ADULT SERVICES:
The Adult Winter Reading Program ended Saturday. As part of the Finale, there will be a special program on Tuesday, March 16, at 7 p.m. Mysteries: Why We Love to Read (and Write) Them will be presented by local mystery writer David J. Walker. This program is open to anyone ; register online. The raffle winners will be drawn during this program.

Also on Tuesday, March 16, at 7:30 p.m., the Evening Book Group will meet in Kids Corner to discuss Firefly Lane by Kristen Hannah--a friendship between two young women persists over the years in spite of their very different career paths. For more information, call Extension 272.

On Thursday, March 18, Scott Sanders will present a program on Flickr at 7 p.m. Learn how to upload, manage, and share photos and videos with this popular program site. Register online.

YOUTH SERVICES:
Teen Tech Week ended Saturday. The Raffle for the IPod Nano will be held on Monday, March 15, at 4 p.m. There will be 2 winners. Thanks to all who participated in the programs.

The Battle of the Books Semi-finals and Finals will be held on Monday, March 15, starting at 6:00 p.m. with the Blazin' Pages RR Inc. vs the Addicted Readers. At 6:30 p.m., the Final Chapter of the Bookworms will meet Book-a-licious. The winners of those battles will meet for the final time at 7 p.m. All of this year's participants and their parents are invited to see this final battle and stay for refreshments.

The Wolves Winter Reading Program ends on Friday, March 19. The final raffles will be held on Saturday, March 20 at 11 a.m. Patrons can still sign up, but all reading and reporting must be finished before the raffle starts.

At 7 p.m. on Monday, March 8, gastroenterologist Dr. Muska will present a program on Irritable Bowel Syndrome . Diagnosis and treatment of this condition--with symptoms that include abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation --will be discussed. Register with ALEXIAN CONNECTS at 1-866-ALEXIAN (253-9426).

Two popular movies will be shown this week at 7 p.m. in the Large Meeting Room. On Tuesday, March 9, Everybody's Fine, starring Robert DeNiro, will be shown--a widower sets out on a road trip to visit each of his grown children. Rated PG-13.

On Thursday, March 11, the futuristic film 2012, starring John Cusack, will be shown--an ancient Mayan prophecy predicts the end of the world in 2012 and a giant cataclysm fulfills the prophecy. Rated PG-13.

On Friday, March 12, Got Game! returns to after-hours in Adult Services. From 7-10 p.m., various Playstation and Wii games will be available for groups and individuals to use. Refreshments will be served. Register online. For ages 12 and up; children under 17 must have written parental permission.

The Winter Reading Program ends Sunday, March 14. Only three mysteries need to be read in order to earn raffle tickets for special prizes. There is still time to sign up.

YOUTH SERVICES:
Teen Tech Week continues through Saturday, March 13. Attend a scheduled event and/or play the Teen Tech Bingo Game--available at the Youth Services desk--to earn raffle tickets for an IPod Nano. The two eligible events remaining are a program on YouTube on Thursday, March 11, at 7:15 p.m. in Kids Corner. Learn how to share videos online. No advance registration is necessary.

The other eligible program is a one-day workshop on the SCRATCH programming language, a way to construct simple computer games. This will be held on Friday, March 12, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Because the class is in the Adult Computer Lab, the size is limited to only 12 and registration online is needed.

YOUTH SERVICES:
On Sunday, March 7, Teen Tech Week starts with a chance to play Wii games in Kids Corner from 1 until 5 p.m. Children in grades 6-12 can sign up for time slots in Youth Services (call extension 267). Places are limited. Snacks will be provided. Participation in this event will earn you one iPod nano raffle ticket. Also during the week there will be an ongoing Bingo Game, a program on YouTube, and an Introduction to SCRATCH. Attendance at any and/or all of these programs will earn a raffle ticket as well.

YOUTH SERVICES:
On Saturday, February 27, a Chess Tournament for children in grades k-8 will be held from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Attendance at the classes is not a requirement. Register online.

On Tuesday, February 16, Wolves" Right Wing Spencer Machacek will be appearing in Kids Corner at 7 p.m. As part of his appearance, he will bring a complete hockey uniform and a lucky audience member will get to try it on. Autographs will be signed as well. No registration is necessary.

The program on Craigslist, originally scheduled for January 25, has been rescheduled for Monday, February 8, at 7 p.m. Come to Chris Mika's program for an explanation of this online "classified ads" site and also learn about some of its more popular extras. Register online.

