Grayslake Area Public Library notes

For more information or to register, call (847) 223-5313 or visit www.grayslake.info.

All programs require registration, unless otherwise noted.

Thursday Night Book Chat: Discuss "The Echo Maker" by Richard Powers at 7 p.m. today. Books area available at the Circulation Desk. No registration necessary.

LAN Party: Bring a computer and game copies for PC gaming from 5 p.m. to midnight Friday. Set-up starts at 5 p.m. with gaming at 6 p.m. The library will supply the connecting cables and snacks. For teens in eighth through 12th grade.

Crafty Kids: Kids in third grade and up are invited to take part in a surprise craft at 11 a.m. Saturday. The craft could be wet, hard, messy or clean -- participants won't know until they join in.

Anime Art Contest: The library is holding an anime art contest. Students in seventh grade through high school may submit one or two pieces of original artwork by 5 p.m. Sunday. Pick up registration forms with rules at the library or from the Web site. Artwork will be divided into various categories, including colored, black and white and computer-generated, and will be judged by anime artist Shannon Townsend and art teachers.

Writer's Group: Connect with other writers at the monthly information and critique meetings from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday. Pick up copies of writings submitted for the next meeting at the Adult Reference Desk.

Escape the Winter Blahs: Kids in kindergarten through second grade can put on some sunglasses and come to the library to listen to stories that will chase the winter blues away at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Anime Contest Reception: All anime art contest submissions will be on display at 7 p.m. Feb. 28. The library will announce the winners of its anime contest and award prizes. All artwork will then be displayed in the lobby for the month of March and posted on the Web site.

Writing Comic Books: Comic book authors Russell Lissau ("The Batman Strikes") and Joshua Elder ("Mail Order Ninja") will discuss the art of writing comic books, breaking into the business and all things caped and cowled in "What You Need to Know about Writing Comic Books and Graphic Novels" from 1 to 2:30 p.m. March 1. Copies of their books will be available for purchase.