Use this form to send questions or comments to Katie, the teen services programmer at our Mt. Washington location.
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Contact Us: Destiny Stuhler
Use this form to send questions or comments to Destiny, the children's services programmer at our Hillview location.
Celebrate Spring
Let BCPL help you celebrate Earth Day in a meaningful way!
From the bustling activity of spring cleaning to the weather warm-up, spring is the season of renewal. Flowers bloom, wildlife prospers, and spirits lift. BCPL wants to help you enjoy the season to its fullest, beginning with sharing a variety of programs and resources all about protecting and appreciating nature. From gardening events to upcycled crafts to an online Ecology 101 course, we’ve got you covered!
Earth, Nature & Gardening Activities
- Beeutiful Spring | Every Thursday (@Nichols)
- Paint to Pot | Monday, April 10th
- Clay Earrings | Monday, April 10th
- Teens & Terrariums | Wednesday, April 12th
- Stamping into Spring | Thursday, April 13th
- Seed & Plant Exchange | Saturday, April 22nd
- Paint to Pot | Monday, April 24th
Plus….
- Follow our progress as the wildflower garden at Nichols Branch Library blooms, and take a peek at our bee hives as they come out of dormancy. (No worries, we’ll have binoculars available!)
- Visit the Spring/Wind garden at Central Library. We can’t wait for our seasonal plants to start popping up.
- Enjoy themed scavenger hunts at our Hillview and Mt. Washington locations.
- Browse our Earth Day, spring, and/or gardening displays at all locations to discover inspiring reads for the season.
Recommended Resources
- Environmental Sciences film collection on Kanopy
- GreenFile from EBSCOhost Web
- Nature-themed Go! Totes, including Hiking Kentucky and Trees and Plants
- Protecting Our Planet audiobook collection on Hoopla
- Self-paced courses from Universal Class including: Ecology 101, Gardening 101, Landscaping 101, Vegetable Gardening 101
Contact Us: Library Administration
Use this form to send questions or comments to BCPL's Administration Team.
Resolution Solutions
This year, BCPL wants to help you set and keep your New Year’s resolutions! Throughout the month of January, we’ll be exploring some of the most common resolutions people make and sharing how you can use your library resources to reach your goals.
No one is perfect, and the path to keeping your goals won’t be either. If you fall behind, be kind to yourself and get right back on the path. Set your plans, but be flexible, too. And remember, small victories lead to big goals!
RESOLUTION #1
But here’s a secret you may not know—that exterior is a myth. Nobody lives a completely balanced life. Even the person you think has everything figured out! But we have tips and strategies on how you can feel a little more balanced.
Recommended Solutions:
- Check out a family-themed GO! Tote like Family Classic Games, Family Game Night, Hiking Kentucky, or Jumanji Escape Room!
- Plan some couples’ time with GO! Totes like Date Night, Dungeons & Dragons, or Hunt a Killer: Death at the Dive Bar.
- Take some “me” time with GO! Totes like Knitting & Crochet or Painting with Acrylic.
- Make family time with Family Bingo, Family Bunco, Family Movie Night, Family Storytime & more!
- Join a BCPL book club and/or our 2022 Book Binge challenge!
- Nourish your hobbies and enjoy time with others with similar interests. If you’re crafty, consider attending Crafting with Gayle, Scrapbooking Club, or Twisted Stitches!
- Universal Class
Courses to consider: Building Self-Esteem, How to Be Your Own Life Coach, Pursuing Happiness: Successful Strategies, Relaxation 101, Single Parenting 101, Stress Management, Time Management 101, & more! - Wellness Momentum Facebook | YouTube
Begins January 2nd. Watch Life in Perspective, Grief & Loss, Wellness from the Woods, and more!
RESOLUTION #2
According to Harvard University, it’s important to our health to stay active. Physical activity keeps our hearts, bodies, and brains healthy and functioning. We all pretty much understand this, but finding time to exercise, eat better, and take care of our mental and emotional needs is difficult in such a fast-paced society.
