Canyon Lake Library offers free programs

Sisters Tori and Ella Mendoza show the bookmarks they created in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The laminated bookmarks are available at the circulation desk in the library. Photo provided by Gloria Snyder

Recruiter Kelly Roberts with the California Census will be in the library today, Jan. 24, from 1 to 6 p.m. to answer questions and assist applicants who are interested in temporary employment with the 2020 Census.

Miss Ginny’s Preschool Story Time will meet today at 11:30 a.m. The program is led by Librarian Miss Ginny and features Mr. Bill on the piano and interactive songs at each meeting. The program for kids ages three to five meets every other Friday and includes an interactive story, music and movement activities.

Play Day will meet on Monday, Jan. 27, from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Play Day is a free-form party for parents and their children. Toys are provided along with a craft, music, a story and light refreshments.

The Adult Book Club will meet on Monday, Jan. 27, at 4 p.m. January’s book selection is “Being Mortal: Medicine & What Matters in the End” by Atul Gawande. The title of February’s selection is “Love in the Time of Cholera” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. The library provides discussion questions relating to each book selection. Newcomers are always welcome and copies of the month’s selection are available at the library. Light refreshments are served at each meeting.

Toddler Story Time will meet on Monday, Feb. 3, at 11 a.m. in the Kid’s Cove in the library. The program is led by volunteer Gretchen Blackford and includes a craft, a story, interactive songs and opportunities for children ages three and younger to use their growing vocabulary and experience social interaction with other children.

The Knitting and Crochet Crafters program will meet on Feb. 7 from 1 to 4 p.m. The part-social, part-educational program is open to crafters of all skill levels. Loaner tools and supplies are available for newcomers.

The library’s January Maker Space features a Lunar New Year-themed craft. This free make-and-take activity is available in the Kid’s Cove.

The library offers free homework help through its Roots to Grow program. Help is offered on Wednesdays from 4 to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 to 11 a.m. Students should bring the work they are having problems with to gain help in the area most needed. Professional reading help is also available. High school students can earn volunteer credit for assisting younger children with their studies. Students who wish to participate should contact the library in advance to express their interest.

Boy Scout Troop 2011 is collecting e-waste at the library to raise funds for the Troop’s summer camp transportation costs. Residents who have small electronics to recycle are asked to drop them off at the library before Mar. 6. Items accepted include inkjet and laser printer cartridges, cell phones, tablets, eBook readers, PDAs, video game consoles, handheld video games​, etc. Large electronics such as printers, computers and televisions cannot be accepted.

Public computers are available for use at the library. Saving is possible with the use of a removable drive such as a USB. The library also has an AWE computer for young children. The computer is preprogrammed with educational games and activities and not attached to the Internet.

Tech Time is a program in which patrons ages 18 and older of any skill level may have their questions about the Internet, tech, or their devices answered by the Tech Tutor, an expert with more than fifteen years of experience in the field. Interested patrons should make a Saturday appointment at the library. Patrons are encouraged to bring in their devices, such as laptops, smartphones, or tablets, to their appointment.

The library will be closed on Wednesday, Feb. 12, in observance of Lincoln’s birthday. Book drops will be available during this time for patrons who need to return items. The library is located inside the City Hall building at 31516 Railroad Canyon Rd.

Hours are Mondays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The library is closed on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. For more information, call 951-244-9181.