What's happening at YOUR library!
January 2022
Winter Reading Challenge
Winter Reading 2021. December 13 through January 31.
Keep brains active by reading this winter with the Aloha Community Library! What better way to spend your time at home this winter than cuddled up with a good book and warm cup of cocoa? Track reading and activities through Monday, January 31st with our winter reading activity sheet to claim a free book at the library starting in January. For ages 0-18. Learn more >>
 
Upcoming Closures
As a reminder, the Aloha Community Library will be closed all day on Saturday, January 1st in observance of New Year's Day.
 
Sign reading, "Sorry, we're closed, but still awesome."
The library may also close unexpectedly due to inclement weather. In the case of ice, snow, or other weather events, please confirm our hours before visiting by calling 503-259-0185 or visiting our website or Facebook page.
 
Year End Fundraising
 
"The Aloha library brings our family so much joy!"
– Marissa Emery, Year End 2021 donor
 
Help us get closer to our $40,000 fundraising goal!
 
There are just two more days left of our Year End fundraising campaign, and we're so grateful to all the supporters who have made a difference in our community by donating to our library so far.
 
If you haven't already done so, we hope you'll consider making a financial gift to the Aloha Community Library Association before midnight on Friday, December 31st!
 
"Love your little library! [...] Such a nice option!"
– Kimberly Bodley, Year End 2021 donor
 
Fundraising thermometer at 47%. Powered by CauseVox.
 
Donate online now.
 
Other ways to give.
The Aloha Community Library Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Your donation is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Federal Tax ID #45-2937097.
 
Messy Arts and Crafts
While we may or may not see more snowflakes fall from the sky this year, we can still make some beautiful snowflakes of our own! Our Messy Arts and Crafts take and make kit this month has everything you need to experiment with blending colors and cutting shapes while creating snowflakes that you can hang in your window during the winter season.
 
Pick up your kit during open hours starting Monday, January 3rd. Kits are available on a first come, first served basis while supplies last. For kids.
 
Colorful crafted snowflakes.
Craft Kits for Adults
This fun and accessible craft kit for adults shows you how to create intricate paper snowflakes to embrace the season with festive flair! These geometric decorations, often referred to online as "Finnish Stars," likely draw their name from the traditional Finnish himmeli – which, according to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, are geometric straw mobiles displayed from Christmas until Midsummer, "to ensure a good crop for the coming year."
 
Get started right away with this simple Instructables tutorial, or pick up a take and make kit from the library during open hours starting Monday, January 17th while supplies last!
 
Paper star or snowflake.
Read more about the modern impact of the himmeli in this fascinating New York Times profile of Eija Koski, who is "regarded internationally as one of [the himmeli's] most talented producers." (Free access to the New York Times is available with your library card.)
 

Book Club
Our next book club selection is Exhalation by Ted Chiang! We're mixing it up in a few ways this month. This is the first science fiction book we've chosen. Check it out if you gravitate to books that ask big questions and expand a sense of what is possible. It's also a short story collection, so there's no need to read it cover to cover – if free time is especially scarce, or you're not liking one of the stories, bop around and read what works for you!
 
Exhalation is available to reserve from our catalog in multiple formats, including downloadable audiobook.
 
Book cover of "Exhalation" by Ted Chiang.
Join the discussion online at bit.ly/ACLbkclub on Wednesday, January 5th at 6:30-7:30pm, or call 253-215-8782 to join by phone. Meeting ID: 924 6989 8432 Passcode: 037016
 
Time for Storytime
Join us online for Storytime Anytime! A new video with books, songs, and rhymes presented by librarians Katie or Jesse is recorded and uploaded every Tuesday. Follow us on Facebook for notifications of weekly drops, or view current and past recordings whenever you like.
 
Librarians Jesse and Katie present storytimes.
For a live storytime experience, attend our Virtual Pajama Storytime on Zoom at 10:30am every Friday! Wear your comfiest pajamas, visit with our friends Narwhal and Unicorn, read and sing together, and interact with other children, all from the comfort of your home. (Please note that there will be no Pajama Storytime on December 31st.)
 
Keeping Out the Cold
Our winter clothing free store has closed, and overall we served 91 visitors who picked up clothing for themselves (and in many cases their friends and relatives, too).
 
Thank you to everyone who donated clothing (and more) for helping to keep our neighbors warm!
 
The library's warm clothing free store.
Events & Programs
There's more going on at the library than just what we've got room for in this issue of our newsletter! Visit our online calendar to check out what we have scheduled this month for all ages.
A hand holds a smartphone displaying the library's online calendar.
building hours & location   |   current services   |   programs & events
       
Aloha Community Library
alohalibrary.org
503-259-0185
The Aloha Community Library Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
We invite you to make a donation today in support of library operations.