Recommended Solutions:
- Check out a health-themed GO! Tote, like Hiking Kentucky or Weight Watchers.
- Chair Yoga
- Nutrition 101
- Universal Class
Courses to consider: Anti-Aging Techniques, Depression Management, Diabetes 101, Drug & Alcohol Abuse 101, Emotional Healing 101, Nutrition 101 & 201, Weight Loss Management, Weight Training 101! - Wellness Momentum Facebook | YouTube
Begins January 2nd. Watch Yoga and more!
RESOLUTION #3
Believe it or not, your library is a hotbed of opportunities for you to finally check out that hobby you’ve always been interested in.
Recommended Solutions:
- Check out a themed GO! Tote that speaks to your interests or hobbies (or your kids’ interests!), like Gross Biology; Mars & the Universe; or Louisville for foodies, travelers, and amateur historians.
- Learn an instrument—including voice classes!–with ArtistWorks.
- Learn a new language with our Intro to Sign Language series (begins February 1st) or explore dozens of languages with Mango.
- Learn DIY skills and ALL THE CRAFTS with Creativebug.
- Universal Class
Courses range from business skills to UFO Studies!
RESOLUTION #4:
But man—keeping your finances in order is HARD! Saving money, budgeting money, investing your money: these are things they don’t always teach you in school. There are methods we can use to keep our finances in order, but without the knowledge, we don’t know where to start.
Recommended Solutions:
- Schedule an appointment with a reference librarian. You can get help with a job search or your résumé, build computer skills to boost your employability, learn to use Excel to create a budget, and more.
- Universal Class
Courses to consider: Accounting & Bookkeeping 101 for Everyone, Business Budgeting 101, Debt Reduction, Investing 101, Investing 201, Investing 301, Personal Finance 101, Retirement Planning, Understanding Insurance Types & more!
Do you have a SPECIFIC resolution in need of solutions?
Contact us, and we’ll offer possible solutions to aid your progress.
Say Goodbye to Late Fees!
In December 2018, we eliminated overdue fines on all youth materials. Then at the start of the pandemic in early 2020, we suspended late fees altogether.
Now we’re making it permanent!
Effective immediately, BCPL no longer charges fees for late materials. All pre-existing late fines are also forgiven. Simply bring your materials back. Patrons are still responsible for replacement fees if items are lost or damaged.
Why have we eliminated fines?
We believe no one should be denied access to library materials based on their ability to pay fines. Eliminating late fees removes an access barrier to ensure all BCPL patrons can explore, learn, and enjoy equally.
Plus, studies show that eliminating fines encourages patrons to return overdue materials—making them available for others to borrow once again!
Wait… Does that mean I can just keep all the things?
Materials will still have a due date when you check them out, but you will now have up to THREE opportunities to renew items* as long as they haven’t been requested by someone else. If an item reaches 45 days overdue, patrons must either renew or pay a replacement fee; otherwise, patrons will be suspended from checking out additional material until the overdue items are returned.
*Please note, some items, including Blu-rays, DVDs, and Playaway Launchpads, are not renewable.
When will the charges be removed from my account?
Overdue fees should already be cleared from your account, but if we missed something on your account, let us know. If items were not returned, your account will still have charges for the lost item(s). Simply bring your “lost” materials back to the library and all fines will be forgiven.
Has your library card expired?
You can visit any BCPL location to get your account updated or even request a renewal online! If you don’t have a library card, you can apply for a Digital-Only account online or drop by any of our five neighborhood locations to sign up for a full-privileges account.
E-mail an Open Records Request
You may use this online form to e-mail your records request. For additional submission options or requirements, please refer to our Open Records Request page.
Take & Make Activity Kits
Bring home the excitement of some of your favorite library programs and events! Our various Take & Make Activity Kits are designed to provide you with everything you need to enjoy fun hands-on crafts, experiments, and other activities at your convenience.
Craft Takeout
Are you hungry for a new craft? Order up a delicious new project every month. Ages 18 and up. Kits are typically released on the 1st of each month. Supplies are limited.
