January 2013 Events

For Youth and Families

Storytime with Miss Kris - Wednesdays and Fridays at 10 a.m.

Tiny Tots Time, for children from birth through age 3, meets Wednesdays at 10 a.m.  Preschool Storytime, for children age 3 to 6, meets Fridays at 10 a.m.  Themes for this month are:

            January 9 and 11                    Fairy Tales

            January 16 and 18                  Snow Fun

            January 23 and 25                  Wild Animals

            January 30                              Shapes

LEGO Club - Monday, January 7 and 21 @ 4 p.m.

Give our LEGO blocks a workout building anything from a dinosaur to a spaceship.  Work in teams or individually, give your creation a name, then see it displayed in the Children’s Library.

Exploration Art Studio - Tuesday, January 8 @ 4 p.m.

This month we’re working with tissue paper!  What will you create?  All materials provided.

Family Movie: Brave (PG) - Thursday, January 17 @ 1 p.m.

Sign up at the Children’s Desk starting Tuesday, January 15th at 9:30am.

Set in the rugged and mysterious Highlands of Scotland, Disney Pixar's Brave follows the heroic journey of Merida, a skilled archer and headstrong daughter of King Fergus and Queen Elinor.  Determined to change her fate, Merida defies an age-old custom sacred to the unruly and uproarious lords of the land: massive Lord MacGuffin, surly Lord Macintosh, and cantankerous Lord Dingwall, unleashing chaos in the kingdom. When she turns to an eccentric witch, she is granted an ill-fated wish and the ensuing peril forces Merida to harness all of her resources, including her mischievous triplet brothers, to undo a beastly curse and discover the meaning of true bravery.   Snacks will be provided. 

Winter Wondercraft - Friday, January 18 from 1-4 p.m.

Bring your best creative crafting skills to Winter Wondercraft, where you'll have free rein of an assortment of the library's arts and crafts supplies.  What will YOU create?  All materials will be provided.

For Adults

Knitting Club - January 7, 14, 23 and 30 at 6 p.m.

For all ages and experience levels, Knitting Club meets the first two Mondays and the last two Wednesdays of each month.  Each session is led by an experienced knitter.  Bring your own project to work on, share your expertise, and learn from other knitters. 

Aram Book Club: The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

Thursday, January 17 @ 6:30 p.m.

Set in South Carolina in 1964, The Secret Life of Bees tells the story of Lily Owens, whose life has been shaped around the blurred memory of the afternoon her mother was killed.

When Lily's fierce-hearted black "stand-in mother," Rosaleen, insults three of the town's most vicious racists, Lily decides they should both escape to Tiburon, South Carolina—a town that holds the secret to her mother's past. There they are taken in by an eccentric trio of black beekeeping sisters who introduce Lily to a mesmerizing world of bees, honey, and the Black Madonna who presides over their household. This is a remarkable story about divine female power and the transforming power of love. 

Temari: the Art of Japanese Thread Balls - Saturday, January 19 at 1 p.m.

Class is limited to 10 students.  Registration is required.

A thousand year old craft from Japan, Temari began as simple toy balls for children.  Today, they are often given as gifts.  As a spectacular decorating focal point, the design is mesmerizing, the concept is simple, and the end result is simply elegant!  Learn to make a simple Temari design in this beginner’s workshop.  Each participant will need to bring #5 pearl cotton thread in colors of your choice.

NEW!  Guilty Pleasures Book Club:  Undead and Unwed by MaryJanice Davidson

Monday, January 28 @ 6 p.m.

Shakespeare, Jane Austin and James Joyce are not welcome here. This is a book club for those of us who love a good steamy read. We will be reading paranormal romances, paranormal mysteries, and maybe some good old fashioned bodice rippers. We’ll be meeting on the last Monday of each month at 6 p.m.  Our January book, Undead and Unwed, is the first book in the Betsy Taylor, Vampire Queen series. 

