Ela Area Public Library notes

After School Book Discussion: Ela Area Public Library has a new book discussion group for students in second and third grade. The After School Book Discussion group will have their first meeting from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Children's Department. November's discussion will feature the book "Frindle" by Andrew Clements. Copies are available at the Children's Reference Desk. Participants should read the book before attending.

The program is free, but registration is required. Sign up in the Children's Department, call (847) 438-3840, or register online or by e-mail.

Home-Business Networking: The next evening meeting of the Home Businesses Networking Group for owners of home-based businesses is scheduled for 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday. Entrepreneur Deborah Leydig, owner of Norton U.S.A., a local retail store that sells only items made in the U.S.A., will talk about her business and how its grown from a home business to a busy retail store in Barrington. Newcomers are always welcome.

For more information, contact Jenny Plohr, business reference specialist and head of adult reference, at (847) 438-3433 or Dale Perrin, executive director of the Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce, at (847) 438-5572.

Etiquette Class for Children: Children are invited to learn the basic rules of etiquette from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday for ages 6 to 8 and Nov. 13 for children ages 9 to 12.

Both workshops are presented by instructors from A Touch of Etiquette who will provide age-appropriate instruction in social grace and dining dynamics. An optional book will be available for purchase after the program. Registration is required.

Thanksgiving Drop-in Craft: Ela Area Public Library's Children's Department will host a drop-in craft program from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday for all ages. Participants will create a feathered door hanger for the holiday. No registration is required. For more information, call the Children's Department at (847) 438-3840.

Teen Dreamcatcher Craft: Students in seventh to 12th grade are invited to create a dreamcatcher in honor of National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday in the Teen Area. The Library will provide all supplies.

DDR and Guitar Hero: Middle and high school students in seventh through 12th grade are invited to stop by from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday to play Dance Dance Revolution and Guitar Hero. Registration is not required.

Coping With a Crying Baby: Karen Benson from the Erikson Institute will offer survival tips for parents and provide information about The Fussy Baby Network, a support group for parents, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 13. Registration is required.

Tickle Your Funny Bone: Join this new read-aloud program for students in kindergarten through second grade. Held monthly at Ela Area Public Library from 3:45 to 4:30 p.m., the Tickle Your Funny Bone Read-Aloud will feature some favorite funny books. On Nov. 13, the selection will be "Toys Go Out" by Emily Jenkins. December's book will be "The Stinky Cheese Man and other Fairly Stupid Fairy Tales" by Jon Scieszka to be read Dec. 18. A read-aloud will not be held in October. Register for each session separately.

Is Your Cookware Safe?: Learn about cooking with the right utensils and cookware during "Stocking Your Cooking Arsenal 101" from 7 to 8 p.m. Nov. 14. Learn which cookware is hazardous as well as which features to look for when purchasing the latest cookware trends. Discover tips for making the kitchen safer, cleaner and better organized. This is a free program, but registration is required.

Library closing: The Ela Area Public Library will close from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 15 for staff training. The Library will re-open from 5 to 9 p.m. Regular Library hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays; and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

Families and Reading: A special storytime celebrating families and reading will be held during Family Reading Night at 7 p.m. Nov. 15. The evening will include lively stories, songs and a colorful craft. This program is for all ages, and registration is not required. For more information, call the Children's Department at (847) 438-3840.

A.M. Readers Group: The next meeting of Ela Area Public Library's morning book discussion group A.M. Readers will be from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Nov. 16 at the Library. The group will discuss "The Girls" by Lori Lansens. A.M. Readers is open to all patrons free of charge, but registration is required. Interested newcomers are always welcome to attend. Copies of November's discussion book are available at the Library's Readers' Services Desk.

Lap Tots: Lap Tots, a drop-in program for babies and toddlers through 23 months, is a monthly storytime offered at the Ela Area Public Library. Lap Tots is held from 9:30 to 10 a.m. for infants sitting/crawling and 10:30 to 11 a.m. for babies walking. The next sessions will be held on Nov. 16 and Dec. 21 and will include stories, songs and rhymes. Children must be with an adult. Older siblings are not permitted in this class. Registration is not required.

• Lap Tots Play Group, a drop-in program for babies and toddlers through 23 months, is held monthly at the Ela Area Public Library. Designed especially for young children, the play group will meet from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Dec. 7. Children must be with a caregiver. Toys and books will be provided. Registration is not required.

For more information, call the Children's Department at (847) 438-3840.

For information, call (847) 438-3433, e-mail infodesk@eapl.org or visit www.eapl.org.