CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS

“Celebrity Pajama Jam: Sleepy-Time Fun for the Family” - Put on your PJs, bring out the whole family and listen to bedtime stories read by Mrs. Smallhoover, principal of Poland Union Elementary.
Poland , 7-7:30 p.m., March 31

“Celebrity Story Time With SteelHounds Players” - Meet players from the SteelHounds, Youngstown's minor league hockey team, as they read stories and sign autographs!
Austintown , 4 p.m., March 4
Boardman , 5 p.m., March 5
Canfield , 4 p.m., March 11
Poland , 4 p.m., March 12

“Crafts to Go!” - Make-and-take craft for children of all ages.
East , Library Hours, March 10-13

“Easter Eggs-travaganza” - Come on, egg us on! Try out our eggs-periment in egg-dyeing for Easter. We'd be egg-static to have you join us! Wear your old clothes in case you get egg on your face! Grades 1-6, sign up!
East , 4 p.m., March 17
South , 4:30 p.m., March 18
West , 4 p.m., March 19

“Egg Mystery” - How many chocolate eggs are in the jar? Guess correctly and win the candy! For grades K-6.
Austintown , Library Hours, March

“Family Story Time: Seuss Spectacular” - Stories, games and a craft for children of all ages.
Main Library , 7 p.m., March 11

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

“It Came From the Nursery…” - So, you think you know your nursery rhymes? Well then, give a wink, a blink and a nod to this quiz. Highest score wins a prize! For children of all ages.
East , Library Hours, March 3-13
South , Library Hours, March 4-14
West , Library Hours, March 3-13

“It's a Royal Affair!” - Be a knight in shining armor or a pretty princess at our dress-up tea party. Enjoy stories, games, a craft and snack for children ages 2-11. School's out … so come and join the merriment! Preschool children must be accompanied by an adult. Sign up!
Boardman , 10 a.m., March 26

“Kids' Club: Seuss on the Loose!” - Stories and a craft for grades K-3.
Main Library , 4 p.m., March 26

“March in Like a Lion!” - Stories and a craft for ages 2-5. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
West , 4:30 p.m., March 5

“Pajamarama!” - Stories and more for children of all ages. Wear your pajamas and fuzzy slippers! Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Austintown , 6:30 p.m., March 20

“A Royal Tournament!” - Find a princess, knight or dragon in our word-search contest for children of all ages. Winning entries are eligible for a prize drawing.
Boardman , Library Hours, March 1-25

“Something Special” - Stories and fun for ages 4-5. Sign up.
Sebring , 10 a.m., March 13

“St. Patrick's Day Make-and-Take Craft Program” - Children of all ages, make a leprechaun card.
Brownlee Woods , 4-6 p.m., March 12
Campbell , 4-6 p.m., March 11
Struthers , 4-6 p.m., March 10

“Tiger Tales: Favorite Stories and Fun!” - Stories and more fun for children of all ages.
Springfield , 11 a.m., March 29

“Tweens: Kids' Choice Awards 2008” - Who are your choices for the best performers of 2007? Complete our contest for a chance to win a prize. For grades 4-6. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.
Main Library , Library Hours, March

“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., March 5, 12*, 19, 26
Boardman , 10 a.m., March 5*, 12, 19
Canfield , 10 a.m., March 4, 11, 18, 25
Poland , 10 a.m., March 4, 11, 18*, 25
*Celebrating its 40th anniversary, the MRDD (Mahoning County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities) will provide a guest storyteller and refreshments.

“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), March 13 & 27
Boardman , 9:30 a.m. (6-12 months) & 10:30 a.m. (13-23 months), March 6
Canfield , 10 a.m. (6-23 months), March 17
Poland , 10 a.m. (6-23 months), March 5, 12, 15, 19, 26

“Baby Brilliant: Sharing Books With Pre-Readers” - Learn and practice developmentally appropriate activities to help children as they develop and expand their pre-reading skills. For parents, teachers and caregivers of children ages 4-5. Sign up.
Main Library , 7-9 p.m., March 12

