Justin Stout, Head of Information Services

If you are looking for a way to stave off post-holiday boredom this coming January, Neuse Regional Libraries has the perfect opportunity for you. Our Winter Reads program will begin January 8 and includes a full schedule of activities and programming that will keep you busy until spring starts to arrive.

This year’s theme is New Beginnings and is focused on life improvements and changes such as starting a new hobby. Participants in any of the programs below will receive tickets to our Winter Reads raffle in March. This year’s prize baskets include Baking, which includes cookware and a cake decorating kit, Art, which includes paint by numbers and sketching supplies, and Exploring Outdoors, which includes equipment for birdwatching and other observation of the natural world. 

We will discuss The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah on January 18 at 6:30 p.m. at the Kinston-Lenoir County Public Library. In this book, a family moves to Alaska as they cope with post-Vietnam War trauma. On February 15 at 6:30 p.m., we will discuss The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. In this book, a magical library provides visitors with the opportunity to explore how different life choices could have led to different lives.

In addition to Booktalking, we will be hosting a number of other programs focused on starting new hobbies or learning new skills. On January 11 at 6:30 p.m., we will offer an informative demonstration on how nutrition affects mental health and how to cook healthy recipes. We will offer a soapmaking class on January 16 at 6:00 p.m. at the Kinston-Lenoir County Public Library. All supplies are provided but registration is required. Winter Reads participants can also earn tickets by attending one of the Library’s Chess Club meetings, which are held every Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. starting January 9.

Activities will continue in February with a knitting class for beginners. This program will be offered each Tuesday in February at 1:00 p.m. at the Kinston-Lenoir County Public Library. Participants will receive instruction from an expert knitter on a knitting project across the four weeks. Participants should bring two 7 or 8 knitting needles and soft yarn (not cotton). At 6:30 p.m. on February 22 we will offer a Tai Chi class to learn how to relax and improve mobility with this ancient discipline. Finally, on February 29 the Library will offer a candlemaking class at 6:00 p.m. All supplies will be provided and registration is required.

All of these programs are free of charge. If you would like to participate in Winter Reads, sign up at any of the Neuse Regional Libraries or call 252-527-7066, Ext. 134. Starting January 8 participants will receive an activity booklet that contains all of these programs as well as other fun activities that can be turned in for raffle tickets. If you have any questions about Winter Reads or library programming in general, please call the above number, email nrl@neuselibrary.org, or visit our website at www.neuselibrary.org. We look forward to seeing you at our Winter Reads programming!