The Canton Public Library is teaming up with Canton Public Safety and the Bike League of America so you can start bike safety week off on the right pedal. Participants can bring their bikes and bike equipment.
Program Date: Saturday, May 7, 1:00-3:00PM

The first Saturday of May each year is Free Comic Book Day. This year it will be Saturday, May 7th and you will have a chance to get free comic books. A limited number will be available at the library, but more can be had by visiting our local comic store, Comic City, located at 42727 Ford Road, Canton, MI. Comic lovers of all ages across North America and around the world will be enjoying this special event. Join them!

Are you ready for an old fashioned Ice Cream Social? Come to the library for a cool treat and a fun time. Register online beginning May 2.
Program Date: Monday, May 16, 7:00-8:00PM

This program is sponsored by the Target Early Childhood Reading Grant and Friends of the Canton Public Library.

Since 1963, May has been declared Older Americans Month by the Agency on Aging. The theme of this year's celebration — Older Americans: Connecting the Community — pays homage to the many ways in which older adults bring inspiration and continuity to the fabric of our communities. It also highlights the many ways technology is helping older Americans live longer, healthier and more engaged lives.

Tamil, a prominent South Indian language, will be taught using stories, songs and games. All ages welcome. Registration not required.
Program Date: Thursday, June 2 at 7:00-8:00PM.

Journalist Eugene Robinson, former managing editor of the Washington Post, Pulitzer Prize winner and University of Michigan's first African-American co-editor of The Michigan Daily will speak on Friday, April 29 at Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library from 1:00-2:30PM. Robinson appears frequently on MSNBC as a political analyst, on shows such as Countdown with Keith Olbermann, Morning Joe, The Rachel Maddow Show and Hardball with Chris Matthews.

Eugene Robinson will receive an Honorary Degree from the University of Michigan at Saturday's graduation ceremony.

(Photo: University of Michigan Library)

Don't have an eBook reader but want to learn more about them? Did you get a reader during the holidays and want to learn to put library books on it? Join Brad and Ophelia on Monday, April 25^th from 7:00-8:30PM for the first open, no-registration-required eReader Users Meeting.

During this program we'll:

• Look at library-compatible devices on the market
• Show how to load library eBooks on your device
• Check out public domain and other free books online
• Explore some tips & tricks for your iPad or iPhone
• Try out some devices at our open demo table
• Have a Q&A and discussion of all things eBook
• Keep the discussion going with an email group

If you're interested in eBooks and the future of reading, we hope to see you there!

Hey Kids,
Being green is definitely the color to be these days, whether you're a kid or a frog. Kermit the frog from the Muppets is green and even sang a song about it. This fun program for 1st-3rd graders will be all about things that are green, as well as celebrating the coming of spring. Online Registration opens April 4.
Program Date: Monday, April 18, 11:00-11:45AM.

Families with children 3-8 years old, join us on Thursday, April 28th at 7:00PM. We're singing old classics and some newer storytime favorites. We’ll have the words posted so everyone can join in the fun! Registration begins Thursday, April 14th at 9:00AM.

On Monday, May 23^rd at 11:30AM, author Jeffrey Zaslow was the featured guest at the 25^th annual Plymouth-Canton-Novi-Northville Book and Author Luncheon, sponsored by the Friends of the Canton Public Library.

Tickets were available at any of the four libraries for $25, from April 15-May 15, for the luncheon at Fox Hills Golf and Banquet Center, while supplies lasted.

Jeffrey Zaslow was a columnist for the Wall Street Journal, and author or co-author of three best-selling books:

Shelton Johnson, author of Gloryland will discuss his book on Thursday, April 14 at Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library, Gallery-Room 100 (use Diag entrance) at 913 S. University Ave., Ann Arbor, MI. Public parking is available in the structure at 650 S. Forest, just south of S. University.

Gloryland is the fictional memoir of a buffalo soldier — a black U.S. cavalryman and the son of slaves — who finds true freedom when he is posted to patrol the newly created Yosemite National Park in 1903.

