December 2025 - Issue 903
 
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS


CHRISTMAS WITH THE
DERBY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Elf on the shelf!
 
Jane and Peppermint will be back at the library on December 1st! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to keep up with their holiday shenanigans.
 
 

Write a letter to Santa!
 
Starting December 1st the library will be accepting letters to Santa. Pick up a letter at the library or at Christmas in the Park. Please return your letters to the library by December 14th in order to get it to Santa in time for Christmas.
 
*Please make sure all letters have
names and addresses so Santa can write back.*
 

Derby Christmas Parade
 
Come see the library staff in the annual Derby Christmas parade!
 
Saturday, December 6th at 6:00 p.m.
Route starts at Panther Stadium and heading west on Madison
 


Christmas in the Park
 
Come enjoy the joyous holiday season at Madison Avenue Central Park! Get your photo taken with Santa, ride the carousel, listen to local musical talent, take a horse drawn carriage ride, decorate cookies, make a kids craft, and much more.
 
Saturday, December 13, 2025
NEW EVENT HOURS THIS YEAR! 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Madison Avenue Central Park
 

PROGRAMS & EVENTS
See all programs on our event calendar.



Upcoming events and registration dates
 
Derby DIY : Simplify Your Space 
January 10 at 2:00 p.m. in the Community Room
Registration opens December 15 at 9 a.m.
 
Saturday Crafternoon : Fox Coffee Sleeves
January 10 at 2:30 p.m. in the Frank Fanning Room
Registration opens December 8 at 9 a.m.
 
Marvel Trivia Night
January 16 at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room
Registration opens December 22 at 9 a.m.
 
For more information on upcoming adult programs visit our
Adult Programs page on our website.

Family Night
Mondays at 6:30 p.m.
Early Literacy Area
 
Teen Tuesday
Tuesdays at 4:00 p.m.
Community Room
 
Baby Storytime
Thursdays at 10:00 a.m.
Frank Fanning Room
 
Adventures @ the Library
Thursdays at 4:00 p.m.
Frank Fanning Room
Preschool Storytime
Tuesdays & Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m.
Early Literacy Area
 
Tween Zone
Wednesdays at 4:00 p.m.
Frank Fanning Room
 
Building Blocks Read & Play
Thursdays at 11:00 a.m.
Frank Fanning Room
 
Toddler Time
Fridays at 10:00 & 11:00 a.m.
Frank Fanning Room

YS Programming Break
 
The Winter/Spring Program Guide
will be published on
Monday, December 1st.
 
The last day of fall YS programs is
Friday, December 5th.
 
The Winter/Spring YS programs begin
Monday, January 5th.
 

Come celebrate the new year with Derby Public Library! We'll do a storytime and have crafts and activities for families to enjoy. We'll celebrate the Noon Year at noon with a countdown and balloon drop. Happy Noon Year!

INSIDE THE LIBRARY

Gathering Space Gallery
 
"An Unbroken Thread:
Weaving 75 Years of Art, Influence, and Inspiration"
by Wichita Women Artists
 
A spectacular exhibition featuring a wide range of styles and mediums from exceptionally gifted local artists is on display at the library. It is a breathtaking display of creativity, inviting art lovers to explore works that span from abstract fluidity to traditional portraiture.

The exhibition is proudly presented by the venerable Wichita Women Artists organization, which is celebrating its 75th Anniversary of making and sharing art within the community. For three-quarters of a century, this foundational group has championed female artists, fostered creative growth, and cemented itself as a cornerstone of the regional arts scene.

This year's showcase is a true celebration of artistic diversity, featuring works from dozens of talented members. The show brings together a wide variety of distinct techniques, exemplified by pieces such as the vibrant, emotive landscapes of Pam Hayes, created using dynamic, free-flowing alcohol ink. Other featured highlights include the intricate craftsmanship of Jan Butler, who presents works utilizing the unique and delicate rice paper batik technique, and the elegant, detailed floral compositions of Cheryl Lindstrom, rendered with precision and depth using classic oil paints.
 

Calico Tom
by Cheryl Lindstrom
Cardinal and the Lamp Post
by Susan Gessler

High Wall Gallery

"Travels and Traditions"
by Susan Gessler
 
Derby Public Library is thrilled to welcome local resident and artist Susan Gessler to the High Wall Gallery in her solo exhibition, "Travels and Traditions."

