Chidrens programs in Mahoning County

YOUNGSTOWN & MAHONING COUNTY

CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH:

“Kids’ Club: Riddle Me This — Tricksters and Other Folk Tales From the African Tradition” Stories, games and a craft for grades K-3. Main, 4 p.m., Feb. 27.

“Name That Notable Name.” All ages, enter this weekly contest for a chance to win prizes courtesy of Friends of the Boardman Library. Boardman, library hours, Feb.

“Name These Popular Entertainers!” Match the notable black American entertainer’s name to his or her photo for an entry to win a prize! Sponsored by Friends of the Library. Canfield, library hours, Feb. 18-23.

“Searching for Black History” Try this black-history word search. The highest score wins a prize. For grades 4-6. East, library hours, Feb. 4-21; South, library hours, Feb. 5-23; West, library hours, Feb. 4-23.

CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS CELEBRATING VALENTINE’S DAY

“Have a Heart: Make-and-Take Craft Program.” School-age. Austintown, library hours, Feb. 14.

“Hearts or No Hearts.” Guess the number of Valentine candies and win a sweet treat! All ages. Boardman, library hours, Feb. 1-13.

“Roses Are Red. Violets Are Blue. How Many Hearts Can You Guess, Too?” Guess how many candy hearts are in the jar for a chance to win a prize! School-age. Sponsored by Friends of the Library. Canfield, library hours, Feb. 11-16; Greenford, library hours, Feb. 11-14; Sebring, library hours, Feb. 11-16.

“Valentine Make-and-Take Craft.” All ages, 4-5:30 p.m. Brownlee Woods, Feb. 13; Campbell, Feb. 12; Struthers, Feb. 14.

“Won’t You Be My Valentine?” Stories and a Valentine craft for ages 2-5. West, 4:30 p.m., Feb. 6.

CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS

“Celebrate the Arts!” Reception for our sixth annual art show, featuring the work of Boardman-area pupils in grades K-6. Music will be performed by Team Two Singing Choir, directed by Sue McConnell. Refreshments courtesy of Friends of Boardman Library. Artwork will be on display Feb. 12-19. Boardman, 6:30-8 p.m., Feb. 12.

“Come and Join the Fun” Stories for ages 4-5. Austintown, 10 a.m., Feb. 5, 12*, 19, 26; Boardman, 1 p.m., Feb. 6, 13*, 20, 27; Canfield, 1:30 p.m., Feb. 5, 12*, 19, 26; Main, 10 a.m., Feb. 7 (Program: Red Letter Days) & Feb. 21 (Program: Happy Unbirthday); Poland, 1 p.m., Feb. 5, 12*, 19, 26. *Holiday program.

“Crafts to Go!” Make-and-take craft, all ages. East, library hours, Feb. 4-7.

“Family Story Time: All Kinds and Colors of My Family” Stories and a craft. All ages. Main, 7 p.m., Feb. 12.

“Guess ’N’ Go - Do You Know?!” Guess the number of items in the jar. Closest guess wins. For grades 6 and younger. Poland, library hours, Feb. 1-15; Springfield, library hours, Feb. 1-15.

“Imagine With Us.” At The Butler Institute of American Art, a librarian and a museum art educator will help children become master readers and create masterpieces, focusing on one of the museum’s major exhibits or works. Open to families of ages 12 and younger. The Butler, Youngstown, 1-3 p.m., Feb. 17.

“It’s Elementary, My Dear!” Kids in grades 1-4, stop in for stories. East, 4 p.m., Feb. 4; South, 4:30 p.m., Feb. 19; West, 4 p.m., Feb. 13.

“Pajama Jam: Sleepy-Time Fun for the Family” Put on your PJs, bring out the whole family and watch the Positively Preposterous Puppeteers present the puppet show “Goldilocks.” Poland, 7 p.m., Feb. 25.

“Pajamarama!” Stories and a craft for all ages. Wear your pajamas and fuzzy slippers! Austintown, 6:30 p.m., Feb. 21.

