Library notes [December 02, 2010]  Tuesdays with Santa -- The Lincoln Public Library has again invited Santa Claus to visit with children in December. The jolly man will be at the Annex on Dec. 7 and 14 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Sit on Santa's lap, take pictures, get a candy cane, write a letter to Santa (he has a lot to remember) and make a take-home craft. Call 732-5732 to sign up now so that Santa can bring enough candy canes. Homework Helper program The Homework Helper program is on a break for the holidays and will resume Jan. 10.

The Lincoln Public Library is located at 725 Pekin St., with adult nonfiction and reference materials in the historic Carnegie Building. The Annex Building directly behind houses adult fiction and the Youth Services Department. All library events are free and open to the public. Online, visit www.lincolnpubliclibrary.org. Hours are Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; and Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Phone [phone] for adult services and 217-732-5732 for youth services.

Miss Lou's blog

Louella Moreland, youth services librarian, has a blog that can be accessed by linking through the library website. She discusses new books, introduces programs and takes polls. Tell her your ideas and suggestions. You can also view videos and pictures of library programs.

Library on the Go

The library website has a link to a feature called Library on the Go. This is an online database of items to download to your computer, iPhone or MP3 player. Log in with your Lincoln Public Library District card number and search for books, music or movies to download and enjoy.

Book displays

Come in to see the many Christmas books and videos displayed for children. Choose from among picture books and chapter books, fiction and nonfiction, religious and secular. Share stories about the many joys of the Christmas holiday with your children.

Also, stop by the circulation desk in the Annex to see the display of miniature library buildings. They have been collected over the years and graciously loaned to us by one of our employees.

Tax forms

The IRS will no longer mail out tax returns. The library will continue to be a free source for the most widely used paper forms, and more specific forms can be printed off for a small fee. Forms will be available after the first of the year.

Upcoming events

• Family Lego Day -- The library will host a Family Lego Day on Saturday morning, Jan. 22. Family groups can sign up to build with their own Legos or the library-provided Legos. Sign-up will begin Jan. 10. More information will follow.

• Story Time and Craft Time -- The winter session for these classes will begin Feb. 15 and meet once a week through March 31. Sign-up will begin Feb. 7. More information will follow.

Holiday closings

The Lincoln Public Library District will be closed the following dates:

• Dec. 24 -- Christmas Eve

• Dec. 25 -- Christmas Day

• Jan. 1 -- New Year's Day

[Text from file received from Marlene Perry, Lincoln Public Library]