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Annual Mudgy and Santa Holiday Sign-Along Dec. 9

Join the fun Saturday, Dec. 9, at 11 a.m., at the library with a special family activity, the sixth annual “Holiday Sing-Along With Mudgy and Santa.”
The free program will be in the Community Room on the lower level of the library. Easiest access will be from the lower parking lot behind City Hall and through the lower entrance.
Children’s author Susan Nipp, creator of the “Mudgy & Millie” book and the nationally known “Wee Sing” series of books and music, will lead the kids in singing some holiday favorites.
Mudgy Moose and Millie Mouse will be on hand along with Santa Claus and they will be available after the music for informal photos – so be sure to bring your cameras and phones.
Nipp and sculptor Terry Lee, who created the bronze statues along the Mudgy Trail, will also sign copies of “Mudgy & Millie.”
The book, which also features the illustrations of Charles Reasoner, was first published in 2008 with its royalties and those for “Mudgy & Millie” merchandise going to the Coeur d’Alene Public Library Foundation. Its release coincided with the unveiling of Lee’s bronzes and the opening of the 2.5-mile trail in cooperation with the City of Coeur d’Alene.
Information: 208-769-2380.

CIN Libraries Offer New Online Language Service

The Cooperative Information Network (CIN) – a group of 29 libraries in North Idaho and eastern Washington – now offers the Mango Languages online language-learning system to its patrons.
Mango is free for all library patrons and can be accessed anywhere with an Internet connection. Each lesson combines real-life situations and audio from native speakers with simple, clear instructions. The courses are presented with an appreciation for cultural nuance and real-world application by focusing on the four key elements of language learning: vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar, and culture.
Mango offers access to 60 foreign language courses and 17 English courses taught completely in the user’s native language. In addition to traditional language courses, Mango also offers the opportunity to learn through foreign film with Mango Premiere™ and access to a variety of specialty mini courses, like Pirate, Medical Spanish and romance courses. Mango can be accessed at the library, remotely, or even on-the-go with apps for iPhone®, Android™, Kindle® and Nook®.
“We are thrilled to join the growing list of libraries across the country that offer Mango to their patrons,” said Coeur d’Alene Public Library Director Bette Ammon. “Some people need to learn a second language for business or travel. Others want to for personal or professional development. No matter the reason, learning a language should be fun.”
To learn more about Mango, stop by a CIN member library and ask a librarian for an introduction. Library card holders can access Mango through their nearest library’s website.
The libraries of the Cooperative Information Network share a computer catalog, circulation services and a common library card in order to provide patrons in North Idaho and eastern Washington with better and more convenient access to library services and materials. The shared catalog can be accessed at: www.cinlibraries.org or through any of the websites for the CIN member libraries.
Founded in 2007, Mango Languages is the leading provider of language-learning resources in North American libraries. Mango is headquartered in Farmington Hills, Mich. Guided by its core purpose to enrich lives with language and culture, Mango Languages creates lovable language-learning experiences for libraries, schools, corporations, government agencies, and individuals. To learn more about the company visit www.mangolanguages.com.

Idaho Writers League Book Fair Offered

You can support and enjoy local authors and contribute to the library with Books For Christmas, an Idaho Writers League event, at the library Thursday, Dec. 7, beginning at 3:30 p.m.
Readers can meet the authors, participate in book giveaways, buy books, and have them signed throughout the event. A portion of each book sale will benefit the Friends of the Coeur d’Alene Public Library.
Participating authors will include contributors to the “Jewett House Centennial Anthology,” as well as these authors and their work: Jack Castle, Jenny Lamont Leo, Toby Neighbors, Matt Prescott, Ron Vergona, Suzanne Holland, Linda Shane, Anna Goodwin, Larry Telles, Joyce Nowacki, Diane Markley, Tom Reppert, Jim Payne, Emily Moore, and Tana Lovett.
Authors will speak and read from their books from 3:45 to 4:15 p.m., and again from 6:30 to 7 p.m.

