Mary Hurley

Spring is just around the corner. Are you ready to start working outdoors in your yard or your garden? Come by and check out our collection of gardening books to be found in the 635s. Just ask a staff member for assistance.

The Friends of the Library had a great speaker on Feb. 7 with Carolyn Curtis. You missed a great presentation. She donated a copy of her book, Women and C.S. Lewis: what his life and literature reveal for today’s culture, to the library, and it is available for check out. The next Friends meeting is on March 7 at 1 p.m. Check out their Facebook page for more information.

Programs are continuing with preschool on Tuesday mornings at 11:15 a.m. for those ages 3, 4, and 5 with a parent; after school for kindergartners to high school on Tuesdays at 4:15 p.m.; Wednesday mornings are for toddlers (18 months to 3 years) and their parents at 10:15 a.m.; and on Thursdays Bouncing Babies at 10 a.m. for infants to 18 months with their parents.

Crochet will begin meeting twice a month in March. The first Saturday of the month at 1 p.m. and the fourth Saturday of the month at 10 a.m. (That would be March 2 at 1 p.m. and March 23 at 10 a.m.). Questions? Ask Robin.

The Mineola Memorial Library Book Club will meet Thursday, Feb. 21 at 6 p.m. to discuss Keep Quiet by Lisa Scottoline. Join us for a lively discussion on this interesting story and discover what the next book selection will be.

East Texas Library Friends Book Club is now reading The Stranger in the Woods by Michael Finkel. There has been a schedule change, and they will be meeting on Saturday, March 23 at 2 p.m. here in the Mineola Memorial Library Meredith Room.

Reminder: we do not have tax forms this year. You can go online to www.irs.gov to find a form. If you do not know which form, you will need to consult a tax professional. Lillie Russell Memorial Library in Lindale has AARP on Thursdays for free tax assistance, but you should call 903-882-1900 to reserve a spot.

Are you reading aloud to your little ones? Brain development happens quickly prior to the age of 3, and reading aloud helps with that development. Children learn to recognize sound, shapes and letters when you point to things in the book, motor skills are developed when helping to turn pages, and just a special time spent with you. It’s just 15 minutes a day, maybe as a part of getting ready for bed or while waiting for dinner. There is a 21-day reading challenge posted on readaloud.org to help get you started.

Remember, the Mineola Memorial Library is a 501(c)3, non-profit and your donations are tax-deductible.