“Teen Tech Week After-Hours Gaming Party” - Like MMOGs? How about PS2 or Wii? Then join us for a multiplayer gaming frenzy! Join other gamers and go head-to-head or combine forces in online or console-based games while you have the library all to yourselves! You can even bring your own Wii or multiplayer PS2 games! Snacks will be provided. For grades 7-12. Space is limited, so tell your friends and sign up today!
Austintown , 6 p.m., March 7

“Celebrity Mix 'N' Match” - Do you ever wonder what celebrities would look like when morphed together? Find out by matching the celebrities to their morphed images. You could win a prize! For grades 7-12. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.
Canfield , Library Hours, March
Sebring , Library Hours, March

“City Lights Search” - Match the cities to photos of their nighttime skylines and you could win a prize! For grades 7-12. Sponsored by the Friends of Boardman Library.
Boardman , Library Hours, March

“Game Day” - Come to the library and play board games with your friends. We'll have refreshments and prizes! For grades 7-12. Sponsored by the Friends of Austintown Library.
Austintown , 3 p.m., March 10

“Guitar Hero” - Don't be a total couch potato over spring break— come play Guitar Hero with us. We'll have snacks, too. For grades 7-12. Sign up is required. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.
Main Library , 4 p.m., March 25

“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., March 12 & 14
Campbell , 4:30 p.m., March 4 & 11
Struthers , 4:30 p.m., March 3 & 17

“TAB: Teen Advisory Board” - Want to meet new people? Have ideas for future teen events and programs? Need service credits? Like free snacks? Then check us out at the monthly TAB (Teen Advisory Board). We meet the first Wednesday of the month. Newcomers are always welcome! For grades 7-12. This month, come early at 5 p.m. for the SteelHounds' visit!
Boardman , 6:30 p.m., March 5

“Community Diversity Program Series: ‘Kabul Beauty School' Book Discussion With Co-Author Kristin Ohlson” - Clevelander Kristin Ohlson, co-author of New York Times best-seller “Kabul Beauty School: An American Woman Goes Behind the Veil,” will discuss the book as part of the Community Diversity Program Series by the YSU Community Diversity Council. Ohlson also wrote “Stalking the Divine,” her contemplation of nuns and faith that won the American Society of Journalists and Authors 2004 General Nonfiction Book Award. The Library is a partner in this program, which presents the community with a variety of events and performances to promote a better understanding of and appreciation for the diverse nature of the Mahoning Valley. To register, call the Library's Development Office at 330-744-8636, ext. 118.
Boardman , 6:30 p.m. March 13

“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., March 17 (Program: Tea-for-Two Dolls Presentation)
Boardman , 10 a.m., March 10 (Program: “Dressed Up: Medieval” by Dr. Eleanor Congdon of the Youngstown State University history department)
Poland , 9:30 a.m., March 4

“Friends of PLYMC Bookstore Author Visit” - Louis N. DeToro will discuss and sign his book, “ How Not to Play Golf: A Short Primer. ” An avid golfer, DeToro has won a golf tournament or two, but maintains that the sport's most important rule is to have fun and advises readers to go out and play the game. The bookstore is located in the lower level of the Poland Library.
Friends of PLYMC Bookstore, Poland , 1 p.m., March 15

“Friends of PLYMC Bookstore Book Sale” - Don't miss the Friends of the Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County Bookstore book sale, where everything except gifts and new books will be marked 50% off the regular price. Proceeds benefit all public libraries in the county. The bookstore is located in the lower level of the Poland Library.
Friends of PLYMC Bookstore, Poland , Store Hours, March 14-21

“Friends of PLYMC General Membership Meeting: Chris Barzak Discusses His Award-Winning Book” - During business, officers will be elected. For the meeting's program, Youngstown State University writing instructor Chris Barzak will read excerpts from his international award-winning novel, “One for Sorrow,” and will answer questions about the book and his experiences as a writer and teacher. Barzak grew up in a rural area outside of Youngstown; graduated from YSU; and has lived in a southern California beach town, the capital of Michigan, and the suburbs of Tokyo, Japan, where he taught English in rural junior high and elementary schools. Barzak's stories have appeared in many venues, including Nerve.com; Strange Horizons, Realms of Fantasy, and Lady Churchill's Rosebud Wristlet magazines; and books, “The Year's Best Fantasy and Horror,” “Salon Fantastique” and “Interfictions.” “One for Sorrow,” released last fall, recently received the International Association for the Fantastic in the Arts 2008 Crawford Fantasy Award, which recognizes an outstanding first book of fantasy published during the preceding year. His second novel, “The Love We Share Without Knowing,” will be out this fall.
Poland , 7 p.m., March 26

