Abilene Public Library

Calling all Lord of the Rings enthusiasts! Swing by any Abilene Public Library branches this September and claim your LOTR pin! 📚💍🧝 Don't forget to join us for a fun-filled Tolkien week from Sep 23-28. Check out all our epic activities here: https://bit.ly/3MbhIP3

Last week, we began our "What You're Reading Wednesday" series to gather recommendations for great books you've read. We asked our followers to share their favorite books featuring antihero characters, and you delivered. Check out the fantastic titles suggested by our followers, and watch your reading list expand. !

How many of you remember when the audio-visual collection at the Main Library was all housed on the second floor? We had tons to offer because streaming was not a thing back then. But still, we're one of the only places to visit to borrow DVDs, so come check us out!

Calling all bookworms!📚 It's time for What You're Reading Wednesday, a time to share your favorite reads based on a prompt we provide. Biographies are a popular type of read at your library, so name a biography you've read that left you feeling like everyone needs to read about that person right now!

Abilene Rewind: Let’s take a look back at a building, which still stands today, that you may not have known was once a fire station.

441 Butternut St. was the location of the Old Abilene Fire Station #2. During the 1920’s, Abilene was thriving so well that the city’s ability to adequately get out to fires was strained, especially when trying to get to fires on the south side of the tracks. The site on Butternut St. was completed in 1926, at the cost of $10,565, and although it’s not presently used to help put out fires, it still stands, having been used for a number of commercial uses.

Did you know the first fire station was located at 402 Cedar St.? But that's another story.

Get ready to embark on an epic journey through Middle Earth! is fast approaching with a slew of great activities for all the Shire devotees out there. Clear your calendars & explore our Tolkien Week page: https://bit.ly/3Zkng1c

Unleash your creativity and participate in a host of programming at your library this week. Sharpen your computer skills in a hands-on workshop, or get lost in thrilling murder mysteries for teens and adults who love to game! A new weekly sewing class to movie nights over the weekend... there's something for everyone! 📚🎥🧵🎮

Dive into a world of stories on your own terms! 📚 With your Abilene Public Library card, endless downloadable titles are at your fingertips for free via Libby! Get started with your audiobook adventure now 🎧. Find out more here: https://bit.ly/3G3aSHZ

All aboard for a journey of learning and fun at the Abilene Railroad Festival this weekend! 🚂 Join us at the Main Library for riveting discussions on Railroad Safety. Adventure awaits with train-themed activities, scavenger hunts, and priceless photo opportunities during the festival. Click to know more: https://bit.ly/4e8eSXb

Calling all Tolkien fans! Get a free Lord of the Rings themed pin when you visit any Abilene Public Library branch this month! 🧙📚 Don't forget to mark your calendars for Tolkien Week from September 23-28. Discover all our Middle Earth themed activities right here: https://bit.ly/4bNWyl7

Get ready to explore the rich railroad heritage of Abilene at our upcoming Railroad Festival. 🚂 From educational presentations by Texas Operation Lifesaver to exciting activities like scavenger hunts and unique photo ops, this event promises fun for train buffs of every age! Mark your calendars for September 6-7 and join us at the Main Library. Click the link for more details: https://bit.ly/3MbhIP3

Blast from the past! Remember when we swapped out those bulky encyclopedias for CD-ROMs? Breaking the cost barrier and sparking a revolution at our libraries for sure. Oh, how times have changed since the discs now!

What a magical day we had with our special guest princess from Abilene Fairytales and Sapphyre the Abilene Mermaid! From singing and dancing to learning about fascinating underwater creatures, it was a day full of unforgettable moments. Want to be a part of more exciting events? Check out what's in store at your Abilene Public Library: https://bit.ly/3MbhIP3

Calling all bookworms!📚 It's time for What You're Reading Wednesday, a time to share your favorite reads based on a prompt we provide. For our first one, name a book you've read featuring an antihero or a character who just so happens to flip the script on their way of doing something right.

