Begin the new year by registering your children for a variety of library programs. Saturday craft programs will be held at various times and libraries on Jan. 12, Jan. 19 and Feb. 9 for children starting as young as three years old. Regular story programs resume this week. Bouncin' Baby Time: Mommy & Me & Books consists of music, rhymes, tickles and bounces for children four to eleven months of age with an adult caregiver. Bring a blanket and let us introduce you and your baby to a variety of board books and activities. This program is about twenty to thirty minutes in length and runs six weeks for only $3. Great toys are provided. Stay awhile afterwards to meet and socialize with other new parents. Due to limited space, no other siblings may attend. The "Baby Time: Beginning With Books" program for children 12 to 23 months of age and the "Toddler Time: Growing With Books" program for two year olds are thirty minute one-on-one interactive morning programs designed for a parent or care-giver to enjoy with a child by exploring stories, songs and music. Finger plays and lap games are part of the Toddler Time programs. It costs $3 for Baby Time for the six weeks and $4 for Toddler Time's eight weeks. The "Story Time: Learning With Books" program for 3-6 year olds is a forty-five minute program which includes crafts, videos, finger plays, stories and songs. There are evening, afternoon and morning programs available for eight weeks for $6. These library programs help stimulate early reading and learning. They also play an important role in a young child's social development. The new "Funtastic Family Storytime" is for children of all ages and parents and has been an overwhelming success with great attendance. It is currently only available at the Victoria Avenue Library on the last Thursday evening of the month starting at 6:30pm. It features a hour of stories, songs, rhymes, games, a craft and a short film. Advance registration is only $1 per child or $2 per family. The "Cocoa Club" program for those 8 years and older begins the first week of February at all four libraries. This after school read-aloud chapter book series features great stories and hot chocolate from 4pm to 4:45pm. Registration is available in or or by telephone at any of our four libraries as well as online on our website www.nfpl.library.on.ca