Ever wonder if dogs really listen when you talk to them? The Osterhout Free Library Youth Services Department proudly presents the beloved Read-to-a-Dog Program. Sign up today to read to a certified therapy dog on Saturday April 1, 2006 at 10:00-11:00 a.m. This is a very popular program so please register at 823-0156 ext. 217.
Sign ups are coming! The time is near to sign up for the next set of story times for toddlers ages 2-3 1/2 years old. Please call the Youth Services Department on Monday, March 27, 2006 starting at 8:30 a.m. to register.
There are three different times to choose from:
-Tuesdays, April 4-25 from 10:00-10:30 a.m.
-Tuesdays, April 4-25 from 11:00-11:30 a.m.
-Saturdays, April 8-29 from 10:00-10:30 a.m.
Come celebrate the new season by making a Spring Craft on Saturday, March 18, 2006 @ 2:00-4:00 p.m. in the Youth Services Department.
There is no charge for this activity and no sign ups needed! It is open to all children ages 5-12 in age.
Come join the fun in downtown Wilkes-Barre this weekend as the St. Patrick's Day Parade marches through town! The parade starts at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday March 12th.
Make sure to keep an eye out for the Osterhout Free Library float to get your golden ticket redeemable for prizes! Don't forget to wear your green!
For more information on St. Patrick check out these books:
Patrick : patron saint of Ireland by Tomie dePaola.
St. Patrick's Day by Janet Riehecky
St. Patrick's Day by Joyce K. Kessel
Or for some Irish Folklore check out:
Jamie O'Rourke and the big potato : an Irish folktale retold and illustrated by Tomie dePaola.
Jamie O'Rourke and the pooka by Tomie dePaola
A pot o' gold : a treasury of Irish stories, poetry, folklore, and (of course) blarney selected and adapted by Kathleen Krull ;
Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!
Celebrate the life of the beloved children's author, Theodor Seuss Geisel on Thursday, March 2, 2006 by reading one of his many books.
Take a look at the catalog online to check out your favorite, whether it be The Cat and The Hat, Horton Hears a Who, Green Eggs and Ham or one of the many others!
For a complete history of his phenomenal career take a peek any of the following books:
The boy on Fairfield Street : how Ted Geisel grew up to become Dr. Seuss by Kathleen Krull
Dr. Seuss by Mae Woods
The Seuss, the whole Seuss, and nothing but the Seuss : a visual biography of Theodor Seuss Geisel by Charles D. Cohen.
Also take a visit to the website dedicated to the man himself at http://www.seussville.com/
Infant Story Time for children birth to two years old will start Wednesday March 8, 2006 and will run every Wednesday till March 29, 2006. There will be two time sessions to choose from: 10:00- 10:30 a.m. OR 11:00- 11:30 a.m.
Call to register on Monday, February 27, 2006 at 8:30 a.m. This is a very popular program and fills up fast!
Come check out our new books that arrived just in time for Valentine's Day:
Happy Valentine's Day, Dolores by Barbara Samuels.
Dolores has agreed to stop "borrowing" things from her older sister Faye's dresser, but then she discovers a special Valentine's Day necklace there.
Marly's ghost : a remix of Charles Dickens's A Christmas carol by David Levithan
The spirit of Ben's girlfriend Marly returns with three other ghosts to haunt him with a painful journey though Valentine's Days past, present, and future.
The Unsigned Valentine by Johanna Hurwitz
In early twentieth-century Vermont, sixteen-year-old Emma confides in her diary both her hopes of becoming a farmer's wife one day and her frustrations with her parents' belief that she is too young to be courted by the handsome Cole Berry.
Is cabin fever setting in? Looking for something to do during the long cold winter months? Look no further!
Preschool Storytime (ages 3½-5)
Wednesdays, February 1-22 from 10:45-11:30 a.m.
Wednesdays, February 1-22 from 2:00-2:45 p.m.
Saturdays, February 4-25 from 10:00-10:45 a.m.
*Register beginning Monday, January 23 at 8:30 a.m.
Infant Storytime (ages birth-2)
Wednesdays, March 8-29 from 10:00-10:30 a.m.
Wednesdays, March 8-29 from 11:00-11:30 a.m.
*Register beginning Monday, February 27 at 8:30 a.m.
Hey Everyone!
The Osterhout Free Library is providing computer workshops for children ages 6-11 and teens ages 11-18 this Spring. We will have computer activities including internet.
The Classes are as follows:
Ages 6-11:
January 14th, February 18th, and March 11th from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Ages 11-18:
January 28th, February 25th, and March 18th from 11:00 to 12:00 p.m.
Please call 823-0156 ex. 217 to sign-up for any of these activities or to suggest some of your own.
The Computer Workshops are funded by Verizon Reads Grant and the Rotary Reads Grant.
Thursday, January 12, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. 
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!
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.
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!
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 Sign Ups Start November 7, 2005!
Join us as we delve into the land of wonder and enchantment called 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.
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 27th 7 – 8:15p.m.
November 10th 7 - 8:15p.m.
November 17th 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 28th 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.
