Libraries Were Made for “Inside Weather”

Whether in the sweltering heat of summer, or the blustery cold of winter, Libraries offer a comfortable indoor refuge from the elements, and supplies you can take home to enjoy the great indoors.  Read on for some of our recommended winter offerings to help you make the most of cozy season!

Explore this list of ideas to make your winter cozy and creative, whether by cooking, crafting, reading or learning something new, watching a movie with loved ones, or accessing on-demand content for days when you don’t even want to leave the house! 

COOKBOOKS

Something about cold weather just demands a hot, home-cooked meal.  You can explore our enormous and diverse collection of cookbooks in our catalog to create heartwarming comfort food or explore the cuisine of another culture this winter.  Tell us your favorite library cookbook recipes on your next visit, or tag us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter if you share a memorable cookbook meal on social media! 

CRAFT PROGRAMS & OTHER WINTER OFFERINGS

Crafting is the epitome of cozy, especially knitting.  We have programs dedicated to the fiber arts year round that are suitable for beginners, and if you haven’t joined us yet, maybe this winter is the perfect time to try!  Check out our program guide (available in print in our libraries while supplies last) or our online calendar for listings, and browse our catalog for crafting books to keep exploring the cozy arts at home. 

If crafting isn’t your thing, we have educational programs planned all season long that appeal to the film buffs, history lovers, avid readers, and digital content creators among us. We also still offer some virtual programming options!  Caregivers and families with small children can join us for a virtual storytime from the comfort of their homes.  Kids learning to build reading confidence might enjoy registering for PUP Readers, where they can practice reading to a trained therapy dog, virtually!

It’s all in the calendar. We hope you’ll join us!

NEW BOOKS & CLASSICS FOR ALL AGES

Give yourself the gift of a great book, for free!  Whether it’s a new title or a new-to-you classic you’ve had on your TBR list for too long, now’s the time to spend hours inside reading a library book with a blanket and a steaming cup of tea!  See what’s new for adults, children, and teens by browsing the home page of our catalog, or visit your library to see what’s new on the shelves, and don’t forget to try My Next Read if you would like customized recommendations for what to read next. 

MOVIES

Pop some popcorn with friends or family and watch a DVD or stream a movie from Hoopla – we’ve got a great collection of movies, TV shows, and family-friendly options for movie nights at home.  If you’d rather gather with others and make new friends, join us at one of the film screenings we’re hosting this winter! 

DOWNLOADS & STREAMING

Maybe it’s snowing, or below freezing, or getting dark out too early, or…you get the idea.  Winter sometimes makes us want to just stay in!  And at those times, the library has options to download and stream ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, music, and the aforementioned movies and TV shows, via Libby (formerly OverDrive), Hoopla, and Magzter. 

STORYLINE

Plus, don’t forget you can call in to hear a story read aloud to you over the phone by a librarian!  New Storyline recordings are uploaded each week and stories are geared toward young children.  Dial 804-501-1946 to hear this week’s story title.  We think it would be great to listen with our little ones before bedtime, or maybe in a dark room with a crackling fire, or sitting on the sofa in pajamas, or maybe on a long drive to visit family around the holidays… the possibilities are endless.

These ideas are just a jumping-off point, of course – there is so much on offer at the library to fill our cold and dark winter days with entertainment, learning, and wonder.  We hope you’ll visit us often and stay warm and cozy this winter, preferably accompanied by a good book.