The Social Library, Volume 2

Jennifer Peterson /

We continue our Social Library feature surfacing some of the amazing work we see coming from libraries we follow on Facebook. While we didn't include you in the list below, a special nod to the many libraries celebrating Dr Seuss' birthday this week!

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.”

Here are the exciting things we discovered are happening at five libraries this week:

  • The Clear Creek County Library District in Colorado is hosting their monthly Adult Craft Group in March, with a focus on beading and bracelets. As they say, "The kids shouldn't have all the fun at the Library!"
  • At their Asian Pacific Resource Center (APRC), the County Library of Los Angeles offered the Japanese Lunch Box: Bento Demonstration for patrons to "learn the history of this elaborate lunch box tradition and see how to make delectable morsels to brighten your lunch." The APRC collection focuses on the Asian American / Pacific Islander American experience, with core holdings on the history, art, and culture of China, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, Vietnam, Hawaii, and American Samoa.
  • Last week, the Eisenhower Public Library District in Illinois hosted Coffee with the Director at the local Fannie Schmoe's Bakery. "Have questions about your library? You're invited to stop in tonight for a free cup of coffee with library director Stacy Wittmann and share your thoughts, comments and suggestions." What an excellent way to get out in the community and provide a casual 2-hour window for people to drop in and chat!
  • At the Tooele City Library in Utah, adults can attend the series, Parenting with Love & Logic, hosted in collaboration with USU Extension. Or for the younger set, the library hosts a weekly Minecraft Meetup for teens and tweens to create virtual worlds.
  • The Maurice M. Pine Library in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, started a Recipe Club to meet monthly to discuss and exchange ideas on cooking, nutrition and favorite recipes. Participants are welcome to bring samples of food items to taste and share, and will talk about money-saving ideas and “couponing”.  At future meetings the group will have speakers on a variety of topics. And the library also opens its art space to the public for the Art Lovers Open Studio, an opportunity to sit and draw from a still life, dressed model or pet, with a different still life each month. Participants are asked to bring their own drawing supplies.

We look forward to seeking out next week's treasures from the libraries we follow on Facebook. If you have innovative and impactful programs going on at your library that you'd like to showcase, let us know at [email protected], or find us on Facebook. Thanks to all of this week's featured libraries for such outstanding service to your communities!