Mark your new 2019 calendar with free events for kids, teens, adults, and families at Smith Public Library in Wylie.
Anime MeetUp is Jan. 7 at 6 p.m. Fans of anime, manga, and Asian pop culture (age 17 and up) are invited to join the group. This meeting is the winter anime screening, and the group meets bimonthly.
Jan. 9 and 11 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., it's LEGO League, with the January theme of "Buildings." Kids in grades one through four are invited to show off creativity and build around the month's theme. No parents or older/younger siblings please. Space is limited, and registration is required at the Children's Desk.
Vision Boards 101 is Jan. 14 at 6 p.m. Age 18 and up invited to learn what vision boards are and why they're important in setting goals. Participants will make their own board with Carrie Lindsey, blogger at CarrieElle.com and planning/organizing products entrepreneur. She's also the author of "Make Anything Happen." Register on the library's website WylieTexas.gov/library.
Japanimation Club, for sixth- through 12th-graders, returns Jan. 17 from 6 to 7 p.m. Come geek out about all things anime and manga. No registration is required.
Go behind the scenes with Wylie's community theater in Backstage: Wylie Acting Group slated for Jan. 23 at 6 p.m. Learn the group's history, what it takes to create a production starring children versus teens or adults, what auditions are like, what crew work is like, and more. Adults and families are welcome, but the program is intended for third-graders and up. Register on the library's website.
Jan. 30, from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m., show off your family's creativity in the Family LEGO Build. All ages are welcome to come create with the library's LEGO and DUPLO sets in the Storytime Room. No registration is required; all ages are welcome, but children age 9 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
The library also hosts age-tailored book clubs.
My Very Own Book Club, for first- and second-graders, meets Jan. 16 and 18 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Kids are encouraged to read "Enemy Pie" by Derek Munson on their own and then come to the meeting for discussion and a craft. Sign up at the Children's Desk; all participants get a free copy of the book.
The learning club just for third-graders, 3rd Grade Voyagers Club, meets Jan. 24 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. In January, kids will create with the Wythdraw Art Community.
Between Book & Movie Club meets from 6 to 7 p.m. on Jan. 31. Fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-graders are invited to discuss different books that have movie adaptations. Kids read the book, watch its movie on your own, then come to the meeting to watch scenes from the movie, read exerpts from the book, discuss, and enjoy a snack. January's title is "The Lightning Thief," by Rick Riordan. Sign up at the Children's Desk; the first 50 kids get a free copy of the book.
"The Serpent King," by Jeff Zentner, is the selection to be discussed in Teen Book Club, Jan. 10 from 6 to 7 p.m. This club is for six- through 12th-graders, and snacks and drinks are provided. Stop by the Teen Room for more information and to register.
Storytimes have been on break, but they will resume Jan. 15. Check the library's website for dates, times, and age groups.
Come in out of the cold in the blustery month of January and share some time with your Smith Public Library, part of the Wylie Municipal Complex at 300 Country Club Rd. Call 972-516-6250, option 3, for more information about these events. Library hours are Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and closed on Sunday.