Plenty to Do at Charleston County Libraries in December

There's a lot happening in Charleston County Library branches in December, including the annual Holiday Book Sale set for Dec. 7-8 at the Mount Pleasant Regional Library branch at 1133 Mathis Ferry Road.

Check out the rest of the Library schedule for the month of December at each branch:

West Ashley Library Branch - 45 Windermere Blvd., Charleston, S.C.

• Knit and Stitch (adults/young adults); Mondays, Dec. 3, 10 and 17 at 6:30 p.m. — Want to know more about knitting or share your knowledge? Then bring your knitting supplies and knit with friends. This group is for all skill levels.
• PLAY: Family Fun (all ages); Thursdays, Dec. 6 and 13 at 6 p.m. —  Come and discover what this week’s fun will be. It could be a craft, board games to play, watching a movie, or some other fun activity!
• PLAY: Legos (all ages); Saturday, Dec. 8 at 2 p.m. —  Let the library supply the Legos and Duplo blocks and come and create a Lego masterpiece.
• Not Fiction Book Discussion; Thursday, Dec. 20 at 11 a.m. — Rin Tin Tin: The Life and the Legend by Susan Orlean

St. Andrews Regional Library Branch - 1735 N. Woodmere Drive, Charleston S.C.

• Early Literacy Station (all ages); Dec. 1 – 31 — Visit our Early Literacy Station for a fun activity based on the S.C. Day-by-Day Family Literacy Activity Calendar. The theme for December is “Friends.”
• St. Andrews TeenSpot Celebrates National Read a New Book Month (ages 12 – 17); Dec. 1 – 31 —  In honor of National Read a New Book Month, teens can write down a title of a great book that they have read and receive a sweet treat.
• PLAY with Dad: Lowe’s Build and Grow Projects (ages 4 – 11); Saturday, Dec. 1 at 11 a.m. — Get out your tools and get ready to make something awesome! Lowe’s has graciously donated the materials for you and Dad to create.
• SAT 101 @ STA TeenSpot (ages 12 – 17); Saturday, Dec. 1 at 4 p.m. —  Hands on training class demonstrating Test preparation and practice by using The Learning Express Library research database. Class limited to 7 students.
• St. Andrews TeenSpot Presents A Thousand Words (ages 12 - 17); Monday, Dec. 3 at 4 p.m. — After stretching the truth on a deal with a spiritual guru, literary agent Jack McCall finds a Bodhi tree on his property. Its appearance holds a valuable lesson on the consequences of every word we speak. Rated PG-13; 91 minutes. Refreshments will be provided.
• Porkchop Productions Presents “Holly and the Christmas Kerfuffle” (all ages); Tuesday, Dec. 4 at 4 p.m. — Ever heard of a kerfuffle? A kerfuffle is defined as a disturbance, a commotion or a fuss, and Holly the elf has found herself in the middle of the biggest kerfuffle Santa's Workshop has ever seen. Space is limited. Registration begins on November 19, 2012. Call 766-2546 to register and guarantee your spot.
• Movie Madness: All I Want for Christmas (all ages); Thursday, Dec. 6 at 4 p.m. — A comedy about two New York City children who launch a hilarious scheme to get what they most want this holiday season. Rated G; 92 minutes.
• St Andrews Christmas Theater Presents Four Christmases (adults); Friday, Dec. 7 at 11 a.m. — A couple struggles to visit all four of their divorced parents on Christmas Day. Rated PG-13; 88 minutes.
• PLAY: Club Lego (ages 11 and younger) — Saturday, Dec. 8 at 11 a.m. — Listen to cool music and create something cool with the library’s Legos (or bring your own).
• St. Andrews TeenSpot Holiday Theater Presents This Christmas (ages 12 – 17); Monday, Dec. 10 at 4 p.m. — A Christmastime drama centered on the Whitfield family's first holiday together in four years. Rated PG-13; 117 minutes. Refreshments will be provided.
