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The Huntington Beach Public Library Monthly Newsletter |
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Message from the Manager Dear Library Community, This December, the last month of a challenging 2021, when the days are getting shorter and dark comes early, plan to be kind to yourself and do something you enjoy. Let's appreciate that we have made it through some difficult times and look towards a new year. For me, and perhaps for you, December is an excellent time to hunker down with a book, wrapped in a cozy blanket, maybe with a pet nearby, sipping a cup of hot coffee or tea. For those who are celebrating holidays this month and for those who aren’t, I hope you find some time and space to take care, read something lovely that you haven’t had time for lately, binge that new streaming show, and find community where you can. If you’re at a loss for what to read, watch, or listen to, or just need a space to be, come visit us at the Library. We welcome you.
Warmly, Jessica Framson, Library & Cultural Services Manager Currently reading: Please Don't Sit on My Bed in Your Outside Clothes by Phoebe Robinson and One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston
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Happy Holidays from HBPL! |
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Cozy up with your favorite blanket and whip up a tasty mug of hot cocoa - winter is here! Check out our favorite cold weather picks for adults, teens, and children using the buttons above. Happy holidays, HB! |
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December Events for Adults @ HBPL Hello December! With the holidays just around the corner, we’ve got some exciting events to help you prepare! Join our Gift Wrapping Techniques Class, paired with our Makerspace sessions, to pull the perfect gifts together for your friends and family. Our Central Book Club this month will be discussing In Five Years by Rebecca Serle, and our Walking Audiobook Club offers a great opportunity to learn about everyone’s favorite audiobooks! With the busy days up ahead, don’t forget to take some time to self-care with our Bibliotherapy Bags, which provide therapeutic crafts and activities for a healthier mindset, and don’t forget to visit our Veterans Resource Center for information, assistance, and more. Register for all these events and more on our calendar. Check out all of our virtual events for adults and register online using the calendar button below. |
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Adult Program & Service Picks for December |
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Walking Audiobook Club A new monthly book club! Thursday, December 16, 4:30pm |
Gift Wrapping Techniques Tuesday, December 14, 4pm |
Central Library Veterans Resource Center Varied hours Monday - Friday |
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Citizenship Classes
Wednesday mornings, starting January 5 at 10am, Central Library Registration required. Register online by clicking here. Would you like help preparing to take the Naturalization exam to become a U.S. citizen? This class is for you! This is a 11-week class. We will cover all aspects of the Exam--the questions and answers, some history, and what to expect when you go take the test. The class is free and open to the public, and will be in-person at the Central Library Balboa Room. Have you take the class before but would like a refresher because your appointment is coming up soon? Join us! Have you started but were not able to finish? That's ok; join us! Class size is limited so register today. |
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Personalized Book Picks, Space-Themed STEAM, and more!
Looking to connect with other HB & OC teens this month? In the HBPL Digital TeenSapce Discord Server, you can find book recommendations, learn about teen programs and events, get updates on teen volunteering at the library, share a project you've been working on, get homework help... the list goes on! But above all, you'll find a safe space to connect with other teens in our community. Teens can also join the library on Saturday, December 18, from 1-3pm in the Talbert Room at Central Library for a NASA Webb Telescope STEAM Fun Day! We'll have some fun science experiments, crafts, activities, and information on NASA's new Webb Telescope, which is scheduled for launch this month. The James Webb Space Telescope is an amazing new space exploration tool that is poised to find the first galaxies that formed in the early universe, giving astronomers brand new tools to expand our knowledge of the universe. Lastly, are you missing the Teen Book Boxes during the break? Wish you had a way to find new, awesome books that you might not have otherwise picked up off the shelf? HBPL has your back. Check out Shelf Help, HBPL's personalized book recommendation service. Fill out as much or as little of the online form as you want, and our HBPL librarians will select 1 to 10 great books to place on hold for you to pick up, or pop a list into your online HBPL account! Looking for more? Check out the full list of programs and events for teens online with the calendar button below! |
Teen Program & Service Picks for December |
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HBPL Digital TeenSpace Discord Server Complete the online form to join! |
NASA Webb Telescope STEAM Fun Day Saturday, December 18, 1-3pm |
Shelf Help Personalized Book Recommendations Fill out the online form to receive a personalized holds list! |
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December Program Break & Special Events The Children's Library's storytellers and staff are using the month of December to prepare for the upcoming Winter Program session, coming to HBPL January through March, 2022! During this month, regular programs for children (including storytimes) will be on pause at all HBPL locations. While regular programs are on pause, HBPL encourages you to keep the fun going at home! Download the At-Home Family Activities Page HERE to find easy ways to learn and grow as a family this month. While regular programs are on pause, the Children's Library will present three special programs: First, don't forget: tickets for the annual Ballet Etudes Nutcracker Ballet are available for purchase online! This year's performances will be held in the Central Library Theater on Thursday, December 9, and Friday, December 10, at 4:30 and 7:30 pm. Tickets are sold exclusively online through Eventbrite, and are $5 per person. All proceeds from ticket sales benefit the Children's Library. Second, HBPL will present a special STEAM Day for families on Saturday, December 18, from 1 to 3pm at the Central Library to celebrate the launch of NASA's Webb Telescope! What is STEAM? It stands for science, technology, engineering, art, and math, and activities in these key learning areas are exactly what you'll find at this fun event! We'll be celebrating outer space science with a variety of crafts and activities for children, teens, and adults. Registration is not required, but supplies and program spaces are limited. Early arrival is recommended. Lastly, we are proud to present the 2021 Children's Writing & Illustrating Contest, sponsored by the Friends of the Children's Library and Sand Scribes Children's Writing Group! This year, we ask children in Preschool through 8th grade to respond to the following prompt: "What if one day at the library your character opens a door to a secret staircase? What does it look like? Where does it go? A different place? A different time? Who is there and what happens?" Entries are due to the Children's Desk at Central Library by Saturday, December 18. Read the full contest rules and regulations by clicking the program button below! Looking for even more? Explore fun upcoming programs for families, activities you can complete at home, book recommendations, and more using the calendar link below. |
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Children's Program Picks for December |
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Ballet Etudes' Nutcracker Ballet Tickets online, $5 per person December 9 & 10, 4:30 & 7:30pm |
NASA Webb Telescope STEAM Fun Day Saturday, December 18, 1-3pm |
2021 Children's Writing & Illustrating Contest Submissions due Saturday, December 18! |
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| Huntington Beach Public Library
Central Library
7111 Talbert Avenue
Huntington Beach, California 92648
714.842.4481
www.hbpl.org |
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