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. 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 Mike Hocker, President of the Ohio Byway Links and local Galion resident, for this 90-minute round-table discussion. Want to get away for a long weekend? Tell Mike where you want to go and he'll tell you what there is to see and do along the way! There is so much to see on the low roads. Call 419-468-3203 to register. Mon, Dec 3^rd, 6:30-8pm.

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. We can only take ten people for this class, so sign up now. $2 reserves your seat.

It's back. Our previous Bingo for Books games were so popular, we decided to do it again... just in time for the holidays. If you love books and Bingo, this is the place for you! Newly released books will be available to win, including much more non-fiction! If you're feeling lucky, call 419-468-3203 to register. Players are eligible to win a maximum of 2 books each. Thu, Dec 6^th, 10-11:30am.

The pictures from our Christmas Open House and Gingerbread House Contest are up in the photo gallery.

Children of all ages, come to the library and make holiday crafts that you can take home. Registration is not required: you can just come in at any time during the day. Wed, Dec 26^th, Thu, Dec 27^th, and Fri, Dec 28^th.

Join us Tuesdays at 6:30pm for stories, crafts, and lots of fun.

• Tue, Dec 4^th at 6:30pm, O Christmas Tree
• Tue, Dec 11^th at 6:30pm, Merry Christmas

Join us Wednesdays at 10:30am for stories, crafts, and lots of fun.

• Wed, Dec 5^th at 10:30am, O Christmas Tree
• Wed, Dec 12^th at 10:30am, Merry Christmas

The library will be closed in observance of the holiday.

• Mon, Dec 24^th, Christmas Eve
• Tue, Dec 25^th, Christmas Day
• Tue, Jan 1^st, Closed for the New Year
• Mon, May 27^th, Memorial Day
• Thu, Jul 4^th, Independence Day
• 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

Watch an animated feature film on our big screen. Popcorn and punch will be provided. Bring your own blanket and pillow. For grades K-6. Stop by the children's room to find out what movie we'll be showing (or maybe some will-o-wisps will lead you to it). Fri, Dec 28^th at 3pm.

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, Dec 6^th at 6:30pm, Kissing Christmas Goodbye, by M. C. Beaton
• Thu, Jan 3^rd at 6:30pm, Winter Solstice, by Rosamunde Pilcher
• Thu, Feb 7^th at 6:30pm, There Was a Time, by Ken Hammontree
• Thu, Mar 7^th at 6:30pm, The Language of Flowers, by Victoria Diffenbaugh
• Thu, Apr 4^th at 6:30pm, Half Broke Horses, by Jeannette Walls
• Thu, Jun 6^th at 6:30pm, TBA
• Thu, Aug 1^st at 6:30pm, TBA
• Thu, Sep 5^th at 6:30pm, TBA
• Thu, Oct 3^rd at 6:30pm, TBA
• Thu, Nov 7^th at 6:30pm, TBA
• Thu, Dec 5^th at 6:30pm, TBA
• Thu, Jan 2^nd at 6:30pm, TBA

Join us for a fun-filled afternoon of snow-day activities: stories, crafts, games, and hot chocolate. For grades K-2. Sat, Jan 5^th, 2-3:30pm.

Come out and support your favorite team and enjoy football-themed crafts and games. We'll have Wii Football and other fun football activities. Refreshments will be served. For grades 3-6. There is no charge for this program, but registration is required. Sat, Jan 19^th, 2-4pm.

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

Discover the World of Tea through the teacup! In celebration of National Hot Tea Month, Lisa Belstein, owner of Lexington's Blueberry Patch, will lead a 1 hour tasting. Learn about some of Lisa's favorite teas as she takes you on this fragrant journey through the teacup! TWO different seatings available...4:30pm and 6:30pm. Those who attended last year, or know a lot about tea, may want to join us for the "advanced" tasting at 6:30pm. Call 419-468-3203 to register.

