January 3 marks the kick-off of the Warsaw Community Public Library Winter Reading program. All ages are challenged to read or listen, count pages and earn prizes. Pictured are Janet Marner and Anna Jackson.

By Amy Mann
Children’s Services Department, Warsaw Community Public Library

When school is out and it’s too cold to stay outside for long, where can you go to beat the winter blues? Look to the Warsaw Community Public Library for resources and activities to entertain, amuse, and engage the K-12 students in your life. The library is closed for the holidays Dec. 23-26 and Jan. 1, but we have fun things to do the rest of Christmas Break.

At 10 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 27, come enjoy the latest feature film about everybody’s favorite building bricks. The movie is rated PG, and the library provides popcorn.

From 4 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 28, is Minecraft for grades 6 to 12. Middle and high schoolers can collaborate while playing Minecraft Education Edition on the library laptops.

From 3 to 5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29,  bring the whole family to celebrate “A Century of Children’s Lit on the Silver Screen” for the library’s 100th birthday. The theme is Christmas and trains, in honor of Chris Van Allsburg’s 1986 Caldecott Medal-winning book. Enjoy hands-on activities while watching the 2004 movie adaptation (rated G).

The second week of Christmas Break we have two sessions of LEGO Club for elementary and middle school-aged children: from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 3,  and from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6. We supply the bricks, and kids bring the creativity!

Meanwhile, for teens, our monthly Drop-In Zone happens from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 3. Middle and high schoolers can hang out with peers and enjoy playing a variety of video games, board games, and virtual reality.

Jan. 3 also marks the kick-off of our all-ages Winter Reading program. From Wednesday, Jan. 3, through Wednesday, Feb. 28, we challenge middle and high schoolers to read or listen, count pages and earn prizes. Elementary school children can sign up for our bingo-style challenge to read, write, play and earn prizes along the way. Winter reading offers fun for everyone. For more information, come see us at the library or visit our Winter Reading Web page at www.warsawlibrary.org/winter-reading-program.htm.

For more information about the programs and services at your public library, check out warsawlibrary.org or call us at (574) 267-6011.