Wikipedia says this about Undead and Unwed: “Betsy Taylor-former model, newly unemployed secretary, 30 and still single-wakes up after being flattened by a Pontiac Aztec in a tacky coffin wearing cheap knock off shoes. Her mother is glad she is back, albeit as a vampire, but her stepmother is enraged that Betsy has reclaimed her designer shoe collection. With a wealthy best friend and a newly acquired doctor pal who is not susceptible to formidable allure, she sets out to right wrongs, but is abducted by Nostro, a tacky 500 year old vampire who rules the undead roost. It seems that Betsy is an anomaly: a vampire, who doesn’t burn in sunlight, can fight the urge to feed and is not repulsed by religious articles, all of which may make her the prophesied Queen of the Vampires. Teaming up with gorgeous vampire Eric Sinclair, who is in her opinion a major pervert, she takes on Nostro and his minions.”

So, come join us and warm up on those cold winter nights with some fun, food and some Guilty Pleasure reads.

Coming next month

·     Whole Grain Goodness – Tuesday, February 19 at 3 p.m.   

“Whole-grain” . . . “Made with whole grain” . . . “Enriched” . . .  “Fortified” . . .

It’s not easy for consumers to make healthy choices when products are labeled with terms like these.  Learn from UW-Extension Family Living Educator Jenny Wehmeier how to choose healthy grain products for your family, and taste test some recipes for grains such as bulgar, quinoa, couscous, and more. 

·     Decorative Knots – Saturday, February 9 at 1 p.m.

Decorative knotting is a cord-tying technique that can be used to make many decorative items including key chains and jewelry.  Learn some basic knotting techniques and make a simple project in this beginner’s workshop.

Class size is limited for both these workshops, so register now to reserve your spot!

Library Hours:

Monday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Computers shut down ½ hour before closing.

Library Closures:

January 1

February 3

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2012 Book Discussion Selections

The Aram Book Discussion group meets the 3rd Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. during the school year. June, July and August we meet on the 3rd Wednesday at 7 p.m.  Books and discussion guides are available at the library.  Anyone who has read the book is welcome to attend.

JANUARY - The Soloist by Steven Lopez
Nathaniel Ayers, a homeless African American man, was standing on a corner coaxing memorable music from a two-stringed violin. It turns out, 30 years earlier, Ayers had been at Juilliard studying classical bass when he experienced the first in a series of schizophrenic episodes that turned his musical dreams into a nightmare. Now, worlds away from the concert halls he imagined gracing, Ayers spends his days on Los Angeles' Skid Row, fighting off rats and drug-frenzied fellow homeless and serenading passersby. The spot where Ayers has chosen to play is no accident; it's near the city's statue of Beethoven and just down the hill from Walt Disney Concert Hall. Lopez quickly becomes an integral part of Ayers' life, bringing him new instruments and even facilitating arrangements at a homeless shelter. But as he navigates the complex world of mental illness, Lopez discovers that good intentions (and good connections) are often powerless in the face of schizophrenia, a potent, prickly, unpredictable disease. .

FEBRUARY - The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver
Harrison William Shepherd is the product of a divorced American father and a Mexican mother. After getting kicked out of his American military academy, Harrison spends his formative years in Mexico in the 1930s in the household of Diego Rivera; his wife, Frida Kahlo, and their houseguest, Leon Trotsky, who is hiding from Soviet assassins. After Trotsky is assassinated, Harrison returns to the U.S., settling down in Asheville, N.C., where he becomes an author of historical potboilers and is later investigated as a possible subversive.

MARCH - Confessions of an Economic Hit Man by John Perkins
This is the inside story of how America turned from a respected republic into a feared empire. John Perkins should know, he was an economic hit man. His job was to convince countries that are strategically important to the U.S., from Indonesia to Panama, to accept enormous loans for infrastructure development and to make sure that the lucrative projects were contracted to Halliburton, Bechtel, Brown and Root, and other United States engineering and construction companies.