The Friends of the Library are sponsoring a special program this Thursday, February 11, at 7 p.m.: Super-Couponing II . Jill Cataldo returns for more information on getting the most out of coupons. Recommended for patrons who have already attended Part I. Register online.

This Friday, February 12, at 7 p.m., there will be another after-hours evening of Got Game?

Come in ... and enter the Unreal Tournament. Challenge yourself or play as a group. Pizza & pop will be provided. Players must be at least 12 years of age; those under 17 require parental permission.

YOUTH SERVICES:
It's not too late to sign up for the Wolves Winter Reading Program. Just come to the Youth Services Desk and pick up a Record Sheet for the minutes read. Earn raffle tickets for cool prizes.

World Traveller Bill Helmuth will present a timely program on The Faces and Places of Pakistan at 7 p.m. on Monday, February 1. Learn more about this culturally diverse country as it strives to establish an identity. Register online.

The Morning Book Group will meet Tuesday, February 2, at 10:30 a.m., to discuss Erik Larson's The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America--the true story of the construction of the scene of the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago and the chilling exploits of a serial killer who set up his lurid trap nearby. For more information call Chris Mika at extension 272.

YOUTH SERVICES:
Local preschools will have representatives present to answer parent questions at the Preschool and Daycare Fair on Saturday, February 6, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. No registration is needed.

A new session of Chess Classes will start on Saturday, February 6. This time, beginners in grades k-8 will learn Chess Basics from 1-2 p.m. From 2:15 to 3:15, children in grades k-8 who know how to play already can learn Strategies and Beyond. The classes will continue on February 13 and 20. On Saturday, February 27, There will be a Tournament from 1:30-3 p.m., open to all students in grades k-8. Register online.

A special Resume Workshop will be held on Tuesday, January 26, at 1 p.m. Register online or call Jill Derkits at extension 226 for this free program sponsored by Tutor.com.

There is currently a Waiting List for the next session of Interrnet Basics, Wednesday, January 27, at 9:15 a.m. To be placed on that list, register online.

YOUTH SERVICES:
The annual Wolves Winter Reading Program: Read to Succeed will begin on Saturday, January 30. Although registration will be ongoing until it ends on March 19, those children who sign up on this date will be entered in a raffle for a Wolves replica shirt. The drawing will be held at 4:30 p.m.

As an added bonus on Saturday, Yo-Yo Man, Barry North will be performing from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.

The Evening Book Group will be meeting on Tuesday, January 19, at 7:30 p.m., in Kids Korner. They will be discussing Jeanette Walls' The Glass Castle: A Memoir, in which the author recalls a childhood in a family of irresponsible (though charming at times) and usually impoverished parents, along with her three siblings. For more information, call Chris Mika at extension 272.

A bus trip to see Dreamgirls at the Cadillac Palace Theater will be on Wednesday, January 20. The $47 ticket (available at the Registration Desk) includes the bus ride, upper balcony seats, and a "Brown Bag" dinner. The bus will leave at 5:45 p.m. and return around 11:30 p.m.

Chef Dave Esau will be presenting a program called Chocolate Lover's Delight on Thursday, January 21, at 7 p.m. Chocolate fondue, chocolate mousse, and chocolate tarts will be part of the demonstration. There is currently a waiting list for this program. To be added to that list, register online.

On Saturday, January 23, at 2 p.m., a class on Internet Basics will be held in the Computer Lab. Tool bars, URLs, hyperlinks and more will be covered. There is currently a waiting list for this class. To be added to that list, register online.

YOUTH SERVICES:

On Monday, January 18, at 11 a.m., Emerald City Theater Productions will present The True Story of the Three Little Pigs. The whole mess was caused by an accidental sneeze, claims A. Wolf, in this variation on the classic tale. Recommended for ages 4 and up. Preschoolers must be with an adult. Seating is limited, but no tickets are needed. Elk Grove residents may have priority.

The Illinois IDES will be holding the next monthly job finding workshop, Effrective Resumes, Interviewing and Job Search Techniques, on Monday, January 11, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Register online.

On Tuesday, January 12, at 7 p.m., the film Julie & Julia will be shown. Meryl Streep stars as Julia Child, just beginning her culinary career in the 40's, and Amy Adams stars as Julie Powell, who, 60 years later, attempts to make all the recipes in Mastering the Art of French Cooking in a single year. Rated PG-13. No tickets are necessary.

