All programs are free to the public. Reservations are required for some programs.

Library and program pictures @ Flickr

Library videos @ YouTube

ANNUAL EVENTS

Friends Annual Book Sale

West Texas Book Festival

MONTHLY EVENTS

Crafty Creations

Sundays at 5:30 p.m., Mondays at 1:00 p.m. and Thursdays at 8:00 a.m – Cable Channel 7, or check the library videos link at the top of the page.

‘Crafty Creations’ is a monthly video series produced by the Abilene Public Library to combine great children’s literature with fun and easy-to-do crafts you can make with your children at home.  There’s no better way to instill a love of reading in children than to enhance the storytime process with interactive crafts that relate to the stories you read.  Plus, all of the books featured in every episode of ‘Crafty Creations’ are available for you to check out at your Abilene Public Library locations.

Celebrating Black History Month: Freedom Riders!

Throughout February - Mockingbird Branch

To commemorate the upcoming 40th anniversary of the Freedom Riders, the Mockingbird branch will host a display of maps of the rides, short biographies of famous riders and more… “Freedom Riders of 1961” uses the valuable archive of information made available to the public on the PBS website: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/freedomriders/rides.  This program is scheduled to air in May on local PBS affiliate KERA, Channel 13.  

Free Tax Assistance - Due to a scheduling conflict, the volunteers will not be at the library on Thursday, February 10th.

Every Wednesday & Thursday in February, 12:30 – 4:30 p.m. – Main Library Auditorium

If doing taxes makes you jittery, let our IRS trained volunteers from the AARP help during our annual program that begins February 2nd and extends through April 14th.  Bring your 2010 tax materials such as W-2 forms, Social Security cards and last year’s return for first-come, first served assistance. Many basic tax forms are freely available in the Information Services department downstairs.  Free.

Time Management

Saturday, February 5, 2011 – Main Library Auditorium, 3 p.m.

Start your New Year right with a quick course in time management taught by Charles ‘Cappy’ Phipps, member of the National Association of Professional Organizers.  He’ll cover setting goals and priorities and provide tips on available tools help people get things done.  Free.

Life is Sweet: Chocolate Roses

Tuesday, February 8, 2011 – Main Library Auditorium, 6:30 p.m.

Learn how to make beautiful edible chocolate roses.  Free.

Make & Take Crafts

Tuesday, February 8, 2011 – South Branch, 4 p.m.

The South Branch is introducing a new monthly program in which we will offer a craft to make and take home if you visit the library on the second Tuesday afternoon each month.  This month it will be Heart Animals. Join us for this fun, free activity for the entire family.

Teen Time @ your Library: Mugs that Hug

Wednesday, February 9, 2011 - Mockingbird Branch, 4 p.m.

Design your own, unique Valentine gift mug - Make it special for that special someone.  Ages 12-19.  Free.

ArtWalk @ your Library

Thursday, February 10, 2011 – Main Library, 5-7:30 p.m.

Black History Month is the theme of February’s display on the library’s first floor.  Don’t forget to see the library’s own original mural by Abilene artist Debra Warr in the children’s storyroom. Free.

Journey to Freedom

Thursday, February 10, 2011 – Main Library, 6 p.m.

During Black History Month, experience a taste of the Underground Railroad during this interactive program with the Butterfly Connection of Fort Worth and Chorus Abilene.  Then ‘journey’ over to the Center for Contemporary Arts where a colorful and rhythmic party will begin upon your arrival at "freedom."  Sponsored by the CCA, Black Chamber of Commerce, the Abilene Preservation League and Young Audiences of Abilene. Free

Hooked! Crochet Club

Thursday, February 10, 2011 - Main Library Storyroom, 6:30 p.m.

If you’re ‘hooked’ on crochet and want to swap ideas and patterns with other addicts, the Abilene Public Library is the place to be on the second Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m.  Librarian Ann Mount hosts everyone, from beginners to experts, as the group shares projects and expertise.  Bring your own yarn and crochet hooks and the group will go over basic stitches, crochet techniques and do different crochet projects together.  Free.