APRIL - Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein
Stranger in a Strange Land, winner of the 1962 Hugo Award, is the story of Valentine Michael Smith, born during, and the only survivor of, the first manned mission to Mars. Michael is raised by Martians, and he arrives on Earth as a true innocent: he has never seen a woman and has no knowledge of Earth's cultures or religions. But he brings turmoil with him, as he is the legal heir to an enormous financial empire, not to mention de facto owner of the planet Mars. With the irascible popular author Jubal Harshaw to protect him, Michael explores human morality and the meanings of love. He founds his own church, preaching free love and disseminating the psychic talents taught him by the Martians. Ultimately, he confronts the fate reserved for all messiahs.

MAY - Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
On a May afternoon in 1943, an Army Air Forces bomber crashed into the Pacific Ocean and disappeared, leaving only a spray of debris and a slick of oil, gasoline, and blood. Then, on the ocean surface, a face appeared--Lt. Louis Zamperini. Captured by the Japanese and driven to the limits of endurance, Zamperini would answer desperation with ingenuity; suffering with hope, resolve, and humor.

JUNE - The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly
After the death of his mother, 12-year-old David mourns her loss alone in his attic bedroom, with only his books to keep him company. As his anger at her death grows with each day, the books begin to speak to him, telling their wild tales of dragons, princes, and knights. Soon reality and fantasy collide, and David finds himself in a land unlike his own, a world where monsters, evil sorceresses, and half-human wolves dwell. With the help of friends he meets in this strange land, David goes on a search for the King, who is said to have The Book of Lost Things; this book will help David find his way home. Along the way, David encounters many challenges that transform the boy into a man.

JULY - Learning to Die in Miami by Carlos M. N. Eire
The story takes readers from the journey to American itself (Eire was one of 14,000 unaccompanied refugee children in 1962's Operation Pedro Pan) through his time in foster homes, both kind and harsh, and eventually to joining his uncle in Chicago, where everyone came from somewhere else. Desperate to be American, the teen wants to kill the Cuban in himself, and the personal details are funny, furious, and heartbreaking, as he keeps changing his name (to Charles, Chuck, Charlie, back to Carlos). Now a professor at Yale, he still believes bilingualism is crap. He remembers prejudice and ignorance not only from classmates and textbooks but also in himself. He challenges sentimental slogans: absence does not make the heart grow fonder, as his reunion with his mother shows.

AUGUST - To Be Sung Underwater by Tom McNeal

Judith Whitman is a 44-year-old successful film editor in Los Angeles, with patient husband Malcolm, teenage daughter Camille, and a big secret -- she can't stop thinking about her first love, Willy Blunt.  Judith's life veers off course because of her obsession, and under an assumed name she hires a private detective to trace her Nebraska friend. She is shocked to find out that Willy ended up marrying her best friend; nevertheless, he returns her call and leaves a distressing message that he needs to see her immediately. Covering her trip with lies and a fabricated story about her mother being in a hospital in Mexico, Judith takes off for Nebraska for one last reunion with Willy.

SEPTEMBER - The Lemon Tree by Sandy Tolan
In 1967, not long after the Six Day War, three young Arabs ventured into the town of Ramla, in Jewish Israel. They were on a pilgrimage to see their separate childhood homes, from which their families had been driven out nearly twenty years before during the Israeli war for independence. Only one was welcomed: Bashir Al-Khayri was greeted at the door by a young woman named Dalia. This act of kindness in the face of years of animosity and warfare is the starting point for a remarkable true story of two families, one Arab, one Jewish; an unlikely friendship that encompasses the entire modern history of Israelis and Palestinians and that holds in its framework a hope for true peace and reconciliation for the region.

