January 2010

Livonia Public Library Newsletter

All Livonia Public Libraries will be closed Thursday December 31st though Sunday January 3rd for the New Year Holiday.

CURE FOR CABIN FEVER: The Livonia Public Library’s Children’s Department has announced the new winter story time programs. Registration for these programs begins Monday January 4th when the libraries open. Registration must be at the branch offering the program. Registration is limited to Livonia residents only, all toddlers two to three years of age must be accompanied by an adult, and there must be one adult for each child, unless otherwise noted. This winter’s offerings:

CIVIC CENTER LIBRARY: Please note: Registration at the Civic Center Library begins in person at 9:00 am. Phone registration will not begin until 1:00 pm.
The Lap-Sit program begins Tuesday January 12th and runs through March 2nd. This is a program of songs, movement and music. The 9:30 am session is for children ages twelve to seventeen months, and the 10:30 am session for kids eighteen to twenty three months. Each child must be accompanied by one adult. Two year olds may join in on the fun at “Toddler Story Time” on Thursdays from January 14th through March 4th. There are two sessions each Thursday of fingerplays, music and movement, one at 9:30 am and one at 10:15 am. Each child must be accompanied by an adult who will remain with them throughout the program and will actively participate in the activities. “Preschool Story Time” is for kids age three to six, and will be held on Wednesdays from January 13th through March 3rd at 1:30 pm and again at 2:15 pm. This program offers all kinds of activities aimed at encouraging reading and interaction with other children. For more information, call the Civic Center Children’s Desk at (734) 466-2493.

NOBLE LIBRARY: Registration for Noble’s programs will begin in person or by phone on Monday January 4th at 10:00 am. The “Fun for Ones” Lapsit program is for children age twelve to twenty-four months and is designed to introduce young children to the library through songs, rhymes, and activities. No siblings allowed due to space concerns. This program is scheduled for Wednesdays at 10:30 am beginning January 13th and ending March 3rd. “Three, Four, Five, It’s Storytime” will be held Monday January 11th through Monday March 1st at 10:30 am. This program incorporates stories, songs and crafts for children ages three through five.

SANDBURG: No registration is needed for the programs at Sandburg, and siblings are welcome. "Toddler Story Time" for children age one to two years old will be held on Tuesdays at 10:15 am January 12th through March 2nd with songs, stories and fun. Participants must be accompanied by an adult. Children ages two to three years old are invited to "Toddler Plus Story Time" on Tuesdays at 11:00 am January 12th through March 2nd for songs, stories and play time. Participants must be accompanied by an adult. Preschoolers age three to six can enjoy "Preschool Story Time" on Thursdays at 11:00 am starting on Thursdays January 14th to March 4th with songs, stories and science demonstrations. No registration is needed for these programs, and siblings are welcome. For more information, visit or call Sandburg at (248) 893-4010.

For more details and information on these programs, you can also visit your favorite library branch or go to our children’s web page or our online events calendar at http://www.livonia.lib.mi.us/calendar.

MONEY MATTERS: The Civic Center Library will be hosting a series of programs entitled "Money Talks" throughout the winter. The first program on "Home Buying Tax Credits" will be presented on Monday January 18th at 7:00 pm. Tax credits are available to home buyers through April 2010, and this program will describe the various types of mortgages and the requirements needed to earn these credits. "Tax Issues for the Self Employed" is the topic on Tuesday January 19th at 7:00 pm for people thinking about self-employment and will cover tax payments, health insurance and retirement plans. If you are interested in possibly converting a traditional IRA into a Roth IRA, plan on attending "Roth IRA Conversion" on Tuesday January 26th at 7:00 pm to see if you meet the criteria and what benefits a conversion will have for you. For more information on these programs, call the Civic Center Library at (734) 466-2197.

A DETROIT LIFE: The Friends of the Livonia Library will welcome Dan Shine to the Civic Center Library Auditorium on Sunday January 17th at 2:00 pm as he shares "Memories of Neal Shine". Dan Shine will talk about his father's life in Detroit, long career at the Detroit Free Press, and Neal's childhood memoir "Life with Mae" about his early life on Detroit's east side. Dan Shine is currently the manager of external communications for the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan, as well as having a long career in newspapers himself, including some time at the Free Press. This program is free, and the Friends invite you to enjoy some refreshments in Michigan Room following the presentation.