• Movie Madness: Arthur Christmas (all ages); Tuesday, Dec. 11 at 4 p.m. — On Christmas night at the North Pole, Santa's youngest son looks to use his father's high-tech operation for an urgent mission. Rated PG; 97 minutes.
• St. Andrews TeenSpot Wired Wednesdays/ Teen Ambassador’s Meeting (ages 12 – 17); Wednesday, Dec. 12 at 4 p.m. — Come on in and have fun with technology set aside for teen use. We have laptops for surfing or homework and also videos games such as Wii and PlayStation 2. Also come discuss plans and ideas for events at the library.
• Passport to the World: North Pole (all ages); Thursday, Dec. 13 at 4 p.m. — Join in a literary travel around the world. Explore the North Pole, where the spirit of Christmas lives year round.
• St. Andrews Christmas Theater Presents Scrooged (adults); Friday, Dec. 14 at 11 a.m. — A cynically selfish TV executive gets haunted by three spirits bearing lessons on Christmas Eve. Rated PG-13; 101 minutes.
• PLAY: Polar Express Pajama Party (ages 11 and younger); Saturday, Dec. 15 at 11 a.m. — Wear your PJs, get your golden ticket, and enjoy s’mores and hot chocolate as the library celebrates the season with a special viewing of The Polar Express. Rated PG; 100 minutes. Enjoy crafts and activities based on the movie and meet a special guest from the North Pole. Space is limited. Registration begins on December 3, 2012. Call 766-2546 to register and guarantee your spot.
• St. Andrews TeenSpot Holiday Theater Presents New Year’s Eve (ages 12 – 17); Monday, Dec. 17 at 4 p.m. — The lives of several couples and singles in New York intertwine over the course of New Year's Eve. Rated PG-13; 118 minutes. Refreshments will be provided.
• Earth Fare: Holiday Food Art (ages 11 and younger); Tuesday, Dec. 18 at 4 p.m. — Fun with food! Miss Hannah of Earthfare will demonstrate tasty, fun holiday treats that are important for a healthy body.
• St. Andrews TeenSpot Wired Wednesdays/Make It Take It Craft (ages 12 – 17); Wednesday, Dec. 19 at 4 p.m. — Come on in and have fun with technology set aside for teen use. Laptops will be available for surfing or homework, and there will be videogames such as Wii and PlayStation 2. Create a cool craft in time for the holiday.
• Movie Madness: Beethoven’s Christmas (all ages); Thursday, Dec. 20 at 4 p.m. — The Clock family members are four-inch-tall people who live anonymously in another family's residence, borrowing simple items to make their home. Rated G; 94 minutes.
• St Andrews Christmas Theater Presents Surviving Christmas (adults); Friday, Dec. 21 at 11 a.m. — A lonely, obnoxious young millionaire pays a family to spend Christmas with him. Rated PG-13; 91 minutes.
• PLAY: Holiday Extravaganza (all ages); Saturday, Dec. 22 at 11 a.m. — Celebrate the season by making holiday crafts and decorating cookies.
• Movie Madness: How the Grinch Stole Christmas (all ages); Thursday, Dec. 27 at 4 p.m. — A grumpy hermit hatches a plan to steal Christmas from the Whos of Whoville. Rated PG; 104 minutes.
• St. Andrews Christmas Theater Presents The Santa Clause (adults); Friday, Dec. 28 at 11 a.m. — When a man inadvertently kills Santa on Christmas Eve, he finds himself magically recruited to take his place. Rated PG; 97 minutes.
• PLAY: Club Lego (ages 11 and younger); Saturday, Dec. 29 at 11 a.m. — Listen to cool music and create something cool with the library’s Legos (or bring your own).
• St. Andrews TeenSpot Holiday Theater Presents Men in Black 3 (ages 12 – 17); Monday, Dec. 31 at 4 p.m. — Agent J travels in time to MIB's early years in the 1960s, to stop an alien from assassinating his friend Agent K and changing history. Rated PG-13; 106 minutes. Refreshments will be provided.

Mount Pleasant Regional Library - 1133 Mathis Ferry Road, Mount Pleasant S.C.

