A heartfelt thank-you to the team of eight SRFOL volunteers who worked diligently to sand and paint wood blocks for the Children's space, with funding generously provided by the Scripps Ranch Women's Club.

Pictured above (from left to right) are Diane Rider, a past SRFOL president; Jan McGinn, current SRFOL president; Beth Surrell, a past Women's Club president; and Renie Martin, the current Women's Club president.

The beautifully crafted shelf blocks have now been installed and are already serving their purpose, preventing children's books from slipping behind the shelves. This small but impactful improvement is making the Children's area more organized and user-friendly! We deeply appreciate everyone who contributed their time, effort, and support to make this project a success!

Now Is the Perfect Time to Join SRFOL!

Become a member of the Scripps Ranch Friends of the Library (SRFOL) today, and your membership will be valid through December 2025! If you love our library, are an avid reader, enjoy free library programs, or want to give back to your community, now is the time to grow from a library user to a true Friend of the library.

We offer six levels of annual membership, ranging from $5 to $100, all of which come with great perks: a free book when you spend more than $5 at Grace’s Book Nook and priority entrance to our book sales. Plus, every dollar of your membership supports our library! Want to show even greater support? Become a Life Member with a one-time contribution of $250 or more and enjoy all the benefits without annual renewals.

Membership forms are available at the library entrance and in Grace’s Book Nook, or you can join online at https://www.srfol.org/join.htm.

Did you know that becoming a Friend allows you to participate in special projects, like creating book boards for the Children’s Library? It’s a rewarding way to make a direct impact on our library and our community.

Join today and make a difference!

Celebrate the Lunar New Year with a Lion Dance Extravaganza! 

Ring in the Lunar New Year with an electrifying Lion Dance performance by the GDPT Chánh Kiến Buddhist Youth Association! Join us on Thursday, January 25, at 3 p.m. for this vibrant and festive celebration. Don’t miss this exciting cultural experience sponsored by SRFOL—fun for the whole family! 🦁🎉

The New Year brings a wealth of great programs for children, teens, and families.   For complete details and updates, check our website. Highlighted events are sponsored by SRFOL.  

The Griffins of Elderwood Read Aloud 

Tuesdays @ 3 pm 

Join local author Janet Racciato as she reads from The Griffins of Elderwood series. Chiara and Zae team up with unlikely allies to protect their village from wyverns. Recommended for ages 8 and up. 

Storytime 

Wednesdays & 1st/3rd Thursdays @ 10 am 

Enjoy books, songs, egg shakers, and sign language for toddlers and preschoolers. 

FIRST Robotics: Intermediate Level 

January 4 @ 10 am 

Ages 8-16 will design, build, and program robots in preparation for FIRST competitions. No prior experience needed, but preferred. 

Chess Club 

January 4 & 18 @ 11 am–1 pm 

Play chess with other families! Hosted by Level UP Enrichment. Ages 6-12. 

Craft Program with ToshWerks 

January 8 & 22 @ 4 pm 

Hands-on DIY projects for ages 8 and up. Registration required. 

One Point Perspective Neon Signs with ArtReach 

January 9 @ 3 pm 

Create neon-themed cityscapes using posca markers. Ages 8+. 

Mini Movers and Music 

January 13 & 27 @ 11:30 am 

Energetic dance and movement class for young children with new themes weekly. 

Family Art Project: Winter Wonderland Trees 

January 16 @ 3 pm 

Create winter-themed tree art with Stacie Greene. 

Pajama Signing Story Time 

January 14 @ 6 pm 

Cozy up in your pajamas for stories and Baby Sign Language. 

Art Class with Art Smarts 

January 15 @ 4 pm 

Fun art activities for ages 5-17. Supplies provided, first come, first served. 

Family Board Game Afternoon 

January 25 @ 2–4 pm 

Enjoy award-winning board games for ages 2-17 with Toy Hermit. 

Kamishibai StoryBox Theatre 

January 28 @ 6 pm 

Experience dramatic storytelling with a wooden theatre in this Japanese tradition. 

🎶 Ralph's World Musical Singalong 🎶 



Kick off 2025 and the Winter Reading Challenge with an exciting music concert for young children! Join us on January 8 at 10 am for a lively singalong featuring Ralph's World, known for his incredible kids' rock music that's perfect for preschoolers. Ralph has been featured on the Disney Channel, YouTube, and the TV Treehouse Concert series. Don’t miss this energetic and fun-filled event that will have little ones dancing and singing along!

Ensure your little ones are reaching their milestones with a free Developmental Milestone Screening at our library, provided by First 5 Healthy Development Services (HDS) on Monday, January 13, from 2:30–6:30 pm. These no-cost checkups are designed for children from birth through 5 years old and help parents track their child’s growth and development. HDS also connects families to valuable resources and services to support their child’s well-being. Don’t miss this opportunity to give your child a strong start!

The Book Group gathered on December 12 for our favorite meeting of the year—our annual potluck and “choose next year’s books” event! With plates full of delicious dishes, we brainstormed book suggestions on large sheets of paper, then took turns pitching our picks to the group. After lively discussions, we voted to narrow down 22 fantastic suggestions to the 11 books we’ll be reading in 2025. 

Our January book is Tom Lake by Ann Patchett. Join us for a lively discussion on Thursday, January 23, from 12:30–2 pm in the library’s Seminar Room. Feel free to bring your lunch as we dive into this compelling story. New members are always welcome, so don’t hesitate to stop by! Copies of the books are available at the circulation desk—grab one and join the conversation. In February, we’ll be reading Some Luck by Jane Smiley. The full list of our 2025 selections will be available soon on the SRFOL website.

This month's recommendation comes from Linda Dami, Youth Services Librarian, Kensington Normal Heights Library.

Linda recommends: Sir Hereward and Mister Fitz: Stories of the Witch Knight and the Puppet Sorcerer by Garth Nix. Sir Hereward and Mister Fitz is the perfect collection of short stories for fans of swashbuckling tales and adventure, with some fantasy and magic splashed in. If you are a fan of Dungeons & Dragons, you will especially enjoy these tales. To read Linda’s full review, check out the December 1st, 2024 issue of The San Diego Union-Tribune.

Check out the book here:

“Sir Hereward and Mister Fitz: Stories of the Witch Knight and the Puppet Sorcerer,” by Garth Nix

Playlist

The “Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser” stories, by Fritz Leiber

“Don Quixote,” by Miguel de Cervantes, translated by Edith Grossman;

Audiobook on CD

“The Three Musketeers,” by Alexandre Dumas

“Legends and Lattes,” by Travis Baldree; Downloadable Audiobook

Recommended Reads is an ongoing partnership with The San Diego Union-Tribune. Every other week, Behind the Desk goes in-depth on the books we recommend. Read the Sunday Paper to see our most recent reviews or view our past archive on the SDPL website: sandiego.gov/sdplreviews