Beyond books, library offers free ways to create, explore and connect
If you’ve looked at your credit card bills and decided that all you’ll be able to do in January is sit on the couch with a bowl of Top Ramen (I’m partial to the soy flavor), now’s the perfect time to be reminded of all the things that the library has to offer.
Yes, the Napa County Library has around 180,000 or so books (plus access to millions more through our Link+ partnership with more than 50 libraries in California). And books are definitely our business. But if you haven’t been in in a while, it’s time to take a closer look at all that we have to offer – both in terms of collections and programming.
I’ll focus on creative ways to kick off the new year in Yountville, but these programs are just the first brushstroke and opening measures to what the library has to offer.
For kids and families, our storytime on Wednesday, Jan. 14 from 10:00 – 10:30 a.m. is an opportunity to hear stories, fingerplays, puppets, sing songs and there’s always a special craft for kids.
For adults and teens, we encourage you to share a story you’ve written at the Writer’s Roundtable on Tuesday, Jan. 27 from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. and get feedback and encouragement from others in attendance. Or if visual art is more to your liking, Draw What You See, part of our ongoing di Rosa Art Workshop series, featuring local artist and teacher Terese Edestam and Hugo Corro from the di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art on Friday, Jan. 16 from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. (Pro tip: You can visit the di Rosa for free, along with dozens of other museums and cultural venues in the Bay Area, by checking out Discover & Go on our website.)
You can keep exploring the world of creativity and exploration by attending Remarkable Journeys on Friday, Jan. 9 from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. These programs focus on world travel and in January you’ll have the opportunity to witness Stromboli, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, as it erupts every few minutes in a spectacular display of fire and light.
Finally, if all the noise and festivity of the holiday season is making way for a more introspective and quiet time, you can minimize the sound clutter at Shhh… Silent Cinema at the Library on Thursday, Jan. 22 from 12:00- 1:00 p.m. These early films speak to a bygone era but their themes are timeless.
These low-stress, no cost programs are a great way to start the new year off connecting to the arts and your community.
Feeling ready to strike out on your own? The Yountville Library has access to literally thousands of “things,” many of which help inspire you to paint, cook or build something new. From watercolor pencils, paintbrushes and sewing machines to cookie cutters, cake pans and more. We have books and videos, both the physical and streaming variety, to help guide you. I’m particularly fond of our Pantone guides that show you virtually every color and shade plus the book Pantone on Fashion: a century of color in design.
One of the great things about checking out items from the library instead of buying them—beyond the obvious benefit of saving money—is the freedom to experiment without long-term commitment. Not every hobby, skill, or interest ends up being the right fit, and the library offers a low-pressure way to explore without regret. You’re free to be curious, to try something new, and to change your mind. For example, if you’ve always wanted to learn how to play the guitar, you can check one out from the library, spend a few weeks practicing, and find out whether it’s something you truly enjoy before investing in your own instrument. If you discover it’s not quite for you, there’s no guilt or wasted expense. Plus, you’ll know you gave it a shot.
And the exploration doesn’t have to stop there. If the guitar doesn’t click but you still have that musical itch, the library gives you the chance to branch out and experiment with other instruments like a ukulele, keyboard, steel drum, or even a steel tongue drum (which, despite the similar names, are two very different instruments). While you’re discovering new sounds, you can also check out vinyl records from the library (and even the record player) making it easy to explore different genres and artists in a hands-on way. If you prefer music on the go, but have let your Spotify, Apple Music, or Amazon Music subscription lapse because of the seemingly never-ending price increases, the library has you covered there too. Through Hoopla, our digital streaming service, you have access to literally millions of songs and albums, allowing you to explore, discover, and enjoy music anytime, anywhere—no subscription required.
If you’ve read any of my prior columns you might have read our mission statement for the Napa County Library: “Enriching lives with books and information.”
Our Library of Things and our diverse selection of programs for all ages are just two ways we strive to achieve that mission.
The Yountville Library is open Tuesday – Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Reach the library by phone at (707) 944-1888
Contact the author: [email protected]
Questions or suggestions for your Library Commissioner: [email protected]
Learn more about Friends of the Yountville Library at: [email protected]
Sponsored
Author