Susan’s work is a vibrant celebration of lifelong creativity, serving as a reminder that artistry is a process to be enjoyed in every season of life—and that one is never "too old" to learn and perfect a craft. After years of engaging in various creative endeavors, Susan discovered a deep passion for painting. She initially worked in acrylics but has recently expanded her artistry to include both watercolors and oils, with works in all three mediums featured in this show.

The exhibit’s "Travels" theme is beautifully illustrated by pieces inspired by the scenic and beautiful locations she and her husband have encountered on their journeys. Alongside these landscapes, visitors will find her favorite subjects: detailed and striking portraits of birds and animals. Susan views the continuous challenge of creating art as a source of great joy and peace.

The "Traditions" element of the show is a heartwarming nod to family. Inspired by the memory of her grandmother—a talented artist who focused on oils—Susan is proudly including one of her grandmother’s original oil paintings in the exhibit. This beautiful inclusion of artistic passion bridging generations anchors the show’s compelling title.
 

Gathering Space Gallery
Display Case
 
Derby Public Library Unveils Whimsical Winter Wonderland:
Annual Snowman Showcase Returns
 
Stop in for a frosty and festive treat! The Derby Public Library is delighted to share the return of Betty Wilken's beloved Snowman Display, providing a festive holiday display perfect for visitors of all ages.

Instead of falling snowflakes, dozens of charming snowmen are nestled in the library display case, each one possessing its own distinct personality and style. Betty's collection features cheerful creations, ensuring guests encounter a wide array of whimsical winter characters.

This showcase serves as a perfect, free-of-charge outing to spark holiday cheer and provides a fun, welcoming entrance into the library where visitors can select holiday books. It's an imaginative journey through winter artistry that brightens the library during the holiday season.
 
 
Follow along at https://www.facebook.com/DerbyArtsCouncil to tour the galleries from home or learn more about art!


ALL THINGS BOOKS

The Christmas Murder Game
by Alexandra Benedict
The Holiday Cottage
by Sarah Morgan

How My Neighbor Stole Christmas by Meghan Quinn
Lovelight Farms
by B.K. Borison

Santa Cruise
by Mary Higgins Clark &
Carol Higgins Clark
Snowed in for Christmas
by Jaqueline Snowe

The Big Mess
by Greg Pizzoli
Franny the Jelly Bean Fairy
by Daisy Meadows

Little House in the Big Woods
by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Squish & Seek
by Megan Roth


Looking for someplace to discuss books? We've got you covered!
 
We have four active book groups here at the library that are open to everyone. If you love to read and talk about the books you read, pop in to one or more of the book groups!
 
Hauntingly Good Reads — meets at 7 p.m. December 2. The title for December is All Systems Red by Martha Wells. The book club will meet in person in the Frank Fanning Conference Room.
 
Bemused Bibliophiles — meets at 1 p.m. December 3. The title for December is The Paris Express by Emma Donoghue. The book club will meet for a private event this month.
 
Wine & YA — meets at 6 p.m. December 12. The title for December is The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares. The book club will meet in person in the Community Room for a discussion and to watch the movie.
 
Joyful Page Turners — will NOT meet in December.
 
Bemused Bibliophiles meets during the day and reads popular books that have been on the bestseller list. Hauntingly Good Reads meets in the evening and explores all kinds of books that have a supernatural/magical/unexplainable kind of bent—we look far beyond the traditional vampires, ghosts and witches. Wine & YA is our newest book club centered around young adult novels and adults who love to read them. Joyful Page Turners is the most enduring book club at the library—it's been meeting regularly since May 2000! Books selected for this book club include just about everything: classics, modern bestsellers, non-fiction, and more.
 
Click the blue "Read More" button below to visit the book club page on the library website, where you can find lists of books each book club has read.
 

But wait there's more!

 
 
Get your copy of
Celebrating Derby now!
 
Celebrating Derby — 150 Years: 1869-2019 is a wonderful book that lets you see what life was like in the early years of the town we call Derby, but was originally named El Paso.
 
Pick up your copy today at the library for $20.
Now available!
A new Derby history book!
 
Derby Kansas...two different cities is the newest addition to the Derby Historical Society & Museums books on the history of Derby. Learn more about the early inhabitants and the expansion that leads us to the Derby we know today!
 
Pick up your copy today
at the library for $15.
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