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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.

January Highlight

Cortland Area Library Crawl

The Cortland County Library Crawl is now the Cortland Area Library Crawl with Groton Public Library joining us this year! Last year the winter crawl didn't happen knowing that the entire Finger Lakes Library System was planning a summer library crawl. Our winter crawl is back for the 3rd year now. The crawl will occur from February 17-22. Each of the 5 Cortland County Libraries (Cincinnatus, Cortland, Homer, Marathon, and McGraw) along with Groton will be participating during their regular hours. Stop at each library, check out a book, take part in an activity, get your card signed (get your card at the first library your visit) and then repeat this at all of the libraries. After your card has been signed at all 6 libraries you can indicate on your card which library's raffle basket you would like a chance to win (only one winner per household). The winners will be announced by each library the following week. If you have more questions about the library crawl, let us know.

New at the Library!

Creative Writing Workshop

Are you in 5th-8th grade, like to write or tell stories and want something to do during February break? Phillips Free Library is holding a 2 day creative writing workshop. We will meet from 10:30am-12pm on Tuesday, February 18 and Thursday, February 20. There will be fun writing activities, snacks and time to write your own creative story.

The purpose of this workshop is to create. We are not looking for perfect spelling, grammar or spacing.

Please register: office@phillipsfreelibrary.org

Computer Cafe

The first computer cafe was a success and we look forward to the next one coming on Thursday, February 13th. The group will meet at 1:30 pm to watch a video about password protection and authentication and then practice what we've learned. Please bring your own phone or laptop to practice. No registration required.




Winter Reading Challenge

As a fun way to make it through the long stretch of winter, we will have a winter reading challenge. The challenge starts on Saturday, February 1st and runs through the last day of winter, Wednesday, March 19th. Keep track of how many books you read and enter a ticket for each one. Starting February 1 Entries will be accepted in three ways:

In Person: write your name on a ticket at the library

Phone: 607 749 4616

Online: google form (not open til 2/1)

There will be a small prize for one person in each age group, winners will be announced on the first day of spring, Thursday, March 20th.

Sensory Story Time

Dragons!

The next Sensory Story Time is on Thursday, February 20th from 6:00-6:45 pm. This story time is for all children and all abilities. The interactive stories and songs will allow for movement and accommodate varying needs. This will be followed by a time of sensory play and activities. No registration required.

New Books

Adult Fiction



The Unexpected Diva

by Tiffany L Warren

place hold here


Born into slavery on a Mississippi plantation, Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield has been raised in the safety of Philadelphia’s Quaker community by a wealthy adoptive mother. Sheltered and educated, Eliza’s happy childhood always included music lessons to nurture her unique gift: a glorious three octave singing voice that leaves listeners in awe. But on the eve of her twenty-fourth birthday, young Eliza’s world is thrown into a tailspin when her mother dies.

Eliza’s inheritance is contested by her mother’s white cousins, leaving her few options. She can marry her longtime beau, Lucien, though she has no desire to be a wife and mother. Or she can work as a tutor for rich families. Her mother’s dying wish was for Eliza to pursue her talent and become a professional singer, but that grand vision now seems out of reach.

When a chance performance on a steamboat to Buffalo, New York, leads to a surprising opportunity, fearless Eliza seizes her moment. Within a year she is touring America, singing to packed houses, and igniting controversy wherever she goes. In a country captivated by “the Swedish Nightingale” Jenny Lind, Eliza is billed by tour promoters as “the Black Swan.” An unlikely diva, Eliza is tall, dark-skinned, and robust of figure compared to the petite European prima donna, but even the harshest critics can’t deny Eliza’s extraordinary gift. Menaced by racist crowds, threatened by slave-catchers who kidnap free Black people, Eliza lives a public life full of risk, but one which also holds the promise of great riches, and the freedoms those buy.

From the churches of Philadelphia to Queen Victoria’s salon in Buckingham Palace, Eliza Greenfield will blaze her own path—with a voice that no listener will ever forget.



