Fort Bend County Libraries’ Cinco Ranch Branch Library, 2620 Commercial Center Blvd in Katy, has announced a variety of free children’s programs, adult computer classes, book clubs, and special programs for people of all ages for December. All programs are free and open to the public. For more information, see the FBCL website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us), or call the Cinco Ranch Branch Library (281-395-1311) or the library system’s Communications Office (281-633-4734).

LIBRARY CLOSINGS

December 22-25 – Christmas

January 1 – New Year’s Day

SPECIAL FAMILY EVENT

· Shimmer Flute Choir Performance – Saturday, December 16, 10:30 a.m., Meeting Room. The flute ensemble will perform a musical interpretation of the children’s story The Grinch Who Stole Christmas and a musically narrated telling of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. The performance will be followed by refreshments and wintery crafts.

CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS -- (The library is unable to accommodate daycares and school groups at these activities.)

Craft packets will be given out at the end of each program, so that children may take them home to enjoy.

· Family Story Time – Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10:15-10:45 a.m. AND 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Meeting Room. Families with children of all ages will enjoy stories, songs, and action rhymes.

o December 6 and 7 -- Penguins

o December 13 and 14 – Weather

o December 15 and 16 – Construction

o December 20, 21, 27, 28 – NO PROGRAMS

· Pajama Night Story Time – Tuesday, December 5, 6 to 6:30 p.m. – gives families with children of all ages an evening option for some activities presented during the daytime. The themes are the same as those for Family Story Time.

· Family Fun Night – Monday, December 11, 6 to 7:00 p.m., Meeting Room. Families with children of all ages are invited to an evening of games, building challenges, and more.

· Creative Connections – activities for school-aged children in grades 4 through 8 – takes place on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays, from 4:30 to 5 p.m.as follows:

o December 7 – Computer Class. This activity will take place in the Computer Lab. Registration required.

o December 21 – Learn to Crochet (4:30-5:30 pm, grades 3-8)

· Mother Goose Time – Tuesdays, 10:15 to 10:45 a.m. – provides caregiver/infant multisensory circle-time activities -- including simple sign language, folksongs and lullabies, and finger plays -- that are especially designed to stimulate babies’ social, emotional, and physical development through rhythm and music. Mother Goose Time is intended for pre-walking infants from age 0 to 12 months. Attendance is limited to 15 infants. This activity will take place on December 5 and 12 ONLY.

YOUNG ADULT PROGRAMS (for teens in grades 9-12)

· DIY Stocking Stuffers for Teens – Tuesday, December 5, 5 to 6:30 p.m., Conference Classroom. Teens will discover easy-to-make gifts for family or friends. Materials for this activity are made possible by the Friends of the Cinco Ranch Branch Library. Registration required.

· DIY Glitter Vases for Teens – Tuesday, December 19, 3 to 4 p.m., Conference Classroom. Teens will learn how to make glitter vases to use as décor for their rooms or to give as gifts. Materials for this activity are made possible by the Friends of the Cinco Ranch Branch Library. Registration required.

· Young Adult Advisory Council – Wednesday, December 20, 4 to 5 p.m., Conference Room. Teens entering grades 9-12 interested in an exciting new leadership opportunity and volunteer-service hours are invited to attend this meeting of the Young Adult Advisory Council. Members will have a chance to share ideas about library programs, to help at events, to give suggestions for teen services, books, and movies, and to meet new people.

BOOK CLUBS FOR ADULTS (Copies of book-club selections are available at the check-out desk.)

· Literary Lunch League Book Club – Wednesday, December 6, 12 to 1 p.m., Multipurpose Room. The book to be discussed is The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware. This title is available in print, audio on CD, and digitally as an ebook and e-audiobook on OverDrive/Libby; additional print copies are available at the check-out desk. Those attending are invited to bring a lunch, if desired. This book club meets on the first Wednesday of every month.

· “The Butler Did It” Mystery Book Club – Thursday, December 14, 2 to 3 p.m., Conference Classroom. The book to be discussed is In This Grave Hour, a Maisie Dobbs novel by Jacqueline Winspear, available in print, audio on CD, and

digitally as an e-audiobook on OverDrive/Libby. Additional print copies are available at the check-out desk. This book club meets on the second Thursday of every month.

ADULT PROGRAMS

· Prose Pros Writing Group – Monday, December 4, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Conference Classroom. During this session, take advantage of the library’s space, quiet atmosphere, seating, power outlets, and snacks to kick-start your own literary masterpiece. Participants will have an opportunity to share their manuscripts with others and get constructive feedback.

· Art & Architecture: Gothic Cathedrals – Saturday, December 9, 2 to 4:00 p.m., Meeting Room. Architecture professor Sheba Akhtar will talk about the design origins of Gothic Cathedrals, which flourished in Europe during the High and Late Middle Ages, originating in 12th-century France and lasting into the 16th century.

· Craft Club – Tuesdays, December 12 and 26, 2 to 4:00 p.m., Conference Classroom. Craft enthusiasts of all experience levels – from beginners to advanced – who enjoy any type of crafting are invited to attend to get other crafters’ perspectives, critiques, and suggestions. Those attending should bring their projects and their own crafting supplies. Samples of the library’s instructional books, magazines, and websites on various crafts will be available. Crafters are invited to come and go as time permits.

· Zentangles Mindfulness – Tuesday, December 12, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Conference Classroom. Escape the stress of the holidays with the mindfulness craft of Zentangles, an easy-to-learn, relaxing, fun way to create beautiful images. This repetitive, pattern-making exercise is perfect for increasing relaxation and focus, while expanding one’s imagination and creativity. Materials for this activity are made possible by the Friends of the Cinco Ranch Branch Library. Registration required.

ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (ESL)

· ESL Conversation Circles – Fridays, December 1, 8, and 15, 2 to 3 p.m., Multi-purpose Room. The “ESL Conversation Circles” provide an opportunity for non-English-speaking people to gather in a relaxed setting and discuss topics of their own choosing while practicing their English skills.

BUSINESS HOURS

Mon – 12:00 noon – 9:00 pm

Tue – 10:00 am – 9:00 pm

Wed, Thu – 10:00 am – 6:00 pm

Fri – 12:00 noon – 5:00 pm

Sat – 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Sun – CLOSED