It's a jungle in the Otsego District Library! A life-size Jumanji game has come to life in the large program room. Families will trek through the jungle in this interactive game, but adventurers beware--spine-tingling surprises and jungle creatures are lurking around every turn! This is "a game for those who seek to find a way to leave their world behind."Jumanji is open during all library hours December 26 through January 18. Cost to play is $1.00 per person or a maximum of $5.00 per family (children 2 and under are free). Proceeds from this event will go toward the purchase of new toys and literacy-based activities in the Rise & Shine Early Literacy Center. The library is thankful for the following Jumanji sponsors: First Baptist Church, Home Depot, Steensma Lawn & Power, Endless Destinations, Farmers Insurance – Toby Esterline Agency, Winkel Funeral Home, Advance America, Otsego Medical Center, Dougie’s Bar & Grill, Friendship Wesleyan Church, Cornell & Associates Realtors, Tim K. Hutchens CPA P.C., McEwen Law Office, First Congregational Church, Allegan General Hospital, Tom & Diana Gilmer, Otsego Public Schools, M&S Lawn Care, Safari Circuits, Otsego VFW Post 3030, and the Friends of the Library.

Nelson’s Wildlife SafariSaturday, January 20 at 10 AMTo celebrate the finale of Jumanji, the library is excited to bring you this great animal program! Meet Al the Alligator, Elsa the Siberian Lynx, Gryffindor the Eagle Owl plus other jungle animals. Nelson’s Wildlife Safari will offer safe, fun, and positive interactions at this wildlife experience.

LIVE Viking Camp VisitNorsemen of Michigan - Living History SocietySaturday, May 5 from 9 AM - 2 PM

A Viking living history encampment will appear on the library grounds for this special event. The Norsemen of Michigan Living History Society are committed to portraying daily Viking living - from metalsmithing to weaving and authentic cooking demonstrations, as well as a full armory of historical weapons. Come see what these Norsemen looked like during the 800-1100 period. Check out their Facebook page for more photos. Stop in for any length of time to see this reenactment and learn about Viking history! (The event will take place inside in case of inclement weather.)

IT’S A JUNGLE IN THE LIBRARY!

FUN FOR THE WHOLE

FAMILY!

ADULT PROGRAMS

Parenting and Caregiver SeriesPresented by Holly Tiret, MA ed., CFLE an MSU Extension Educator

Helping Kids Have Self-Control and Manage Stress Thursday, February 15 at 7 PMYoung children are just beginning to learn self-control and self-regulation. When stress is added, you are likely to see children acting out. Mindfulness can help children improve focus, social skills, empathy, and patience. This workshop will address ways to help children and parents reduce stress, anger, and anxiety.

Communicating with Respect and Understanding FeelingsThursday, March 29 at 7 PMThis workshop will help parents learn to model appropriate communication styles, define feelings of comfort and discomfort, learn to recognize feelings in children, and teach children how to manage their feelings.

Digi-Life FamiliesThursday, April 26 at 7 PMWhat is considered to be a “healthy” diet of technology? Learn about the latest screen time guidelines for children and teens. This session will educate participants about talking with youth about online behavior, the relationship between excessive social media use and mental health, and cyberbullying.

Chalk Couture Wooden SignPresented by Deb DamveldIndependent Chalk Couture DesignerSaturday, March 3 from 10 AM - NoonCreate a wooden sign using stencils and chalk paint. A wide variety of stencils will be available for you to create your own unique sign. Visit Deb’s Facebook page: Chalk Next Dorr or website at https://chalknextdorr.chalkcouture.com/store#. The cost is $20 and pre-registration is required (non-refundable). Space is limited to 40 participants. The cost covers the instruction of the class, all materials, your finished product, and continental breakfast including coffee from Mezzo Coffee House.

Foster Parenting and Adoption Information MeetingThursday, April 12 from 6:30 - 8:00 PM

In Michigan, there are nearly 13,000 children in foster care and 300 children who still need an adoptive family. We need your help to provide safe, nurturing homes for these children. The following agencies will present information and advice:Bethany Christian Services: Introducing the Safe Family Program, which helps children before they enter foster care, as well as providing an overview of the foster care system.Department of Human Services: How to become licensed as a foster parent.Braden's Closet: Clothing closet for foster children or families in need.Force for Christ: Domestic and international adoption as well as post-adoption counseling.

