Vernon Area Public Library notes

For information or to register, call (847) 634-3650 or visit www.vapld.info.

All programs are offered free, unless otherwise indicated. Library hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call Shannon Galton at (847) 634-3650, ext. 137 or e-mail sgalton@vapld.info.

Monday Morning Tots: This program for children under 3 and caregivers from 10 to 11:30 a.m. today and March 17 and 31 is an opportunity for participants to interact with others their own age. The library provides the space, books, toys and refreshments. Siblings are welcome to attend. Registration is not required. Beginning in February, caregivers will need to show a library card when they sign in.

First Ladies of America: Enjoy this one woman show with dramatist Jenny Riddle as she portrays First Ladies Mary Todd Lincoln, Eleanor Roosevelt and Jackie Kennedy from Noon to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Preschool Storytime: This half-hour weekly program features stories, songs and finger plays from 10 to 10:30 a.m. or 2 to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday or Thursday. For ages 3 through 5 (pre-kindergarten).

Night of Ballroom Dancing: Enjoy an evening of ballroom dancing with Fred Astaire Dance Studio from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday. Dancers trained by Dancing with the Stars professional Jesse DeSoto will entertain with a ballroom dance routine. Learn a few basic moves following the show.

Writer's Support Group: The Writer's Support Group, led by Sandy Kamen Wisniewski, offers an opportunity for writers -- published or not -- to critique each other's work and share ideas and techniques from 6:30 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday. New members are always welcome. Registration is not required.

Afterschool Adventures: This series features stories, crafts and movies from 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday. For kindergarten through second grade.

Irish Roots Remembered: Patrons can celebrate their Irish roots from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Thursday. Banna the Irish Duo will play music reminiscent of Ireland. Patrick Barry of Paddy's on the Square will share Irish tales and discuss the Emerald Isle. Patrons will also enjoy a display of authentic Irish wares and treats such as Irish Soda Bread.

Jamma Tales: Ages 2 to 5 and caregivers can relax and snuggle down for stories and songs from 7 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday. Pajamas are welcome for this half-hour evening storytime. Registration is not required.

Preschool Saturdays: Hear stories just right for the preschool child on from 9:30 to 10 a.m. Saturday and March 22 and 29. Registration is not required.

Teen Book Discussion: A Teen Book Discussion of "Just in Case" by Meg Rosoff will be held for students in eighth through 12th grade from 5 to 6 p.m. on March 17.

Pencil Tips: From 1:30 to 3 p.m. March 24, students in fourth through eighth grade will learn drawing techniques using graphite and colored pencils to improve their finished artwork. This workshop covers blending, shading and fixing mistakes. Supplies will be provided.

Lego Fun: Beth Weis will help students in first through eighth grade build the tallest Lego tower they can and use their imaginations to build and create other architectural designs in this workshop from 1 to 3 p.m. March 26. Lego blocks will be supplied.

Reuse-A-Shoe: The library will collect old athletic shoes through April 24. Help stop clogging landfills with shoes by dropping off old athletic shoes in the lobby. Shoes need to be clean and contain no metal.

Tax Help for Seniors: A trained AARP volunteer offers free help to senior citizens in completing their income tax forms from 1 to 4 p.m. Bring a copy of last year's tax return. To make an appointment, call the Adult Services Desk at (847) 634-3650.

Books for Veterans: Due to renovations the library is unable to keep a large number of book donations. Therefore, the library will mail these books to veterans and active military personnel using grant money received from the Department of Illinois Disabled American Veterans and the Lincolnshire Morning Star Rotary. Library volunteers will pack and mail the books to the four veteran nursing homes in Illinois, Camp Lejeune in North Carolina and to troops overseas via Operation Paperback.

Computer reservations: In order to address the long wait times for the library's 38 computers, the Vernon Area Public Library District's is installing three Express Computers in the lobby, which are limited to 15 minute use sessions. The Express Computers, library catalog stations, subscription databases within the library and wireless access will remain available for all patrons to use.

To further reduce the long wait times, the library is also implementing a new computer reservation system for all other public access computers. Public access computers will be available to Vernon Hills library cardholders only. A valid library card will be required to use a computer and make a computer reservation.

For more information, contact Laurel Vlcek, director pro tem, at (847) 634-3650, ext. 150 or lvlcek@vapld.info.

Tax Time: The library offers the most popular Federal and Illinois income tax forms. Reproducible forms are available for copying. Multiple part forms, such as Form 1099, are not available and must be obtained through the IRS. Federal tax forms can be found online at www.irs.gov and Illinois forms can be found at www.revenue.state.il.us/taxforms.

Business library cards: Businesses in the Vernon Area Library District are invited to apply for a business library card. Resources include online databases (Reference USA and Business Company Resource Center), meeting room space, copiers and fax, business-related and computer instruction classes, computers with Wi-Fi Internet access and MS Office Suite and business-related books for start-up and growing businesses, management, accounting and human resources.

E-mail hold notification: The Vernon Area Public Library is now offering E-mail Hold Notification.

When items a patrons have requested become available, they can receive an e-mail to let them know that the items are at the Patron Services Desk. Patrons will have four days to pick up held items. Register for e-mail hold notification by visiting www.vapld.info or by visiting the Patron Services Desk and filling out a privacy permission form. Anyone already receiving due date e-mail reminders will automatically receive e-mail hold notification.