The Canton Public Library will be discontinuing the use of plastic bags when the current supply is exhausted. As an alternative to the plastic bags, sturdy reusable canvas bags will soon be available for purchase at $2. Patrons are encouraged to bring a bag with them or can reuse donated shopping bags if they are available. For some facts regarding the worldwide use of plastic bags and their cost to the environment, visit WorldWatch.org.

The New York Times has selected their 10 Best Books of 2007. You will find a description and the first chapter of the title on their website. You will also find the 10 Best Books from previous years (back to 1997). Check the library catalog for title availability.

On Jan. 5, Ryan Fleisher, Eric Washington and Michael Wells -- members of the top-notch Plymouth-Canton Educational Park marching band -- are to perform at the All-American Bowl at the Alamodome in San Antonio. Marc Whitlock, director of bands for the Plymouth-Canton Educational Park, was selected as a staff member for the band. He'll accompany the teens to San Antonio. Have a Ball!

Catch author Vijay Vaitheeswaran on C-SPAN2's Book TV 8:00am on Saturday. Vaitheeswarm will discuss the global race to build the car of the future and the challenges of creating vehicles that will run on cleaner energy sources. He'll talk about his book, co-authored by Daniel Kammen, entitled Zoom: The Global Race to Fuel the Car of the Future. Check C-SPAN's Book TV schedule for a complete program list.

Here's a link to the trailer for the next Batman movie where Christian Bale again returns as Batman/Bruce Wayne and this time he tangles with Heath Ledger's Joker Enjoy http://atasteforthetheatrical.com/deathtrap/default.htm

Have you heard Jonathan Coulton's song, "IKEA?" A bit like the Barenaked Ladies, Lemonheads, etc. A fun song, and you get a slide show with that YouTube link above. Another YouTube link features an Orchestral Version perfect for karaoke!

The ERIC database can point you in the right direction to articles on helping kids develop their reading skills. The Reading Teacher, a magazine the library subscribes to, has great articles for parents and teachers. In the September 2007 issue, there is an article about Comic Strips as a Text Structure for Learning to Read. The library has many comic strip books such as The Complete Peanuts . What a great idea to get kids to love reading!

This year's Nobel Laureate in Literature is Doris Lessing. Find out more about this prestigious award and author and check out what the library has by Doris Lessing.

Scanning the list of new arrivals, I see some stuff that looks intriguing, like Herbie Hancock's River: The Joni Letters, a collection of songs written by Joni Mitchell. Many include vocal performances, too, from Norah Jones, Corinne Bailey Rae and others (including Mitchell herself on one). Since a lot of Mitchell's work has leaned toward jazz, this seems like a natural collaboration. Another of interest is Moby Grape, the original Grape album from 1967, complete with a few extra songs. The band only lasted a few years, but at its peak, it was one of the premiere headliners coming out of San Francisco. I think this might be the first issue on CD of the debut album.