850-522-2100

850-233-5055

850-871-3092

Port St. Joe

850-229-8879

Wewahitchka

850-639-2419

Bristol

850-643-2247

Hosford

850-379-3300

by Jane Goodall and Douglas Abrams

Jane Goodall and Douglas Abrams explore through intimate and thought-provoking dialogue one of the most sought after and least understood elements of human nature: hope. Drawing on decades of work that has helped expand our understanding of what it means to be human and what we all need to do to help build a better world, the book touches on vital questions, including: How do we stay hopeful when everything seems hopeless? How do we cultivate hope in our children? What is the relationship between hope and action? Jane tells her story of how she became a messenger of hope.

by Amanda Gorman

The presidential inaugural poet and unforgettable new voice in American poetry, Amanda Gorman, presents a collection of poems that includes the stirring poem read at the inauguration of the 46th President of the United States.

by Jodi Picoult

Diana O'Toole is perfectly on track. She will be married by thirty, kids by thirty-five, and move out to the New York City suburbs, all while climbing the professional ladder in the cutthroat art auction world. She's not engaged just yet, but she knows her boyfriend, Finn, a surgical resident, is about to propose on their romantic getaway to the Galápagos. But then a virus has appeared in the city, and on the eve of their departure, Finn has to stay at the hospital. You should still go, he assures her. Almost immediately, Diana's dream vacation goes awry. Her luggage is lost, Wi-Fi is nearly nonexistent, and the hotel they'd booked is shut down due to the pandemic. The whole island is under quarantine, and she is stranded until the borders reopen. In the Galápagos Islands, where Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection was formed, Diana finds herself examining her choices, her relationships, and herself and wondering if when she goes home, she too will have evolved into someone completely different.

by David Graeber and David Wengrow

For generations, our remote ancestors have been cast as primitive. Civilization, we are told, could be achieved only by sacrificing those original freedoms or, alternatively, by taming our baser instincts. These theories first emerged in the eighteenth century as a reaction to powerful critiques of European society posed by Indigenous observers and intellectuals. Drawing on pathbreaking research in archaeology and anthropology, the authors show how history becomes a far more interesting place once we learn to throw off our conceptual shackles and perceive what's really there.

The Dawn of Everything fundamentally transforms our understanding of the human past and offers a path toward imagining new forms of freedom, new ways of organizing society.

by Diana Gabaldon

The past may seem the safest place to be but it is the most dangerous time to be alive. Jamie Fraser and Claire Randall were torn apart by the Jacobite Rising in 1746, and it took them twenty years to find each other again. Now the American Revolution threatens to do the same.

It is 1779 and Claire and Jamie are at last reunited with their daughter, Brianna, her husband, Roger, and their children on Fraser's Ridge. The Revolutionary War creeps ever closer to Fraser's Ridge. And with the family finally together, Jamie and Claire have more at stake than ever before.

by Brian Kilmeade

Abraham Lincoln was White, born impoverished on a frontier farm. Frederick Douglass was Black, a child of slavery who had risked his life escaping to freedom in the North. Neither man had a formal education, and neither had had an easy path to influence. No one would have expected them to become friends or to transform the country. But Lincoln and Douglass believed in their nation's greatness. They were determined to make the grand democratic experiment live up to its ideals.

by Mitch Albom

After a deadly ship explosion, nine people, adrift in a raft, struggle to survive at sea and pull a strange man from the sea who claims to be the Lord. The story is narrated by Benji, one of the passengers, who recounts the events in a notebook that is later discovered a year later when the empty life raft washes up on the island of Montserrat.

by The Beatles

The most anticipated book in more than a decade by the legendary band, The Beatles: Get Back is the official account of the creation of their final album, Let It Be, told in The Beatles' own words, illustrated with hundreds of previously unpublished images, including photos by Ethan A. Russell and Linda McCartney. Half a century after the 1970 Let It Be album and film, this milestone book coincides with the global release of Peter Jackson's documentary feature film, The Beatles: Get Back.