MONTHLY TAKEOUT MENU:
- September – Pumpkin Jar
- October – Boho Hoop Wreath
- November – Decoupage Coasters
Storytime Crafts Kits
If your kiddos are wanting to take the storytime experience home, these kits may be just what you’re looking for! Our Storytime Crafts Kits are a great way to build on your in-person storytimes at the library or to replace hands-on storytime craft activities if you can’t make it to one of our regular storytimes. They include everything you need to craft your weekly projects, and you have the perfect recipe for at-home family fun and learning for the littles.
- Monthly kits for each new month are available beginning at the end of the previous month. Pick them up at any BCPL location anytime throughout the month while supplies last!
Contact Us: Kathryn
Contact Us: Kirsten
Contact Us: Nichols Branch Library Manager
Enjoy Holiday Celebrations
This holiday season, Bullitt County Public Library is delighted to present a variety of free programs we hope will entertain, elevate the holiday spirit, and, of course, excite the kiddos. From visits with Santa to special community gatherings and holiday-themed movie nights, we’ve got something planned for all ages!
Crafty Holiday Fun
- December 2nd- Holiday Crafting Afternoon, Holiday Wreaths for Kids: Christmas Cheer
- December 5th- Holiday “JOY” Frame Trio, DIY Santa’s Cookie Plate
- December 12th- Holiday Wreaths for Kids: Christmas Cheer
- December 14th- Breakfast with Santa, PJs & Pastries with Santa, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, DIY Wood Ornaments
- December 16th- DIY Santa’s Cookie Plate, DIY Wood Ornaments
Holiday Community Gatherings
- December 2nd- Holiday Crafting Afternoon
- December 7th– Holiday Stories by the Tree
Holiday-themed Movies
- December 2nd- Family Movie Night: The Grinch
- December 7th- Hanging with the Clauses (also showing: A Year Without Santa Claus)
- December 12th- Family Movie Night: Christmas with the Kranks
- December 14th- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
- December 16th- Merry Grinchmas!
- December 19th- Family Movie Night: A Christmas Story
Holiday Stories
- December 2nd- A Winter’s Evening Storytime
- December 6th- Storytime with Hoopla
- December 7th– Holiday Stories by the Tree
- December 9th- A Winter’s Evening Storytime
- December 10th- Brown Bag Book Club: Finding Noel by Richard Paul Evans
- December 14th- Breakfast with Santa, PJs & Pastries with Santa
- December 17th- Toddler Time & Storytime (Jingle Bell Parties @Mt. Washington)
- December 18th- Toddler Time & Storytime (Jingle Bell Parties @Hillview)
- December 19th- Toddler Time & Storytime (Jingle Bell Parties @Ridgway Memorial)
- December 20th- Toddler Time & Storytime (Jingle Bell Parties @Ridgway Memorial)
Visits with Santa
- December 7th- Hanging with the Clauses
- December 14th- Breakfast with Santa, PJs & Pastries with Santa
Check It Out!
We also have a number of resources available for checkout, whether you want to watch a holiday classic to boost your Christmas cheer, settle in with a holiday-themed mystery for a cozy night in, or get advice on planning the perfect holiday gathering.
Holiday Film Fest
Season’s Readings
Holiday Entertaining
Enjoy Fall Festivities
But there’s still plenty to celebrate and be thankful for this fall season with Thanksgiving just around the corner. Then, before you know it, winter and Christmas celebrations will begin!
