The 50th Anniversary of North Branch, Plus Santa and Christmas Programs, the Gingerbread House Contest and Much More This Week at Stark County District Library

Did you know the Stark County District Library is More Than Books? Your library is also a great resource for genealogy research to learn more about your family tree. Trained genealogy staff can assist in you person, or you can request information online. The Genealogy department can help you access numerous local sources of information, including Stark County Courthouse records, local histories, newspapers, and much more. The staff can also help you with databases like Ancestry.com and Heritage Quest Online, and they can provide guidance for getting the most out of the U.S. Census and other valuable sources of information about our ancestors. For more information about what is available, check out the Genealogy Department page on the library’s website.

Stark County District Library also presents numerous informative, inspiring, and entertaining programs for all ages.  This week’s schedule includes a celebration of the 50th Anniversary of North Branch, several Christmas programs, the Gingerbread House Contest, a program on Cheese-Making, and much more.

As always, each program listed here is linked to the Stark County District Library Events calendar, where you'll get more information about the program (such as the time the event is offered), and have the opportunity to register online or by phone to attend.

It’s the 50th Anniversary of North Branch! On Wednesday November 28 we’ll be celebrating with a special Birthday Story Time for families, a cool anniversary craft for teens, and a time capsule to leave for future generations of North Branch patrons.

You can find great bargain books of all kinds at the North Branch Fall Book Sale, which starts Monday, November 26 and goes through Saturday, December 1. Books are 3 for just 50 cents!

All ages are invited to participate in our annual gingerbread competition, which starts on Monday, November 26 and runs until December 4 at Main Library. Create a work of confectionary and architectural art in the Gingerbread House Contest. You can download entry forms online, or pick one up at any SCDL location. Winners will be announced on Thursday, December 6 at Light Up Downtown.

Add a special festive touch to your table during the holidays with attractively folded napkins and table decorations. You can learn to make them at Holiday Napkin Folding and Table Decoration on Wednesday, November 28 at Madge Youtz Branch.

DeHoff Memorial Branch hosts Super Saturday Matinee on December 1 for families. This week’s movie is The Ron Clark Story, the inspirational story about a small town teacher who relocates to inner-city New York City to work with children in the public schools.

Despite the improbability of one person being in three places at the same time, Santa will be visiting three different SCDL locations on Saturday, December 1. Families can visit North Branch for holiday stories, songs, breakfast treats, and pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus at Help Santa Find His Ho! Ho! Ho!  At Christmas @ Plain, families can enjoy breakfast with Santa during the Holiday Extravaganza at GlenOak High School. And, the big guy in red visits Perry Sippo Branch at Here Comes Santa Claus. Families can share favorite stories and refreshments with Santa.

Also on Saturday, December 1, families can make beautiful 3D snowflakes and gift bags for the holidays at Santa’s Workshop at Jackson Township Branch. Additionally, grades K-5 can enjoy holiday stories and a special craft to take home at Sandy Valley Branch’s Holiday Stories and Crafts.

More festive Christmas programming is planned for next Monday, December 3, and Tuesday, December 4. DeHoff Memorial Branch hosts A Teen Christmas on December 3. Teens can enjoy Christmas stories and songs by the fireplace. Grades K-5 are invited to Madge Youtz Branch for Christmas Stories. Perry Sippo Branch presents Christmas Story Time Special with stories, songs, crafts, and a special treat for ages 18 months to 3 years. And, the Friends of the Main Library present A Winter Concert by the Perry Pipers under the direction of Mrs. Beth Polen at Main Library. On Tuesday, December 4, families can celebrate the holidays at Sandy Valley Branch with Family Winter Holiday Fun which includes stories, songs, crafts, and a special visitor from the Nole Pole. And, Main Library presents Winter Wonderland Story Times for ages 18 months to 5 years.

Join Bob Troyer from Heini’s Cheese Chalet for Cheese Making 101 on Tuesday, December 4 at Lake Community Branch. Troyer will present an informative look at the world of cheese, complete with delicious samples.

Teens can get a taste of the 1920s at Plain Community Branch on Tuesday and Wednesday, December 3 and 4, at the Plain Community Branch program, The Cat’s Meow: A Roaring ’20 Party. The program is two afternoons of music, food, and crafts inspired by the Jazz Age.

There are many other excellent events planned at a branch of the Stark County District Library near you, including children's story times, book groups for adults, computer classes, classes that will assist you with your eReader, programs for teens, and much more. For a full listing of events and programs, check www.StarkLibrary.org/eventscalendar  and find something that enriches and inspires you today.