Happy Holiday

Happy Holidays!

The Librarians of the Youth Services Department want to wish you and your families a happy and safe holiday season.

Please note:
The library will be closed on Saturday, Decemeber 24th and Monday, December 26th for the holidays.

We will be open Tuesday, December 27th through Friday, December 31st 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The library will be closed on Saturday, December 31st and Monday, January 2nd for the New Year's Holiday.

Come visit us and check some of the new books for the season! There's something for everyone! Remember that a library card is always a great last minute gift!

Snow Day!

Happy Snow Day!

The Osterhout Free Library will open at noon today Friday December 09, 2005 because of the snow.

Enjoy your snow day and stop by the library for some fun book about snow and the winter season.Check the catalog here.

Anime and CosPlay Meetings

The monthly Anime Club Meeting will be Saturday December 17, 2005 at 2:00-3:30 p.m. Join others to discuss your favorite anime characters, artists and authors. New members are always welcome!

The new club CosPlay will hold it's initial meeting on Saturday December 17, 2005 at 3:30-4:45 p.m. CosPlay was formed from members of the Anime Club. Attending members are welcome to dress as their favorite anime characters but not required. Club activities will include creating costumes and discussion.

Attendance to both meetings are welcome but not required. Both meetings will be held in the Youth Services Department meeting room. To register or for more information contact the Youth Services Department at 823-0156 ext. 217.

Thanksgiving Holiday Hours

The Osterhout Free Library will be closing at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, November 23rd and will remaind closed on Thursday, November 24th in honor of Thanksgiving.

We will re-open on Friday, November 25th at 8:30 a.m. with regular hours.

Check out the History of Thanksgiving at The History Channel.com and The Library of Congress.

For some facts about Thanksgiving check out the Census Bureau. For example did you know that the typical American ate 13.7 pounds of turkey in 2003, a large portion of which was from the beloved Thanksgiving feast.

Click on the picture to investigate the first Thanksgiving!

Poetry Workshop

The Osterhout Free Library invited students in grades 7-11 to particpiate in a three part poetry writing workshop. Students will have a chance to have their works performed and published online.

The workshop will be held Tuesdays from 7:00 to 8:15 p.m. November 22, November 29 and December 6.

Jim Warner will be the workshop leader.

Refreshments will be served and materials will be provided.

For more information or to register, please contact the Youth Services Staff at the Osterhout Free library at 823-0156 EXT. 217.

The workshops are sponsored by the Luzerne County Library System through an LSTA grant.

Books & Babies

Books & Babies Sign Ups Start November 7, 2005!

What's Books & Babies you ask?

Books & Babies is a program designed for parents and children ages 1 to 3 1/2.

Children socially interact with their peers while parents talk with community resource professionals on child development issues. The child and parent have a chance to attend story time, create crafts and have a good time in the library.

This 4 week session starts Tuesday, November 15th and runs till December 6th.

Register on or after Monday, November 7th at 8:30 a.m.

Call the Youth Services Department @ 823-01560 ext. 217

Space is limited and fills fast for this popular program!

Happy Halloween

Everyone in the Youth Services Departments
would like to wish you a happy and safe Halloween.

Here are a few safety tips before venturing out this evening:

1) Carry a flashlight or glow stick, or wear reflective tape

2)Use crosswalks. Look both ways when crossing the street
and do not cross from behind parked cars


3) Dispose of any candy with loose wrappers —
"When in doubt, throw it out!"

4) Trick-or-treat only in neighborhoods with which
you are familiar, and don't go out alone.

5) Carry a bright flashlight to illuminate sidewalks, steps and paths.


6) HAVE FUN!

Enter the World of Narnia Art Contest!

Join us as we delve into the land of wonder and enchantment called

Narnia by reading & discussing parts of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.

Saturday, October 22 from 1-2 p.m.

Children will then create a poster depicting their vision of the magical land of Narnia. Posters will be entered into R.I.F.'s World of Narnia Art Contest.

Due to time constraints, children will be allowed to complete their posters at home.
All contest enteries must be recieved by the Library no later than 5:00 p.m. Saturday, October 29. Prizes will be awarded to local winners, but all posters will be sent to Reading Is Fundamental for entry into the national contest.

Please Contact the Youth Services Desk at 823-0156 Ext. 217 if you would like to participate.

For more information on R.I.F.'s World of Narnia Art Contest including offical rules please visit the website at http://www.rif.org/readingplanet/content/Narnia_Contest.mspx.