Thanksgiving Celebrations
- Cornucopia of Stories Children of All Ages & Their Families
- DIY Thanksgiving Plates All Ages
- Feather Painting Ages 3–5
- Fill Up Your Holiday Cup Ages 16+
- Holiday Nailed It Ages 12–18
- Storytime (November 26th–29th) Ages 3–5
- Toddler Time (November 26th–29th) Ages 0–2
Next Up: Winter & Christmas
- Breakfast with Santa All Ages
- DIY Holiday Cards Ages 16+
- DIY Santa’s Cookie Plate Children of All Ages
- DIY Wood Ornaments Ages 5–11 & Their Families
- Falling Snow Art Ages 18+
- Fill Up Your Holiday Cup Ages 16+
- Hanging with the Clauses Children of All Ages
- Holiday Crafting Afternoon All Ages
- Holiday “JOY” Frame Trio Ages 12+
- Holiday Nailed It Ages 12–18
- Holiday Stories by the Tree All Ages
- Holiday Wreaths for Kids Children of All Ages
- Louisville Ballet Storytime: Nutcracker Special Children of All Ages
- Merry Grinchmas! Children of All Ages
- PJs & Pastries with Santa All Ages
- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Children of All Ages
- Storytime (December 17th–20th) Ages 3–5
- Storytime with Hoopla Ages 3–5
- Toddler Time (December 17th–20th) Ages 0–2
- A Winter Evening’s Storytime Ages 0–5
Pumpkin Spooktacular
Please join with us to create a Pumpkin Spooktacular for our entire community to enjoy. Enter our contests to create the most spooktacular pumpkin of them all, vote for your favorite pumpkins to determine our winners, and attend special events—including decorating parties and an illuminated tour of our pumpkin path after dark. It’s all happening this Halloween at Hillview Branch Library!
Pumpkin Spooktacular Contest
INDIVIDUAL & FAMILY PARTICIPATION
Individuals or family groups are invited to submit one decorated pumpkin for our Pumpkin Spooktacular walking trail. Decorate your pumpkin using whatever materials you like—the sky’s the limit. But no carving or puncturing of your pumpkin is allowed.
You may enter a library-supplied pumpkin from one of our decorating parties, or you can purchase and decorate a pumpkin at home.
- PUMPKIN DROP-OFF:
If you choose to decorate your pumpkin at home, submissions must be dropped off at Hillview Branch Library on Friday, October 25th or Saturday, October 26th during regular library hours between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM. - PRIZE:
In addition to bragging rights, the patron contest winner(s) will receive a $25 Walmart gift card.
BUSINESS & ORGANIZATION PARTICIPATION
Bring on the jack-o’-lanterns! Local businesses and organizations can get in on the fun too. Participating organizations may submit one carved pumpkin. You bring the carved jack-o’-lantern; we’ll provide the illumination!
- PUMPKIN DROP-OFF:
Friday, October 25th & Saturday, October 26th | 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
VOTING: October 26th–30th
Voting kicks off on Saturday, October 26th during our Nighttime Walkabout! Library patrons and visitors who can’t attend the Nighttime Walkabout can still visit the Pumpkin Spooktacular walking trail and vote for their favorite pumpkin until 8:00 PM on Wednesday, October 30th. Then we’ll tally the votes and announce the winners on Halloween!
Pumpkin Spooktacular Events
Come decorate a fun or spooky pumpkin to be showcased in our Nighttime Walkabout!
- Thursday, October 24th | 6:00–7:00 PM | Registration Required
- Friday, October 25th | 12:00–4:30 PM | Registration Required
Nighttime Walkabout
Visit the library after dark to take a stroll along our pumpkin path filled with spooktacular creations provided by members of the community. Costumes welcome!
- Saturday, October 24th | 7:30–9:30 PM | Just drop in!
…And don’t forget to vote for your favorite pumpkins!
Saturday, October 26th (opens 7:30 PM)–Wednesday, October 30th (closed 8:00 PM)
Voting will be open during Saturday evening’s Nighttime Walkabout and during regular library hours thereafter.
Explore Your Creative Side
Explore the Spring Season
Let BCPL help you explore the new season!
From the bustling activity of spring cleaning to the weather warm-up, spring is the season of renewal. Flowers bloom, wildlife prospers, and spirits lift. BCPL wants to help you enjoy the season to its fullest, and we offer a wide variety of resources and upcoming events to help you get motivated for and excited about the brand new season!
