This year is expected to be a busy one at the library with the addition of new programs and many existing ones. We are always open to suggestions from the community regarding innovative programs.

Visitors from Brazil, Canada, Maine, Ohio, the Netherlands and Australia, to name just a few, have visited our library for assorted reasons so far in January. Some came in for a quiet respite on the reading porch, while others needed to catch up on their work in the meeting areas of the non-fiction room. And some visitors, especially the children, came to enjoy the fun activities in the children’s room.

We are excited to share that we have a cool new addition at the library entrance. We now have a world map where visitors can mark the various locations from which they have traveled. It has been amazing to see all the countries and cities represented on the map by the pins that our visitors have placed.

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LEGO Club

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The next meeting of the LEGO Club is scheduled for 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 25. Anyone interested in joining the group please call 518-523-3200 or e-mail librarian@lakeplacidlibrary.org. Next month’s meeting will start at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15 in the children’s room. I wonder what February’s theme will be. I cannot wait to find out what the theme will be!

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Story time

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Join Ms. Linda every Friday morning at 10:30 in the children’s room for story time. She has a unique way of telling stories that young children and their parents always enjoy. After the story, there is music, a song and a table activity for everyone to participate in.

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Homeschool Thursdays

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This past Thursday, the homeschool group met at the Lake Placid Ecumenical Food Pantry in the basement of St. Agnes Church to learn about volunteerism. In advance of Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service, there was a read-aloud, discussion and tour. Join us at 10 a.m. Feb. 1 for a read-aloud, discussion and extension activities on biographies and autobiographies.

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Math tutoring

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The library continues to offer free math tutoring for any student in grades 6 to 12. Chris Ward is available by appointment only. For more information call the library at 518-523-3200. This program is available thanks to the Adirondack Foundation — Lake Placid Education Foundation Fund.

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Upcoming events

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– Author visit: Please join us at 10:15 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 20 for a read-aloud and discussion of children’s books by author and playwright Calvin Alexander Ramsey. The Bookstore Plus will be on hand to sell copies of Calvin’s books. Families with children in grades 1 to 6 are recommended to attend, but all ages are welcome. If you plan on attending, RSVP by calling 518-523-3200 or emailing librarian@lakeplacidlibrary.org. This program is made possible through a partnership with John Brown Lives! and has been generously funded by the North Elba Local Enhancement and Advancement Fund (LEAF). The event is free and open to the public.

– Crochet a rosebud bookmark: On Monday, Jan. 29, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., join us at the library for a fun little project that can use up leftover yarn. Adults and teens are welcome. Sign up at the front desk or by calling 518-523-3200. All materials will be provided.

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Genealogy

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Here’s an important update for anyone struggling to research their family tree. Professional genealogist Judith Harper continues to offer free consultations for those who have hit a “brick wall” and don’t know what to do next. She will be available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14. If you are interested in availing yourself of this opportunity, please call the library or visit in person to sign up for a session with Judith.

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Tax preparation

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Every year, a team of AARP volunteer workers assists in preparing and filing tax returns. This free program will start in late January and will be held at the library. To avail of this service, interested individuals should call the library at 518-523-3200 and leave their names. However, slots fill quickly, and the service will only be available until mid-March. We have our list started. Give us a call and we will get you scheduled for your appointment. We are looking forward to hearing from you.

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New arrivals

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Adult fiction: “Land of Milk and Honey” by Pam Zhang, “City of Betrayal” by Victoria Thompson, “The Engagement Party” by Darby Kane, “The Frozen River” by Ariel Lawhon, “Manner of Death” by Robin Cook, “Never Lie” by Freida McFadden, “The Curse of Pennyth” by Jess Armstrong, “Lost Hours” by Paige Shelton, “The Wonder of it All” by Barbara Bradford, “The Other Mothers” by Katherine Faulkner, “This Spells Love” by Kate Robb, “The Vacation” by John Marrs, “Deadly Game” by Michael Caine, “First Lie Wins” by Ashley Eiston, “What Waits in the Woods” by Terri Parlato and “Anna O” by Matthew Blake.

Adult non-fiction: “The Lost Tomb” by Douglas Preston, “How Not to Age” by Michael Greger and “Starting a Business 101” by Michael Cagan.

Juvenile fiction: “Heidi Heckelbeck and the Lost Library Book” by Wanda Coven, “Heidi Heckelbeck Takes the Cake” by Wanda Cove, and “Wonka” by Sibeal Pounder (inspired by Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”).

Children’s picture books: “The Story No-one Has Ever Heard Before” by Avi Steinberg, “Granny Rex” by Kurtis Scaletta, “There’s a Bear in Your Book” by Tom Fletcher, “I Want a 100 Dogs” by Stacy McAnulty and “Snowflakes on Your Tongue” by Mike Ornstein.

(Madonna Barney is a library assistant at the Lake Placid Public Library.)