February 2024: Volume 3, Issue 2

Do you adore the library? Check out some of our love-themed library happenings below!

We want to spend Library Lovers' month celebrating what library lovers love about the library! The celebration has started with the creation of an infographic (below) that tells the story of how people use the library. But, data about library usage doesn't tell the story of how people feel about the library and the effect that it has on their lives.

Help us tell your library stories by letting us know what you love about the library! Let other people know why you use the library, what it means to you, and the effect it has had on you (or your family's) life. By filling out the library love survey below, you can help us tell that story and earn a chance to win an Amazon gift card or 4 passes to Urban Air Adventure & Trampoline Park! Drawings will occur on March 1st.

Note: You can answer the survey anonymously and indicate whether or not you would like to enter the drawing.

The Bellefonte Library is offering something very special this February: blind dates! These aren’t the dates you think. You don’t have to go out, there are no awkward moments, and you can

check out multiple at a time. No, these dates are not people. The dates are books, wrapped up

like presents, waiting eagerly for you to unwrap and read them.

Checking out a blind date is very easy. You just pick up a book from the display, and bring it to

the circulation desk like any other item. The twist is that you only know the genre, first line, and

audience of the book. Unwrap it when you get home and your reading can commence!

Last year in 2023, the blind dates included books appropriate for all ages. This year, that age inclusivity will continue. Additionally, each of the

books will be a staff recommendation. The catch is that once you remove the wrapping on the blind dates of 2024, they are guaranteed to have an ugly cover. Come down to the Bellefonte Library today and pick out a date! Sometimes it’s best to go in blind.

Thousands of people (including you!) utilize the libraries every day in Centre County. The infographic above tells the story of what users were doing at the Centre County Library and Historical Museum locations--real and virtual--during 2023. See how you fit among the other users of the library. How many of the 85,634 visits to our locations was you? Did you borrow more or less items than our average of 26? Thank you for using the library!

Do you know a young author or illustrator that has stories to tell? Let them know about our Young Author and Illustrator competition! Storytellers can work alone to write and illustrate a story or work with a friend. Entries will be judged by grade level. 3 winners and 2 honorable mentions will be chosen for each grade. All placing stories are eligible to be purchased as a hardbound book for your personal library at the cost of $22.00 per book. The 1st place winning stories will be bound as a hardback book that will stay in the library’s permanent collection. What an opportunity! Click the link below to learn more and download materials.

All of our locations will be closed on President's Day, Monday, Feb. 19th for a staff development day. Normal operation hours will resume on Tuesday, Feb. 20th.

Has your child been feeling cooped up this winter? Are they ready to run around with their friends? Sign them up for an evening of Nerf, pizza, and fun at the library! Bring your own dart shooter, we’ll provide the darts. This is event is appropriate for ages 10 to 14 and requires registration. Click the button below to register!

On Friday, February 9th at 10:30 AM, bring your children and babies (ages 0-6) down to the Bellefonte Library to dance and sing with their friends to popular kids songs! It's sure to be a fun time. There is no need to sign up, just drop in!

Drop by the Centre Hall Area Branch Library on Saturday, Feb. 10th any time between 10 AM-2 PM to make a love monster craft! All craft materials will be supplied.

Do you know any older adults who would like to get better at connecting to the internet? Let them know about the latest free technology class that is coming on Monday, February 12th at 4:00 PM to the Centre Hall Area Branch Library: Connecting to the Internet! This class will be provided by Mid-State Literacy Council, partnered with Senior Planet from AARP. It is intended for people over 50 who would like to learn new online skills.

Call 814-238-1809 or email agiedroc@mid-stateliteracycouncil.org to register.

Do you want some extra help with using the Libby App to download FREE e-books and audiobooks? Come down to the Centre Hall Area Branch Library on Tuesday, Feb. 20th from 6PM-7PM or Wednesday, Feb. 21st, 11AM-12PM for a tutorial on how to download and use the Libby App. There's no need to register, just stop by!

Bring yourself and your family to get free health screenings! The Lion Mobile Clinic will be stopping by the Centre Hall Area Branch Library on Monday, February 26th from 10 AM to 12 PM. Everyone is welcome to stop by for FREE health screenings. 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! We even have a book club for book lovers who prefer talking about books in general rather than a specific book. See below for details.

Wednesday, February 7th, 1 PM: Join the Philipsburg afternoon Book Club as they discuss the book, "The Dictionary of Lost Words," by Pip Williams. New members are welcome! No registration is necessary.

Thursday, February 8th, 6 PM: The Centre Hall Mystery Book Club is discussing the mystery novel, "Iron Lake" by William Kent Krueger for the February meeting. Call 814-364-2580 or stop by the Centre Hall Branch Library to sign up to attend.

Saturday, February 10th, 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, February 21st, 6:30 PM: The Virtual Evening Book Discussion Group will be discussing the novel, "The Vanishing Half" by Brit Bennett this month. Please register to attend by clicking the button below and receive a Zoom link via email.

Thursday, February 22nd, 6 PM: Join us for our "Booked for Murder" mystery book club at the Bellefonte Library! This month, we will discuss the novel, "Double Indemnity" by James M. Cain. This book club will be in conjunction with our virtual film club this month. The film club will be watching the film "Double Indemnity". Click the button below to be added to our text message reminder group for the Booked for Murder book club.

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.

February 1st, 6 PM: LEGO Wind Racers Challenge (ages 5-13). Come design LEGO cars and race them against your friends!

February 8th, 6 PM: Pizza Heart Valentine Card Craft (ages 5-13). Join us as we make a pizza shaped Valentine card!

February 15th, 6 PM: Kids Book BINGO! (ages 5-13). Play BINGO and win books!

February 22nd, 6 PM: Kids in the Kitchen: Veggie Flowers (ages 5-13). Join us as we turn veggies into flowers and then eat our creations!

February 29th, 6 PM: Tornado in a Bottle! (ages 5-13). Penn State's Weather Outreach and Education will be visiting and leading a presentation about tornado formation and will have kids create a tornado in a bottle!

Saturday, February 17th, 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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