What's Happening at the Library?
February 2026
From the Director's Desk
We have lots of great announcements this month. First up, the library's website has been upgraded. This will keep us in compliance with ADA rules for public websites, and offer an intuitive layout for all the great electronic resources we have. For instance... 
  • Visit Research & Learn to access databases, from Foreign Languages to High School Research, from Auto Repair to Geneaology, from Teen Health to Magazines & Newspapers. There's a lot. 
  • Visit the e-Library for e-books, e-audiobooks, online classes, music & more.
  • Check out the new library Calendar for upcoming library events.
Keep reading for more announcements. See you at the library!
Smithsonian Traveling Exhibit Extended
Voices & Votes

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Exhibit Extended @ Washington Public Library

We have some exciting news to share - the Traveling Exhibit at Washington Public Library has been extended through the end of March. Due to some scheduling conflicts, the library will hold onto the exhibit for two additional months. 
 
Washington, MO is the last opportunity to view the exhibit in Missouri before it returns home to the @smithsonian. Don't miss your chance!
 
Learn more at https://mohumanities.org/voices-and-votes-democracy-in.../
 
Library Social Worker 
Thanks to our partnership with Scenic Regional Library, the Library will have a social worker on-site on some Thursdays in February through May. No appointments. The social worker will use a 2nd floor study room to meet with people. 
 
Save the Date: 2026 Missouri Book Festival
Missouri Book Festival @ Washington Public Library
Saturday April 18, 2026 9am - 2pm
 
The Missouri Book Festival celebrates the best of regional life, culture, and history with an array of dynamic programming meant to promote literacy and encourage reading. Events take place in Washington, the quintessential Missouri town. Here, books that feature stories on the Show-Me State come to life in food demonstrations, sports exhibitions, myriad forms of performance, and lively author talks and discussions.
 
Click here to see the program list.
 
Library Directors at the Rotary Meeting
Steve Campbell, Director of Scenic Regional Library, and Nelson Appell, Director of Washington Public Library, presented to the Rotary Society in January about all the things that the local libraries offer to the public. Thank You to the Rotarians for the opportunity, and Thank You to current Rotary President Joel Doepker for not cutting the Directors off. (They had a lot to say. A LOT.)
 
Rotarians listening to the librarians
Steve Campbell talking
 
A Library in Your Pocket - let's talk apps
The Library has several apps that make up your "Library in Your Pocket." You can choose which app work best for your needs. You will need your library card number to access each app. (Need help with the number? Call the library. 636-390-1070.) These apps give you access to e-books, e-audiobooks, streaming media, music, magazines, the library's events, and more....
  • Hoopla - The Hoopla app gives access to e-audiobooks and e-books, including graphic novels.
  • Libby - Use Libby app to listen to audiobooks and read-ebooks.
  • Flipster -  Read read e-magazines, including consumer reports.
  • Freegal Music - Create playlists, get free downloads, and access thousands of music & songs.
  • Kanopy - Get access to thousands of films with no ads.
  • Missouri Evergreen - Use Missouri Evergreen to search the library catalog and place holds on over millions items across Missouri.
  • (NEW) WashMO - download the WashMO app to view updates from the library and see the library's events calendar. 
Programs for Families
Cooking With Tahini
Friday, February 20th from 4:00-5:00 p.m. Cooking with Tahini Explore sweet and savory ways to cook with tahini! A fun experience for the whole family. Registration begins Monday, February 9th. Call the library at 636-390-1070, to register.
 
Programs for Children
For a complete listing of upcoming children's programs in February, visit the calendar.
 
Tot Time
Thursdays in February, 9am and 10am
Library Meeting Room

Stories, songs and finger-plays for children under age 3.
Preschool Storytimes
Fridays in February, 10:00 am
Library Meeting Room.

Join us on Fridays for stories and songs for ages 3-6. Take Home Crafts are provided.
 
Illustration of a white dog sitting
Wagging Tales
Monday, February 9, 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.
 
Two People Playing the Chessboard
Chess Club
Tues, Feb 10 and Thurs Feb 26, 6:30 p.m.
Library Meeting Room
Do you want to learn how to play chess? Do you want to practice your skills, or play for fun? Chess Club meets the 2nd Tuesday and 4th Thursdays of each month, 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (Chess Club meets once in November due to Thanksgiving.) All ages and abilities welcome!
Child Playing with Building Blocks
Legos Club
Tuesday, February 17, 3:30 p.m.
Library Meeting Room
We supply the Legos; you supply the creativity. Legos Club meets the third Tuesdays of the Month.
Programs for Adults
For a complete listing of upcoming adults programs, visit the library's calendar.
 
The Secret Life Of Sunflowers: A gripping, inspiring novel based on the true story of Johanna Bonger, Vincent van Gogh's sister-in-law by Marta Molnar
Wednesday Morning Book Club
Wednesday, February 4, 10:00 am
Library Meeting Room
This month join us at the new date for a discussion of "The Secret Life of Sunflowers" by Marta Molnar. Wednesday Morning Book Club meets the 1st Wednesday of each month @ 10:00 a.m.

You can find a 2026 reading list here
 
Mahjong
Thurs Feb 5 and Thurs Feb 19, Noon - 3pm
Library Meeting Room
Come join us for an afternoon of Mahjong, whether you're an experienced competitive player or you're just learning the ropes. Mahjong meets the 1st and 3rd Thursdays from Noon to 3:00 pm.
Open Book On a Blanket
Saturday Wordsmiths Studio
Saturday, February 7, 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.
Teens Drawing in Arts & Crafts Event
Crafting & Creativity
Tuesday, February 10, 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. All supplies provided. Ages 12 & Up
Group painting activity with acrylic supplies outdoors
Art Club for ages 16 & up
Wednesday, February 11 , 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.
 
Anne Carpenter: Soup for You
Tuesday, February 17th at 6:30 p.m. Friends Author Series: Anne Carpenter Author of Soup for You and You Had Me At Pie will join us in the meeting room for an author talk and signing. Adult
 
Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism by Sarah Wynn-Williams
Wednesday Evening Book Club
Wednesday, February 18, 6:30 p.m.
Library Meeting Room

Join the Book Club for a discussion of "Careless People" by Sarah Wynn-Williams. Library supplies all copies of the book. Wednesday Book club meets the 3rd Wednesdays of each month @ 6:30 p.m.




Find the 2026 monthly book schedule here.
The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown
Made Into Movies
 Monday, February 23, 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!

Find the book list here.
Puzzle Race
Tuesday, February 24th from 6:00-7:00 p.m. Form a group of one to six friends, and race to be the first team to complete the same 500-piece puzzle in 60 minutes. Space is limited to six teams. Please have ONE person call the library to register for the whole team. Registration begins Monday, February 8th. Register by calling the library at, 636-390-1070.
 
Woman Writing in a Notebook with Feather Pen
Washington Wordsmiths
Wednesday, February 25, 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. 

Washington Public Library
410 Lafayette St, Washington, Missouri 63090
636-390-1070
https://www.washmolib.org