Palatine Public Library notes

For more information, call (847) 358-5881 or visit palatinelibrary.org.

"Songs of the Season":ŒAt 2 p.m. Saturday, "Songs of the Season" with singer Maureen Christine kicks off the Palatine Public Library's 2007-2008 Winter Concert Series.

Christine, with piano accompaniment, will entertain with her crystal clear voice and warm stage presence, performing a mix of traditional and contemporary holiday favorites. Light refreshments will be served.

I spy winter:ŒFrom Dec. 26 through Jan. 5, participants can play a giant "I Spy a Winter Wonderland."

Find the answers and enter a drawing to win a prize.

Drop-in craft:ŒDrop by the Palatine Public Library from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 27 to create a winter craft.

Teddy bear tea party:ŒAt 3 p.m. Jan. 2, bring a teddy bear or other favorite stuffed toy to the Palatine Public Library for a tea party.

Listen to stories and enjoy treats. Parents and grandparents are welcome.

Family fun and games:ŒFrom 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Jan. 3, warm up from the cold at the Palatine Public Library, playing classic board games, crossword puzzles, and other family fun. All ages are welcome.

Meet Rotten Ralph:ŒThe mischievous rascal Rotten Ralph will appear at the Palatine Public Library to meet and greet children of all ages. Come and watch Ralph's antics, and listen to a few stories of his adventures.

Appearances will take place from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Jan. 4, and 10:30 a.m. to noon Jan. 5.

Trillium in concert:ŒA special performance by Trillium will take place at 2 p.m. Jan. 12 at the Palatine Public Library.

The five-member band performs an energetic array of Celtic, folk, ragtime, bluegrass and Dixieland music, using instruments including the hammered dulcimer, banjo, guitar, bass, fiddle, and mandolin.

The concert is suitable for the entire family. Light refreshments will be served.

Nightclub in the Afternoon:ŒAt 3 p.m. Feb. 9 at the Palatine Public Library, Mary Anne Riehl of Nightclub in the Afternoon will perform an entertaining array of standards from the '20s, '30s, and '40s.

Light refreshments will be served.

Mother daughter book club: The first Thursday and the first Monday of each month, the library offers a mother daughter book discussion. This group is open to girls in third through sixth grade and their mothers. Books are available at the library. Register online or call (847) 358-5881, ext. 132.

Baby book program: Stop by the readers assistance desk of the main library, the Freeman Road Branch or the Rand Road Branch and receive a free board book and informational packet for a new baby. This program, developed and funded by the Friends of the Palatine Public Library, encourages parents and children to visit the library early and develop a lifelong love of reading.

Homebound services: Homebound service is available for Palatine Public Library District residents unable to come to the library for 30 days or more and have no one to pick up materials for them. For more information, contact Gale Ree, at (847) 358-5881, ext. 112.

Pay fines online: Palatine Public Library District has announced participation in an Internet payment service that will be available to the citizens of Palatine.

E-Pay allows patrons to make payments over the Internet by MasterCard, American Express and Discover card. A transaction, or user fee, will be added to the payment amount for the convenience of the Internet service. The state and local governments who use this program do not receive any revenue from the convenience fee.

Payments are accepted now and Palatine Public Library District invites people to visit palatinelibrary.org and follow the E-pay link to see how the payment service works. For details, call the circulation department at (847) 358-5881, ext. 125.

Wireless access available: The Palatine Public Library offers wireless, WiFi, access to the Internet for users with wireless-enabled laptop computers, tablet PCs or PDAs.

The library's network is open to all visitors, free of charge. No special encryption settings, user names or passwords are required. The library's Internet usage policies apply to all Internet access in the building.