Library Insider - Winter Edition 2025

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NEW ONLINE SERVICES

FROM CRAFTING TO STAYING IN-THE-KNOW

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East

HALL UPDATES

GROUND BROKEN!

The Hall County Library System officially broke ground on the new East Hall Library at the East Hall Community Center! This $4.7 million project marks the return of library services to this essential part of our county.

This location will be our 6th library, and we couldn't be more excited to fill a long-standing need. As our Library System Director, Lisa MacKinney, shared:

“The former East Hall Library closed in 2011 following budget cuts... So, the citizens in this area of the County have needed a public space with these types of amenities for a long time, especially with the growth this area has seen... and we are excited to finally be able to fill that need in our community.”

This 9,300-square-foot expansion is going to be packed with incredible resources and amenities. A massive thank you to Hall County Government, the Georgia Public Library Service for their state grant, and all our citizens who supported the SPLOST VIII funding that made this possible!

We expect to be opening the doors in late fall 2026! Stay tuned for more construction updates!

Gathering to celebrate East Hall

Shovels and hard hats ready to break ground!

Board Chair Amy Brigham and Sarah Brigham

THE FRIENDS OF THE HALL COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM THE FRIENDS OF THE HALL

COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM

As a vital partner to the library, the Friends of the Library is a volunteer organization comprised of passionate individuals dedicated to supporting and enhancing library services, believing in their transformative power for all. By joining the Friends of the Library, you become part of a community that makes a real difference. You can gain valuable experience in areas like event planning, fundraising, and community outreach while advocating for increased library funding to ensure access to information for everyone. Volunteer with us, attend exciting events, and support a cause you believe in. The Friends of the Library is where book lovers connect and make a difference.

Making a Difference a Difference

How the Friends actively made a difference for the Hall County community in past years.

Invested in our Library Staff: We provide scholarships to staff members pursuing professional development, ensuring a skilled and knowledgeable team for our community. Supported Early Literacy: We help over 3,000 children avoid the summer reading slide through engaging summer reading programs. Advocated for Libraries: We lobbied for state grant funds for the future East Hall Library Branch and for technology upgrades in all branches, ensuring everyone has access to upto-date resources.

Enhanced Library Facilities: We funded the purchase of special furniture for the Blackshear Place Branch Library construction project, creating a welcoming space for all.

Adult Programs:Gainesville AdultPrograms: Gainesville

Special Needs Social Hour:

Select Wednesdays, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

*Medicare 101:

Select Wednesdays, 12 p.m. - 2 p.m.

NE GA Writers:

Select Wednesdays, 1 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

*Dungeons and Dragons:

Select Thursdays, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

*Greeting Card Workshops:

Select Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Georgia Cross Stitchers:

Select Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

The Village:

Select Saturdays, 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

*Sugar Skull Decorating: Saturday, November 1, 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.

Preserving Cherished Family Recipes For The Generations To Come : Tuesday, November 4, 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Friends of the Library Fall Meeting:

Tuesday, November 4, 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Red Cross Info Table: Thursday, November 6, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Adult Winter Craft Week: November 10-15, All Day Event

*Cat Cafe: Monday, November 10, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.

*PICATso Paint Workshop: Monday, November 10, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Affinis Hospice Info Table: Friday, November 14, 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

*Taxes and the “Widows Penalty”: Friday, November 14, 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.

*Travel ProgramHoliday Escapes and Winter Adventures: Saturday, November 15, 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. Noche de Aplicar Para Volar Evento de Admisiones Universitarias/Apply to Fly Night College Admission Event! Monday, November 17, 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Healthy Habits for the Holidays: Tuesday, November 18, 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

*Gilmore Girls Celebration: Saturday, November 22, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.

*Fun Ways to Giftwrap: Monday, December 1, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

*Christmas Crochet! Intermediate Level: Monday, December 8, 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Tour the Local History & Genealogy Resources: Tuesday, December 9, 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.