by David Baldacci

For her entire life, FBI agent Atlee Pine has been searching for her twin sister, Mercy, who was abducted at the age of six and never seen again. Mercy's disappearance left behind a damaged family that later shattered beyond repair when Atlee's parents inexplicably abandoned her. Now, after a perilous investigation that nearly proved fatal, Atlee has finally discovered not only the reason behind her parents' abandonment and Mercy's kidnapping, but also the most promising breakthrough yet: proof that Mercy survived her abduction and then escaped her captors many years ago. When the truth is finally revealed, Atlee Pine will face the greatest danger yet, and it may well cost her everything.

by Neal Stephenson

One man, a visionary billionaire restaurant chain magnate T. R. Schmidt, has a Big Idea for reversing global warming, a master plan perhaps best described as "elemental." But will it work? And just as important, what are the consequences for the planet and all of humanity should it be applied? Ranging from the Texas heartland to the Dutch royal palace in the Hague, from the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas to the sunbaked Chihuahuan Desert, Termination Shock brings together a disparate group of characters from different cultures and continents who grapple with the real-life repercussions of global warming. Ultimately, it asks the question: Might the cure be worse than the disease?

by Ann Patchett

As a writer, Ann Patchett knows what the outcome of her fiction will be. Life, however, often takes turns we do not see coming. Patchett ponders this truth in these wise essays that afford a fresh and intimate look into her mind and heart. At the center of These Precious Days is the title essay, a surprising and moving meditation on an unexpected friendship that explores "what it means to be seen, to find someone with whom you can be your best and most complete self." Turning her writer's eye on her own experiences, she transforms the private into the universal, providing us all a way to look at our own worlds anew, and reminds how fleeting and enigmatic life can be.

For the most up-to-date information on Northwest Regional Library System location hours and services, visit the NWRLS Library Website.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we continue to encourage all patrons to wear a mask and maintain social distancing at 6 feet while inside the library. Please do not enter the library if you are sick! All children under the age of twelve must be accompanied by an adult. Computer time is limited to one log on per person for 2-hours per day.

Friday, December 31st for New Years

Saturday, January 1st for New Years

Monday, January 17th for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Program will be released through library Facebook pages on the specific date/time. Pre-recorded videos can be viewed earlier on the Northwest Regional Library System FL YouTube channel.

Thursday, January 13th at 10 a.m. CT / 11 a.m. ET

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats, read with permission from Penguin Random House.

Upcycled Origami with Kat: Winter

Wednesday, January 19th at 2 p.m. CT / 3 p.m. ET

Learn how to fold two easy penguin designs, and a tiger face for Chinese New Year. 2022 is the Year of the Tiger beginning on February 1st. Also learn to fold a special tiger mask with patterned paper, which will

be available as a Take-and-Make craft kit in Bay County Public Library Youth Services starting the last week of January while supplies last!

Tuesday, January 4th at 4 p.m. CT

Talk about anime/manga with fellow fans, participate in fun activities, and learn about Japanese culture! Registration is required. Please stop by or call Youth Services at 850-522-2118 to register. 

Tuesday, January 11th at 4 p.m. CT

Assemble your party and venture forth on a short, fun adventure. Learn the basics and jump right into your first session of Dungeons and Dragons, Fifth Edition. No experience needed. Sign-ups begin December 27th. Registration required for this group of 6 students. To register, visit the Youth Service Department or call us at 850-522-2118.

Tuesday, January 18th at 4 p.m. CT

Want to have a say at your library? All while earning volunteer hours, making crafts, playing games, and eating snacks? Join the Teen Advisory Board! Registration is required. Please stop by or call Youth Services at 850-522-2118 to register.

Starting on Wednesday, January 19th

Make a watercolor butterfly out of a coffee filter and a clothespin! Take and Make Craft Kits will be available in Youth Services while supplies last. The tutorial will be posted on our YouTube channel.

Tuesday, January 25th at 4 p.m. CT

Learn the joy of storytelling and refine your writing skills with this young creative writers group. Using R. L. Stine's Creative Writing Program, learn the basics, collaborate, and learn how to take an idea to a finished concept. Each meeting will last 1-hour. Registration required for this class of 6 students. Sign-ups begin January 11th. Visit the Youth Services Department or call 850-522-2118 to register.

