Ela Area Public Library notes

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

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 Jan. 4 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. Jan. 4. 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.

Holiday Closings: The Ela Area Public Library in Lake Zurich will be closed today and Tuesday for Christmas and Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 for New Year's. The library will resume regular hours Jan. 2.

Food for Fines: Through Sunday, the Ela Area Public Library will accept donations of non-perishable boxed or canned food, paper goods and cleaning supplies as payment for current overdue fines. Fees will not be waived for fines already accrued or to lost items, DVDs, videos and holiday CDs. The items collected will be distributed to families in need.

Mitten Tree: The Friends of Ela Library are accepting new and "like new" mittens, gloves, scarves and hats for the Library's annual Mitten Tree. Donations can be placed on the tree located in the Library's lobby through Jan. 7. Last year, more than 450 items were distributed to the residents at Mount St. Joseph in Lake Zurich and the Lake County Haven in Libertyville.

To join the Friends of the Library, pick up a membership form at the Information Desk or call the library.

Line Dancing Program: Boot scoot on over for an after-hours line-dancing party from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Jan. 4. Dancing instructors Dan and Jan from the Sundance Saloon will teach easy to follow step-by-step instructions. Families and children ages 8 and up are invited to attend. No experience is necessary. This program is free, but registration is required. To sign up, call the library, e-mail the Information Desk at infodesk@eapl.org or register online at www.eapl.org.

Senior Book Group: Ela Area Public Library offers a senior book discussion from 9:30 to 11 a.m. the fourth Monday of each month. For more information, a list of upcoming book selections or to register, call, e-mail or visit the library's Web site.

Library hours: Ela Area Public 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 until 5 p.m. Sundays.