Search our Catalog
Book Scoop
View Calendar of Events

Our Library is an Open Book

Libraries change and evolve to meet the needs of their community and adapt to new technologies. At Phillips Free Library though, one thing is constant - we exist to create an equitable world. Our mission is to empower and inspire all people to grow and connect with one another to create a better world for all. Here are some ways to connect with your community at the library this month.

December Highlight

Gingerbread Wonderland

Start December with some gingerbread fun! Join us to decorate gingerbread houses on Friday, December 6th at 5:30 pm. The houses will be made for you (using hot glue so they won't be edible) though there will be extra parts if you want to put on an addition. All of the decorations will be supplied. Come by yourself, bring your friends, family, or a date to enjoy the winter season. Please let us know you plan to attend so we have enough supplies. office@phillipsfreelibrary.org OR 607 749 4616

New at the Library!

LEGO Night



You have been asking for it and we found a place on the calendar! Children in 3rd-5th grade are invited to join us for a night time LEGO program. We will meet on Friday, December 27 from 6-7:30pm after the library has closed. Find out what the challenge is when you arrive!

Registration preferred: office@phillipsfreelibrary.org

TechTalk


Phillips Free Library has subscribed to Tech-Talk for the next year. Tech-Talk is a premier collection of articles, videos, and webinars developed each week

by top training experts for busy professionals, educators, and learners.

It helps people stay up-to-date in using technology and

becoming better communicators in the workplace and at home.

We will be sharing Tech-Talk videos with you each month and will have some in person learning sessions as well. Here are two videos of the week about color-coded spreadsheet tabs and when to choose reply vs reply all in a group email

When prompted the username and password are both: phillips

New Books

Adult Fiction



The Heartbeat Library

by Laura Imai Messina


place hold here


On the peaceful Japanese island of Teshima there is a library of heartbeats, a place where the heartbeats of visitors from all around the world are collected. In this small, isolated building, the heartbeats of people who are still alive or have already passed away continue to echo.


Several miles away, in the ancient city of Kamakura, two lonely souls meet: Shuichi, a 40-year-old illustrator, who returns to his hometown to fix up the house of his recently deceased mother, and eight-year-old Kenta, a child who wanders like a shadow around Shuichi’s house.


Day by day, the trust between Shuichi and Kenta grows, until they discover they share a bond that will tie them together for life. Their journey will lead them to Teshima and to the library of heartbeats . . .


Middle Grade Fiction


Weird Rules to Follow

by Kim Spencer


place hold here


In the 1980s, the coastal fishing town of Prince Rupert is booming. There is plenty of sockeye salmon in the nearby ocean, which means the fishermen are happy and there is plenty of work at the cannery. Eleven-year-old Mia and her best friend, Lara, have known each other since kindergarten. Like most tweens, they like to hang out and compare notes on their crushes and dream about their futures. But even though they both live in the same cul-de-sac, Mia’s life is very different from her non-Indigenous, middle-class neighbor. Lara lives with her mom, her dad and her little brother in a big house, with two cars in the drive and a view of the ocean. Mia lives in a shabby wartime house that is full of relatives―her churchgoing grandmother, binge-drinking mother and a rotating number of aunts, uncles and cousins. Even though their differences never seemed to matter to the two friends, Mia begins to notice how adults treat her differently, just because she is Indigenous. Teachers, shopkeepers, even Lara’s parents―they all seem to have decided who Mia is without getting to know her first.


Want to see all the new books that have arrived at the library this month? Click the button to check out the Book Shelf, a monthly list of all the new book arriving at the library.

Book Shelf

Coming in January

Homer Winterfest 2025

Songs of the Shakers


On Friday, January 24, 2025 Liam Lawson will be guest artist at the library sharing Songs of the Shakers with the community as part of Winterfest 2025. The program will run from 5-6:30pm and is open to everyone.

Liam will share stories and songs of the Shakers during this program and also some original songs inspired by Shaker philosophy. As part of the program he will talk about the history of the Shakers, their communities, inventions and beliefs.

Registration is preferred: office@phillipsfreelibrary.org OR 607 749 4616

A Glimpse from November

At the beginning of November we hosted local authors and illustrators at the library for a meet & greet. It was a great opportunity to have them all together and see what their books were about and how they got from an idea to a published book. We look forward to hosting this again in the spring.

Did You Know...

Did you know that you can use Libby to download digital books and audiobooks for FREE with your library card? Go to the app store on your device and download Libby to get started. You will need your library card and password in order to complete the set up. If you need help getting started or a refresher just stop in and we can help you or call to make an appointment 607 749 4616

Monthly Poll

Would you rather...
Eat a whole turkey in one sitting
Never eat turkey again
Would you rather...
Travel for the holidays
Stay home for the holidays

Results from our poll last month

The results from our poll last month show your favorite book to re-read is The Harry Potter Series by J. K. Rowling. The second most favorite book to re-read was Charlotte's Web by E.B. White.

Calendar of Events

December 2024

Sunday, December 1

High School Book Club

Monday, December 2

Nifty Knitters 1p

Tuesday, December 3

Yoga #1 of 4 10:30am please register

Creative Writing 3rd-5th gr 6p

Wednesday, December 4

Knee High Story Time 9a Construction Sites

K-2 Library Zoo 3:35-4:20p Story Time - Nutcracker with Special Guests

Tioughnioga River Writers 6:30p on Zoom

Friday, December 6

Gingerbread Wonderland 5:30p Make Your Own Gingerbread House

please register

Monday, December 9

Nifty Knitters 1p

Family Book Club 6p

Tuesday, December 10

Yoga #2 of 4

Creative Writing 3rd-5th gr 6p

Wednesday, December 11

Knee High Story Time 9a Bears

K-2 Library Zoo 3:35-4:20p LEGO Club

Monday, December 16

Nifty Knitters 1p

Tuesday, December 17

Yoga #3 of 4

Wednesday, December 18

Knee High Story Time 9a Holidays

K-2 Library Zoo 3:35-4:20p Science Club

Tioughnioga River Writers 6:30p on Zoom

Monday, December 23

Nifty Knitters 1p

Tuesday, December 24 - Library Closed

Wednesday, December 25 - Library Closed

Friday, December 27

LEGO Night 6-7:30p 3rd-5th gr please register

Monday, December 30

Nifty Knitters 1p

LEGO Night 3rd-5th gr 6p please register

Tuesday, December 31 - Library Closing at 4 pm




unless otherwise noted email office@phillipsfreelibrary.org to register for programs

Reach Out to Us
Visit our Website

Phillips Free Library

37 South Main St

Homer NY 13077

607 749 4616