Story Time Sessions coming up
Morning Story Time - Sessions are on Tuesdays, 10:30-11:15 a.m., for participants ages 2 through 6. The next series runs March 2 through 30. Registration for those sessions begins Feb. 16. Advance registration is required because space is limited. The youngsters are expected to attend all sessions in the series for which they are signed up. Adults must remain with their kids during the programs.

Participants enjoy specially-selected stories, plus fun rhymes, simple crafts and other activities. The program is designed for participants to develop early literacy skills and engage others in a social setting.

Listen and Move - This program adds physical movements - an important factor in brain development for the eligible 3-6 age group - to the stories and rhymes theme of Story Time. Sessions are held on Wednesday evenings, 6:30-7:15 p.m. Two series have been scheduled: Feb. 10-March 10 (registration begins Jan. 27); and March 24-April 14 (registration begins March 10).

As with Story Time, advance signup for all sessions is required because space is limited, and parents or caregivers must remain in the building during the program.

Family Movie Nights
All ages are invited to enjoy feature films that are suitable for kids, and it's all free of charge. You can bring blankets and pillows to snuggle up with and dry snacks, such as popcorn, to munch. There's one rule to remember; children age 10 and under must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Here are the basic details of the upcoming film night, along with a description.

On March 8 at 6:30 p.m., the popular film Madeline (rated PG) will hit the Library's big screen. It's an 89-minute movie starring Frances McDormand, Hatty Jones and Nigel Hawthorne. "In an old house in Paris that was covered with vines, twelve little girls lived in two straight lines. The smallest one in rain or shine was the fearless Madeline, and she is the heroine of this family comedy. Madeline brings to the screen Ludwig Bemelman's classis series of books about a tiny, mischievous schoolgirl."

Park and Read Program Returns
The Library of Michigan and the state's Department of Natural Resources (DNR) joined together last year to promote expanded use of recreation areas while adding an incentive for increased visits to local libraries. The Park and Read Program became popular enough during its abbreviated inaugural 2009 season that it has been renewed in Oak Park and across the rest of the state.

Beginning in April, patrons once again will be able to check out one-day passes that provide cost-free entry at any Michigan state park or recreation area. The normal daily entrance fee is $6. Additionally, many parks have hammocks available for participants in the program at no charge for use on-site.

Park and Read passes are checked out at the circulation desk, just as books and other materials are. They are valid for use over a seven-day period.

NOTE: Information about scheduled park events and the availability of hammocks is available on the DNR web site, www.michigan.gov/dnr