Library card users can now get special savings at local Canton businesses thanks to Check Out Canton, a partnership between the Canton Economic Development office and the Canton Public Library. Local businesses supply special offers that can be checked out with a library card, just like the Museum Adventure Pass program. Take a pass from the Check Out Canton rack and present it at our Checkout Desk. You'll be issued a voucher good for one week.

Offers include a buy one, get one free ticket from the Village Theater at Cherry Hill, savings on catering, carpet cleaning, veterinary care and more. To see the current offers and availability, search the online library catalog. One pass per library card per week, no holds on passes.

Kids and Tweens going into grades K-6, improve your reading skills and make a new friend by reading aloud to a dog. Sign up for a 10 minute session. Space is limited, on a first come, first serve basis beginning at 6:25PM.
Program Date: Thursday, September 2 at 6:30-8:30

Donate to Goodwill Industries and get a discount on your membership to the Summit on the Park. Drop off gently-used clothing and household items at the Summit for Goodwill's new Canton retail store September 12 through September 19, and you can receive an Individual Annual Membership to Canton's award-winning fitness and aquatic facility for $250 or a Family Annual Membership for just $550.

For more information, visit Cantonfun.org or phone (734) 394-5460.

Hey kids! Do you love pretending to be different animals? How about a goldfish? Well, starting Thursday, September 2, 2010, you can register for the Swimming with the Goldfish program. The program is open to kids ages 3 years- to 5 years-old with a caregiver. Swimming with the Goldfish will happen on Thursday, September 16, 2010 from 7:00 to 7:45 p.m. See you there!

David Tennies is a Civil War historian and reenactor. Unlike many reenactors, Mr. Tennies portrays a civilian role, as Michigan Senator Jacob M. Howard.

Meet Mr. Tennies and ask him your questions as part of our Living Library program. To learn more, drop by our Meet & Greet on Saturday, September 25, from 1:00-3:00PM.

Bring your family to the library to celebrate good manners. September is Children's Good Manners Month, and famililes with children ages 4-8 can come hear some great stories about good manners and bad, sing special please and thank you songs, and make a fun craft. Join us September 11 from 2:00-2:45 to practice your manners.

You are invited to change the world through the power of the written word at Zoe Live Publishing's Author Extravaganza on Saturday, September 11, benefiting the Canton Public Library.

• 10:00-11:30AM: Aspiring Author Workshop — Learn to tell your story, or share your message in this free workshop
• 1:00-5:00PM: Book Expo — More than 20 family-friendly authors sign and sell their works to raise funds for the Canton and Plymouth libraries
• 6:00-8:00PM: Poetry Slam — A family-friendly open mic venue to share your prose and poetry

The Plymouth Author Extravaganza will be held at the Comfort Inn, 40455 Ann Arbor Road in Plymouth (near Bennigan's). The event is free. Each author will donate $1 from book sales and a signed copy of their book to the Canton and Plymouth libraries. For more information, visit www.zlwriters.com.

Unfortunately, bullying isn't just on the playground anymore. With teens using the internet daily, online bullying has become a new problem that parents should be aware of. In order to help parents and educators better understand and prevent cyber bullying, ebrary has a Cyber Bullying Searchable Information Center. Parents can find a collection of ebooks and government documents listed to help them understand this subject.

Are you a teen who loves to write? Do you want to win a cash prize?! If so, check out the Elmore Leonard Short Story Contest. This contest is being held as part of the Elmore Leonard Literary Arts and Film Festival. Not sure who Elmore Leonard is, check out our large collection of his books and films based on his books.

Storytime registration begins Monday, August 30. Storytimes begin the week of September 13. Children must have their own library card to register for storytime. Check out this video to see some of the fun activities we do in storytime.

We have storytimes for various ages:

• 4 months - Not Yet Walking
• Walkers - Not Yet 2 years old
• 2 - Not Yet 4 Years Old
• 4-5 year olds

For families planning to bring children of multiple ages, please sign up for the Family Storytime.

Young readers can turn to click magazine as a great alternative to clicking on the T.V. "Click," the mouse, is your narrator throughout the picture-filled pages. This fun science magazine offers stories, comics, interviews, and creative activities to encourage young curious minds. It is available in the children's department. So stretch your mind and click on something new today.

Learn, explore and discover the excitement of science. For third through sixth graders.
Registration begins Saturday, August 28
Program Date: Saturday, September 11 from 11:00-11:45AM

Tamil, a prominent South Indian language, will be taught using stories, songs and games. All ages welcome. Registration not required.
Program Date: Thursday, September 9 at 7:00-7:45PM

You've got something someone could use. Likewise, they may have something that would help you out. To help get over this economic hump, let's share. This month's exchange items are book bags, backpacks, lunch boxes and all things needed for school. You may drop your items off beginning one week prior to the exchange day and receive a certificate to use on September 8th between 10:00AM and Noon. Save a couple of bucks and still make the students happy with items new to them. Only items in excellent condition will be accepted.

Here is a great article about the Wayne State University Press and University of Michigan Press. In recent years they have both taken up the tasks of publishing books by Michigan authors and about topics having to do with Michigan. Search for Michigan History in our catalog to see some of the books about Michigan History that are in the Canton Public Library's collection.

We'll be kicking off our Living Library program on Saturday, September 25, from 1:00-3:00PM in the Community Room.
This program lets you "check out" a person with a specialty or other interest to learn more about the subject. It's going to be a lot of fun and a great learning experience. See you there!

Are you a fan of the Baby-Sitters Club book series? Kids ages 8 and up can join us for activities, crafts, snacks, and some fun talk about the books.
This program takes place Tuesday, September 7th from 7:00-8:00PM.
Register online now!

Come see the Spotlight "Still Got It" Players in their rendition of Larceny and Old Lace. A show that promises enjoyment for all ages. It will be playing from August 25-29 at Canton's own Village Theater in Cherry Hill Village. Ticket prices range from $11-$15.

Enjoy the waters of Lake Michigan, have a picnic and take a stroll out to the lighthouse. Midwest Living rated this area as one of the best small towns to visit in its 2008 Best of the Midwest magazine. Catch up on your stone skipping, build a sandcastle, tackle a dune, sail on a tall ship or chart a fishing expedition, then watch the most spectacular sunset from the sandy front porch. So dig into the sands of Michigan's Beachtowns.
[Photo courtesy of mdprovost via flickr]

The 2nd annual Paws in the Park event returns to Canton's Heritage Park this Saturday and Sunday, August 28-29. The weekend is packed with fun activities for the whole family — including your four-legged friends, so don't leave Fido at home! Take your dog through an agility course and the "Chase It" lure course, participate in the Paw Walk to benefit the Humane Society of Huron Valley (HSHV), enter the dog costume and float contest, cheer on your favorite Ultimate Air Dogs competitors (jump into a 40-foot pool) and visit the pet adoption and pet vendors areas. Other don't-miss shows: Rock n' Roll K9s and Pawsitive Vybe disc dogs. Admission is free for dogs and children 10 and under and $5 at the gate for everyone else. A portion of the event proceeds will benefit HSHV.