December 2023: Volume 2, Issue 4

Every year, from November to January, our organization makes an annual appeal to our users for help in supporting our libraries. Gifts from users just like you have added hundreds of books, audiobooks and digital resources to our collections, have helped us to keep pace with technology and have aided in sharing a love of reading with generations of young children. Will you join others in helping us raise $35,000 during our annual year-end campaign? Your support will help to buffer the rising costs of things as simple as heating and electricity and as noble as books and technology for everyone. To donate, please visit our website, visit one of our locations, call 814-355-1516, or mail a check to 203 North Allegheny St, Bellefonte, PA, 16823. All donations are tax deductible.

Come down to either of our Bellefonte locations on December 9th to enjoy activities for Bellefonte Victorian Christmas!

Activities at the Bellefonte Library:

Kids are invited to join us for a craft activity. If your family would rather do the craft later, they are also available as take-and-make kits. The Penn State Master Gardeners will be at the library showing everyone how to made Birdseed Pinecone and Cranberry Wreath ornaments to feed winter birds too. Everyone is invited to hang their birdseed ornaments on the Christmas Tree in the Children's garden across the street!

Activities at the Miles-Humes house:

Come see Victorian style Christmas trees on display, hear piano performances throughout the day, and experience self-guided tours of the Historical Museum! See trees decorated by the Bellefonte Garden Club with exquisite handmade lace ornaments, natural creations and delicate glass. Other Victorian style holiday decorations and trees add a festive atmosphere to the rest of the building.

You may have seen a new face behind the circulation desk at the Bellefonte Library recently. That face belongs to Megan Strommer, our new Youth Services Coordinator! Megan grew up in Blanchard, PA right on the eastern border of Centre County. She loved reading fantasy books as a child and frequently visited the bookmobile when it came to her town. After Megan graduated from Central Mountain High School, she began her career in child care. She continued working in child care for 11 years and recently graduated from North Hampton Community College with a degree in education. She started working with us at the Bellefonte Library on November 6th, 2023. Learn a little more about Megan in an interview below!

What can your patrons look forward to in having you as their Youth Services Coordinator at the Bellefonte Library?

They can look forward to lots of crafts, I love crafts! I'm also working on incorporating more STEAM events. I want to add more YA events as well.

You are hosting a dinner party and must invite 3 famous people. Who would you choose (living or dead)?

I would choose Edgar Allen Poe because I love Halloween and spooky things, J. R. R. Tolkein because he created an amazing fantasy world, and Dolly Parton because she is an advocate for literacy--especially children's literacy.

If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you want to have with you?

A yurt (that would be more effective than a tent), sunblock, and my husband.

What would you pick if you could choose your own superpower?

I would choose breathing under water because I love to swim.

The Centre Hall Branch Library is hosting another virtual recipe swap event and you still have 13 more days to send in recipes! To join in the fun:

1. Send in a Holiday Cookie Recipe by Dec. 13th
2. Receive a PDF copy of all recipes submitted from the library before Christmas!

Some of us may enjoy cookbooks, but those recipes aren't the same as tried and true recipes from your family or neighbor. Take advantage of this opportunity to collect great recipes from your own community!



The Lion Mobile Clinic will be stopping by the Centre Hall Area Branch Library on Monday, December 4th from 10 AM to 12 PM. Everyone is welcome to stop by for FREE health screenings and Flu shots. No appointments or insurance are needed.

While the Lion Mobile Clinic is in Centre Hall, its Penn State Medical Students will be hosting a health program for kids at 11 AM. Kids will learn about the importance of being clean and staying away from germs!

Join us virtually or at one of our locations for any of our book clubs! Our "Booked for Murder" Club at the Bellefonte Library is having a special event this month. See below for details.

Thursday, December 14th, 6 PM: The Centre Hall Mystery Book Club won't be discussing a specific novel for the December meeting. Instead, the club is gathering to share holiday cookies and discuss their favorite books of the year. Call 814-364-2580 or stop by the Centre Hall Branch Library to sign up to attend.

Saturday, December 9th, 10 AM: Book Lovers Coffee Hour. Come discuss what you are reading with other book lovers! Please register to attend by clicking the button below and receive a Zoom link via email!

Wednesday, December 20th, 6:30 PM: The Virtual Evening Book Discussion Group will be discussing the novel, "Bridget Jones's Diary" by Helen Fielding this month. This book club will be in conjunction with a special movie night event that you can find out more about below. Please register to attend by clicking the button below and receive a Zoom link via email.

Thursday, December 21st, 6 PM: Join us for a special "Booked for Murder" holiday event! Come discuss your favorite mystery novels with your new book club friends and enjoy a potluck of snacks! Bring a snack to share. Brownie points if it is holiday or mystery themed. Click the button below to be added to our text message reminder group for the program.

Join us at the Bellefonte Library on Wednesday, December 13th at 5:30 PM for Tea Time Cinema! We will watch the popular rom-com Bridget Jones's Diary while we drink tea and eat snacks. Click the link below to sign up! This event is in conjunction with our monthly evening book club that will discuss the novel the following Wednesday on December 20th at 6:30 PM.

Kids Connect, a specially designed program for elementary and middle school youth, takes place on Thursday evenings from 6-7pm. Each week will feature a different activity: STEM, games, art, and more. Space and supplies are limited, so you must register to attend. Click the link below to register to attend any of the events.

December 7th, 6 PM: Kids in the Kitchen: Cucumber Christmas Trees (ages 5-13). Make Christmas trees out of spiral cut cucumbers!

December 14th, 6 PM: 3D Christmas Cards (ages 5-13). Join us at the library to make 3D Christmas Cards!

December 21st, 6 PM: Ice Cream Cone Christmas Trees (ages 5-13). Join us as we decorate our ice cream cones with icing and candy to make edible Christmas trees!

Join us for our special Adult and Teen events at the Holt Memorial Library this December!

Saturday, December 9th, 11 AM: Adult and Teen Book Page Christmas Tree Craft. We will make Christmas trees out of old book pages together!

Saturday, December 16th, 11 AM: Teen & Adult Book BINGO. Come to play BINGO and win books! Space is limited, so please register by calling (814) 342-1987, stopping in, or clicking the button below.

Mission

Centre County Library & Historical Museum is a free community destination providing books, information, Internet access, and technology resources to preserve our heritage and promote a lifetime of reading and learning.

Vision

Centre County Library & Historical Museum will be an inviting and vital part of our community by providing access to current technology and services to foster education and to enhance our community’s quality of life.

We are a PA Forward Library

PA Forward is an initiative of the Pennsylvania Library Association designed to increase awareness of the vital role libraries play in the well-being of their communities.

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