OCTOBER - The Dive from Clausen's Pier by Ann Packer

At the age of twenty-three Carrie Bell has spent her entire life in Wisconsin, with the same best friend and the same dependable, easygoing, high school sweetheart. Now to her dismay she has begun to find this life suffocating and is considering leaving it-and Mike-behind. But when Mike is paralyzed in a diving accident, leaving seems unforgivable and yet more necessary than ever. How much do we owe the people we love? Is it a sign of strength or weakness to walk away from someone in need?

NOVEMBER - The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

Her name was Henrietta Lacks, but scientists know her as HeLa. She was a poor Southern tobacco farmer, yet her cells--taken without her knowledge--became one of the most important tools in medicine. The first "immortal" human cells grown in culture, they are still alive today, though she has been dead for more than sixty years. HeLa cells were vital for developing the polio vaccine; uncovered secrets of cancer and viruses; helped lead to in vitro fertilization, cloning, and gene mapping; and have been bought and sold by the billions. Yet Henrietta Lacks is buried in an unmarked grave. Her family did not learn of her "immortality" until more than twenty years after her death, when scientists began using her husband and children in research without informed consent. The story of the Lacks family is inextricably connected to the dark history of experimentation on African Americans, the birth of bioethics, and the legal battles over whether we control the stuff we are made of.

October 2009 Library Events

Baby Story Time – Tuesdays at 9 a.m. (through Oct. 27)
You’re never too young for story time. Non-walkers and their caregivers are welcome in the library to interact with others while promoting early learning and a love of reading.

Tiny Tots Time – Tuesdays at 10 a.m.
This program brings toddlers and caregivers together for an hour of stimulating experiences intended to nurture the bond between caregiver and child and to increase the caregiver’s awareness of their child’s development.

Preschool Story Time – Fridays @ 10 a.m.
Help your child prepare for school while having fun too! Meaningful literacy activities, such as reading, singing and playing with children, can impact a child’s brain development and subsequently help provide them with the pre-reading skills they need to start school.

Classic Games for Adults – Tuesdays @ 1:30 p.m.
Whether your game is chess or poker, Monopoly or Scrabble, we’ve got what you need for a fun-filled afternoon with friends.

English Conversation Group – Wednesdays @ 1 p.m.
For students learning English as a second language, this is a chance for you to practice everyday conversation skills.

Tomatoes and Salsas – Monday, October 5 at 3:30 p.m.
UW Extension Family Living Educator Jenny Wehmeier offers expert advice and delicious recipes for preserving tomatoes and making salsas. Registration required.

Library Board Meeting - Thursday, October 8 at 4 p.m.

Craft-er-Noon – Friday, October 9 at 1 p.m.
Calling all creative geniuses! Spend your “early release” afternoon at the library making cool projects. We’re cleaning out the craft closet – what fantastic creations can you make with our odds and ends?

Architecture of Downtown Delavan – Friday, October 9 at 7 p.m.
The Friends of Aram Public Library annual meeting features a presentation by Frank Landi on the architecture of downtown Delavan. Library doors open at 6:30 p.m. The program is free and open to the public. Friends of APL memberships are available for $5.

Foreign Film – Tuesday, October 13 at 6:30 p.m.
Amelie (Rated R, 122 minutes)
Amelie is a young woman who had a decidedly unusual childhood. She didn't attend school, but spent most of her time in her room, where she developed a keen imagination and an active fantasy life. Now an adult, she decides to step into the lives of others around her to help them out.

Beginning Computing – Thursday, October 15 @ 1:30 p.m.
If you are new to computers or need a refresher on the very basics, this is the class for you. Learn basic computer skills in the company of other adults. Registration required.

Book Discussion – Thursday, October 15 at 7 p.m.
Animal’s People by Indra Sinha
Ever since he can remember, Animal has gone on all fours, his back twisted by poison smoke from the local factory. Then a young American doctor comes to town to open a free clinic, and Animal gets caught up in a web of intrigues, scams, and plots. Anyone who has read the book is welcome to attend.