• PLAY: DIY Arts and Crafts with Ms. Grace (all ages); Saturday, Dec. 1 from 1:30 – 3 p.m. — Being crafty and creative is easier than you think with Ms. Grace’s help.
• Pork Chop Productions Presents “Holly and the Christmas Kerfuffle” (all ages); Monday, Dec. 3 at 4 p.m. — Ever heard of a kerfuffle? A kerfuffle is defined as a disturbance, a commotion or a fuss, and Holly the elf has found herself in the middle of the biggest kerfuffle Santa's Workshop has ever seen.
• Mt. Pleasant Reel Club – A Book and Movie Discussion Group (adults); Wednesday, Dec. 12 at 2 p.m. — Read the book, come watch the movie with us, and then participate in a lively discussion. Book: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Movie: Disney’s A Christmas Carol, starring Jim Carrey, Gary Oldman and Colin Firth. Rated PG; 96 minutes.
• Scrabble at the Library (adults); Friday, Dec. 14 from 10 – 11:45 a.m. — Looking for a fun way to keep your brain sharp? Come play Scrabble at the library. Bring your own board, or use one of the library’s. If you don’t enjoy Scrabble, other games are available.
• PLAY: STAR Therapy Dogs (all ages), Saturday, Dec. 15 from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. — Read to a certified therapy dog that loves to hear a good story.
• Blood Drive with The Blood Alliance; Saturday, Dec. 15 from 12 – 3 p.m. — The Blood Alliance will be at the Mt. Pleasant Regional Library to collect blood in support of the East Cooper Medical Center. Call 849-6161 to set up an appointment.
• Book Discussion (adults); Monday, Dec. 17 from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. — Faith: A Novel, by Jennifer Haigh.
• Young Adult Movie: The Avengers (grades 6 – 12); Thursday, Dec. 20 at 4 p.m. — S.H.I.E.L.D. director Nick Fury gathers a team of superheroes that includes Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hawkeye and The Hulk to battle an unexpected enemy that threatens the world. This film adaptation of the graphic novel stars Robert Downey, Jr. and Chris Evans. Rated PG-13, 143 minutes.
• PLAY: Build with Legos (ages 4 and older); Saturday, December 22 at 2 p.m. — Show your friends what you can build with a pile of Legos.

Village Branch Library - 430 Whilden St., Mount Pleasant S.C.

• Afterschool Activity Zone; Thursdays, Dec. 6, 13, 20 and 27 at 3:30 p.m. — Come do coloring, puzzles and mazes with us after school.
• PLAY: Holiday Puppet (ages 5 and older); Saturday, Dec. 8 at 10:30 a.m. — Create your own Popsicle Stick Holiday Puppet for the holidays.
• PLAY: Holiday Ornament Craft (ages 5 and older); Saturday, Dec. 15 at 10:30 a.m. — Come make a holiday ornament to hang on the Village Branch Christmas Tree.

Cooper River Memorial Branch Library - 3503 Rivers Ave., North Charleston S.C.

• 
  PLAY Family Movie Matinee: Polar Express; Saturday, Dec. 1 at 1 p.m. — On Christmas Eve, a doubting boy boards a magical train that's headed to the North Pole and Santa Claus's home. Rated PG; 100 minutes.
• PLAY Family Movie Matinee: How the Grinch Stole Christmas; Saturday, Dec. 8 at 1 p.m. — A grumpy hermit hatches a plan to steal Christmas from the Whos of Whoville. Rated PG; 104 minutes.
• PLAY Family Movie Matinee: Elf; Saturday, December 15 at 1 p.m. — After inadvertently wreaking havoc on the elf community due to his ungainly size, a man raised as an elf at the North Pole is sent to the U.S. in search of his true identity. Rated PG; 97 minutes.
• PLAY Family Movie Matinee: Arthur Christmas; Saturday, Dec. 22 at 1 p.m. — On Christmas night at the North Pole, Santa's youngest son looks to use his father's high-tech operation for an urgent mission. Rated PG; 97 minutes.
• PLAY Family Movie Matinee: Brave; Saturday, Dec. 29 at 1 p.m. — Determined to make her own path in life, Princess Merida defies a custom that brings chaos to her kingdom. Rated PG; 100 minutes.

Dorchester Road Regional Library Branch - 6325 Dorchester Road, North Charleston S.C.