Celebrate Nature, Gardening & More
- Paint Hive Boxes | various dates
- Make DIY Terrariums | Tuesday, March 19th
- Build a Birdhouse | Saturday, March 30th
- Earth Day Festival 2019 | Saturday, April 20th
- Seed & Plant Exchange | Saturday, April 27th
- Homemade Homegrown Fest series | Begins May 18th
Make the Most of Spring Break
- Spring Break Crafternoon | Monday, April 1st
1:00–2:00 PM @Lebanon Junction - Spring Break Crafternoon | Tuesday, April 2nd
1:00–2:00 PM @Ridgway Memorial - Random Fandom Gaming Night: Spring Break Free Play | Thursday, April 4th
4:00–7:00 PM @Ridgway Memorial, Hillview, Mt. Washington - Disney Matinee | Friday, April 5th
10:00 AM–3:00 PM @Hillview
Get Egg-cited about Easter
- Bunny Bonanza (with the Bun Bun Brigade) | Saturday, April 6th
- Easter Egg Slime | Monday, April 8th
- Eggstract Art | Friday, April 12th
- Some Bunny to Love | Saturday, April 13th
- Peeps Catapult | Wednesday, April 17th
Book suggestions and more coming soon!
The Last Movie Star
Cindy says:
An aging movie star faces the ravages of time but in the end realizes that he is still important and has value.
Men We Reaped by Jesmyn Ward
Tracy says:
A searing work that still lingers at the edge of my thoughts more than five years later. Through the deaths of five young men in her Mississippi community over the course of four years, the National Book Award–winning author explores the realities of poverty and blackness in America. Ward’s account is candid and beautifully wrought, and she manages to maintain a light, humanistic touch without glossing over the gritty details.
Explore Black History
Take BCPL’s Black History Month Challenge this February!
February 1st–28th
Learn more about African-American history, culture, milestones, and achievements… You can choose from over 40 activities. Activities range from exploring African-American art and literature to learning more about the Black experience in Bullitt County’s past to enjoying tasty cuisine or an impromptu Motown dance party.
You can read, listen, watch, or even create for your chance to win awesome prizes! Three lucky winners will be selected in a random prize drawing, and winners will get to choose their own prize.
Prize choices include:
- Tickets to Keystone Cinemas in Mt. Washington
- Tickets to Rave Movie Theaters in Okolona
- Tickets to Jim Beam Distillery Tour in Clermont
- Tickets to Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory
- Tickets to Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville
- Tickets to the Frazier History Museum in Louisville
How to Participate:
STEP 1: Register for an account in Beanstack (if you haven’t already)
If you already have an account but you forgot your login credentials, stop by any BCPL location for help retrieving your info.
STEP 2: Complete activities to earn badges.
Badges are earned by completing any activity in a selected category—and you’ll have several activities to choose from in each category!
STEP 3: Earn at least 3 badges to be entered in the Black History Month Challenge prize drawing! …And you can earn more badges for more chances at winning!
Resolution Solutions
But unfortunately, New Year’s resolutions are much easier to make than to achieve. Sometimes we don’t even know where to begin. We have a tendency to set huge, unrealistic goals, rather than focusing on smaller, more achievable options. As a result, often people don’t actually believe they’ll stick to their goals, and by February, they’ve given up entirely. Failure in any capacity is very disheartening, and can affect our self-esteem and our drive to keep trying.
Part of that inability to follow through could be because we know what we want to accomplish, but we don’t put much thought into how we’re going to achieve it. We have to step back from the emotional side of setting resolutions and create a step-by-step plan for making them happen. Doing so can lessen anxiety, improve focus, and boost confidence—making success far more likelVisit Sitey.
Just as we did in 2018, BCPL wants to help you set and keep your New Year’s resolutions. Throughout the month of January, we’ll be exploring some of the most common resolutions people make and sharing how you can use your library resources to reach your goals. Along the way, we’ll also share some helpful tips on how to keep your momentum going!
No one is perfect, and the path to keeping your goals won’t be either. If you fall behind, be kind to yourself and get right back on the path. Set your plans, but be flexible, too. And remember, small victories lead to big goals!
