LIBRARY OF THEYEAR
We're celebrating Georgia's amazing libraries all month long, and you're invited to join the party! Want to show your library some love? Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Explore the collection: Rediscover the joy of browsing the shelves and finding your next favorite read. Need a recommendation? Our librarians are always happy to help!
Attend an event: Check out our calendar for exciting programs and workshops happening this month. From author talks to crafting sessions, there's something for everyone.
Connect with your community: Libraries are more than just books! They're vibrant hubs where people connect, learn, and grow together. But that's not all! Keep reading to learn how you can share your own library story and make a real difference in supporting these vital community resources.
Library of the Year PAGE 01 - 02
P.S. Don't forget your PINES library card! It's your key to unlocking a world of possibilities. Audio & Ebooks PAGE 03
YOUR LIBRARY: THE HEART OF YOUR COMMUNITY – SHARE YOUR STORY!
Dear valued patrons,
As we gear up for our Georgia Library of the Year campaign in February, we're excited to showcase the incredible impact of our libraries across the state. We believe that our libraries are the beating heart of our communities, and we want to hear your stories about why they're so special to you.
To celebrate the power of libraries, we're inviting you to share your experiences, memories, and reasons for loving your local library. Your stories will help us paint a vivid picture of the transformative role libraries play in our lives, and they'll inspire others to support and champion their own libraries.
SHARE YOUR LIBRARY STORY: VISIT OUR ONLINE FORM:
Fill out the form below to share your personal experiences and what library you frequent.
Tell us your story in a few paragraphs, highlighting the most memorable moments and the impact your library has had on you.
DEADLINE:
Submit your story by February 11th to be included in our Library Day at the Capitol publication.
AUDIO& EBOOKS
Your Hall County Library Card unlocks a world of online reading!
Access thousands of audiobooks and eBooks effortlessly through our digital services. Explore our diverse collections on The Palace Project, Libby, and Hoopla. Don't let distance hinder your reading goals – jump on the eReading train today! Learn more HERE
WithaBlindDate
Looking for a literary adventure this February? Take a chance on "Blind Date with a Book," a unique display where books are wrapped in intriguing paper and decorated, their identities hidden except for a genre label. Forget judging a book by its cover – this is your opportunity to explore new authors and genres based solely on a feeling, a whim, or perhaps the enticing decorations. Will you find a new favorite romance? Uncover a thrilling mystery? Or perhaps discover a hidden gem in a genre you'd never considered before? Stop by the Gainesville library and dive into the mystery!
Gainesville
February 5th, 1:30 p.m.
Homeschool Crafternoon
February 19th, 1:30 p.m.
Homeschool Libratory
North Hall Tech
February 3rd, 1:00 p.m.
Think Tank: Homeschool Group
Blackshear Place
February 24th, 6:00 p.m.
Monday Book Club - Adult
North Hall Tech
February 3rd, 10th, & 24th 6:00 p.m.
The Artists Way Book Study - Adult
February 22nd, 3:00 p.m.
Wreck this Journal - Teen
Gainesville
February 21st, 1:00 p.m.
Fear, Mystery, and Gloom - Adult
February 24th, 6:00 p.m.
Manga, Movies, and More! - Teen
Spout Springs
February 6th, 2:30 p.m.
Historically Speaking - Adult
February 13th, 10:30 a.m.
Thursday Book Club - Adult
February 13th, 6:00 p.m.
Not a Book Club - Teen
February 24th, 6:00 p.m.
Sci-Fi/Fantasy Book Club - Adult
Genealogy Corner Genealogy Corner Research tips:
Family Interviews: Talk to older relatives Ask about childhood memories, family stories, and any information they have on ancestors
Family Documents: Gather existing documents like birth certificates, marriage licenses, death certificates, photos, letters, and diaries
Create a Family Tree: Begin with yourself and work backwards, recording names, dates, and places of birth, marriage, and death for each ancestor
Prog
February11th,Tuesday,LookinguptheHistoryofYourHome: Time:10:30am
Place:GainesvilleLibraryMeetingRoom
Everyoldhousehasastorytotell Comegettipsonfindingoutwhenyourhomewasbuilt,who livedthere,&howtheychangedthehome’sfootprintovertheyears Programisfree--Forages18andup
March11th,Tuesday,Beginningtoclimbyourfamilytree: Time:10:30a.m.
