Library News & Events - For Adults
                   January 2020
Winter Reads Begins!

Winter Reads, our winter reading program for adults, runs from January 1st through February 29th (an extra day thanks to it being a Leap Year!).  It's easy to participate - just keep track of the books you've read or listened to, write a quick (or long) review of each, and then be eligible for weekly prize drawings. If you don't want to shovel your car out or cross-country ski to your local library, you can participate from the comfort of your own home - just use our online program on Beanstack. In fact, if you have a tablet or smartphone, you can just download your book or audio book directly from the Scott County Library website, and never need to leave the couch!  Check out our electronic reading possibilities at www.scottlib.org/ebooks

In addition, we offer reading suggestions, programs tied to books and authors, and this year, a Bingo card reading challenge. Feel like discussing books with other people? Don't forget to check out the book clubs at the Savage, Prior Lake and Jordan libraries.  And if you're looking to expand your home library, both the Belle Plaine and Savage libraries will be having book sales this month!

For details on the Winter Reads program, click here.


A Night at the Oscars  

Save the date!  Thursday, February 13th.

Come live out your wildest Hollywood fantasies with a fun (trivia) night at the Oscars! Test your knowledge of Oscars winners, hosts, fashion, and more. Registration for adult teams (ages 21 & up) begins on January 13th.  For more information or to register, go to www.scottlib.org/Events.
Events & Classes This Month


Wednesdays, 6:00-7:30pm and Fridays, 1:30-3:00pm 
January through February
Prior Lake Library      
                                                                           
Escape the pressures of your messy house or talkative family and read, no questions asked. We will provide the toasty fire and comfy chairs, you bring the romance, mystery, YA, travel book, biography, encyclopedia, or electrical manual.

Saturday, January 18th, 10:30-11:30am
Shakopee Library

The Minnesota River winds 370 miles through southern Minnesota. An area of fertile soil and natural beauty, the river has been a backdrop for sweeping social shifts, tragic wars, and technological change. Join us for a presentation on the unique history of the Minnesota River Valley with emphasis on the interaction between people and their environment. 

Wednesday, January 22nd, 2:00-3:30pm
Shakopee Library 

Learn about the forty posters by Soviet artists from the 1940s-1980s, that are currently on display at the Museum of Russian Art. Political posters deliver accessible and unambiguous messages to a diverse audience, translating complex ideologies into a concrete visual vocabulary. Explore poster art styles and the underlying visual strategies utilized by propagandists in the development of their messages.

Thursday, January 23rd, 2:00-3:30pm
Shakopee Library

Female ancestors can be hard to find. Learn about different sources to locate the hidden women in your family. Registration required!

Monday, January 27th, 6:30-7:30pm
Elko New Market Library

Learn about the role that Scott County played in the Civil War, life in Minnesota during the mid 1800s and the lives of the county's Civil War veterans after the conflict.

Tuesday, January 28th, 7:00-8:00pm
New Prague Library

Torn apart in their youth, it took the young couple 53 years to find each other again-and then search for the daughter they placed for adoption. More than a love story, the book focuses on how the emotions involved in life-changing decisions can-and do-affect one's life forever.The authors will discuss their book and the writing process, and will have copies available for purchase and signing.


Ongoing Programs

Every 2nd and 4th Saturday, 10:00am-12:00pm
Savage Library

The Savage Writers is a group of writers who work together to support each other in their individual pursuits of writing. This is a Scott County volunteer-run program. Contact the library for more information about the group or if interested in being connected with the leader of the Savage Writers.


Legal Clinics 

Thursday, January 9th, 4:00-6:00pm
Scott County Government Center, Room 102

A volunteer attorney will be available for 20 minute consultations to answer questions about legal questions you may have and provide legal assistance regarding matters such as Family Law, Civil Law and Criminal Law. Pre-registration is required. Register by calling the Scott County Law Library at 952-496-8713.

Monday, January 13th, 4:00-6:00pm
Scott County Government Center, Room 102

This clinic is offered by volunteer local attorneys.  This clinic may be for you if you are representing yourself  in Family Court and just have a few simple questions on an uncomplicated case. Appointments are for 30 minutes. Pre-registration is required. Register by calling the Scott County Law Library at 952-496-8713.

Tuesday, January 21st, 1:00-3:00pm
Scott County Government Center, Room 166

Is expungement right for you? Is your criminal record stopping you from getting a job or a -place to live? Come talk to Volunteer Lawyers Network Attorney John Beutler about getting your criminal record expunged. Room #166


For more information, or to register for these events, click on the blue program links above.
Computer & Technology Classes

Wednesday, January 8th, 6:00-8:00pm
Scott County Government Center

New to Excel?  Learn the basics in this free hands-on class.  In Part 1, you'll build a personal budget in Excel, learning how to create a worksheet, and how to format and modify cells, rows and columns.  Registration required.

Monday, January 13th, 6:00-8:00pm
Savage Library

The internet has dramatically increased our ability to access the information we need to increase our knowledge and make better decisions, but it has also enabled manipulation and misinformation that have adversely impacted our decision-making ability. In this class, you'll learn how to recognize suspicious or outright false information in your social media newsfeed and on websites. Registration required.

Wednesday, January 15th, 6:00-8:00pm
Scott County Government Center

In Excel Basics Part 2, you'll learn more about working with Excel, including creating formulas, formatting and sorting data, and creating charts.  Prerequisite: Excel Basics, Part 1. Registration required.

Registration is required for all computer and technology classes. To register, click on the blue hyperlink for the class.
Book Clubs

Want to talk with like-minded individuals about books, and socialize at the same time? Attend one of the monthly library-sponsored book clubs! 

This month's reading and discussions:

Prior Lake Library Book Club  - will discuss The Witness Tree by Amy Pendino.   

Jordan Library Book Club  - will discuss  The Children's Blizzard by David Laskin.

Savage Pagers Book Clu b - will discuss Astrid & Veronika by Linda Olsson.    

Between the Covers Book Group (Savage)  - will discuss The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton.   


Check the Events & Classes  calendar for specific dates, times, and other details.

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