• Thu, Jan 31^st, 4:30-5:30pm, FIRST SEATING
• Thu, Jan 31^st, 6:30-7:30pm, SECOND SEATING/ADVANCED SEATING

The library is now accepting applications for a combined publicity and circulation position. Applications are available at the main desk. <div class="p">Duties and Responsibilities:<ul> <li>Adult Programming<ul> <li>Creates educational and fun programming for adults on a variety of different subjects (speakers, music, crafts, food, game nights).</li> <li>Consults with Director on future programming.</li> <li>Prepares publicity for events such as flyers, press releases, newspaper articles.</li> <li>Maintains registration and evaluation forms for adult programs.</li> <li>Coordinates with performers on dates and requirements.</li> <li>Keeps staff appraised of events.</li> <li>Purchases supplies and/or refreshments as needed.</li> <li>Sets up rooms and equipment as necessary.</li> <li>Attends and provides support for programs and performers.</li> <li>Maintains and keeps within a yearly budget.</li> <li>Compiles program attendance and statistics and creates program summaries for the Director</li> </ul></li> <li>Newsletters <ul> <li>Creates a Library and a Friends of the Library newsletter every quarter.</li> <li>Gathers necessary information from Staff and Friends.</li> <li>Writes articles as needed.</li> <li>Uses computer graphic programs to create decorative elements, text and layout for newsletters.</li> </ul></li> <li>Advertisements and Press Releases <ul> <li>Writes press releases advertising upcoming events and sends to </li> <li>newspapers, cable or radio as needed.</li> <li>Creates flyers and distributes them within the library and in the community.</li> </ul></li> <li>Adult Summer Reading Program <ul> <li>Arranges for performers and publicity.</li> <li>Creates the events and the program flow.</li> <li>Provides incentives for readers including purchasing prizes.</li> <li>Keeps staff appraised of events and how they are to occur. </li> </ul></li> <li>Maintains and updates Library Facebook page.</li> <li>Displays <ul> <li>Creates displays for the four front display cases every two months.</li> <li>Creates and maintains book displays to encourage reading on various subjects.</li> <li>Creates displays for large back window when necessary.</li> <li>Creates other displays as needed.</li> </ul></li> <li>Bulletin Board <ul> <li>Collects and places appropriate information on the upstairs bulletin board.</li> <li>Maintains bulletin board in neat condition and keeps up to date.</li> </ul></li> <li>Circulation Desk <ul> <li>checking items in and out</li> <li>place reserves on materials for the patrons</li> <li>making faxes and photocopies</li> <li>booking internet</li> <li>helping with reader's advisory</li> <li>occasionally shelving materials and helping patrons.</li> <li>Will work Thursday afternoon circulation desk, various Fridays, occasional Saturdays and substitute for other staff as necessary.</li> </ul></li> <li>Attends conferences and workshops relevant to designated work.</li> <li>Serves in any area of the library at the request of the director.</li> <li>Performs other duties as required.</li> </div>

The Galion Public Library will be accepting non-perishable food products in lieu of cash for the payment of library fines during the month of February. All the collected food will be donated to a local food bank. For each can or box of food donated, $1 will be removed from your library fines. Remember...foods with expired use-by-dates and/or damaged items cannot be given to the local food banks and will not be accepted.

• Fri, Feb 1^st, Food for Fines Starts
• Thu, Feb 28^th, Food for Fines Ends

Dress in your fanciest and celebrate Valentine's Day with our 2^nd annual Fancy Nancy Tea Party. For grades K-2. Sat, Feb 2^nd, 2-3:30pm.

Come in any time during library hours for spring crafts to make and take home. You don't need to register for this: you can just show up. Ask at the children's desk for more information.

• Mon, Mar 25^th
• Tue, Mar 26^th
• Wed, Mar 27^th
• Thu, Mar 28^th
• Fri, Mar 29^th

Come out and create your very own race track to take home. Bring your own Hot Wheels car for racing, or use one of ours. We'll be having other race-themed crafts and activities as well. Refreshments will be served. For grades K-2. Call or visit the children's room to sign up. Sat, Mar 2^nd, 2-3:30pm.

