MINTELPRESS OFFICE

Its that time of year again when Brits resolve to up their fitness regime, and according to the latest research from Mintel, those choosing to sweat it out in the gym will not be alone, asprivate health and fitness club memberships topped 6 million last year.

Over the last five years, private health and fitness gym membership has leapt up 15%, with the number of members rising from 5.3 million in 2014 to an impressive 6.1 million in 2019. Meanwhile,total revenue for the UK private health and fitness club market is estimated to have reached nearly 3.4 billion in 2019,growing a healthy 4.1% since 2018.

Mintel research reveals that health and fitness clubs are one of the fastest-growing leisure segments.In fact, some 18% of UK adults currently use a private health and fitness club, compared with 15% in 2018.

Lauren Ryan, Mintel Leisure Analyst,said:

The rise of lower-cost options and increased locations has made private gyms an accessible form of leisure, while a greater focus by consumers on healthier living and exercise is also providing a boost to the sector.The convenience of more options close to work and home, with more flexible off-peak options available from the leading brands, has boosted demand, while competition has driven prices down.While membership numbers are set to continue to increase, the competition for new customers will drive down average fees and limit revenue growth over the next five years.

Were all in it together! Most say group classes help them put in more effort

According to Mintel research, classes are a key reason why many attend private gyms.Almost three in five (58%) Brits* say classes are the main reason they go to a health and fitness club, while 64% say group classes help them put in more effort. Furthermore,75% of consumers say the instructors play a key role in how much they like a club.

Overall, it seems Brits are getting value from their memberships as the vast majority of those who belong to private health and fitness clubs are using them regularly. Just 4% of members are using them less often than once a week, whileover six in 10 (62%) are using the club at least three times per week. For those looking to boost membership further, 28% of consumers* say the ability to track their progress would make them join or attend more often, while 25% would be motivated to attend more if they were rewarded for reaching goals.

Finally, the prospect of working out on machines that havent been wiped down after use, together with dirty changing rooms, is amongst the biggest gym deterrents, with eight in 10 Brits (81%) saying they would be put off using certain clubs because of a lack of cleanliness.

Lauren Ryan, Mintel Leisure Analyst,said:

Classes are particularly important for fitness clubs, with people seeking variety and friendly instructors. Online fitness services and workout apps mean consumers have direct access to leading experts and celebrity trainers, with classes live-streamed or available to download 24/7. However,the need for personal interaction and more personalised guidance provides health and fitness clubs with a strong opportunity if they can retain high-quality instructors and personal trainers.With consumers tending to take a more holistic approach to their total wellbeing, there are good opportunities for clubs to provide their customers with help outside of just physical fitness, including nutrition and mental health.

* Users aged 16+ who are currently a member/are not a member but would consider joining a private health and fitness club

See the article here:
WORKING UP A SWEAT: OVER 6 MILLION BRITS ARE NOW MEMBERS OF PRIVATE HEALTH AND FITNESS CLUBS - International Supermarket News

It can be a challenge to embrace healthy activities during winter in the region, especially when running, biking and the outdoor fitness classes of summer seem so distant.

At the dreariest of times, hibernation looks to present a much better option.

Still, with a little vitamin D and some thoughtful consideration, the coming weeks can mean more than binge-watching Netflix and binge-eating pizza and wings.

It appears were even in for some snow, which can open a larger window onto outdoor opportunities when it comes in reasonable amounts.

The message we want to get out is there's so many things happening within our 10,000 acres of parks alone, Erie County Parks Commissioner Troy Schinzel said.

A dozen county parks and recreation areas provide daily choices, when the weather is right, for skiing, skating and sledding and there is lots more to do elsewhere, too.

Here are our WNY Refresh recommendations for a variety of activities that can warm the body, boost the blood flow and expand the mind for those of any age.

The Healthy Zone Rink in East Aurora hosts public skating several days each week. (Sharon Cantillon/News file photo)

The Ice at Canalside has become a popular gathering point on the Buffalo waterfront in recent years but is hardly alone when it comes to the opportunity to strap on a pair of skates in the region and go for a glide. Outdoor rinks cooled with chillers also include Rotary Rink at Fountain Plaza downtown and Healthy Zone Rink in East Aurora.

Rinks that need help from below-freezing temperatures include those at Martin Luther King Jr. Park, Reservoir and DeVeaux Woods state parks in Niagara Falls, and Akron Falls and Como Lake county parks in Akron and Cheektowaga. The bad news: Skate rentals arent available except at MLK Park. The good news: Skating is free.

Many municipalities also have public skate times at one or more indoor rinks, including three in the City of Buffalo, where you can visit haseksheroes.org or northbuffalorink.com to learn more.

James Klein, president of the Buffalo Nordic Ski Club, hosts free cross-country ski lessons at 10 a.m. Sundays starting from the Rose Garden in Delaware Park, when snowfall allows. (Sharon Cantillon/Buffalo News)

Add Chestnut Ridge Park to the spots where downhill skiing and snowboarding is available this season for the first time in more than two decades. Erie County installed a new Austrian-made ski tow that will allow both activities alongside, but separate from, the toboggan shoots and sledding hill in Orchard Park. All are free. The park will celebrate Winterfest from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday regardless of snow, with magic shows, other childrens activities and more. Emery Park in South Wales offers downhill skiing, too.

Ski resorts and clubs also dot the region. They include Holiday Valley in Ellicottville, Kissing Bridge in Glenwood and Peekn Peak Resort in Clymer.

Cross-country skiing awaits just about anywhere in public parks and forest lands and along public trails. Hotspots include groomed trails at Elma Meadows in Elma and Sprague Brook in Glenwood (both Erie County parks), as well as the Art Roscoe Recreation Area at Allegany State Park in the Southern Tier and Reinstein Woods State Park in Cheektowaga.

No experience? No problem. At 10 a.m. on weather-cooperative Sunday mornings, James Klein, head of the Buffalo Nordic Ski Club (buffalonordic.org), leads lessons that start at the Rose Garden in Delaware Park.

