Happy February from the staff at the Healdsburg Library. We are enjoying high foot traffic inside the library so far in 2024. More people came to the library in January than any month since the start of the pandemic.
In addition to the various events and programs available to everyone, we see hundreds of visitors here daily to find a book, access the Internet or work on a project.
We look forward to seeing residents during February, Black History Month. We have displays throughout the library with books and reading lists for adults and children.
We will be streaming a live presentation with celebrated author Jason Mott, whose book, Hell of a Book, won the 2021 National Book Award for Fiction. This novel goes to the heart of racism, police violence and the hidden costs exacted upon Black Americans and America as a whole.
This month, we are also excited to read Zami: A New Spelling of My Name, by Audre Lorde. This biomythography is a coming-of-age story of a young Black woman in the 1950s living in New York City. On Tuesday, March 5 at noon, we will discuss this book as part of our monthly Brown Bag Book Club.
Our new Spanish-English conversation group, Intercambio, continues to meet at the library on the first and second Thursday of each month at 4:30pm and on the third and fourth Wednesday at 6pm.
The Intercambio offers a great opportunity for English speakers to learn Spanish and Spanish speakers to learn English in a group setting. The group is led by a bilingual volunteer; each week offers a different focus for discussion.
On Thursday, Feb. 29 at 4:30pm, we look forward to a visit from author/illustrator Mirelle Ortega, author of Magic: Once Upon a Faraway Land. This visit will be aimed at children who are enrolled in pre-K to third grade and their parent, guardian or childcare provider, and will include a special reading as well as a draw-along art demonstration.
Our events have been very popular lately, and we are using a ticketing system for first-come, first-served entry into the most popular events. For more information, give us a call or drop by the Healdsburg Library and talk to our staff.
This time of year, we receive numerous calls related to tax help. From now until April 11, we are hosting free tax help sessions by AARP Tax-Aide on Thursdays from 10am to 3pm. Instead of the long lines and waits, this year, one can make an appointment ahead of time and pick up a special tax packet at the library during open hours. For more information or to make an appointment, call or text 707.836.3198.
Jon Haupt is the branch manager of the Healdsburg Regional Library, located at 139 Piper St. and open daily.