Picture Book


Pavlo Gets the Grumps

by Natalia Shaloshvila

place hold here


Pavlo does not feel like going to the park. Not today. He does not want to go swimming. He even says no to the movies. What’s going on, Pavlo?

Pavlo has the grumps. Though Mama suggests one fun activity after another, Pavlo doesn’t want to do any of them. Can anything cheer him up on this down day?






The Book Shelf is a monthly e-newsletter sharing the books that have arrived and are expected to arrive for the month. You can subscribe by clicking the button in the top right corner of the newsletter. See what books have arrived for January, click the Book Shelf button below.

January Book Shelf

Tech-Talk


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.



Log in to the Tech-Talk Website both username and password are: phillips


check here each month for new tips

Tech-Talk Basic Tip: Selecting Multiple Files

Tech-Talk Tip: Insert a chart into a document

Webinar of the Month: WhatsApp

Coming in March

Waterway of Change: Women and the Erie Canal

We will celebrate Women's History month and the 200th anniversary of the completion of the Erie Canal on Thursday, March 13th at 6pm. The presentation is as follows...

The Erie Canal revolutionized Upstate New York, bringing new ideas, people, and industries to the region, sparking a firestorm of change. This presentation will cover how the fight for women’s rights grew out of the changes brought about by the Erie Canal and the movement’s dependence on networks that the Canal facilitated.

Light refreshments provided. Registration preferred: office@phillipsfreelibrary.org

A Glimpse from January

January's Sensory Story Time was so much fun! The program all about snow was attended by several families. After stories and songs they had fun making their own "snow" and playing in these sensory bins.

Did You Know...

Did you know... there is a laptop public computer that is available for use on request? If you would prefer to do your work sitting on a comfy couch, just ask at the desk to use the computer. You can also print directly from this laptop computer. The computer is for use only at the library.

Monthly Poll

In honor of Valentine's Day... Would you rather receive:
100 Roses
100 pieces of chocolate

Results from our poll last month

We are in the process of getting a new website (we love our current one but the company is going out of business). So we asked you what the most important thing is on our website. Your top answer was the non-book services (3D printing, Food Pantry, Print, Copy & Fax) followed by the Catalog of Books, and Events.

Calendar of Events

February 2025

Saturday, February 1

Take Your Child to the Library Day 10am-1pm

Sunday, February 2

High School Book Club

Monday, February 3

Nifty Knitters 1p

Tuesday, February 4

Yoga #1 of 3 10:30am please register

Wednesday, February 5

Knee High Story Time 9a Numbers

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

Tioughnioga River Writers 6:30p on Zoom

Friday, February 7

Science Fair Prep Group

Monday, February 10

Nifty Knitters 1p

Family Book Club 6p

Board of Trustees 7p

Tuesday, February 11

Yoga #2 of 3

3rd & 4th gr Book Club 6p

Wednesday, February 12

Knee High Story Time 9a Sea Animals

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

Thursday, February 13

Computer Cafe 1:30p

Friday, February 14

Science Fair Prep Group

Monday, February 17 - Saturday, February 22

Cortland Area Library Crawl

Monday, February 17

Nifty Knitters 1p

Tuesday, February 18

Creative Writing Workshop Part 1 10:30a-12p 5th-8th gr please register

Wednesday, February 19

Tioughnioga River Writers 6:30p on Zoom

Thursday, February 20

Creative Writing Workshop Part 2 10:30a-12p 5th-8th gr please register

Friday, February 21

Science Fair Prep Group

Monday, Feburary 24

Nifty Knitters 1p

Tuesday, February 25

Yoga #3 of 3

LEGO Club 3rd-5th gr 4-5p

Points of View Book Club 6:30p Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

please register: ashley@phillipsfreelibrary.org

Wednesday, February 26

Knee High Story Time 9a Getting Dressed

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

Friday, February 28

Science Fair Prep Group



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Phillips Free Library

37 South Main St

Homer NY 13077

607 749 4616