January 2024 Newsletter: Happy New Year!

This Month at the Library: Happy New Year!

Check out what’s going on at the library in this month’s newsletter.

Featured: Year in Review

Happy New Year! 2023 has been a long year with times of joy and also sadness, but through it all, we’re glad we got to spend it with you! Check out the year in review below!

Special thanks to Josh White Jr. for the beautiful rendition of Auld Lang Syne.


Featured: Best Books of 2023

ELPL is full of voracious readers and last year was no exception! Check out some of the most popular titles we saw at the library in 2023.

Want more book recommendations? Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn for new book recs every Friday, or search our social media for #FridayFeaturedReading. You can also check out a compilation of all the #FridayFeaturedReading lists from 2023 in this blog post!


Featured: Paging Through the Past

To celebrate ELPL’s 100th birthday, join Phyllis Thode each month as we explore a decade of the library’s storied history. This month we’re taking a look at the 2010s: we completed a major renovation thanks to a generous donation, and we also installed a community pantry to "take what you need, leave what you can."


Featured: Upcoming Programs

      • The Board will be conducting interviews with finalists for the Library Director position.
      • Join us at Reno's East for drinks and book discussion! This month's title is The Vaster Wilds, by Lauren Groff.
      • The Board will be conducting interviews with finalists for the Library Director position.
      • Practice your reading aloud skills by reading to dogs! These dogs are great listeners. Please sign up at elpl.org.
      • Learn chess, meet other local players, and play matches!
      • Are you a fan of disaster stories? Ever wonder how you’d do in a crisis? Join us for activities based on the “I Survived”  book series by Lauren Tarshis.
      • Join us for a film screening and scholar-led discussion of the documentary "By the Dawn’s Early Light: Chris Jackson’s Journey to Islam," directed by Zareena Grewal. 
      • Learn how to make short documentary films with Emmy-award-winning storyteller Jarrad Henderson and earn a $100 VISA gift card for attending all four sessions. Fill out an application before January 12 to participate.
      • Meet other bird enthusiasts, share stories, and learn ID strategies! The Blue Jay is the photo-focus bird of the month; if you manage to observe and photograph a blue jay this month, you can send your picture to Dr. B by January 19th for a chance at January's prize.
      • We’re discussing Out of My Mind, by Sharon Draper.
      • Read and discuss “Maytag Virgin” at the library, before the play opens live at Williamston Theatre!
      • Join us for themed snacks and conversation at our FINAL Centennial Book Club session! We’ll be discussing What the Fireflies Knew, by Kai Harris (the long 2010s).
    • Participate in fun community service projects and earn a volunteer hour! Pizza provided.

Up and Coming Dates:

  • We will be closed Monday, January 15, for Martin Luther King Jr Day.

Catch ELPL Next Month:

Be on the lookout for more excitement in February! ELPL will be sharing featured reading lists, book displays, and programs throughout the month. Some of the library programs will include:

  • Justice League Panel Discussion
  • Read to a Dog
  • Book Clubs
  • And more!

For more information, visit the library’s website or follow ELPL on social media!