ADULT PROGRAMSAdult Winter Reading Club January 2 – March 30Sign up to be part of our Adult “Read and Dine” Club. Read ten books and you could win a Kindle Fire HD or a $25 gift card to a local restaurant. Reading logs will be available at the circulation desk starting January 2, 2018.

Book Clubs2ND Monday Book Club2nd Monday of each month at 1 PMJanuary 8 Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder Joanne Fluke February 12 Dead Cert Dick Francis March 12 The Truth According to Us Annie Barrows April 9 The Chance Karen KingsburyMay 14 Finding Colin Firth Mia March

Non-Fiction Book Club2nd Tuesday of each month at 7 PMJanuary 9 Isaac’s Storm Eric LarsonFebruary 13 American Diary Bill BrysonMarch 13 Hero of the Empire Candice Miller April 10 The Gate Keeper Kathryn SmithMay 8 Benjamin Franklin In London George Goodwin

Sizzlers Book Club **NEW TIME**3rd Thursday of each month at 6:30 PMJanuary 18 Before We Were Yours Lisa WingateFebruary 15 In the Midst of Winter Isabel AllendeMarch 15 The Last Report on the Miracles at Little Horse Louise ErdrichApril 19 Sisters First Jenna Bush Hager & Barbara Pierce BushMay 17 A Stranger in the House Shari Lapena

Red Cross Blood DriveMonday, March 12 from 12 - 5:45 PM

One-on-One Tech HelpGet assistance in simple computer tasks such as email, document/publication creation, and more. Call the library for availability and to schedule an appointment with library staff. Sessions are limited to half an hour and patrons may visit once per two week period.

Get APPy!Friday Afternoons at 2 PMHoopla, Overdrive, Rocket Languages, WOWbrary and more! Schedule a half hour session to receive one-on-one assistance on apps provided to you by your library. Discover how to use your library card 24/7 to instantly borrow digital movies, music, eBooks and so much more!

How Pinteresting!Friday, March 16 at 2 PM

Pinterest is a FREE website for sharing recipes, crafts, healthy routines, and so much more. Learn how Pinterest can be used to share with friends, “pin” ideas and products to your “pin-board”, and bookmark “pins” for later. Patrons must have a working email or Facebook account to create a Pinterest account.

Game On!Adult Strategic Game Night2nd and 4th Thursdays · January - May 6:30 - 8:30 PMFor ages 18 and up

Do you enjoy board games? Join us twice a month for strategy board games with other adults! We offer a large selection of over 50 games including Catan, Carcassonne, Dominion, Pandemic, Risk, Ticket to Ride, and Small World. No experience necessary and all skill levels are welcome. Drop in whenever you can to get your game on!

ADULT PROGRAMS

Friends of the LibraryThe Friends of the Library are always looking for new members. The Friends run a used bookstore and volunteer at library programs. Your donations of gently used books, CDs, and DVD’s help support the programs offered at the library!

Quarterly MeetingsMarch 26 at 6:30 PM and May 21 at 6:30 PM

BIG Spring Book Sale:Thursday, April 19 9 AM - 8 PMFriday, April 20 9 AM - 5:30 PMSaturday, April 21 9 AM - 1 PM ($1/Bag Day)

Creating a Healthy Immune SystemPresented by Milly VanderMeulen, Certified Integrative Nutrition Health CoachTuesday, February 20 at 1 PMCold and flu season got you down? Learn how food and lifestyle can play a role in supporting your immune system.

Sizzling Summer Local Travel OpportunitiesPresented by Brandy Gildea, Parks Coordinator for Allegan County Parks, Recreation, & TourismTuesday, March 13 at 1 PMDiscover new and fun places right in your backyard this summer! Find out more about tourism and recreation activities in Allegan County and the surrounding areas.

Estate Planning using Wills, Trusts, and Powers of AttorneyPresented by David “Fred” Kiel, Senior Managing Attorney at Orton and Tooman in AlleganTuesday, April 17 at 1 PMA review of Estate Planning options taking into consideration the avoidance of Probate, Medicaid, Taxes, and the Protection of Assets. Mr. Kiel has been in practice for 27 years and specializes in Estate Planning.

Thursday Appointments February 1 - April 12Registration for appointments will begin Monday, January 15 at 9 AM. Call 269-694-9690 or visit the library to register. Space is limited.

