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Library Events

Children's Programs  

Storytime

Baby Time 

PAWS to Read Program

Family Game Days 

The Parrot Lady

Puppets Please 

 Drop Everything and Read (D.E.A.R.)

Teen Programs  

Teen Tuesdays

YA Writer's Group

Teen Magazine

Adult Programs  

Computer Tutoring

 Talk Time

ESL Classes

Library Book Group

On-Going Book Sale 

Library Board

 

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!

 Dates 

 Times

 Place

January 4 - February 8, March 8 - May 3 Monday Evenings, 7:00 pm Renton Public Library 
January 5 - February 9, March 9 - May 4 Tuesday Mornings, 10:00 am Highlands Public Library 
January 6 - February 10, March 10 - May 5 Wednesday Morning, 10:00 am Renton Public Library 

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Baby ReadingBaby 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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Reading Dog 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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Boy ReadingDrop 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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GamesFamily 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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puppet 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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Parrot LadyThe 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

Colorful Silhouette TeensTeen 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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Teen Writing 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.

Magazine 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

genealogyGenealogy 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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Laptop Lady 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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ESL ClassEnglish-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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Book Group 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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Book SaleOn-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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