Interested in writing fiction, all types of media or genres, for an adult audience? Join us on Thursday, April 28th from 6:00-7:00PM for our Adult Fiction Writers' Group.
Dave Richards, a library assistant and a freelance writer for the Eisner Award winning website, Comic Book Resources, moderates. Dave has completed an unpublished science fiction mystery novel and is currently writing a horror novel.

The Center for Michigan is providing opportunities for citizens to speak out.  "Talk Back to Lansing" forums are scheduled in Wixom (April 20), Grand Rapids (April 25) and Lansing (April 27).  Register today.

Let your voice help shape Michigan's 2012 Budget.

Planning to wake up at four o'clock in the morning to view the wedding of His Royal Highness Prince William of Wales with Miss Catherine Middleton?

Join us on Friday, April 29th from 2:00-4:00(PM!) for an Afternoon Tea. We'll dish about the Royal Wedding while eating wedding cake donated by the Back Home Bakery along with other goodies provided by the Friends of the Canton Public Library.

Fellow Royal Watchers, it will be too, too delightful to sip tea in our Purple Room decorated with wedding finery from "I Do", Too! Bridal.

Do say you'll come.

The Canton Seniors Book Discussion group has recessed for the summer. Book discussions will resume on September 28, 2011.  We will be reading Sarah Gruen's Water for Elephants.  Copies of this book will be available beginning Tuesday, August 30, 2011. Ask at the Adult Reference Desk for a copy.

The group's 2011-2012 book discussion titles and dates will be available on the Canton Public Library  book clubs' website in August.

On Saturday, June 25^th from 1:00-5:00PM, CPL will host some of the most creative hobbyists and hackers in the Metro Detroit Area for our second CPL Hack Day. Our Community Room will be full of demonstrations and presentations of hacks ranging from robotics to web apps to modded IKEA furniture to scrapbooking.

If you or someone you know is a 'hacker' in a special field; if you have ingenious and/or unconventional workarounds and solutions, then consider doing a presentation or having a demo table at Hack Day. Time slots and planning discussion can be found at the Hack Day CantonWiki page. For any questions, please contact Brad Czerniak at czerniakb@cantonpl.org.

You've seen him at the Canton Farmer's Market with his delicious honey — now come meet Bob the Bee Guy on Wednesday, April 20, 7:00-8:30PM. You will learn about beekeeping and the environmental concerns about bee health in his presentation. There is no registration required for this adult program.

Dr. Craig Perdue will talk about behavioral ecology on Thursday, April 21, 3:00-4:30PM, in a presentation entitled "Bird Ancestors, Adaptations and Conversation." He will share his knowledge about working with birds of prey and other animals and explain how our actions impact their world. There is no registration required for this all ages program.

[Note: Dr. Perdue's program includes live birds.]

Learn about the benefits of vegetarian eating from Paul Krause, VP of VegMichigan on Monday, April 18, 7:00-8:30PM in his presentation Vegetarian Eating. Paul will talk about how to promote health, peace and the planet through a plant-based diet. Also (newly added to the program!) Susan Kline, author of "From the Earth with Love" will discuss transitioning to a vegetarian lifestyle. There is no registration required for this adult program.

We're celebrating Earth Day all week (April 18-22) and want you to join us! There will be events for adults, teens, tweens and children, including:

• Everything Green — Monday, April 18, 11:00-11:45AM (children, 1st through 3rd grade)
• Vegetarian Eating — Monday, April 18, 7:00-8:30PM (adult)
• Scrapbox Fun! — Tuesday, April 19, 1:00-3:00PM (all ages)
• Green Gardening — Tuesday, April 19, 7:00-8:30PM (adult)
• Recycled Crafts — Wednesday, April 20, 2:00-3:00PM (all ages)
• Bob the Bee Guy — Wednesday, April 20, 7:00-8:30PM (adult)
• Craig Perdue, Naturalist — Thursday, April 21, 3:00-4:30PM (all ages)