Due to the retagging project going on in the library, the video games have temporarily been moved. They are now behind the check-out desk, but that doesn't mean you still can't check them out! Feel free to ask any of the librarians to pull titles for you, or you can continue to put holds on games. If you'd like to see what we have, check out the list of all 1002 video games.

December is a month full of many celebrations, and for some of us, final exams.  There seems to be an increase in pressure to get things done before the end of the year, and whether your tasks are enjoyable or not, it's important to remember to take it easy.  So while we have many items in the library that will help you get ready for all the parties and holidays, we also have materials to help you manage stress, relax and exercise to relieve some of the pressure.

Faith, Hope, Love, Knitting: Celebrating the Gift of Knitting with 24 Beautiful Patterns by Lorna Miser
This book of patterns by the founder of Lorna's Laces (drool-worthy fibers available locally at the Old Village Yarn Shoppe) includes patterns for socks, mittens, sweaters, stuffies, and even how to make your own decorative knitting needles. Interspersed with the patterns are brief stories explaining how Miser came up with the pattern and how it connects to her life.

This book may be one of the craziest, most inventive things I've seen lately. Chris Wooding, author of Storm Thief, breaks some new gound with his book Malice. Half of the story is fiction and half is graphic novel, and the main characters travel between the two in a weird, fascinating mix. A few have tried this risky move and failed, but Wooding pulls it off with a story revolving around a comic book that you can go inside if you know the right ritual. Menacing things happen there, of course, once you do... This book is unique, and even has an eye-popping, raised cover image. Just, cool.

John Fogerty's rockabilly style returns with The Blue Ridge Rangers Rides Again. This CD, released in 2009, features accompanying musicians Bruce Springsteen, Don Henley and Timothy B. Schmit. This CD is a follow up to the Blue Ridge Rangers album that was released in 1973 after the breakup of Creedence Clearwater Revival.  Check out this cd and other John Fogerty CDs at the Canton Public Library.

Here is where the landscape, the country, and the people all play a part in forming life-changing experiences in the real and fictional worlds of Africa!

• The challenge for Africa by Wangari Maathai
• A beautiful place to die by Malla Nunn
• Ivory's ghosts: the white gold of history and the fate of elephants by John F. Walker
• Playing the enemy: Nelson Mandela and the game that made a nation by John Carlin
• Cry, the beloved country by Alan Paton
• A change of altitude by Anita Shreve
• Tea time for the traditionally built by Alexander McCall Smith
• The Egyptologist by Arthur Phillips
• The laughter of dead kings by Elizabeth Peters
• Heart of darkness by Joseph Conrad

We had a fabulous time at the Gele Headwrapping program this past Saturday. We learned three different ways to style our favorite fabrics and we learned about headwrapping from different cultural perspectives. We took some pictures in case you missed it. If you would like to see this program happen again, just let us know. A special thanks to Zarinah El-Amin Naeem for a colorfully fun workshop!

Hey Kids!
It's the week of Thanksgiving! I know most of you are headed out to see family and friends. I have plans for Thanksgiving too! Me and my animal library friends — the giraffes, the Monkeys, the armadillo, and all the others — are going to have a great big Thanksgiving here at the library. We're going to raid the staff fridge, and then we'll play some video games and watch a movie on the big screen in the Community room. Of course, this is a secret from all the librarians, so don't tell anyone! I told you because I like you!
That reminds me. At Thanksgiving you're supposed to think about what you are thankful for. I'm thankful for all of you! You always make my day when you come into the library and say "Hi!" And I'm thankful for the library for giving me this great job and feeding me with cookies. What are you thankful for? Let me know — respond to the blog!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving whatever your plans are!
Bear Hugs!
Thorndyke.

Brighthub.com has listed their "Must Have Wii Video Game Picks for 2009 Holidays". The first on the list is New Super Mario Bros Wii. This game is not only a pick for the holidays but predicted to be one of the best games of 2009. If you don't get the game this holiday season, or want to try it before you buy it, you can check out one of our copies!

