Former First Lady of Michigan, Helen Wallbank Milliken died today. Wife of Michigan's longest-serving governor, William Milliken, Helen Milliken was a strong advocate of women's rights and environmental issues. In a 2006 interview by the Associated Press she said, "Nobody ever saw anybody burn a bra; they're too expensive, but the myth has survived. There have been excesses, but the goal has always remained the same: equal opportunity for women." Ms. Milliken is survived by her husband, William and son, William, Jr.

Wednesday, December 12, 6:30-8:45 PM join us for our monthly meeting of the Animanga Club! We've got all sorts of zaniness in store from a raffle to trivia to our always popular "mystery anime." What is it this month? Sorry, no hints. Drop by and let your inner otaku run free.

Thanksgiving Day kicks off a month of celebrations. May we suggest a movie, tips from Martha Stewart on Thanksgiving prepartions, a history, music to sooth, and a story about family.

Planes, trains and automobiles [videodisc] by Paramount Pictures

Martha's classic Thanksgiving [videodisc] by [presented by] Marth Stewart Living Omnimedia

Mayflower: a story of courage, community, and war by Nathaniel Philbrick

Read the book? See the movie. Throughout the month of November, Turner Classic Movies is featuring film adaptations of well-known novels. The films run 24 hours on Mondays and Wednesdays. A variety of themes are featured including Southern Novels, Adventure, American Literature, Westerns, Science Fiction and more. Stories for Children and Young Adults will be shown all day on Thanksgiving Day.

The Alumni of the Wayne State University School of Library and Information Science are partnering up with the Hip Hop Knit Shop to collect donations of new books and toys for the patients at the Children's Hospital of Michigan.  A list of suggested donations can be found here.  Due to the health conditions of the donation recipients, we can only collect new items at this time.  Through December 12, our donation bin will be located next to the library's reception desk.    Help us bring joy this holiday season to the patients of the Children's Hospital of Michigan by making a donation today! 

Hey kids,  I wanted to tell you about my favorite new book I found. It seems appropriate since we're coming up on Thanksgiving.  It stars one of my favorite book characters...

Bear says thanks by Karma Wilson ; illustrations by Jane Chapman — An impromptu party in Bear's Den prompts him to be thankful for all his friends. This book inspired me to share what I am thankful for...YOU!  I'm so glad that you come and visit me at the library, and read my blog.  And for all my Librarian friends who keep me company and look out for good books for me to read.  And for LB who keeps me up to date on the outside world, and keeps me company when the library is closed.
What are you thankful for?  I'd love to hear it.
Bear Hugs!
Thorndyke

Christmas spirit abounds as we gather on Sunday, December 9 at 4:00 PM to listen to the holiday sounds of the Detroit Handbell Ensemble.  Members share their musical talents by playing familiar holiday music on the amazing bells.  You will also learn a bit of history and how-to about bells.

Nominate your favorite Michigan Author so the Michigan Library Association can reward them! Any author who lives in Michigan or writes about Michigan can win, regardless of the genre they write, as long as they have published at least 3 titles. See the list of authors who have won over the years and access the nomination form here. This year's winner was Bonnie Jo Campbell, author of Once Upon a River and several other Michigan based books.

NHS students are here to provide 3rd-12th graders free homework help. If you're interested in getting tutored:

• You must be in 3rd through 12th grade
• If you're under 12, your parent must remain in the library
• You must bring the assignment and any other needed materials

Days and Times

• Monday from 6:00-8:00 PM by the Teen Desk
• Tuesday from 6:00-8:00 PM by the Teen Desk
• Tuesday from 6:00-8:00 PM at Plymouth District Library
• Wednesday from 6:00-8:00 PM at Plymouth District Library
• Thursday from 6:00-8:00 PM by the Teen Desk

Tutors will not be here during snow days or the holiday breaks, they need a break too!

Several major films being released this fall and winter are based on novels you can find in the Library's collection. Get them while you can!

Les misérables by Victor Hugo — Starring Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, Russell Crowe. Release date: December 25

On the road by Jack Kerouac — Starring Kristen Stewart, Sam Riley. Release date: December 21

Into board games like Settlers, Carcassonne, or Puerto Rico? Drop by Saturday, December 1  between Noon and 5:45 PM for our monthly Board Gaming League of Canton meeting. Play some of the hottest games and meet some new folks! Also, this month we're collecting for Toys for Tots. Drop off new toys December 1st or 2nd to help those in need.