Check out our monthly newsletter and keep up with some exciting things happening this month including our first celebration of Tolkien Week, a coloring contest, weekly sewing series, and much more...all to keep you up-to-date on what your library has to offer you.

Remember, you can sign-up to receive this newsletter, via email at the start of each month, by emailing us at [email protected].

September 2024: Library Newsletter All library locations will be closed on Monday, September 2 in observance of Labor Day. Outside materials returns will remain available if you need to return any library materials and we invite you to take advantage of our great lineup of digital services that are available 24/7.

Have a favorite library staff member who goes above and beyond in town? 📚 Now is the time to give them the recognition they deserve! Nominate them for the 2024 Ricki Brown Award. Not just for librarians anymore, ALL library staff working in a public, academic (college/university) or school library in Abilene or Wylie is eligible so nominate the person who has impressed you with their exceptional service and achievements. Follow the link for details! 👉 https://bit.ly/3MxHIDU

Hello September! We've got a ton of events in store for you this week. Quick reminder, we're taking a break tomorrow for Labor Day! 🗓️ But we'll be back with some great activities featuring a Master Gardeners 🏡🌿 meetup, B-Movie madness🎬🍿 , LEGO Club for kids, and the much-awaited Abilene Railroad Festival 🚂 How cool is that? Can't wait to see you all there! 🎉

Craving a movie night? 🍿 Turn your living room into a home theater with your Abilene Public Library card! 📚 Stream as many as 8 titles for free every month on Hoopla. Click here to dive into endless entertainment: https://bit.ly/3G3aSHZ 🎬

Join the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten challenge at our library and set your little ones on the road to educational success! It's a fun and engaging way to enhance their language and reading skills. Eight little stars have already completed the challenge. Is your child next to join the hall of fame? 📚🎓🌟

Reliving the 90s nostalgia at the Main Library. A memorable moment of a mother, her child, and our hardworking staff caught on camera! Are we intimidating to kids or just too bookish? This little missy doesn't seem too sure! 😄 And don't miss that retro computer setup, floppy disks and all. Ahh, those were the days! 🤣🤣🤣

Abilene Rewind: Looking back at the past to see a group of young boys getting ready to start their shift of delivering papers in Downtown Abilene. Taken in the 1950s, boys at that time were often selected to help distribute newspapers to local businesses and residents. For most young men, this was the first paying job that was available.

How times have changed today, making this form of paper delivery less important, especially in cities and due to the development of the Internet, child labor laws, and other forms of delivery.

Were any of you paperboys in Abilene back in the day. Have some stories you could share…appropriate ones 😆 .

Look at your list of library events this week as we work on bringing August to a close. Don't forget to get your Reading Challenge activities completed and get ready for September as we'll push getting a library card, participate in the Abilene Railroad Festival 🛤️🚃, and have a whole week of activities to celebrate Tolkien Week🧝📚.

Join us for a paw-fect day of reading and furry cuddles! The first Saturday of each month is Read to a Dog Day. A fun, non-judgmental way for kids to hone their reading skills to a wonderful audience of furry friends, thanks to Abilene Therapy Dogs! 🐶🐩📘📕👏 Try us out Sept. 7 at 2:30PM at your South Branch Library.

Cheers to Jack, our 10th superstar to conquer the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Challenge! 🎉📚 With two successful completions this month, we're thrilled to think we're nurturing lifelong bookworms. Have a little one under 5? Give them the gift of reading - visit your local library to sign them up! 🏠💕📖

Huge congratulations to our Summer Reading Contest champs! 🎉 Summer holidays might have ended, but the fun marches on at your Abilene Public Library. 📚 A big thanks to the Friends of the Abilene Public Library for funding the prizes for our summer winners!!! Explore a plethora of free events and programs for all ages! Check out what's on our schedule here: https://bit.ly/3MbhIP3

Gathering around for story hour has been a part of our love for reading since way back! Here's a nostalgic peek back to 1958 with eager kiddos awaiting to hear their stories at a temporary location before the current Main Library opened its doors in 1960. Talk about moments! ❤️📚🌟