Bucket List Trip to Norway Featured at Library

Visiting Norway was on the bucket list for Howard Funke, an attorney who has represented the Coeur d’Alene Tribe for more than 20 years.
He will be joined by Susan Coby, AKA the “Soup Goddess,” a chef at Soul Café for a Novel Destinations presentation at the library, Friday, Dec. 8, at 7 p.m.
Funke and Coby will share stories and images from the trip as part of the occasional series sponsored by the Coeur d’Alene Public Library Foundation presented in the Community Room.
Coby said that Funke has always wanted to visit Norway – he is half Norwegian and still has relatives who live above the Arctic Circle.
“I just love to travel,” she said, adding, “We were blown away with Norway's deep culture, the breathtaking diverse beauty and the warmth of everyone we encountered. Oh, yeah, and about half way into the trip we got married!”
The program is free, but donations are welcome.
Anyone with a travelogue to share at the library is asked to contact the Library Foundation at 208-769-2380 or by e-mail at cdalibraryfoundation@gmail.com.

BINGO Encourages Kids to Try New Authors

Holiday and winter reading programs will include a New Author Blackout BINGO game for children from Dec. 1 through Feb. 28 at the library.
BINGO cards are available at the Children’s Checkout Desk in the Seagraves Children’s Library on the lower level. There are two age groups for the game.
For 8 to 12 year-olds, the game encourages them to read books by authors they have not read before. Participants will receive prizes and raffle tickets for a grand prize for completing rows or blacking out their BINGO cards with titles from authors they have not previously read.
There is also a card for participants who are age 7 and younger with similar prize opportunities. The younger readers are encouraged to try new authors, but are not required to do so to participate in the game.
The 3D Maker Club for 10 to 14 year-old patrons continues into December utilizing one of the library’s new 3D printers. The program meets Tuesdays, 4-5:30 p.m., in the Nelson Room at the southwest corner of the main library. The club will not meet Dec. 26 or Jan. 2.
Registration is required to participate in 3D Club. Call or visit the library to sign up.
The program may lead some participants to compete as part of the library’s team at the upcoming Idaho FabSLAM 2018 in February.
Holiday reading programs for kids, “Seasons Readings,” will be offered through Dec. 22. These free programs include:
► Spanish Bilingual Storytime: Mondays, 11 a.m. Learn some Spanish through stories, activities, and crafts for ages 3-6.
► Book Babies Lapsit:  Tuesdays, 10:15 a.m., and Fridays, 10:30 a.m., for children ages newborn to 2 accompanied by a parent or adult caregiver.
► Toddler Time Music & Motion: Tuesdays, 11 a.m., fun, songs, movement, and a story for 2-3 year olds.
► Lake City LEGO Club: Tuesdays, 4 p.m., at the Lake City Public Library in the high school on
Ramsey Road.
► Preschool Storytime: Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m., stories and a craft geared to ages 3-5.
► Code Club: Wednesday, 4 p.m., learn coding basics with robots and video games. For ages 7-12.
► LEGO Club: Thursdays, 4 p.m., free play with the library’s huge collection of LEGOs.  Generally for ages 5 -11.
► Stay & Play: Tuesdays, 11:30 am, after Toddler Time, and Fridays, 11 a.m., after Book Babies, families can stay for fun and socializing.
Children under 6 visiting the libraries need to be supervised by an adult or a person who is at least 14 even during programs. Children ages 6-9 should be accompanied by someone who is at least 14 who will remain in the building.
For more information call 208-769-2315 Ext. 438 or e-mail Susan Thorpe, Youth Services Supervisor, at sthorpe@cdalibrary.org.

December Teen Programs Head in New Direction

Through the New Year, teen activities at the Coeur d’Alene Public Library at going to take on a different shape.
Except for Library League of Legends – Fridays at 4 p.m. in the Shirley Parker Storyroom – all of the previously scheduled teen programs are being replaced by C.R.A.S.H. (Cool Random After-School Hours).
Monday through Thursday, 3:30 to 6 p.m., craft supplies, games, and other activities will be available in the library’s Teen Central area, and Young Adult Coordinator Talley Gaskins will be available to provide assistance and reference services.
Gaskins described the concept as “pop-up programs.”
“This more informal structure will meet the kids where they are and hopefully help shake loose some more teen-led programming in future,” she said.
For more information contact Gaskins at tgaskins@cdalibrary.org or call 208-769-2315, Ext. 469.

