CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS Celebrating Black History Month:

“Kids' Club: Riddle Me This - Tricksters and Other Folk Tales From the African Tradition” -
Stories, games and a craft for grades K-3.
Main Library , 4 p.m., Feb. 27

“Name That Notable Name” - Children of all ages, enter this weekly contest for a chance to win prizes courtesy of the Friends of Boardman Library.
Boardman , Library Hours, February

“Searching for Black History” - Come in and try this black-history word search in honor of Black History Month. The highest score wins a prize. For grades 4-6.
East , Library Hours, Feb. 4-21
South , Library Hours, Feb. 5-23
West , Library Hours, Feb. 4-23

CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS Celebrating Valentine's Day:

“Have a Heart: Make-and-Take Craft Program” - For school-age children.
Austintown , Library Hours, Feb. 14

“Hearts or No Hearts” - Guess the number of Valentine candies and win a sweet Valentine treat! For children of all ages.
Boardman , Library Hours, Feb. 1-13

“Roses Are Red. Violets Are Blue. How Many Hearts Can You Guess, Too?” - Guess how many candy hearts are in the jar for a chance to win a prize! For school-age children. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.
Canfield , Library Hours, Feb. 11-16
Greenford , Library Hours, Feb. 11-14
Sebring , Library Hours, Feb. 11-16

“Valentine Make-and-Take Craft Program” - For children of all ages.
Brownlee Woods , 4-5:30 p.m., Feb. 13
Campbell , 4-5:30 p.m., Feb. 12
Struthers , 4-5:30 p.m., Feb. 14

“Won't You Be My Valentine?” - Stop in for stories and a Valentine craft for ages 2-5.
West , 4:30 p.m., Feb. 6

“Celebrate the Arts!” - Join us at the reception for our sixth annual art show, featuring the work of Boardman-area students in grades K-6. Musical interludes will be performed by Team Two Signing Choir, directed by Sue McConnell. There will also be refreshments courtesy of the Friends of Boardman Library. The artwork will be on display Feb. 12-19.
Boardman , 6:30-8 p.m., Feb. 12

“Come and Join the Fun” - Stories and fun for ages 4-5.
Austintown , 10 a.m., Feb. 5, 12*, 19, 26
Boardman , 1 p.m. , Feb. 6, 13*, 20, 27
Canfield , 1:30 p.m. , Feb. 5, 12*, 19, 26
Main Library , 10 a.m., Feb. 7 (Program: Red Letter Days) & Feb. 21 (Program: Happy Unbirthday)
Poland , 1 p.m., Feb. 5, 12*, 19, 26
*Holiday Program

“Crafts to Go!” - Make-and-take craft for children of all ages.
East , Library Hours, Feb. 4-7

“Family Story Time: All Kinds and Colors of My Family” - Stories and a craft for children of all ages.
Main Library , 7 p.m., Feb. 12

“Guess 'N' Go – Do You Know?!” - Guess the number of items in the jar. Closest guess wins. For grades 6 and younger.
Poland , Library Hours, Feb. 1-15
Springfield , Library Hours, Feb. 1-15

“It's Elementary, My Dear!” - Kids in grades 1-4, stop in for some stories.
East , 4 p.m., Feb. 4
South , 4:30 p.m., Feb. 19
West , 4 p.m., Feb. 13

“Pajama Jam: Sleepy-Time Fun for the Family” - Put on your PJs, bring out the whole family and watch the Positively Preposterous Puppeteers present the puppet show “Goldilocks.”
Poland , 7 p.m., Feb. 25

“Pajamarama!” - Stories and a craft for children of all ages. Wear your pajamas and fuzzy slippers!
Austintown , 6:30 p.m., Feb. 21

“Something Special” - Holiday stories and fun for ages 4-5. Sign up.
Sebring , 10 a.m., Feb. 14

“Tales to Tails” - Sign up to read to a registered therapy dog, which helps develop reading skills, promotes confidence and encourages a love of reading. Readers of all levels and abilities in grades K-6 are welcome! Each session is 20 minutes. Bring a book of your choice. Dogs are provided by K-9's for Compassion, registered Delta Society therapy dogs. Sign up is required by calling 330-757-1852, ext. 105.
Poland , 6-7:30 p.m., Feb. 20

