Romance Novels for Sale!

The Friends of the Library are selling sets of romance novels at the great price of $1 -- just in time for Valentine's Day!

Each set contains 3 novels bound in colorful ribbon.

Please look for them on display in front of the Friend's Book Sale at the Visalia Branch Library.

Visalia Branch Children's Events, February 2016

Are you looking for something fun to do with your wee ones this month? Join us for all these fun happenings in Visalia in the month of February!

Call the Children’s Desk at 559-713-2731 for more information!

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Mystery Readers Book Group, February 17

Mystery Readers Book Group  

Sponsored by The Friends of the Library 

(559) 713-2709

For February: Read a book you got for the holidays!

Next Meeting
February 17 at 6:30pm

Come and bring a friend!!

February is the Month for Kindness as Well as Love!

During Library Lovers Month the Tulare County Library branch crafts will focus on showing our library love by honoring Random Acts of Kindness Day on February 17.  Here are the Kindness crafts for each week:

February 1 through 5 – Chain of Kindness

February 8 through 12 – Gratitude Card for Our Troops

February 15 through 19 – Complimenting Flower

February 22 through 26 – Kindness Cootie Catchers

Craft sessions are available at the Alpaugh, Earlimart, Exeter, Ivanhoe, Lindsay, Orosi, Springville, Strathmore, Three Rivers, Tipton and Woodlake branch libraries.  Times vary with each location.

For more information on craft days and times at these branches or other Tulare County Library programs, please go to www.tularecountylibrary.org and choose the locations tab or call the branches:

Alpaugh                    (559) 949-8355
Exeter                      (559) 592-5361
Earlimart                   (661) 849-2525
Ivanhoe                    (559) 798-1264
Lindsay                     (559) 562-3021
Orosi                         (559) 591-5830
Springville                 (559) 539-2624 
Strathmore                (559) 568-1087
Three Rivers               (559) 561-4564
Tipton                        (559) 752-4236
Woodlake                   (559) 564-8424

Complimenting flower

Life-Size Candyland at Visalia Library, February 13

The Visalia Library's Homework Center will be transformed into Candyland for Valentine's Day! Children ages 3 to 12 are invited to play through the game as life-size pieces to win treats and prizes.

The event is free and no registration is required. Sessions last about 20 minutes each. Drop in anytime between 1:00 - 4:00pm on Saturday, February 13 to play.

For more information, call the Visalia Children's Desk at 559-713-2731.

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Independent Film Series, February 23

Join us at the Visalia Library on Tuesday, February 23 at 6:00pm to watch Secrets of War!

Synopsis: Tuur and Lambert are best friends in a Nazi-occupied Dutch village who pass their days playing soldiers and exploring local caves, mimicking a war that seems far removed from their everyday life. When Maartje joins their class, the young girl immediately stands out as different from her classmates. Yet the boys embrace their new friend, forming a unique bond based on shared adventures, secrets and mischief. Ultimately, the realities of war find even them - Lambert's father, a Nazi sympathizer, is named mayor of their town and Tuur discovers his own father and brother have joined the resistance, instantly putting the two boys at odds. Meanwhile, Maartje is hiding a secret of her own, one that not only threatens to tear the new friends apart, but could lead to devastating consequences for anyone involved in keeping it. Secrets Of War puts both the danger and the humanity of wartime friendships squarely on the shoulders of three children who must face extraordinary circumstances with a maturity far beyond their years.

Directed by Dennis Bots | Netherlands | 2014 | Dutch with English subtitles | 95 min.

The film will be shown at 6:00pm in the upstairs "blue" meeting room at the Visalia Branch Library. This event is free and open to the public. Absolutely everyone is welcome.

For more information, visit the Reference Desk or call (559) 713-2723. You can also join the event on Facebook.

Bingo for Books at Exeter Branch Library

BINGO! The Exeter Branch Library invites children 3-18 to play bingo for a chance to win a book and other prizes. Drop in and play a game on Thursday, February 25 from 2:30pm to 5:30pm. The Friends of the Library-Exeter donated all these wonderful prizes. 

The Exeter Branch Library is located on 230 E Chestnut in Exeter. For more information, please contact 559-592-5361.

The Exeter library is a branch of the Tulare County Library which serves all the citizens of Tulare County with locations in fifteen communities, four book machines, and an online presence at www.tularecountylibrary.org. 

Branch Libraries to Open Late, Friday January 22

All branch libraries that are normally open on Fridays are authorized to close for the morning this Friday, January 22. They will reopen at 1:00 pm.

The Visalia Branch Library will open at its normal time of 12:00 pm on Friday.