*Red Flags to Spot the Scams!: Friday, December 12, 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Adult Programs:Gainesville AdultPrograms: Gainesville

*Book Vases:

Monday, December 15, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

*Vision Boards:

Monday, January 5, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

*Financial Foundations: Your Blueprint to Thrive:

Friday, January 9, 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.

*Cooks and Books:

Monday, January 12, 4 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Exploring New Databases:

Tuesday, January 13, 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.

*Serving Seniors:

Friday, January 16, 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

*Book Exchange: Saturday, January 17, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.

*Mugs and Thugs-True Crime Club: Monday, January 26, 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.

*History of Waffle House: Friday, January 30, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

*: Registration Required: Space is limited. Please register on the calendar at hallcountylibrary.org

Adult Programs:Blackshear Place AdultPrograms: BlackshearPlace

Monday Book Club:

Select Mondays, 6 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Speed Puzzle Tournament:

Select Mondays, 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

*Tech Tuesday:

Select Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Gentle Yoga:

Select Fridays, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Fall Keychain Take ‘N Make Craft:

Saturday, November 1, All Day Event

*Bob Ross Paint Party:

Wednesday, November 5, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Clay Snowman Take ‘N Make Craft:

Monday, December 1, All Day Event

*Christmas Gnomes Diamond Art Workshop: Monday, December 8, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

*Jane Austen Tea Party:

Tuesday, December 16, 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.

*New Year Vision Boards: Friday, January 2, 2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

*: Registration Required: Space is limited. Please register on the calendar at hallcountylibrary.org

Adult Programs:Spout Springs AdultPrograms: SpoutSprings

Adult Craft Club:

Select Mondays, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

*A Matter of Balance:

Select Mondays, 12 p.m. - 2 p.m.

Sci-Fi/Fantasy Book Club:

Select Mondays, 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

*Painting with Vicki Paulus:

Select Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Movement for Life:

Select Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Hoopla & Libby App Assistance:

Select Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Stitching at the Springs:

Select Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Senior Citizen Happy Hour Bingo:

Select Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Special Needs Social Hour:

Select Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Writers Group:

Select Thursdays, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Thursday Book Club:

Select Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Mah-Jongg: Select Thursdays, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Historically Speaking Book Club: Select Thursdays, 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

*Soap Making Class: Friday, November 21 & January 9, 2 p.m.- 4 p.m.

*Celebrating Jane Austen: Tuesday, December 16, 2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

*Paint like Henri Matisse!: Wednesday, December 17, 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Red Cross Blood Drive: Thursday, December 18, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Reverse Coloring: Wednesday, December 31, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

*: Registration Required: Space is limited. Please register on the calendar at hallcountylibrary.org

Adult Programs:North Hall AdultPrograms: NorthHall

Adult Craft Club:

Select Mondays, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

*Chair Yoga:

Select Mondays, 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.

*Watercolor Class:

Select Mondays & Thursdays, 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Sci-Fi Fantasy Book Club:

Select Mondays, 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Fiber Friends - "We'll Keep You in Stitches":

Select Thursdays, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

*Scam Watch - Staying Safe Online: Wednesday, November 12, 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.

Clipboard Collage:

Tuesday, November 18, 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.

*Pantry and Food Safety: Friday, November 21, 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Cork Tile Trivet:

Tuesday, December 2, 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.

*Winter Proofing Your Home: Friday, December 5, 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Jane Austen’s 250 Birthday Tea Party: th Tuesday, December 16, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

*: Registration Required: Space is limited. Please register on the calendar at hallcountylibrary.org

Adult Programs:Murrayville AdultPrograms: Murrayville

Puzzle Week:

Select Weeks, All Day Event

Coloring Therapy for Adults:

Select Weeks, All Day Event

Music Concert at Murrayville Library:

Select Tuesdays, 5 p.m. - 6 p.m.