“Tiger Tales: Favorite Stories and Fun” - Stories and more fun for children of all ages.
Springfield , 11 a.m., Feb. 23

“Trim a Tree for February” - Decorate an ornament for our all-seasons tree. For children of all ages.
Poland , Library Hours, February
Springfield , Library Hours, February

“Tweens: Name That Candy Bar” - There's nothing like chocolate on Valentine's Day, right? Well, we're giving it away every week for the whole month! Kids in grades 4-6, just stop in and make your best guess. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.
Main Library , Library Hours, February

“Baby Brilliant: Tales for Toddlers” - Stories and fun for early talkers, ages 2-3. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Austintown , 10 a.m. & 11 a.m., Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27
Boardman , 10 a.m. , Feb. 6, 13*, 20, 27
Canfield , 10 a.m., Feb. 5, 12*, 19, 26
Poland , 10 a.m. , Feb. 5, 12*, 19, 26
* Holiday Program

“Baby Brilliant: Time for Babies and Books” - Books, songs, rhymes and more. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Austintown , 10 a.m. (6-23 months), Feb. 14 & 28
Boardman , 9:30 a.m. (6-12 months) & 10:30 a.m. ( 13-23 months ) , Feb. 7
Canfield , 10 a.m. (6-23 months), Feb. 18
Poland , 10 a.m. (6-23 months), Feb. 6, 13, 16, 20, 27

“Baby Brilliant: Sharing Books With Talkers” - Learn and practice hear-and-say (dialogic) reading to help your child develop vocabulary and narrative skills and nurture early literacy. For parents, teachers and caregivers of children ages 2-3. Sign up.
Poland , 7-9 p.m., Feb. 19

“Are You a Gamer?” - Test your knowledge by naming the video game each screen-shot image comes from and earn prizes. For grades 7-12. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.
Canfield , Library Hours, February
Sebring , Library Hours, February

“Gamers' Night” - Join other gamers for a night of PS2 games and snacks. For grades 7-12.
Canfield , 6 p.m., Feb. 21
Sebring , 6 p.m., Feb. 19

“Guitar Lessons” - At your own speed, learn the basics of playing the guitar! Bring your own guitar or we'll provide an extra. For grades 7-12. Space is limited, so sign up today.
Brownlee Woods , 4:30 p.m., Feb. 15 & 20
Campbell , 4:30 p.m., Feb. 5 & 19
Struthers , 4:30 p.m., Feb. 11 & 25

“Hearts or No Hearts” - Guess the number of Valentine candies correctly and win a sweet Valentine treat! For grades 7-12. Sponsored by the Friends of Boardman Library.
Boardman , Library Hours, Feb. 1-13

“Hugs and Kisses” - How many candies are in the jar? Closest guess wins it all! For grades 7-12. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.
Main Library , Library Hours, February

“Let Me Say I Love U” - Make an “I Love U” seed bead pin for you or someone special. For grades 7-12. Sponsored by the Friends of Austintown Library.
Austintown , 3 p.m., Feb. 11

“Name That Candy Bar: Part II” - Name the seven candy bars on our display correctly and win a bag of candy bars. For grades 7-12. Sponsored by the Friends of Poland Library.
Poland , Library Hours, Feb. 3-16

“Business and Investment Center: Tour for Entrepreneurs” - Your Library has had a mission to the business community from its early history. In keeping with that mission, this session shows how the Library can help your business grow. Join a librarian from the Information Services Department to view print and electronic sources useful for business start-up and beyond. Registration is required by calling 330-744-8636 and pressing “2” at the prompt.
Main Library , 6:30-8:30 p.m., Feb. 11

“Community Diversity Program Series” - Dr. Paul R. Carr, Youngstown State University assistant professor of educational foundations, will discuss “T he Great White North? Exploring Whiteness, Privilege and Identity in Education,” a book he and Darren E. Lund edited. The program is part of the Community Diversity Program Series by the YSU Community Diversity Council. The Library is a partner in this program, which presents the community with events and performances to promote a better understanding of and appreciation for the diverse nature of the Mahoning Valley. To register, call 330-744-8636, ext. 118.
Boardman , 6:30 p.m., Feb. 21

