Zion-Benton Public Library

LIBRARY NEWS

Steps to Success: The Steps to Success laptops are now available for use! Laptops are available most hours the library is open. They are equipped with everything you need to help with your job search, enhance your skills or manage your small business. For more information and requirements to use the S2S laptops, click here.

Tax Time! Get tax forms and instructions at the library this tax season. Popular Federal, Illinois and Wisconsin forms will be available free of charge from mid-January through April 2012. Reproducible forms are available to photocopy for 15¢ per page/side.

A.A.R.P. Tax Aide: A.A.R.P. Volunteers are available to provide free tax assistance on Wednesdays, February 1-April 11. Call 847.872.480, ext. 3 to schedule your appointment.

PROGRAMS FOR ALL AGES

Black History Month Family Reading Club: Black History is American History. Discover it as a family. Complete five activities in this BINGO-style family book club and receive a bag of books and a chance to win a free family dinner. Activities include reading and listening to stories as a family, attending Black History Month programs, participating in Facebook activities and joining the family book discussion. Prizes donated by Dairy Queen and Culvers of Zion. Pick up your BINGO card in Youth Services. February 1-29.

Home School Networking Meeting: This informal, parent-run meeting is for all homes choolers and those just thinking about it. Bring a snack and a game for the kids to enjoy while parents network. Tuesday, February 7 at 1:30 p.m.

African Dance Class: All ages and skill levels are invited to learn basic African dance steps with Ivette Roque from the Rhythm Academy of Dance in Waukegan. Saturday, February 11 at 1:00 p.m. Registration is recommended. Call 847.872.4680, ext. 5 or register online.

Linda Braggs, Inspirational Storyteller: Everyone is invited for an evening of uplifting, inspirational stories sure to engage the audience. Monday, February 13 at 6:00 p.m.

Black History Month Family Book Discussion: Jimi Sounds Like a Rainbow: The Story of the Young Jimi Hendrix by Gary Colio. This book is a Coretta Scott King Award Honoree for illustrations by Javaka Steptoe. Read the book as a family and come to the book discussion. Each family member will receive a book. Tuesday, February 21 at 7:00 p.m. Registration is required. Call 847.872.4680, ext. 5 or register online.

National African American Read-In: On Saturday, February 25 at 1:00 p.m., ZBPL joins hundreds of libraries and schools in this annual event to celebrate Black literature. Registration is not required. Help us make history by coming to share your favorite stories and poems. Schools, churches, libraries, bookstores, community and professional organizations, and interested citizens are urged to make literacy a significant part of Black History Month by hosting and coordinating Read-Ins in their communities. Hosting a Read-In can be as simple as bringing together friends to share a book, or as elaborate as arranging public readings and media presentations that feature professional African American writers.

PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS

Tree Climbing Fun: Volunteers from the Zion Genealogical Society hold weekly drop-in workshops to help you research your family tree. Wednesdays, 7:00-9:00 p.m.

Rewrite that Resume! Want a professional to read over your resume and provide suggestions? Sign up for this class! Volunteers from the Job Center of Lake County will teach you how to improve that resume and offer one-on-one consultations. Don’t miss out on this free class to rewrite that resume and increase your chances of finding a job! This program is part of the Steps to Success program. Registration is required. Call 847.872.4680, ext. 4 or register online.
Register for Saturday, February 4 at 3:00 p.m.
Register for Wednesday, February 15 at 6:30 p.m.

Find a Job with Illinois WorkNet: Staff from Employee Connections, Inc. will teach you how to register with Illinois WorkNet. Learn how to navigate the site, find potential employers and submit online resumes. This hands-on class is open to anyone! Registration is required. This program is part of the Steps to Success program. Call 847.872.4680, ext. 4 or register online.
Register for Tuesday, February 7 at 2:30 p.m.
Register for Tuesday, February 21 at 2:30 p.m.

Mousing: On Wednesday, February 9 at 3:30 p.m., instructor Don Buss will teach computer basics, including how to use a mouse! This program is part of the Steps to Success program. Registration is required. Call 847.872.4680, ext. 4 or register online.

Basic Microsoft Word: On Thursday, February 16 at 3:30 p.m., instructor Don Buss will introduce you to the basics of word processing, using Microsoft Word. This program is part of the Steps to Success program. Registration is required. Call 847.872.4680, ext. 4 or register online.