*Classic Literature Book Club:

Select Tuesdays, 4 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Star Trek Discussion:

Select Wednesdays, 5 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Dungeons and Dragons Club:

Select Thursdays, 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Chess Club:

Select Fridays, 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

War Stories Book Club:

Select Fridays, 4 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Holiday Wreath:

Monday, November 10, 10:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.

The Art of Origami:

Thursday, November 13, 6 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Holiday Bell Craft: Monday, December 15, 10:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.

*: Registration Required: Space is limited. Please register on the calendar at hallcountylibrary.org

AllAges|Tuesdays10:15AM

g Tuesdays&Wednesdays10:15

ToddlerStorytime

Ages18-36months

Tuesdays&Wednesdays11:00

WEEKLYSTORYTIMESCHEDULE

LittleSproutsStorytim

Ages3-5|Thursdays11:00A SaturdayStorytime

AllAges|Saturdays11:00AM

Blackshear Place Library

Gainesville Library

North Hall Tech Center RiseandShineStorytime AllAges|Mondays11:00AM

Spout Springs Library

Murrayville Library BabySteps

Ages0-18months|Tuesdays10:15AM ToddlerStorytime

GrowingReadersStorytime

Ages18months-5years Thursdays10:15AM BabySteps

Ages0-18months|Fridays10:15AM

MONDAY,

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25

WEDNESDAY,

10:15

Blackshear Place

Drop-In Crafts!

Select Thursdays, 3:00-7:00 pm

November 6: Turkey

December 4: Reindeer

January 8: Snowman

Toddler Time

Select Mondays, 12:00-1:00 pm

November 10: Art

December 8: Holiday Fun

January 12: Sensory Bins

Lego Play

November 17, December 15, January 26

3:30-4:30 pm

STEAM

Select Thursdays, 3:30-4:30 pm

November 20: Corny-copia

December 18: Best of 2025

January 15: Robots

Elementary Turkey Painting

Monday, November 24, 12:00-1:30 pm

Santa Letters

December 1-18

North Pole Stuffie Sleepover

Events for Elementary & Preschoolers

Drop-Off: Thursday, December 18, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Pickup: Friday, December 19, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Elementary Big Games

Tuesday, December 30, 12:00-1:00 pm

Gainesville

Events forElementary &Preschoolers

Homeschool Crafternoon!

Wednesday, November 5 1:30-2:30 pm

Homeschool Libratory

Wednesday, November 19, 1:30-2:30 pm

Ninja Training Camp

Monday, November 24, 1:30-3:00 pm

Drop-In Thanksgiving Crafts

Wednesday, November 26, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Baby Play

Tuesdays in December, 10:15-11:30 am

Drop-In Gift Craft

Monday, December 22, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Elachee Nature Center Presents Astronomy!

Monday, December 29, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Winter Read-In Pajama Party

Tuesday, December 30, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Noon Year’s Eve Dance Party!

Wednesday, December 31, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Super CRAFT Bros.

Friday, January 2, 1:30-3:30 pm

Homeschool Crafternoon

Wednesday, January 14, 1:30-2:30 pm

Homeschool Libratory

Wednesday, January 28, 1:30-2:30 pm

Murrayville

Read Rover

Nov. 12 & Dec. 10

3:30-4:30 pm

Torn Paper Monsters

Monday, November 17, 4:00-5:00 pm

Turkey Tales Crafts

Monday, November 24, 4:00-5:00 pm

Snowmen Galore

Monday, December 29, 3:00-4:00 pm

Secret Agent STEM Monday, January 19, 4:00-5:00 pm

Events for Elementary& Preschoolers

Lego Club

Every Thursday, 4:00-7:00 pm

Think Tank: Homeschool Group

November 3, December 1 & January 5

1:00-2:00 pm

Science Lab STEM

Wednesday, November 5, 4:00-5:00 pm

Read Rover

November 18, December 16. & January 20

3:30-4:30 pm

Fall Carnival!

