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– Adults can pick up an ornament making kit for the Altoona Area Public Library's 12 Days of Ornaments, through Dec. 15 while supplies last. Pickup times are 9 to 11 a.m. or 5 to 7 p.m., except Dec. 10. These kits are free with a Blair County library card.
– Calling all teen gamers! In partnership with the Video Game Clubs of America, the library is hosting a gaming club on Tuesdays in December on the fifth, 12th and 19th from 3-5 p.m. From tabletop board games, card games, Nintendo Switch and more, each week will be something different for you to enjoy with your friends. Call 814-946-0417 ext. 125 to register.
– Sample food through the ages on Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. in the library board room! Experience a historical presentation on our food topic for the month, followed by a cooking demonstration. Samples and recipes will be given out at the end of the program for all to enjoy! This month's topic will be winter hot chocolate traditions! Registration, a library card and a $3 fee is required. Please call 814-946-0417 ext. 125.
– Chess Club -- Thursdays from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. All are welcome to come in on Thursday nights to play chess. Meet at the rear tables on the first floor. No registration necessary. Anyone under the age of 16 needs to be accompanied by their legal guardian.
– Join us for a new playgroup for children ages 3 and under and their caregivers. This hour long free developmental playgroup is designed to help parents and children work together to meet the child's developmental goals. Choose from 9:30 or 10:45 a.m. on Dec. 8. The playgroup is facilitated by an early childhood specialist and designed to provide fun activities to promote each child's language, problem-solving, motor skills and social interactions. Space is limited so registration is required. The topic for this month is Fine Motor Skills. A Blair County Library card is required to attend (one card per household). Call 814-946-0417 ext. 123 to register.
– The Friends of the AAPL are welcoming Steven Tomlinson and his grandmother's book, Sammy Starfish, to the library theater on Saturday, Dec. 9 at 10 a.m. Hear the story of how Sammy got his start.
– Join us in making wreaths with the Blair County Conservation District on Dec. 9 -- choose from either 10 a.m. or 11 a.m. This event is $15 and needs to be paid in advance by Dec. 6 to confirm your registration. If you have done this with the Conservation District before and bring your wreath back to the event, then it is $10. This is always one of the most popular programs of the year and space is limited! This program is for adults with a Blair County library card. Call 814-946-0417 ext. 125 to register.
– Paint Space -- Dec. 9 at 1:30 p.m. for teens and adults. This is a one-session program where participants will be given a beginner-level subject to paint while following along with a YouTube video. All supplies are provided and participants can take their work home at the end of the class. The cost is $10, due by Dec. 8. All skill levels are welcome.
– LEGO clubs, Dec. 11 or 14 at 6 p.m. -- All you need is your imagination! Unleash your creativity with LEGO club! This program is geared towards children ages 4 and up. Monthly registration and a library card is required. Call 814-946-0417 ext. 123 to sign up.
– Identifying and Avoiding Scams, Dec. 12, 11 a.m.-noon, Library Theater -- Learn about the latest tactics targeting seniors in our area and how to protect yourself and those you love from becoming a victim. This informative program is presented by Kish Bank and sponsored by Homewood at Martinsburg. This is a free program. Light refreshments will be provided. No registration is necessary.
– Do you have some presents you still need to wrap? Join us in the library board room on Dec. 12 at 6 p.m. for our end of the year Wrap Party. We will have wrapping paper, gift tags, and ribbon for you to use. Bring your gifts and come enjoy some hot cocoa and festive music as you wrap. Register by calling 814-946-0417 ext. 125.
– Home-school families are invited to Home-school Hub: "Snow You Want to be a Millionaire?" on Dec. 14 at 1 p.m. What is the freezing point of water? Every snowflake has how many sides? Put your winter knowledge to the test in a fun-filled trivia contest! Call 814-946-0417 ext. 123 to register.
– The weather outside may be frightful, but here at the library it is always delightful. Teens ages 12-18 are invited to our Snowman Snow Cone Making program on Dec. 14 at 3 p.m. A variety of flavors and colors will be available! Call 814-946-0417 ext. 125 to register.
– Sensory Storytime, held on Dec. 15 at 11 a.m., is an inclusive program for patrons ages 5 and up who are on the autism spectrum or have sensory-related needs. Call 814-946-0417 ext.123 to register.
– Friends of the Library have started a new book club! The next meeting will be held on Saturday, Dec. 16 in the library board room at 10 a.m. The book for December is Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. Please email SarahAAPL@yahoo.com to RSVP. If you are not a Friends member yet, forms can be found on the library website. Memberships are $10/year. Future book club dates will be Jan. 13, Feb. 10, March 9, April 13 and May 11. Books TBA.
– Calling all mini-Monets ages 3 and under -- join us for a morning of painting fun on Dec. 18 at 9:30 a.m. Use brushes and your own fingers to create fridge-worthy masterpieces. Parents, this is a messy program, so please dress your little ones accordingly. Call 814-946-0417 ext. 123 to register.
– Your child may have outgrown story time, but they are never too old for a good book! Join us on Dec. 18 at 6 p.m. for Bookmark Bunch, an interactive book club for students ages 7 and up. December's theme is Seas and Greetings. A Blair County library card is required to register. Only 1 library card is needed per household. Call 814-946-0417 ext. 123 to register.
– All aboard for The Polar Express Storytime on Dec. 22 at 10 a.m. Join us for a special holiday storytime featuring Chris Van Allsburg's The Polar Express. Wearing your PJs is encouraged! Then at 1 p.m., see the family movie The Polar Express in the library theater. Call 814-946-0417 ext. 123 to register for the storytime.
– Story Times: Families of young children are invited to check out the Altoona Area Public Library's free educational story time programs for caregiver and child to enjoy together! Developmentally appropriate and enjoyable programs for children ages 1-6 are offered weekly. Please call the library at 814-946-0417 ext. 123 to register.
Mother Goose (Ages 12-24 months): Mondays, Dec. 4 and 11 at 9:30 a.m. and Thursdays, Dec. 7 and 14 at 9:30 a.m.
Toddler Time (Ages 2-3): Dec. 5 and 12 at 9:30 a.m. or Dec. 6 and 13 at 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
Story Hour (Ages 4-6): Dec. 4 and 11 at 5 p.m.
– Do you need personalized assistance getting started with your genealogy research? The library will be offering 30 minute genealogy one-on-one appointments to help you get started using our digital resources and advice on how to stay organized and uncover your family history. Learn how to set up your accounts and begin a family tree. Call to reserve a time at 814-946-0417 ext. 161.
– Jesi's Christmas will be hosting a food giveaway on Friday, Dec. 15, from 4-6 p.m. at the Jaffa Mosque parking lot. While supplies last, all families will receive a box of Christmas dinner fixings and a ham.