Library closed on Thanksgiving

Friday, Nov. 20, 2009

Charles County libraries are closed on Thanksgiving, Nov. 26.

The public libraries are open weather permitting.

When in doubt, call the library first before venturing out, call the library — the answering machine will be on. All closings are announced on 98.3 STAR FM.

When the libraries are closed or there is a delayed opening or an early closing, no fines are accrued.

Get carded, programs for young readers

Raise a reader: Invest in a library card for your child. All children 16 and younger must have a parent or legal guardian present to sign for their cards. Proof of the address and a photo ID are required. Your first card is free. Dial-A-Story is available at 301-934-3552, 24 hours day, seven days a week. Another way to introduce kids to the joy of reading is to use Tumblebooks.

These animated, talking, electronic picture books and puzzles are wonderful to read or have read to you. They are free for all library card holders.

Time change

for meeting

The next board meeting will be at 8 a.m. Nov. 19 at the La Plata branch

Child's play

Preschool storytimes continue through Dec. 2 at all branch locations, La Plata on Thursday mornings, P.D. Brown in Waldorf on Wednesday mornings, and Potomac on Tuesday mornings.

Been to a library storytime and after leaving wished you could remember the words to a song we sang? Looking for music for the classroom or home? Just want to have fun with the kids? Visit our Web site at www.ccplonline.com, linked to the library's home page and check out our Songs for Tots, lyrics to songs for preschool children. Just click a link and you've got music to go.

Upcoming events

Teen games night for those 12 to 18 will be 6:30 to 8 p.m. Nov. 20 at the P.D. Brown branch.

Spanish class will be held at 10 a.m. Nov. 21 and Dec. 19 at P.D. Brown.

Santa will visit the La Plata library from 1-3:30 p.m.

Dec. 5.

Workshop granted

A grant workshop, led by Andrea Snyder of the Pratt Library, will be held 9 to 10:30 a.m. Dec. 4 at P.D. Brown. For more information about the workshop, call Cindy Thornley at 301-645-2864 or e-mail cthornley@somd.lib.md.us.

The La Plata branch will hold a pajama storytime at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 14 for preschool through third-grade students and their parents. Children can come in their pajamas and listen to holiday stories, make a craft, decorate gingerbread cookies and sip hot chocolate.

Book discussions

The book discussion for the Dec. 5 Waldorf meeting is a self-selection of any autobiography, biography or memoir. For more information, call 301-645-2864 or e-mail mruss@somd.lib.md.us.

The Wonder Kids Book Club for grades 3-5 will be held at the P.D. Brown branch at 4 p.m. Dec. 2. La Plata meets the second Thursday of every month from 7 to 8 p.m.

The book discussion book for the Dec. 10 meeting is "Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert. Book clubs for preteens will be held at 4 p.m. Dec. 10. For more information, call 301-934-9001 or e-mail pfrere@somd.lib.md.us. A preteen book club at La Plata will be 4 p.m. Dec. 10.

The kids reading group at the Potomac branch will be held at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 22.

We also have book discussions at the Richard Clark Senior Center, the Indian Head Senior Center, the Maples and the Waldorf Senior Center.

Books via e-mail

The library has gone high-tech and is now offering the latest, hottest idea for people who want desperately to read, but just can't find the time. The library delivers portions of books to you in your e-mail. Monday through Friday, the library e-mails subscribers a portion of a book that takes about five minutes to read. By the end of the week, subscribers have read two to three chapters from the book and if they like it, they check it out at the library. New books are featured every week.

The writer is the executive director of the Charles County Public Library.