Karen Horner

While February can be a slow time of year, here at the Park County Library we are staying busy with plenty of activities for everyone.

The Park County Library Winter Reading Program is still happening and open for all ages. Every time you read a book, fill out an entry slip online or in person. You can enter for every book you read and the more you read, the more chances you have to win. The Winter Reading Program runs until Feb. 28.

Make sure and stop by any of our Park County libraries and pick up a “Blind Date with a Book.” Enjoy selecting a surprise book to take home, which is the best type of blind date. If you are lucky you might even get a surprise treat as well. 

The Park County Library Foundation is hosting a Winter Author Fest on Saturday, Feb. 26 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Cody Library. This event will highlight our wonderful regional authors, as you visit author tables, get books signed, listen to readings, attend workshops and enjoy our keynote speakers: best-selling authors Kathleen O’Neal Gear and W. Micheal Gear. The Winter Author Fest is to help promote the New Powell Library Project with any funds raised going to support the new Powell Library.

Meanwhile, the Powell Library is offering an afternoon book discussion group today (Tuesday) at 2 p.m. and will be discussing “The Ticket” by Karen Schutte. Stop by the library to pick up a copy of the book. If you can’t make this month’s book discussion, then pick up the book for March 1, “Ordinary Grace.”

For the kids, join Ms. Renee at Baby and Toddler Time every Monday and Thursday from 10:30-11 a.m. Bring the little ones for nursery rhymes, songs, play and early literacy activities. Ms. Renee does a fabulous Storytime every Tuesday and Wednesday from 10:30-11 a.m. Stop by for wonderful stories, movement, craft and fun.

Join the Powell Library on Wednesday, Feb. 9, at 3:30 p.m. for Valentines and Cupcakes for Kids. Enjoy decorating cupcakes and making Valentine’s Day cards. 

Kids can sign up for a time on Thursday, Feb. 10 and 24 at 3:30 p.m. for Read to a Dog. This is a wonderful chance for kids to practice reading to the best kind of listener. 

To celebrate National Leap into Science Week, Storytime on Tuesday, Feb. 22 and Wednesday, 23 at 10:30 a.m., will be all about science and feature a fun light and shadow exploration.

Kids from first to fifth grade are invited to sign up to join our Wild + Free Book Club. The book club meets every Friday from 10-11 a.m. as we read “Owls in the Family.” This book club will embrace the fun of adventure and freedom in learning for the next five weeks.

Kids in grades K-5 grade can stop by the Powell Library on Monday, Feb. 28 at 3:30 p.m. for a fun Winter Craft. The library will be wrapping up the winter reading program with some fun crafts for the kids. 

Stop by on Saturday, Feb. 5  from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and every Thursday from 1-3 p.m. for the Powell Library Friends Book Sale. 

Do you want to help support the library and help create a new Powell Library? Then please consider joining the Park County Library Foundation. We are looking for Powell representation and would love to have the Powell community well-represented. The foundation only meets a few times a year and we can even meet in the Powell Library. If you’re interested in learning more and want to join, contact Karen Horner at 307-527-1881 and help strengthen the library.

Remember all Park County Libraries will be closed Monday, Feb. 21 for Presidents Day.

(Karen Horner is the executive director of the Park County Library System.)