On Thursday, January 14, representatives of the Citizens Utility Board will be available at 7 p.m. to explain to patrons--one-on-one--what the various charges on their phone bills really mean at a Phone Bill Clinic. Individuals will be seen on a "First Come, First Served" basis, but attendees must still register online.

The Friends of the Library will be having a Mini Book Sale in the lobby on Friday, January 15, from 4-7 p.m., and on Saturday, January 16, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

YOUTH SERVICES:
Winter/Spring Programming begins this week. Babies and toddlers ages 6 months to 2 1/2 years can drop in to Baby Tales on Mondays from 10-10:45 a.m. or Twilight Tales on Thursdays from 6:30-7:15 p.m. Children ages 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 can drop in to Alphabet Soup on Wednesdays from 10-10:20 a.m. All preschool ages are welcome to drop in to Evening Story Time on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. No registration is needed for any of these classes.

Getting Ready to Read sessions (for ages 3 1/2 & up) will be on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. and at 1:30 p.m. as well as on Thursdays at 10 a.m. Register online.

Science and More (for 1st grade and up)) will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4 p.m. Register online.

On Tuesday, January 5, the Morning Book Group will meet at 10:30 a.m. to discuss The Driving Force (1992) by Dick Francis--a former jockey, now a horse transporter, discovers his vans have been used for smuggling. For more information, call Chris Mika at extension 272.

A trip to see the new musical, The Addams Family, is planned for Wednesday, January 6. The bus will leave at 5:45 p.m. and return at 11:30. Tickets include the bus, theater seats, and a box lunch. For more information, call the Library.

Game Night After Hours returns Friday, January 8, at 7 p.m. Play Wii and Playstation games. Pizza and pop provided. For ages 12 and up; children under 17 must have written parental permission. Register online.

YOUTH SERVICES:
Although no events are planned for this week, online registration continues for upcoming programs, including chess instruction. Most programs start next week.

YOUTH SERVICES:
On Tuesday, December 29, at 11 a.m., Magician Morris Taylor will perform in the Large Meeting Room. All ages are welcome to this humorous family show. No tickets are necessary, but Elk Grove residents will be seated first.

On Wednesday, December 30, at 11 a.m., Geoff Akins will present his Bubble Wonders show. Watch him manipulate giant bubbles in fascinating ways. All ages are welcome to this family program. No tickets are necessary, but Elk Grove residents will be seated first.

On Saturday, January 2, online registration begins for winter/spring programs.

YOUTH SERVICES:
On Monday, December 21, American Eagle Productions will perform Lion, Witch & Wardrobe at 11 a.m. in the Large Meeting Room. No tickets are needed, but Elk Grove residents will be seated first. Recommended for K and up.

On Tuesday, December 15, a Holiday Craft Night for Adults will be held at 7 p.m. A festive centerpiece will be created. There is currently a Waiting List. To be added to that list, register online.

On Thursday, December 17, the holiday film, Four Christmases, will be shown at 7 p.m. Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn portray a couple trying to visit all four of their parents on one Christmas day. Rated PG-13. No tickets are required.

YOUTH SERVICES:
At 4 p.m. on Tuesday, December 15, the film G-Force will be shown in Kids Korner. A squad of specially trained guinea pigs try to prevent an evil billionaire from taking over the world. Rated PG. No tickets necessary.

On Wednesday, December 16, Mrs. M. will be doing a Holiday Craft for YA's at 7 p.m. Participants must be in 6-12th grade. Register online.

On Tuesday, December 8, Robin Pecak will present The Virtual Dementia Tour at 7 p.m. Participants will "experience" what it is like to try to interact in the normal world while being handicapped by dementia or Alzheimers. Register online.

It's time again for the monthly after-hours Game Night. Play games on Wii and Playstation platforms in the new game room or in the Large Meeting Room. Register online. For ages 12 to adult. Children under age 17 must have written parental permission to attend.

On Saturday, December 12, the Elk Grove Baptist Church Choir will perform a medley of carols in the Lobby.

YOUTH SERVICES:
Register now online for Holiday Crafts.
Preschoolers:
Tuesday, December 8, at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Wednesday, December 9, at 7 p.m. (families welcome)
Thursday, December 10, at 10 a.m.
Grades 1-2:
Tuesday, December 8, at 4 p.m.
Grades 3-5:
Thursday, December 10, at 4 p.m.

On Wednesday, December 9, the film Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince will be shown at 4 p.m. in Kids Korner. No tickets are necessary. It is rated PG.