Volume 163 | February 2025

Chemung County Libraries

Monthly News & Events

Our new logo and website launched last month! With the new website comes the ability to register for programs and book meeting rooms online. If you need assistance navigating the new website, call Steele Memorial Library's reference desk for assistance (607)733-9173 x4.

Visit our Website

Closings

Steele Memorial Library will be open from 9am-5pm on Presidents' Day (February 17); all other CCLD branches will be closed that day.

Patron Appreciation Week

Because we appreciate our loyal patrons, we are setting aside a special time during the week of February 10-14, to thank you. During Patron Appreciation Week, one lucky library user will win a Library Lovers' Prize at each CCLD location. Visit your favorite library, or all of them, for a chance to win!

Steele Memorial Library

cup of tea surrounded by tea bags

Stop by the 2nd floor desk at Steele to try something from our winter Tea Library! We will provide unexpired, unopened, individually wrapped tea bags, with ingredients clearly listed for you to try at home. Limit of 3 tea bags per visit. The Tea Library will run until the end of March, when the Seed Lending Library returns.

Adult Services

Steele Memorial Library is partnering with the John W. Jones Museum to present a film series in celebration of Black History Month! Join us throughout February for short and full-length feature films for all ages and interests.


We have several art/craft classes available throughout the month, including a knitting series! Improv with Tim Collins continues this month on Feb 19 & 20. Stop by for our regularly scheduled activities, including Tablet Talk, Photography Group, "So bad, it's good!" Movie Night, and Spice of the Month.

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Genealogy

Tuesday evening virtual events continue in February with 21st Century Italian Genealogy with Michael Cassara on Feb 4 at 6pm EST, and Introduction to DNA Tests with Katherine Willson on Feb. 18 at 6 PM EST. There will be an in-person Introduction to Genealogy Class on Thursday, Feb. 20 at 1:00 PM in the Tech Lab at the Steele Memorial Library. Our virtual Genealogy Club meets on Saturday, Feb. 8 at 10 AM and features a presentation by Carla Cegielski, "Mastering the Art of Deciphering Old Handwriting".

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Teen Services

Like reading, drawing, playing games, or just chilling out? There's something for every 7th-12th grader in the Steele Teen Space. No library card? No problem! Bring your school ID to get one.


Celebrate at the Anti-Valentine's Day Party with floor piñatas of candy, Try out acting games or writing in our weekly TALE sessions, and Dance after-hours at the Snow Ball open to LGBTQ+ teens and allies. Join Teen Safe Zones for crafts & support on February 12 & 26. Celebrate Black American history with the Influential Figures collage project.

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Youth Services

book stacks in the new youth department

Our Children’s Department Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting is on Feb. 3 @ 4:00pm!


The take & make this month is a lovebug craft. There are three movie days celebrating Black History Month. Preschool Playtime: Monday mornings at 10:00am. Storytimes: Tuesdays at 6:00pm & Fridays at 10:00am. Grades K-6: LEGO Club (walk-in), Valentine’s Day cookie decorating (registration required), & Chocolate Taste Test Day (registration required).


Tweens (ages 8-12) (registration required for all programs): Tween Theater Camp: every Wednesday at 3:30pm, Tween S.T.E.A.M. craft on Feb 4. & Tween Valentine’s Craft on Feb. 12.

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CCLD Makerspace

Going forward, appointments for the Makerspace (Tinker Lab, Digital Media Lab, and Makerspace classes) should be made through the Makerspace page on the new Chemung Libraries website.


Sewing classes this month include mending reverse applique, potholders, quilting blocks, pincushions and needle books. Open Sew workshops are also available.


Fighting video game group Hard Reads meets Wednesday evenings. All skill levels are welcome to attend and play.

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Big Flats Library

book with center pages curled into a heart shape

February 10-14 is Patron Appreciation Week at CCLD. Big Flats Library is truly grateful for your patronage! Spin our wheel with each checkout to win a prize. Also, enjoy a tasty treat during your visit!

Adult Services

Register to make a Sea Glass Shadowbox on February 25th at 3:30pm (607-562-3300). Click the link below for a full list of activities this month, including needle felting, funded by a generous donation from the Big Flat's Women's Club.

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Teen Services

On February 19, 2:30pm, teens and tweens can join us for popcorn and a showing of the movie "Out Of My Mind", based on the Sharon Draper classic tween book. Teens are also welcome to stop by for Lego Club and crafts.