New Let’s Talk About It Series Starts in January

The Pageturners Library Book Club isn’t meeting in December, but will be back in January with a new series as part of the Let’s Talk About It (LTAI) program with books provided by the Idaho Commission for Libraries.The theme for the series is “Growing Older, Growing Wiser.” Discussion leaders for the series are provided by the Idaho Humanities Council, the state-based affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
The program is also sponsored by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Local funding is provided by the Friends of the Library.
All discussions are held the fourth Wednesday of the month at 10:15 in the Community Room. Discussions are open to any adult reader. Copies of the books will be available at the Research and Information Desk. Titles in the series, their discussion dates, and discussion scholars include:
► “The Stone Angel” by Margaret Laurence, to be discussed Jan 24 with scholar Barbara Meldrum.
► “The Memory of Old Jack” by Wendell Berry, to be discussed Feb. 28 with scholar Ron McFarland.
► “The Women of Brewster Place” by Gloria Naylor, to be discussed March 28 with scholar Paula Coomer.
► The book club’s April book will be "The Girl Who Wrote in Silk" by Kelli Estes as part of the North Idaho Reads project. The author is scheduled to speak at the library on April 20 and this evening program will replace the Pageturners’ regularly schedule discussion. This title is not part of the LTAI series.
► “Empire Falls” by Richard Russo, to be discussed May 23 with scholar Nancy Casey.
► “Crossing to Safety” by Wallace Stegner, to be discussed June 27 with scholar Jennifer Ladino.

Beyond the Book Club Reading ‘Five People’

The Beyond the Book Club is reading “The Five People You Meet in Heaven” by Mitch Albom, and will discuss the book and create a related watercolor on Tuesdays, Dec. 5 and 19, at 11:30 a.m.
The main character in the book, Eddie, is a grizzled war veteran who feels trapped in a meaningless life of fixing rides at a seaside amusement park. His days are a dull routine of work, loneliness, and regret.
Then, on his 83rd birthday, Eddie dies in a tragic accident, trying to save a little girl from a falling cart. He awakens in the afterlife, where he learns that heaven is not a lush Garden of Eden, but a place where your earthly life is explained to you by five people.
The January title is “The Art of Racing in the Rain,” by Garth Stein.

Knitting, Coloring Groups Are Programs for Adults

The Well-Knit Tale Knitting Club is offered the first and third Tuesday of the month at 2:30 p.m. in the Jameson Room.
All skill levels of knitters and crocheters are welcome. Bring yarn, needles, and patterns. Refreshments provided.
Coffee and Coloring for adults meets the second and fourth Tuesday each month at 10 a.m. Drawing materials and refreshments are provided, or bring your own.

Food For Thought to Talk About ‘Big Chicken’ Book

The Food for Thought Book Club is reading “Big Chicken: The Incredible Story of How Antibiotics Created Modern Agriculture and Changed the Way the World Eats” by Maryn McKenna.
The book will be discussed Wednesday, Jan. 3, at 6 p.m. in the Gozzer Room.
What you eat matters—for your health, for the environment, and for future generations.
In this riveting investigative narrative, McKenna dives deep into the world of modern agriculture by way of chicken: from the farm where it's raised directly to your dinner table.
The book for the Feb. 7 discussion will be “Plenty: Eating Locally on the 100-Mile Diet” by Alisa Smith.
Held in partnership with the Inland Northwest Food Network, discussions are open to anyone interested in the science, cultivation, and preparation of food.
For more information visit www.inwfoodnetwork.org.

Christmas, New Year's Holidays Impact Library Schedule

Christmas and New Year’s will result in closures for the Coeur d’Alene Public and Lake City Public libraries during December and will also impact meetings for the Friends of the Library and the Library Board of Trustees.
The main library will be closed Sunday and Monday, Dec. 24 and 25, for Christmas. The Lake City library in the high school on Ramsey Road will be closed Monday, Dec. 25. Both libraries will be closed on New Year’s Day.
During the school’s winter break, the Lake City branch will be open 1-5 p.m., Dec. 18-21 and Dec. 26-28.
The Friends of the Library will conduct a combined November-December meeting on Dec. 12 at 10:30 a.m. The Library Board will also meet Wednesday, Dec. 13, at 4 p.m. Both meetings are open to the public.
When the library is closed many services are available through  www.cdalibrary.org. Patrons can access their library records and place holds; download e-books through the OverDrive system and free music from Freegal; and utilize numerous online resources.
Most online resources do require a user name and password. Obtain these before you need them by calling or visiting the library during open hours.