We are ringing in the New Year with a new Kingston Friends of the Library president, Sharon Redpath.

Soon after moving permanently to our area, Sharon joined the Friends and helped in book sales all last year. She stepped up when we needed a hand, and I would like to invite anyone who is not already involved with the Friends to join this wonderful group.

As we work toward building a new library, we can use volunteers in many areas, and joining the Friends is one great way to start. We hope to see you at the library for one of our January events.

– Bring Your Own Pokemon (BYOP):  Jan. 18, 3:30 p.m. in the Kingston Room next to the Library. Celebrate the awesomeness of all things Pokemon! BYOP is the place to bring your own cards, manga, games, and more and hang out with other Pokemon fans. Grades 4-12.

– ReBead It: Jan. 21, 1-2:30 p.m. Transform your old beaded jewelry into something new.  We will provide beads you can add to make earrings, bracelets, and necklaces. Please call 360-297-3330 to pre-register. Especially for adults.

– Celebration of Chinese New Year: Jan. 25, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Celebrate the Year of the Dragon at your library! Join us for Chinese crafts and treats. For children and families.

– The Kingston Writers Group invites you to join in a friendly supportive atmosphere to encourage writing poetry, nonfiction, or fiction. Meetings are on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Indianola Room of the Kingston Community Center. Beginners are welcome.

– Kingston Book Group will discuss “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot on Jan. 4, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

– The Kingston Classics Book Group will meet on Jan. 23, 6:30 p.m., in the Indianola Room to discuss “The Good Soldier” by Ford Madox Ford.

LITTLE BOSTON LIBRARY EVENTSLittle Boston Book Group meets the first Wednesday of each month from 11 a.m. to noon. They will discuss “Cutting for Stone” by Abraham Verghese on Jan. 4.

– Fiction Critique Workshop: Jan. 7, 11 a.m. to noon. As a follow-up critique session to the Beginning Fiction Writing Workshops last autumn, Donna Lee Anderson will facilitate a critique on your story. This is open to ALL writers (no need to have attended the sessions before). – Chinese New Year Celebration: Jan. 18, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Celebrate the Year of the Dragon at your library! Join us for Chinese crafts and treats. For children and families.

– ReBead It: Jan. 21, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Transform your old beaded jewelry into something new. We will provide beads you can add to make earrings, bracelets, and necklaces.  Please call (360) 297-2670 to pre-register. Especially for adults.

– Adult Crafternoon welcomes everyone on Wednesdays from 2:30-3:30 p.m. Bring your handwork projects and see our newest craft books.

Kitsap Regional Library will be closed Jan. 16, in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Kingston Library hours: Monday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Tuesday, 1-8 p.m.; Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursday, 1-5 p.m.; Friday, 1-6 p.m.; Saturday, 1-5 p.m.

— Tomi Whalen is manager of the Kingston and Little Boston branches of the Kitsap Regional Library. Email her at twhalen@krl.org or call (360) 297-3330.