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Youth Services

Make Tissue Paper Hearts on February 7, 3:30pm (pre-k and up); call to register (607)562-3300. February 3 - February 14, stop by the Craft Table and make a Valentine Foam Animal! Pick up a take-home preschool & school age craft to make Origami Bookmark Critters! Call soon or stop by to get your kit, they will be gobbled up fast! (607)562-3300.

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Horseheads Free Library

Gift box with Summer Sausage Meats and Cheeses and Assorted Chocolates

Stop by the library during Patron Appreciation Week to enter a drawing to win a Swiss Colony 27 Favorites Food Gift Set.

Adult Services

The Horseheads library will be offering its Gentle Movement Exercise and Yoga classes on Tuesdays and Wednesday mornings. Tablet talk will be on February 18th. There will be special arts and craft programs on 2/7 (Casual Card making), 2/10 (Mandala Wind Sparkle), and 2/21 (Fun with Letters Calligraphy with Wynn Yarrow). Be sure to stop by for our all ages Musical Bingo program on February 15th, as well as our monthly Writer’s Support Group on Feb 24th.

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Teen Services

Join us this month for Wednesday night Teen/Tween programs. On February 12, 6pm, make your own unique chapstick holder with wristlet, using sublimation ink. Space is limited, reserve your spot today. Anime club is the place to be; don't miss out on the fun on February 19, 5:30pm! View full program details and register via the calendar (link below).

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Youth Services

This month’s take n make is a Rocket Valentine craft. We will have animals in the library on February 27 at 4pm. Tanglewood is coming to tell us how animals survive in the winter. All of the regular monthly programs are still happening.

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Van Etten Library

origami hearts

Van Etten Library will be offering Semi-Guided Meditation Classes every Monday afternoon, Origami Valentine crafting on Wednesdays and Family Storytime every Friday morning. A special Stuffed Animal Sleepover will be held February 12-14 for kids, tweens and teens!  Stuffed Animals will spend the night at the library and their adventures will be featured in a slideshow!  Van Etten's Book Club will be meeting January 31, 2025 to discuss John Grisham's first non-fiction novel "The Innocent Man" - newcomers are always welcome! A new Sciencenter Pass is now available for checkout too!

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West Elmira Library

6 square pattern drawings

Adult Services

Join us 2/21 for our Red Cross Blood Drive and get a $15 e-gift card! Checkout anytime during the week of 2/10-2/14 for your chance to win our Patron Appreciation gift basket! Our popular Adult Art Series is back on 2/3 with Intro to Mindfulness in Pattern Drawing. This month's Cookbook Book Club theme is Comfort Foods. New club alert - Calligraphy Club; this month’s theme is Valentines. New items added to our Library of Things: pizza oven, chocolate fountain, Ninja Creami, Pickleball paddle set.

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Teen Services

T(w)eens can come in this month to warm up and have fun! Learn to make an easy first needlework snowflake project at our T(w)een Maker program, celebrate Black History Month by reading this month's Club 1231 book club selection, "The Watson’s Go to Birmingham", or just hang out with your friends and color during our Tuesday Coloring Club. For more info check out this month's events calendar.

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Youth Services

February is a time to celebrate Black History Month and share some Valentine's Day love! Go on our monthly Scavenger Hunt and get to know some famous figures from Black History. Stop by on February 12 to make your own Valentine's Day cards. Have fun every Thursday morning with Mr. Jeff at Storytime. Never miss a Home School lesson with Ms. Lynda and the "Library Learners" every Wednesday morning. West Elmira is your community library for growth, fun, and learning!

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Bookmobile

The Dutch House book cover showing a painting of a girl with dark hair in a red coat

Our book club meets the 2nd Friday of the month at Bulkhead Hardware in Southport at 1:30pm.


This month we will meet on February 14th, to discuss "The Dutch House" by Ann Patchett. We will read "The Quarry Girls" by Jess Lourey, to discuss in March.

Bookmobile Schedule

The Library at Home

Virtual Activities (attend online)

Can't make it to the library? Attend a virtual genealogy workshop via Zoom or join one of our virtual book clubs! The Big Flats Library's book club meets both in-person and online. The CCLD Virtual Evening Book Club meets online only.

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Download, Stream, Research, & Learn

Enjoy ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, streaming video, online classes, language learning, and more, from the convenience of your home! Check out the library's website for a list of digital services that can be accessed remotely with your Chemung County Library District card.

Online Resources