Salina Public Library will help the community celebrate the holidays with children’s programs, a family movie showing and creative technology classes.

Children are invited to drop off their letters to Santa in the mailbox in Youth Services. To receive a reply, letters should be brought by Dec. 14 and include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
On Dec. 8, Youth Services will have a holiday celebration during their Christmas Open House. Crafts will be available all day with cinnamon dough ornament projects available from 10-11:30 a.m. At 5 p.m. there will be a movie screening with popcorn and hot chocolate, and at 6:30 p.m. the library will receive a visit from a special jolly guest.

A Christmas Storytime will be Dec. 14 at 10:15 a.m. featuring holiday stories and activities. Then on Dec. 15 at 4 p.m. children can learn how to create Christmas-themed origami. Registration is required for the free origami class.

Stories are a special part of the holiday season and to encourage children to read during this busy time, the library will encourage them to work toward a community reading goal during Winter Reading Program. Beginning Dec. 1, children of any age can sign up in Youth Services. If participants collectively read 750 books by Jan. 3, each child will receive a book.

Families are invited to enjoy a screening of “Elf,” rated PG, during December’s Quirky Classic Movies at 2 p.m. Dec. 10 in the Prescott Room. In this 2003 film, Will Farrell plays a man who was raised by elves at the North Pole and struggles to fit in when he moves to New York. Snacks will be provided.

The library’s Technology Department will offer several opportunities to combine technology and creativity. Children ages 5-8 can reuse old components to make Christmas ornaments at 2:30 p.m. Dec. 3. Ages 9 to 15 can make holiday magnets at 2:30 p.m. Dec. 10. Soldering will be used to make Christmas ornaments in a 2:30 p.m. Dec. 17 class for ages 12-17. Make and Take Tech for Grownups will feature making a holiday magnet on Dec. 6 from 2-3:30 p.m., and adults can learn soldering skills to make a Christmas tree ornament on Dec. 8 from 6-7:30 p.m. or Dec. 13 from 10-11:30 a.m. Technology classes are free, but require is registration.

To register for technology classes and the origami class or for more information on any library programs, call 825-4624, go online to www.salinapubliclibrary.org or visit the library, 301 W. Elm.