Wednesday, November 26, 12:00-1:00 pm

Baby Playdates

Mondays in December, 11:00-11:30 am

Elf’s Workshop: Ornament Stations

Tuesday, December 23, 3:30-4:30 pm

Art Activity: Plastic Cup Snow Globe

Monday, December 29, 12:00-1:00 pm

Noon Year’s Eve Party

North Hall Tech Eventsfor PElementary& reschoolers

Wednesday, December 31, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Creativity Lab - Art

Wednesday, January 7, 3:30-4:30 pm

Harry Potter Party

Thursday, January 22, 4:30-5:30 pm

Spout Springs

Lego Play

Nov. 6, Dec. 4

4:00-6:00 pm

Elementary Lego Club

Nov. 10, Dec. 8, & Jan. 12

4:00-5:00 pm

Elementary Homeschool Hangout

Select Mondays, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

November 17: The Science of “Fall”

December 15: Ice

Little Learners

Select Wednesdays, 10:30-11:30 am

November 19: Art

December 17: Music

January 21: Letters

Minecraft Club

Nov. 20, Dec. 18, & Jan. 15

5:00-6:00 pm

Dessert Before Dinner!

Wednesday, November 26, 2:00-3:00 pm

Baby Playdates

Events for Elementary& Preschoolers

Winter Wonderland

Monday, December 22, 6:00-7:00 pm

Ugly Sweater Party Monday, December 29, 6:00-7:00 pm

Noon Year’s Eve! Wednesday, December 31, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Mini Con Monday, January 5, 3:00-7:00 pm

Tuesdays in December, 10:30-11:30 am

Homemade Holiday: Gift Making Event

Tuesday, December 16, 4:30-5:30 pm

Y.A.C.

We're looking for enthusiastic students ages 14-18 who are interested in making an impact on their community while developing their leadership skills and, most importantly, HAVING FUN!

Blackshear Place

Thursdays

The Youth Advisory Council (YAC) helps propose, organize, market, and execute teen & youth programs at the library!

COME TO A MEETING!

November 20

December 18

January 15

Murrayville

Mondays November 3

December 1

January 5

Spout Springs

Mondays November 24

January 26 all meetings at @ 6:30

Gainesville

ThursdaysNovember 13

December 11

January 15

North Hall ThursdaysNovember 20

December 18

January 15 KEEP THE

to visit our website for more information, the schedule of meetings, and to find a membership application you can print out and bring to your first YAC meeting.

Applications and information also available at the meetings or any HCLS branch

no December meeting

TEEN EVENTS MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL

GAINESVILLE

Teen Writer’s Workshop

November 17 & December 15, 6:00-7:00

Teen Bad Movie Night

Thursday, November 24, 6:00-7:00

Silent Library for Teens

Monday, December 29, 6:00-7:00

Manga, Movies and More Mondays!

Monday, January 26, 6:00-7:00

SPOUT SPRINGS

Short Story Contest

Entries accepted from Nov. 3 - Nov. 21

Not a Book Club

Select Thursdays, 6:00-7:00 pm

November 13: Non-Fiction

Anime Club

Dec. 9 & Jan. 13, 4:00-5:00 pm

Gatorade Taste Test: Tier Ranking

Tuesday, December 30, 4:00-5:00 pm

Mini Con

Monday, January 5, 3:00-7:00 pm

D&D at the Library: Session 0

Monday, Januray 12, 6:00-7:00 pm

TEEN EVENTS MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL

MURRAYVILLE

Mini Canvas Painting

Monday, December 8, 5:00-6:00 pm

BLACKSHEAR PLACE

Teen Big Games

Tuesday, December 30, 2:00-3:00 pm

Teen - National Puzzle Day

Thursday, January 29, 6:00-7:00 pm

NORTH HALL TECH

Sew Cool!

Nov. 15, Dec. 20, & Jan. 17

2:30-4:30 pm

Video Game Club

Nov. 22, Dec. 27, & Jan. 24

3:30-4:30 pm

Perler Bead Workshop

Tuesday, December 30

3:00-4:00 pm CLICK

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