In this issue:

Get your tickets for Tee Time at the Library!

2025 staff & volunteer favorites

Free Wall Street Journal access

Join the next Creative Play at the Family Place

Jan. 10: Cat Castles

NEW: Coffee & Crafts monthly series

NEW: Writers Write monthly group

January book clubs & reading lists

Jan. 22: Meet the Artist - Tory Schultz

November private-funding update

Events: New storytimes, author Lori Floyd & more

Just added: 107 items

New on Libby:66 ebooks/audiobooks & 110 magazine titles

Freida McFadden on hoopla & biopics on Kanopy

Get your tickets for Tee Time at the Library

The 6th annual Tee Time at the Library is just two months away! Save the date and make plans to bring your friends and family for a fun and challenging round of mini golf in the stacks.

Enjoy live music, an adult beverage and light refreshments at Friday's 21+ only event (March 6, 6 to 9 p.m.) and show off your putting skills on family day Saturday (March 7, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.), where tickets are just $5 each and kids age 4 and under play for free.

Plus, a 50/50 cash drawing each day, and raffles for great prizes!
Order your order tickets online today or pick them up at the desk.

2025 staff & volunteer favorites

Every year, we ask our staff and volunteers to spill the beans on the books that sent chills up their spine, made them laugh, made them cry, and made them question why they need sleep in the first place as they read on into the wee hours.

Our latest roundup is here, and it's brimming with great suggestions. Once again, fiction dominates, so if novels are your jam, you're in for a treat.

And, in case you missed it, also check out our most circulated items of 2025 for even more great reads to add to your list for 2026.

Ready. Read. Repeat.

Free Wall Street Journal access with your library card

Your library card now gives you free digital access from anywhere to The Wall Street Journal. This new service allows you to read the daily online edition and gives you access to four years of archives.

Access the newspaper through the WSJ button on our homepage, located in the 'online resources' section under the slide show. Create your account for a three-day access pass and use the same link to log in with your username and password after your initial pass expires. Please do not share your sign-on credentials with anyone, as violation of this clause will result in Dow Jones terminating access for the library. Thank you!

Join the next Creative Play at the Family Place!

If you have a toddler in your life, come take part in the next Creative Play series kicking off Feb. 3! For five Tuesdays, we turn the Margaret Knoll Gardner Lecture Room into one big play space filled with toys where everyone can interact and chat informally with each other and with local resources about child-centered topics.

Siblings are invited to join the fun as well. Space is limited, so please sign up;
drop-ins are also welcome if space allows.

Jan. 10: Give your cat the royal treatment!

Let's be honest...your cats are royalty...so they deserve nothing less than a castle worthy of their feline nobility.

On Jan. 10, build them a one-of-a-kind castle using materials we provide, including cardboard boxes, paper towel rolls, and more. Feel free to bring your own embellishments and creative additions to make it truly purr-fect!

No actual cats will be a part of this event (unfortunately), and children must be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times, but it will be lots of fun nonetheless.

Go here to sign up before it fills up.

Jan. 16: New Coffee & Crafts monthly series

Get craftier in 2026! Join us on the third Friday at 1 p.m. for coffee and a craft, with all materials provided--see below for Jan. & Feb. projects.

You're also welcome to bring your own craft to work on...maybe a new project you've been meaning to start, or an unfinished project you want to complete? Now's the time! Bring it over and work on it among friends over coffee.

Go here to sign up.

Writers Write with Marlene Heller (new monthly group)

Looking to sharpen your writing and connect with other writers?

Join a supportive monthly group designed to help aspiring and experienced writers strengthen their craft. You'll have an opportunity to receive constructive feedback, learn proven writing techniques, and build community with like-minded individuals.

Led by Marlene Heller, a seasoned professional with over four decades of experience in writing, reporting, and editing, participants will grow their skills in a collaborative and encouraging environment.

The group is drop-in; no registration or library card required.

January book clubs & reading lists

New year, new reads! The daytime and evening book clubs are set to discuss two great books this month (see below), and there's still time to join them if you like.

Wondering what else they'll be reading? Visit the daytime club and evening club event pages and scroll down to see their lineup.

Jan. 22: Meet the Artist - Tory Schultz

Have you seen the new art exhibit yet? In contrast to grey skies and bare branches outside, the work of Tory Schultz is infused with vibrant color.

If you'd like to see how Tory creates her paintings, come meet her on Jan. 22, when she'll be chatting about her work, answering your questions, and doing a live painting demo! The all-ages event is drop in; no registration required.

Works on display from art exhibits are available for purchase through the Lehigh Art Alliance and your purchase supports the library. Contact Sue Skoras for prices.

November private-funding update

The private-funding thermometer rose by $38,824 in November, bringing the total for the year to $164,002 or 106.4% percent of the goal.

Contributions to the annual fund added more than $29K. Thank you to everyone who has contributed.

The Friends of EPL contributed $5K (thank you Friends!), and they extend their gratitude to everyone who attended their holiday book sale.

Tee Time sponsorships added nearly $2K in November. Get your tickets here now for this fun annual event on March 6 & 7!

General donations (including the donation box) added roughly $1,700, while sales in the Friends' Book Nook totaled more than $500. 

Finally, service income--which includes lost and damaged items, printing/copying, and room rentals--added about $350.

Check back in the next issue for December and full-year results.

Thank you for showing your love for the library!

EVENTS: New storytimes, author Lori Floyd & more

Click below for details and visit the online calendar for more great events!

Just added! Jan. 15 at 6 PM

Meet Lori Floyd, author of The Adventures of the Explorers' Club and a world traveler who has visited all 50 states and 27 countries!

For ages 4-8. Books will be available for sale and signing at the event.

Sign up at emmauspl.org/calendar.

Just added: 107 items

See/download our latest additions (Dec. 1-31) and click on a cover in the PDF for details or to reserve items from your online account for quick pickup at the desk.

New on Libby

Over on Libby, 17 ebooks and 49 audiobooks have been added--as well as 110 new magazine titles and the latest issues of your favorites--all available with your card number and 4-digit PIN.

You'll also find great guides to help kids and teens discover ebooks, audiobooks and authors they'll love.

Need help with Libby?

Check out their help page or book time with library staff for one-on-one help.

Thank you for reading and supporting the library. Watch for the next issue of BELONG on (or about) February 1.

© 2025 Emmaus Public Library | www.emmauspl.org | 610-965-9284