Does mixing Mentos and Diet Coke really create a giant geyser? Is it really unsafe to mix Pop Rocks and Coke? We'll answer these questions and more. Dress to get messy. For grades 3-6. Call the library or visit the children's room to sign up. Sat, Mar 16^th, 2-4pm.

Come watch the movie on our big screen. Popcorn and punch will be served. The movie we will show is an animated feature film and is rated PG. Remember to bring your own blanket and pillow. For grades K-6. Call or stop by the library to sign up and to find out the movie title. (Saying it here would Wreck the licensing agreement that lets us show the movie.) Sat, Apr 6^th at 2pm.

Join us for an exciting afternoon of Star-Wars-themed activities, crafts, games, and a costume parade through the library. For grades K-6. Costumes are encouraged but not required. Parents are invited to observe the parade at 2:30. Space is limited, so call or stop by the children's room to sign up now. May the fourth be with you. Sat, May 4^th, 1-3pm.

Come celebrate President's Day at the Galion Public Library. We once again welcome back Ken Hammontree of Living History Productions to present Harry Truman. Harry Truman was thrust into presidency on April 12, 1945. The decisions he made as president were some of the most crucial decisions in history. Hammontree will become Harry Truman and portray him in first person as we learn about how Truman was able to make these tough decisions. Call 419-468-3203 to register for this 1 hour presentation. Mon, Feb 11^th, 6:30-7:30pm.

Stop by and decorate a cake pop or two of your very own. We'll have other chocolatey-good activities as well. For grades 3-6. Call or stop by the children's room to sign up. Sat, Feb 16^th, 2-4pm.

Join writer Rachel Mendell in the 1^st of 3 workshops that will be held at the Galion Public Library this winter. This workshop will focus on creating raw material for poems, stories, and memoirs. Infuse new life into a lagging project by using all the senses. Use sight, sound, smell, taste, touch, the sixth sense of the muse, and the seventh sense of randomness to open up new areas in the locked up closets of your mind. Call 419-468-3203 to register. Sat, Feb 16^th, 10-Noon.

Join Rachel Mendell in this 2nd of 3 writing workshops! 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. Sat, Feb 23^rd, 10-Noon.

We have finally scheduled our spring computer classes. Check the schedule for details or stop by the main desk to sign up.

• Mon, Mar 18^th at 5:30pm, Hands-On Documents

Join Rachel Mendell for her final workshop at the Galion Public Library this winter. 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. This workshop has been REVISED. If you attended in the past, you won't want to miss this year! Please call 419-468-3203 to register. Sat, Mar 9^th, 10-Noon.

Bring your favorite board game or card game and a friend. We'll bring the refreshments. If you don't have a game to bring, you can play one of ours. For grades 6-12. Registration is not required: you can just show up. Thu, Mar 28^th, 6-8:15pm.

Come experience one of your favorite movies in a whole new way. We will be watching The Hunger Games with hilarious audio commentary from the funny guys at RiffTrax. We got special permission for a single showing, so don't miss it. Doors open at 7:15, and the movie will start at 7:30pm. For grades 7-12. Registration is required: stop by the main desk or call to sign up. Fri, Apr 5^th, 7:30-10pm.

Who will be our next chess champ? Test your chess skills in our four-round Swiss-system tournament, with no eliminations. Points are assigned to each player's win, loss, or draw, and the player with the highest score wins. Participation prizes and prizes for the three highest scores will be awarded. Please eat lunch before you come and plan to arrive by 11:45. Snacks will be provided during the afternoon. There is no cost to enter, but registration is required. For grades 6-12. Sat, Mar 23^rd, Noon-5pm.

The library association will hold its annual meeting in the Community Room. Membership in the Galion Public Library Association is open to the public. If you are interested in joining the association, speak with the Director. Mon, Apr 8^th at 7pm.

April 14^th-20^th is National Library Week.

