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

Fall is finally here, and with it cooler temperatures, changing leaves, and—of course—Halloween and Thanksgiving! This year, between our Pumpkin Spooktacular, Slightly Batty Halloween Wingding, and dozens of other fun events, we were crazy about Halloween.

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

At BCPL, we envision an interconnected community in which every person experiences an enriched quality of life… and that’s where you come in!

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

Pumpkin Decorating Parties
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.

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!

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!

Did you know that the tradition of New Year’s resolutions goes as far back as the ancient Babylonians? That’s nearly four thousand years of people carrying an unfailing belief in goal setting and new beginnings. Inspiring, right?

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

Life is so hectic! You get up, take the kids to school, and go to work, then after a long work day, it’s time to pick the kids up, cook dinner (or let’s be honest, it’s probably take out, right? Who has time to cook?), go to bed, and then do it ALL over again the next day. Where are you supposed to fit in being healthy and active?

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

Humans have a deep-seated desire to create, learn, and connect to the world around us. Even if you aren’t an artistically inclined person, everyone has hobbies that give them a sense of satisfaction—whether it’s painting a mountain landscape or collecting back issues of National Geographic. Many of us have hobbies we would love to pick up, but can’t seem to find the chance (or the time) to do so.

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

We all have that friend that always seems so calm, cool, and collected. He/she works full time, maintains perfect relationships with her family, never misses an event, and has it together so well she’d give you the shirt off her back if you needed it.

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.

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.

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.

Watch the PBS Launch Special

As we move forward with our strategic plan, we are already stepping up and delivering on one of its key goals: Early Literacy Support.

The building blocks of literacy and language are said to form in the first three years of a child’s life. Reading to or with a child helps form connections within the brain that are key to understanding how printed words work, to building a vocabulary, and for increasing general knowledge. It is important to build and develop the process of reading before kindergarten so children are not only able to read before the first day of school but are also prepared to learn.

The six skills for early literacy development are:

• Letter Knowledge
  Understanding that letters are different from each other and knowing letter names and sounds.
  TIP: Look for alphabet books and shape books (because letters are built on shapes).
• Narrative Skills
  Being able to tell stories and describe things and events.
  TIP: Look for books that provide opportunities to have your child explain what is happening in the book and/or infer meaning from visual cues.
• Phonological Sensitivity
  Being able to hear and play with the smaller sounds that make up words. Understanding that letters are different from each other and knowing letter names and sounds.
  TIP: Look for books that feature rhyming text, a sing-song rhythm, and/or sound words like tweet, vroom, kerplunk, boom, or splat.
• Print Awareness
  Noticing print everywhere (not just in books), understanding that print has meaning, and knowing how to handle a book and follow print on a page.
  TIP: Look for books with whimsical text or bold, easy-to-identify printed words as well as stories that demonstrate the organization and sequence of reading a story or list.
• Print Motivation
  Being interested in and enjoying books.
  TIP: Look for interactive books, books with bright illustrations or photos, and/or very funny or relatable stories.
• Vocabulary
  Knowing the names of things.
  TIP: Look for books that identify objects and use new and interesting words.

Early Literacy Programming @BCPL

Our early literacy programs are designed to help kids develop early literacy skills while modeling useful techniques for parents and caregivers. We aim to teach children about storytelling, good listening and conversation skills, being part of a group, and more.

Ongoing early literacy events include:

• Storytime   Ages 3–5
• Toddler Time   Ages 0–2
• Storytime with Hoopla   Ages 3–5

Special upcoming events include:

• 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Party   Ages 0–5

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten: Get the Whole Family Involved!

Reading with children builds vocabulary and language skills, and it introduces them to a wide range of books and stories to spark their imaginations. Studies have shown that the earlier we read, sing, and speak to children, the earlier they have a desire to learn and the skills to do so. Starting early—before kindergarten—is key to a child’s success through their school years and into adulthood.

But our 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program goes beyond helping children develop early literacy skills and prepare for kindergarten. Reading together is fun and will create lifelong memories. The whole family can get involved, and celebrating milestones can become a fun family bonding activity! The key is perseverance, and BCPL will provide incentive prizes and regular celebrations of the child’s reading accomplishments to help participants remain excited and motivated to meet their goal.

Learn more or sign up now with Beanstack!

We’re changing our cataloging and checkout software to a more powerful platform, which means you’re also getting a new online catalog for finding books, placing holds, and checking your account online! The new catalog will offer you lots of cool new features, including MUCH better integration with digital resources like Hoopla. In the meantime, there will be some downtime in late August when you will not be able to renew your materials online or check your account. No late fines will be charged during this transition period.

Here’s the timeline for what you can expect:

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24th
Our online catalog will close for business. This means you will not be able to check your account online, renew items, or place holds. If you need to find the location of an item while the online catalog is unavailable, please ask a BCPL staff member for help.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24th–FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7th
Fine freeze!!!! While we are transitioning to our new system and because you will lose online access to your account for a short period, no overdue charges will accrue during this timeframe. It is our goal to make the changeover as painless as possible, and we appreciate your patience as we work to make our system better.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 30th
We are officially switching to the new system! Most account services should be operating normally by the end of the day. Some functionality may take a little longer and the new catalog interface will still be under construction, but we believe the inconvenience of this process will be worth the wait!

Here are just a few things you can look forward to with the new system:

• Longer renewal periods on books, audiobooks, and more!
  When we go live with our new system, we are also extending our renewal period on select items. Currently, we offer up to two 14-day renewals on books, magazines, books on CD or MP3, and Playaways. In the new system, you will be able to renew these items for up to 21 days at a time as long as no one else is waiting for them. Not only does this give you the ability to keep items longer when you need to, we’re also making your due dates more straightforward and easier to keep up with.
• Keeping your checkout history!
  The new system will allow you to keep track of the materials you’ve checked out for future reference. Some of you have asked about this in the past, and we’re excited to finally say YES YOU CAN. But you don’t have to keep that history if you don’t want to; for privacy purposes, this will be a completely voluntary service. Please note, you will only be able to view your checkout history beginning with the date you opt-in to the service.
• And we really can’t say it enough: better integration with our digital resources!
  Streaming and downloadable e-books, magazines, movies, and music from most of our e-media providers will be available for check out directly from our catalog. This includes Hoopla, Kentucky Libraries Unbound, and RBdigital! There’s no need to access or search each e-media site separately—you don’t even need to know which platforms to search. You can browse the full Digital Library or search for a particular format, like Kindle or MP3. And not only can you download directly from the online catalog, if the title you want isn’t immediately available, you can also place a hold right there in the catalog—just as you would for a physical item!

Use this form to send questions or comments to our Public Relations Coordinator. Applicants for the Administrative Assistant position should also use this form to submit the requested samples of their work.