Library Insider - Spring Edition 2026 by hallcountylibrarysystem

GEORGIAREADS FORAMERICA250

Getreadytoturnthepageonhistory!Aswe approachthe250thanniversaryoftheUnited States,ourlibraryisthrilledtoannouncethe GeorgiaReadsforAmerica250program.This statewideinitiativeisdesignedtoconnect readersofallageswiththestories,people, andeventsthathaveshapedournationover thelasttwoandahalfcenturies.

TheprogramofficiallykicksoffonMarch3and sthroughtheendoftheyear.

Newsletter Team: Mckenzie Baldwin, Amy Ritch, Rachel Buckley, Katie Guthrie

Read What Built Georgia

Shape What Comes Next

Georgia’s libraries invite you to take part in Georgia Reads for America250 a statewide call to rediscover the texts that sparked a revolution, deﬁned our democracy, and still challenge us today.

Explore the 250 Reading List: the foundational works, enduring ideas, and powerful voices that shaped Georgia’s past and point us toward a brighter future. Every book you open strengthens your understanding of the rights, responsibilities, and values that tie us together

This isn’t just reading It’s participation It’s citizenship It’s your chance to help write Georgia’s next chapter.

Start your journey at the Hall County Library and read foward!

Challenges for children, middle school, high school and adults! March 3 - December 31 , 2026! rd st

Join Georgia in reading toward a stronger, smarter future

Learn more about the Georgia Reads for America 250 initiative at america250 georgiareads org

CRAFT & HOBBY CRAFT & HOBBY

Unleash your creativity with Craft & Hobby, a premier digital resource offering thousands of how-to videos, project ideas, and expert instruction across a wide range of crafts and hobbies. Whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced maker, you'll find everything you need to start, finish, and perfect your next project!

What You'll Find:

Thousands of Video Tutorials: Watch and learn with clear, step-by-step video instruction. Diverse Categories: Explore projects for knitting, painting, woodworking, jewelry making, quilting, and much more.

DISCOVER WHAT INSPIRES YOU

Downloadable Resources: Access printable patterns, guides, and templates. Expert Instruction: Learn new techniques from experienced crafters and hobbyists.

ACCESS CRAFT & HOBBY

Digital Learning Hub

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.

THE FRIENDS OF THE HALL COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM THE FRIENDS OF THE HALL

COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM

As a vital partner to the library, the Friends of the Library is a volunteer organization comprised of passionate individuals dedicated to supporting and enhancing library services, believing in their transformative power for all. By joining the Friends of the Library, you become part of a community that makes a real difference. You can gain valuable experience in areas like event planning, fundraising, and community outreach while advocating for increased library funding to ensure access to information for everyone. Volunteer with us, attend exciting events, and support a cause you believe in. The Friends of the Library is where book lovers connect and make a difference.

Making a Difference a Difference

How the Friends actively made a difference for the Hall County community in past years.

Invested in our Library Staff: We provided scholarships to four staff members pursuing professional development, ensuring a skilled and knowledgeable team for our community. Supported Early Literacy: We helped over 3,000 children avoid the summer reading slide through engaging summer reading programs. Advocated for Libraries: We lobbied for state grant funds for the future East Hall Library Branch and for technology upgrades in all branches, ensuring everyone has access to upto-date resources.

Enhanced Library Facilities: We funded the purchase of special furniture for the Blackshear Place Branch Library construction project, creating a welcoming space for all.

ADULT PROGRAMS

Special Needs Social Hour:

Select Wednesdays, 11:00 a m - 12:00 p m

*Community Connection for Women:

Select Saturdays,1:00 p m - 2:00 p m

NE GA Writers:

Select Wednesdays, 1:00 p m - 3:00 p m

*Dungeons and Dragons:

Select Thursdays, 5:30 p m - 7:30 p m

Mah-Jongg:

Select Thursdays, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

*America 250: A Semiquincentennial Book Club:

Select Fridays, 1:00 p m - 3:00 p m

*Greeting Card Workshops:

Select Saturdays, 10:00 a m - 1:00 p m

Adult Brain Teaser Week:

March 9 - 14, All Day Event

Using Records to Locate Your Relatives Who Served in World War I & II:

Tuesday, March 10, 10:30 a m - 12:00 p m

*Cat Cafe-Celebrate St. CATrick’s Day!:

Monday, March 16, 1:00 p m - 3:00 p m

*Graduation and Teen Travel-Tips and Tricks for Safety:

Saturday, March 21, 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

*Book Bedazzle Bring & Bling: Monday, March 23, 5:30 p m - 7:30 p m

Going Green For Your Health: Tuesday, March 24, 10:30 a m - 11:30 a m

*Sound Bath Experience: Saturday, March 28, 1:00 p m - 2:15 p m

Adult Spring Jigsaw Puzzle Week: April 6 - 11, All Day Event

*True Crime Club: Monday, April 13, 5:30 p m - 7:00 p m

Using Ancestry Library Edition and HeritageQuest for Family History Research: Tuesday, April 14, 10:30 a m - 12:00 p m

Restoring Your Old Books: Tuesday, April 21, 10:00 a m - 2:30 p m

*: Registration Required: Space is limited. Please register on the calendar at hallcountylibrary.org

ADULT PROGRAMS

Adult Craft Club:

Select Mondayays

Speed Puzzle Tournament:

Select Mondays, 6:00 p m - 7:30 p m

Monday Book Club:

Select Mondays, 6:00 p m - 7:00 p m

*Tech Tuesday:

Select Tuesdays, 10:30 a m - 11:30 a m

Gentle Yoga:

Select Fridays, 11:30 a m - 12:30 p m

Coin Purse Take ‘N Make Craft:

Monday, March 2, All Day Event

*Murder Mystery Night:

Monday, March 2, 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

*Bob Ross Paint Party:

Wednesday, March 11, 2:00 p m - 4:00 p m

*Intro to Cross Stitch:

Saturday, March 21, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

*Easter Gnome Figurine Painting Workshop:

Monday, March 23, 6:00 p m - 7:00 p m

Easter Egg Planter Take ‘N Make Craft:

Wednesday, April 1, All Day Event

*: Registration Required: Space is limited. Please register on the calendar at hallcountylibrary.org

ADULT PROGRAMS

SPRING 2026

Adult Craft Club:

Select Mondays, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Sci-Fi/Fantasy Book Club:

Select Mondays, 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Movement for Life:

Select Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

*Painting with Vicki:

Select Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

*One on One Senior Tech Help:

Select Tuesdays, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Hoopla & Libby Assistance:

Select Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Stitching at the Springs:

Select Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Special Needs Social Hour:

Select Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Senior Citizen Happy Hour Bingo:

Select Wednesdays, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Reverse Coloring:

Select Wednesdays, 2:00 p m - 4:00 p m

Writing Group:

Select Thursdays, 10:00 a m - 12:00 p m

Thursday Book Club:

Select Thursdays, 10:30 a m - 11:30 a m

Mah Jong:

Select Thursdays, 1:00 p m - 3:00 p m

Historically Speaking Book Club:

Select Thursdays, 2:30 p m - 3:30 p m

*Soap Making Class:

Friday, March 13, 2:00 p m - 4:00 p m

*: Registration Required: Space is limited. Please register on the calendar at hallcountylibrary.org

ADULT PROGRAMS

SPRING 2026

MURRAYVILLE ADULT PROGRAMS

*Chair Yoga:

Select Mondays, 1:00 p m - 2:00 p m

*Senior Social Hour:

Select Mondays, 4:00 p m - 5:00 p m

The Artist's Way Book Club:

Select Mondays, 6:00 p m - 7:00 p m

*Watercolor Class:

Select Mondays and Thursdays, 6:00 p m - 7:30 p m

Fiber Friends:

Select Thursdays, 1:00 p m - 4:00 p m

Paper Collage Art:

Tuesday, March 10, 2:00 p m - 3:00 p m

Beekeeping 101: Friday, March 13, 3:00 p m - 4:00 p m

*Learn to Sew with Ana Whitfield

Puzzle Week:

Select Weeks, All Day Event

Coloring Therapy for Adults:

Select Weeks, All Day Event

*AARP Tax-Aide Program:

Select Mondays, 10:00 a m - 3:30 p m

Music Concert at Murrayville Library: Select Tuesdays, 5:00 p m - 6:00 p m

Star Trek Club:

Select Wednesdays, 5:00 p m - 6:00 p m

*Classic Literature Book Club: Select Thursdays, 4:00 p m - 5:00 p m Dungeons and Dragons Club: Select Thursdays, 5:00 p m - 7:00 p m

War Stories Book Club: Select Fridays, 4:00 p m - 5:00 p m

Chess Club: Select Fridays, 3:00 p m - 4:30 p m

Sourdough Bread Making Class: Monday, March 2, 6:00 p m - 7:00 p m

Chick/Bunny Bookmark: Saturday, April 4, 10:30 a m - 12:30 p m

Special Card Making Class: Wednesday, April 8, 10:30 a m - 11:30 a m

Master Gardener Series at the Library: Select Thursdays, 6:00 p m - 7:00 p m

How to Protect Yourself from Scams: Thursday, April 30, 6:00 p m - 7:00 p m

BREAK AT THE LIBRARY BREAKAT THELIBRARY APRIL6-11,2026

MONDAY MONDAY

6:00GalaxyofMarioGameNight

11:00Rise&ShineStorytime 1:00ThinkTank:STEM

SPOUTSPRINGSLIBRARY

11:00EarthDayStorytimewith ElacheeNatureScienceCenter

GAINESVILLELIBRARY

10:15BabySteps 11:00ToddlerStorytime 1:30SpringBreakCuriosityClub NORTHHALLTECHCENTER

3:00DisneyCelebration

TUESDAY TUESDAY GAINESVILLELIBRARY

10:15BabySteps 11:00ToddlerStorytime

WEDNESDA WEDNESDA

10:15Let’sPlayStorytime

SATURDAY SATURDAY GAINESVILLELIBRARY

FRIDAY FRIDAY

THURSDAY THURSDAY SPOUTSPRINGSLIBRARY 10:15PreschoolStorytime

MURRAYVILLELIBRARY

3:30ReadRover:ReadtoDogs

SPOUTSPRINGSLIBRARY

4:30MiddleandHighSchool TCGClub BLACKSHEARPLACELIBRARY

11:00SaturdayStorytime

11:00SaturdayStorytime MURRAYVILLELIBRARY 10:15SaturdayStorytime

SPOUTSPRINGSLIBRARY

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

Blackshear Place Children’s Programs

Seuss-Tastic Celebration!

Tuesday, March 3, 4:30-5:30 pm

Drop-In Crafts!

Select Thursdays, 3:00-7:00 pm

March 5: Bumblebee

April 2: Bunny Toddler Time

Select Mondays, 12:00-1:00 pm

March 9: Sensory

April 13: Art

Lego Play

March 16 & April 20, 3:30-4:30 pm

STEAM

Select Thursdays, 3:30-4:30 pm

March 19: Rainbow STEAM

April 16: Life Cycles

Pajama Storytime

March 26 & April 9, 6:30-7:30 pm

Axolotol Appreciation Day

Tuesday, April 7, 4:00-5:00 pm

Recreate, Create, Celebrate!

Thursday, April 23, 6:00-7:00 pm

Celebrate Dia del Niño at the Library!

Thursday, April 30, 6:00-7:00 pm

*: Registration Required: Space is limited. Please register on the calendar at hallcountylibrary.org

Gainesville Children’s Programs

Homeschool Crafternoon

March 11 & April 22, 1:30-2:30 pm

Gymnastics with Gainesville Gymnastics!

Friday, March 13

Toddlers: 10:15-10:45 am

Preschool: 11:00-11:45 am

Art in the Afternoon

March 16 & April 13, 4:00-5:00 pm

Drop-In St. Patrick’s Day Crafts

Tuesday, March 17, 1:00-4:00 pm

Super CRAFT Bros

Tuesday, March 17, 1:30-3:30 pm

Homeschool Libratory

Wednesday, March 25, 1:30-2:30 pm

Galaxy of Mario Gamenight

Monday, April 6, 6:00-7:00 pm

Spring Break Curiosity Club

Wednesday, April 8, 1:30-2:30 pm

Puppetstock!

Thursday, April 9, 11:00-11:30 am

*: Registration Required: Space is limited. Please register on the calendar at hallcountylibrary.org

Murrayville Children’s Programs

Stamp Painting

Monday, March 9, 6:00-7:00 pm

Read Rover Storytime

March 11 & April 8, 3:30-4:30 pm

St. Patrick’s Day Crafts

Monday, March 16, 6:00-7:00 pm

Butterfly STEM

Friday, March 20, 2:00-3:00 pm

Kid Detective

Thursday, April 9, 2:00-3:00 pm

Paper Unicorns

Monday, April 20, 6:00-7:00 pm

Paper Car STEM

Monday, April 27, 6:00-7:00 pm

*: Registration Required: Space is limited. Please register on the calendar at hallcountylibrary.org

North Hall Children’s Programs

Think Tank: Homeschool Group

March 2 & April 6, 1:00-2:00 pm

Kid Detective

Tuesday, March 3, 4:00-5:00 pm

LEGO Club

Thursdays, 4:00-7:00 pm

Leprechaun’s Treasure Hunt

Tuesday, March 17, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Read Rover

March 17 & April 21, 3:30-4:30 pm

Blown Egg Decorating

Wednesday, April 1, 3:30-4:30 pm

Disney Celebration

Tuesday, April 7, 3:00-4:00 pm

Spring Crafts

Wednesday, April 8, 12:00-2:00 pm

Earth Day STEAM

Wednesday, April 22, 3:30-4:30 pm

*: Registration Required: Space is limited. Please register on the calendar at hallcountylibrary.org

Spout Springs Children’s Programs

Lego Play

March 5 & April 2, 4:00-6:00 pm

Elementary Lego Club

March 9 & April 13, 4:00-5:00 pm

Dogs with Jobs

Thursday, March 12, 5:00-6:30 pm

Elementary Homeschool Hangout

Select Mondays, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm

March 16: Robotics

April 20:

Little Learners

Select Wednesdays, 10:30 - 11:30 am

March 18: Music

April 15: Letters

Minecraft Club

March 19 & April 16, 5:00-6:00 pm

Undersea Party!

Friday, March 20, 2:00-3:00 pm

Elachee Nature Center Visit

Monday, April 6, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

*: Registration Required: Space is limited. Please register on the calendar at hallcountylibrary.org

A PLACE FOR TEENS A PLACE FOR TEENS A PLACE FOR TEENS A PLACE FOR TEENS

The Hall County Library has tons of teen programs, from book clubs to gaming to crafts.

Check out our awesome programs for middle and high schoolers around the county.

VOLUNTEER AT THE LIBRARY

Youth Advisory Council (YAC) members help propose, organize, market, and execute teen & youth programs with the Hall County Library System all year long! You will earn volunteer credit for the time spent at all meetings and other activities!

For students 14-18 years old.