Lots to do at the local library

Douglas County Public Library welcomes the new year with a special thank-you to their patrons. It is also busy building even more choices into their existing programming.

Throughout January, library patrons can stop by the front desk at either the Minden or Lake Tahoe branch in Zephyr Cove and enter a drawing to win a beautiful, literary-themed quilt crafted by the Carson Valley Quilt Guild (cvqg.com). The quilt will be awarded to one lucky winner at the end of this month.

The recent snowy weather resulted in a number of library closures, so the Winter LEGO Challenge was extended though Tuesday to allow builders more time to submit their creations. Entries have been received, and the LEGO challenge winners will be announced soon.

If one of your goals in the new year includes reading more books, the library offers a variety of options for doing so.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Douglas County Public Library, the Second Wednesday Book Group gathers 5-6:30 p.m. monthly in the Minden branch meeting room. Books are assigned a month in advance and discussed at each meeting date. Titles include a mix of non-fiction and fiction, and at least one classic title is chosen each year.

Today’s meeting features “Women in White Coats” by Olivia Campbell. “The Book of Lost Names” by Kristin Harmel will be discussed February 8, and Kendra Atleework’s “Miracle Country” is the focus for the March 22 gathering. (Please note that in March, the book group meeting falls on the third Wednesday of the month instead of the second Wednesday.)

For those interested in starting their own club, the library also offers “Book Group in a Bag” kits that contain 10 copies of a selected title, some of which include question guides. A sampling of available book titles includes “Animal Farm” by George Orwell, “The Aviator’s Wife” by Melanie Benjamin, “Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Brontë, “Me Before You” by Jojo Moyes, and “Ordinary Grace” by William Kent Krueger.

Starting Feb. 3, the Lake Tahoe library branch will embark on a new club called Book Trailblazers, which combines reading and motion. Meetings will be 9:30-11 a.m. the first Saturday of each month (although the Lake Tahoe branch of the library isn’t open to the public on Saturdays, it will be accessible to Book Trailblazers participants). The idea is to partake in a walk or snowshoe activity (weather dependent) from 9:30-10 a.m. followed by a book discussion 10-11 a.m.

This month’s selection is “The Stranger in the Woods” by Michael Finkel, and interested participants are welcome to attend one or both portions of the meeting.

The Lake Tahoe library branch is located at 233 Warrior Way in Zephyr Cove. Their number is 775-588-6411.

On Jan. 23, a new Dungeons and Dragons Club for adults gets underway at the library’s Minden branch and will meet the second and fourth Monday of each month. Pre-registration is required for this club at library.douglascountynv.gov/programs/adult to reserve a spot.

The library also encourages youth readers to pre-register for the ongoing Reading Paws program, which gives children an opportunity to read their favorite titles to several specially trained canine friends. Reading Paws takes 3:30-5 p.m. Thursdays from, and pre-registration forms can be found online at library.douglascountynv.gov/programs/kids.

January’s Saturday movies at the Minden library include a screening of “Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris,” starring Lesley Manville, Jason Isaacs, Isabelle Huppert, and Anna Chancellor on Jan. 21. This film is rated PG.

On Jan. 28, “Top Gun: Maverick” (PG-13) starring Tom Cruise, Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, and Val Kilmer will be shown.

Movies play at 10:30 a.m. and fresh popcorn will be served, compliments of the Friends of the Library.

Have you had a chance to visit the library’s new online store at redbubble.com/people/DCPLstore/shop? The site offers a wide selection of merchandise that can be customized with the library's classic logo design as well as some new designs created by library staff. Available items include t-shirts, book bags, backpacks, mugs, pillows, and stickers. The library receives a portion of the proceeds from all sales, and the online store offers a unique way to support the library while creatively expressing a passion for books and reading.

Please note that DCPL will be closed on Jan. 16 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Regular hours resume Jan. 17.

The Minden branch is located at 1625 Library Lane. Connect with them at library.douglascountynv.gov; on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, or YouTube; or by calling 775-782-9841.