Family Fun @ your Library: President's Party

Saturday, February 12, 2011 – Main Library, 2 p.m.

Happy Birthday to Abraham Lincoln and George Washington as we celebrate President’s Day with stories, crafts, and activities for the whole family!  Free.

Game On! @ your Library

Tuesday, February 15, 2011 – Main Library Auditorium, 4:30 p.m.

Our newest monthly program for teens involves testing your skills against your friends on the Wii® gaming system.  Will it be Mario Bros. Cart or Dance, Dance Revolution?  Or maybe even bowling or baseball!  No registration required, so drop by after school and try your hand.  Free.

Pruning for Healthy Trees

Tuesday, February 15, 2011 – Main Library Auditorium, 6:30 p.m.

Certified arborist Bruce Kreitler of Broken Willow Tree Service will cover why it’s important to prune, when and how much to remove and methods of doing so.   As time allows he will also field general questions about tree selection, where and how to plant, fertilization and watering.  Free.

ResumeMaker

Tuesday, February 15, 2011 – Mockingbird Branch, 6:30 p.m.

Create a resume or update the one you already have using our ResumeMaker software.  This software has features such as resume templates, example interview questions and job finder tools that will help you draft a resume, prepare for an interview and search for jobs.  Intermediate computer users, please.  Call 437-7323 for reservations as space is limited for this hands-on class.

Up, Up & Away!

Wednesday, February 16, 2011 – South Branch, 10:45 a.m.

Balloons, Balloons, Everywhere! It will be a high flying story time. We’ll enjoy stories, songs, crafts, and balloon races. Come join us at this free program for the entire family!

Cover-to-Cover Book

Thursday, February 17, 2011 - Main Library Auditorium, 7 p.m.

Get your New Year off to a good start by resolving to join our adult book club.  February’s title is Stones into Schools by Greg Mortenson, author of Three Cups of Tea.  The club reads fiction and non-fiction they choose themselves, with many diverse titles and authors to discuss.  Everyone is welcome to join this free group.

Tween Night @ your Library: Games Unplugged

Thursday, February 21, 2011– South Branch, 6:30 pm

If you’re ages 8-15, the South Branch belongs to you for one hour on the third Monday night of the month!  Winter is a good time to slow things down and remember how much fun you can have without using technology.  Fun with interactive, group traditional games and refreshments to boot! Free.

Greeting Card Magic

Tuesday, February 22, 2011 – Main Library Auditorium, 6:30 p.m.

Greeting cards don’t have to come from the store, and you don’t have to be an artistic genius to make your own.  Polly Lewis of Clyde can show you how easy it is to craft an individualized, personal expression for Valentine’s Day or other occasions during our free workshop.  Seating is limited, so please call 325-676-6025 to register.

Anime Club

Thursday, February 24, 2011– Main Library Auditorium, 6:30 p.m.

If you love anime and manga, this club is for you. Each month see a brand new anime episode straight from the distributor, listen to J-rock, get the latest news on anime conventions, and receive the anime newsletter. Participants can talk about Cosplay, show off fan art, discuss anime and manga they enjoy and do a craft or game related to anime or Japanese culture. Free, for ages 12-24.

Clutter Control

Monday, February 28, 2011 – Main Library Auditorium, 6:30 p.m.

If your closets have the better of you and you want to fight back, this is the program for you!  Charles ‘Cappy’ Phipps, member of the National Association of Professional Organizers, will be talking about how to cut the clutter and get your home organized.  Free.

Family Fun @ your Library: My Heart is like a Zoo

Monday, February 28, 2011 – Mockingbird Branch, 6:30 p.m.

Belated Valentine fun as we explore colors, shapes, emotions, and zoo animals.  Michael Hall’s book “My Heart is like a Zoo” will provide great fun for the entire family to talk about feelings and emotions and meet the animals.  Free!