Slow Roll Buffalo has become so popular during the warmer months that GObike Buffalo also schedules "snow rolls" at least a couple of times during the winter. (John Hickey/Buffalo News)

The number of bicyclists and runners have grown exponentially during the last half-decade, as have the number of organized rides and races. When conditions are favorable with the right clothes and gear in hand there also are opportunities in winter. GObike Buffalo plans at least two more snow rolls in the region before spring, including the next one at 12:30 p.m. Feb. 22 at Massachusetts Avenue Park on Winter Street. Learn more at slowrollbuffalo.org.

Upcoming winter runs include Mr. Eds 31st Annual Super Bowl Warmup on Feb. 2 in Middleport; the Frozen Chosen on Feb. 8 in Orchard Park; Sprague Brook Scramble snowshoe race on Feb. 16 in Glendale; and Polar Bear 5K on Feb. 23 in Olcott. Sign up and learn more about these and other runs at buffalorunners.com.

Flying Bison Brewing Co. (flyingbisonbrewing.com) also started a monthly running club this winter that includes a free beverage at the end. The next 2- and 5-mile runs set out at 11 a.m. Feb. 29 from 840 Seneca St. in Larkinville.

Carly Skibinski, left, and her sister, Olivia, walk on a piece by artist Heather Hart at the Albright-Knox Northland, which opens this weekend. (Mark Mulville/Buffalo News)

Albright-Knox Art Gallery may have closed its Elmwood Avenue campus for a $165-million revamping, but related activities for families continue at its new project space at 612 Northland Ave. That includes art classes for children and teens, and Family Funday the second Sunday of each month, with pay-as-you-wish admission and special programing that includes baby stroller and family fun art tours as well as drop-in art activities. Learn more at albrightknox.org/community/northland.

Family fun also includes the Explore & More Museum (exploreandmore.org), which opened last summer on the Buffalo waterfront with four floors of hands-on exhibits that bow to regional, cultural, fitness, health and recreational themes. Admission generally is charged (BlueCross BlueShield of WNY members get $1 off with proof of membership at check-in). Admission is free during Fearless Family Play Days from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. the first Saturday of each month.

The Buffalo Museum of Science (sciencebuff.org) also is a great choice this time of year and on Feb. 8 the museum will host the U.S. debut of the temporary exhibit Golden Mummies of Egypt. The international tour will include items usually housed at the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom, which boasts a collection of Egyptian artifacts considered among the richest in the world. Timed tickets in 15-minute intervals are available in advance on the museum website. The cost is $19 for adults, and $16 for children aged 2-17, as well as seniors, students and members of the military with ID. The ticket includes access to museum exhibit spaces such as Biodiversity, Buffalo in Space, Bugworks, Explore You, In Motion and more.

Winter venues, events blanket Buffalo area in coming weeks

Continued here:
Embrace winter with these ideas for fitness, family fun - Buffalo News

The Community College of Rhode Island has announced George Hart as its new Dean of Library and Academic Innovation.

Hart arrives at CCRI following a seven-year tenure as the Director of Libraries at UMass Lowell, where he prioritized student success and helped transition the campus library into the digital information age. In addition to implementing programs to develop online library guides for students, Hart also worked with architectural firms in the expansion of two campus libraries to include new workstations, labs and IT help desks. His work laid the foundation for future initiatives, among them the development of a new e-book portal to enhance the student and faculty experience.

At CCRI, Hart will provide leadership at each of the colleges four campus libraries in addition to supporting students, faculty and staff through CCRIs Center for Academic Innovation, which promotes professional development and instruction via online learning. He brings a proven track record in library innovation and integration with a strong focus on education technology and student success.

Hart began his library career at the Somerville Public Library in Massachusetts. With more than three decades of experience in academia, he also worked as the Assistant Director of UMass Bostons Joseph P. Healey Library and a Business & Economics Bibliographer at Boston Universitys Mugar Library. Over the span of 10 years at UMass Boston, Hart facilitated a variety of on-campus lectures and presentations in addition to managing personnel in multiple departments.

Whats Up Newp is free to read, and always will be, but we need your support to keep it that way.

Hart earned his Bachelor of Arts in History from UMass Boston and a Master of Library & Information Science from Rutgers University before obtaining his Master of Business Administration from Babson College.

CCRI is at the forefront of improving the ways community college students are prepared to advance their education and career prospects. This May, the college achieved its highest two- and three-year graduation rates in more than 20years and awarded more credentials than ever before. The college expects to have the highest three-year graduation rate of any community college in New England by 2021.

View original post here:
CCRI announces George Hart as New Dean of Library and Academic Innovation - What'sUpNewp

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ-- Every morning, commuters take the bus into their jobs in New York City. To help make their ride more pleasant, East Brunswick Public Library has unveiled a new pop up library at the town's Transportation and Commerce Center (551 Old Bridge Turnpike).

"We've heard from many of our commuting customers that finding time to get to the library can be difficult," said Melissa Kuzma, assistant library director. "The new pop up library at the transportation center allows us to provide commuters with eBooks while they wait for their bus."

The pop up library is powered by a wireless transmitter, allowing visitors to the Transportation and Commerce Center to go through a collection of over fifty current best-selling titles downloadable as eBooks to smartphones or tablets. Anyone can access the eBooks without a library card.

Sign Up for East Brunswick Newsletter

Our newsletter delivers the local news that you can trust.

You have successfully signed up for the TAPinto East Brunswick Newsletter.

"To make it more convenient, we decided that everyone in the community should be able to access the pop up library, regardless if they have a library card or not," added Kuzma. "We do encourage everyone in East Brunswick to get their library card. The process has been streamlined, and you can even apply for your card online atwww.ebpl.org/signup."

Once downloaded, Items borrowed from the pop up library can be read anywhere, and they are returned automatically after 14 days.

