The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) is promoting a new writing contest on their blog. Reading Rockets/AdLit.org's Citizen Writer contest!
This contest is open to students in Kindergarten through 12th grade. Good luck!

If you are one of the many Americans applying for college you may be getting an acceptance letter this month. This can be an exciting and terrifying time for high school seniors. However, this article has some really great tips for dealing with college acceptance or unfortunate rejection.

The Canton Community Foundation is offering many scholarships to eligible Canton/Plymouth students in the community. The deadline for completed applications is Friday, March 18, 2011 by 5:00 p.m. View the List of Available Scholarships here. Mail or deliver the application before the deadline to: Canton Community Foundation, 50430 School House Road, Suite 200, Canton, MI 48187. Got questions? Contact them at this link during business hours, Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

National Honor Society Homework Help will not be available Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday this week due to the mid-winter break. They will, however, return Monday, February 28th.

Here's what you need to know if you pay someone to do your tax return:

• Steer clear of anyone who won't discuss fees in advance
• Avoid big talkers
• Check credentials
• Don't be afraid to ask for references
• Look for stability

For more information visit irs.gov.

Celebrate the Year of the Rabbit with crafts, songs, dancing and food. Join us at the library for a fun celebration beginning at 5:00PM with crafts for the kids followed by snacks and entertainment; at 7:00PM for everyone. This should be a great Chinese New Year for everyone. No registration is needed for this February 17^th event.

The UK's National Literacy Trust has confirmed what we already know, that youngsters who use the library are likely to be better readers. Canton Public Library has lots of resources that make reading fun. Book and Puppet kits allow kids to act out a story after it's been read to them. Book and CD kits lets kids follow along with a reader and are great for long car trips. And don't forget to check out our Kids Booklist page, which has lots of suggestions on topics of interest for all ages. Happy Reading!

February 26th at 1:00PM the staff from Sylvan Learning Center will administer and grade a practice ACT test here at the Library. Registration begins February 12^th.

Canton residents can register for the ACT Prep Class with Sylvan Learning Center on February 15th with a valid Canton Public Library card. Seats are still available so don't wait to sign up!

ACT: premier

Cracking the ACT by Geoff Martz, Kim Magloire, and Theodore Silver

ACT: strategies, practice, and review

Most people associate February with Valentine's Day, but did you know that February is also Library Lovers' Month? Check out this website to print some great bookmarks, send some online postcards, get library-inspired ideas for things to do with kids, and even see a list of movies involving librarians. Then come visit the library to check them out!

Check out one of our Living Books on February 22. Registration begins on February 8 at which time you can register for a half hour visit (for either the 7:00-7:30PM, 7:30-8:00PM or 8:00-8:30PM time slot) with one of our real, living books! You can register for up to three books as long as the time slots are different. Click on the links below for a live preview:

• Homeschooler
• Licensed Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine
• Co-President of PFLAG (Parents & Family of Lesbians & Gays) Detroit

Four quick things every citizen should know from Governor Rick Snyder's new Dollars & Sense: How State and Local Governments in Michigan Spend Your Money guide to the public's checkbook. State Treasurer Andy Dillon says Lansing is about to experience "shock therapy."

Looking to score some money to help with college? Here's tons of scholarships targeted specifically for Canton and Plymouth residents! Read all about it. Or maybe you need help writing that perfect admissions essay? Then check out our books on college applications.
[Photo courtesy of flickr user smemon87]

Join Rick Bloom of Bloom Asset Management, for an educational, informative evening that will get you on the right financial track during this down economy. Bloom is a well-respected columnist, radio personality and investment guru with the best possible answers for your money.
January 27 at 7:00PM in the Community Room. No registration needed.

What are you doing for lunch? Why not spend that time with us enhancing and growing your business with a series of targeted presentations. Attorney Ken Bloom, of Bloom Asset Management, will share his expertise on Wednesday, January 19 at Noon with Legal and Tax Aspects When Starting a Small Business.

Canton Public Library's popular Business School is back in session for local business people at Noon in the Internet Lab. The following sessions are available:

• Wednesday, January 19 — Legal and Tax Aspects of Starting a Small Business: with attorney Ken Bloom of Bloom Asset Management
• Wednesday, January 26 — Social Media I: an introduction to all avenues of social media strategy for beginners
• Thursday, February 10 — Social Media II: the nuts and bolts of social media for your business — how to open an account, post pictures and use varied apps
• Wednesday, February 16 — Business School Part II: the professionals from SCORE will help you start or grow your business

Registration begins two weeks prior to each session. Spend your lunch hour with us and grow your business.

At this conversational forum, the Canton Community Foundation representative will discuss and answer questions about estate planning, estate taxes and charitable gift annuities. This is an informational forum without sales pitches or solicitations. If you this the last time, the information is timely and targeted to our Canton audience for peace of mind and a well-lived future. Please join us on January 20 at 7:00PM in the Community Room.

A+ Click might just be the website for you. This free website offers users grades 1-12 a challenging quiz in many areas of math. You select the grade and the topic and the website takes you through an age appropriate but fun quiz. This website was listed as one of the notable websites for children by the Association for Library Services to Children. Check out the entire list here.

The Dec/2010 issue of U.S. News contains 50 Ways to Improve Your Life in 2011. Articles concerning your health, money, career, mind and the world are included. Please note this will be the last issue of U.S. News & World Report. This magazine will no longer be published as a print or digital replica magazine. The U.S. Media group will continue to publish the usnews.com website.

I have the pleasure of working with a fantastic group of young adults at the Starkweather Alternative High School. The Canton Public Library in cooperation with Starkweather was awarded an ALA Great Stories Club Grant last year. The book club was such a success last year we decided to continue meeting. We are currently reading Unwind by Neil Shusterman. It is proving to be a popular selection. If you haven't read this book, both the book club and I suggest you do!