The holidays are almost upon us, as hard as that is to believe. As I write this, we are recovering from another successful Winter Wonderland open house. We were worried that the cancellation of the holiday parade would keep people at home, but thanks to some quick posts on Facebook, it drew the usual crowds for free Santa pictures and all the fun activities devised by the creative Children’s Department. When I was working the cookie and hot chocolate line, a mom told me she had never heard of the event until this year. That really made me think about the MANY ways we publicize library programs, and how we are still somehow missing people with our news. If you have any ideas about that, throw them my way!  
 
And now we’re “on to the next thing,” as I always say. Watch for the staff caroling on the library steps for the December 3rd Massillon Candlelight Walk!  And the children’s staff are rehearsing for their hit holiday show—look at the program listings to bring your little ones. 
 
But my biggest news this month is that we are kicking off a new service. Beginning immediately, the Massillon Public Library  allows you to borrow mobile Wi-fi hotspots. The mobile hotspot is a device that gives you unlimited, high-speed Internet service anywhere a T-Mobile signal can be received. You can connect up to fifteen devices at a time, including desktops, laptops, tablets, smartphones, etc. It’s perfect for those who have no Internet access at home, are going on vacation, or taking their business on the road. Devices will circulate for one week at no charge. We are thrilled to be offering this service which is already a huge hit at some surrounding libraries.
 
In our next newsletter article I’ll be talking more about the results of our strategic planning process. The hotspots are a component of that plan, and we’re just getting a jump start on some goals.
 
I sincerely wish you the happiest of holidays. Don’t forget to give the joy of reading. I *so* loved getting books for Christmas as a child! I still consider it a gift to discover a wonderful new book or author I’ve not read before. This week it was Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue. An Oprah book club pick and winner of many awards, this debut deserves every accolade. If you don’t think you would be interested in a story of immigrants from Cameroon trying to succeed in America, you’ll be surprised at the empathy you develop for chauffeur Jende and wife Neni, and even for Jende’s Wall Street boss and family as their American dream unravels during the housing bubble burst. As with all fiction reading, the reward is getting to live a life different from your own for a short time, and broadening your thinking in all the best ways.  
 
Happy reading,

Director, Massillon Public Library

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Simply Stories
Fridays: December 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
10:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
For all ages, accompanied by an adult. No registration required.

Sensory-Sensitive Storytime & Movie
Saturday, December 2 ---- 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m
Sensory-sensitive children of all ages and their families are invited to a 30-minute storytime followed by a sensory-friendly showing of The Lego Batman Movie in a safe, accepting environment. Participants are free to talk, sing, or move as needed during the movie, which features lower sounds and lighting. No registration required. Contact the Children's Department at 330-832-5037 for more information.

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Family Christmas Program

The Children’s Department invites you to attend the 31st annual Family Christmas program on Monday, December 4 OR Tuesday, December 5 at 6:45 p.m.

Join us for a heart-warming evening full of holiday spirit and laughter as you hear about Christmas with the Three Billy Goats Gruff. They set off to get their Christmas tree and encounter a troll under a bridge. The 45 minute program includes songs, stories, poems, and the family favorite: a 15-to-20 minute puppet show led by the same librarians who help you every day!

Admission is free but registration is required. Contact the Children’s Department at 330-832-5037 for more information or to register for one of the performances.

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Historical Fiction Book Club
Tuesday, December 5 --- 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
The Marriage of Opposites by Alice Hoffman
For more information or to reserve your copy of the book, contact the Reference Department. 330-832-9831, ext. 312

Homemade Christmas Cards
Pam S. Belloni Branch Library
12000 Navarre Road SW Navarre, OH 44662-9486
Tuesday, December 5 --- 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Join us at the Belloni branch, located in the Fairless Elementary School, for a holiday card making class. Space is limited to 20 participants. Children under age 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is required. For more information or to register, contact the Belloni branch at 330-767-9939.

Filled Ornaments
A Massillon 2nd Saturday Program
Saturday, December 9 --- 2:00 p.m - 4:00 p.m.
Stop in any time between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to make your own filled ornament! Supplies will be provided. Children under age ten must be accompanied by an adult. No registration is required. 330-832-9831, ext. 312

Harry Potter Trivia Night
Monday, December 11 --- 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Kids in grades 3-8 are invited to show off their wizard knowledge! Enjoy Harry Potter themed refreshments followed by a trivia contest and prizes. Registration is required and begins on November 27. For more information, contact the Children's Department at 330-832-5037.

Santa Visit
Tuesday, December 12 --- 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Santa Claus will be stopping by the Reading Room to meet boys and girls of all ages. Bring your Christmas wish list to share with Santa, and make sure to bring your own camera to capture the memory! This event, free and open to the public, is being sponsored by the Massillon Public Library and the Downtown Massillon Association. For more information, contact the library at 330-832-5037.

