:30pm, TBA

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

Come in anytime during regular library hours for a holiday craft to make and take home. For children of all ages. No registration required: you can just show up. Ask at the children's room desk for more information.

• Mon, Dec 23^rd
• Thu, Dec 26^th
• Fri, Dec 27^th
• Sat, Dec 28^th

The children's department will be showing a PG-rated animated feature film. (If you are curious about the film, you can see the movie listing on IMDb.) Popcorn and punch will be served. For grades K-6. Registration is required: call the library or stop by the children's room to sign up. Remember to bring your blanket and pillow. Fri, Dec 27^th at 3pm.

Come out in the cold for some wintery crafts, games, and treats. For grades K-6. Registration is required: call the library or stop by the children's room to sign up. Sat, Jan 18^th, 2-3:30pm.

Dress in your fanciest and come celebrate Valentine's Day with our 3^rd annual Fancy Nancy tea party. For grades K-2. Registration is required: call or stop by the library to sign up. Sat, Feb 1^st, 2-3:30pm.

Join us for our own version of the 2014 Winter Olympics, just for kids. For grades 3-6. Registration is required: call or stop by the library to sign up. Sat, Feb 15^th, 2-4pm.

Griff the Therapy Dog listens to boys and girls read books.

An American Labrador Retriever, Griff has been trained as part of Therapy Dog International's Tail Waggin' Tutors program. He'll be here on Tuesdays from 4-5pm.

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. Call the library or stop by the Children's Room to sign up.

The library will be closed in observance of the holiday.

• Mon, Sep 2^nd, Labor Day
• Thu, Nov 28^th, Thanksgiving Day
• Fri, Nov 29^th, Day After Thanksgiving
• Tue, Dec 24^th, Christmas Eve
• Wed, Dec 25^th, Christmas Day
• Wed, Jan 1^st, New Year's Day
• Mon, May 26^th, Memorial Day
• Fri, Jul 4^th, Independence Day
• Mon, Sep 1^st, Labor Day
• Thu, Nov 27^th, Thanksgiving Day
• Fri, Nov 28^th, Day After Thanksgiving
• Wed, Dec 24^th, Christmas Eve
• Thu, Dec 25^th, Christmas Day
• Thu, Jan 1^st, New Year's Day
• Mon, May 25^th, Memorial Day
• Sat, Jul 4^th, Independence Day
• Mon, Sep 7^th, Labor Day
• Thu, Nov 26^th, Thanksgiving Day
• Fri, Nov 27^th, Day After Thanksgiving
• Thu, Dec 24^th, Christmas Eve
• Fri, Dec 25^th, Christmas Day

Join us the second Thursday of each month to watch anime, discuss manga, learn about Japanese culture, and more. For teens in grades 7-12. Cosplay is optional. New members are always welcome. There is no need to register: you can just show up.

• Thu, Aug 8^th, 6:30-8:15pm
• Thu, Sep 12^th, 6:30-8pm
• Thu, Nov 14^th, 6:30-8pm
• Thu, Dec 12^th, 6:30-8pm