Teen Read Week – October 19 to 24
Bite the bullet and return that overdue book! No overdue fines will be charged on materials returned by teens this week.

Circular Knitting – Tuesday, October 27 and November 3, @ 6 p.m.
If you’ve already given everyone on your gift list a scarf, here’s your chance to branch out a bit. This two-session class will teach you to make a hat using circular knitting. All supplies are furnished. Registration required.

Pumpkin Carving – Thursday, October 29 @ 3:30 p.m.
Prepare your Jack-o-lantern just in time for Halloween! This family event offers you the opportunity to create a Halloween masterpiece — without the mess. We supply cleaned pumpkins and carving tools, you supply the creativity!

All programs are free of charge and open to the public.

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June 2009 Library Events

SUMMER LIBRARY PROGRAM BEGINS JUNE 15.

Espresso Yourself! – Monday, June 1 at 6 p.m. (Registration Recommended)

The coffee experts from Starbucks teach you to make the perfect cup of coffee. Sample delicious coffee drinks and learn to duplicate them at home. Learn about basic coffee characteristics and how to pair coffee with complementary foods to bring out the best in both.

Library Board Meeting - Thursday, June 11 at 4 p.m.

Baby Story Time - Tuesdays at 9 a.m. (beginning June 16)

For non-walkers with their caregivers.

Tiny Tots Time – Tuesdays at 10 a.m. (beginning June 16)

For toddlers up to 3 years old with their caregivers.

Morris the Magic Man – Tuesday, June 16 at 1:30 p.m.

Morris the Magic Man involves the audience in a show filled with fun, puppets and of course GREAT magic that kids love. Interpreting for the deaf and hard-of-hearing is provided. Join us for refreshments following the program.

Foreign Film Festival - Tuesday, June 16 at 6 p.m.

Pan’s Labyrinth (Rated R; 119 minutes; in Spanish with English subtitles)

When young Ofelia and her mother go to live with her new stepfather on a rural military outpost, she finds herself in a world of unimaginable cruelty. Soon Ofelia finds the creatures of her imagination in which she used to escape have become a reality and she must battle them to save both her mother and herself. In the terrifying battle that ensues, Ofelia soon learns that innocence has a power that evil cannot imagine.

Cuentos y Artes en Español – Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. (beginning June 17)

Stories, songs, crafts and activities in Spanish and English for kids of all ages.

Book Discussion – Wednesday, June 17 at 7 p.m.

Boom! Talking About the Sixties by Tom Brokaw

The voices and stories of both famous people and ordinary citizens come together in this “virtual reunion” as Brokaw takes us on a memorable journey through a remarkable time, exploring how individuals and the national mood were affected by a controversial era and showing how the aftershocks of the Sixties continue to resound in our lives today. Anyone who has read the book is welcome to attend.

Preschool Story Time – Fridays at 10 a.m. (beginning June 19)

For children age 3-5 with their caregivers.

David Stokes, Naturalist – Tuesday, June 23 at 1:30 p.m.

Using live creatures and animal artifacts, songs and short stories, David gets down with his audiences, and makes learning fun. Interpreting for the deaf and hard-of-hearing is provided. Join us for refreshments following the program.

De-Clutter Today for a Carefree Tomorrow - Tuesday, June 23 at 6:30 p.m.

(Registration Recommended)

Discover how de-cluttering can improve your life. Gain a new perspective on your belongings. Learn how to take control of paperwork and mail. Join us for this motivating and informative presentation by Kathi Miller, Clutter Coach.

Urban Art for Teens – Thursday, June 25 at 1:30 p.m.

Use markers and spray paint to create a graffiti-style mural. For teens going into grade 6 and up.

The Muses, Celtic Music with Zing – Tuesday, June 30 at 1:30 p.m.

The Muses bring new life to traditional folk music, as well as adding original material to the Celtic repertoire. At this show, you’re bound to hear some exotic instruments such as bohdran, hammered dulcimer, pennywhistles, fiddle and bones. Interpreting for the deaf and hard-of-hearing is provided. Join us for refreshments following the program.

