Library eLinks: December News!

DIRECTOR'S VIEW

The generosity of our community never ceases to amaze me. Even in the toughest times that many of us have ever seen, the giving is heartwarming. Each year in late fall we send out a fundraising letter and the responses are a great testament to the value that people see in the Public Libraries of Saginaw. People have such a great personal connection to our libraries - they grew up in them and have memories of how the library helped them realize their potential or expand their horizons or fulfill their dreams or offer them a place of solace. For your generous gifts and your warm memories, we say thank you and look forward to providing many more. Happy Holidays!

Trish Burns, Director, Public Libraries of Saginaw

IN THIS ISSUE

Tween Bread Baking 101

Chess Club

Glass Ornament Etching

Annual Pinata Bust

Holiday Make, Take, & Give

Lego Club

Holiday Closings

New Year's Resolutions

Donate Now!

Win a NOOK Color

Holiday Concert

cmas Saturday, December 3

10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Hoyt Library

The Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy Orchestra will perform under the direction of Lois Wilkins. Student musicians of all ages will offer an educational and entertaining Christmas repertoire and suzuki performance.

Tween Bread Baking 101

bread Saturday, December 3

10:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m.

Butman-Fish Library

Tweener's are invited to register for the "Bread Baking 101" class. Participants must have an adult helper with them. Please bring a large mixing bowl and large spoon.

Friends of the Public Libraries of Saginaw Barnes & Noble Bookfair

Saturday, December 3

9:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

The Friends of the Public Libraries of Saginaw will host a bookfair at Barnes & Noble. All proceeds will go toward the purchase of books for the Books for Babies program at Covenant Hospital.

Chess Club

chess December 5, 12 & 19

3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Butman-Fish Library

Ages 7-17. All skill levels welcome, beginner to advanced.

No registration required.

Preschool Storytime

Tuesdays - 10:00 a.m.

December 6, 13 & 20

Hoyt Library

Preschool storytime features children's stories in a variety of formats, including picture books, big books, flannel board, and story apron props. The program also includes finger plays, nursery rhymes, music, and movement.

Glass Ornament Etching

Brighten your tree with a beautiful glass etched ornament. Use rub-on stencils and glass etching cream to etch a holiday scene onto a glass ornament. This class was so popular last year, that we've brought it back again this year.

Thursday, December 8

4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Butman-Fish Library

Class size is limited to 25 participants.

To register, please call 799-9160.

Wednesday, December 14

4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Hoyt Library

For tweens & teens ages 11-17.

Class size is limited to 12 participants.

To register, please call 755-9832.

Saturday, December 17

2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Zauel Library

For ages 10 and up.

Class size is limited to 25 participants.

To register, please call 799-2771.

Welcome Winter! Story and Craft

Saturday, December 10

2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Hoyt Library

Welcome winter by making a cute snowman craft. Also featured is a reading of the classic story "Frosty the Snowman." This program is for children ages 5 to 10. Children younger than 7 years of age must have a helper.

31st Annual Pinata Bust Celebration

Tuesday, December 13

4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Claytor Library

Busting the Pinata has been a tradition at Claytor Library for over three decades. Children ages 10 and under are invited to learn about this ethnic tradition enjoyed by children of Hispanic descent.

Holiday Bingo!

Saturday, December 17

2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Butman-Fish Library

Join us as we play bingo for fun, whimsical prizes! Free.

Holiday Make, Take, and Give

Monday, December 19

4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Wickes Library

Participate in Wickes Library's annual holiday craft program. Listen to holiday music, as you choose from several crafts to make, take home, and give to someone special. Light refreshments will be provided. For ages 5-12. Children 7 and under need a helper.

Merry Christmas! Preschool Storytime

Friday, December 23

10:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Zauel Library

Family preschool storytime for children ages 3-5 featuring stories, songs and fingerplays to celebrate Christmas. Parents are welcome to stay with their children.

