Events and Activities at the Washoe County Library

February, 2012 at the Washoe County Library

The Washoe County Library System offers many free events, activities, and presentations. Children of all ages, families, and adults will find something of interest at every library branch in Washoe County. Here are some highlights of what's going on during February, 2012, at various library branches. In addition to what's listed here, each library branch has many activities specific to that branch. Check the library's online calendar for details about what's going on at your branch.

Connect to the Library

With your library card and PIN, you can call and access your library account over the phone - review checkouts, review holds, renew items. This automated service is available 24/7 at (775) 785-4149.

Winter / Spring Reading Program

"A Blizzard of Books @ your library" runs from January 1 to April 30, 2012. The program encourages children of all ages to read for fun, knowledge and the opportunity to win prizes. Children and teens who read for 15 days will receive a free book. They may finish multiple logs to win multiple books. Special programs will be featured at Washoe County Library branches during the four-month reading program. All library programs are free and children may participate at more than one branch. Call your local library or visit the Washoe County Library System online for more details.

Gbozé - Interactive Traditional West African Drum & Dance

Francis "Tagba" Mailly, the leader of Gbozé, learned traditional West African drumming and dancing when he grew up in his native country of Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast).

• Saturday, February 4 - 11 a.m., Northwest Reno Library
• Tuesday, March 6 - 6:30 p.m., Spanish Springs Library
• Wednesday, April 25 - 6 p.m., South Valleys Library
• Saturday, April 28 - 12 noon, Sparks Library
• Sunday, May 20 - 3 p.m., Downtown Reno Library

Platt Brothers

The outrageously popular Platt Brothers are back and better than ever. A hilarious, high energy montage of dance and acrobatics.  

• Wednesday, February 8 - 3:30 p.m., Downtown Reno Library
• Saturday, February 11 - 1 p.m., North Valleys Library
• Tuesday, February 14 - 4 p.m., Incline Village Library

Story Songs

Enjoy images of outdoor photographer Mark Vollmer and musician Jim Eaglesmith. Sing, laugh and stomp to rhythms of the buffalo hide dance and African djembe.

• Thursday, February 9 - 10 a.m., Senior Center Library
• Saturday, March 24 - 11 a.m., Northwest Reno Library
• Tuesday, May 15 - 12:45 p.m., Gerlach Community Library

Growing Food in a High Desert Garden, April through December

You can feed the family from your garden long before the tomatoes come in. Learn how one high-desert gardener uses season extension techniques and crop selection to get the garden growing early and extend the harvest into winter.

• Wednesday, February 8 - 5:30 p.m., Northwest Reno Library
• Friday, February 10 - 4 p.m., Sparks Library
• Wednesday, February 15 - 6 p.m., South Valleys Library

Tax Help at Washoe County Libraries

It's tax season. AARP and VITA/TCE volunteer preparers are partnering with the Washoe County Library System to offer free tax help at the following Washoe County libraries:

IRS Certified AARP Volunteer Preparers - This Program is designed to assist low to moderate income taxpayers of any age with special attention to those 60 years of age and older.

• Downtown Reno Library: Mondays and Tuesdays, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m., February 6 - April 10. Walk-ins only.
• Northwest Reno Library: Thursdays, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., February 2 - April 12. Walk-ins only.
• Spanish Springs Library: Thursdays, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m., February 9 - April 12. Appointments and walk-ins accepted.

IRS Certified VITA/TCE Volunteer Preparers - Earn It Keep It Save It, A United Way Collaborative.

• North Valleys Library: Thursdays, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., and Saturdays, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., February 2 - April 14. Appointments required; can be made in person or call (775) 972-0281.
• Sierra View Library: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., February 2 - April 17. Appointments can be made in person.
• South Valleys Library: Wednesdays, 4 p.m. - 6 p.m., Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., February 1 - April 14. Appointments recommended: call (775) 851-5190. Walk-ins are welcome.
• Sparks Library: Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., January 28 - April 14. Appointments recommended; can be made in person or call (775) 352-3200.

Free Movies at Washoe County Library Branches

Children 9 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

• Sunday Movie Matinee - 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month, 3 p.m. - Men of Honor on Feb. 5, Carmen Jones on Feb. 19 - Downtown Reno Library
• Movies We Love Classic Movie Series - 4th Saturday in January, February, March and April, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. - An Affair to Remember on Feb. 25 - Incline Village Library
• Tuesday, February 21, 4 p.m. - Dolphin Tale (PG) - Spanish Springs Library
• Tuesday, February 28, 4 p.m. - The Smurfs (PG) - South Valleys Library

Live, Online Homework Help for Students

Washoe County Library System is pleased to launch the Brainfuse HelpNow services. Brainfuse HelpNow provides students with live, on-demand homework help and skills building lessons from a dedicated group of expert tutors. Students can also access a full-service writing lab and an integrated test prep center. With HelpNow, students communicate with tutors in real time using a virtual, whiteboard classroom by writing, drawing and marking up lessons/web content. HelpNow can provide tutoring in elementary, middle school, high school, intro college and adult education. Tutors are available seven days a week from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. PST. The only thing you need is a current library card account.

Help Make Library Wishes Come True

Would you like to help the library offer the most popular books? Now there’s a way to do just that - through the Amazon Wish List. Due to budget cuts the number of books ordered from operating funds next year will again be lower than in previous years. You can help by purchasing a book through Amazon Wish List. The donations will help the library build its collection and make more copies available to check out.

Just go to the Washoe County Library and click on the link to Amazon Wish List. You'll see a list of titles that the library needs. Make your selection, purchase the book through Amazon, and your book will be sent directly to the library. Alternatively, you can go to Amazon.com, click on Gifts and Wish Lists and search for Washoe County Library. From there, the process is the same as above.

A personalized bookplate will be placed in the book acknowledging your donation. It can also indicate a donation in honor or in memory of someone. All donations are tax-deductible.

Lifescapes Senior Writing Program

• First and third Friday, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. - Incline Village Library
• First and third Wednesday, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. - Northwest Reno Library
• Second and fourth Thursday, 10:30 a.m. - South Valleys Library
• First and third Tuesday, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. - Spanish Springs Library
• Second and fourth Tuesday, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. - Sparks Library

Family Storytime, Bilingual Storytime, Princess Storytime, and Toddler Time

Storytime is for young children and features activities as well as story reading. Some sessions are bilingual. Check with your local library branch for dates and times.

Paws 2 Read

Paws 4 Love dogs proudly present the Paws 2 Read reading program for children of all ages. Each month, Paws 4 Love therapy teams visit participating libraries where friendly dogs lend a loving, non-judgmental ear to beginning readers. After reading to a gentle dog, children receive a free book to keep.  

• 2nd Tuesday of the month - 3:00 p.m., Sierra View Library.
• 2nd Saturday of the month - 11 a.m. at North Valleys, 11:30 a.m. at South Valleys, 11:30 a.m. at Northwest Reno, noon at Sparks.
• 2nd Sunday of the month - 2 p.m. at Spanish Springs.

Keep going for more Events and Activities at the Washoe County Library.

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