The library held the 26th annual Hassle Free Christmas program last week. We would like to thank our presenters, Kourtney Hanson, Allyssa Schoen, Erika Arnold and Raynee Hasler for a wonderful program and help cleaning up. Thank you to the Ecumenical Echoes Bell Choir for providing musical entertainment again this year. A special thanks to the library trustees; Steve Edwards, Carol Elliot, Amelia Funk, Patty Hall and Barb Jergeson and staff, Kelsey Harry and Michelle Lowham for the extra effort put forth to make our program successful. Congratulations to Elaine Hamilton, Leta Buck and Michelene Edwards who won the door prizes. Thank you to everyone who attended, we hope you had a fun evening and that you will have a Hassle Free Christmas!

It’s a Wonderful Life will be the movie today at 1:00 p.m. in the library meeting room. It is not rated and running time is 2 hours. Everyone is welcome to attend and refreshments will be served. A Dog Named Christmas will be December 13th. We are showing the movies with closed captioning whenever possible. Hopefully this will encourage those who may have difficulties hearing the movies to attend.

New fiction available this week includes: “Secrets of Cavendon” by Barbara Taylor Bradford, “Past Perfect” by Danielle Steel, “Even if it Kills Her” by Kate White and “In This Moment” by Karen Kingsbury. We have two non-fiction books ready this week. “Same Kind of Different as Me” by Ron Hall is the story of a dangerous, homeless drifter who grew up picking cotton in virtual slavery, an upscale art dealer accustomed to the world of Armani and Chanel and a gutsy woman with a stubborn dream. A story so incredible no novelist would dare dream it. “Over Load: Finding the Truth in Today’s Deluge of News” by Bob Schiffer is a must read. From the explosion of fake news to the challenges of the 24 hour news cycle, legendary journalist Bob Schieffer examines political journalism today and those who practice it. Based on interviews with over 40 media leaders, Schieffer provides an inside look at the changing role of media and asks whether today’s citizens are more informed or just overwhelmed.

During the month of December we will have Christmas books on our display table. There will be a nice variety of fiction and non-fiction books to choose from. We have two new non-fiction Christmas books ready for checkout, “2017 Christmas with Southern Living” and “The 13th Gift: a True Story of a Christmas Miracle” by Joanne Smith. New quick holiday stories available include: “The Christmas Room” by Catherine Anderson, “Holly & Ivy” by Fern Michaels, “The Noel Diary” by Richard Paul Evans, “Winter Solstice” by Elin Hilderbrand, “Merry & Bright” by Debbie Macomber, and “The Deal of a Lifetime” by Fredrik Backman.

This week’s line from “Life’s Little Instruction Book” #205 Loosen up. Relax. Except for rare life-and-death matters, nothing is as important as it first seems.

There is always something going on at the library. Check us out on Facebook or look us up on our website at http:www.blainecountylibrary.org for up to date information about what’s going on!