Babies In Bloom
Parents and caregivers are invited to bring their babies (up to two years) for a fun-filled half-hour of stories, songs, rhymes and fingerplays all specifically designed to stimulate early infant development.
Tot’s Line, a lively and informative discussion of issues and concerns related to caring for newborn to five year-olds follows all programs marked with an asterisk (*).
Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.  
Wednesdays, December 9, January 13* and February 10* at 9:30 am. Repeated at 10:30 am.

Storytime
Library storytimes are presented for children ages two to five, unless otherwise noted. Parents and caregivers must accompany two and three-year-olds, while children four years and older may attend alone, provided an adult remains in the branch.
Tuesdays, February 2 through 23 at 9:30 am. for two year-olds.
Thursdays, February 4 through 25 at 9:30 am. for three to five year-olds.

Chess Club
Saturdays, November 21, December 19, January 16 and February 20 from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Children’s Area
Play chess and learn from other players.
For all ages

Winter Wonderland
Wednesday, January 20 at 7 pm.
Join us for wintery stories, songs and crafts! For ages four to seven

Crafternoons
Saturdays, December 12, January 9 and February 13 from 1 to 4 pm.
Make and take crafts in the Children’s Area.
For children of all ages

Game Night
Thursday, December 3 at 7 pm.
Compete in Wii Sports and Carnival Games or enjoy a board game with family and friends.
For all ages

Family Game Day
Saturdays, December 5, January 2 and February 6 from 1 to 4 pm.
Fun for everyone, bring your favorite games or use those provided. For all ages

Black History Month
Join vocalist Imani as she traces the roots of jazz music through work songs, spirituals, blues, swing and bebop. This fun, fast-paced and interactive program features an introduction to the many sounds of the voice through call and response. Learn songs from various eras, and then join Imani in a real jazz jam! The program is appropriate for all ages.
Imani has performed traditional African music for the Smithsonian Institute Folklife Festival and the World Music Institute. She is a Resident Artist with the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and a workshop presenter with the Kennedy Center Partners-In-Education National Touring Program. She is also a Roster Artist with the Louisiana Division of the Arts and South Carolina Arts Commission.
Imani’s diverse vocal talents have led to collaborations with many notable musicians and ensembles, as well as a variety of film and television projects. Since 1989, she continues to be the first and only American to perform and tour with the genuinely traditional Ghanaian ensemble Yacub Addy, and she most recently performed, toured and recorded with jazz great Wynton Marsalis. Imani’s voice was featured on the musical soundtrack of the Emmy nominated film The Jane Goodall Biography, and on many of the National Geographic Television’s Explorer series soundtracks.
A native of South Carolina, Imani has lived in the Washington, DC, area for more than 20 years. Her vocal training includes the New England Conservatory, Berklee School of Music and Howard University.
Performances begin at 7 pm.
West County Area Library  Monday, February 1

For Teens

Anime and Manga Club
Thursdays, August 27 from 7 to 8 pm.
Share your enthusiasm for anime and manga with other fans in this all-new monthly club. Join us for fun, snacks and activities.

Manga Heads:  Manga and Anime Club
Thursdays, September 24 and October 22 and Monday, November 30 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
It’s a manga-themed party with Japanese food, contests, socializing and more.
Monthly themes: 
September – Drawing Contest
October – Cosplay Contest
November - TBA

For Adults

How to Buy a Personal Computer
Thursday, December 3 from 6 to 8 pm.
Holidays are approaching and many families will purchase a new PC. Learn what to look for and questions to ask when purchasing a Windows-based home computer. Contact the branch at 410-222-6277 to register beginning November 9.

Introduction to Genealogy
Saturday, February 20 from 1 to 3 pm.
Are you curious about your ancestors? Join experienced genealogists as they share their knowledge of basic genealogical research and online resources including Ancestry.com and Heritage Quest.
Registration begins January 25.
Outside partner: Pam Rumney, Anne Arundel Genealogical Society and Margaret McMahon, Ph.D.

Learn the ins and outs of better investing using Morningstar® Investment Research Center
Saving for retirement, college or a new home?
Morningstar Investment Research Center is a comprehensive online investing database that the public library subscribes to for a fee but makes available to you for free through the library’s Electronic Databases. It provides independent opinion and data on more than 30,000 stocks and mutual funds.
You’re invited to join an enlightening one-hour training session through the web that will
provide you with the skills you need to make the most of this online investing database.
When:  Wednesday January 27 from 7 – 8 pm
Where: West County Area Library Computer Lab
Registration starts January 13. Call 410-222-6277 or send an email to wco@aacpl.net 

One-on-One Computer Sessions
Call to schedule an appointment for assistance one-on-one in any of these topics:  Microsoft Word, Intro to Windows, Internet, Email, Mousing, Library Catalog, Library Databases, Homework Resources, Excel for Beginners, PowerPoint for Beginners, and Job Search Assistance,

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One-on-One Computer Sessions
Call to schedule an appointment at West County for assistance one-on-one in any of these topics:  Microsoft Word, Intro to Windows, Internet, Email, Mousing, Library Catalog, Library Databases, Homework Resources, Excel for Beginners, PowerPoint for Beginners, and Job Search Assistance.
West County 410-222-6277

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Library Web Catalog and Internet Training
Registration is required. Space is limited. Bring your library card and PIN to class or get your library card and PIN before class begins. If the library should close when training is scheduled, you will be notified by phone. During inclement weather, check the library’s website or call the branch for closing information. For ages 12 and older.

Introduction to Windows
Learn Windows basics with a computer lab assistant in a group setting with a hands-on practice. Bring a diskette or USB drive to save your work.

Wednesday, January 6 from 2 to 4 pm.  Registration begins December 14.
Tuesday, February 2 from 6 to 8 pm.  Registration begins January 11.

Microsoft Excel
Learn the basics of Excel, including how to set up a spreadsheet and use formulas.  Bring a diskette or USB drive to save your work.

Saturday, January 30 from 2 to 4 pm. Registration begins January 4.

Microsoft Word I
Learn Microsoft Word basics with a computer lab assistant in a group setting and hands-on practice.   Bring a diskette or USB drive to save your work. 

Tuesday, January 12 from 6 to 8 pm.  Registration begins December 14.
Saturday, February 13 from 2 to 4 pm.  Registration begins January 18.

Microsoft Word II Beyond the Basics
Go beyond the basics of Word. Includes letters and mailings, headers and footers, inserting text and pictures and some advance formatting features of Microsoft Word 2003. Bring a diskette or USB drive to save your work. Prerequisite:  Word I or One-on-One computer training.

Tuesday, January 19 from 6 to 8 pm.  Registration Begins December 14.
Saturday, February 27 from 2 to 4 pm. Registration Begins February 1.

PowerPoint
Learn PowerPoint basics with a computer lab assistant in a group setting and with hands-on practice.  Bring a diskette or USB drive to save your work. 

Thursday, February 18 from 6 to 8 pm.  Registration begins January 25.

Job Search
Learn and practice with special resources available through the library web site and on the web to help you in your job search.

Monday, February 8 from 6 to 8 pm.  Registration begins January 18. 

Job Applications Workshop (In partnership with Anne Arundel County Workforce Development Corporation)
Wednesday, January 13 from 6 to 8 pm.  Registration begins December 14.  Alison Kelly of Anne Arundel County Workforce Development Corporation will help demystify the online job application process. Prerequisite: An email address or an Email One-on-One session.

Displays
February – Children’s Area Art Display celebrating Black History Month – courtesy of the Arundel Bay Area Chapter of Jack and Jill of America Inc