December 2022

Message from Library Director Pamela Monroe

That’s what friends are for...

On Tuesday, I was sitting at my desk in search of my striped office socks I normally wear in my office when my feet get cold. After about ten minutes of searching, I remembered throwing them in my bag to take home to wash. Oh dear, what to do now? Go to the Friend Shop! If you haven't been, take a moment to stop in and look at all the things they have to offer. I picked up a pair of cute book-themed socks, but there are also bookmarks, stickers, and magnets, in addition to books of all genres, DVDs, records (LP), magazines, you name it.

Our Friends of the Library are TRULY friends. They support our initiatives and make sure that our community is well taken care of. The Friends of the Library have impacted our patrons in many ways, from the award-winning Library of Things to summer reading prizes. The Title Wave Used Book Sale and ticketed events have allowed us to expand our collection and diversify our services. The Friends even helped sponsor the Wander & Wonder Story Trails installed at the Eastside, Fort Braden, and Woodville branches that encourage families to walk and read together. I invite you to join this dynamic team of individuals and business partners that help make your library what it is. Here are just a few things that the Friends have supported this year:

- Kanopy

- Wander & Wonder Story Trails

- Library of Things

- Leon County Public Library Author Talks

- Community Gingerbread House Competition

- Summer Reading prizes

- Staff appreciation

- Bestselling Book Club Kits

So if you have some time, stop by and support the Friends of the Library at any of our branches. Your contribution goes a long way.

Amazing things are happening!
Pamela Monroe, Library Director

Throughout December and January, the Library is hosting Book Feast: A STEM & Craft Event at all Library locations. During each event, the whole family can?explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through fun activities featuring food-related children’s books. Activities will be inspired by children’s books, including the classic Stone Soup, Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett, and Saturday at the Food Pantry by Diane O’Neill.  

Learn more about the Book Feast at LeonCountyLibrary.org/BookFeast.

In partnership with Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, join us for a community heath fair and mobile medical unit visit at the Woodville Branch Library on Saturday, December 17 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Stop by to receive free health screenings, assistance with health insurance enrollment, and information on dental care and other services available in the community.

View the Library calendar for more information.

Enjoy engaging virtual Author Talks with bestselling authors from a wide range of fiction and non-fiction genres. Tune in for these live events with interactive Q&As, or watch the recording afterwards. 

Upcoming virtual Author Talks include:

- Wednesday, December 14 at 12 p.m.: Author Talk with Nicole Eustace, Pulitzer Prize winning historian and author of Covered With Night: A Story of Murder and Indigenous Justice in Early America.

- Saturday, January 7 at 2 p.m.: Author Talk with Namina Forna, New York Times bestselling author of The Gilded Ones and The Merciless Ones.

The Extended Holiday Checkout has begun! Items that regularly check out for three weeks will check out for six weeks now through December 26.

All Leon County Public Library locations will be closed on the following holidays:

- Christmas Day - Sunday, December 25, 2022

- New Year's Day - Sunday, January 1, 2023

Homework Hub will not meet starting the week of December 19 and will return the week of January 9.

All Story Times and Stay and Play sessions will be paused from Thursday, December 22 through Saturday, December 31.