Wednesday, January 6th @ 10AM: Preschool Storytime!

Join us for stories, songs, and fingerplays at our preschool story time every Wednesday @ 10:00AM.

Ivanhoe Branch Library's Christmas Carolers

Watch a video of the Ivanhoe Branch Library's Christmas Carolers.

Preschool Storytime takes a nap for the holidays!

Preschool storytime will be taking nap for two weeks. We will resume on January 6th at 10AM.
Happy holidays!

Lobby Book Sale

There is a large selection of books for sale, daily, inside the library. Hardbacks, paperbacks, and children's books are priced at 50 cents each, and magazines are priced at 25 cents each. The selection changes daily, so come in often to see what's been newly added!

Santa Visits ELF Club

The biggest hit of the recent ELF club meeting was a visit from none other than Santa Claus himself, according to Pat Habeck, Library Literacy Programs Manager. The ELF (Early Learning for Families) book club is sponsored monthly by the Tulare County Library Literacy Center, and the December 4 sessions hosted 100 children ages 0-5 and their parents. Volunteers Carolyn Royall and Virginia Lloyd Butterfield read Gingerbread Friends to the children, while demonstrating early literacy skills for the parents. Even the little gingerbread man puppet enjoyed reading the book and singing the songs. The ELF attendees made a craft designed by Sharon Sanderson and sang songs and played games under the watchful eye of Alicia McCleod. Santa gave each child a free book – including Lucia Moreno, the newest ELF member!

Wednesday, December 9th & 16th @ 10AM: Preschool Storytime - the Holiday Season!

Join us for stories, songs, and fingerplays at our preschool story time every Wednesday @ 10:00AM. This week and next week we celebrate the Holiday Season!

Libraries Opening Late on December 11

All libraries in the Tulare County Library system will be opening late on Friday, December 11 due to a mandatory staff meeting.

The Earlimart and Springville libraries will open at 2:30 PM, and all others will open at 2:00 PM. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Tulare County Libraries Holiday Hours

In addition to their regularly-scheduled closure days, all libraries in the Tulare County Library system will be closed from December 22nd through December 26th, and January 1st through January 4th, due to the Holidays and mandatory work-furloughs.

The book-return boxes will also be closed on those dates.

Friends of the Library Book Sale is December 5th

The next Friends of the Library book sale will be held on December 5, from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on the north/east lawn. Come and see and our selection of fiction, non-fiction, and children's books.

Note: The book sale schedule will be changing next year. The next sale will be held in May. 2010.

December's ELF Book Club

Parents and caregivers of children 0-5 please join us for our monthly ELF book club. Call us at 713-2745 to reserve a space for your child. The next ELF book club is on Friday, December 4, 2009 at 9:00 am, 10:00 am. 11:00 am, and 12:00 pm. Every child in attendance will get a free book. The book for December is Gingerbread Friends.

Video Relay Service at the Visalia Library

Are you hearing impaired and need to communicate with hearing people by phone? Are you tired of typing your message and waiting for the response? The Sorenson Video Relay Service is now available at the Tulare County Library.

Friday, December 4th @ 5PM: The Fratello Marionettes!

The Fratello Marionettes are coming to the Tulare County Library for the North Pole Review!!!!

The North Pole Review!
Family Holiday Variety Show

Date: December 4th
Time: 5p.m.
Where: Visalia branch of the Tulare County Library
200 W. Oak, Visalia
Show: 30 Minutes

Looking for a unique way to celebrate the holiday season?
Join the fun with the Fratello Marionette’s puppet extravaganza, The North Pole Review!

Showcasing a frosty juggling penguin, a Brazilian ice skating snowman, and featuring the Hawaiian singing sensation the Hi-Fi Sisters.

For more information, please call 713-2731.

Libraries Closed November 25th, 26th, & 27th,

All libraries in the Tulare County Library System will be closed November 25th, 26th, and 27th in observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday.

All book-return boxes will also be closed on those dates. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Wednesday, November 18th @ 10AM: Preschool Storytime -- Thanksgiving!

Join us for stories, songs, and fingerplays at our preschool story time every Wednesday @ 10:00AM. This week we celebrate turkeys and Thanksgiving!

Tuesday, November 17th @ 10AM: Baby/Toddler Time!

Every Tuesday at 10AM, we will have a special time for babies (ages 0-2) to play and interact with one another while building early literacy skills!