Place:GainesvilleLibraryMeetingRoom
Researchingyourfamilyhistorycanbeanamazingandrewardingexperience!Comepickupsome techniquesforscalingyourfamilytree Programisfree--Forages18andup
March14th,Friday, SittingupwiththeDead:anafterhoursfamilyhistoryevent
Place:GainesvilleLibrary’sSybilWoodMcRay’sGenealogy&LocalHistoryRoom
Time:TheSybilWoodMcRay’sGenealogy&LocalHistoryRoomopensat10:00a.m.Preregistered participantmayarriveanytimebeforethelibrary’sdoorsareclosedtothepublicat5:00p.m.
Participantsmayresearchuntil10:00p.m.
Costis$1500perperson Amealisincludedwiththeregistrationfee
Preregistrationisrequired (Onlineregistrationwillbegininmid-Februaryat wwwhallcountylibraryorgundertheEventstab)
Thiseventisforexperiencedresearchersages18&up
April8th,Tuesday,HowtoFillOutaFamilyTreeChartTemplate: Time:10:30am
Place:GainesvilleLibraryMeetingRoom
Nomatterwhatkindoffamilytreeyou’recreating,thereareafewbasicprinciplestokeepinmind. Programisfree--Forages18andup
Genealogy Resources at Hall County Library System
ResearchFREEwithyourHall CountyLibrary card!
February is Library February is Library Lovers Month! Lovers Month!
LOVE LOVE YOUR YOUR LIBRARY LIBRARY
Throughout the month, we'll be celebrating the Hall County Library! Here are some ways you can celebrate your library and the impact it makes on your community.
Discover new books: Explore our diverse collection, from thrilling novels to fascinating nonfiction and captivating children's books.
Attend engaging programs: Join us for author talks, storytimes, craft workshops, book clubs, and more.
Unleash your creativity: Utilize our computers, printers, and Wi-Fi for research, job searching, and creative projects.
Connect with your community: Libraries are hubs of information, entertainment, and social interaction
Join the Friends of the Library: The Friends are an integral part of making our library the best it can be Join the Friends today to make a difference in your community! Your support helps fund essential programs, enhance our collections, and ensure a thriving library for all. JOIN HERE
As libraries face diverse challenges, Georgians have been vocal about their love and support for libraries. That is why this year, the Georgia Public Library of the Year is – YOUR Library. Tell us why you love your library using this form, so we can share the news far and wide
Why do you love your library?
FEBRUARY 2025
PROGRAMS & EVENTS: PROGRAMS & EVENTS:
ADULT SPOTLIGHT ADULT SPOTLIGHT
*requires registration
*Radon Safety Class
North Hall Tech Center, Monday, February 3rd, 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
*Flower Arranging Class
North Hall Tech Center, Thursday, February 6th, 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
*Galentine’s Charcuterie Gainesville Library, Monday, February 10th, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Meowentine’s Cat Cafe Blackshear Place, Thursday, February 13th, 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
*Painting with Vicki Spout Springs Library, Tuesday, February 18th, 10:30 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.
*NE GA Writers George Weinstein Gainesville Library, Wednesday, February 5th, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
*AARP Tax-Aide Program
Murrayville Library, Monday, February 10th & 24th, 10:00 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.
Looking up The History of Your House
Gainesville Library, Tuesday, February 11th, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
*Soap Making Class
Spouts Springs Library, Monday, February 17th, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Fear, Mystery and Gloom
Gainesville Library, Friday, February 21st, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Youth Programs!
Hall County Library has youth programs for all ages of children, from babies to teens, at each of the five library branches!
We have a wide range of youth programs from storytimes, bookclubs, crafts, trivia, STEM... and more!
SCHEDULE WEEKLYSTORYTIME
JANUARY 6 - APRIL 26
GainesvilleLibrary
BabySteps
Ages0-18months|Tuesdays10:15AM
ToddlerStorytime
Ages18-36months|Tuesdays11:00AM
LittleSproutsStorytime
Ages3-5|Thursdays11:00AM
SaturdayStorytime
AllAges|Saturdays11:00AM
CuentosyCantos enespañol|ciertossábados3:00PM Jan18,Feb22,Mar22,Apr26
SensoryStorytime forthosewithspecialneeds|10:15AM MondayFeb17&FridayApr11
MurrayvilleLibrary
GrowingReadersStorytime
Ages18months-5years
Wednesdays10:15AM
BabySteps
Ages0-18months|Fridays10:15AM
SaturdayStorytime
AllAges|SelectSaturdays10:15AM Jan11,Feb8,Mar8,Apr12
BlackshearPlaceLibrary
StretchwithMeStorytime
AllAges|Tuesdays10:15AM
Let'sPlayStorytime
Ages18months-5years Wednesdays10:15AM
NorthHallTechCenter
RiseandShineStorytime
AllAges|Mondays11:00AM
PajamaStorytime
AllAges|SelectThursdays6:30pM Jan16,Feb20,Mar20,Apr17
SaturdayStorytime
AllAges|SelectSaturdays2:30PM Jan25,Feb22,Mar22,Apr26
SpoutSpringsLibrary
BabySteps
Ages0-18months|Tuesdays10:15AM
ToddlerStorytime
Ages18-36months|Tuesdays11:00AM
PreschoolStorytime
Ages3andup|Fridays10:15AM
SaturdayStorytime
AllAges|SelectSaturdays11:00AM Jan11,Feb8,Mar8,Apr12
Congratulations to the winners of our Take Your Child to the Library Week Bookmark Contest!