For more information on the upcoming Disney movie, Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, please visit their website at http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/narnia.

Don't forget to check out the beloved C.S. Lewis book series here at the library. Check with Lucas, our helpful card catalog butler, to see if we have copies available.
Visit Lucas at http://www.lucasatyourservice.org.

R.I.F. Book Distribution

It's R.I.F. Time!

The first Reading Is Fundamental (R.I.F.) free book distribution of the new school year will be held at the Central Library and Branches on the following dates and times:
Central: 71 S. Franklin St. Wilkes-Barre-
Saturday, October 22 from 2:30-4:30 p.m.
North Branch: 235 George Ave, Parsons-
Thursday, October 20 from 3-5 p.m.
Plains Twp. Branch: 126 N. Main St., Plains-
Tuesday, October 25 from 3-5 p.m.
South Branch: 2 Airy St., Wilkes-Barre-
Wednesday, October 26 from 3-5 p.m.

All children in grades K-6th are invited to attend one distribution to receive a free book.

To learn more about the Reading Is Fundamental Organization please visit their website at
http://www.rif.org.

Teen Newsletter Fall 2005

OTAKU ANIME MEETING

For ages 12-18

October 15th 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Come join us to discuss your favorite Anime. Bring books, costume ideas and talk about why you like it. Light refreshments will be served.

TAB MEETING (Teen Advisory Board)

For ages 12-19

October 18th 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

Meet in the Children’s Activity Room. Pizza will be served. New members are welcome. Call 823-0156, extension 217 to register.

POETRY WRITING WORKSHOP

For students in grades 7 – 11

October 27^th 7 – 8:15p.m.

November 10^th 7 - 8:15p.m.

November 17^th 7 - 8:15p.m.

These sessions will be led by Jim Warner who will unravel the mysterious beauty of poetry and offer prompts to enter this interesting world. Sign up now for all sessions.

To register, call 823-0156, extension 217. Class size is limited.

BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP PLANNING MEETING

For ages 10-15

November 28^th 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.

This get-together is designed to answer the question, what books would be great to read
and discuss in a Book Discussion Group? We can choose from the following: Fantasy-
Friendship – Mystery – Historical - Real Life and Adventure. Light refreshments will
be served. Call 823-0156 extension 217 to register.

Hora de Cuentos en Espanol

Hora de Cuentos en Español
para niños de 2-3 años y sus padres

6:30- 7:30 p.m. Martes, Octubre 18 y 11.

Traigan a su niño(a) a la Librería para escuchar cuentos y canciones en Español e Ingles y para crear un proyecto simple de artesanías.

El programa es gratuito, pero por favor de registrarse llamando al

Youth Services Desk al 823-0156 Ext. 217

Upcoming Programs

1.) Computer Classes for Kids:
Continuing computer program for children ages 6-11. We will have
playful computer activities including internet.

The classes are October 15th and November 12th from 11:00- 12:00 p.m.

2.) Computer Classes for Teens:
Designed for teens ages 12-18. We will have fun computer activities
including the internet.

The classes are October 29th from 11:00 to 12:00 p.m.

3.) A Special Series for Parents of Preschoolers:
Presented by The Family Service Association of Wyoming Valley and
The Osterhout Free Library Wednesdays from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

October 12- Encouraging Positive Behaviors:
Effective Communication and Discipline Techniques
October 19- Literacy and Learning:
Preparing your Preschooler

Kathleen Bolinski, LSW of Family Service Association will present the
above topics. Children are welcome to attend a storytime and craft
session during the parenting program.

4.) Preschool Storytime:
Designed for ages 3 1/2 & 5. Children can participate in stories,
songs, fingerplays, a craft project and see a film!

Wednesdays, October 12-November 2 from 10:45-11:30 a.m.
Wednesdays, October 12-November 2 from 2:00- 2:45 p.m.
Saturdays, October 15-November 5 from 10:00-10:45 a.m.


5.) Books & Babies ages 1 & 3 1/2. Parents & their children can spend
time together, play, create a craft, hear stories, songs and
fingerplays, and talk with community resource professionals on a
different child development issue each week.

Tuesdays, November 15-December 6 from 9:30-10:45 a.m.

Welcome

Thank you for visiting the offical blog of the Youth Services Deparment at the Osterhout Free Library in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. The blog is designed to keep our patrons informed and allow them to actively participate in their library. Feel free to visit often and leave us a comment at any time. We love to hear from you.