STORYTIME ALA CARTE: The Civic Center Children's Department will be offering Family Storytimes on Wednesday nights at 7:00 pm January 13th through March 3rd. The stories are geared to three to six year olds, but all ages (including parents) are welcome. No registration is needed. For more information on the programs, visit or call the Civic Center Children's Department at (734) 466-2493. The Noble Library's Family Storytimes will be on Monday nights January 11th through March 1st at 7:00 pm for kids age three through five (and any other interested family members). The program will include stories, songs and crafts, and no registration is necessary. For more information visit or call Noble at (734) 421-4235.

ADVENTURES IN BABYSITTING: Teens age twelve and up can learn basic babysitting skills at the Civic Center Library. The "Babysitting Workshop" will be held on Mondays January 11th, January 18th and January 25th from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm, and will cover feeding and diapering of infants, entertaining kids of all ages, safe play and basic first aid. Participants attending all three sessions will earn a certificate. This is a popular class, so register early!! For more information or to register, stop by the Civic Center Library Browsing desk or call (734) 466-2197.

FILM MOVEMENT: (PLEASE NOTE: This film is scheduled earlier in the month than usual due to scheduling conflicts). The Civic Center Library shows a new independent film one Monday evening each month as part of the Film Movement Series. These are award winning films that are released on DVD simultaneously as they are released in theatres and include independent films and foreign productions. The films are intended for mature audiences and may have adult content or subject matter. This month's film will be shown on Monday January 4th at 6:30 pm in the Civic Center Auditorium. If you cannot attend the performances, the Film Movement Programs will be added to our DVD collection shortly after this one-time showing. This month's presentation is an American documentary "Mine". This film looks at the pets caught in Hurricane Katrina and the efforts of their owners to find and recover their animal friends, many of which were adopted out to other families across the country. The Film Movement series is funded by the Friends of the Livonia Public Library. More information on this and upcoming films can now be found on our webpage at http://livonia.lib.mi.us/movementseries. For more information please call the Civic Center Library at (734) 466-2197.

TRULY SHORT STORIES: Teens in grades seven through twelve can enter into the Teen Flash Fiction Contest now through Tuesday March 2nd. Just write an original fiction piece of no more than one hundred words and submit it to a teen librarian in person or by email. Be sure to include you name, age, grade, and your phone number and/or email address. A prize will be awarded to the most creative entry by the Teen Advisory Committee at their March meeting. Entries can be emailed to the teen librarians Jack Visnaw (jvisnaw@livonia.lib.mi.us), Patty Goonis (pgoonis@livonia.lib.mi.us) or Ken Bignotti (noblelibrarian@yahoo.com).

NINETEENTH CENTURY MEDICINE: "History Lives @ the Library" once again on Monday January 25th at 7:00pm when Dr. Jerry Turlo discusses "Civil War Medicine: Care and Comfort; Trials and Tribulations" in the Civic Center Library Auditorium. Both Union and Confederate governments did what they could to provide proper medical care for their troops, but camp conditions, inclement weather and the ravages of battle all took their toll. For more information, please visit the Civic Center Library Browsing Desk or call (734) 466-2197.

GREAT NEW YEAR, GREAT OLD MUSIC: The Noontime Concert Series continues on Thursday January 21st at 12:15 pm in the Atrium of the Civic Center Library. Livonian pianist David Berriman will perform a selection of classical pieces for your enjoyment at this "Hooked on Classics" concert. This is a free performance. Brown bag lunches are welcome, and complimentary tea and coffee service will be provided. For more information, call the Civic Center Library at (734) 466-2197. The Livonia Public Library and the Livonia Arts Commission cosponsor the Noontime Concert Series.

TEEN MOVIE TIME: Teens! The Civic Center Library is showing a "Date Night Movie" on Friday January 22nd at 7:00 pm. The films are free and open to all ages, but are most appropriate for teens in grades seven through twelve, and dates are not required. All films are rated G, PG or PG-13. For more information and the title of the film, please call the Civic Center Library at (734) 466-2197.