Copies of the winning bookmarks will be available at all HCLS libraries!
Y.A.C. TEEN VOLUNTEERS
Youth Advisory Council (YAC) members help propose, organize, market, and execute teen & youth programs with HCLS!
Earn volunteer credit for the time spent at all meetings and activities! For students 14-18.
CHECK OUT A MEETING
North Hall Tech: February 20 at 4:30
Blackshear Place: February 20 at 6:30
Gainesville: February 20 at 6:30
Murrayville: February 24 at 6:00
Spout Springs: February 24 at 6:30
Carter V. 1st Grade
Mishita K. 4th Grade
Ella S. 10th Grade
Aaliyah R. 10th Grade
Ella C. 8th Grade
FEBRUARY 2025
PROGRAMS & EVENTS: YOUTH SPOTLIGHT
*requires registration
DIY Love Bug
North Hall Tech Center
February 5, 10:00-10:30 am
Prom Pop-Up
Spout Springs Library
February 6, 5:00-7:00 pm
Drop-In Valentines Crafts
Gainesville Library
February 14, 10:00 am - 4:30 pm
Teen Slime Making Party
Murrayville Library
February 17, 5:00-6:00 pm
Dog Man Party
Gainesville Library
February 18, 1:30-3:00 pm
Clickonthe underlinedtitles formore information!
Valentine Conversation Heart Science Activity
North Hall Tech Center
February 6, 2:00-3:00 pm
Elementary Card Making Extravaganza!
Murrayville Library
February 10, 4:00-5:00 pm
Valentine’s Day Party! Spout Springs Library
February 14, 2:00-4:00 pm
Graphic Novel Trivia Blackshear Place Library
February 18, 12:00-1:00 pm
*Prom Prep: How to Take the Perfect Prom Photo Spout Springs Library
February 27, 6:00-7:00 pm
STAFF BOOK PICKS
Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly
Lisa M
Baby of The Family by Tina McElroy Ansa
Ronda
Black Genesis by James Rose
George
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
Michael
Slave Narratives by Various Authors
Allyn
Ace of Spades by Faridah Abike-Lyimide
Patton
Far Sector by N.K. Jemisin and Jamal Campbell
Kay
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
Julie
STAFF BOOK PICKS
Black History Month
Emily
A Song Flung Up To Heaven by Maya Angelou
Linda Rose
Nightcrawling by Leila Mottley
Gabriele
The Black Church by Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
Yury
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
Marissa
The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead
Cathy
Black Like Me by John Griffin
Akeem
Stony The Road by Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
Amy
Reflections in Black by Deborah Willis
STAFF BOOK PICKS
Black History Month
Sarah YA
Grown by Tiffany Jackson
Janine JUV
The Secret Library by Kekla Magoon
Lisa C JUV
Amos Fortune by Elizabeth Yates
Lisa E JUV
Tristan Strong Punches A Hole In The Sky by Kwame Mbalia
Day of Tears by Julius Lester
Ashley YA
Holden JUV
The Watsons Go To Birmingham by Christopher Curtis
Kaite JUV
The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson
The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson
Elizabeth JUV
STAFF BOOK PICKS
Navigating the Stacks and Unveiling Library Wonders
North Hall Children's Library Dedicated to Beloved Supporter
In The Gallery
Keisha Bailey
God’s Creations
Nature is beautiful, the details in a way a butterfly sits on a flower or you find a lady bug sitting on your shirt, the different colors, the different shades of light and dark. The beautiful creations God has created. Nature has a way of calming the soul and restoring it. I hope my paintings and drawings bring back memory when life was simple, when all you had to do was go outside and play all day. I’m inspired by my grandmother (Mattie Sue) whose garden and flowers were the most beautiful I have ever seen, helping her with it, the smell of the roses made me see the beauty in nature. I was and I’m still amazed by it.
