Linking with Libraries

Written By: Marlene Osteen | Issue: December 2024

The holiday season is here again, marking the end of another year.

But rather than letting the season slip by, Fontana Libraries want to go out with a bang! Each December, the libraries host holiday celebrations to bring community members of all ages together for days of cheer, creativity, and connection.

No matter what holiday(s) you celebrate, December is jam-packed with offerings. Whether it’s Christmas, Kwanzaa, the Winter Solstice, or simply a love for sweater weather, the library has something to help everyone celebrate this month. From gingerbread house crafting to holiday story time, our libraries in Highlands and Cashiers are filled with festive programs and activities that make the season sparkle.

In Cashiers, the Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library invites everyone to join in the holiday spirit with their Gingerbread House Building event. Held on December 17 and 18 from 3:00 to 5:00 P.M., this festive gathering provides all the essentials needed to design and build your own gingerbread masterpiece. Families, friends, and teams of enthusiastic builders are all welcome, and you’re even encouraged to bring extra decorations if inspiration strikes. Although the event isn’t a competition, there’s a bit of added excitement: every participant will be entered in a raffle, with separate drawings for those under 14 and those 15 and older. To help plan for supplies, the library asks groups to reserve their spot by December 11 by calling or visiting the library.

Over in Highlands, the Hudson Library is hosting a Kids Zone Holiday Party on December 12 at 3:30 P.M. This holiday gathering promises an afternoon filled with crafts, games, and seasonal delights, inviting kids to dive into the magic of the season. Branch Librarian Carlyn Morenus shares that the library will be transformed with displays celebrating diverse December holidays, including Christmas, Hanukkah, and the Winter Solstice. For all ages, holiday-themed books, from heartwarming stories to seasonal cooking and crafting guides, will be available, along with a collection of holiday DVDs for cozy movie nights at home.

Our local libraries are more than just places to borrow books – they’re spaces where the community gathers to create memories, celebrate traditions, and share the warmth of the holiday season. These programs are free and open to everyone, with no registration required, though groups are encouraged to reserve a spot in advance for the gingerbread house event.

For additional information about these events and other ways to celebrate the holidays at Fontana Libraries, visit fontanalib.org.