Family Movie for the Holiday Break

Wednesday, December 28

2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Hoyt Library

One of Disney's finest movies follows the adventures of Simba the cub as he grows to be the lion king. Rated G.

Lego Club

lego Saturday, January 7

2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Butman-Fish Library

Must register by December 12

Children 7-12 years old are invited to join the Butman-Fish LEGO Club. Six year old siblings (of a club member) are allowed to participate if the parent stays with them at all times. Parents are encouraged to stay and help their children create masterpieces. Register for the Club on December 12th by calling 799-9160.

Holiday Closings

All branches of the Public Libraries of Saginaw will be closed on the following days:

December 24, 25, 26 & 31

January 1 & 2

New Year's Resolutions

Like most people, you're probably gearing up to write your New Year's resolutions, if you haven't done so already. A time-honored tradition, the writing of these resolutions often brings with it a sense of both eager anticipation and dread: anticipation because it's always exciting to know that you're about to hit the ground running and improve your life; and dread because you know that it is a rare person who actually lives up to their own resolutions for the entire year.

Here you'll find the top 10 resolutions that would be good for anyone to make. Pick one or two, wait for that ball to drop, and then grit your teeth and get to work! It's bound to be a brighter new year if you choose one of these resolutions that will help you to improve your life and your outlook on life.

Resolution #1: Get In Shape

Whether you want to lose weight, maintain your weight, or strengthen your muscles, working out is always a great idea!

Resolution #2: Quit Smoking/Drinking

Quitting an unhealthy habit is a sure way to improve your life... and your lifespan.

Resolution #3: Spend More Time with Family and Friends

Spending more time with family and friends can be beneficial both to your relationships and to your emotional wellbeing.

Resolution #4: Get Out of Debt

Demolishing those pesky credit obligations can be immensely rewarding.

Resolution #5: Get Organized

Organizing your life can lead to better efficiency and a vast reduction in stress.

Resolution #6: Do Better at Your Job

Whether you are a professional, a college student, or a full-time mom, working harder at your job will improve your life and the lives of those with whom you work.

Resolution #7: Learn Something New

The goal to continue to learn as you live is a wise one to have.

Resolution #8: Travel More

The desire to see the world is one to which you should permit yourself to give in!

Resolution #9: Help Others

Helping those in need can help you to appreciate your own life.

Resolution #10: Improve Yourself

Always strive to be better than you are.

Last Year Your Gift Qualifies for a

Michigan Income Tax Credit

Effective January 1, 2012, the State of Michigan will no longer give tax credit towards public contributions (PA 38 of 2011). If you contribute to the library by December 31, 2011 you will be eligible to claim a tax credit on your Michigan taxes. This is a direct, dollar-for-dollar reduction of the taxes that you would otherwise have to pay to the State of Michigan.

Gifts in any amount to the Public Libraries of Saginaw qualify for the income tax credit:

Married couples filing a joint return are allowed the lesser of 50% of their donation,

or $200 for a $400 gift.

Single taxpayers are allowed the lesser of 50% of the donation, or $100 for a $200 gift.

If you itemize your deductions, your gift will also qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction. Please work with your tax advisor to see how little your gift will actually cost - and how much benefit it will give the community.

REMEMBER! This is your last opportunity to receive a tax credit for your contribution to the library.

form

Enter to WIN a Nook Color using SCOUT

How to Enter:

Use SCOUT (self-checkout) to obtain entry form at Butman-Fish Library, Hoyt Library, or Zauel Library scout

Fill out entry form & place entry form in box

Enter as often as you like

Need not be present to win

Contest runs from:

October 17 - December 17

Participating Libraries:

Butman-Fish Library ~ Nook Color donated by the Friends of the Public Libraries of Saginaw

Hoyt Library ~ Nook Color donated by the Friends of the Public Libraries of Saginaw

Zauel Library ~ Nook Color donated in loving memory of Elizabeth A. Cabello by her family

Public Libraries of Saginaw staff and immediate family are not eligible to win.