December Newsletter

Our annual gingerbread house contest—plus, looking forward to 2024!

December 4, 2023

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    Library Director’s Message

    Hello!

    I can’t believe another year has gone by…. and this one has been a full one! I am so proud of all that we have accomplished this year. Our collection grew to 102,321 physical items, and we served 75,990 visitors last year. Most notably, we completed a community survey in November and received more than 450 responses. Your input and ideas were vital to our library’s planning. Thank you so much for sharing your feedback on programs, services, spaces, staff, and collection. While the feedback was generally positive, we identified opportunities to improve our services. Our full plan will be ready in January 2024 and in the meantime, I can share that we’ve identified four priorities over the next three years: Engaging Community, Supporting Literacy, Fostering Connection in a Divided World, and Enriching Lives Through the Arts & Culture. I am excited for what the coming year(s) will bring!

    As 2023 comes to a close we are hosting our 14th annual gingerbread contest and the annual Kensington Garden Club Holiday Tree. This year, the winter white tree is decorated with a candy theme in colors of red, pink, blue, and of course gingerbread! You can see it twinkling in our front window, and I hope you will come in to look at both the tree and the gingerbread houses decorated by members of our community that will be on display December 14-29.

    It seems to me that all these things – our strategic planning and special holiday celebrations – reflect perfectly the introspection we often feel this time of year. We reflect on things past, take time to savor the sweetness of the everyday, make special efforts to create joy, and ponder what the future may look like. We look forward to you being a part of our future. Happy holidays!

    Warmly,
    Kim

    Closed for Staff Training

    Thursday, December 19

    Closed for Christmas

    Friday, December 22 to Monday, December 25

    Closed for New Year’s Day

    Monday, January 1

    Uplifting and Inspirational Books

    Short Books

    New Holiday Books

    Events

    Check out the Events Page to see upcoming events!

    POPSUGAR Reading Challenge

    POPSUGAR Reading Challenge

    Sunday, January 1 to Sunday, December 31
    Read books from the POPSUGAR reading challenge list and win prizes throughout the year.
    Digital Safety for Everyone

    Digital Safety for Everyone

    Monday, December 4
    6:30 pm to 7:30 pm
    Learn how to keep yourself safe when using the internet.
    Senior Center Book Club

    Senior Center Book Club

    Wednesday, December 6
    1:30 pm to 2:30 pm
    Join us at the Senior Center for a discussion of Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan. Contact the library for a copy of the book.
    Sit & Knit

    Sit & Knit

    Thursday, December 7
    6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
    Join us for knitting and good company.
    Movie Matinee: Oppenheimer

    Movie Matinee: Oppenheimer

    Friday, December 8
    1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
    Join us for an afternoon movie!
    14th Annual Gingerbread House Contest

    14th Annual Gingerbread House Contest

    Saturday, December 9 to Monday, December 18
    Celebrate the season with delicious decorations!
    Saturday Morning Book Club

    Saturday Morning Book Club

    Saturday, December 9
    10:30 am to 11:30 am
    Choose your own uplifting or inspirational book to discuss!
    The Christmas Star

    The Christmas Star

    Tuesday, December 12
    6:30 pm to 7:30 pm
    Discover the history and science behind one of the most famous astronomical event in all history: the Star of Bethlehem
    Sit & Knit

    Sit & Knit

    Thursday, December 14
    1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
    Join us for knitting and good company.
    Movie Matinee: Winter's Tale

    Movie Matinee: Winter's Tale

    Friday, December 15
    1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
    Join us for an afternoon movie!
    Dementia Caregiver Support Group

    Dementia Caregiver Support Group

    Monday, December 18
    1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
    Join us to share practical information, feelings, needs and concerns. This group meets monthly as a safe place for caregivers, family and friends of persons with dementia.
    Cookbook Club Cookie Swap!

    Cookbook Club Cookie Swap!

    Monday, December 18
    6:30 pm to 7:30 pm
    Cookie swap is back! Bring 3-4 dozen cookies of one type, a container to bring cookies home, and one photocopy of your recipe.
    Staff Training

    Staff Training

    Tuesday, December 19
    The library will be closed for a staff training day.
    Sit & Knit

    Sit & Knit

    Thursday, December 21
    6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
    Join us for knitting and good company.
    Booking Around Brrrlin: Community Scavenger Hunt!

    Booking Around Brrrlin: Community Scavenger Hunt!

    Wednesday, December 27 to Saturday, January 27
    Winter fun for the whole family!
    Sit & Knit

    Sit & Knit

    Thursday, December 28
    1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
    Join us for knitting and good company.
    All-Year Reading Challenge

    All-Year Reading Challenge

    Monday, January 1 to Tuesday, December 31
    Read books and win cool pins!
    Six Word Memoir Contest

    Six Word Memoir Contest

    Monday, January 1 to Wednesday, January 31
    Sum up your life (or your day) in six words!