1st Friday of each month at 1 PMJanuary 5 “Coffee Talk” with Sue Cramer Owner of Mezzo Coffee HouseFebruary 2 Valentine Creation Created for Alamo Nursing HomeMarch 2 "Annie" Musical Preview Otsego High School Student ActorsApril 13 "You Read To Me, I Read To You" Local Kindergarten Class VisitMay 4 Spa Day A day to relax and be pampered.

One Fought OnA WWI Soldier’s StoryPresented by Norm Hinga, AuthorThursday, February 22, at 7 PM

To mark the 100th Anniversary of WWI, we have rescheduled Norm Hinga’s presentation about a relative from Otsego who fought in WWI. One Fought On is a biography of Corporal Lee A. Horton: his life as a soldier, his losses and loves.

The story is filled with the true military experiences of a young American coming of age between 1908 and 1919, passed down through his family for generations. Other local war heroes are featured in the narrative. Books will be available for purchase and signing after the program.

TEEN/TWEEN PROGRAMSMiddle School & High School

FREE Jumanji Day for Teens/TweensFriday, January 12 from 4 – 5 PMTeens and tweens can get wild at the library for a FREE HOUR of Jumanji. Bring your friends to explore the jungle and play the game!

January 18, February 15, March 15, April 19, and May 17Third Thursday of each month at 4 PM Teen Advisory Board volunteers meet monthly to brainstorm teen program ideas, discuss volunteer opportunities, and suggest collection recommendations. TAB members receive service hour credit for meetings and projects. Snacks and refreshments will be provided.

Teen & Tween Book ClubJanuary 30, February 27, March 27, April 24, May 29Last Tuesday of each month at 4 PM Come for the pizza, stay for the fun! Join us each month to discuss what you’ve just read or are currently reading. Pizza and refreshments will be provided.

Teen SceneJanuary 26 – May 11 Fridays after school at 4 PMHang out with us each week as we play games, watch movies, and create some lasting memories. We will be

featuring XBox Kinect and Nintendo Wii gaming systems and some exciting tabletop games. We will not meet on holiday weeks.

Valentine’s PartyFriday, February 9 at 4 PMJam out and party like a rock-star with all of your friends at this awesome event. Rock on with fun games, snacks, and prizes. All teens and tweens are welcome to attend.

St. Patricks Day PartyFriday, March16 at 4 PM"Wherever you go and whatever you do, may the Luck of the Irish

be always with you!"Join us for snacks, games, and prizes. Don’t forget to wear green! All teens and tweens are welcome to attend this St. Patrick’s Day themed party.

Chess ClubWednesdays at 4 PMJanuary 24 - May 9 (No meeting April 4)Elementary - High SchoolLearn, play, and improve your chess skills! Snacks provided.

SPRING BREAKElementary through High School

Join us over spring break for fun events just for middle school and high school students. No registration required at teen & tween events.

Teen Movie Day Tuesday, April 3 at 4 PMGrab your friends and head over to the library for a Movie Day! FREE Popcorn and refreshments provided.

Monogram InitialWednesday, April 4 at 4 PMCustomize and design your initial. Showcase an attractive ombré design using yarn and fierce decor.

Sidewalk Chalk Art Friday, April 6 at 4 PMPick a square of the library sidewalk to design an awesome piece of art. We will vote on most creative and unique designs. Zentangle Pencil Art will be the backup program in case of inclement weather.

Water Lily Canvas Painting with AndreaTuesday, April 3 at 10 AM

Learn a little about Claude Monet and create a Monet-inspired water lily painting by using acrylics with step-by-step instructions from our library director. This class is limited to elementary age children and registration is required. Space is limited to 30 participants.

Lego Challenge with JessTuesday, April 3 at 2 PMCompete against your friends to build an ultimate Lego structure using the library’s collection of Lego’s. You may even win a Lego prize!

Craft Time with AbbyWednesday, April 4 at 2 PMAre you ready to get crafty? Enjoy an hour of crafting and create some artsy projects to take home while leaving the mess at the library.

Chalk Artist and Ventriloquist Presented by Rod SnowFriday, April 6 at 10 AMGet ready to laugh and be entertained with fun stories! Rod Snow will dazzle you with his chalk art skills and ventriloquist antics. Mr. Snow travels to many states as a full-time entertainer. This program will delight the whole family!

CHILDREN’S PROGRAMSBirth through elementary school

StorytimeWednesdays at 10 AMAges 0 - 5Crunch and MunchJanuary 24 - March 14Discover all things yummy through books, songs, and crafts!

