UPCOMING

"THE HOSPITAL AT THE END OF THE WORLD," public lecture and slide show by author/nurse Joe Niemczura, on his book about his teaching trips to rural Nepal; 7-9 p.m. Sept. 20, University of Hawaii-Manoa, Spalding Auditorium; parking free; information, 352-1714.

NAVIGATING SERVICES TO THE ELDERLY, free informational program by the city Department of Community Services, designed for seniors and their families (but open to the public); including information on healthy aging, services for aging in place, and selection of long-term care facilities; 10:30 a.m. Sept. 23; 'Aina Haina Public Library; information, 377-2456.

BOOK SIGNINGS

LOCAL INVENTOR, scientist and author Robert Yonover, will sign copies of his book, "Hardcore Inventing," 1 p.m. Sept. 26, Barnes & Noble bookstore, Kahala; 395-1688.

"AVIATION ARCHAEOLOGY POINTS THE WAY to Our Missing-in-Action," speech and book-signing by fighter pilot, author and aircraft accident investigator Col. Ralph Wetterhahn, 7 p.m. Sept. 26 (free) and 2 p.m. Sept. 27 (tickets at www.PacificAviationMuseum.org or USS Bowfin ticket office), Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor, Ford Island; reservations, 441-1008.

LIBRARY NEWS

WAIKIKI-KAPAHULU PUBLIC LIBRARY closed Sept. 21-24 for renovations; book drop open (but CDs and DVDs should be returned to any other public library); information, 831-6877.

LILIHA PUBLIC LIBRARY scheduled to re-open Sept. 22 after renovations; information, 831-6877.

LAUPAHOEHOE PUBLIC & SCHOOL LIBRARY hours to be adjusted Sept. 30 due to funding shortage: open 1-5 p.m. Sept. 30; information, 831-6877.

KAPA'A PUBLIC LIBRARY will temporarily adjust Tuesday (9 a.m.-5 p.m.) and Wednesday (noon-5 p.m.) hours through Sept. 30, due to staffing and funding shortages; information, 831-6877.

MAUI BOOKMOBILE, based at Wailuku Public Library, has returned to service, after being shut down since June because of mechanical problems; on a rotating Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday schedule. Information/routes, www.librarieshawaii.org/pdf/Maui+Bookmobile+Fall+09.pdf or at Maui public libraries; information, 808-243-5766.

THELMA PARKER MEMORIAL PUBLIC AND SCHOOL LIBRARY (on Waimea Elementary and Intermediate School campus, Big Island) has changed schedule: 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and 12:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays; closed Sundays and Mondays; information, 808-887-6067.

WAIMANALO PUBLIC AND SCHOOL LIBRARY, Waimanalo Elementary and Intermediate School campus, has re-opened; information, 259-2610.

KEA'AU (BIG ISLAND) PUBLIC AND SCHOOL LIBRARY has re-opened after closure for health, safety and accessibility improvements and new roof installation; information, 808-982-4281.

PAHALA PUBLIC LIBRARY (Big Island) closed for construction. No book drop, reading programs or passport application service. Temporary extended hours at Na'alehu Public Library. Information: 831-6877

ESSAY CONTESTS

ESSAY CONTEST, for grades 5-8, about the completion of the first transcontinental railroad, sponsored by the Aloha Chapter, National Society For the Daughters of the American Revolution. Entries accepted through January; for information, e-mail DAR.AmHistory@yahoo.com.

CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS ESSAY CONTEST, for grades 9-12, prize of $1,200 and paid lodging and transportation to Washington, D.C., in October 2010, to read prize-winning essay on Columbus Day, sponsored by Aloha Chapter, National Society For the Daughters of the American Revolution. Entries accepted through January; e-mail DAR.AmHistory@yahoo.com.

ONGOING

BILL'S BOOKMOBILE, a bargain book/video store run as a library fundraiser, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. first Saturday monthly, 690 Pohukaina St., Kaka'ako; information, 536-4174.

PLAY READING GROUP, with discussion and dramatic readings, 6 p.m. second Friday monthly First Unitarian Church; free; bring snacks to share; information, 526-1191.

YWCA BROWN-BAG LUNCH BOOK CLUB, noon-1:30 p.m. third Tuesday monthly; Laniakea (old Richards Street) YWCA; information, 538-7061.

Youth Speaks Hawaii, slam poetry workshops, 4-5:30 p.m. Wednesdays, The ARTS at Marks Garage; free. 387-9664.

FOR KEIKI

KAPOLEI PLAY MORNINGS, free independent keiki play time, with educational toys, for ages 2-5 (with caregiver); 10-10:45 a.m. Thursdays, through Sept. 24, Kapolei Public LIbrary; information, 693-7050.

WAIPAHU KEIKI STORYTIME, for children 3-5 years old (with adult supervision), including stories, songs and puzzles/educational toys/crafts activities; 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays, through Oct. 13, Waipahu Public Library, C.O. Andy Anderson Room; free; information, 675-0358.

TODDLER STORYTIME, with stories, sing-alongs, fingerplays and games (also toddler fun time with toys and puzzles); for ages 1 1/2 to 3 years old (with adult supervision), 10-11 a.m. Tuesdays, through Nov. 24; McCully-Mo'ili'ili Public Library; free; 973-1099.

'TODDLER TIME' STORYTIME, for babies and toddlers (with caregivers), with stories, rhymes, sing-alongs, and puzzles; 10:30-11 a.m. Tuesdays, through Nov. 24, Hawai'i State Library, Edna Allyn Children's Room; free; information, 586-3510.

KAIMUKI CHILDREN'S STORYTIME, for children pre-school age and older, with stories, fingerplays, rhymes and craft session; 10:30-11 a.m. Sundays, Sept. 20-Dec. 6; information, 733-8422.

HAWAI'I KAI PUBLIC LIBRARY FALL CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS, free; library meeting room; information, 397-5833: