‘Library of the Year’
The Hall County Library System has been named Library of the Year for its exceptional community service, successful recovery from financial hardship, and dedication to literacy through strong school partnerships. Serving over 220,000 residents, the system continues to expand its reach with modernized facilities and innovative programming like the upcoming East Hall branch.
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Newsletter Team: Mckenzie Baldwin, Amy Ritch, Rachel Buckley, Katie Guthrie
Hall County Library System wins
WE’RELIBRARY OFTHEYEAR!
Wearethrilledto announcethattheHall CountyLibrarySystem (HCLS)hasbeen officiallyrecognizedas Georgia'sLibraryofthe Year!Thisprestigious awardcelebratesour commitmenttoliteracy, communitypartnership, andinnovationacross ourfivebranches.
JointheCelebration!
We want to celebrate this win with the people who made it possible you!
When: Monday, March 30, 2026,at4:00PM Where: Downtown GainesvilleLibrary
WhyWeWon
Despitepastfinancialhurdles,HCLShasemergedstrongerthanever Our nominators highlighted several key areas where our library shines:
School Partnerships: From classroom storytimes to providing transportation for families, our collaboration with local schools is "unmatched"
Growing Impact: We’ve seen a 24% increase in program attendancethispastyearalone!
Expanded Services: Beyond books, we now offer passport and notary services, financial literacy classes, and a robust internal leadershipprogramforourdedicatedstaff
Major Renovations: With the 2020 Gainesville renovation and the 2023 Blackshear Place update complete, we are now looking forwardtothefuture
LookingAhead:EastHall2026
The highlight of our year was breaking ground on the new East Hall Library branch Scheduled to open in Fall 2026, this 9,300-square-foot facility will feature a makerspace, podcast studio, a "Library of Things," andmuch-neededhigh-speedinternetforthecommunity
1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
One thousand books? You got this!
If you read just one book a night to your child, you’ll have already read 1,095 books in three years! It doesn’t matter if your child is a baby or a toddler; there’s no better time to start than now.
Reading aloud sparks creativity and imagination and is a wonderful way to bond with your child. Every time you read a book together, you’re giving them the gifts of language, vocabulary, and the necessary pre-reading skills for kindergarten.
Signuptodayforthe1,000BooksBeforeKindergarten readingchallenge!
Signupandlogyourreading Howtoparticipate
Frequentlyaskedquestions Beanstacktips
Why 1,000 books before kindergarten?
Sharing books and stories is important for a child’s brain development.
Children who are read to at an early age have larger vocabularies when they enter school. The most important predictor of school success is being read to at home during early childhood.
Reading aloud to infants and children encourages social, emotional, and cognitive development.
A toddler’s brain creates up to two million new connections every second.
A child’s brain develops most rapidly before the age of three.
The ability to learn language skills is greatest before the age of six.
Digital Learning Hub LibraryResourcesfor LifelongLearning
Accesslearningresourcesfromanywhere,at anytime.
Learnatyourownpaceandonyourown schedule.
TUTOR.COM
Tutorcom connects you with a network of highly qualified and vetted expert tutors across a vast array of subjects. Whether you're a K-12 student grappling with algebra, a college student perfecting an essay, or an adult learner preparing for a new career, Tutor.com offers live, one-on-one help whenever you need it.
LOTE4KIDS
Expand your child's world with LOTE4Kids, a digital library now offering over 1,000 picture books in more than 65 languages. This popular app allows kids to learn and explore new cultures through the magic of storytelling, with stories read in both English and their native language.
FINANCIALFIT
Financial Fit from EBSCO is a comprehensive platform that empowers you with essential money management skills. Whether you're a young adult learning to budget or an adult planning for retirement, Financial Fit offers interactive modules to help you understand credit, manage debt, and make smart financial decisions.
AUDIO & EBOOKS AUDIO&EBOOKS
Yournextgreatread,available24/7
ThePalaceProjectappisaone-stop-shopfor ebooksandaudiobooks.Perfectforallreaders,it offersabroadrangeoftitlesfrombestsellersand classicstocontentin29languages.Useyour librarycardandPINtoaccessastreamlined interfacewhereyou'llalwaysfindsomethinggreat toreadorlistento.
Libbyisanaward-winningappthatgivesyoufree accesstothelibrary'svastcollectionofebooks, audiobooks,andmagazines.Withjustyourlibrary card,youcanbrowse,borrow,andreadorlistento titlesonyoursmartphone,tablet,ore-reader.
Libbyisperfectforfindingyournextpopular bestseller,catchinguponamagazine subscription,orenjoyingagreataudiobookon yourcommute.
eREAD KIDS SERVICE UPDATE
Beginning Dec 3, the eRead Kids ebook and audiobook collection will move from the Boundless app to The Palace Project app. Starting Nov. 18, patrons will no longer be able to check out eRead Kids items in the Boundless app but will retain access to existing checkouts All checkouts will take place through The Palace Project app beginning Dec 3 Item holds will not transfer to the new platform.
We apologize for the inconvenience. Learn more and download The Palace Project app at georgialibraries org/ereadkids
PALACE
LIBBY
HAPPENINGS
Gainesville
Feb 11, 1:30 p.m.
Homeschool Crafternoon
Feb 25, 1:30 p.m.
Homeschool Libratory
Murrayville
Feb 5, 4:00 p.m.
Classic Literature Club - Adult
Reading: Don Quixote
Feb 13, 4:00 p.m.
War Stories - Adult
Reading: Sons and Soldiers
Blackshear Place
Feb 23, 6:00 p.m.
Monday Book Club - Adult
Reading: The Warm Hands of Ghosts
North Hall Tech
Feb 2, 9, 23, 6:00 p.m.
The Artists Way - Adult
Spout Springs
Feb 16, 11:00 a.m.
Elementary Homeschool Hangout
BOOK CLUBS FOR
EVERYONE
Spout Springs
Feb 5, 2:30 p.m.
Historically Speaking - Adult
Reading: Endurance: Shancleton's Incredible Voyage
Feb 12, 10:30 a.m.
Thursday Book Club - Adult
Reading: The Briar Club
Feb 23, 6:30 p.m.
Sci-fi/Fantasy Book Club - Adult
Reading: Long Live Evil
Gainesville
Feb 23, 6:00 p.m.
Manga Mondays - Teen
Feb 27, 1:00 p.m.
America 250 - Adult
Check link for book list
ADULTPROGRAMS
Book Clubs! Programs for adults with special needs!
Crafting Classes!
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE:
We have programs and events catered to adults at all 5 of our library locations on a weekly basis! Check our calendar HERE for a full list of events.
Unleash your creativity by joining a crafting or painting workshop, or connect with fellow readers in one of our many book clubs If you enjoy working with your hands, our fiber arts groups provide a welcoming space to knit, crochet, and share ideas Beyond the arts, we offer numerous informative learning opportunities, including technology workshops and engaging presentations on a variety of topics We invite you to check our schedule and dive into a new hobby or passion with us!!
FEBRUARY 2026
PROGRAMS & EVENTS: ADULT SPOTLIGHT
*requires registration
*Murder Mystery Night
Blackshear Place Library, Monday, February 2, 6 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Dissecting The Genealogy Kit
Gainesville Library, Tuesday, February 10, 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Meowentine’s Cat Cafe
Blackshear Place Library, Thursday, February 12, 3 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
*Watercolor Class
North Hall Tech Center, Thursday, February 16, 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Basic Building Blocks of Genealogy
North Hall Tech Center, Tuesday, February 24, 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
*Classic Literature Book Club
Murrayville Library,Thursday, February 5, 4 p.m. - 5 p.m.
*Cricut Makerspace Workshop
Gainesville Library, Thursday, February 12, 2 p.m. - 7 p.m.
*Sitting Up With The Dead Gainesville Library, Friday, February 13, 4 p.m. - 10 p.m.
*Art Therapy-Reverse Coloring
Gainesville Library, Monday, February 23, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
*Ghost Hunting! For Adults
Gainesville Library, Monday, February 28, 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
y Ages18-36months
Tuesdays&Wednesdays11:00AM
LittleSproutsStorytime
Ages3-5|Thursdays11:00AM
SaturdayStorytime
AllAges|Saturdays11:00AM
Let'sPlayStorytim
Ages18months-5year
WEEKLYSTORYTIMESCHEDULE
WINTER/SPRING SESSION
JANUARY 5 -APRIL 25
GrowingReadersStorytime
Gainesville Library
Ages18months-5years
Thursdays10:15AM
BabySteps
Ages0-18months|Fridays10:15AM
SaturdayStorytime
AllAges|SelectSaturdays10:15AM Jan10,Feb14,Mar14,Apr11
Murrayville Library
Wednesdays10:15AM
PajamaStorytime
Upto6years|SelectThursday Feb26,Mar26,Apr9
Black Place Library
RiseandShine
AllAges|Monda
PajamaSto
AllAges|SelectThu
Jan8,Feb5,M
SaturdaySt
AllAges|SelectSatu Jan24,Feb28,M
BabySteps
Ages0-18months|Tuesday
North Hall Tech Center
ToddlerStorytim
Ages18-36months|Tuesday
PreschoolStorytim
Ages3andup|Fridays10
SaturdayStorytim
AllAges|SelectSaturdays Jan10,Feb14,Mar14,A
Spout Springs Library
Celebrate 1000 Books Before Kindergarten & Take Your Child to the Library Week with a
THURSDAY FEB 5 FEB 5 5:30 PM NORTH HALL TECH
Storytime! Storytime!