Fishy Fun April 11 - May 9 Things will get a little fishy this spring at Storytime!

Music and MovementFridays at 10 AMJanuary 26 - March 16 and April 13 - May 11(No April 20 class due to Friends’ Book Sale)Ages 0-5Twisting & twirling, singing & dancing, and movin’ & groovin’ fun!

Tiny TotsTuesdays at 10 AMJanuary 23 - March 13and April 10 - May 8Ages 0-2Sing, read, and play with your little ones and friends!

Chess ClubWednesdays at 4 PMJanuary 24 - May 9 (No meeting April 4)Elementary through High SchoolLearn, play, and improve your chess skills! Snacks provided.

Full STEAM AheadTuesdays at 4 PMEach 5-week STEAM session will focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math.Kindergarten - 5th Grade

Winter Session: It’s All About SnowJanuary 30 – February 27Join us for snow exploration activities: snowman science, winter coding games, snowmen on stilts, salt crystal snowflakes, snowflake symmetry and more!

Spring Session: Fairytale FunApril 10 – May 8Discover fairytales in a whole new way through exciting STEAM activities.

Calling all princesses, fairies, unicorns, princes, pixies, wizards, and other magical creatures. Dress up in your finest frills and come for an enchanted morning at the library filled with magic, rainbows, sparkles, glitter, and glitz! Sing and dance with a princess, create a sparkly craft, enjoy scrumptious snacks, and see a real LIVE unicorn (weather permitting)! Enchanted Mirror Princess Performers will lead interactive games, stories, songs, and dances. The Boeske family plans to bring their unicorn to visit on this enchanted morning if the weather cooperates.

Early Literacy Center ThemesDecember - January Jungle SafariFebruary - March FamilyApril - May Fairy Tale

Enchanted ExtravaganzaSaturday, March 17 from 10 AM - Noon

NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE PD

OTSEGO, MIPERMIT NO. 3********w****

Residential Customer

CLOSINGS: New Year’s Day January 1Clerk Training Day (President’s Day) February 19Easter Weekend March 31Memorial Weekend May 26 & 28

Check out what's new at ODL! Playaway Launchpad Tablets!These circulating tablets are pre-loaded with learning and gaming content for children and young adults. Designed with a simple, easy-to-use interface and 100% secure. No need for WiFi, internet access, or download time. It's as simple as turning on each device - anytime, anywhere.

Search our catalog with the term, "Launchpad," to view the collection or place a hold. The Launchpads were added to the ODL collection in part by a donation from Cynthia Rush, in memory of Josephine Boyer.

Patrons may check out one tablet at a time, for one week. The late fee is $1/day. Each Launchpad includes the components listed below and all parts must be returned in good condition. Please keep in mind replacement costs for lost or damaged items. Launchpads are durable, but young children should be closely supervised when using tablets.

Replacement Costs if Lost/DamagedLaunchpad $150 · Bumper $10 · Adapter $10 · Cord $10 · Case $10

You may be photographed while attending

library events. Alert library staff if you do not wish to be photographed.

Libraries are WILD and EXCITING!While preparing ODL’s large program room to transform into a jungle for our “Jumanji” fundraising event, I started thinking about how libraries can be like jungles… and how this could go directly against the general population’s view of what a library is or should be. Sadly, there are still a few people who believe libraries offer no value or libraries are boring. (It is our hope that no one would say this since libraries play a vital role in democracy by promoting a literate, free-thinking society.) Libraries as a whole still have the same core purpose of providing open access to information and resources to all people, but we have also transformed to stay relevant and useful to the communities we serve as time has passed.

So instead of silent storehouses for books, today’s libraries are community gathering places “buzzing” with life. Just like a jungle…

• there are many things happening and some of them might even be a little “wild”! • libraries are diverse and offer countless resources to a wide range of people across

all walks of life. • the library provides more than you might imagine at first glance.

We do our best to offer “something for everyone.” Some of our materials or programs may seem “wild” or “weird” to you, but other community members may have requested the library purchase or add these specific resources. At ODL we are eager to offer the community a variety of exciting programs, technology, services, materials, and gathering space options. We try our best to be receptive to new ideas while preserving and cherishing all that makes the library a gem in our community.

Come visit us soon and see what all the “buzz” is about…it’s a jungle in here!

Andrea Estelle, Library Director