Foreign Film Fesitval – Tuesday, June 30 at 6 p.m.

Kamikaze Girls (Not Rated; 103 minutes; in Japanese with English subtitles)

Momoko wishes she'd lived in 18th Century France, during the Rococo age; instead, she and her bonnets and frilly dresses are stuck in Japan's rural outback. Enter Ichigo, a tough-talking, head-butting, scooter-riding thug who doesn't know rococo from rock & roll, and whom the haughty Momoko deplores and mostly ignores--at least until they're brought together by, of all things, embroidery.

Library programs are FREE of charge and open to the public. Please contact the library at 262-728-3111 (TDD 262-728-2620) for more information or to register.

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May Library Events

Tiny Tots Time – Tuesday, May 5 at 10 a.m.
Babies and their caregivers are invited to the library for an hour of activities that focus on language enrichment and preliteracy skills. For ages 0-2. After May 5, Tiny Tots will be taking a break. Summer activities for babies begin June 16.

Preschool Story Time – Friday, May 8 at 10 a.m.
Preschoolers and their caregivers participate in an hour of stories, songs and other activities. For ages 2-5. This is the last session of preschool story time until summer. Preschool Story Time resumes on June 19.

Barns of Walworth County – Tuesday, May 5 at 7 p.m.
Frank Landi will explore the architectural history of barns and will focus on the barns of Walworth County. He will also discuss the art of silos, windmills and farm machinery.

Exercise for Your Health - Thursday, May 7 at 7 p.m.
Dr. Brock Belcher discusses the benefits of various types of exercise and helps you decide what exercise is best for you. Topics include why the body craves exercise, how to fit exercise into a busy life, and ergonomics.

Soapmaking – Saturday, May 9 at 1 p.m.
Make a wonderful gift for Mothers Day . . . or any day! For ages 5 and up. Children must be accompanied by caregivers. REGISTRATION REQUIRED.

Your Finances in a Changing Economy –
Tuesday, May 12 at 6:30 p.m.
Dana Esser, Associate Financial Advisor with Ameriprise Financial Services, discusses handling your investments in today’s economy. A question and answer period follows her presentation.

Library Board Meeting - Thursday, May 14 at 4 p.m.

Book Discussion – Thursday, May 21 at 7 p.m.
This month’s title is The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski. Born without the ability to speak, Edgar Sawtelle grows up on a Wisconsin farm where his parents breed and train dogs. Shortly after the arrival of his uncle, Edgar’s father dies unexpectedly. When Edgar tries to prove his father was murdered, his plan backfires and he flees into the wilderness with three young dogs who follow him. Anyone who has read the book is welcome to attend.

Library Closed for Memorial Day – May 25.

Library Lock-In: Teen Movie Night – Friday, May 29 at 6:30 p.m.
Tonight’s film is for teens in grade 6 and up. We’ll be showing Twilight (Rated PG-13, 122 minutes). Isabella Swan's move to Forks, a perpetually rainy town in Washington, could have been the most boring move she ever made. When she meets the mysterious, alluring Edward Cullen--a vampire--her life takes a thrilling and terrifying romantic turn. This event takes place after the library closes. Doors will be open from 6:15 to 7 p.m. Refreshments will be served.

Children’s Book Week May 11-17
One hallmark of Children's Book Week is the only national child-selected book awards program: the Children's Choice Book Awards. The awards celebrate books, authors, and illustrators that capture the interest and imaginations of kids and teens. Visit www.bookweekonline.com to see the list of finalists and to vote for your favorites.

Library programs are free of charge and open to the public.
Contact the library at 262-728-3111 (TDD 262-728-2620) for more information.