Computers Unavailable on November 17 & 18

The computers in all Tulare County Library System libraries will not be available on November 17 & 18 to allow for computer upgrades and maintenance. We apologize for any inconvenience this might cause.

Friends of the Library Book Sale, November 7th

The next Friends of the Library book sale will be held on November 7, from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on the north/east lawn. Come and see and our selection of fiction, non-fiction, and children's books. See you there!

Libraries Closed on November 11th

All libraries in the Tulare County Library system will be closed on Wednesday, November 11 in observance of Veterans' Day.

Friday, November 6th @ 12PM: Preschool Yoga Storytime!

Preschool Storytime Yoga is so much fun! Every first Friday of the month, come and enjoy wonderful stories, while learning fun stretches and yoga poses perfect for babies and preschool children.

Wednesday, November 4th @ 10AM -- Preschool Storytime!

Join us for stories, songs, and fingerplays at our preschool story time every Wednesday @ 10:00AM.

Tuesday, November 3rd @ 10AM -- Baby/Toddler Time!

Every Tuesday at 10AM, we will have a special time for babies (ages 0-2) to play and interact with one another while building early literacy skills!

Wednesday, October 28th @ 10AM: Preschool Storytime -- Halloween!

Join us for stories, songs, and fingerplays at our preschool story time every Wednesday @ 10:00AM. This week we celebrate Halloween! Children are welcome to wear a costume if they feel inspired to!

Tuesday, October 27th @ 10AM -- Baby/Toddler Time!

Every Tuesday at 10AM, we will have a special time for babies (ages 0-2) to play and interact with one another while building early literacy skills!

ELF Book Club

Parents and caregivers of children 0-5 please join us for our monthly ELF book club. Call us at 713-2745 to reserve a space for your child. The ELF book club is on Friday, November 6, 2009 at 9:00 am, 10:00 am. 11:00 am, and 12:00 pm. Every child in attendance will get a free book. The book for November is Goodnight Moon.

Wednesday, October 21st @ 10AM: Preschool Storytime -- Colors!

Join us for stories, songs, and fingerplays at our preschool story time every Wednesday @ 10:00AM. This week we celebrate colors!

Tuesday, October 20th @ 10AM -- Baby/Toddler Time!

Every Tuesday at 10AM, we will have a special time for babies (ages 0-2) to play and interact with one another while building early literacy skills!

Meet a famed World War II Code Talker

Join us at the Visalia Library on November 6, 2009 for a special evening with our guest, Joe Morris, Sr.--a famed World War II Navajo code talker. The event begins at 7:00 PM and is free and open to the public.

For more information, please call Sheryll Strachan at (559) 713-2709.

Wednesday, October 14th @10AM -- Preschool Storytime!

Join us for stories, songs, and fingerplays at our preschool story time every Wednesday @ 10:00AM.

Tuesday, October 13th @ 10AM -- Baby/Toddler Time!

Every Tuesday at 10AM, we will have a special time for babies (ages 0-2) to play and interact with one another while building early literacy skills!

ELF Bookclub

Parents and caregivers of children 0-5 please join us for our monthly ELF bookclub. Call us at 713-2745 to reserve a space for your child. The ELF bookclub is on Friday, October 9, 2009 at 9:00am. Every child in attendance will get a free book. The book for October is "If You Give a Cat a Cupcake".

Wednesday, October 7th @ 10AM: Preschool Storytime -- Bears!

Join us for stories, songs, and fingerplays at our preschool story time every Wednesday @ 10:00AM. This week we celebrate bears!

Tuesday, October 6th @ 10AM -- Baby/Toddler Time!

Every Tuesday at 10AM, we will have a special time for babies (ages 0-2) to play and interact with one another while building early literacy skills!

Author of "The Circuit" to Speak at Visalia Library

Award-winning author of the The Circuit, Francisco Jimenez, will speak and sign his books at the Visalia Library on October 2, 2009 at 7:00 PM. This event is free and open to the public.For more information, please contact Sheryll Strachan at (559) 713-2709.

Friday, October 2nd @ 12PM: Preschool Storytime Yoga!

Preschool Storytime Yoga is so much fun! Every first Friday of the month, come and enjoy wonderful stories, while learning fun stretches and yoga poses perfect for babies and preschool children.

Wednesday, September 30th @ 10AM: Preschool Storytime -- Farms!

