BOOK DISCUSSION: MONDAY MYSTERIES AT MAIN | Hammond

"The Blackbird papers" by Ian Smith at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Hammond Public Library, 564 State St.

FYI: (219) 931-5100

AUTHOR SPEAKS | Valparaiso

Lois Ruby will talk about her juvenile fiction and the joys of reading from 7:15 to 8:15 p.m. Tuesday at the Valparaiso Public Library, 103 Jefferson St. For the entire family. Free. Register.

FYI: (219) 462-0524

MORNING BOOK DISCUSSION | Whiting

"Manhunt" at 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday in the Meeting Room of the Whiting Public Library, 1735 Oliver St.

FYI: (219) 473-4700, ext. 10

CIRCLE OF READERS | Merrillville

6:15 p.m. Thursday at the The Lake County Public Library, 1919 W. 81st Ave. Readers are invited to a discussion of Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, A Man Who Would Cure the World by Tracy Kidder. This is the true story of Dr. Paul Farmer, infectious disease specialist, a gifted and utterly charming man who is in love with the world and has set out to do all he can to change it n for the better. Register by phone.

FYI: (219) 769-3541, ext. 340

MYSTERY BOOK DISCUSSION | Gary

12:30 p.m. Nov. 12 at the Gary Public Library, 3491 W. 41st Ave. Fat, unlovely Roberta Teys has been found seated beside her father's decapitated body. Her first words were "I did it, Andy, I'm not sorry." Now, she refuses to speak. Inspector Linley (the eighth Earl of Asherton) and Sergeant Barbara Havers, teamed for the first time, find the evidence piled against her. Join us for dessert and an informal discussion of "A Great Deliverance" by Elizabeth George.

FYI: (219) 980-5180

TUESDAY BOOK DISCUSSION | Highland

2 p.m. Nov. 13 the Highland Branch Library, 2841 Jewett St. In the novel "No Country for Old Men," Llewelyn Moss is drawn into a violent confrontation when he stumbles upon a bloody massacre, a cache of heroin, and more than $2 million in cash during a hunting trip. Refreshments will be served. Register by phone.

FYI: (219) 838-2394

BROWN BAGGERS | Valparaiso

"AC/DC: The Savage Tale of the First Standards War" by Tom McNichol from noon to 1 p.m. Nov. 13 at the Valparaiso Public Library, 103 Jefferson St.

FYI: (219) 462-0524

GREYT READERS | Valparaiso

American Greyhounds will listen to stories YOU read to THEM from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 15 at the Valparaiso Public Library, 103 Jefferson St. For all ages. Free.

FYI: (219) 462-0524

PAGE-TURNERS | Kouts

"A Name of Her Own" by Jane Kirkpatrick from 7 to 8 p.m. Nov. 15 at the Kouts Public Library, 101 E. Daumer Road.

FYI: (219) 766-2271

BOOK CHAT | Hobart

"The Contract Surgeon" by Don O'Brien at 2 p.m. Nov. 20 at the Hobart Branch Library, 100 N. Main St. Register.

FYI: (219) 942-2243

BOOK DISCUSSION | Griffith

"The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" by Alexander McCall Smith at 7 p.m. Nov. 21 at the Griffith Branch Library, 940 N. Broad St. Dessert will be served.

FYI: (219) 838-2825

BOOKS AND CHAT | Cedar Lake

"Saving Fish from Drowing" by Amy Tan at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 21 at the Cedar Lake Branch Library, 10010 E. 133rd Ave.

FYI: (219) 374-7121

BOOK SALE | Hammond libraries

Books will be 50 percent off at all Hammond branch libraries, excluding specially marked items from 9 to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 24.

FYI: (219) 931-5100

BOOKENDS | South Haven

"Man and Boy" by Tony Parsons from 7 to 8 p.m. Nov. 28 at the Portage Public Library, 2665 Irving St.

FYI: (219) 763-1508

BOOK SALE | South Haven

There will be a book sale from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Nov. 29 and 30, and from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dec. 1 at the South Haven Public Library, 403 W. 700 North. Saturday, Dec. 1, is $2 for a bag of books day.