O.K. so Halloween is long over and done with, but I couldn't resist. This is just too awesome. Anime News Network, one of the better places to get your anime news, holds an annual contest for pumpkin carving. I just stumbled across these, and they are fantastic. Take a look.

Hey fans! The Detroit Red Wings are playing tonight at 7:30 p.m.! Check your local t.v. listings for the channel, but according the Red Wings website, it will be playing on Fox Sports. We are playing against the sneaky Florida Panthers so beware. They will have their claws sharpened and ready to dig in and try to beat us. Let the icefest begin!

Recently, I had the awesome opportunity to hear a lecture by world famous reading guru Nancy Pearl. Nancy expresses her love for reading in such a way you can't wait to discover your next book. Nancy has won numerous awards for her uncanny insight into books and the celebration of reading. If you're stumped on what to read next check out her books (ex. Book lust, More book lust, Book crush for kids and teens). You can also check out Pearl's picks on our website. They are witty lists that help you find the right book for the mood. You can learn more about Nancy and her books at www.nancypearl.com

...or maybe a little bit longer than that. On November 19, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address. In this short, but powerful speech that is still known almost one hundred and fifty years later, Lincoln spoke about ideas of both war and freedom. Find out more about our sixteenth president on this historic day.

Ever wondered how things like hybrid cars or solar panels actually work? How do they help to save ethe environment? What is ethanol? What is a solar cell? Find out the answer to these questions with a series of books called Science in the Real World. To learn about hybrid vehicles, check out How Do Hybrid Cars Work? For solar panels, check out How Do Solar Panels Work?

One of my favorite Thanksgiving traditions is the Detroit Thanksgiving Day Parade. Whether I make the trek downtown to see it live or watch it on TV while dinner cooks, it the perfect beginning to Thanksgiving Day. My family's perennial favorites? The Captain Detroit Balloon (who looks surprisingly like my Dad) and the Fred Hill Briefcase Drill Team. This year celebrates our parade's 83rd year. Why not get in the spirit by watching a parade movie? Or by marching about to the "Uninvited Loud Precision Band"? Check out The Parade Company's wonderful website that has a downloadable coloring book for kids.

Beginning Monday, November 16, the Plymouth District and Canton Public Libraries will team up with National Honor Society tutors to help third through twelfth graders with homework.

If you are interested in getting tutored:

• You must be in third through twelfth grade
• If you are under 12, your parent must remain in the library
• You must bring the assignment, textbooks, calculators, and any other materials you need

Days and Times:
Monday from 6:00-8:00PM at the Plymouth District Library in the Teen Zone
Tuesday from 6:00-8:00PM at the Canton Public Library by the Teen Reference Desk
Wednesday from 6:00-8:00PM at the Plymouth District Library in the Teen Zone
Thursday from 6:00-8:00PM at the Canton Public Library by the Teen Reference Desk

If you're in the mood for a good laugh this holiday season, look no further than JibJab's ElfYourself website. It's completely free and guaranteed to provide hours of amusement. You can see what I mean by checking out this video of some of your resident children's librarians! If that's not enough online fun for you, make sure to check out some of our books about cool websites for kids. There's plenty to keep you busy!

It's amazing how thousands of easy food swaps can save you 10, 20, 30 pounds — or more. Author David Zinczenko explains which foods to avoid and which to substitute in Eat This, Not That! 2010: The No-Diet Weight Loss Solution! This is the completely expanded and updated for 2010. Recipes are included.

We all know that "Going Green" saves our planet Earth. But there's an added benefit, "Going Green" can also help you build personal wealth. In The Green Millionaire: A Practical Guide to Achieving Real Wealth While Helping to Save the Planet, author Nigel J. Williams explains how small changes like programming your thermostat or switching to rechargeable batteries can lead to savings. Then learn how to turn those green savings into wealth.

The Canton Public Library has again been identified as one of America's top-rated libraries by Library Journal. For the second straight year, the library received a three-star rating, one of only two libraries in Michigan to get a rating. The rating is based on data for per capita circulation transactions, visits to the library, computer sessions and program attendance.

For more information or to read the entire press release, click on the attachment.