UP UP AND AWAY: Kids ages six through twelve can be a hero for a day on Saturday January 23rd at 1:00 pm at the Civic Center Library. Kids can celebrate "Comic Book Heroes" by dressing as their favorite hero, enjoying superhero games and participate in a costume contest. All kids in attendance will get a free comic book. Registration begins on Saturday January 9th. For more information or to register, please visit the Civic Center Children's Desk or call (734) 466-2493.

GET READY, 'CAUSE HERE IT COMES: The Friends of the Livonia Public Library Used Book Sale is coming! Mark your calendars for Friday February 5th through Sunday February 7th. The sale is held in the Civic Center Library Atrium on Friday and Saturday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and Sunday from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Hardcover books are $1, paperbacks are $.50, and romances are just a quarter. The revenue from this sale goes to support library programs and purchase equipment and materials for all the Livonia Libraries. In the meantime, be sure to visit the Friends of the Library Used Book Shop in the Atrium of the Civic Center Library, open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 11:00am to 8:00pm and Saturday 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.

MAYBE YOUR MONEY WILL "STICK" AROUND LONGER: Teens can make their very own "Duct Tape Wallets" on Saturday January 16th at 1:00 pm at the Civic Center Library. Materials will be provided. Registration for this program begins Monday January 4th in person at the Civic Center Browsing Desk or by phone at (734) 466-2197.

TALE WAGGING: Beginning readers six and older can enjoy some time at the Civic Center Library reading to Daisy, a friendly Viszla and certified therapy dog. Bring your favorite book and take a "Paws" for Reading on Saturday January 9th. Appointments begin at 1:00 pm. For more information or to register, stop by the Civic Center Children's Department or call (734) 466-2493.

SABRINA FARE: Think they don't make them like that anymore? Join us for Wednesday Afternoon at the Movies and enjoy some classic films from the 1930s through the 1970s every second Wednesday of the month at the Civic Center Library. See comedies, thrillers, and some of the best dramas produced in Hollywood. January's movie will be shown on Wednesday January 13th at 2:00 pm. This month's presentation is the Billy Wilder romantic comedy from 1954 "Sabrina" starring Humphrey Bogart, Audrey Hepburn and William Holden. For more information, please call the Civic Center Library at (734) 466-2197.

YOUR COLD COLD ART: Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! Teens!! Get arctically artistic and enter the Teen Snow Sculpture Contest! Any time between now and Saturday February 27th, build your best snow-piece and take a photo to submit to any of the Livonia libraries, either in person or by email. You can email your entries to our any of our teen librarians: Jack Visnaw at Civic Center (jvisnaw@livonia.lib.mi.us), Patty Goonis at Sandburg (pgoonis@livonia.lib.mi.us) or KenBignotti at Noble (noblelibrarian@yahoo.com). The deadline for submissions is 5:00 pm Saturday February 27th. Prizes will be awarded to winners selected by the Teen Advisory Committee at their March meeting. So bring on winter!

SATURDAY AFTERNOON AT THE MOVIES: The Civic Center Children's Department presents "Saturday Cinema"! This month's feature will be shown on Saturday January 16th at 2:00 pm. The film will be G or PG rated family film, and all ages are welcome. Young children must be accompanied by an adult. Please visit or call the Civic Center Library Children's Department at (734) 466-2493 for scheduled film titles and more information. Sorry, but no food or beverages are allowed in the auditorium.

PLANNING FOR COLLEGE: Soon-to-be college students and their parents should plan on attending the “Dollars for College” workshop on Monday January 4th at 6:00 pm at the Noble Library. Sheryl Krasnow of College & Career Counseling Associates Inc will share information on funding a college education, including scholarships and grants during this free presentation. On Monday January 11th at 6:00 pm, Sheryl Krasnow returns to Noble to give detailed instructions on “Filling Out the Online FAFSA” (federal financial aid forms). Interested patrons are encouraged to attend both programs. For more information visit or call Noble at (734) 421-4235.

HAPPY 2010!!! And what better and more easily kept resolution can you have than a promise to yourself to visit your favorite library more often. Come in and check out all the things we have to offer. It’s a great place to spend a cold, snowy afternoon or find a quick cure for cabin fever. So be sure to drop by (even if you do it from your home computer). Stay warm ‘til we meet again! And as always, if you have any comments, questions, suggestions or extra mugs of hot cocoa for this newsletter, please email cmg@livonia.lib.mi.us.