FYI: (219) 763-1508

ANIME NIGHTS | Crete

All young adults (and other Anime fans) can watch the latest in popular Anime movies on the Crete Public Library's big screen, at 4 p.m. generally the last Mondays of the month. Events are planned for Nov. 26 and Dec. 17.

FYI: (708) 672-8017

BOOKreMARKS ONLINE DISCUSSION | Merrillville

Through Nov. 30, Harold Kushne's book, When Bad Things Happen to Good People, provides a reasonable and comforting response to the question, "Why me?" To join the discussion, send an email to remarks@lakeco.lib.in.us. For more information about the online book discussions, visit www.lakeco.lib.in.us/remarks.htm.

FYI: (219) 769-3541, ext. 340

BROWN BAGGERS | Valparaiso

"Thunderstruck" by Erik Larson from noon to 1 p.m. Dec. 11 at the Valparaiso Public Library, 103 Jefferson St. Bring your lunch.

FYI: (219) 462-0524

BOOKENDS | South Haven

"The Red Hat Club" by Haywood Smith from 7 to 8 p.m. Dec. 17 at the South Haven Public Library, 403 W. 700 North.

FYI: (219) 759-4474

READING CIRCLE | Portage

"About a Boy" by Nick Hornby from 7 to 8 p.m. Dec. 19 at the Portage Public Library, 2665 Irving St. Register.

FYI: (219) 763-1508

PAGE-TURNERS | Kouts

"A Fistful of Fig Newtons" by Jean Shepherd from 7 to 8 p.m. Dec. 20 at the Kouts Public Library, 101 E. Daumer Road.

FYI: (219) 766-2271

COUPON BOOKS | Lake County

The Friends of Lake County Public Library are selling two kinds of coupon books to raise funds to support programming at all 12 library locations: Black Oak Branch (4921 W. 25th Ave., Gary); Cedar Lake Branch (10010 W. 133rd Ave.); Forty-First Avenue Branch (3491 W. 41st Ave., Gary); Griffith Branch (940 N. Broad St.); Highland Branch (2841 Jewett St.); Hobart Branch (100 Main St.); Lake Station Branch (2400 Central Ave.); Munster Branch (8701 Calumet Ave.); New Chicago Branch (3250 Michigan St.); Schererville Branch (1001 U.S. 30), St. John Branch (9450 U.S. 41); and the Central Library at 1919 U.S. 30 in Merrillville.

The Entertainment Book is priced at $20 each and the Golden Opportunities Coupon Books are $25 each and are available for purchase now through January. Both books are on display at all locations. Funds generated by this sale help the Friends to provide programming, books and music not normally available through public funding (taxes) and enables the library system to offer more to its patrons.

FYI: (219) 769-3541, ext. 317

TALKING BOOKS | Crown Point

Looking for the ultimate in talking books technology? Try one of the PLAYAWAYS now available at the Crown Point Library, 214 S. Court St. The ultimate "Talking Books" device, Playaways combine the portability of MP3 without the need for special equipment or technical know-how. Each device is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand and comes pre-loaded with an unabridged audio book. Simple to use, all you need is a set of headphones or earbuds, and you can take your book anywhere. Don't own any earbuds? The library has them for sale for $1. Titles currently available on Playaways include "Angels & Demons," "The Kite Runner," "Quilter's Apprentice," "Wicked," "Sharpe's Fury," "Killing Rain," and more.

FYI: (219) 663-0270

notable items

IN THE CAFE WITH MOCHA | Nation

The Oracle Group Launches "In the Cafe with Mocha," an interactive literary television program to showcase authors of African descent. The show streams via Internet beginning in September. It is a weekly, 30-minute talk show highlighting the works of local and nationally acclaimed African-American authors. It is an exciting new twist on the literary talk show that encourages the participation and interaction of readers by offering outlets at home, online and in the community. Authors will appear at selected venues across the nation where readers are invited to participate in the television taping. Following each filming, readers are offered the opportunity to meet and greet the authors and take part in a book signing. From October to December the "In the Cafe with Mocha" line-up includes Pulitzer Prize-Award winner Edward P. Jones, Elena John and renowned author and entrepreneur Chris Gardner.