“Something Special.” Holiday stories and fun for ages 4-5. Sign up. Sebring, 10 a.m., Feb. 14.

“Tales to Tails.” Read to a registered therapy dog, which helps develop reading skills. All readers in grades K-6 are welcome! Each session is 20 minutes. Bring a book of your choice. Dogs are provided by K-9’s for Compassion. Sign-up is required; call (330) 757-1852, ext. 105. Poland, 6-7:30 p.m., Feb. 20.

“Tiger Tales: Favorite Stories and Fun.” Stories and more for all ages. Springfield, 11 a.m., Feb. 23.

“Trim a Tree for Feb.” Decorate an ornament for our all-seasons tree. All ages. Poland, library hours, Feb.; Springfield, library hours, Feb.

“Tweens: Name that Candy Bar” There’s nothing like chocolate on Valentine’s Day, right? Well, we’re giving it away every week for the whole month! Kids in grades 4-6, just stop in and make your best guess. Sponsored by Friends of the Library. Main, library hours, Feb.

BABY BRILLIANT PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN

“Tales for Toddlers.” Stories and fun for early talkers, ages 2-3. Must be accompanied by an adult. Austintown, 10 a.m. & 11 a.m., Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27; Boardman, 10 a.m., Feb. 6, 13*, 20, 27; Canfield, 10 a.m., Feb. 5, 12*, 19, 26; Poland, 10 a.m., Feb. 5, 12*, 19, 26. *Holiday Program.

“Time for Babies and Books.” Books, songs, rhymes and more. Must be accompanied by an adult. Austintown, 10 a.m. (6-23 months), Feb. 14 & 28; Boardman, 9:30 a.m. (6-12 months) & 10:30 a.m. (13-23 months), Feb. 7; Canfield, 10 a.m. (6-23 months), Feb. 18; Poland, 10 a.m. (6-23 months), Feb. 6, 13, 16, 20, 27.

BABY BRILLIANT PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS

“Sharing Books with Talkers.” Learn and practice hear-and-say (dialogic) reading to help your child develop vocabulary and narrative skills and nurture early literacy. For parents, teachers and caregivers of children ages 2-3. Sign up. Poland, 7-9 p.m., Feb. 19.

TEENXTREME PROGRAMS

“Are You a Gamer?” Test your knowledge by naming the video game each screen-shot image comes from and earn prizes. For grades 7-12. Sponsored by Friends of the Library. Canfield, library hours, Feb.; Sebring, library hours, Feb.

“Gamers’ Night.” Join other gamers for a night of PS2 games and snacks. For grades 7-12. Canfield, 6 p.m., Feb. 21; Sebring, 6 p.m., Feb. 19.

“Guitar Lessons.” Learn the basics of playing the guitar! Bring your own guitar or we’ll provide an extra. For grades 7-12. Space is limited, so sign up today. Brownlee Woods, 4:30 p.m., Feb. 15 & 20; Campbell, 4:30 p.m., Feb. 5 & 19; Struthers, 4:30 p.m., Feb. 11 & 25.

“Hearts or No Hearts.” Guess the number of Valentine candies correctly and win a sweet treat! For grades 7-12. Sponsored by Friends of Boardman Library. Boardman, library hours, Feb. 1-13.

“Hugs and Kisses.” How many candies are in the jar? Closest guess wins it all! For grades 7-12. Sponsored by Friends of the Library. Main, library hours, Feb.

“Let Me Say I Love U.” Make an “I Love U” seed bead pin for you or someone special. For grades 7-12. Sponsored by Friends of Austintown Library. Austintown, 3 p.m., Feb. 11.

“Name That Candy Bar: Part II.” Name the seven candy bars on our display correctly and win a bag of candy bars. For grades 7-12. Sponsored by Friends of Poland Library. Poland, library hours, Feb. 3-16.

