Library News & Notes: It is all about the children this holiday season

Nothing exemplifies the holiday season better than the smile and the sparkling eyes of a child. The Carson City Library is joining forces with many community charitable organizations to assist our youngest citizens and to provide programs to "make the season bright." Opportunities for giving abound: One just needs to walk in the door.

Capital City Circles Initiative: Christmas joy program

The mission statement of the Capital City Circles Initiative (CCCI) states that it is "a cooperative community effort to elevate people out of poverty by intentionally creating relationships across class lines, and empowering people in poverty to chart their own course toward self-sufficiency." Simply put, people help others help themselves.

The Teen Advisory Board decorated a tree in the library foyer with paper ornaments describing basic information such as shoe, pant and shirt sizes of each of thirty individuals (11 families). An interested patron picks out an ornament, signs for it at the Youth Desk, provides a contact phone number, and returns with a wrapped gift before Dec. 19.

The ornaments will be available until Dec. 16, or until they are all gone. A suggestion: In addition to the clothing item, it might be nice to include something from the Scholastic Book Fair, which begins on Saturday.

Mitten Tree,

Food for Thought, and Toys for Tots

Because of the growing number of citizens using the library, many charitable organizations are using the facility as a convenient drop-off for donations. The other tree in the foyer will soon be filled with mittens, hats and scarves for needy children and adults. Patrons can purchase mittens for children and adults and decorate the tree with these warm gifts. The mittens will be distributed by the Girl Scouts of America.

Food for Thought will be taking contributions of packaged snacks appropriate for children. This amazing organization provides nutritious after-school snacks and weekend meal elements for children throughout the school district. The clear appreciation of the children receiving this food makes every donation worthwhile. Gifts of food will be accepted through Dec. 16.

The library is an official drop-off location for Toys for Tots. In addition to the extraordinary service they provide to our country, the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve sponsors and coordinates this worthwhile program every year. A book or gift purchased at the Book Fair would help the library and the many children in need.

Special story time: "Peanutcracker: The Story in a Nutshell"

During very special story times at 10:15 a.m. and again at 10:45 a.m. on Thursday, the Sierra Nevada Ballet, Western Nevada Performing Arts Center, and In Motion Dance Studio will preview the delightful program, "Peanutcracker: The Story in a Nutshell."

Complimentary tickets to the 10 a.m. and noon Friday performances at the Community Center will be handed out to all attendees. Both the library preview and the complete performance on Friday are designed for younger children and will introduce them to the classic Christmas ballet.

Scholastic Book Fair

Books for children and adults, small gifts and holiday items from the Scholastic Book Fair arrive just in time for the Christmas giving season. The shopping begins from 10 a.m. Saturday in the auditorium, and, with the exception of Sunday, runs through Saturday, Dec. 10. Purchasing something at the book fair can benefit the recipient and the library. A percentage of the sales goes to the library youth department and enables Youth Services Director Amber Sady to obtain books for the library and to distribute books at programs such as Love on a Leash.

Love on a Leash

This ever-popular program, which provides children the opportunity to read to trained therapy dogs, is available from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday in the Children's Room. Participants will receive a free book to take home, and there is no charge or registration required.