RESOLUTION #1:
Money is an unfortunate necessity in life. We need it to pay for simple living necessities, like a home to live in, water to drink, food to eat, and electricity to keep us warm. People also have an innate desire to make memories, and while there are many things you can do that don’t cost money, a lot of things we enjoy do.
But man—keeping your finances in order is HARD! Saving money, budgeting money, investing your money: these are things they don’t always teach you in school. There are methods we can use to keep our finances in order, but without the knowledge, we don’t know where to start.
RESOLUTION #2
According to Harvard University, it’s important to our health to stay active. Physical activity keeps our hearts, bodies, and brains healthy and functioning. We all pretty much understand this, but finding time to exercise, eat better, and take care of our mental and emotional needs is difficult in such a fast-paced society.
RESOLUTION #3
Believe it or not, your library is a hotbed of opportunities for you to finally check out that hobby you’ve always been interested in.
RESOLUTION #4
But here’s a secret you may not know—that exterior is a myth. Nobody lives a completely balanced life. Even the person you think has everything figured out! But we have tips and strategies on how you can feel a little more balanced. And for a solid perspective on living your best life in 2019, we suggest you check out our Color Your Year Pretty series with local author Stephanie Feger.
Contact Us: Interlibrary Loan
Please use this form to contact or ask questions of our Interlibary Loan Clerk. To request an ILL, please use the Interlibrary Loan Request form.
Goodnight Batcave by Dave Croatto
Beth says:
Hilarious parody of Goodnight, Moon, featuring Batman and his most famous villains! Kids will love it, and parents will love reading it!!
Contact Us: Raychel Bennet
Use this form to send questions or comments to Raychel from our Reference Desk at the Main Library in Shepherdsville.
Coco
Laura says:
This movie shows people the importance of family in our lives. Even though Miguel isn’t allowed to play his guitar and follow his musical passion, he is able to persuade his family that music isn’t bad and uncovers a family secret.
Enjoy The Great American Read
Simply earn three badges to earn a spot in our Great Prize drawings. And earn 10 badges to gain entry in the Grand Prize drawing for 10 titles of your choice from the 100 best-loved novels list.
BCPL is jumping on the Great American Reads bandwagon!
Designed to spark a national conversation about reading, literacy, and the books that have inspired us, moved us, and shaped us, The Great American Read is an eight-part PBS series and nationwide competition that explores the joy of books and the power of reading through the prism of America’s 100 best-loved books, as voted on by the public. That’s a mission we can get behind!
To that end, BCPL is hosting a three-month reading and activity challenge to help teens and adults celebrate our love of great books along with the rest of the nation. Participants will read, share, watch, and vote for a chance to win titles from the Great American Read collection of America’s 100 best-loved novels. Several winners will be chosen.
Participate with BCPL!
Join Our Reading and Activity Program
STEP 1: Register for an account in Beanstack.
If you participated in the Cultural Pass program, you already have a Beanstack account. If you forgot your login credentials, stop by any BCPL location for help retrieving your info.
STEP 2: Complete activities to earn badges.
Vote for America’s best-loved novel, join a book club, read books, watch videos, share book reviews, and more.
STEP 3: Earn at least 3 badges to be entered in the Great Prize drawings. Earn at least 10 badges to be entered in the Grand Prize drawing!
Read with BCPL’s Off the Shelf Teen Book Club
Join us at Lebanon Junction Branch Library on the 2nd & 4th Tuesdays of the month to hang out, eat snacks, and talk about books! Ages 13–17.
- Tuesday, September 11th | 4:00–6:00 PM
SELECTION: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak - Tuesday, September 25th | 4:00–6:00 PM
SELECTION: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak - Tuesday, October 9th | 4:00–6:00 PM
SELECTION: The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton - Tuesday, October 23rd | 4:00–6:00 PM
SELECTION: The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
Learn More about This National Movement
View the List of 100 Books
Included titles were selected and voted on by the American public.