Ela Area Public Library notes

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

Holiday Closings: The Ela Area Public Library in Lake Zurich will be closed Dec. 24 and 25 for Christmas and Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 for New Year's. The library will resume regular hours Jan. 2.

Caudill Challenge Group: Ela Area Public Library's series of monthly book discussions for students featuring Rebecca Caudill nominated books is under way.

Held on Wednesdays, the next Caudill Challenge will be from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. today for students in fourth to sixth grades. Participants will discuss "Thunder from the Sea" by Joan Hiatt Harlow. Participants can pick up a copy of this book at the Children's Reference Desk

Register for each session separately. For details, call (847) 438-3433, e-mail in-fodesk@eapl.org or visit www.eapl.org.

Home-Based Businesses: The next evening meeting of the Home Businesses Networking Group will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday. Newcomers are always welcome. For details, call Jenny Plohr at (847) 438-3433 or Dale Perrin at (847) 438-5572.

Bedtime Storytime: Bedtime Storytime, a drop-in program for families and children of all ages, will be from 7 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Presented by a children's librarian, this interactive evening program will feature stories and songs for bedtime. Children are encouraged to wear their pajamas. Registration is not required. For details, call (847) 438-3840.

Teen Cookie Bake-Off: Teens can bring two dozen of their favorite homemade cookies to share and get a chance to sample cookies and win a prize during Ela Area Public Library's Teen Cookie Bake-Off from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday. The program is designed for students in seventh through 12th grades. All participants must register.

Holiday Craft for Kids: Create a star ornament for holiday decorations from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Preschoolers must be accompanied by an adult. No registration is required. For details, call (847) 438-3840.

Tickle Your Funny Bone: Join this new read-aloud program for students in kindergarten through second grade, which takes place from 3:45 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday. December's book will be "The Stinky Cheese Man and other Fairly Stupid Fairy Tales" by Jon Scieszka.

Music of the Season: Enjoy the sounds of the season as Lake Zurich High School's BARE Voices share their holiday music program from 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday. Participants will enjoy holiday treats and hot cider following the performance. Registration is required.

Lap Tots: Lap Tots, a drop-in program for babies and toddlers ages 23 months and younger, 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 and crawling, and 10:30 to 11 a.m. for babies walking.

The next sessions will be Dec. 21 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 ages 23 months and younger, 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 details, call (847) 438-3840.

Food for Fines: Through Dec. 30, the Ela Area Public Library will accept donations of nonperishable 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 is accepting new and like new mittens, gloves, scarves and hats for the library's annual Mitten Tree.

Donations can be placed on the tree 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.

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 details or a list of upcoming book selections, 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 to 5 p.m. Sundays.