What does a chicken say in a library?

"Book! Book! Book!"

Join us for stories, songs, and fingerplays at our preschool story time every Wednesday @ 10:00AM. This week we celebrate farms!

Tuesday, September 29th @ 10AM -- Baby/Toddler Time!

Every Tuesday at 10AM, we will have a special time for babies (ages 0-2) to play and interact with one another while building early literacy skills!

Friends of the Library Book Sale

The next Friends of the Library book sale will be held on October 3, from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on the north/east lawn. Come and see and our selection of fiction, non-fiction, and children's books. See you there!

Libraries Closed the Morning of September 18

All Tulare County Branch Libraries that are usually open on Friday mornings, will only be open from 2 PM to 6 PM this Friday, September 18, 2009, due to a mandatory staff meeting. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Wednesday, September 23rd @10AM: Preschool Storytime -- Autumn!

Autumn leaves are falling down!

Falling down, falling down!

Autumn leaves are falling down!

Goodbye Summer!

Join us for stories, songs, and fingerplays at our preschool story time every Wednesday @ 10:00AM. This week we celebrate Autumn!

Tuesday, September 22nd @10AM -- Baby/Toddler Time!

Every Tuesday at 10AM, we will have a special time for babies (ages 0-2) to play and interact with one another while building early literacy skills!

Community Discussion About California's Water Issues

A community discussion about California's water issues, led by the primary researcher for the California National Issues Forums, will be held at the Visalia Library on September 17th from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM. This event is free and open to the public.

For more information, please contact Judith Wood at (559) 713-2706.

An Introduction to Healthy Homes & Non-Toxic Cleaning

Teri Van Huss presents an evening workshop at the Visalia Library on Wednesday, September 23rd, from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM.

Van Huss is the self-proclaimed "queen of environmentally friendly house cleaning." A Visalia mother of two children with special needs, Teri devoted her green cleaning method to keep her house germ-free without aggravating her children's lungs or skin.

You'll get practical ideas on using non-toxic, alternative ways to clean your home and laundry that really work! You'll also get lots of information to take with you.

For more information, please contact Judith Wood at 713-2706, or Sheryll Strachan at 713-2709.

Thank you to the Tulare County Libraries' Volunteers

President Obama has designated September 11 as the National Day of Rememberance and Service, in part, to help "usher in a new era in which volunteering and more service is a way of life for all Americans."

The Tulare County Library, and all of its branches, would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank all the individuals who volunteer their time at our libraries and Literacy Center. Your hard work is recognized and greatly appreciated!

Salt of the Earth: Salinity in California's Central Valley

The 4-part, non-partisan, community forum on California's water priorities continues on September 15th at 6:30 PM with the viewing of the film, Salt of the Earth: Salinity in California's Central Valley.

Every day water imported to the Central Valley brings in 250 tons of salt. Salinity impairs water used for drinking, farming, industry and recreation. How can we save our agricultural and business economy and keep our own health?

Please join us for this event at the Visalia Library in the "Blue Room" on the 2nd floor.

For more information, call: Judith Wood at 713-2706 or Sheryll Strachan at 713-2709.

Wednesday, September 16th at 10AM -- Preschool Storytime!

Join us for stories, songs, and fingerplays at our Preschool Storytime every Wednesday @ 10:00A.M.

Drinking Water: Quenching the Public Thirst

The 4-part, non-partisan, community forum on California's water priorities continues on September 10th at 6:30 PM with the viewing of the film, Drinking Water: Quenching the Public Thirst. The film addresses the questions: Where does our drinkable tap and/or bottled water come from, how is it treated, and will tap water always be available to us?

Please join us for this event at the Visalia Library in the "Blue Room" on the 2nd floor.

For more information, call: Judith Wood at 713-2706 or Sheryll Strachan at 713-2709.

Come join the fun at the Literacy Center's Casino Royale Night on September 25, 2009, from 6 to 9 PM in the Visalia library. There will be gambling with funny money, refreshments, dancing, auctions, and great prizes! All proceeds go to support the READ TO SUCCEED Adult Literacy Program.

More information on this event can be found on the library's Literacy Center web page or by calling 713-2745.

ELF Program Begins September 4th

The Early Learning for Families (ELF) program begins September 4 at the Literacy Center. Please call (559) 713-2745, or send an email to readtosucceed2001@yahoo.com, for more information.