Let the Grayslake Area Public Library help with the holidays

The Grayslake Area Public Library suggests a few ways the library might be able to lend a hand during the holidays:

• The library has a selection of cookbooks for anyone looking for a great new cookie recipe, something different for a holiday dish, or even recipes for vegetarian friends and family who will be joining the holiday table. The Adult Reference Desk can point you in the right direction.

• To set a festive mood at holiday parties or dinners, the library has a collection of music laid out in a variety of categories, including holiday music.

• Check out the library's audiobook collection to listen to a good book while cooking, baking or decorating the house.

• Parents who need something to keep the kids busy while they're wrapping gifts, baking and taking care of other preparations can stop by the Youth Services Department and pick up a variety of materials to keep them busy. There are also books parents and children can take home to cozy up with and read together, including Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanza and other holiday books.

• The Grayslake Area Public Library has a Youth Winter Choo Choo Choose Reading Program going on through Saturday, Jan. 15. Stop in to see the special train attraction through Friday, Jan. 7.

• Get decorating tips and ideas from a wide array of entertaining, crafting and decorating books, and learn how to take care of evergreens and other holiday plants with plant and gardening guides and books.

• Access the Internet at the library to check holiday travel and weather, or check out online shopping bargains and opportunities.

• The Grayslake Library is collecting Toys for Tots, as well as items for the Avon Township Pantry and for Save-A-Pet. Collection boxes are located in the library lobby. The Food Pantry and Save-A-Pet collections are ongoing, but call to check on ending collection dates for the toy drive.

• Find gift ideas in one of the many magazines to which the library subscribes, and stop by the Friends of the Library lobby book sale for gift finds like new best-sellers and out-of-print and hard to find items.

• Check out films on DVD and VHS from the library's collection.

The Grayslake Area Public Library is at 100 Library Lane, Grayslake. For information, call (847) 223-5313 or visit grayslake.info.