In commemoration of Black History Month we are celebrating some of Black America’s firsts in aviation and aerospace. Through the month of February, stop by and view our display case near the Receptionist Desk highlighting some of these pioneering aviators. From the first known Black pilot to the youngest African American (12 yrs) flyer. Their lives and stories are a celebration of the human spirit and an inspiration to all that against all odds and great adversity you can achieve your dream… you can touch the sky! To learn more about blacks in aviation visit some of these exciting resources:

Sylvan Saturdays are back Saturday, February 11th, from 1:00-5:30 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.

This program has been cancelled for Monday, January 23, only.

Kids and Tweens in grades K-6, improve your reading skills and make a new friend by reading aloud to a dog. Sign up begins at 6:25 PM and is on a first come, first served basis. Sessions are 10 minutes long.

Program Date: Monday, January 23, 6:30-8:30 PM

Tim Heller, avid chess player, hosts informal open play on the second and fourth Sundays of each month in the Community Room while providing instruction and pointers on improving your game. Beginners welcome.

The fourth Sunday of each month also includes a tournament by "Library Chess Clubs." For tournament information and registration, please email clubchess@wowway.com.

Learn how to create greeting cards, certificates or brochures with Microsoft Publisher and volunteer instructor Asha on Wednesday, February 1 from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. Prerequisite: Mouse and keyboarding skills.

As part of Canton township's 100 Days to Health and the library's multicultural programming, we are pleased to welcome Julie Burns. We will learn about and practice Tai Chi. Please wear loose fitting clothing and join us on Wednesday, February 1 at 7:00 PM.

Wall Street journalist and bestselling author Jeffrey Zaslow pays us a visit. Zaslow is best known for such amazing books as The Last Lecture, The Girls from Ames, Gabby: a story of courage and hope and many more. His newest novel, The Magic Room debuted in January and recounts the hopes, dreams and transformations of thousands of women who visit The Magic Room in Becker's Bridal Salon in Fowler, Michigan at one of the most important moments of their lives. Please join us on Thursday, February 23 at 7:00 PM for a very special evening.

In the mid-nineteenth century, Michigan citizens rose up to protest the moral offense of slavery. Among other campaigns, the Underground Railroad was established as a network of escape from slavery. Local author Carol Mull shares first-person accounts with an historical overview as we continue our celebration of Black History Month. Join us on Thursday, February 9 at 7:00 PM for this meaningful evening.

Planning for the end of life care for your parents, your loved ones or yourself can be a daunting task. End-of-life educator and consultant, Judy Papler-Welliver will have the answers to make this job easier. She will even bring the forms necessary for making it all work on Thursday, January 26th, at 7:00 PM.

Khan Academy is a free, fun, educational and totally awesome organization. The goal of Khan Academy is to change "education for the better by providing a free world-class education to anyone anywhere." The site contains over 2,700 videos on math, physics, biology, chemistry, finance and art. Students, parents, coaches, and teachers can use Khan Academy in many ways. Teachers and homeschool parents can use this resource to coordinate classwork and monitor student work. Kids looking for homework help can find explanations and practice examples on the virtual scratch pad. Adults looking for continuing education opportunities will find help here as well.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal.

These wise words were spoken by Martin Luther King, Jr. in his famous I have a dream speech on August 28, 1963. There are many ways to celebrate this remarkable, loving man and his dream. Visit the Cherry Hill Village Theater on January 16 at 5:30 PM for a presentation entitled Martin Luther King, Jr., Building Bridges.

At the Canton Public Library, we celebrate during Black History Month with a performance by the Canton Christian Fellowship Praise Choir on Thursday, February 2 and a visit from local author Carol Mull on Thursday, February 9 when she will discuss her new book, The Underground Railroad in Michigan.

Have you ever looked at your kids and wondered "What are we going to do today?" Starfish Family Services will present a workshop for parents, caregivers and daycare providers titled Making Playroom Materials from Everyday Items on January 5, 2012, 9:30-11:00 AM. Attendees will identify natural, real, recycled and scrap materials for your playroom. During the program you will also make playroom materials to take back to your setting. Childcare will be provided by licensed Starfish Family Services staff. Online registration begins on December 22, 2011.

Join us on Thursday, February 23 from 9:30-11:30 AM for, Let’s Be Friends – Supporting Children’s Social and Emotional Development. Highly trained staff from Starfish Family Services will encourage participants to explore how a young child’s thinking and reasoning impacts their social relationships as well as identify ways to help children learn about others, environmental strategies to encourage friendships and practice interaction strategies that support social learning. This program is open to parents, daycare providers, caregivers and their children. Childcare will be provided by licensed Starfish Family Services staff.

Did you get an eReader in your stocking?  Are you at a loss to know what to do with it?  We can help.  One of our well-trained librarians will answer your questions and show you helpful hints on Thursday, December 29 at 10:00 AM.  We have thousands of free, downloadable books waiting for you.  Start out the New Year with your reading list ready to go.

Come enjoy the pageantry, music and more as we celebrate the Lunar New Year. In China it is the year of the dragon; in Vietnam it is called Tet; the Koreans call the holiday Seollal and the Tibetans celebrate Losar. All of these holidays and more are in honor of the New Year and are based on the lunar calendar. Celebrate with us on Monday, January 30th, at 7:00 PM.

In partnership with Canton Township's 100 Days of Health and as a part of our multicultural programming, please join us for a lively, fun, heartpounding session of Zumba. We'll be burning off those holiday calories on January 21 at 11:00 AM in the Community Room.

The Society of Financial Awareness (SOFA) sends expert John Badalamenti to help you pay off debt with specific strategies. Badalamenti will also provide steps for using your tax refund to improve your financial future. Let's all get our house in order on January 19 at 7:00 PM.

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

• You must be in 3^rd through 12^th grade
• If you are 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
• Wednesday from 6:00-8:00 PM at Plymouth District Library
• Thursday from 6:00-8:00 PM by the Teen Desk
• Thursday from 6:00-8:00 PM at Plymouth District Library

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

It was nearly a year ago when a tragic shooting took place at a political event in Tuscan, Arizona. Six people died and many more were wounded, including first time congresswoman, Gabrielle Giffords. She was horribly wounded with little chance of survival, let alone recovery. This is the extraordinarily moving story of public service, love, strength, hope and the long, hard road toward recovery as told by Gabby Giffords, her space shuttle commander husband, Mark Kelly and author and Wall Street Journal columnist, Jeffrey Zaslow.

Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope by Gabrielle Giffords, Mark Kelly, and Jeffrey Zaslow

Michigan Humanities Council, in conjunction with Michigan Roundtable for Diversity & Inclusion, has selected nine host sites for the Great Michigan Read traveling exhibit: We Don’t Want Them. The exhibit places the events documented in Kevin Boyle's Arc of Justice in a broader context of policies and practices that limited where some could live, thus impacting their past and present quality of life. We Don't Want Them opened in Flint and will travel around the state to the following cities:

• November: Three Rivers Public Library
• December: Davenport University, Grand Rapids
• January: Peter White Public Library, Marquette
• February: Detroit Science Center (Pending re-opening of the Detroit Science Center)
• March:
  • Interlochen Center for the Arts
  • Dennos Museum Center, Traverse City
  • Traverse Area District Library, Traverse City
• April: Castle Museum of Saginaw History
• May: Old Mill Museum, Dundee
• June: Artworks, Big Rapids