“Friends of the Library Meetings” - Friends of the Library are special volunteers who give of their time and services to support the Library. To join or find out more, contact the Development Office at 330-744-8636, ext. 118.
Austintown , 10 a.m., Feb. 18
Boardman , 10 a.m., Feb. 11 (Program: “Sara Josefa Hale and ‘Godey's Lady's Book'” by Barbara Luce)
East, 4 p.m., Feb. 4
Poland , 9:30 a.m., Feb. 5

“Grant Center: Proposal Writing Basics” - Designed for new proposal writers or for those requiring a refresher, this program provides the basics of proposal writing for a nonprofit organization. The session covers the key components, signing and packaging of a proposal, and directs attendees to further resources for proposal writing, including sample proposals. The program also offers suggestions for contacting a funder if a proposal is turned down. Registration is required by calling 330-744-8636 and pressing "2" at the prompt.
Main Library , 6:30 p.m., Feb. 7

“Lunch & Learn: ‘Environmental History and Conservation' With Dr. Brian Bonhomme” - Dr. Brian Bonhomme of Youngstown State University's history department has authored several publications on a new field of history – environmentalism and conservation. Through this lens, Bonhomme will reinterpret such events as the European discovery of America and the debate on global warming. Co-sponsored by the YSU English Department and the Friends of the Library.
Main Library , Noon-1 p.m., Feb. 12

“Women's Book Discussion Group” - Women who enjoy reading and would like to meet others with the same interest are invited to participate in this discussion group, which focuses on a different book every few weeks. The group meets twice monthly and is sponsored by The Friends of The Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County. The bookstore is located in the lower level of the Poland Library.
Friends of PLYMC Bookstore, Poland , 7 p.m., Feb. 11 & 25

“Blood-Pressure Screenings by the Mahoning Chapter of the American Red Cross”
Austintown , 1-3 p.m., Feb. 20
Boardman , 12:30-3 p.m., Feb. 4
Poland , 1-4 p.m., Feb. 26
Struthers , 1-4 p.m., Feb. 19

“Blood-Pressure Screenings by the ‘Original' Visiting Nurse Association of Mahoning Co.”
East , 1-3 p.m., Feb. 5
Main Library , 10 a.m.-Noon, Feb. 28
South , 1-3 p.m., Feb. 12
West , 1-3 p.m., Feb. 19

“Tax Counseling for the Elderly” - The IRS-sponsored TCE program provides free tax help to people age 60 and older. As part of the program, AARP will offer the Tax-Aide counseling program during the filing season. TCE volunteers will be at four libraries and two additional locations to assist taxpayers with IRS tax returns. Starting the last week of January, please call 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday to schedule appointments.
Austintown Library , 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27 (F or appointments, call 330-799-1775.)
Boardman Library , 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26 (For appointments, call 330-726-2492.)
Canfield Library , 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27 (For appointments, call 330-533-8420.)
Struthers Library , 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26 (For appointments, call 330-726-2492.)
Columbiana County Office on Aging, Salem , 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Feb. 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 26, 28 (For appointments, call 330-332-1163.)
Youngstown Senior Citizen Center, Youngstown , 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Feb. 4, 8, 11, 15, 18, 22, 25, 29 (For appointments, call 330-744-5071.)

“Volunteer Income Tax Assistance” - During the filing season, the IRS-sponsored VITA program offers free tax help to low- to moderate-income people who cannot prepare their own tax returns. VITA volunteers are scheduling appointments at two sites to assist these taxpayers.
YSU Williamson College of Business Administration, Youngstown , 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Feb. 2; 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Feb. 9, 16, 23; 3-6 p.m., Feb. 12 (For appointments, call 330-941-3084.)
MYCAP (Mahoning Youngstown Community Action Partnership), Youngstown , 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Feb. 2, 9, 23; 5 p.m.-6:30 p.m., Feb. 5, 7, 12, 14, 21, 26, 28 (For appointments, call 330-747-7921, ext. 1183.)