“Genealogy: Selected Topics” - This program is an introduction to searching military records, Ellis Island information and starting European research. It also includes a presentation of new electronic genealogy resources. Registration is required; call 330-744-8636 and press “2” at the prompt.
Main Library , 2-4 p.m., March 1

“Grant Center: Finding Foundation Support for Your Education” - This hour-long program covers the different sources of educational funding, as well as what students need to know before approaching foundations for financial support. Attendees will learn how to create a personal profile to attract funders, and will get a review of the application process, complete with tips for successful applications. There will also be a demonstration of Foundation Grants to Individuals Online, an online source that provides detailed descriptions of more than 6,000 foundation programs that support individuals seeking educational support in the form of scholarships, fellowships, loans and internships. The source includes information on arts and cultural support and general welfare and special needs, too. Registration is required; call 330-744-8636 and press "2" at the prompt.
Main Library , 6:30 p.m., March 13

“Lunch & Learn: ‘Lincoln's Presidency' with Gerald A. Payn” - Noted Abraham Lincoln dramatist, Gerald A. Payn of Wooster, Ohio, will portray the trials and tribulations of America's 16th president, highlighting the turmoil of his 1860 election, his difficult decision to go to war the following year, and his troubles with Union generals early in the Civil War. Co-sponsored by the YSU English department and the Friends of the Library.
Main Library , Noon-1 p.m., March 11

BLOOD-PRESSURE SCREENINGS

“Blood-Pressure Screenings by the Mahoning Chapter of the American Red Cross”
Austintown , 1-3 p.m., March 19
Boardman , 12:30-3 p.m., March 3
Poland , 1-4 p.m., March 25
Struthers , 1-4 p.m., March 18

“Blood-Pressure Screenings by the ‘Original' Visiting Nurse Association of Mahoning Co.”
East , 2-3 p.m., March 4
Main Library , 10 a.m.-Noon, March 27
South , 2-3 p.m., March 11
West , 1-3 p.m., March 18

“Tax Counseling for the Elderly” - The TCE program offers tax advice and preparation from AARP volunteers who are trained and certified by the IRS. Help is available for low- to moderate-income (not to exceed $100,000) individuals – with particular emphasis on those age 60 and older – at four libraries and two additional locations. Call 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays to schedule appointments.
Austintown , 9 a.m.-3 p.m., March 5, 12, 19, 26 (F or appointments, call 330-799-1775.)
Boardman , 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., March 4, 11, 18, 25 (For appointments, call 330-726-2492.)
Canfield , 11 a.m.-5 p.m., March 5, 12, 19, 26 (For appointments, call 330-533-8420.)
Struthers , 11 a.m.-3 p.m., March 4, 11, 18, 25 (For appointments, call 330-726-2492.)
Columbiana County Office on Aging, Salem , 9 a.m.-1 p.m., March 4, 6, 11, 13, 18, 20, 25, 27 (For appointments, call 330-332-1163.)
Youngstown Senior Citizen Center, Youngstown , 9 a.m.-1 p.m., March 3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, 24, 28 (For appointments, call 330-744-5071.)

“Volunteer Income Tax Assistance” - The VITA program offers free tax advice and preparation from volunteers trained and certified by the IRS. Help is available for low- to moderate-income (generally $40,000 and below) people who cannot prepare their own tax returns. Call to schedule appointments at the following sites.

MYCAP (Mahoning Youngstown Community Action Partnership), Youngstown , 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m., March 8; 5-6:30 p.m., March 4, 6, 11 (For appointments, call 330-747-7921, ext. 1183.)

“SteelHounds Hockey Library Night” - March 14 is Library Night for Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County patrons who watch the SteelHounds hockey game against the Laredo Bucks. Patrons showing their PLYMC library card at the Chevrolet Centre's box office window will receive $2 off the price of admission (excluding Club Level and Family Section seating).
Chevrolet Centre , Youngstown , 7:05 p.m., March 14