"So far, our most popular pop up library title has been Catch and Kill by Ronan Farrow," said Stephanie Filippone, adult service manager.

The pop up library offerings are in addition to the other digital items that East Brunswick Public Library offers its cardholders. A complete listing of digital offerings can be found online atwww.ebpl.org/virtuallibrary.

See more here:
A Book on the Bus: EBPL Makes It Easy to Load an E-Book at the Transportation Center - TAPinto.net

One of the biggest disappointments of the 2010s for me in education was the K-12 digital book market never evolved into much of anything with Apple, Amazon, or Google. They have little leverage with textbook publishers, and in reality, there is very little money to be made for the big technology publishers without making a few acquisitions. When Apple announced digital textbook support back in 2012, they had high hopes, but sadly, not much came of it. Even beyond textbooks, Apple and Amazon, have done little to reinvent the library experience in schools. Amazon would be an ideal partner for schools, but their education offering is weak. Sora looks to be the perfect solution for K12 libraries wanting to make a digital transformation.

About Making The Grade: Every other Saturday, BradleyChambers publishes a new article about Apple in education. He has been managing Apple devices in an education environment since 2009. Through his experience deploying and managing 100s of Macs and 100s of iPads, Bradley will highlight ways in which Apples products work at scale, stories from the trenches of IT management, and ways Apple could improve its products for students.

A few months back, I wrote anarticle about the Kindle functionality with the US public library system was a killer feature that Apple Books needed to adopt. One of the apps/services I have been testing out is Libby. Libby is built by OverDrive, who has long had integration with the US library system. Even if you dont have a Kindle, you can use Libby to read ebooks on your iOS devices and listen to audiobooks. While its not as large as the Audible database, there are still several great options to listen/read books for free.

I recently learned about another product that OverDrive offers: Sora. Sora is to your schools library catalog to what Libby is to your public library.

Sora is your schools gateway to the industrys largest catalog of ebooks and audiobooks in the classroom and beyond. Students can read and listen on any device, and teachers can assign and track students progress.

With Sora, schools can license a certain number of books/audiobooks for their school, and then students can log in to access them oniOS, Android, or on the web. All progress is synced back to an account the student registers when they sign up for Sora (schools have to register themselves ahead of time). Students can also access all of their licensed content across all of their devices. It also allows teachers to cater to each students individual reading level, create lesson plans, and more.

Almost eight years after Apple unveiled its plan to reinvent the books in the classroom, Sora has picked up the mantle. They are offering a robust platform for schools to manage, license, and loan out digital books and audiobooks. While Apple offers options to mass purchase books for schools, they dont have a way to loan them and the get the license back in the future. For schools that reuse books year after year, this difference is a key driver.

Sora has a large catalog of books (5,000+ publishers) and offers a variety of licensing options. They offer options to purchase individual titles (perfect for frequent use books), book leases (set a number of checkouts in a pre-determined period), short term rental for groups, pay-per-use, and simultaneous (perfect for high volume titles). Sora is now available in 23,000 schools across the US. For schools that rely on Google Classroom to assign content and homework, Sora is compatible with that as well.

I discovered Sora back in late 2019, and Ive loved the platform. Its really what schools are looking for when it comes to transforming their libraries into a digital model. They have the infrastructure built out. They have the content for fiction/nonfiction books. They have relationships with the publisher.

After thinking about the problems that K-12 schools face, Sora might be the platform that transforms the digital textbook market in the future. If you want to check out Sora for your school, visit their website.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Check out 9to5Mac on YouTube for more Apple news:

Follow this link:
Making the Grade: Sora is the solution for K-12 libraries wanting to make a digital transformation - 9to5Mac

Robbie Anderman says Middletown was an exceptionally friendly place when he was growing up in the 1950s and 60s.

To me, everyone was helpful, Robbie says, in a phone conversation from his Morninglory Farm in Killaloe, Ontario, Canada.

One of my favorite places was Thrall Public Library, he says. The librarians encouraged and nurtured my love of reading and of books. As the years went by, they also encouraged my looking beyond my school assignments to do deeper research from the librarys collection.

In 2017, Robbie wrote and published The Healing Trees: The Edible and Herbal Qualities of Northeastern Woodland Trees and recently donated a copy to Thrall in gratitude.

Robbie was born in Middletown in 1948 and graduated from Middletown High, now the Twin Towers Middle School, in 1966.

We lived at the corner of Linden Place and Linden Ave and we walked everywhere, he says. I played French horn in the band and lettered on the soccer, swimming and tennis teams.

My father was a dentist, he says. And I had friends from all corners of the city.

After graduation, he headed off to Haverford College where his love for nature came to the fore.

They have a great arboretum there, he says. Including the offspring of the original William Penn Treaty elm tree. Its a wonderful place.

He transferred to Rochdale College in Toronto and honed his natural food cooking skills at a restaurant in Woodstock, N.Y. Robbie then spent six weeks in Bethel setting up campsites and a free kitchen to serve music lovers at the Woodstock Music and Arts Festival in 1969.

A friend came up from Middletown and told me about this music festival that was planned outside of town, Robbie says. To me it was more of a demonstration of peace rather than anti-war, so I came down and helped out.

It was the co-operation, sharing, and feeding each other while enduring challenging weather and enjoying great music, he says.

Robbie was also a member of the Please Force and the Hog Farm and recently donated an armband to the Museum at Bethel Woods.

He returned to Canada, settled in Killaloe, in the Ottawa River valley, and co-founded a 100-acre land-based off-grid community that is still his home today. His love of nature grew and Robbie developed into an orchardist, nurseryperson, tree pruner, luthier, woodwind musician, off-grid forest homesteader, sustainable tree harvester and tree herbalist.

Land up here was pretty inexpensive back then, he says. Thats how we ended up here.

Fast forward 50 years and Robbie and his wife, Christina, were recently nominated for the Canadian National Farmers Union Hall of Fame.

