Libraries

Children and youth

Batavia: 10 S. Batavia Ave., (630) 879-1393, www.batavia.lib.il.us.

• Reading Wonderland through Feb. 29. Families can earn a library patch, receive a family journal and free tickets to Family Late Night in February, have their family honored with a book plate in a new library book and be entered into a drawing for a $50 savings bond by reading great books, listening to stories and songs and participating in a variety of fun library activities. More information is available in the library's youth services department.

• Anime/Manga Club meets at 7 p.m. today for teens ages 13 and older. Registration is not required. Call Lee Blakley (630) 879-4777.

• Model Train Exhibit from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. See four operating trains on a large floor display provided by the Valley Model Railroaders of South Elgin. No registration required.

Geneva: 127 James St., (630) 234-0780, www.genea.lib.il.us.

The collection for January is the "Littlest Pet Shop" collection owned by Ellen Donner, an 11-year-old fifth-grader in Geneva.

• ACT and SAT Prep

SAT Practice test, 4-8 p.m., today.

ACT Practice test, 4-8 p.m., Jan. 30.

• Teen Advisory Group, TAG Meetings, 5-6 p.m. Tuesday and Feb. 26. Make it your library. Snack, chat and get volunteer hours. Call (630) 232-0708, ext. 251 to register.

St. Charles: 1 S. Sixth Ave., (630) 584-0076, www.stcharleslibrary.org.

The collection for the month of January in the lower gallery display case is Louise Shannon's horses, Pegasus, unicorns and stables.

• After Hours Movie Night from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday. Enjoy popcorn, pizza, pop and ice cream during the film. The title will be posted at the ASK Me Desk. A parental signature and a $3 meal fee is due at in-person registration only by noon Friday. Students living outside the library district may register for $5 per person beginning Monday.

• Karen G. Russell Memorial Children's Lecture Series from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Feb. 16 featuring artist Rosalie W. Vass, the artist and creator of the painting, "A Place in the Sun", which hangs in the library. She will talk about her creative painting process and her work in mixed water media. Students will draw with the artist and go on an art hunt.

• Middle School Photography Contest. Entry forms are available at the Ask Me Desk or print one from the library's Web site. Framed photos up to 8½ by 11 inches will be accepted Feb. 19 through noon Feb. 29 and will be displayed in the library during March. A reception and award announcements will take place at 3:30 p.m. March 9. Vote for your favorite from March 1 through March 8.

• The Family Read-Aloud Book Club, through April 9. Families who register will keep track of their time spent reading, and earn special reading rewards and entries into prize drawings at the same time. Receive your family book log and details during registration at the Ask Me Desk.

Town and Country: 320 E. North St., Elburn, (630) 365-2244.

• Kindergarten Readiness "Land of the Letter People" through May. Your child must be eligible to attend kindergarten this fall in order to enroll in this class. The 15 classes will be held Tuesdays from 10 to 10:45 a.m. There is a $25 material fee.

• Read to Succeed reading program sponsored by the Chicago Wolves through Feb. 2. This program is open to students of all ages who have a valid library card. Each reader can earn one of the following prizes: Wolves game ticket, Wolves cap, Wolves T-shirt, Wolves book bag, Wolves toy ice machine or Wolves notebook.

Adult and family

Batavia:

• Reading Wonderland; the library's winter reading club for adults and teens through Feb. 29. Adults and high school students can get a logbook at the reference desk and after reading or listening to three books earn a prize and a chance to enter a drawing for a grand prize; one for adults, one for teens.

• "About China" at 7 p.m. Jan. 31. Visiting teacher Honhran Sheng will talk about the history and culture of the country hosting the 2008 Olympics and offer advice on what to see and where to stay if you plan to visit.

• Homebound Delivery Service, for library cardholders who are homebound due to illness or infirmity. Books and other library materials are delivered to the Holmstad, Riverrain, and Heritage Woods senior living complexes every two weeks. For information, call (630) 879-1393, ext. 340.

• AskAway, 24/7 online reference service, www.BataviaPublicLibrary.org, click on "Connect to AskAway." Reference libraries in Illinois and throughout the U.S. are available to help you find reliable, accurate and authoritative information. This service is free.

Geneva:

• Cooper, Nelson & Early Trio: Traditional Music at 8 p.m. Friday in the Unitarian Church in Geneva, 102 S. Second St. A yearly favorite, the trio plays traditional ballads, serious and comic songs and dance tunes from England, Ireland, Scotland and North America.

• Friends of Geneva Public Library coordinate three book sales a year that help the library purchase materials, reading club prizes and other needed equipment. If your are interested in becoming a member, the next meeting is at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 5 in the Meeting Room in the Library.

• Home Service is available to qualified residents. Call Outreach Coordinator Jamie Weaver (630) 232-0870, ext. 264.

St. Charles:

• St. Charles Writers Group meets at 9:15 a.m. the second and fourth Saturday of the month. Moderator Richard Holinger leads the group that is designed for fledgling and experienced writers. Each workshop begins with a short presentation or a group discussion and follows with critiques of each other's work. Workshops are for those 18 or older. On Saturday group members are asked to share the books and authors most influential to their writing.

• Sunday Afternoon Concerts at 2 p.m. Sunday is a classical concert with flutist Scott Metlicka and pianist Paul Nicholson. On Feb. 10, Larry Levin presents a 30s and 40s Big Band Concert.

• Chili and Soup Supper at 6 p.m. Monday, hosted by The Friends of the Library. Anyone interested in becoming a member of the group is encouraged to attend the supper and learn more.

• A Poetry Slam with Marc Smith at 7 p.m. Feb. 8. Smith is the founding father, of Slampapi, the poetry slam. Full of grit, his performances break poetic boundaries, giving audiences an acute vision of what poetry is and what it can be.

Town and Country:

• Sign up to be on the e-list. You will receive library notices through your e-mail address. Call the circulation desk for details, (630) 365-2244. The notice form is available to print from www.elburn.lib.il.us.