Library Programs

The Charleston County Public Library will offer the following free programs.

Charleston and the Islands

-- Main Library, 68 Calhoun St., downtown: 805-6930.

Saul Alexander Gallery Art Exhibit: Through March 31. Joanna Biondolillo displays her photographs in an exhibit titled "Just Images: Trios from Various Collections" in the Saul Alexander Gallery in March. Biondolillo is the founder of Image Merchants of Specialty Photography, providing fun and exquisite products for the ultimate in imaging gifts.

VITA Tax Assistance: Tuesdays, March 17, 24, 31, 9 a.m.-noon. Thursdays, March 5, 12, 19, 26, 9 a.m.-noon. Saturdays, March 14, 21, 28, 9 a.m.-noon. Volunteers from Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program will assist people with low-to-moderate income with their tax returns for free. First come, first served. A current picture ID and Social Security card are required, along with the Social Security cards of any dependents.

Kid's Cantina: Thursdays, March 12, 19 and 26 at 3:30 p.m. Drop into the story time room Thursdays for an afternoon of games galore.

Chopstix: Project Art (ages 6-11): Fridays, March 13 and 20, 3-5 p.m. Explore your creative side with our box of craft supplies and recycled materials. See what masterpiece you can create while listening to some favorite kid tunes.

Small Business Counseling with SCORE (adults): March 25, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Get free, confidential counseling for your start-up idea or existing business from the Charleston Coastal chapter of SCORE.

The Extraordinary Miss Potter: From Fungi to Fantasy: Thursday, March 12 at 7 p.m. Linda Lear, author of "Beatrix Potter: A Life in Nature," talks about the life of Beatrix Potter, the remarkable woman who gave us some of the most beloved children's books of all time. This presentation will be followed by a book signing.

Marsh Tackies: March 15, 2-4 p.m. Marsh Tackies are small, wild horses that have populated the Lowcountry and Sea Islands for centuries and are believed to be descendents of Spanish horses brought to this country in the 1500s. Listen to Jackie McFadden and Patti Stafford speak about these amazing animals and meet a real Marsh Tacky. Bring any photographs and/or stories of Marsh Tackies to help further research.

The Great Depression: Viewing and Discussion Series: March 16 at 2 p.m. Join group for the first of a seven-part video and lecture program that examines the event which dominated American society for a full decade, changing the way we looked at ourselves, our government and the country. This week's video is "A Job at Ford's" with lecture and discussion led by scholar Dr. John B. Bonds from The Citadel's history department.

KidFlix: "Journey to the Center of the Earth" (ages 6-11): March 17 at 3:30 p.m. On a quest to find out what happened to his missing brother, a scientist, his nephew and their mountain guide discover a fantastic and dangerous lost world in the center of the earth. Rated PG; 93 minutes.

Contemporary Fiction Book Discussion: March 17 at 7 p.m. "The Given Day" by Dennis Lehane.

Fourth Annual Small Business Resource Fair (adults): March 19, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Own your own business or thinking of starting one? Representatives of thirteen local small business assistance programs will be available in the Exhibit Hall, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. SCORE Counseling will be available, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Workshops include: Boost Your Business with Free Web Tools presented by the Technology Learning Center, Government Contracting Basics presented by Robin Brown of the Small Business Development Center of SC, Free Is Fabulous! DIY Business Research presented by the CCPL Business Center and Show Me the Money: The Myths and Realities of Funding Your Business presented by Mary Dickerson, FastTracSC Director.

-- John L. Dart Branch Library, 1067 King S.: 722-7550

VITA Tax Assistance: Fridays, March 13, 20, 27, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Volunteers from Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program will assist people with low-to-moderate income with their tax returns for free. A current picture ID and Social Security card are required, along with the Social Security cards of any dependents.

Teen Tech Week: Press Play and Dance (ages 12-17). March 12 at 3 p.m. Bring your friends and play Dance, Dance Mania.

After School Craft: March 12 at 3:30 p.m. Enjoy a fun afternoon craft to celebrate the shamrock and shenanigans of St. Patrick's Day.

Film: "I Am Somebody": March 17 at 10:30 a.m. In commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the 1969 Charleston Hospital Strike, we are screening the documentary "I Am Somebody." Bill Saunders and Mary Moultrie, former coordinators of the strike, will entertain questions and answers after the film.

Legal Clinic: Wills, Estates and Probate: March 17 at 6:30 p.m. Get free answers from a local lawyer on issues dealing with Wills, Estates and Probate. The clinic will consist of a 30-45 minute presentation followed by an open question and answer session.

-- James Island Branch Library, 1248 Camp Road: 795-6679

Women's History Trivia (grades 6-12): Through March 27. How much do you know about Michelle Obama? Work individually or in a group to answer questions about our new first lady to receive prizes.

Teen Movie Night: "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2" (ages 13 and up). March 13 at 6 p.m. Join friends Carmen, Libby, Lena and Bridget as they embark on different paths as they go off to college. Will their traveling pants bring them together or tear them apart? Find out for yourself and remember to bring a friend. Rated PG-13; 117 minutes.

-- Johns Island Regional Library, 3531 Maybank Highway: 559-1945

Jewelry Display: Through March 31. Deanne Pace will display her handcrafted sterling silver jewelry. Each piece is individually created using traditional silversmith techniques, often incorporating gemstones.

Photography Exhibit: Through March 31. Barbara Radin Fox, a member of the Seabrook Island Art Guild, Folly Beach Art Guild and Seabrook Island Camera Club, will exhibit her photographs. Her work has appeared in The Washington Post, Philadelphia Magazine and many other publications.

Wired (grades 6-12): March 25, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Teens get wired-up for fun and games. Enjoy board games, card games, video games and more.

English: See It and Speak It! (adults): March 18, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Do you speak Spanish but need help learning English for day-to-day living? Learn to speak conversational English in a fun and informal way.

Oh Baby! (24 months and younger with an adult): Thursdays, March 12, 19 and 26 at 4 p.m.

Knitting Group (adults): Thursdays, March 5 and 19, 6-7:30 p.m. Group now meets on Thursdays. Meet other knitters and exchange ideas. Bring your projects and knit with friends. Open to knitters of all skill levels.

AARP Free Income Tax Assistance: Saturdays, March 14, 21 and 28, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. First come, first served with the last person accepted at 1:30 p.m. Assistance in Spanish also will be available. A current picture ID and Social Security card are required, along with the Social Security cards of any dependents.

Saturday Movie: "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" (all ages). March 14 at 3 p.m. Get ready for a hilarious fun-filled adventure starring Chloe, a diamond-clad ultra-pampered Beverly Hills Chihuahua, who gets lost while on vacation in Mexico. Rated PG; 91 minutes. Learn more about the actors and check out books to take home. Sponsor: The UPS Store, 3575 Maybank Highway, Johns Island.

Sea Islands Book Club (adults): March 17 at 2 p.m. Group will discussing "Ricochet" by Sandra Brown. Detective Sergeant Duncan Hatcher finds his career and integrity in jeopardy as he investigates a fatal shooting at Judge Cato Laird's home. Did the Judge's trophy wife, Elise, really kill a burglar in self-defense? And, Hatcher must deal with his growing attraction to Elise, a married woman and murder suspect. Copies of the book may be obtained from the Reference Desk for check out while supplies last.

Teen Movie: "Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist" (grades 6-12). March 18, 3:30-5:30 p.m. Rock out with Nick and Norah as they find unexpected romance and a musical connection in this film starring Michael Cera and Kat Dennings. Be sure to read the young adult novel with the same title by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan to see which is better, the book or the movie. Rated PG-13; 89 minutes.