DOVER — The Kent County Public Library will hold several programs and events during the beginning of 2023.

All programs are free, open to the public and held at the library, unless stated otherwise. Registration is required, as noted, at the circulation desk, at 302-744-1919 or here. An adult must be present in the library during programs for any child under age 16.

Events include:

• All ages are invited to the Winter Reading Program, “Book Bingo,” through Feb. 28. Pick up a card of 25 challenges, and after filling in at least one line of five squares, you’ll become eligible for a small prize and certificate. Complete all challenges to be entered in a grand prize raffle. Cards must be submitted before closing Feb. 28. Only Kent County cardholders (including eCards) are eligible to win.
• Preschool storytime is held at 10 a.m. Thursdays. Children 6 and younger are invited for stories, songs, activities and crafts with a new theme each week. Groups of five or more should give advanced notice.
• The Writer’s Editing Group meets 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursdays. It is open to adult writers serious about pursuing publication.
• “PAWS for Reading” will be held at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 20 and Feb. 3 and 17. Children, teens and adults can read for 10 minutes to a friendly therapy dog provided by PAWS for People.
• Silent Reading Sundays are set for 1:30-4:30 p.m. on the first Sunday of each month. The library will offer the atrium as a retreat from the ambient sound created in its public area. Participants will be asked not to speak.
• “Planning for Retirement: Managing Health Care Expenses in Retirement” will be held at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 10. The library has teamed up with the Delaware Money School to provide this free workshop on what to know about Medicare and long-term care. There is limited space, and registration is required here.
• A Chronic Pain Management Series will be held for five sessions Jan. 11, 18 and 25 and Feb. 8 and 15 at 3 p.m. An instructor from HealthyDelaware.org will start each class with movements beneficial to achieving pain management and then share techniques to help diminish the effects of chronic pain. Participants should attend all five sessions. There is limited space, and registration is required here.
• “Nobel Prize Shorts” will be held 3-4:30 p.m. Jan. 12, Feb. 9 and March 9. Explore short documentaries by Oscar-winning filmmaker Orlando von Einsiedel, inspired by Nobel Prize winners. Registration is required. The Jan. 12 screening is “The Lost Forest,” in which an international team of scientists goes on a mission in Mozambique to reach a forest that no human has set foot in. The Feb. 9 screening is “An Unfinished Symphony” — the Miagi Orchestra is a South African ensemble dedicated to helping the nation overcome decades of conflict through the power of music. On March 9, view “Lost and Found,” which tells of a brutal campaign by the Myanmar military that has driven more than 700,000 Rohingya from their homes.
• The Friday the 13th Book Club, for ages 16 and up, will meet at 11 p.m. Jan. 13 at McGlynns Pub, 800 N. State St., Dover. The discussion will be about Shirley Jackson’s “We Have Always Lived in the Castle,” “The Lottery” and “The Haunting of Hill House.” Participants should have read at least one before the discussion.
• The Delaware Anime Society will meet at 1 p.m. Jan. 14 for ages 13 and up. The group is for those with an interest in Japanese anime (animation), manga (graphic novels), cosplay, music, video games and pop culture.
• “Family Board Games” will be held 1:30-4:30 p.m. Jan. 16 and Feb. 12. The library will have a variety of games and puzzles available in the main public area.
• “Planning for Retirement: How Tax Planning Changes Through Four Stages of Retirement” is set for 6:30 p.m. Jan. 17. The library has teamed up with the Delaware Money School to provide this free financial literacy workshop on how tax liability changes during retirement and how to be better prepared to pay as low a rate as possible. There is limited space, and registration is required here.
• The monthly Music Box Series is held at 6:30 p.m. according to the following schedule — Jan. 20, Sol Knopf; Feb. 17, The Honey Badgers; March 10, Notes on the Beach. The performances are free, but there is limited seating.
• “Teen Crafternoon” for ages 10-17 will be held from 2-3 p.m. Jan. 22 and Feb. 19. In January, make a ski ornament or learn to create a 3-D snowflake. In February, make a friendship bracelet. All supplies are included, but there is limited space, and registration is required.
• The Mango Book Club will meet at 4 p.m. Jan. 23, Feb. 27 and March 13. The library is offering book discussions that share settings in other lands. Read the suggested title or share a book with the setting. Recommended titles are Jan. 23, “Wicked Fox” by Kat Cho (Korea); Feb. 27, “Chocolat” by Joanne Harris (France); and March 13, “Angela’s Ashes” by Frank McCourt (Ireland).
• The Speculative Fiction Book Club, for ages 16-plus, will meet at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 23, Feb. 27 and March 27. Explore books from the science fiction, fantasy, horror, paranormal and magical realism genres. January’s selected title is “The Cruel Prince” by Holly Black. February’s selection is “Howl’s Moving Castle” by Diana Wynne Jones. March’s book is “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins. Participants should have read the book before the meeting.
• The First Chapter Club will meet at 4 p.m. Jan. 24 and Feb. 21. Each month, members explore a new beginning reader series. Select any book from the month’s series at the circulation desk. January is the “Poppleton” series by Cynthia Rylant, and February is “The Princess in Black” series by Shannon Hale.
• “Planning for Retirement: Avoiding Probate” will be held at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 24. Find out what probate is and how to avoid it, the different types of wills and how to choose the correct one, along with understanding what happens when there is no will in place. There is limited space, and registration is required through the Delaware Money School here.
• “Spotlight on Delaware: Dickinson Plantation Burial Ground” for ages 16-plus will take place at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 25. Learn more about the Kent County home of John Dickinson, a signer of the U.S. Constitution, and about the burial ground discovered on the property in 2021. There is limited seating, and registration is required.
• Meet “Julia Child” at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 27. Award-winning actress and historical presenter Mary Ann Jung will perform a tribute to the “Queen of Cuisine” and her greatest loves — her husband, Paul Child, and French cuisine. There is limited seating.
• A 100th Day Show-and-Tell Showcase will be held 1:30-3 p.m. Feb. 18. The 100th day of the academic year takes place in mid-February for most schools. Participants can share a collection of 100 things. Pick up an entry form in January and return it by Feb. 1 to the circulation desk. The public is encouraged to visit the day of the showcase to view the exhibits.
• The annual Valentine’s live reading of Shakespeare’s “Antony and Cleopatra” will be held at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 12. Participate in the live reading or stay to listen. Registration is encouraged.
•  “Spotlight on Delaware: 10 African American Heroes of the Civil War” is set for 6:30 p.m. Feb. 15 for ages 16 and up. While most African American soldiers drafted into the Union Army were discriminated against and confined to segregated units, they still played a major role in bringing about a Union victory. There is limited space, and registration is required.