• Mon, Apr 15^th, First Day
• Sat, Apr 20^th, Last Day

Join us the second Thursday of each month for anime, manga, Japanese culture, graphic novels, 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, Dec 13^th, 6:30-8:15pm
• Thu, Jan 3^rd, 6:30-8:15pm
• Thu, Feb 7^th, 6:30-8:15pm
• Thu, Mar 7^th, 6:30-8:15pm
• Thu, Apr 11^th, 6:30-8:15pm
• Thu, May 9^th, 6:30-8:15pm

Summer reading starts June 1^st. We'll be giving away hundreds of dollars worth of gift certificates to local stores and restaurants in our weekly prize drawings. We'll also be hosting a number of special programs. Watch this page for more details.

Our Summer Reading program is coming up in June. Read books, win prizes, and come to our special programs. Watch this space for more information.

Summer Reading is coming up in June. Watch this space for more details.

Join us for our annual party on the lawn in celebration of summer reading. We'll have crafts, games, and other fun activities. (If it rains, we will still have indoor activities.) Watch this space for more details. Wed, Jun 12^th, 1-3pm.

The Cookbook Club meets again, this time to celebrate the start of the season of fresh vegetables! All are invited to bring their cookbooks (to show off or to trade) and a salad to share. We will meet in the Community Room. Registration is required for this free event. Tue, May 28^th, 6-8pm.

The Friends of the Library will be holding their spring book sale. Proceeds will benefit the library.

• Thu, May 23^rd, 9-8pm
• Fri, May 24^th, 9-5pm
• Sat, May 25^th, 9-Noon, Bag Day

We're bringing back our popular summer writing series, conducted by Rachel Mendell. These workshops do require registration, but there is no cost to attend, and refreshments will be provided. Sign up at the main desk.

• Sat, Jun 22^nd, Digging Deep to Find the Narrative Voice
• Sat, Jun 29^th, Blogging and the Digital Frontier
• Sat, Jul 6^th, Overcoming Writer's Block

For our 4^th Annual Poetry Contest, in honor of National Poetry Month in April, we encourage poets aged 18 years and older to submit one original poem for a chance to win a prize. Submissions may be dropped off during regular library hours throughout National Library Week: Monday, April 15^th — Saturday, April 20^th, 2013. Submitted poetry must be: 1) an original creation of the submitter; 2) typewritten; 3) no more than 40 lines in length; 4) never previously published. Poems will be judged on thoughtfulness, grammar, tone, creativity, style, and appearance. No additional artwork, please. Winners will be announced by Monday, April 29th. Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place poems. Winning poems will also be displayed at the library and on our web site.

• Mon, Apr 15^th, First day that submissions are accepted
• Sat, Apr 20^th, Submission deadline

First Place: Lady on the Bottle by Matt Echelberry; Second Place: Iberia School: Fall, 2011 by Bonnie Hildebrand; Third Place: Give me Things that Money Can't Buy by Margaret K. Leapley. Come to the library to see the winning poems on display. Contest entrants who wish to pick up their judging sheets may do so at the main circulation desk (they will be held until May 15^th).

Summer Reading is coming up in June for all ages.

• Kids: Dig Into Reading.
• Teens: Beneath the Surface.
• Adults: Ground-Breaking Reads.

With the help of our chess master (Mark Papenhausen) and other club members, you can learn new strategies, face new opponents, and compete for the top rungs in our ongoing ladder tournament. 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, Dec 20^th, 6:30-8:15pm
• Thu, Jan 17^th, 6:30-8:15pm
• Thu, Feb 21^st, 6:30-8:15pm
• Thu, Mar 21^st, 6:30-8:15pm
• Thu, Apr 18^th, 6:30-8:15pm
• Thu, May 16^th, 6:30-8:15pm

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.

• Thu, Dec 27^th at 10am
• Fri, Jan 25^th at 10am
• Fri, Feb 22^nd at 10am
• Fri, May 31^st at 10am
• Fri, Jun 28^th at 10am
• Fri, Jul 26^th at 10am
• 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

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