Today, he works with his adult son, Ethan, and Christina in their pear and apple juice, cider and vinegar business; shares his organic orcharding and gardening knowledge and experience with visitors and offers tree medicine workshops.

But its the helpfulness of the Thrall Library workers of the 1950s and 60s that stuck with him.

Im grateful for all I learned there that helped lead me towards writing and publishing my book, he says.

John DeSanto is a freelance photojournalist. Find more of his 845LIFE stories, photos and videos at recordonline.com. Reach John at jjdesanto@gmail.com

More here:
845LIFE: Library nurtured Middletown natives love of reading - Times Herald-Record

Chesterfield Township Library

Teen Night 5:30-7:30 p.m. Jan. 27, featuring games, a craft and other activities. Pre-registration is requested, but not required.

4:30 Funtime 4:30-5:30 p.m. Jan. 28 for children in grades K-5. "Game Day" program. Pre-registration is not required.

Books and Babies for those ages 6-24 months with a caregiver from 10:15-10:45 a.m. Jan. 22 and 29 Lapsit songs, interactive baby rhymes, simple storybooks followed by playtime with toys. Preregistration not required.

Toddler Time for children ages 2-3 years old with a caregiver from 10:15-10:45 a.m. Jan. 27. Includes stories, rhymes, songs and moving activities followed by group playtime. Pre-registration is requested but not required.

The library is located at 50560Patricia, Chesterfield Township. To register or for more information, call 586-598-4900 or visitchelibrary.orgregarding any of the above programs.

We Love Winter Reading program runs Jan. 15 through Feb. 29. Participants need to read for 20 days to complete the program and collect a prize. Children will receive a book. Teens will receive a grab bag prize and entry into a drawing for a Kindle 8. Adults will receive their choice of a CMPL ceramic or travel mug. Those participating may register and log reading online at cmpl.beanstack.org

Screening of nine short films at 2 p.m. Jan. 26. Films were presented at the Ann Arbor Film Festival, including experimental, animation, documentary, narrative and hybrid films and performance based works intended for adults. Discussion will follow the screening. Refreshments will be provided. Registration can be done by calling 586-226-5020 or visit the Events page online.

The South Branch will feature a special guest reader from the Clinton Township Police Department at the storytime sessions at 10 a.m. Feb. 4 and Feb. 5 at 10 a.m. Little Learners Plus a weekly storytime for ages 2 and up at the South Branch, exposes children to stories, songs and activities that encourage early literacy skills. To register, call 586-226-5073 or visit the Events page online.

Stories of Michigan at 7 p.m. Feb. 5 at the North Branch. Historian Alan Naldrett and Forgotten Tales of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. Program is suitable for teens and adults and will feature the lore of compelling characters who once lived in Michigan. Registration is required. To register, call 586-226-5083 or visit the Events page online.

Celebration of World Read Aloud Day Feb. 5. Tales and Talk for adults at 10:30 a.m. Adults can come and hear a short story read aloud by a librarian, followed by a discussion of the story with coffee and tea. Registration is required. Call 586-226-5050 or visit the Events page online to register.

The librarys Main Branch is located at 40900 Romeo Plank Road, Clinton Township. For more information and locations of other branches, call 586-226-5000 or visitcmpl.org.

Bar Trivia Night at Total Sports at 7 p.m. Jan. 23. Tickets are $5 if purchased by Jan. 20 at 6 p.m. at the library or $6 if purchased at the door. Arrive with a team or be matched to one. Total Sports is located at 40501 Production Drive, Harrison Township.

Puzzle Competition 1 p.m. Jan. 25. Gather your team and see which team can assemble a 500 piece jigsaw puzzle the fastest. Prizes to the winning team. All participants will enjoy pizza and pop. Register your team or you can be matched to one.

Sweet Dreams Bakery Demonstration 6:30 p.m. Jan. 29. Sweet Dreams Bakery owner will demonstrate and share techniques used at his bakery and attendees will have the chance to taste pastry creations. Registration is required.

1000 Books before Kindergarten ongoing initiative parents and caregivers can join anytime to read 1000 books to your little one before the start of kindergarten. Come to the library to register, receive a materials packet that includes a book log and a description of the program. For reaching each milestone in the program, the child will receive their name on the librarys Wall of Fame and a free book and certificate of completion are awarded to those reaching the 1000 book goal.

The library is located at 38255 LAnse Creuse Ste. A, Harrison Township. To register for programs where required or for more information, call 586-329-1261, email librarian@htlibrary.org, visithtlibrary.orgor stop in the library.

Winter Reading 2020. All ages can participate in the Winter Reading Challenge to read at least 12 hours in January and log it at macdonaldlibrary.beanstack.org.

The library is located at 36480 Main Street, New Baltimore. To register for programs where required or for more information, call 586-725-0273 or visitmacdonaldlibrary.org.

Ray Township Library and Historical Society has released a 2020 calendar, Greetings from Ray, Romeo, Washington: 1920's-1930's The calendar features images from the early to mid-1900's. They are available for $10 at the Ray Township offices and Public Library and throughout the community, including Heritage Oaks, Jarvis Accounting, Jarzyna Farms Fine Meats & Deli, KO Music Studio, and Vince and Joes on Romeo Plank. Proceeds from the sales within Ray Township support the Ray Township Public Library's programs and archival preservation. Calendars sold by the Romeo Historical and Greater Washington Area Historical Societies support each organization's projects and programs. For more information, call 586-749-7130 or visitrayhistory.org.

Baby Storytime 10:30-11:30 a.m. or noon-1 p.m. Jan. 20 and 27. Those 0-2 with a caregiver can join in songs, stories, lap bounces and sensory play time. No registration required.

Toddler Storytime 10:30-11:30 a.m. Jan. 21. For children ages 2-3 and a caregiver. Stories, music, movement and a craft.

Teen Anime Club 6-8 p.m. Jan. 21. Those ages 12-18. Love anime and reading manga? Come watch anime, do crafts and eat all the Pocky! Registration not required.

