Libraries have long stood at the forefront of championing the right of our readers to choose what they want to read without interference from others. Not only do we resist demands for items to be pulled off our shelves, we also zealously protect the records of our cardholders so that no-one, even other family members, will be able to find out what an individual is reading. So, for example, a spouse would not be able to find out that the other spouse is reading up on separation and divorce, or a teenager's parents wouldn't be able to find out that their child is reading pregnancy or sexual orientation books. The library has just received a four-volume set of books entitled Banned Books. Each of the four volumes describes literature suppressed for one of four reasons: religious grounds, sexual grounds, political grounds, and social grounds. Some titles covered have been on the lists for many years Fahrenheit 451 To Kill a Mockingbird Ulysses Huckleberry Finn Gulliver's Travels...

It’s not too early to start thinking about March Break and registering the kids for the themed programs and activities staff have planned for the week at all our library sites. Consider signing them up for some creative and energetic programs at the Library. This year, our theme is "Make it, Take it, Shake it". How about making a great dragon mask to celebrate the Year of the Dragon. Need to shake off some winter blues? Try our Hip Hop class, come to a dance party, a Zumbatonic session or shaking it up in a Family Storytime. You can also make a cupcake cake, a painting, a paper butterfly, an iris folding seahorse or a spring candle creation. Laugh with the antics of Big Kid Entertainment and their hilarious production of Jack and the Beanstalk. You can thrill to the magic and juggling of Vaudeville Steve. For those of you in "Chillax mode" come to a free big screen showing of those charming tap dancing penguins or Shrek's favourite feline, at both the Victoria Avenue Library or the Chippawa Branch Library....

Illuminations @NFLibrary! We are excited to announce that we now have a colourful newsletter full of program information and services the library is offering. It will be published 6 times a year and available to pick up in any of our library locations or to view and download from the website. Our film for Big Screen Tuesday @ Victoria on February 14th is the 2011 biographical drama “J Edgar” directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Armie Hammer and Naomi Watts. J. Edgar Hoover was director of the F.B.I. from May 1924 until his death in 1972. He worked with seven different presidents, despite being an unpopular character. There are those who believe Hoover was the most powerful man in America. The film focuses on his public career but privately he had many secrets which could have destroyed him. DiCaprio once again has drawn...

This year, the city's Mayor's Youth Advisory Committee (MYAC) has initiated a new event, with monthly sessions, called “Chill Out!” The title says it all: every month features a different activity that gives the all teens of the city a chance to do something out of the ordinary, relax, have fun, and chill out with their friends. Activities are always free, or discounted, and open to all teens in the city--previous activities include a coffee house at the MacBain Centre, and a discounted skating night at the 'TD Rink at the Brink'. For February, MYAC's latest 'Chill Out!' session will be a free-to-attend teen movie night, hosted at the Victoria Avenue Library on Friday, February 10th. The Library is a supporter of the MYAC. If you and your friends wanted to see 'Crazy, Stupid Love', 'Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2', or 'Super 8' but never got the chance, then come and chill out! Every attendee will have the chance to vote for the movie they want to see, and the movie with the most votes will be shown, free of charge. Please present student ID to enter free of charge. Doors open at 6:30 pm and voting will end at 7:00 pm. So remember: Victoria Avenue Library; Friday, February 10th; choose your favourite movie; free-to-attend; come and chill out!"

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The Niagara Falls Public Library is pleased to again host free income tax preparation clinics for the benefit of low-income earners. Individuals must meet income guidelines to participate and must register in advance. All clinics will be held at the Victoria Avenue Library. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario program takes place on several Wednesday and Thursday evenings in February and March. To qualify, individuals without dependents must have a total household income of less than $20,000. Individuals with dependents must have a total household income below $30,000. If two or more individuals in one household are employed, the combined household income must not exceed the limits. The community volunteer program sponsored by Canada Revenue Agency will be offered on March 5 and March 19 from 9:00 am – 2:30 pm. This program provides trained volunteers who give their time to complete simple returns. The volunteers are not employees of Canada Revenue, nor are they tax experts trained to do complex...