Last fall we asked for your opinion on a new library card design and got a great response. In total, 880 votes were cast and many of you included comments. Here are the results:

• 252 thought that the patron should be able to pick a color from our 3 options
• 223 favored the blue card
• 217 liked the orange card
• 148 preferred the turquoise card
• 40 wanted to keep the old card design

Many expressed concern about incurring extra costs to have new cards made. Our supply of cards was already running low (we issue about 6,000 new cards each year), so we needed to order cards regardless of the design. We gathered estimates from several card printers and were able to print the new design without incurring set up charges for the additional colors. Other than a small design fee to include our new logo, which was budgeted, it did not cost anything extra to offer a choice of cards.

We have a limited number of the previous design still available. There is a $1 charge to switch to the new card or replace a lost card if you choose the new design. Remember, your barcode number will change! There is not a charge for a new patron to get a card.

The March/April issue of Connections is available online now as a pdf document.
You may subscribe to an RSS feed of library communications by pasting http://www.cantonpl.org/forpress/rss.xml
into your feed reader.

On January 31, 2011, the The Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services released the new Dietary Guidelines 2010. With the new 7th edition, there is more emphasis on balancing healthy eating and physical activity. Click here for the link to the website and be sure to check out our books on healthy eating.

In this second episode of CPL online storytimes, Miss Kristen and Miss Ruth tell stories and sing songs all about pigs.

When we think of Valentine's Day, we often think of red roses, candy in heart-shaped boxes, mushy valentines, and winged cherubs flying about shooting starry-eyed lovers with arrows.

But did you know that the origin of Valentine's Day, or Saint Valentine's Day, comes from the life and death of a Christian martyr? According to author Martha Zimmerman, the date traditionally celebrated as St. Valentine's Day finds it origin in the Roman festival of romance called Lupercalia, when the gods Juno and Pan were honored. It was a fertility festival or a lover's holiday looking forward to the return of Spring. In the fifth century, in an attempt to abolish the pagan festival, Pope Gelasius changed Lupercalia and its February 15 date to February 14 and called it Saint Valentine's Day. Even though the names and the date were changed, the emphasis continued to be on love.

Miss Kristen and Miss Ruth tell stories and sing songs related to the number 3. Enjoy CPL storytime favorites like the magic box, Miss Ruth's guitar, Miss Kristen telling "The Three Bears," and Miss Ruth saying goodbye to all our friends.

Special thanks to the young patrons of Canton Public Library for clapping, stomping, and playing peekaboo in the video!

Does your baby, toddler, or preschooler need help sleeping peacefully through the night? Kim West, also known as The Sleep Lady, has the guide for you. West's book, The Good Night, Sleep Tight Workbook will teach you techniques for giving your child a good night's rest. Covering the newborn stage up to age five, this book offers many solutions for the tired household. Check it out from the Parenting section in the Children's Department.

Looking for those little books perfect for little hands?

Our board book collection has moved. If you're searching for a sturdy book just right for your exploring young child, look no further. The board books now live in our new Baby Nook!

Have you ever wanted to make your own homemade food for your baby, but think you'd never have time to do so? The Best Homemade Baby Food on the Planet offers over 200 healthy recipes, and many of them can be made in less than ten minutes. You'll rest assured knowing what goes into every bite of food your baby takes!

Budget and staffing constraints have forced the library to re-evaluate our storytime offerings. We are able to offer more spaces by holding all of our Family Storytimes in the Community Room. Family Storytimes, which are replacing our age specific storytime, do not require registration. These sessions are suitable for children up to age 5 and offer a variety of activities for the whole family.
Our Baby Storytime does require registration and is suitable for babies up to 18 months. Please, no siblings, so that you may devote your full attention to your baby.

Story Blocks is a great resource for parents, caregivers and librarians alike. A project of Colorado Libraries for Early Literacy, Story Blocks is filled with short video demonstrations of rhymes, songs and fingerplays for your baby, toddler, or preschooler. You'll pick up some useful early literacy tips, and a little Spanish vocabulary, too, thanks to a selection of bilingual video clips. Explore the videos and learn something new that your little one will love. I've definitely learned a few new tricks for story time!

Beautiful, colorful photographs of animals make Zoobooks magazine an instant winner with kids. Each issue focuses on a particular animal, bird, reptile or insect giving lots of information and colorful illustrations. Kids can work on puzzles, games and crafts, while many young readers submit their own drawings and stories. Zootles is geared for ages 2-6 and Zoobies for babies through age 2. Fun resources in the world of wildlife for you to check out!

On Monday, November 29, 2010, enjoy a special storytime during our Barnes & Noble Book Fair. Storytimes will take place at Barnes & Noble in Northville, at 11:00-11:30AM or 7:00-7:30PM. Registration is not required.

If you're looking for something silly and short to share with your little one, take a look at the Sandra Boynton items in our collection. The board books are quick little reads: some have silly themes like belly buttons and others are fun stories about animals. If you're looking for children's music that won't drive you crazy, Philadelphia Chickens is my favorite. The songs aren't obnoxious, but they are catchy enough that you'll remember them later if you need to entertain your baby on the go.

Looking for great Fall stories to read to your little ones? If so, these books,

Pumpkins : a story for a field by written by Mary Lyn Ray ; illustrated by Barry Root

Apples and pumpkins by Anne Rockwell ; pictures by Lizzy Rockwell

Too many pumpkins by Linda White ; illustrated by Megan Lloyd

could be just what you're looking for. My granddaughter sure loved them.

Are you looking for some ways to keep your children busy at home as the temperature outside turns colder, and you find yourself inside more? Here are some CDs that feature stories, songs, dances, and movement exercises for children, babies on up. Try a few out and stay active!

We're going on a bear hunt story by Michael Rosen

Leaping literacy: rhythm sticks, ribbons, & games for reading readiness by Pam Schiller

Preschool action time: activities and finger plays by Carol Hammett

Nursery rhyme time: songs, rhymes and movement activities created by Georgiana Stewart

Diaper gym: fun activities for babies on the move by presented by Playful Parenting; activities created by Priscilla Hegner & Rose Grasselli]

Give thanks for the picture book with these wonderful Thanksgiving stories. Enjoy some turkey tales while waiting for the special holiday to arrive!

Gus, the pilgrim turkey by Teresa Bateman ; illustrated by Ellen Joy Sasaki

The Berenstain Bears' Thanksgiving by Stan & Jan Berenstain

An old-fashioned Thanksgiving by Louisa May Alcott ; illustrated by James Bernardin

Parents and children under age five will learn how to sign key words in songs, games and books. Register online beginning Saturday, October 23.
Program Date: Saturday, November 6 at 10:00AM-10:30AM