Super Smash Brothers Gaming Night 6-8 p.m. Jan. 22 for those in grades 6-12. Play Super Smash Bros., Pokken Tournament and Mario Kart. Snacks and refreshments available. Feel free to bring your Nintendo DS. No registration required.

Preschool Storytime 10:30-11:30 a.m. Jan. 23 and 30. For preschoolers ages 4-5 without a caregiver. Stories, songs, movement and a craft. No registration required.

UrbanForestry: Improving your Community with Trees 7 p.m. Jan. 23. Join for a presentation from regional leaders in urban forestry and a discussion on how we can work together to plant trees and learn to care for existing ones.

Everything eBoks & Audiobooks 2-3 p.m. Jan. 27. Learn about everything related to eBooks the library offers, including OverDrive, Libby and Hoopla Digital. Registration is required.

Living With the Enemy at 7 p.m. Jan. 30. In the 1940's captured German soliders were put to work on Michigan's farms and other places needing a large labor source. Historian Greg Sumner will present. No registration required.

The Library is located at 65821 Van Dyke, Washington Township. For more information or to register where required, call 586-752-0603.

Crochet group 5:30-7 p.m. Jan. 21 and 28. Join as attendees share patterns, problems and laughs. Beginners welcome.

Baby and Me Storytime 11:30 a.m.-noon Jan. 21 and 28. Special storytime for those ages 0-2 and their caregivers. Lots of songs, rhymes and interactive fun. Siblings welcome. No registration necessary.

History's Mysteries Book Group meets 5:45-7 p.m. Jan. 21. Join for a discussion of historical mysteries, suspense and thrillers. Copies are available at the Kezar Library.

Family Storytime 11:30 a.m.-noon Jan. 23 and 30. Bring the family for stories, songs and crafts. No registration required.

Manitou Mysteries 6-7 p.m. Jan. 23. Ross Richardson will speak about the legends, histories and mysteries of the Manitou Passage. Program will feature historical imagery and underwater footage of shipwrecks. Books will be available for signing.

Crafting with Creative Bug 6-7 p.m. Jan. 28. Learn the ins and outs of the Creative Bug database. Learn how to navigate classes such as crochet, cake decorating, jewelry making and more.

The library is located at 107 Church Street, Romeo. For more information or to register where required, call 586-752-2583.

Toddler Lapsit for children 2.5 to 3 years old accompanied by parent or caregiver at 9:30 a.m. Fridays. Nursery rhymes, fingerplays, songs, puppets and picture books. Registration required. Session I: Jan. 17-Feb. 7.

Preschool Storytime for children 3.5 to 5 years old at 11 a.m. Fridays. Children will enjoy songs, puppets, crafts and stories. Registration required. Session I: Jan. 17-Feb. 7.

MLK Day of Service Plarn Making 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Jan. 20. Adults, teens and tweens can bring their own plastic grocery bags or use the ones the library has collected to make plarn to make sleeping mats for the homeless for Macomb Feeding The Need.

RHGS Program: General Macomb with Dan Heaton at 6 p.m. Jan. 21. Stories of Gen. Alexander Macomb are now mostly forgotten but statues of him exist in Detroit and Mount Clemens.

Teen Mario Kart Tournament at 4:30 p.m. Jan. 22. For those ages 6-12. Sing up to participate in the tournament begins 30 minutes before the tournament begins and must be done in person to get a spot.

Adult Trivia Night 6 p.m. Jan. 23. Come and test your trivia knowledge against others. Bring your friends and sign up in a group of four. No group? Can be placed in one. Registration required.

Stem Saturday Year of the Rat at 2 p.m. Jan. 25. All ages can celebrate the habitats and habits of the rat. No registration required.

Air Fryer Demonstration 6:30 p.m. Jan. 28. Get an Air Fryer or interested in learning more about them? Learn to make healthier food options with less oil than conventional frying. Chef will teach you ins and outs of frying with your air fryer. Samples of the dishes made will be enjoyed by all participants.

Teens in grades 6-12 can join the Magic the Gathering card game event from 3:30-5:30 p.m. every Monday. Casual game play for players of all skill levels. Some starter decks will be available for those who dont bring their own. No registration required.

The library is located at 29777 Gratiot Ave., Roseville. For more information or to register for programs that require it, call 586-445-5407 or visitrosevillelibrary.org.

St. Clair Shores Cultural Committee offers "Behind the Seen" talk on 'Pop Art' (1960-1975) at 7 p.m. Jan. 27. Learn about artworks created by artists in the 1960's that celebrated American modern culture. Event is free and open to the public.

STEAM Stories 2-3 p.m. Feb. 1. Children ages 6-10 and their adult can enjoy a story and STEAM related hands on projects. Registration is required and can be done in person or by calling the library. Space is limited.

Preschool Storytime at 10 a.m. Mondays starting the week of Jan. 13 for those independent listeners ages 3 1/2 to 5 years. No registration required.

Family Storytime at 7 p.m. Tuesdays starting the week of Jan. 13 for children outside of those age range or those who would feel more comfortable with a grown up joining in. No registration required.

Toddler Storytime at 10 a.m. Tuesdays starting the week of Jan. 13 for those ages 24 to 42 months with an adult. Registration required.

St. Clair Shores Historical Commission is seeking residents to participate in oral history project. Those who have a story to share of life in St. Clair Shores, contact Jerry Sielagoski at gsielago@hotmail.com or leave a message at the library by calling 586-771-9020.

Historical Society of St. Clair Shores is selling different matted photographic reproductions, one photo of the Shores Inn, Shores Theater, both which date back circa 1940 for $20 each, a print of the Hilgendorf Service Station circa 1935 for $10; the E.C. White House circa 1955 for $10 and a color print of the Selinsky-Green Farmhouse Museum for $15 Stop by the library to purchase them. Limited number of prints available.

