County libraries: Check them out; they're about more than just books

Books can be dangerous.

Book-It Repertory Theatre shows you why.

Book-It, which turns classic and contemporary literature into theater, performs "Danger Books" at 7 p.m. Oct. 2 at the Everett Public Library. Subtitled "A Celebration of Intellectual Freedom," it will be a staged reading from classics and contemporary books that have been banned, censored or challenged in the United States.

"A Wrinkle in Time," for example, made the American Library Association's most frequently challenged book list because some people believe the story promotes crystal balls. Among modern titles, "And Tango Makes Three," based on a true story of two male penguins in the Central Park Zoo who adopt an egg and raise it as their own, was the most banned and challenged book of 2006. Authors ranging from Ray Bradbury to J.K. Rowling have been challenged.

Book-It annually stages a full season of shows in Seattle but also tours to more than 200 schools, libraries and community centers a year.

"After those readings are presented, the actors and librarians facilitate a discussion on the First Amendment, and how and why the books are banned," said Annie Lareau, Book-It's education director. "We're not trying to take a side on it, but we're asking, 'Why? And how do you feel about it? You might think it's fine to read, but would you read it to your younger brother?' It's getting them to think it through."

It comes at a time when libraries are making an increasing effort to draw teenagers to reading.

"This is the place they can find out reading is fun, not just a school assignment," said Esta Anderson, youth services librarian at Everett Public Library.

"They can explore fantasy, historical fiction; we present new books for subject areas so kids can discover new things," Anderson added.

Sno-Isle Libraries also are increasing the focus on teen readers, according to library director Jonalyn Woolf-Ivory.

What they've found in the past, she says, is that parents often focus on reading when children are young. Then, as teens add more activities and more independence, they sometimes leave the public library. Woolf-Ivory says continuing to read is "essential" for academic success.

"Information is such a commodity now. To be successful, to able to access information to make good decisions for yourself, is really important," she said. One good formula is "When we involve teens in the planning of the programming, our programs are much more successful."

Marysville teens helped run the library's Harry Potter event for younger kids. Woolf-Ivory said, "That's a perfect example of adolescents looking for ways to contribute. The payoff for us as a society is building better citizens."

Whether it's teen book chats, "Talk Time" with people learning English, Harry Potter singalongs or a month of climate-change programs, it's all about learning from the experiences of others.

Here are highlights from the county's library systems. All are free unless otherwise indicated. Programs are subject to change.

Sno-Isle Libraries

This is one of the busiest library systems in the state, with 21 branches from Oak Harbor to Sultan. Each branch's programming reflects the individuality of its community, so check with each library for its programs. They're also available at the Sno-Isle Web site, www.sno-isle.org.

Sept. 22, 29: "Money Matters." Topics include estate planning from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sept. 22 and reverse mortgages from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Sept. 29. Mukilteo Library. Preregister in person or by calling 425-493-8202.

Sept. 20: Manga Book Group. Teen-discussion group about the Japanese art form, with snacks, 4 p.m., Stanwood Library.

Oct. 4: "Walking the Gobi." Snohomish explorer Helen Thayer talks about walking 1,600 miles of the Gobi Desert, 11 a.m. Oct. 6 at the Snohomish Library, 6:30 p.m. Oct. 10 at the Granite Falls Library, 7 p.m. Oct. 11 at the Mill Creek Library, and 2 p.m. Nov. 10 at the Mountlake Terrace Library.

Oct. 4: "Play Safe! Be Safe!" Fire safety with the Marysville Fire Department (for 3- to 5-year-olds accompanied by an adult), 10:15 a.m., Marysville Library meeting room.

Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27: "Bring Out Your Inner Manga Artist." Learn the basics of this Japanese comic art, presented by NDP Comics, 2 p.m., Snohomish Library.

Oct. 9: "Hands On Henna." Teens learn the history and practice the art of natural henna body art, 6-8 p.m., Granite Falls Library.

Oct. 12: Author Scott Westerfield appears with his new book "Extras," 4 p.m., Edmonds Library Plaza Room.

Oct. 13: "Pirate's Life for Me." Children and families explore the life and legends of pirates, 2 p.m., Arlington Library.

