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, Nov 7^th at 6:30pm, The Returned, by Jason Mott
• Thu, Dec 5^th at 6:30pm, Starry Night, by Debbie Macomber
• Thu, Jan 2^nd at 6:30pm, TBA

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, 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

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.

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

Join us at the library for this popular annual holiday event. We've packed out the afternoon with a full schedule of entertainments and activities. Sat, Dec 7^th, 1-3pm.

Entry forms are now available at the main desk. Submit the form when you bring in your house during the week of December 2^nd-7^th. Entries will be on display for public viewing during our Christmas Open House. Judges will award first and second place prizes for each category, and a grand prize for Best in Show will be determined by popular vote, so be sure to vote for your favorite entry (limit one vote per person per day).

• Mon, Dec 2^nd, Contest Begins
• Fri, Dec 6^th, Entry Deadline
• Sat, Dec 7^th, Winners Announced

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.

We will be screening a newly-released movie adaptation of a bestselling young-adult novel by Cassandra Clare. Popcorn and soda will be served. Registration is required, and space is limited. Call the library or stop by the main desk to reserve your seat. Thu, Dec 5^th, 6-8:15pm.

These houses won't be edible, but they will be fun to make. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served. For ages 12-18. Registration is required. Call the library or stop by the main desk to sign up. Sat, Dec 21^st, 2-4pm.

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, Dec 27^th at 10am
• Fri, Jan 31^st at 10am

This time, our Bingo for Books program will be run the holiday way, with an impressive array of books, and some other fun prizes, up for grabs. If you are age 18 or older, come play for your chance to win free copies of popular novels (by Danielle Steele, Jodi Picoult, Dan Brown, and other favorites), Christmas books (by Richard Paul Evans, Glenn Beck, Debbie Macomber, Fern Michaels, and more), and several non-fiction titles, too. Refreshments will be served. 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, Dec 18^th, 6-7:30pm.

Dress as a hobbit, dwarf, or other Middle-Earth character, and join us for a Hobbit Feast, riddles, trivia, and celebration of all things Tolkien. The feast will feature a potato bar and desserts. For ages 12-18. Space is limited, so reserve your spot today: call or stop by the main desk to sign up. Sat, Jan 4^th, Noon-3pm.

With the help of our chess master Mark Papenhausen and other club members, players can learn new strategies, face new opponents, and compete for the top rungs in our ongoing ladder tournament. New members in grades 4-12 are invited to join at any time. Refreshments are provided. You don't need to register for this: it's OK to just show up.

• Thu, Jan 16^th, 6:30-8pm
• Thu, Feb 20^th, 6:30-8pm
• Thu, Mar 20^th, 6:30-8pm
• Thu, Apr 17^th, 6:30-8pm
• Thu, May 15^th, 6:30-8pm

Join us Mondays at 6:30pm, Tuesdays at 10:30am, and Wednesdays at 10:30am for stories, songs, crafts, and lots of fun. Spring storytimes in 2014 are planned from January 13^th through April 16^th, plus April 28^th, 29^th, and 30^th.

The Galion Public Library Association will hold our annual meeting for all members. Mon, Apr 14^th at 7pm.

The library will be closed in observance of the holiday.

• 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

Come in and watch a 1965 film (starring Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon) on our big screen in the community room. Directed by William Asher, the movie is the fifth in the Beach Party film series. It featured cameos by Paul Lynde, Don Rickles, and Buster Keaton. Enjoy some light refreshments and pretend for a couple of hours that warm weather isn't months away. All ages are welcome, but children under 12 must be with an adult. This event is free, but please register by calling the library or stopping by the main desk to reserve your seat. Sat, Jan 11^th, 2-4pm.

Do you have questions and/or concerns about the new Healthcare Marketplace? Are you confused about your QHP options? Join offical CareNet Navigator Michael Culp as he presents information about Obamacare and answers your questions. Wed, Jan 15^th, 4-6pm and Sat, Jan 25^th, 10-Noon.

Do you know how many kinds of corn there are, who invented the supermarket, or how pumpkins saved the pioneers? Do you wonder what Ohio's settlers went through to feed a growing family before the days of Zip-Lock bags, paper towels, and white flour, with limited seasonings and food preservation methods? Join Galion history buff Mike Hocker as he answers these questions and many more during his slide show presentation, The History of Pioneer Cooking. A Q&A session will follow the lecture. This program is an opportunity to put into context all that America has brought to the table, literally. Even non-cooks will find something interesting, since it is about eating, our culture, and our local history as much as it is about cooking. Thu, Jan 23^rd, 6-7:30pm.

Join us the second Thursday of each month to watch anime, discuss manga and graphic novels, 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, Nov 14^th, 6:30-8pm
• Thu, Dec 12^th, 6:30-8pm
• Thu, Jan 9^th, 6:30-8pm
• Thu, Feb 13^th, 6:30-8pm
• Thu, Mar 13^th, 6:30-8pm
• Thu, Apr 10^th, 6:30-8pm
• Thu, May 8^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, Nov 21^st, 6:30-8pm
• Thu, Dec 19^th, 6:30-8pm

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

An art show on the library lawn is being planned by the Brush and Palette Club. Watch this space for more information as spring approaches. Sat, Jun 28^th.

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