In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit, and that hobbit loved going to the library! Join us for Lord of the Rings-themed parties to celebrate the release of the first installment of “The Hobbit.” Journey around Pima County to different library branches, representing a variety of Middle Earth locations.

Slip on some Hobbit feet, write your name in Elvish, try your hand at games, compete in riddle and trivia contests, and more merriment.

All ages are welcome, although many activities will require the Elven dexterity possessed only by teens and adults. Costumes are welcome and encouraged.

“And May the Hair on your Toes never Fall Out” says the poster for this event. I loved all the Hobbit books, and movies too. These parties are just in time for the release of the new Hobbit movie on December 14.

Friday, December 7, 2012
5:30pm – 7:00pm
Flowing Wells Branch Library
Journey to Lothlorien, AKA Flowing Wells Library, for a special after-hours party with a costume contest, coloring pages, and maybe even a peek into the Mirror of Galadriel!

Saturday, December 8, 2012
3:00pm – 5:00pm
Oro Valley Public Library
Make your way to Oro Valley Library, a.k.a. Beorn’s Domain!

Saturday, December 8, 2012
1:00pm – 3:00pm
Valencia Branch Library
Valencia Library is The Shire, where the story begins!

Saturday, December 8, 2012
10:30am – 12:30pm
Martha Cooper Branch Library
Brave the mines of Moria at Martha Cooper Library!

Saturday, December 8, 2012
3:00pm – 5:00pm
Wheeler Taft Abbett Sr Branch Library
Welcome to Mirkwood! Please do not attempt to feed the giant spiders.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012
5:30pm – 7:30pm
Nanini Branch Library
Join the elves at Nanini Library, which is Rivendell!

Wednesday, December 12, 2012
4:00pm – 6:00pm
Dusenberry-River Branch Library
The Dusenberry-River Library is Rohan!

Wednesday, December 12, 2012
4:00pm – 6:00pm
Joel D. Valdez Main Library
Main Library is Esgaroth!

Friday, December 14, 2012
6:00pm – 9:00pm
Murphy-Wilmot Branch Library
Make your way to the Wilmot Library, which is Goblintown!

In April, we have our minds on money and money on our minds!

It can’t be helped since April 21-28 is Money Smart Week @ the Pima County Public Library!

Money Smart Week is a nationwide financial literacy event brought to you by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, the American Library Association and the Pima County Public Library.

We invite everyone to participate! Come and learn about the resources, programs, services available in Pima County. There are workshops for everyone, from children to adults and covering topics including reading credit reports, financial survival, and fair housing information. We’ll have Storytimes for the kids, Creating Duct Tape Wallets for the crafty, and Coupon Club for the thrifty!

There couldn’t be a better time to begin planning for tomorrow. Financial fitness begins here, at your library… Special thanks to our partners: Debbi Jasperson’s Coupon Club, The Credit Wise Cats, Financial Education Collaborative of Southern Arizona, Southwest Fair Housing Council, Hughes Credit Union, and the Pima County Housing Center.

Lots of events from Monday April 23 to Saturday April 28, at various branch libraries–Nanini, Flowing Wells, Woods, Valencia, Martha Cooper, Dusenberry-River, Kirk-Bear Canyon (click here for full schedule). The free workshops include info on homebuyer education/fitness, identify theft, financial literacy, duct tape wallets, coupon clubs, credit card reports.

Now that Tax Day (April 15) is past, we can all concentrate on other money/financial matters.

New year, fresh start. How do you get rid of those things that you don’t use any more but are still perfectly usable? Swap them at the Freecycle™ Post-holiday Swap at the library on January 7, that’s how.

How does the swap work?

Bring something to take something. But if you do bring something, you don’t have to take anything.
Sorry, no large items (such as large kitchen appliances or motorized vehicles) and no live animals.

Schedule of Events
Free Post-Holiday Swap
The Pima County Public library is partnering with FREECYCLE™ to present a Free Post-Holiday Swap. What should you do with that unused item that is just gathering dust in your home? Swap it! This is your chance to swap out things that are in good condition and trade with your neighbors. Please no large items like refrigerators or motorcycles. For more information call 520-791-4010.

Saturday, January 7, 2012
2:00pm – 4:00pm

Eckstrom-Columbus Branch Library, 4350 E. 22nd St.
Flowing Wells Branch Library, 1730 W. Wetmore Rd.
Joel D. Valdez Main Library, 101 N. Stone Ave.
Joyner-Green Valley Branch Library, 601 N. La Canada Dr., Green Valley
Murphy-Wilmot Branch Library, 530 N. Wilmot Rd.
Nanini Branch Library, 7300 N. Shannon Rd.
Wheeler Taft Abbett Sr Branch Library, 7800 N. Schisler Drive
Woods Memorial Branch Library, 3455 N. 1st Ave.

This may be your solution to those unwanted Christmas gifts, including the horrible holiday sweater (that no one wants). Be there on January 7, to swap your stuff at any of these 8 libraries.

For more info: www.freecycle.org.