Oct. 15:"Altered Objects." Teenagers turn discarded CDs and other recyclables into art and gifts, including ornaments, photo albums, picture frames, 4 p.m., Edmonds Library.

Oct. 20: Sno-Isle Libraries 2007 fundraising event. Refreshments and book-related activities presented by the library foundation, 6-8 p.m., Snohomish Library. Free; donation opportunities available. Reservations by Oct. 13 by calling Karri Matau at 360-651-7066.

Nov. 17: "Magnificent Masks." Imagine Children's Museum presents a show on masks in various cultures and how to make your own mask, 1 p.m., Lake Stevens Senior Center, 1814 124th Ave. N.E.

Ongoing: Talk Time. Adults learning to speak English practice conversational English with volunteers. Participating libraries are Lynnwood, 12:30-2 p.m. Wednesdays; Mukilteo, 7 p.m. Mondays; and Mountlake Terrace, 10 a.m. Tuesday and Fridays. Call to confirm schedules.

By appointment: SCORE Counselors to America's Small Business offer free counseling sessions, noon-6 p.m. the second Thursday of the month, through November, at the Lynnwood Library study room. Call 425-778-2148 for a reservation.

Contests: Oct. 1-31: Laugh Out Loud, 2007 teen art contest. Entries due Oct. 31. Winning entries featured on library poster.

Celebrating Children's Book Festival 2007: Annual children's bookmark contest. Entry forms available online or at area libraries. Entries are due Oct. 8. For more information, go to www.sno-isle.org or go to your local Sno-Isle library.

Everett Public Library

Main Library, 2702 Hoyt Ave.

Evergreen Branch, 9512 Evergreen Way.

Library general information: 425-257-8000 or www.epls.org.

Sept. 19: Teen Book Chat. "Dragons & Fantasy." Discussion of Janet Lee Carey's "Dragon's Keep," about a princess who communicates with dragons. Free snacks; first 30 kids who come will get a free copy of the book, 7 p.m., main library auditorium.

Sept. 23: "An Afternoon of Poetry with The Jack Straw Writers." Poets read, answer questions and present exercises for the audience, 2-4 p.m., main library auditorium.

Oct. 2: "Danger Books," by Book-It Repertory Theatre, 7 p.m., main library auditorium.

Oct. 6: "Janet Lee Carey's World of Dragons and Fantasy." Seattle author reads, talks about fantasy writing and discusses her new book blog "Readergirlz," 2 p.m., main library auditorium.

Oct. 14: The Parselmouths wizard-rock group presents original songs about Harry Potter characters, 2 p.m., main library auditorium.

Oct. 15: Adult book-discussion group talks about "Digging to America" by Anne Tyler, 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m., main library second-floor training room.

Oct. 17: "Travel with World Stories and Crafts" presents multicultural storytelling, 7 p.m., main library auditorium.

Oct. 27: Graham and Treena Kerr talk about their latest books, "Day by Day Gourmet" and "Substance in Shadow," 2 p.m., main library auditorium.

Oct. 28: Research scientist Bruce Bjornstad shows slides and reads from his book "On the Trail of the Ice Age Floods," 2 p.m., main library auditorium.

Nov. 3: "Climate Change: The Time is Now." Beverly Duperly Boos of The Climate Project moderates a discussion based on "An Inconvenient Truth," 2 p.m., main library auditorium.

Nov. 10: Paleontologist Peter Ward continues the series; he signs and talks about his book "Under a Green Sky," 2 p.m., main library auditorium.

Nov. 11: "Our Daily Bread," movie screening about mechanized, modern food production, 2 p.m., main library auditorium.

Nov. 14: "Punch and Pals Puppet Show." Puppet master Clay Martin, 2 p.m., main library auditorium.

Nov. 17: Beverly Duperly Boos presents a 45-minute slide show designed for elementary-school-age children and their families, 2 p.m., main library auditorium.

Nov. 19: Adult book-discussion group talks about "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak,11:45 a.m.-1 p.m., main library second-floor training room.

Dec. 19: "Holiday Fun Puppet Show." Storytelling and puppets on winter holidays around the world, 7 p.m., main library auditorium.

Diane Wright: 425-745-7815 or dwright@seattletimes.com