ADULT PROGRAMS

“Business & Investment Center: Tour for Entrepreneurs.” This session shows how the library can help your business grow. Join a librarian from the Information Services Department to view print and electronic sources useful for business start-up and beyond. Sign up at (330) 744-8636, and press “2” at the prompt. Main, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Feb. 11.

“Community Diversity Program Series.” Dr. Paul R. Carr, Youngstown State University assistant professor of educational foundations, will discuss “The Great White North? Exploring Whiteness, Privilege and Identity in Education,” a book he and Darren E. Lund edited. The program is part of the Community Diversity Program Series by the YSU Community Diversity Council. The Library is a partner in this program. Sign up at (330) 744-8636, ext. 118. Boardman, 6:30 p.m., Feb. 21.

“Friends of the Library Meetings.” Friends of the Library are volunteers who give of their time and services to support the Library. To join or find out more, contact the Development Office at (330) 744-8636, ext. 118. Austintown, 10 a.m., Feb. 18; Boardman, 10 a.m., Feb. 11 (Program: “Sara Josefa Hale and ‘Godey’s Lady’s Book’” by Barbara Luce); East, 4 p.m., Feb. 4; Poland, 9:30 a.m., Feb. 5.

“Grant Center: Proposal Writing Basics.” This program provides the basics of proposal writing for a nonprofit organization. Registration is required; call (330) 744-8636 and press “2” at the prompt. Main, 6:30 p.m., Feb. 7.

“Lunch & Learn: ‘Environmental History and Conservation’” Dr. Brian Bonhomme of Youngstown State University’s history department has authored several publications on a new field of history — environmentalism and conservation. Through this lens, Bonhomme will reinterpret such events as the European discovery of America and the debate on global warming. Co-sponsored by the YSU English department and Friends of the Library. Main, noon-1 p.m., Feb. 12.

“Women’s Book Discussion Group.” Women are invited to participate in this discussion group, which focuses on a different book every few weeks. The group meets twice monthly and is sponsored by The Friends of The Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County. Friends of PLYMC Bookstore, Poland, 7 p.m., Feb. 11 & 25. The bookstore is in the lower level.

BLOOD-PRESSURE SCREENINGS

“Blood-Pressure Screenings by the Mahoning Chapter of the American Red Cross.” Austintown, 1-3 p.m., Feb. 20; Boardman, 12:30-3 p.m., Feb. 4; Poland, 1-4 p.m., Feb. 26; Struthers, 1-4 p.m., Feb. 19.

“Blood-Pressure Screenings by the ‘Original’ Visiting Nurse Association of Mahoning Co.” East, 1-3 p.m., Feb. 5; Main, 10 a.m.-noon, Feb. 28; South, 1-3 p.m., Feb. 12; West, 1-3 p.m., Feb. 19.

FREE TAX HELP

“Tax Counseling for the Elderly.” The Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Program provides free tax help to people age 60 and older. As part of the IRS-sponsored TCE Program, AARP will offer the Tax-Aide counseling program at several local sites. TCE volunteers will assist taxpayers with IRS tax returns. Call 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday to schedule appointments. Austintown, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27. (330) 799-1775; Boardman, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26. (330) 726-2492; Canfield, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27. (330) 33-8420; Struthers, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26. (330) 726-2492; Columbiana County Office on Aging, Salem, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Feb. 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 26, 28. Call (330) 332-1163; Youngstown Senior Citizen Center, Youngstown, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Feb. 4, 8, 11, 15, 18, 22, 25, 29. Call (330) 744-5071.

“Volunteer Income Tax Assistance.” The IRS-sponsored VITA Program offers free tax help to low-to-moderate-income (generally, $40,000 and below) people who cannot prepare their own tax returns. VITA volunteers will be at Youngstown State University’s Williamson College of Business Administration on the following dates: YSU Williamson College of Business Administration, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Feb. 2; 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Feb. 9, 16 & 23; 3-6 p.m., Feb. 12.

