What's Happening at the Library?
November 2025
From the Director
Recently, I was reading this article, "Beyond Books," about Saint Louis County Library (SLCC) and its Director, Kristen Sorth. Sorth makes a clear case for libraries as community hubs. “In this world, it’s becoming increasingly clear that there are places people need, and the public library is one of them,” she says. She also says, “We want everyone to be able to access the library, and we don't care where they live." Did you know that you can access SLCC? Washington Public Library (and Scenic Regional Library) has a reciprocal agreement with SLCC. You can stop at a branch of SLCC and get an SLCC library card - remember to bring your ID with your current address. We also have a reciprocal agreement with St. Charles County Library System. This is one way that libraries across Missouri are working together to expand access to books & information, and to serve their communities in creative ways.
See you at the Library!

Halloween at the Library
Halloween Creature Scavenger Hunt
Thursday & Friday, October 30th & 31st Halloween Scavenger Hunt Dress up in your favorite costume for a Halloween Creature Hunt. Pick up a scavenger hunt form at the lower circulation desk, find all the spooky creatures in the children’s section and win a festive treat. Fun for all ages!
 
Closures
Library Closed 
November 11, 27, and 28, All Day
 
Library is closed on Tuesday November 11 for Veterans Day, and is closed on Thursday Nov 27 and Friday Nov 28 for Thanksgiving. "Crafting and Creativity" will be postponed a week to November 18. 
Friends of the Library
National Friends of the Libraries Week
National Friends of the Libraries week was October 15 - 21. The Friends of Washington Public Library have had another busy year. Thank You to our Friends for your support of the Library. If you're curious what they've been doing this past year, click here for highlights.
 
Calling All Bibliophiles! 
Scenic Regional Fall Book Sale, November 6 - 8
Scenic Regional's Fall Books Sale will be held at each branch with the following hours:
  • Friends Preview, Wednesday November 5, 5pm - 6pm
  • Thursday, November 6, 9am - 8pm
  • Friday, November 7, 9am - 6pm
  • Saturday, November 8, 9am - 5pm
We partner closely with Scenic Regional on sharing materials and programs.  Strong partner libraries help Washington Public Library stay strong. Support our friends at Scenic Regional in November by shopping at their sale. Keep Missouri libraries strong. (Washington Library will not have a special sale. We will offer our normal lobby sale.)
 
Electronic Resources  
Craft & Hobby
Unlock your creative potential with the largest resource of video-on-demand learning in the craft and hobby space. Learn at your own pace with step-by-step tutorials in 20 different creative interests. Sketching, painting, photography, woodworking, cake design and much more. You need your library card number to access.
What Do I Read Next?
Looking for a good book? A puzzling mystery, or an historical thriller? A sweet romance, or topical nonfiction? Now you can get recommended reads sent to your inbox. With almost 20 categories of recommendations, you can select whatever category you want to receive. You're in complete control. Make changes to your subscriptions whenever you want.
Pronunciator
Pronunciator offers lessons in 80 languages, including Arabic, French, German, Russian, and Spanish. The online language learning program incorporates learning guides, music, film, and more. Many language lessons have sections designed for learners as young as ages 3–6. In addition, it offers an English as a Second Language curriculum. To log in: enter your library card number.
Printing at the Library
Princh Mobile Printing
Is your home printer out of ink? You can use your own mobile device or laptop to easily and securely print at our library! Print from anywhere, using Princh. Then pickup your prints at the Library. Click on the Princh Logo for more details.
Writers Corner - Indie Author Support
Visit the Writers Corner: Create - Share - Discover
Need help with formatting your book? Help with finding an audience? Visit Washington Public Library's "Writer's Corner: Create - Share - Discover" to find help creating and formatting your book with Pressbook, sharing it with the Indie Author Project, and discovering other Indie Authors. 
 
Download the Biblioboard app or click here to discover some of Missouri's Indie Authors and read their e-books.
 
Programs For Children/Family
Family Sushi Class
Friday, November 7th from 4:00-5:00 p.m. Family Sushi Class Learn to use a sushi mat, work with sticky rice, and choose your own ingredients (vegetarian options and no raw fish). A fun experience for the whole family. Registration begins Monday, October 27th.
 
Tot Time
Thursdays in November, 9am and 10am
Library Meeting Room

Stories, songs and finger-plays for children under age 3. No Tot Time Thursday November 27, due to Thanksgiving.
Preschool Storytimes
Fridays in November, 10:00 am
Library Meeting Room.

Join us on Fridays for stories and songs for ages 3-6. Take Home Crafts are provided. No Storytime on Friday, November 28 due to Thanksgiving.
 
Wagging Tales
Monday, November 10, 5:00 p.m.
Library Meeting Room
Join the Franklin County Humane Society dogs at the library. Reading to dogs is a great way for children to practice their reading skills, and make a furry friend at the same time.
 