Mark Dawidziak presents his one man show featuring selections from various Dickens works including The Story of Paul from "Dombey and Son", The Ghost of Christmas Present from "A Christmas Carol," the Period from "A Tale of Two Cities" and a delightfully macabre bedtime story, Captain Murder from "An Uncommercial Traveler."

Step back in time as we begin the holiday season on a very entertaining note on Thursday, December 13th at 7:00 PM.

Tim Heller, avid chess player, hosts informal open play on the second and fourth Sundays of most months in the library Community Room, while providing instruction and pointers on improving your game.  Beginners are welcome.  The 4th Sundays include a tournament by "Library Chess Clubs."  For tournament information and registration, please email clubchess@wowway.com
December date is the 9th at 1:00 PM.
No December 23rd date due to holidays.

The Wayne State University School of Library and Information Science Alumni are partnering with Hip Hop Knit Shop and Children's Hospital of Michigan to bring sick kids books, toys and stories and both the Canton and Plymouth Libraries are drop-off points. Starting November 1 through December 12, we will be collecting books and toys, telling stories, navigating art carts and knitting blankets for the kids at Children's Hospital. Join us as we help to make kids feel better this holiday season!

Hey kids, I told you LB was still at it. He just got home from his last trip for a while, a week in Chicago, Illinois. Now, LB's been to Chicago before (briefly) and I'm sure that many of you have been there too, being that it is so close. But I haven't, so most of what LB saw was new to me. First of all, LB got to take the train. It's the second time he's ridden one. I think LB just has to go on a cruise ship and he'll have experienced pretty much every type of transportation there is. And he got to meet Sue. Have you met Sue? She's big and has a very nice smile. She's a T-Rex skeleton at the Field Museum. And he spent a bit of time exploring Nacy Pier where he rode a ferris wheel and he went to the top of the Willis Tower. Apparently LB is not afraid of heights. He's been lots of places way up high! But I think he's ready to stay put for a while. I'm glad because it's been lonely around here without him.

Bear Hugs!
Thorndyke

Γεια σας παιδιά! Now don't adjust your screen — that's just "Hi Kids" in Greek. Yup, LB just got back from exploring Greece. Looks like he had lots of fun eating lobster, seeing ancient art and swimming in the ocean. I bet you know more about Greece than you think you do. The Olympics originated there, and you know all those gods in the Percy Jackson books you like? Yup. They're from Greece too. And if you like Baklava, they make it in Greece. Yum! Sounds like a place I'd like to go. Keep you eyes open.

On Wednesday, November 7 from 7:00-7:45 PM, Thirupu Siva will teach young people from 6-16 years of age the basic asanas, building up to various intermediate poses.  Please wear loose fitted clothing and bring a towel or yoga mat to work on.  Registration for this program begins on October 25. 
[Halasana - Postura del Arado/Amineko Yoga by ((carola)) is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0]

Sylvan Saturdays are back Saturday, November 10, from 9:30 AM-1:30 PM. Teens can attend this workshop, an introductory ACT Prep course that will give students some tips and strategies for scoring higher on the ACT. It will also include a full length practice test with scoring. You must attend the entire session. Registration required.

Interested in a little light office work? The CPL Business Services office needs help with filing documents and other clerical duties, including some data entry.

If you can volunteer 2 hours weekly (your choice of Monday through Friday between 10:00 AM-5:00 PM), are detail-oriented, neat and accurate, we would like to interview you for this volunteer opportunity. Basic computer skills (use of Internet, keyboarding) are a must; familiarity with Excel and other Microsoft Office applications preferred. Any candidate must be able to:

• Visually distinguish among various account folders
• Understand spoken instructions and communicate clearly with supervisor
• Lift and carry 10-25 lb. if necessary

Applications will be accepted through Friday, November 2 at 6:00 PM.
Email gladdenk@cantonpl.org or drop off at the Reception Desk.

The scorpions of Zahir by Christine Brodien-Jones is a riveting, fast-paced mixture of fantasy, sci-fi, adventure, mythology, mystery, family affairs, and travel. Feisty Zagora Pym sets off for Morocco with her astronomy-crazed brother and archaeologist father to connect with a long lost colleague (Pitblade Yegen) of her father and explore  ruins of the ancient city of Zahir. But Pitblade had been kidnapped, mammoth scorpions have invaded the city, and the rogue planet, Nar Azrak, is on a collision course with earth. With the help of members of the Azimuth tribe, thought to have been extinct, Zagora begins a daring quest to restore order and harmony to this desert land. Key to success of this mission is returning the Oryx Stone to the apex of a buried pyramid.