By Cecilia Nasmith

The Cobourg Public Library invites young people or Read Your Way To The Rink during the month of December.

During library hours, young patrons can receive a free-skating pass for the Cobourg Community Centre simply by checking out five youth items – or, if they don't already have a card, by taking out a new membership.

Another month-long project is the Mitten Tree that the Teen Advisory Group has set up in the youth-services department. They are hoping you will decorate it by donating mittens or winter hats for all ages.

Seasonal decorations are already appearing at the library, along with some wonderful seasonal programs. Some of them last for more than one day, like the Holiday Card Creation Station in the youth-services department. Between Dec. 2 and 7, young people are invited to stop in and create a special hand-made card for someone special.

From Dec. 8 to 14, families are welcome to stop in for the Holiday Music Challenge. So you think you know your Christmas songs? Report to youth-services department to provide the missing lyrics and win a prize .

Two special challenges take place in the youth-services department the week of Dec. 15 to 21. Youth of all ages are invited to Guess The Ornament, and the closest guess wins a prize. Teens can try the Holiday Wrapped YA Read, where they check out a surprise pre-wrapped young-adult book to discover and enjoy over Christmas break – you never know what you're going to get.

The Teen Advisory Group is alway looking for new members. They meet Dec. 4 fro 4 to 5 p.m., and young people are welcome to hang out, enjoy some snacks and offer their ideas for the library. Participants may also be eligible to receive Community Service hours.

Holiday programming at the Gore's Landing branch includes Tea Light Snowmen days, Dec. 11 to 15. Drop by during library hours and brighten up the dark days of winter with a tea-light snowman (families are welcome).

Also at Gore's Landing, don't forget the Book Club Dec. 4 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. - call the branch to register.

At the Bewdley branch, there's a Dec. 13 Hygge Luminaries program from 7 to 8:30 p.m. It's pronounced hoo-gay, and it's a Danish concept of happiness through comfy, cozy things. Check it out and enjoy the refreshments – recistration is required.

The library has a series of regular programming in addition to special holiday highlights.

On Mondays, the Needle Nuts Yarn Circle meets from 10:30 a.m. to noon for all knitters, crocheters and other needle nuts.

Mondays and Fridays feature Movie Time from 2 to 4 p.m. A complete listing of films is available at the liberary.

Wednesdays from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. is Family Story Time, with stories, activities, rhymes and a craft for pre-schoolers. December themes include Our Favourite Stories, Snowy Day and seasonal stories.

Thursdays are Needle Nuts Yarn Circle days at the Bewdley branch from 7 to 9 p.m. Bring your supplies and ideas – refreshments will be provided.

Fridays are Family Story Time days at the Bewdley branch from 10 to 11 a.m., with stories, songs, rhymes and crafts that enhance preschoolers' preliteracy skills. The Dec. 28 session will be changed to a Cookies, Cocoa and Crafts session in hoour of the season.

Tinker Table Fridays run during library hours, with different hands-on activities each week.