Legos Club
Tuesday, November 18 , 3:30 p.m.
Library Meeting Room
We supply the Legos; you supply the creativity. Legos Club meets the third Tuesdays of the Month.
Turkey Bingo
Wednesday, November 26th from 9:00-10:00 a.m. or 10:30-11:30 a.m. Turkey BINGO Kids, come play Bingo at the library. Winners will gobble up great prizes. Please choose only one session to attend. Family.
 
Programs For Adults
Saturday Wordsmiths Studio
Saturday, November 1, 10:00 a.m.
Library Meeting Room
Interested in writing but can't make the library's regular Wordsmiths meeting? Try the Wordsmiths Studio. This group will have a different focus than the Wednesday Wordsmiths group. Anyone can attend! They meet the 1st Saturday of the month @ 10:00 a.m.
Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar
Wednesday Morning Book Club
Wednesday, November 5, 10:00 am
Library Meeting Room
This month join us at the new date for a discussion of "Martyr!" by Kaveh Akbar. Wednesday Morning Book Club meets the 1st Wednesday of each month @ 10:00 a.m.

You can find a reading list here: https://www.washmolib.org/book-clubs/.
 
Ulysses & Julia Grant's Missouri Love Story
Authors Vicki and Jim Erwin relate the Grants’ early life, their courtship, their life in Missouri and how that life shaped their future. Author talk and book signing sponsored by Friends of the Library and Neighborhood Reads. Thursday, November 6, 6:30 p.m.
 
Art Club for ages 16 & up
Wednesday, November 12 , 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Library Meeting Room
Art Club is a space for artists (16 and older) to meet and work on projects, get advice, learn new skills and have fun. Washington staff will lead the group. ages 16 & up.
 
My Fatal First Date
Thursday, November 13th at 6:30 p.m. Friends Author: Christopher Smith "My Fatal First Date." Imagine waking up in a hospital, paralyzed and unable to speak, only to learn you've been shot in the head in a horrifying act of domestic violence. This is the story of Chris Smith, a 50-something-year-old contractor from rural Illinois, who was shot in the head while on a first date with a woman he met online. He was the lucky one because his date was murdered, both shot by her ex-boyfriend who was stalking her. Adult.
 
Gilmore Girls Craft-a-Thon
Friday, November 14th from Noon-3:00 p.m. Gilmore Girls Craft-A-Thon Join us for a Gilmore Girls themed afternoon! The library will have a variety of fall crafts to work on while watching a few episodes of Gilmore Girls. We’ll provide coffee, coffee, coffee with free mugs to take home. Feel free to bring snacks and your own craft projects! Teen/Adult.
 
Crafting & Creativity
Tuesday, November 19, 6:00 p.m.
Library Meeting Room
Don’t consider yourself an artistic person but still love to create? This is the club for you. Find delight in the act of creation without concern for the final products quality. Each month we’ll have a theme for a craft or art project. Due to a Holiday, in November we will meet on the third Thursday. All supplies provided. Ages 12 & Up
Washington Wordsmiths
Wednesday, November 19, 6:00 p.m.
Library Meeting Room

Writers submit a writing sample (short story, poem, novel chapter) to discuss at the meeting. Writers of all abilities are welcome. Please contact the library if you have questions or would like to be on the meeting submissions list. 
Jayber Crow [sound recording] :  the life story of Jayber Crow, barber, of the Port William membership, as written by himself by Wendell Berry
Wednesday Evening Book Club
Wednesday, November 19, 6:30 p.m.
Library Meeting Room

Join the Book Club for a discussion of "Jayber Crow" by Wendell Berry. Library supplies all copies of the book. Wednesday Book club meets the 3rd Wednesdays of each month @ 6:30 p.m.




You can find a reading list here: https://www.washmolib.org/book-clubs/.
Harry Potter and the sorcerer's stone by J. K. Rowling
Made Into Movies
 Monday, November 24, 10:00 a.m.
Library Meeting Room

A book/movie club for individuals interested in answering the question, "Was the book really better than the movie?" Ages 18 & up. This club meets the Last Monday of each month. Library supplies the popcorn!

Book Clubs/Book-to-Movie Club/Art Club
Coming In December
Build-a-Stuffie Movie Night
Friday. December 5th from 5:00-6:30 p.m. Build-a-Stuffie Movie Night Create a new friend and then snuggle up for a holiday film. Family Registration begins Monday, November 17th. Movie Rated G.
 
Voices & Votes: A Smithsonian Traveling Exhibit
Washington Public Library will host the Smithsonian Traveling Exhibit, "Voices & Votes: Democracy in America," from December 19, 2025 through January 30, 2026. This exhibit is made possible through a grant from Missouri Humanities. 
 
For more information, read about the exhibit at the following websites:
  • Smithsonian 
  • Missouri Humanities
Voices and Votes: Democracy in America is part of Museum on Main Street, a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and State Humanities Councils nationwide. It is based on an exhibition by the National Museum of American History. Support for Museum on Main Street has been provided by the United States Congress.
Washington Public Library
410 Lafayette St, Washington, Missouri 63090
636-390-1070

https://www.washmolib.org