From Page to Screen Teen Movie Night
Wednesday, December 13 --- 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Kids in grades 7-12 are invited to a free showing of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Popcorn and drinks provided. No registration required. 330-832-9831, ext. 321 Computer Basics Class Thursday, December 14 --- 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. This program is for the beginner who has no experience and would like to learn to use a computer. In this class, you will practice using a computer mouse, and work with a standard QWERTY keyboard. In addition, a short lecture will be presented about the various hardware and software components of a computer system. Seating is limited and registration is required. For more information, contact the Computer Center at 330-832-9831, ext. 327.

Student Chess Club
Friday, December 15 --- 1:00 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Students in grades 1-12 are invited to come and play the game of chess. Library staff members will be on hand to teach those who do not know how to play the game. Those who already know how to play are invited to bring some friends and challenge them! Stop in anytime between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to play. Kids in grades 3 or below must be accompanied by an adult. No registration required. 330-832-5037

Tween Time: Christmas Party
Saturday, December 16 --- 2:00 p.m - 3:00 p.m.
Kids in grades 4-8 are invited to our Tween Time Christmas Party! Enjoy refreshments and make holiday ornaments and notebooks from recycled materials. Registration is suggested. For more information, contact the Children's Department at 330-832-5037.

A Christmas Story Interactive Movie
Tuesday, December 19 --- 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
We triple-dog-dare you to join us for a special interactive showing of the 1983 classic A Christmas Story movie in the auditorium. Shout and sing along with the movie in this special audience participation version. Popcorn and Ovaltine (and other refreshments) will be served. Come dressed in your pink bunny suit, tacky Christmas sweaters, bathrobes, or as other characters in the movie for a chance to win door prizes! No registration required. 330-832-9831, ext. 341

Pinterest Craft Series
Wednesday, December 20 -- 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Join us as we try our hand at popular crafts being shared on Pinterest! Space is limited. Registration required. 330-832-9831, ext. 312

Internet for Beginners
Thursday, December 21 -- 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
An introduction to navigating the Internet and the World Wide Web using a computer laptop. In addition, an explanation and demonstration will be given of the popular web browsers being used today on the Microsoft Windows operating system. Prerequisites: Experience using a computer mouse, keyboard, and the Windows operating system. Seating is limited and registration is required. For more information, contact the Computer Center at 330-832-9831, ext. 327.

Anime Night: Assassination Classroom
Friday, December 22 --- 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Teens in grades 7-12 are invited to watch Anime and enjoy snacks from Japan! 330-832-9831, ext. 321

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Holiday Hours

CLOSED
Saturday, December 23
Christmas Eve Observance

CLOSED
Monday, December 25
Christmas Day

CLOSED
Monday, January 1, 2018
New Year's Day

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SARTA Travel Training
Thursday, December 28 --- 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
A valid picture ID is required to receive a bus pass at the end of the training session. Registration required. 855-887-2782

Email Basics
Thursday, December 28 --- 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
An introduction to creating and using an Internet email account on a personal computer. Prerequisites: Experience using a computer mouse, keyboard, and Windows; and being familiar with navigating the World Wide Web. Registration required. 330-832-9831, ext. 327

Noon Year's Eve
Saturday, December 30 --- 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Children in 6th grade and under and their families are invited to a celebration counting down to the New Year without staying up late! Enjoy stories, crafts, music, and dancing, concluding with a balloon drop at noon! No registration required. 330-832-5037

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"Up Close and Impersonal:
Patterns in Nature and Elsewhere"
Works by Krystian Hall on display in the Computer Center from October 30 - December 30

Krystian Hall is a ceramicist who also paints and does other arty stuff well, too. She studied art under the tutelage of Ron White, Barb Drennan, Claire Murray-Adams, Gary Spangler, Chris Craft, Tyrus Clutter, and Marino Moretti at various times between the years of 2000-2008. In 2006, she spent four months living in a convent in Italy, studying the fresco cycles of Giotto, Michelangelo, Raphael, and other greats of the Italian Renaissance. She draws inspiration for most of her pieces from pop culture and historical subjects in classical art: except these ones. They're inspired by various shapes, colors and patterns found wherever you look. Her favorite non-clay medium is mixed media, but she is known to dabble in jewelry, photography, writing, theater, wine making, war, canning, gardening and anything else to which one attaches the word "art." Right now, she's just excited when she gets enough time away from her other duties as a parent, wife, and as a "little-L" librarian to be able to throw paint onto whatever happens to be close at hand. She wishes to send special love out to public school quality fish sticks, because nobody else will.

If you are interested in purchasing a piece of art, please contact Krystian Hall directly at hallkr@massillonlibrary.org or 330-832-9831 ext. 330.