WARREN-TRUMBULL COUNTY

CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS

“Library League.” Adventures in reading for grades K-4. Howland, 3:15 p.m., Feb. 1, Feb. 8, Feb. 15.

“Junior Genius.” A hands-on science program for ages 3-5. Explore shadows and shadow puppets. Sign up (330) 399-8807 ext. 401. Main, 11 a.m., Feb. 2.

“Preschool Story Time.” “Summer Dreams” themed stories and craft for ages 3-5. Lordstown, 6 p.m., Feb. 4; Brookfield, 1 p.m., Feb. 5; Cortland, 1 p.m., Feb. 6; Liberty, 6 p.m., Feb. 6; Howland, 10:30 a.m., Feb. 7.

“Toddler Tales.” For ages 24-35 months. Sign up (330) 856-2011. Howland Branch, 9:45 a.m. and 11 a.m., Feb. 5 and Feb. 12.

“Preschool Story Time.” “We Love Dinosaurs” themed story time for ages 3-5. Main, 1 p.m., Feb. 5.

“Evening Story Time.” “We Love Dinosaurs” themed story time for ages 2-5. Main, 7 p.m., Feb. 7.

“Baby Time.” For ages 6-18 months and parent or caregiver. Sign up (330) 399-8807 ext. 401. Main, 11 a.m., Feb. 9.

“Books and Beyond.” For grades K-3. Sign up (330) 856-2011. Lordstown Branch, 4:45 p.m., Feb. 11 and Feb. 25.

“Preschool Story Time.” “Valentine Hearts” themed story time for ages 3-5. Main, 1 p.m., Feb. 12.

“Preschool Story Time.” “Be Mine!” themed stories and craft for ages 3-5. Brookfield, 1 p.m., Feb. 12; Cortland, 1 p.m., Feb. 13; Liberty, 6 p.m., Feb. 13; Howland, 10:30 a.m., Feb. 14.

“Evening Story Time.” “Valentine Hearts” themed story time for ages 2-5. Main, 7 p.m., Feb. 14.

“Spiderwick Chronicles” Party. Celebrating the popular series with games and crafts for ages 6-12. Sign up (330) 399-8807 ext. 401. Main, 2 p.m., Feb. 16.

“Preschool Story Time.” “We Love Pizza” themed story time for ages 3-5. Main, 1 p.m., Feb. 19.

“Music and Movement.” Music, songs and activities for ages 19-35 months and parent or caregiver. Sign up (330) 399-8807 ext. 401. Main, 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., Feb. 20, Feb. 27.

“Family Story Time.” A story and a craft for the whole family. Sign up (330) 759-2589. Liberty, 6 p.m., Feb. 20.

“Evening Story Time.” “We Love Pizza” themed story time for ages 2-5. Main, 7 p.m., Feb. 21.

“Black History Month Presentation.” For ages 6-12. Stories, history and artifacts outlining African-American history. Main, 2 p.m., Feb. 23.

“Preschool Story Time.” “We Love Pets” themed story time for ages 3-5. Main, 1 p.m., Feb. 26.

“Family Story Time.” A story and a craft for the whole family. Sign up (330) 638-6335. Cortland, 6 p.m., Feb. 27.

“Evening Story Time.” “We Love Pets” themed story time for ages 2-5. Main, 7 p.m., Feb. 28.

TEEN PROGRAMS

“Teen Advisory Board.” For teens in grades 7-12 who want to help the library develop and promote programming and resources for teens. Main, 3 p.m., Feb. 9.

“Love Stinks Chocolate Fest for Teens.” Teens in grades 7-12 are invited to eat chocolate, play games, and have a good time! (330) 399-8807 ext. 400; call to sign up. Main, 5 p.m., Feb. 11.

“Teen Central Anime Club.” Opportunity for teens to view and discuss this increasingly popular format. Main, 11 a.m., Feb. 23.