St. Clair Shores Cultural Committee is seeking new members. No experience necessary, just a willingness to be involved and help bring cultural events and activities to the city. Meetings are generally the second Wednesday of each month.

St. Clair Shores Cultural Committee and the Public Library present at 1:30 p.m. Fridays, classic movies are shown in the librarys William R. Gilstorf Meeting room.

The Library is located at 22500 E. 11 Mile Road, St. Clair Shores. To register or details on any of these programs, call 586-771-9020 or visitscslibrary.org.

Teen Advisory Board meets at 6:30 p.m. first Thursday of the month. Teens in 7-12th grade can join a council of teens that create teen displays, decorate the library and plan events for teens at the library. Earn community service hours for attending or come hang out and enjoy some snacks. Teens should fill out a TAB application from the website or reception desk.

The library is located at 51680 Van Dyke, Shelby Township. For more information or to register for a program, call 586-739-7414 or visitshelbytwplib.org

Gone With the Wind 80th anniversary at 7 p.m. Jan. 23. Discussion will cover Margaret Mitchell's life, her bestselling novel and the Oscar winning film. Learn about the Detroit opening in 1940 and its local connections too. Vintage and contemporary memorabilia will be available for viewing starting at 6:30 p.m.

The library is located at 40255 Dodge Park Road, Sterling Heights. To register for programs where required, call 586-446-2640 or visitshpl.net/610

Poetry Reading at 7 p.m. Jan. 27. Participants are encouraged to read their own poetry, though the works of other artists can be recited. Free event. No registration required.

The library is located at 7530 Auburn, Utica. To register for a program or for more information, call 586-731-4141.

Cold Snap Crafts 2-3:30 p.m. Jan. 25. Children ages 3-11 can make crafts to celebrate the icy season.

Family Storytime at 6:30 p.m. Mondays for those ages 4-8 and their entire family. Stories, songs, rhymes, a craft and toys for the littlest ones. Registration required.

PAWS for Reading at 4:30 p.m. Mondays. New and struggling readers can read to a therapy dog. Children are invited to stop by and read to Faith.

The library is located at 23333 Ryan Road, Warren. For more information or to register where programs require it, call 586-353-0580

Anime Club 2-4 p.m. Jan. 25. Like anime and manga? Longtime fans invited to watch anime, talk to other fans, sing karoke, create themed crafts and enjoy snacks. Registration required. Teens only.

Preschool Storytime at 10 a.m. Tuesdays and 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays for independent listeners from 3.5 to 5 years with caregiver. Stories, songs, rhymes and a craft. Registration required.

StorytimeShakeup 11 a.m. Fridays. Children ages 2-5 will enjoy a story, song and other fun stuff, including hands on activities at different stations and movement and sensory activities. Register for each monthly series individually.

PAWS To Read program at 4:30 p.m. Mondays or 5 p.m. Wednesdays, new and struggling readers can read to therapy dog, Smart, a yellow Labrador Retriever, to improve their skills and learn to love reading. No registration required.

The library is located at 1 City Square, Suite 100, Warren. To register where programs require it, call 586-751-0770 unless otherwise noted.

Dash Robot Coding 6:30 p.m. Jan. 28. Children ages 6-11 can learn basic coding skills to program the library's Dash robots to do such tasks as speak and move. Registration is required.

Baby Lapsit 2 p.m. Wednesdays the week of Jan 13 through the week of Feb. 29. For those ages 0-12 months with a parent or caregiver. Singing, clapping, bouncing, listening to rhymes and stories and time to play. Registration required.

Book Tots 6:30 p.m. Thursdays or 10 a.m. Fridaysthe week of Jan. 13 through the week of Feb. 29.. For those ages 1 to 2.5 with a parent or caregiver. Short storytime with stories, rhymes, songs and a time to play. Registration required.

Toddler Time 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays and and 9:30 or 11 a.m. Thursdays the week of Jan. 13 through the week of Feb. 29. For toddlers ages 2 to 3 with a parent or caregiver. Storytime including stories, songs, rhymes and a craft. Registration required.

Teen Winter Beach Party 6-8 p.m. Jan. 24. Those ages 10-14 and 15-17 can join for an evening of fun in the sun with warm crafts, popsicles, beach volleyball, flip flop toss, and building edible sand castles at this after hours lock in. Registration required.

The library is located at 5460 Arden in the Warren Community Center. For more information or to register where required, call 586-751-5377 or visitwarrenlibrary.net.

Link:
Events at Macomb County libraries week of Jan. 19 - The Macomb Daily

HUNTINGTON As the new decade begins, libraries in the Tri-State are encouraging patrons to take advantage of the many digital resources available to them, all accessible online through a cost-free library card.

Its important for people to know that libraries are changing, Mary Lou Pratt, assistant director for adult services at the Cabell County Public Library, said. A lot of people think the library is just a building with stacks of books inside, but theres much more to it, and its available for anyone with an internet connection; if you dont have internet, we have it here.

The Cabell County Public Library and its branches offer digital collections of e-books, magazines, movies, music and more and online resources like journal articles and consumer reports, which can all be found through the librarys website, Pratt said.

People may not realize, but we have the entire collection of Disney movies, Pratt said.

The library uses the digital media service platform Hoopla in order for patrons to stream content, and similar to mainstream platforms, it keeps track of what users have watched and what they may be interested in later on.

Users can download content on Hooplas app or onto their computers or TVs for offline streaming.

The library also offers free courses online from learning a new language to preparing for the GED or other standardized tests, Pratt said the librarys online medium has it all.

The Boyd County Public Library in Ashland offers similar services to its patrons.

People can actually (visit the) library from their couch, Library Director Debbie Cosper said in a news release. Most everything that is available by visiting the actual library also is available from the librarys website.

The Boyd County Public Library houses more than 500,000 items available online through its website as well as digital classes.

According to the release, reciprocal borrowing agreements allow Boyd County patrons to use services at libraries in Cabell and Wayne counties, as well as Lawrence County in Ohio.