FYI: www.theoraclegroup.net/videos/naacpshort.wmv

INTERNET SAFETY BOOKMARKS | Nation

MySpace has joined with the Illinois Library Association to distribute free bookmarks containing tips on Internet safety at all Illinois libraries. The bookmarks are printed as a series, each aimed at a specific audience including kids, teens and parents in hopes of educating them to make safe and informed decisions online.

FYI: www.myspace.com

E-MAIL SERVICE | Lake County

Lake County Public Library has announced the introduction of a new e-mail book newsletter service called Next Reads. No library card is necessary -- just an e-mail address -- for library Web site visitors and patrons to subscribe to any of the 20 different subject and genre newsletters. List topics range from Biography and Memoir to Fantasy and are sent on a monthly or every-other-month basis, and include up to 15 titles. Subscribers can link directly to the library catalog from books of interest on the lists, and place a "hold" or request a title immediately. Even those library patrons without e-mail addresses can take advantage of the lists by viewing them online, either at the library or from any Internet access point. Visit the Lake County Public Library in person or online to sign up for "next Reads.

FYI: (219) 769-3541 or www.lakeco.lib.in.us

NEW DATABASE | Hammond

Hammond Public Library users now need not wait for "Antiques Roadshow" to come to town to get real market-based information about their antiques, artwork and family treasures. The library has now subscribed to the p4A Antiques Reference database and is making it available free of charge at all Hammond Public Library locations through its Web site.

The p4A Antiques Reference is used by most leading appraisers. Antiques are organized into 1,280 different classifications on subjects including furniture, glass, pottery and porcelain, paintings, prints, clocks, toys, dolls, advertising collectibles, books, autographs, lamps, silver, firearms and historical documents.

The database is unique in having at least one color picture for every record. Library patrons can actually see if the item they are researching closely matches the one described in the database.

FYI: (219) 931-5100, ext. 310

BOLLYWOOD COLLECTION | Merrillville

The Lake County Public Library has a new Bollywood Film Collection available to patrons at the Central Library, 1919 W. 81st Ave., the Munster Branch, 8701 Calumet Ave., and the Dyer-Schererville Branch, 1001 W. Lincoln Highway. The DVDs are available to resident cardholders of the Lake County Public Library district for a 24-hour loan.

FYI: (219) 769-3541, ext. 317

CLEANING CLOSETS? | Hammond

The Friends of the Hammond Public Library's ongoing book sale and vending machine receipts pay for programs the library could not otherwise afford. Donations of gently used books, magazines, and videos may be brought to any Hammond Public Library location. Please do not use the book drop boxes for donated items. While most donated items are destined for the book sale, in 2005 nearly 3,900 donated items were added to the library's collection.

FYI: (219) 931-5100

WIFI AT THE LIBRARY | Calumet City

Wireless access to the Internet is now available at the Calumet City Public Library, 660 Manistee Ave. To access it, just bring in your portable computer that is equipped with a wireless card. Our system uses the 802.11G wireless access point standard. Users of our wireless Internet access will need to follow the rules and regulations of the Wireless Internet Use Policy that are posted around the library. If you have technical questions about wireless access, talk to Rich or Dave.

FYI: (708) 862-6220 or www.calumetcitypl.org

WIRELESS ACCESS | Crown Point

The Crown Point Community Library, 214 S. Court St., now provides Internet access. Anyone with their own equipment that is compatible with the 802.11B or 802.11G wireless standard will be able to use it. Users are responsible for their own antivirus, security and privacy. To access wireless, users will have to get a token number at the reference desk. The token will be good for the day issued and the hours that the library is open that day.

FYI: Barb Houk (219) 663-0270

CONFINED TO HOME? | Hammond

If you're a Hammond resident confined to home due to injury or illness, you can receive books through the mail from the Hammond Public Library. Please call the Homebound Outreach Coordinator for details.

FYI: (219) 931-5100, ext. 307