African American Genealogy: Tony Burroughs, an internationally known genealogist and the leading expert in African American genealogy will talk about finding your history on Saturday, February 18 at 1:00 p.m. Registration is required. This program is co-sponsored by the Zion Genealogical Society and the Zion-Benton Public Library. Call 847.872.4680, ext. 4 or register online.

Casual Crafters: Share ideas with fellow crafters and have fun while you work. Bring all of your favorite projects, knitting, beading, paper crafting, needlepoint and quilting. Registration is not required. Monday, February 20 at 6:30 p.m. and Tuesday, February 21 at 10:00 a.m.

Basic Microsoft Excel: On Thursday, February 23 at 7:00 p.m., instructor Kevin Smyk will introduce you to the basics of spreadsheets, using Microsoft Excel. This program is part of the Steps to Success program. Registration is required. Call 847.872.4680, ext. 4 or register online.

PROGRAMS FOR TEENS

Find out about all the ZB Library’s services and resources for teens at the newly renovated YA Zone site, or find us on Facebook at the ZB Library Teens page.

Teen Anti-Valentine’s Day Party: Think Cupid is stupid? Hearts and flowers are for schmucks? If you’re single or just can’t stand this sweetheart holiday, you’re invited to this Anti-Valentine’s Day celebration. Toss darts at Cupid’s black heart, tag romance novel covers, write anti-love odes, listen to silly love songs and decorate broken-heart cookies. This special after-hours party at the library is for high school teens on Friday, February 10 at 6:00 p.m. Registration is required. Call 847.872.4680, ext. 4 or register online.

PROGRAMS FOR TWEENS

Find out about all the ZB Library’s services and resources for Tweens (ages 11-14) at the BeeTweens site, or find us on Facebook.

Chinese New Year: Tweens (ages 11-14) are invited to celebrate the Year of the Dragon with calligraphy and fortune cookies, while you learn how to use chopsticks and discover your Zodiac animal. Saturday, February 4 at 1:00 p.m. Registration is not required.

Justin Bieber Valentine’s Party: Beliebers and Non-Beliebers can finally unite for an evening of JB fun! Eat Justin’s favorite snacks, play left-handed games and more. Dress like Justin for the JB Look-A-Like contest. Not a fan? There will be games for you too! Tuesday, February 14 at 5:30 p.m. For kids in 4^th through 8^th grade. Registration is required. Call 847.872.4680, ext. 5 or register online.

PROGRAMS FOR KIDS

Wednesday Explorers: Does your child need something to do after school? Kids in kindergarten through fifth grade are invited to build and create as we explore the world in Wednesday Explorers, on Wednesdays at 3:45 p.m. Students come whenever they can, registration is not required. These activities will help keep your student busy and they’ll have so much fun, they won’t realize they are learning!

BriXwerX Creativity Lab: Dave & Johnny Xandegear are back with lots of legos! Kids ages 5-12 will use their imagination to build spectacular Legos creations as they get tips from the experts. Saturday, February 18. Register for a one-hour session by calling 847.872.4680, ext. 5 or register online.

Preschool Programs: Help your child get ready to read with stories, finger plays and music. Caregivers are offered instruction and take-home sheets on child development and early literacy skills. Call 847.872.4680, ext. 5 or register online.

Stories and More: These fun-filled half-hour sessions are for children ages 3 to 6 years. There are three sessions to choose from. Sessions run from January 16 to March 22. Come to one session or all! Registration is not required. Mondays at 10:30 a.m., Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. and Thursdays at 6:30 p.m.
Infants and Toddlers Together: These fun-filled half-hour sessions are for children up to 3 years of age. One caregiver per child is encouraged. Space is limited so registration is recommended. Sessions are on Mondays at 6:00 p.m., January 16 to February 6.
Tiny Tyke Time: These fun-filled sessions are for children ages 18 months to 3 years. One caregiver per child is encouraged. Space is limited so registration is recommended. Sessions are on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m., January 17 to February 7.

After School Program: The Zion Community Focus Group provides free supervised homework help and tutoring to kids in third through tenth grade. The After School Program will provide a way to enhance communication skills, tutoring and a model for personal responsibility. There is an emphasis on caring, responsibility, trustworthiness, fairness, respect and citizenship. Reading is a must and students learn how to use library resources for enrichment, as well as, schoolwork. For details, contact Beverly Mull at 847-746-2901. Mondays and Thursdays, September 12, 2011 to June 7, 2012, 4:00-6:00 p.m.