The Putnam County and Wayne County public libraries also offer Hooplas services and other various databases.

In order to access these resources, you do need a library card, Pratt said. You can get a library card at any one of our branches, and you just need an I.D. that shows your current address.

Library card applications for Cabell County are available online in order for patrons to fill them out in advance, and Pratt advised new cardholders to be sure to know their PIN number in order to access the digital platforms.

Library cards are free for county residents.

Original post:
Local libraries push for digital use in the new year - Huntington Herald Dispatch

Very Busy People Book Club, 1 p.m., West Fargo Public Library, 109 Third St. E., West Fargo, really busy readers are invited to join this book club for an interesting read, treats and lively discussions; free.

FM Choral Artists: Cathedral Classics, 2 p.m., Sts. Anne & Joachim Catholic Church, 5202 25th St. S., Fargo, enjoy a world premiere of a new, seven-movement work by Connor Koppin by the the FM Choral Artists; $15.

"Interface," 9 a.m., North Dakota State University Memorial Union Gallery, 258 Memorial Union, Fargo, explore the relationship between painting and photography through student-made artwork, runs through Jan. 23; free.

iStock / Special to The Forum

Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2020, 9:45 a.m., Memorial Auditorium, Concordia College, Moorhead, "Not Racist" the white moderate myth, featuring keynote speakers Ijeoma Oluo and Janaya Khan; free.

Pinochle for Seniors, 12:45 p.m., Ed Clapp Senior Center, 2801 32nd Ave. S., Fargo, seniors are invited to play pinochle with other seniors for an afternoon of fun and friendly competition Monday through Friday; $1.

Fargo Moorhead Area Music Club presents Michael Helm at their Jazz in January Program, 1 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 650 Second Ave. N., Fargo, Michael Helm presents a program of his jazz accompaniments used for famous singers; free.

NAMI Connections support group, 7 p.m., Fargo Public Library, 102 Third St. N., people or family members who have a mental illness are invited to join this group therapy session; free.

Arc Games & More, 7 p.m., Murray Hall at Minnesota State University Moorhead, 1510 Ninth Ave. S., connect with others and the community through games and more; free.

Exercise for Seniors, 9:30 a.m., Ed Clapp Senior Center, 2801 32nd Ave. S., Fargo, seniors are invited to join these age-appropriate exercises and meet some new friends, also on Thursday; free.

Grief Journeys for Men Support Group, 10 a.m., Hospice of the Red River Valley, 1701 38th St. S., Fargo, ongoing grief support group for men who have experienced a loss through death; free.

Prairie St. John's Meet and Greet, noon, Moorhead Public Library, 118 Fifth St. S., enjoy treats and cocoa as you learn more about the programs and services offered at Prairie St. John's; free.

Pinochle for Seniors, 12:45 p.m., Ed Clapp Senior Center, 2801 32nd Ave. S., Fargo, seniors are invited to play pinochle with other seniors for an afternoon of fun and friendly competition Monday through Friday; $1.

iStock / Special to The Forum

Memory Cafe, 1 p.m., First Lutheran Church, 619 Broadway N., Fargo, individuals living with early to midstage memory loss and their care partners are invited to gather, laugh, learn and develop meaningful connections with others in a safe, welcoming environment; free.

Teen Time at the Carlson Library, 3:30 p.m., Fargo Public Library, 2801 32nd Ave. S., teens and tweens ages 10-18 are invited to the library to enjoy activities, projects and snacks; free.

Life and Pregnancy After Loss Support Group, 6:30 p.m., Hospice of the Red River Valley, 1701 38th St. S., Fargo, ongoing support group focused on pregnancy and life after experiencing the loss of a baby; free.

Storytime, 6:30 p.m., Moorhead Public Library, 115 Fifth St. S., children of all ages are invited to the library to enjoy stories, songs, poems and crafts on a weekly theme; free.

Chess Club, 6:30 p.m., Moorhead Public Library, 118 Fifth St. S., join chess players of every skill level for a chess skill share, boards and books will be provided; free.

Twisted Stitchers, 6:30 p.m., West Fargo Public Library, 109 Third St. E., bring your own supplies and join this group of experienced knitters; free.

Classy and Trashy Book Club, 7 p.m., Moorhead Public Library, 118 Fifth St. S., interested readers are invited to join this book club for a discussion of "The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek," by Kim Michele; free.

Storytime, 10:30 a.m., Moorhead Public Library, 115 Fifth St. S., children of all ages are invited to the library for stories, songs and poems on a weekly theme; free.

Wiggle Worms Baby Storytime, 10:30 a.m., West Fargo Public Library, 109 Third St. E., babies from birth to 18 months and their caregivers are invited to the library for rhymes, lap bounces, songs and books to spark the joy of reading through early literacy; free.

Technology Tutoring, 4 p.m., West Fargo Public Library, 109 Third St. E., drop in for a one-on-one tutoring session to learn to use your electronic device; free.

iStock / Special to The Forum

Northern Lights Ballroom Dance, 7 p.m., El Zagal Shrine, 1429 Third St. N., Fargo, brush up on your waltz and dance the night away, lessons begin at 7 p.m., with a social dance to follow; $5 for Northern Lights Ballroom members, $10 for non-members.

Go Club at Main, 7:30 p.m., Fargo Public Library, 102 Third St. N., all ages and skill levels are invited to the library for Go; free.

Baby Bounce, 10:15 a.m., Moorhead Public Library, 115 Fifth St. S., infants, preschoolers and their caregivers are invited to enjoy songs, stories, action poems and playtime at the library; free.

iStock / Special to The Forum

Faculty Art Exhibition at Concordia, 4 p.m., Cyrus M. Running Gallery, Concordia College, Moorhead, this exhibition runs through Feb. 23.

Jazz, 7 p.m., Delta Hotels by Marriott, 1635 42nd St. SW, Fargo, enjoy a fun night of jazz standards great for a nice dance, date or evening with friends, featuring Kathie Brekke and the 42nd St.; free.