LIBRARY HOURS:
Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

APRIL LIBRARY EVENTS

Tiny Tots Time - Tuesdays at 10 a.m.
Babies and their caregivers are invited to the library for an hour of activities that focus on language enrichment and preliteracy skills. For ages 0-2.

Preschool Story Time - Fridays at 10 a.m.
Preschoolers and their caregivers participate in an hour of stories, songs and other activities. For ages 2-5.

Nutrition Class - Tuesday, April 7 at 7 p.m.
Dr. Brock Belcher talks about food -- making healthy choices at the grocery store and recognizing good quality food. Learn about sugars and fats, preservatives and artificial sweeteners, and healthy cooking techniques.

Library Board Meeting - Thursday, April 9 at 4 p.m.

Friday, April 10 - Library Closed.

National Library Week - April 12-18
Celebrate National Library Week by telling everyone what's good about our library. Using the entry forms at the library, complete the sentence "Aram Public Library is important to our community because. . ." Deposit your entry into the Chili's bag at the library, and you are automatically entered into a drawing to win a Chili's gift card and free kid's meals. Your reasons for loving your library will be posted (anonymously, of course) for all to see.

Book Discussion - Thursday, April 16 at 7 p.m.
Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer is an account of this journalist's Mt. Everest expedition in May 1996, a trip that would claim the lives of five climbers in what would prove to be the deadliest season in the history of Everest. Anyone who has read the book is welcome to attend.

Go Fly a Kite! - Saturday, April 18 at 1 p.m.
Families, make and decorate your own fish kite. A fish kite is a colorful windsock shaped like a fish, flown in Japan to celebrate Children's Day on May 5. All materials will be supplied by the library. Young children must be accompanied by a caregiver.

Library Lock-In Family Movie - Friday, April 24 at 6:30 p.m.
The Tale of Despereaux (Rated G) tells of three unlikely heroes -- a mouse, a rat, and a bumbling servant girl -- whose fates are intertwined with that of a princess. This event takes place after the library closes. Refreshments will be served. Door will be open from 6:15 to 7 p.m. Children must be accompanied by caregivers.

Library programs are free of charge and open to the public.
Contact the library at 262-728-3111 (TDD 262-728-2620) for more information.

MARCH LIBRARY EVENTS

Tiny Tots Time - Tuesdays at 10 a.m.

Babies and their caregivers are invited to the library for an hour of activities that focus on language enrichment and preliteracy skills. For ages 0-2.

Preschool Story Time - Fridays at 10 a.m.

Preschoolers and their caregivers participate in an hour of stories, songs and other activities. For ages 2-5.

Genetics, Lifestyle and Health - Thursday, March 5 at 7 p.m.

Dr. Brock Belcher discusses modern health care trends, the impact of genetics vs. lifestyle, and how you can make the best choices for your own health. This is the first in a series of talks being presented by Dr. Belcher.

Library Board Meeting - Thursday, March 12 at 4 p.m.

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss! - Saturday, March 14 at 1 p.m.

Celebrate the life and work of the man who brought you The Cat in the Hat. Everyone is invited to enjoy games, a craft, and -- of course -- birthday cake!

Media Swap - Monday, March 16 at 6 p.m.

Teens are invited to trade their gently used books, magazines, CD's, movies, and games. Receive credit for the items you bring in, then trade your credit for stuff from other teens. For grade 6 and up.

Book Discussion - Thursday, March 19 at 7 p.m.

This month's title is The Commoner by John Burnham Schwartz, a novel based on the life of Empress Michiko of Japan. Books and discussion guides are available at the library. Anyone who has read the book is welcome to attend.

January 2009 Library Calendar

Library Board Meeting - January 8 at 4 p.m.

Tiny Tots Time- Tuesdays at 10 a.m. beginning January 13.
Babies age 0-2 learn and play with their parents or caregivers.

Preschool Story Time - Fridays at 10 a.m. beginning January 16.
Stories, music, crafts and fun for children 2-5 and their caregivers.