We apologize for the inconvenience. Please call the Visalia Library at 559-713-2700 or your branch library with any additional questions.

For more information on branch hours and locations, please go to www.tularecountylibrary.org and choose your desired location from the locations tab.

Three Rivers Branch Presents "Black Bear Ecology and Management in SEKI Parks," February 11

Sleepy Bear - John Verive

The Three Rivers Branch will presenting a free community program, "Black Bear Ecology and Management in SEKI Parks," on Thursday, February 11 at 6:30pm. 

Danny Gammons, Park Wildlife Biologist, will present a powerpoint presentation. He will talk about black bears which do two things – make more bears and eat. Three Rivers has had an incredible bear year and Danny will remind us that bear caused property damage is the tax we pay for living in a natural environment.

Children welcome!

Three Rivers Branch Library is located at 42052 Eggers Dr., Three Rivers, CA 93271-0216. Please call (559) 561-4564 or visit the Three Rivers Library page for more information. 

Exeter Branch Hours in January

Exeter Branch will have slightly different hours on a few days in January:

The Exeter Branch will be open on Tuesday, January 12 and Wednesday, January 27 from 1pm-5pm & 6pm-8pm.

On Friday, January 22, we will be open from 2pm-6pm. We apologize for any inconvenience.

La Biblioteca de Exeter estará abierta el Martes, 12 de enero, y Miércoles, 27 de enero de 1 p.m.-5 p.m. y 6 p.m.-8 p.m. El Viernes, 22 de enero estará abierta 2pm-6pm. Nos disculpamos por cualquier inconveniente.

For more information, call the Library at (559) 592-5361, visit their webpage or Facebook. 

Tulare County Library Literacy Center Celebrates Renovation

A ribbon cutting ceremony yesterday marked the reopening of the Literacy Center of the Tulare County Library.

The event, sponsored by the Visalia Chamber of Commerce, recognized the renovation of the Center and the Visalia Community Rotary Foundation, which funded the project.

Marie Labbee, Chamber Ambassador Chair, opened the event, and Darla Wegener, Tulare County Librarian, and Sue Gillison, Literacy Program Manager, together wielded the shears that snipped the red ribbon.

In her remarks, Ms. Gillison said, “We are so grateful for the generous gift and thoughtfulness of the Rotary Foundation. It is a pleasure to have a sparkling place for our tutors and learners to meet. We are so proud of our old house and its new look!  Thank you, Visalia Community Rotary Foundation!”

Among the attendees were Tulare County Supervisors Phil Cox, Pete Vander Poel, and Steve Worthley; Library Board members Charlie Saponara and Art Zschau; Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Armondo Apodaca, and Visalia Chamber members Scott Smith, Clayton Biewer, Thomas Forbes and Deanna Saldana. Literacy tutors Peggy Blanchard, Mary Ann Bringhurst, Marsha Brooks-Smith, Don Holzem, Julia Honer and Sandy Marlow were also present.

The refurbishment included fresh paint, new carpet for the entire building, and new flooring in the kitchen. After the ceremony, the audience viewed the improvements and enjoyed light refreshments in the Center.

The Dutch Colonial Revival cottage that is home to the Center is located at 417 North Locust Street, behind the Visalia Branch Library. It is believed to be the oldest continuously occupied dwelling in Visalia.
Open to any adult resident, the Literacy Center’s Read to Succeed program is a free service of the Tulare County Library. For more information about the Center and its activities, please call (559) 713-2745 or go online to: http://www.tularecountylibrary.org/literacyprogram.html.

The Tulare County Library Literacy Center

First Tuesday Book Club, February 2

For February, we're reading In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson.

Summary: Every time Bill Bryson walks out the door, memorable travel literature threatens to break out. His previous excursion along the Appalachian Trail resulted in the sublime national bestsellerA Walk in the Woods. In A Sunburned Country is his report on what he found in an entirely different place: Australia, the country that doubles as a continent, and a place with the friendliest inhabitants, the hottest, driest weather, and the most peculiar and lethal wildlife to be found on the planet. The result is a deliciously funny, fact-filled, and adventurous performance by a writer who combines humor, wonder, and unflagging curiousity.

Despite the fact that Australia harbors more things that can kill you in extremely nasty ways than anywhere else, including sharks, crocodiles, snakes, even riptides and deserts, Bill Bryson adores the place, and he takes his readers on a rollicking ride far beyond that beaten tourist path. Wherever he goes he finds Australians who are cheerful, extroverted, and unfailingly obliging, and these beaming products of land with clean, safe cities, cold beer, and constant sunshine fill the pages of this wonderful book. Australia is an immense and fortunate land, and it has found in Bill Bryson its perfect guide.