TUESDAY FEB 3 FEB 3 10:15 AM BLACKSHEAR PLACE
WEDNESDAY FEB 4 FEB 4 10:15 AM MURRAYVILLE
FRIDAY FEB 6 FEB 6 10:15 AM SPOUT SPRINGS
THURSDAY FEB 5 FEB 5 11:00 AM GAINESVILLE
SATURDAY FEB 7 FEB 7 11:00 AM GAINESVILLE
PromPop-Up
Spout Springs Library
Teens, find the prom look of your dreams at absolutely no cost! February 16th | 5:00 - 7:00 PM Donations accepted from Jan. 5 - Feb. 13
FEBRUARY 2026
PROGRAMS & EVENTS: YOUTH SPOTLIGHT
*requires registration
Love Hearts Craft
Blackshear Place Library
Thursday, February 5, 3:00-7:00 pm
Bookmark Decorating
Murrayville Library
Monday, February 9, 6:00-7:00 pm
Valentine’s Day Party
Spout Springs Library
Friday, February 13, 3:00-4:00 pm
Prom Pop-Up
Spout Springs Library
Monday, February 16, 5:00-7:00 pm
*Donations accepted until 2/13!
Mardi Gras Party!
Gainesville Library
Tuesday, February 17, 1:30-2:30 pm
YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL
All meetings at 6:30 pm
02/02: Murrayville
02/19: Blackshear Place
North Hall Tech
02/23: Spout Springs
02/26: Gainesville
Hearts and Crafts
North Hall Tech Center
Tuesday, February 10, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Kid’s Valentine’s Tea Party
North Hall Tech Center
Monday, February 16, 12:30-2:00 pm
Elachee Nature Center Visit
North Hall Tech Center
Tuesday, February 17, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Musical STEAM Blackshear Place Library
Thursday, February 19, 3:30-4:30 pm
Click on the nderlined titles for more information!
Hunger Games Trivia Murrayville Library
Monday, February 23, 6:00-7:00 pm
FEBRUARY 2026
Library LOVE Staff Favorites
Demi
The Everlasting by Alix E Harrow
LindaRose
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
Kay
All The Beauty In The World by Patrick Bringley
Gabriele
The Comfort of Ghosts by Jacqueline Winspear
Janine
After Taste by Daria Lavelle
Abigail
A Forgery of Fate by Elizabeth Lim
Ronda
Chocolate Chip Cookie Murders by Joanne Fluke
Lisa E
The Wedding People by Alison Espach
FEBRUARY 2026
Library LOVE Staff Favorites
George
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Marissa Night Watch by Terry Pratchett
Alex
An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson
Deborah
The Road To Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Cheryl
Lisa M
Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Brian
The Witching Hour by Anne Rice
Holden
Born to Dream by David Lynch
FEBRUARY 2026
Library LOVE Staff Favorites
Meier
City of Golden Shadow by Tad Williams
Katherine
From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Michael
Slaughter House Five by Kurt Vonnegut
Lucy
Once For Yes by Allie Millington
FEBRUARY 2026
Library LOVE Staff Favorites
Sarah B YA
Sunrise On The Reaping by Suzanne Collins
Demi YA
Song of The Lioness Book 1 - Alanna by Tamora Pierce
Ashley JUV
Anne of Green Gables by L M Montgomery
In The Gallery February 2026
Wendy Medrano
Writing an artist statement always brings a sense of panic. I find myself asking the same questions: Who am I as an artist? What does my work mean? What am I trying to say? At this point in my practice, my work centers on the tension and balance between motherhood and artistry. My first year as a mother felt like I had to choose between creative identity and caregiving In my second year, that tension has softened I began to find a space where both could exist and even serve as inspiration for one another.
I once worried about becoming an artist whose work revolved around motherhood. Eventually, I accepted that this is where my work needed to go. Motherhood is layered and complex, and that complexity has deepened my relationship to art making Most of the work shown here was created in 2025 Some pieces directly reference being a mother, others move away from it, but all of them are informed by this moment of transition, acceptance, and ongoing negotiation with the balance of daily life.
Bibliophile Bulletin Bibliophile Bulletin
Navigating the Stacks and Unveiling Library Wonders
Surplus Items Surplus Items
The Hall County Library System is currently offering a variety of surplus items for public purchase As we update our facilities and refresh our spaces, we make our well-loved furniture and equipment available to the community at incredible prices What’s available? Our inventory changes frequently but currently includes unique finds such as:
Furniture: High tables and stools, cozy sofas and loveseats, colorful chairs, and wooden coffee tables
For the Kids: Child-sized plastic benches and unique wooden activity tables.
Technology: Full computer units (including PC tower, monitor, keyboard, and cables) starting at just $150, as well as individual mice and keyboards
Odds & Ends: Glass sheets, booth seats, and more!
How to shop: Items are located across several of our branches, including Spout Springs, Gainesville, and North Hall. You can view the full list of available items, their locations, and pricing on our official surplus page: �� View Surplus Items Here
Please note: Items are sold as-is and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. If you see something you love, be sure to check the website for specific location details and contact information!