Library events stave off the winter blues
January 8, 2012 7:42PM
Updated: February 10, 2012 8:36AM
I always get excited to see what’s on the list of activities when the Three Rivers Library seasonal program flier comes out. And this month I was not disappointed, as usual.
There are lots of programs coming up for all ages, including those of my generation, as well as family activities. While many people may not realize it, the library is a great place to find things to do on those long, cold winter days and evenings.
And the programs and events go way beyond reading.
This Friday is Girls Night Out, co-sponsored by the village of Minooka. All ladies, 18 and over, can enjoy a kid-free evening watching “The Help,” based on the best-selling novel of the same name.
I am super excited to see this movie. I read the book first, and then missed the movie at the theaters. So here’s my chance to watch it in the comfort of a local venue — and with the girls, to boot.
There will be free popcorn, soda and chocolate to go along with the movie, which begins at 7 p.m. at the Minooka branch. Girls Night Out movies are shown second Friday of each month.
February’s movie is “Sleepless in Seattle” with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.
Two new programs might grab the interest of the tweens and teens.
Tween Scene is geared toward kids in fifth and sixth grades and meets at 4:30 p.m. Friday at the Minooka branch. This month’s program — one that many will want to get in on — is making crafts with duct tape. Even my older sons have made the duct-tape wallets.
High schoolers now have their own space at the Channahon branch in the teen lounge. Programs held there are for seventh- through 12th-grade students. There’s the Teen Advisory Board where teens discuss library materials, programming and find volunteer opportunities; and the Anime Club lets them sharing their favorite manga and anime books and shows.
At 4:30 p.m. Jan. 30, teens can celebrate Lewis Carroll’s birthday with a Mad Hatter’s picnic at the Channahon library. Dress up as your favorite “Alice in Wonderland” character, sip tea, eat cake, play croquet and watch Tim Burton’s version of the movie.
The youth programs that caught my attention are the Uh-Oh, Play-Doh and Building Buddies sessions for kids 3 and older. Kids will have a grand time playing with Play-Doh and building materials, but mom and dad don’t have to do the clean-up.
I still remember hours and hours spent at our kitchen table with my boys, creating everything from monsters to “Sesame Street” characters out of Play-Doh. Those are some of my favorite memories and I’m sure I still have an old, dried out Bert or Ernie head stuffed in the back of some drawer.
Uh-Oh, Play-Doh is held at Minooka at 10:30 a.m. Friday and again Feb. 10.
Building Buddies is at the Channahon branch at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 27 and Feb. 24. There will be blocks, benders and Legos. And again, no parental clean-up required!
There are also family programs, such as Family Craft Day where you can drop in during program hours to create a craft to take home. This month’s Family Craft Day will be 2 to 4 p.m. Jan. 15 at the Minooka branch.
Family Movie Matinee will be 2 to 4:30 p.m. Jan. 21. “The Smurfs” will be shown. Light refreshments are provided.
Of course, the Three Rivers Public Library District has tons of other programs, from books clubs to story hours to Just Kids Allowed with age-appropriate entertainment.
Some of the events and programs require advance registration, so be sure to check out the details beforehand. You can do that at www.trpld.org and go to the events tab, or call either branch — Channahon at 815-467-6200 or Minooka at 815-467-1600.
Reach Kris Stadalsky at
writestuff56@comcast.net.