GriefShare, 7 p.m., Faith Journey Lutheran Church, 127 Second Ave. E., West Fargo, people grieving the death of a family member or friend are invited to join this support group; $20.

West Fargo Public Schools' State of the Schools, 7 p.m., Sheyenne High School, 800 40th Ave. E., the community is invited to this second-annual event to learn statistics, demographics and the steps school officials are taking to achieve WFPS vision and mission; free.

No events scheduled.

iStock / Special to The Forum

60th Annual Red River Valley Coin Club Show, 9 a.m., Ramada Fargo, 3333 13th Ave. S., come out to enjoy watches, coins, tokens and more at the Red River Valley Coin Club Show, also on Sunday; free.

Brunch Women as Political Actors and Changemakers, 10 a.m., Minnesota State University Moorhead Comstock Memorial Union Ballroom, 615 14th St. S., Moorhead, join the MSUM Women's Center and members of the FM chapter of American Association of University Women for brunch and a talk by MSUM professor Deb White; $17 in advance, $20 at the door.

Pine Needle Baskets Beginner's Class, 10 a.m., West Fargo Public Library, 109 Third St. E., join skilled weaver and North Dakota artist Eileen McEnroe for an all-day workshop on pine needle basket weaving; $15.

Kindergarten Success: Storytime Series, 10 a.m., Fargo Public Library, 102 Third St. N., get your child ready for kindergarten by exploring literacy and STEAM topics through music, stories, songs and play; free.

High School Choral Festival Concert at Concordia, 3 p.m., Memorial Auditorium, Concordia College, Moorhead, the High School Choral Festival weekend concludes with a concert at Concordia; free.

Lego Club, 6 p.m., Moorhead Public Library, 118 Fifth St. S., people of all ages and creative ability are invited to make their own Lego creations at the library's Lego club; free.

==============

To have an event considered for publication in this calendar, please enter it online at redrivervalleycalendar.com. The deadline for submissions for Sunday editions is Tuesday at noon.

Here is the original post:
Things to do the week of Jan. 19, 2020, in Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo - INFORUM

NORTH HAMPTON Unless things change in a day or two, Town Meeting voters will face two warrant questions in March seeking approval for a new or expanded North Hampton Library.

A 60% approval is needed for either article, and like most competing proposals, the devil is in the details.

After spending $130,000 over three years of listening, researching upgrades, planning, designing and redesigning, the Library Board of Trustees is seeking to rehabilitate the current library and expand its footprint by half to 10,500 square feet.

The entire cost to bring forth the trustees' vision is $3,354,000, which includes interior equipment and furniture, system and technological upgrades, and a community meeting room. With $780,000 from the Library Capital Reserve Fund and another $300,000 in contributions, the trustees' petition article requests permission to bond for $2,274,000.

The competing warrant article to build a brand new library comes from Selectmen Jim Maggiore and Larry Miller, after about six months of planning and $19,000 for design, surveys, and bid documents. Select Board member Kathleen Kilgore, also a library trustee, recused herself from the selectmens proposal since her home abuts where the library would be built: the Homestead lot.

Miller chose the architect to design the 10,500-square-foot new library with similar space inclusion as the trustees plan. He chose three construction firms to offer bids. Maggiore and Miller chose the lowest bid of the three: $2,723,907.

With $100,000 in promised donations including Millers and $348,907 from the towns unassigned fund balance (reserves), the selectmens warrant question requests permission to bond for $2,275,000. The amount is exactly $1,000 more than the trustees proposal so the selectmen's article could be placed before the trustees article on the warrant.

Although the dollar requests are basically the same, the selectmens proposal builds a library building shell, without the interior accouterments and upgrades included in the trustees plan, according to resident Frank Ferraro.

At the Jan. 13 meeting, Ferraro challenged the selectmen after analyzing the bid document. He said there were no accommodations for new furniture and equipment, upgraded and new technology like staff and patron computers, card catalogs or moving costs. Millers answer was that the trustees have $780,000 in the Library Capital Reserve Fund with which to buy those things, indicating the true cost of the selectmen's plan is more than the amount requested for a functioning library.

But, Maggiores and Millers project has one very significant plus going for it. It would build a new library on the Homestead lot, a longed-for dream of many.

That exact proposal was nixed by both selectmen years ago, said resident Paul Marquis, who asked Miller why using the Homestead lot for the library this time is palatable? Miller said since voters turned down the municipal complex plan three times, he now believes building a new library on the Homestead lot is the only possibility.

The selectmens proposal also offers another advantage, according to Miller and Maggiore: Its a first step in easing the towns space and building insufficiencies.

Building a new library would vacate space in the current library, Miller said. The town's administrative offices could move there, he said, vacating the second floor of the police station, into which the Police Department could move to remedy its space needs. As a result, Miller believes the selectmens proposal saves $1.5 million because the town wont have to build new space for town administrative offices.

However, there are no monetary requests to renovate the current library for town administrative use or to renovate the police station.

In the Bauen Corporations Municipal Complex Cost Study from 2015, based on square footage renovation costs, the Chauncey plan estimated it would take $890,000 to renovate the current library for town administrative use. Further, estimates for police station renovations were hundreds of thousands of dollars more.

Library Trustee Chairwoman Susan Leonardi challenges Miller on cost savings. She said with the price of executing the renovations to the library and police station, there would be few if any savings, in spite of not building a new administrative building.

Additionally, given that state law gives library trustees complete authority over all library dealings and buildings, there is the outstanding question of whether the Select Board has the authority to build a library. No matter what happens at the polls, taxpayers may end up paying legal fees so the court can decide who has the authority to build the library.

At the beginning of the Jan. 13 meeting, Maggiore took a moment to explain to residents that the selectmens library alternative is an endeavor to give voters a choice between two library proposals.

This is not an attempt to divide our community, he said.

See the original post:
Dueling library projects on the ballot in North Hampton - Seacoastonline.com