Knitting 101- Mondays from 6-8 p.m.
January 12 to February 2
Learn the basics of knitting and make your first project in this free class. All materials will be provided. Experienced knitters are welcome to bring their projects and join us or pair up with a beginning student and become a volunteer knitting tutor! Class size is limited to 15 beginners. Call the library to register (728-3111).

Aram Book Discussion - Thursday, January 15 at 7 p.m.
Our selection this month is On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan. The story captures one night and two lifetimes, as newlyweds Florence and Edward navigate their wedding night, coping with their greatest fears and wishes. Books and discussion guides are available at the library. Anyone who has read the book is welcome to attend.

Library Lock-In: Family Movie Night
Friday, January 16 from 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Friday after the library closes, we'll be showing Disney's "Wall-E," the story of an abandoned waste management robot who finds true love and a new purpose in life. (Rated G, 98 minutes.) Library doors will open to moviegoers at 6:15 and no one will be admitted after 7:15 p.m.

Anime Night - Thursday, January 22 at 6 p.m.

For teens age 12-18.
Enjoy some Pocky and other snacks while joining your friends for this special showing of "Ghost Hunt." Ghost Hunt follows the adventures of Mai Taniyama, a first year high school student. After grudgingly agreeing to assist a prodigy ghost hunter, Mai discovers that things really do go bump in the night.

Book Discussion 2009

The Aram Book Discussion group meets the third Thursday of each month at 7 p.m., except for June, July and August when we meet on Wednesday.

Titles selected for 2009 are:

January 15 - On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan

February 19 - A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson

March 19 - The Commoner by John Burnham Schwartz

April 16 - Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer

May 21 - The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski

June 17 - Boom! by Tom Brokaw

July 15 - People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks

August 19 - Hot, Flat, and Crowded by Thomas Friedman

September 17 - The Attack by Yasmina Khadra

October 15 - Animal's People by Indra Sinha

November 19 - Will the Circle Be Unbroken by Studs Terkel

December - No Meeting

Copies of the current book and discussion guides will be available at the library 4-6 weeks before each meeting. Anyone who has read the book is welcome to attend.

This schedule may be revised depending upon availablility of titles, weather, or program conflicts at the library.

Adult Book Discussion 2008 Schedule

For those of you who would like to expand your reading horizons by trying something new and different, or those of you who love to talk about what you read, the Aram Public Library offers a monthly adult book discussion group. The book discussion group generally meets on the 3rd Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. However, we occasionally have a schedule change, so it's a good idea to double check the meeting date and time before you come. Here's what we're reading in 2008.

January - Population, 485 (Michael Perry, nonfiction)

February 26 (Tues), 7 p.m. - The Memory Keeper's Daughter (Kim Edwards, fiction)

March 20 (Thurs), 7 p.m. - The Color of Water (James McBride, nonfiction)

April 17, 7 p.m. - A Thousand Splendid Suns (Khaled Hosseini, fiction)

May 15, 7 p.m. - Three Cups of Tea (Greg Mortenson, nonfiction)

June 18 (Wed), 7 p.m. - WHC: The Milagro Beanfield War (John Nichols, fiction)

July 16 (Wed), 7 p.m. - WHC: Prodigal Summer (Barbara Kingsolver, fiction)

August 13 (Wed), 7 p.m. - WHC: The Devil's Highway (Luis Alberto Urrea, nonfiction)

September 10 (Wed), 7 p.m. - WHC: The Tortilla Curtain (T. C. Boyle, fiction)

October 16 (Thurs), 7 p.m. - Once Upon a Quinceanera (Julia Alvarez, nonfiction)

November 20 (Thurs), 7 p.m. - The Secret Life of Houdini (William Kalush, nonfiction)

December 2008 - No Meeting

The titles selected for June through September (preceded by WHC in the list) are part of the Wisconsin Humanities Council "A More Perfect Union" discussion series. Stay tuned for more information as the summer approaches!