By Greg Toumassian Contributing Writer
The holidays are always a time for family and fun, and the Ontario City Library is setting out to bring both together through its extensive list of upcoming programs.
There is a lot to do over the next few months for young ones and their family members, and the following is just a sample of what’s being offered at both the Ovitt Family Community Library and the Colony High Branch Library, which make up the Ontario Library system.
At the Ovitt Family Community Library
Choose Your Own Adventure book club:
Starting Tuesday, Dec. 10, emerging readers between the ages of 5 to 8 are invited to join in and choose their own adventures. Children and staff read aloud during the Choose Your Own Adventure book club, which aims to enhance reading skills and make reading fun.
There are plenty of tales from various genres to keep young ones entertained during each monthly session. The group will meet Tuesdays from 4:15 to 5:15 p.m. Jan. 7, Feb. 4 and March 4.
Winter Wonderland for little ones: Children ages 2 to 5 and their parents are invited to a special winter-themed crafts event at 10:30 am, Friday, Dec. 20. They will make their own Christmas tree and join in on readings of holiday story favorites and sing-along songs.
Parents are encouraged to bring their cameras for pictures of their little ones with the big guy with the beard – yes, Santa Claus will be there.
Only the first 50 children will be admitted to the event.
Children’s holiday film festival: Holiday classics will be screened every Saturday throughout December, so stay warm in the library and enjoy some seasonal favorites with your family.
Kicking off with “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” “Frosty the Snowman” and “Frosty Returns,” there will be popcorn and lots of fun to be had. The following weeks will see showings of “Home Alone” and “The Muppet Christmas Carol.”
The Children’s Holiday Film Festival will be held at 1 p.m. on Dec. 7, Dec. 14, Dec. 21 and Dec. 28.
Family game night: If you’re looking for a break from holiday shopping and crowded parking lots, take an evening off and have some fun with your family. There will be Bingo, board games and trivia and, yes, prizes too.
The fun takes place from 6 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 17. Call 909-395-2207 to register or you can register in person.
California missions: Let’s face it, building a scale model of a California Mission out of foam, cardboard or whatever else you could scrap together wasn’t exactly the easiest thing to do as a fourthgrader.
Luckily, the Ovitt Family Community Library will host its annual California Missions project to help your child along with this classic school project. The hour-long event starts at 4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9.
Staff members will be on hand to show actual missions, demonstrate construction techniques and offer suggestions.
They won’t build the missions, but will provide all the assistance needed to learn and make the process enjoyable.
Chinese New Year: Did you know 2014 will be the Year of the Horse? Find out why at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14, when the Ovitt Family Community Library celebrates Chinese New Year and examines Chinese culture.
Learn exactly what the Chinese New Year is and how it is different from the American new year. There will be games, crafts and festive foods to celebrate the special occasion.
The wonderful world of snowflakes: You may have heard that every snowflake is unique, but do you know why? Children 5 to 8 are invited to a fun, educational discussion about snowflakes from 4 to 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31.
They will learn where snowflakes come from, what makes each one unique and then will make their own.
At the Colony High Branch Library
Winter Wonderland for little ones: The Colony High Branch Library will have its own Winter Wonderland for little ones at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 13. Children ages 2 to 5 and their parents are invited to play match the mitten, pin the clothes on the snowman, and ring toss with Rudolph.
Snacks will be available. Register at the Colony High Branch library by calling 909-395-2014 on or after Friday, Dec. 6.
The Hobbit Participants will immerse themselves in a world with the dwarves, Bilbo Baggins and Gandalf as they journey to get the gold back from the dragon Smaug through shrewdness and sheer craftiness.
The program is for 9- to 12-year-olds and will be held from 4 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12.
Those in attendance will follow the Hobbit map and find different adventures along the way, take a picture with a Hobbit beard and cloak, and enjoy Hobbit-themed cookies and candy.
Locations and hours The Ovitt Family Community Library, at 215 E.C St. in Ontario, is open Monday through Sunday. For hours and more information, call 909-395-2207.
The Colony High Branch Library, at 3850 E. Riverside Drive in Ontario, is open Monday through Saturday. For hours and details, call 909- 395-2014.
Information about both libraries can found at ci.ontario.ca.us.
