Library Events
Children's Programs
Storytime Schedule for Winter 2010
Join us at the library for Preschool Storytime, and enjoy stories, songs, and fingerplays. Share a new theme each week and explore the wonderful world of books together!
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Baby Time
Fridays, January 8 to February 12, 10:00AM -
Main Branch
Fridays, March 12 to May 7, 10:00AM -
Main Branch
For babies 0-24 months and their grown-ups. Bring your little one to the library! It’s a Storytime for babies with board books, puppets, songs, rhymes, and playtime!
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PAWS to Read Program
Saturdays, 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. -
Main Branch
Dogs are very good listeners. By reading to a dog, children can develop their reading skills and build confidence in a relaxed and non-judgmental environment. Children may bring a book from home or choose a book from the library. Sustained reading sessions with a furry companion are 20 minutes. The program is intended for readers ages 5 and up, and spaces are limited so registration is required. To register, please call 425-430-6825. If you would like to read more about the use of dogs in the reading process, have a look at this article on CNN.
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Drop Everything and Read (D.E.A.R.)
Tuesday afternoons, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. - Main Branch
Beginning in January, you can sign your child up for a 20-minute session of sustained reading with the children’s librarian on Tuesday afternoons. This service is designed especially for English language learners and children just starting to read independently who need a helping hand in discovering the wonderful world of books. Call 425-430-6825 to register.
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Family Game Days
Saturday, February 6, 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. -
Main Branch
Bring the whole family to the Renton Main Branch on the first Saturday of the month to enjoy Playstation 2 and board games at the library. Believe it or not, research shows that gaming can be a very powerful tool for literacy and learning. It’s also a great way to spend quality time with the family. So drop into the Children’s area on the following Saturdays from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m.
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Puppets Please In-the-Round Marionette Show
Tuesday, February 23, 6:00 p.m. -
Highlands Branch
Join mother and daughter team Shirley and Terry McManus as they present an interactive puppet show in which everyone gets to meet the marionettes up close and personal. Family fun for all ages.
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The Parrot Lady
Tuesday, March 16, 6:00 p.m. -
Main Library
Join Debbie Goodrich, better known as the Parrot Lady, as she shows and talks about her live tropical birds, aka the “ambassadors of the rainforest” as they help bridge the gap between the everyday and the world of the extraordinary. These amazing, adaptable, intelligent beings will demonstrate how human they can be by talking, roller skating, and playing basketball. This is a free family program for all ages!"
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Teen Programs
Teen Tuesdays @ Highlands Library
Last Tuesdays, 3:00 to 4:30 p.m -
Highlands Library
Tuesday, February 23
Anime club! We will watch Japanese anime-style cartoons (rated TVPG), fold origami, draw manga, and eat real Japanese snacks and treats (they're tasty).
Stay tuned to the teen blog for future announcements.
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Young Writers Group for Teens
If you are in grades 6 to 12, and enjoy expressing yourself through the written word, then this group is for you. Share your writing, learn some new creative writing techniques, and build your creative portfolio in a relaxed and supportive setting. Snacks and drinks will be provided. Call 425-430-6825 for meeting dates.
Teen Magazine Project
Hey Teens! Now is your chance to see yourself in print! Artists and authors in 6th through 12th grades are encouraged to submit items for publication in Renton Library’s new Teen Magazine! The publication will need a title, so if you have ideas for a creative or catchy title, e-mail them to the Young Adult Librarian.
Send your submissions (including original poems, stories, artwork, song lyrics, reviews, comic strips, personal ponderings, and more) to the Young Adult Librarian or turn them in at the Children's Desk or Information Desk! Submissions should include your name, grade, and contact phone number or e-mail address.
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Adult Programs
Genealogy Classes
Tuesday, March 30, 7:00 – 8:30 pm “The Search Begins” -
Main Library
Tuesday, April 13, 7:00 – 8:30 pm “Where to from Here?” -
Main Library
Have you ever wondered about your ancestors or how to find your family roots? These two workshops will help you learn how to research your family history. Presented as a community service of the Education committee of the South King County Genealogical Society (SKCGS). Call 425-430-6610 to register.
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Computer tutoring @ the Library
Are you a new computer user? Get free, personal, one-on-one help with things like: setting up your first email account, surfing the Internet, applying for a job online, writing a resumé or other basic computer skills. Ask about computer help sessions at the Renton Downtown Library by email, or by calling 425-430-6610.
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Talk-Time at the Renton Public Library
Wednesdays, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. - Main Branch
If you would like to practice your conversational English skills or know someone who would, then come to Talk Time. Program sessions are held every Wednesday evening from 6:30-8:00 pm at the main library. These are free sessions intended to give people practice speaking English in a fun and friendly setting. It is not necessary to have attended previous sessions, and interested people are encouraged to come to any session. Talk Time is intended for adults only so please do not bring children.
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English-As-A-Second-Language (ESL) Classes
The Library will be hosting English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) Classes for beginning English speakers in the main library. The classes are provided by the Multi-Service Center and will be held Mondays and Thursdays from 6:30-8:00 p.m. The classes are intended for people with little or no ability to speak English, and registration is REQUIRED. For more information or to register, please contact the Multi-Service Center at 253-838-6810.
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Renton Public Library Book Group
3rd Thursday of the month, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. - Main Branch
If you are interested in participating in a lively book discussion with great people, you might want to join Renton Public Library's book group, A River Runs Under It. The Library Book Group meets on the third Thursday of each month from 7 - 8:30 pm at the main library. Future meeting dates and books to be discussed are as follows:
February 18 - Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
March 18 - Planet of the Apes by Pierre Boulle
April 15 - Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig
May 20 - Fried Green Tomatoes by Fannie Flagg
June 17 - From the Dust Returned by Ray Bradbury
It is not necessary to have attended a previous meeting to join the group; interested people are encouraged to join at any time. For more information about how you can participate, please contact Laurie Finlayson at 425-430-6610 or via email.
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On-Going Book Sale
The Library has replaced its once yearly Book Sale with an year-round On-going Book Sale. Sale items are located in the front sections of both libraries, and new items are added daily. Pricing is as follows: $1 for Hardbacks, 50¢ for large paperbacks, 10¢ cents for mass market paperbacks and magazines, and $1 for Media. Sale items come from materials being discarded from the library collection or from donations by our dedicated patrons. The main thing to remember is that the more often you come to the library, the more great deals you will find!
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Library Board
The Library Board meets the second Thursday of the month at 7:00 pm at the Main Library. For more information about Renton's Library Board, visit the Board's web page.
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