• PLAY: Saturday Movies – Brave (all ages); Saturday, December 1 at 10:30 a.m. — Determined to make her own path in life, Princess Merida defies a custom that brings chaos to her kingdom. Rated PG; 100 minutes.
• Porkchop Productions Presents “Holly and the Christmas Kerfuffle” (all ages); Monday, Dec. 3 at 10:30 a.m. — Ever heard of a kerfuffle? A kerfuffle is defined as a disturbance, a commotion or a fuss, and Holly the elf has found herself in the middle of the biggest kerfuffle Santa's Workshop has ever seen.
• Teen Movie Time: A Christmas Story2 (grades 6 – 12); Saturday, Dec. 8 at 2 p.m. — Years after realizing his childhood dream of getting a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas, 16-year-old Ralphie sets his bespectacled sights on a gift of the four-wheeled variety in this belated sequel to the Bob Clark’s beloved 1983 classic A Christmas Story. Rated PG; 93 minutes.
• Cuttin’ Up: December Fun (ages 11 and younger); Tuesday, Dec. 11 at 4:30 p.m. — Make a craft and play several games.
• Becky Becker’s Box of Puppets: The Nutcracker (all ages); Wednesday, December 12 at 10:30 a.m. When Drosselmeyer gives Clara a Nutcracker on Christmas Eve, she is whisked away for a night of magic, fairies and princes. Join us as this perennial favorite is performed by Becky’s Box of Puppets.
• PLAY: Saturday Movies – Arthur Christmas (all ages); Saturday, Dec. 15 at 10:30 a.m. — On Christmas night at the North Pole, Santa's youngest son looks to use his father's high-tech operation for an urgent mission. Rated PG; 97 minutes.
• After School Kids (ASK): Magic Tree House (ages 5 – 11); Tuesday, Dec. 18 at 4:30 p.m. — Join Jack and Annie as they discover new lands and times.
• PLAY: Bedtime Storytime – Merry Christmas! (all ages); Wednesday, Dec. 19 at 6:30 p.m. — Join us for Christmas stories and a craft to take home.
• Snow Day Crafts (grades 6 – 12); — Be creative and make one of our snow day crafts. You can keep it for yourself, give it as a present, or eat it.

Otranto Road Regional Library Branch - 2261 Otranto Road, North Charleston S.C.

• PLAY: STAR Therapy Dogs; Saturday, Dec. 1 at 11 a.m. — Read holiday stories to a certified therapy dog. STAR therapy dogs and their handlers love a good story.
• Teen Movie Time: The Santa Clause (grades 6 – 12); Wednesday, Dec. 5 from 3 – 5 p.m. — When a man inadvertently kills Santa on Christmas Eve, he finds himself magically recruited to take his place. Rated PG; 97 minutes.
• PLAY: Movie – Arthur Christmas; Saturday, Dec. 8 at 11 a.m. — On Christmas night at the North Pole, Santa's youngest son looks to use his father's high-tech operation for an urgent mission. Rated PG; 97 minutes.
• Game Time; Monday, Dec. 10 from 3:30 – 5 p.m. — Calling all teens with the holiday spirit to join in the fun with Nintendo Wii and board games.
• Preschool Special: Holiday Delight Storytime; Thursday, Dec. 13 at 10:30 a.m. — ‘Twas the night before…Get prepared for a wonderful holiday season with a selection of stories, songs and games.
• Teen Book Club: Just Book It; Thursday, Dec. 13 from 4 – 5 p.m. — This is a great way to get together and talk about the books you enjoy reading. Bring any book you have enjoyed reading recently to share with your fellow book club members.
• Book Discussion @ Otranto; Thursday, Dec. 13 at 6:30 p.m. — Bring a Christmas book or any book you have read recently to share with your fellow book club members.
• PLAY: Yuletide Decorating Fun; Saturday, Dec. 15 at 11 a.m. — Calling all kids! Drop in and listen to holiday music while decorating a sugar cone treat.
• School Age Special: Let’s Learn About Kwanzaa; Wednesday, Dec. 19 at 4 p.m. — Kwanzaa is a seven day celebration of family, community, and culture. Join us as we explore the Kwanzaa symbols and cultural traditions.
• PLAY: Gingerbread Friends; Saturday, Dec. 22 at 11 a.m. — Hear the story Gingerbread Boy, and then create a garland of gingerbread people for a holiday home decoration.
• PLAY: Let’s Learn About Kwanzaa; Saturday, Dec. 29 at 11 a.m. — Kwanzaa is a seven day celebration of family, community, and culture. Come explore the Kwanzaa symbols and cultural traditions.