We are meeting in the Visalia Branch Blue Room to discuss this book on February 2 from 6:30pm - 7:45pm.

Start the New Year Right by Volunteering for the Tulare County Library Advisory Board

Would you like to make a difference in the lives of children, teens, and adults?

Do you want to contribute to keeping our libraries great in Tulare County?

The Tulare County Library Advisory Board seeks candidates to fill vacancies representing Supervisor Districts 4 and 5 and three At-Large members. The Advisory Board meets once a month to advise and make recommendations regarding all phases of library services and operations of the Tulare County Library System.  Members work with the County Librarian on important library issues that affect their communities. The Board also presents an annual report to the Board of Supervisors about the Tulare County Library.

District Four includes libraries in Dinuba, Orosi, Woodlake, and opening soon in London. Springville and Terra Bella libraries are located in District Five. At-Large members can come from anywhere in Tulare County.

For more information and to request an application by mail, contact either the Library at (559) 713-2700 or the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors' Office at (559) 636-5000. The application form also is available on the Tulare County website at http://tularecounty.ca.gov/clerkoftheboard/.

Urban Art Show to Tour Tulare County Libraries

The 5th annual Step Up Urban Art Tour begins with a reception at the Visalia Branch Library on Wednesday, January 13, 2016 at 6 pm. The four-month tour stops at 10 Tulare County Library locations, as well as the Tulare Public Library, Porterville Public Library, and Tulare County Government Plaza.

The display features spray paint art pieces inspired by the Tulare County Office of Education's CHOICES program, an afterschool activity designed to help children succeed. Artists from Bakersfield, Fresno and Hollister have created three different one-of-a-kind works featured on the tour.

The Urban Art works are on exhibit as follows:

In addition to the kickoff event at the Visalia Library, another reception will be held at the Tulare Public Library in Tulare city on Wednesday, March 16 at 6 PM.

Live Author Talk with Tess Gerritsen, January 20

The Visalia Branch Library is participating in a live virtual discussion with the creator of Rizzoli & Isles about murder, romance, and dark secrets. Join the conversation!

Please contact the Visalia Reference Desk at 559-713-2703 for more information.

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Adult Coloring at Visalia Branch Library, Tuesday January 19

Join us for some stress relief after the holidays. What could be better than coloring?

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Please contact the Visalia Reference Desk at 559-713-2703 for more information. We're also on Facebook!

Exeter Branch Library Holds Frequent Reader Club This Month

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Cold winter days are the perfect time for kids to stay warm inside, read a good book, and earn a free book at the same time!

Children and teens from kindergarten through 12^th grade can join the January Frequent Reader Club at the Exeter Branch Library, from January 5 to January 29.  Each day a student checks out a book, he or she receives a stamp. Kids and teens can also earn bonus stamps when they attend a library program. After collecting stamps on six different days, they’ve earned a free book! 

Pick up the Frequent Reader Club card at the Exeter Branch Library located at 230 East Chestnut Street in Exeter. For more information, please contact the Exeter Branch Library at 559-592-5361.

The Exeter library is a branch of the Tulare County Library which serves all the citizens of Tulare County with locations in fifteen communities, four book machines, and an online presence at www.tularecountylibrary.org. 

Martin Luther King Jr. Remembered in Tulare County Library Branch Crafts

As we enter into winter, Martin Luther King Jr. Day and his search for peace will be honored by children as part of the Tulare County Library Branch Crafts program during January. Weekly crafts are:

January 4 through 9 – Snowmen

January 11 through 16 – Penguin Sticks

January 18 through 23 – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Doves

January 25 through 30 – Paper Clip Ice Skates

Craft sessions are available at the Alpaugh, Earlimart, Exeter, Ivanhoe, Lindsay, Orosi, Springville, Strathmore, Three Rivers, Tipton and Woodlake branch libraries.  Times vary with each location.

For more information on craft days and times at each branch, please go to www.tularecountylibrary.org and choose the locations tab or call the branches:

Alpaugh                    (559) 949-8355
Exeter                      (559) 592-5361
Earlimart                   (661) 849-2525
Ivanhoe                    (559) 798-1264
Lindsay                     (559) 562-3021
Orosi                         (559) 591-5830
Springville                 (559) 539-2624 
Strathmore                (559) 568-1087
Three Rivers               (559) 561-4564
Tipton                        (559) 752-4236
Woodlake                   (559) 564-8424

Doves of Peace