Travel the world with Gail Borden Public Library programs

Gail Borden Public Library is hosting a variety of winter activities, including programs on Ukrainian culture, Dutch history and a Three Kings Celebration. Register for library programs at gailborden.info/events, by calling (847) 429-4597 or in person at any library location.

Global Neighbor Series

Experience Ukraine's fascinating people, history, culture, music and food from 1:30 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 8, at the Main Library, 270 N. Grove Ave. in downtown Elgin.

The Chicago Cossacks, a Ukrainian music, song and dance ensemble, will perform. The ensemble plays traditional musical instruments as well.

Part of the ongoing Global Neighbor Series at the library, the program also will offer Ukrainian food samples. Registration is required.

Pirate Island

Climb aboard a pirate ship and explore sailor skills before the ship sets sail! Learn about pirate legends and visit stations offering a variety of STEAM activities at the Main Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., through Jan. 15. Learn more at gailborden.info/pirateisland.

Winter Reading Challenge Kickoff

Welcome winter reading with stories and fun activities from 2 to 2:45 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 2 in the Main Library Sally Lee Rooms. Also learn about the Mother Bruce Series by Ryan Higgins, which is the library's Community Reads' selections for the winter. No registration is required.

Kids' Winter Reading Challenge

Kids can snuggle up with books during the winter reading challenge from Jan. 2 to Feb. 28.

Those who sign up for the challenge will receive a prize then earn badges by reading and completing activities. For more information, go to gbpl.info/winterbreak.

Week of Play

Grab the family and drop in for a variety of themed activities, puzzles, art projects and, of course, pirate activities! Stop by during regular library hours from Jan. 2-6 at the Main Library's KidSpace center.

A Pirate Academy

Kids in kindergarten to fifth grade are invited to join them on the "Seven Seas" and train to become fearsome pirates with maps, songs, science and treasure. The Pirate-in-Training: A Pirate Academy takes place from 1 to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 3 in the Main Library Sally Lee Rooms. Registration is required.

The Dutch Hunger Winter

Hear inspiring stories of tenacity and courage from this forgotten page of history from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 5 at Gail Borden Library, 270 N. Grove Ave.

Rob Currie, the psychology department chair at Judson University, will present "The World War II You Never Knew: The Dutch Hunger Winter." He is the author of "The Hunger Winter," a novel about a young boy, Dirk, whose father is a Dutch Resistance fighter in World War II who has disappeared. Dirk's sister is also a Resistance Fighter and has been arrested by the Gestapo. Dirk sets out with his younger sister to search for his father through the Netherlands.

While doing research for his book, Currie discovered stories of the brave Dutch people of the Netherlands who lived through the war. He will share those stories, many of them long forgotten, during the presentation. Registration is required.

Mr. Freeze Cryogenics Show

Explore cryogenics and exciting science-based demonstrations with lots of surprises and a few explosions with Fermilab's "Mr. Freeze" on Thursday, Jan. 5 in the Main Library Meadows Community Rooms. There are two sessions to choose from: Session 1 is from 4 to 4:45 p.m. and Session 2 is from 6 to 6:45 p.m. No registration is required.

Winter Craft-O-Rama

Winter is the perfect time to do some crafting. Kids will enjoy making a variety of winter-themed crafts from 11 a.m. to noon on Thursday, Jan. 5, in the Main Library's Sally Lee Fox and Eagle Rooms. No registration is required.

National Bird Day

Join John Sprovieri, president of the Kane County Audubon Society, for an interesting and informative program about the beautiful birds of the Fox River. National Bird Day - Birding the Fox River for beginner will be offered from 1 to 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 5, in the Alft River Room at the Main Library. Registration is required. Bring your own binoculars!

Greater Family Health

Certified health benefits enrollment specialists from Greater Family Health will provide information on services and answer questions on open enrollment for Medicaid and/or Marketplace insurance prior to the Jan. 15 deadline. They will be set up at an informational table from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays, Jan. 5 and 12, and noon to 4:30 p.m. Sundays, Jan. 8 and 15, in the main library lobby.

Winter Wonderland Bingo

It's cold outside, so stop by and warm up with a winter-themed game of Bingo. Winners will receive prizes! Bingo takes place at 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 6 in the Main Library Sally Lee Rooms. Registration is required.

Three Kings Celebration

Take your picture with Gaspar, Melchor and Balthazar and enjoy traditional "rosca," stories and crafts from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 7 at the Main Library. The bilingual program is in partnership with the Mexican Organization of Elgin (OME). No registration is required.

Classic films

The Monthly Matinee Classic Films will feature the John Wayne classic "True Grit" from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 9, in the Elgin Room of the main library. Monthly film screening featuring a different classic film on the second Monday of the month. No registration required.

Armchair Generals

The next Armchair Generals will talk about "The Other Jefferson Davis" from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 10, in the Main Library's Meadows Community Room C.

In this talk by Armchair General Fred Reczkowicz, learn about the "other" Jefferson Davis - Union General Jefferson C. Davis.

The monthly Civil War discussion group meets on the second Tuesday of the month. No registration is required.

Elgin Men's Shed

A Men's Shed is a place geared toward older men to gather, make new friendships while working on projects, learning new skills and hobbies, and giving back to the community. All are welcome to the Elgin Men's Shed from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 12, in the Grove Room of the main library.

Preschool Information Fair

Representatives from area preschools, day care centers and licensed homes will be available to talk about their child care services and answer questions in the Preschool Information Fair from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 12, in the Meadows Community Rooms ABC at the Main Library.