ADULT PROGRAMS

“Steel Drum Duo.” Beat the Winter Blues with a performance by the Panyard Steel Drum Duo. Liberty, 1-4 p.m., Feb. 2.

“Trumbull County’s Underground Railroad Connection.” Program with Trumbull County historian Wendell Lauth. Main, 2 p.m., Feb. 10.

“Book Discussion Group.” Discussion of “The Last Cato,” by Matilde Asensi. Main, 2 p.m., Feb. 14.

“Book & Movie Discussion Series.” Discussion of Malcolm X through book and film. Liberty, 1 p.m., Feb. 16.

LIBRARY CLOSINGS

“Feb. Closing.” The Warren-Trumbull County Public Library will be closed

Feb. 18. This includes branch locations in Brookfield, Cortland, Howland, Liberty, and Lordstown; Bookmobile; and Homebound services.

MCKINLEY MEMORIAL

For more information or to register, call (330) 652-1704 and the extension provided.

HOLIDAY HOURS

The McKinley Memorial Library and the McKinley Memorial Museum will be open regular hours 9 a.m.-8 p.m., and the McKinley Birthplace Home will be open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on President’s Day, Feb. 18.

The library and the museum will close at 5:30 p.m. instead of 8 p.m. Feb. 7 because the Mahoning Valley McKinley Club Banquet will be held in the McKinley Memorial Auditorium that evening.

100TH ANNIVERSARY EVENT

“Next Stop, Freedom!” First-person presentation by Bette Lou Higgins from Eden Valley Enterprises as Sarah Comstock, a resident of one of the “stops” on the Underground Railroad in Sandusky and the author of a book that tells about this unique time in Ohio’s history. Auditorium, 2 p.m. Feb. 2. Ext. 212.

BOOK CLUBS

“Book Chat Book Club.” Book discussion group for those 18 and older. Clayman Community Room in the home, 6:30 p.m. Feb. 6. Ext. 210.

“Romance Readers’ Book Club.” Book discussion group for those 18 and older. Community room, 6:30 p.m. Feb. 21. Ext. 207.

COMPUTER CLASSES

“Beginning Internet.” Free class focusing on learning to use the Internet. Computer lab, 10-11:30 a.m. Feb. 7. Ext. 212.

“Beginning PowerPoint.” Free class on how to use the software program Microsoft PowerPoint. Computer lab, 2-4 p.m. Feb. 9. Registration is required. Ext. 212.

“Intermediate Internet.” Free class focusing on more complex uses of the Internet. Computer lab, 3-4:30 p.m. Feb. 12. Registration is required. Ext. 212.

“Intermediate Word.” Free class focusing on how to complete “complex” tasks using Microsoft Word. Computer Lab, 10 a.m.-noon Feb. 13. Registration is required. Ext. 212.

“Basic Computers.” Free class focusing on learning how to use a computer. Computer lab, 10 a.m.-noon Feb. 27. Registration is required. Ext. 212.

STORYTIMES

“BabyTime.” Program for children 6-24 months old and their caregivers featuring stories, fingerplays, movement and other activities. Auditorium, 10 a.m. Feb. 9 and 23. Registration is requested. Ext. 214.

“ToddlerTime.” Program for children 2-3 years old and their caregivers featuring stories, fingerplays, movement and other activities. Auditorium, 10:30 a.m. Feb. 9 and 23. Registration is requested. Ext. 214.

“StoryTime.” Program for children of all ages and their caregivers featuring stories, movement and other activities. Auditorium. 6:30 p.m. Feb. 14, 21, 28. No registration is required. Ext. 214.

READING/CRAFTS

“Fantastic Feb. Fun reading program.” All McKinley Memorial Library or TiPL card holders in good standing may participate: Read a book, fill out an entry form, and drop it into a prize box for your chance to win a prize! Library Feb. 1 - 29. Ext. 212.

“Super Saturday.” Program of “Valentine’s Day” crafts. Auditorium, 10 a.m. Feb. 2. No registration is required. Ext. 214.