Tuesday, January 25th at 4 p.m. CT

Join us as we learn about Chinese New Year from a knowledgeable guest speaker! There will also be a fun activity. Registration is required. Please stop by or call Youth Services at 850-522-2118 to register.

January's kit begins Monday, January 3rd

Throughout the month of January, stop in for the latest Take and Make Craft Kit. The kits will be available while supplies last. There will be a limited number, so stop by and pick one up to enjoy! We thank the Panama City Beach Library Foundation for sponsoring this program.

Social distancing and masks encouraged for in-person library programming. 

Stop by to pick up a STEAM challenge activity. Kits made possible by the Friends of the Gulf County Public Libraries.

Stop by to make a craft project in the children's area, or grab on to make at home. All material provided. Crafts made possible by the Friends of the Gulf County Public Libraries. 

Thursday, January 13th at 4:00 p.m. ET

Join us for a reading and book signing of My Name is Archie: Port St. Joe’s Jughead Dog, about a local dog with an astonishing story. Rescued by the St. Joseph Bay Humane Society, Archie's story is a heartwarming tale about love and rescue in Gulf County. Written by local animal advocate Ann Comforter and illustrated by Dianna Harrison, all proceeds of the book go toward rescuing dogs and cats to help them find their way to "fur-ever" homes. Books will be available for purchase and signing; pet food donations will also be accepted.

Chess Club (All Ages Program)

Mondays, January 10th and 24th at 3:30 p.m. ET

Saturday, January 15th at 10:30 a.m. ET

The game of chess offers many brainy benefits and -- it's fun! All skillsets are welcome. Chess boards are provided and library materials are available for further learning. Chess sets may also be checked out for in library use at any time by visiting the information desk.

Throughout the month of January, stop in for our latest Take and Make Craft Kit. Kits will be available while supplies last. We thank the Friends of the Gulf County Public Libraries for sponsoring this program.

Throughout the month of January, stop in for our latest STEAM Challenge project. Kits will be available while supplies last. We thank the Friends of the Gulf County Public Libraries for sponsoring this program.

Pick up a monthly reading challenge at the library. Prizes will be given based on the amount of books you read!

Craft Kits will be available each month while supplies last for kids.

Craft Kits will be available each month while supplies last for kids.

Programs will be released through library Facebook pages on the specific date/time. Zoom programs require registration. Pre-recorded videos can be viewed earlier on the Northwest Regional Library System FL YouTube channel.

Tuesday, January 4th at 2 p.m. CT / 3 p.m. ET

Learn how to create a resume using a Microsoft Word template. Also, check out the Job Fair in a Bag and Resume Review programs at the Bay County Public Library taking place during January 24th - 28th.

Wednesday, January 5th at 10:30 a.m. CT / 11:30 a.m. ET

The Giver by Lois Lowry

Email jmcduffie@nwrls.com for Zoom invitation.

Thursday, January 13th at 11:30 a.m. CT / 12:30 p.m. ET

The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery

Email rfillingame@nwrls.com for Zoom invitation or meet in the Bay County Public Library Meeting Room.

Friday, January 21st at 2:00 p.m. CT / 3:00 p.m. ET

Email sburris@nwrls.com for Zoom invitation or meet in the Bay County Public Library Youth Services Program Room.

Monday, January 3rd at 5:30 p.m. CT

Come and learn basic conversational Japanese with our instructor! Registration is required. Please register for the 1-hour language class at the Adult Services Information Desk or call 850-522-2107. Program in

Meeting Room.

Tuesday, January 11th at 2 p.m. CT

William Shakespeare examines innate human characteristics through his characters. Some of these traits can be classified as the seven deadly sins. GCSC Encore Instructor, Robert Lamphear, guides us through examples of Shakespeare's analysis of lust and pride using some of his plays. Program in Meeting Room.

Thursday, January 13th at 11:30 a.m. CT

The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery

Email rfillingame@nwrls.com for Zoom invitation or meet in the Meeting Room.

Thursday, January 13th from 4 - 7 p.m. CT

Walk-ins are welcome! Join the Legal Services of North Florida for a FREE legal clinic to assist with: Disaster Issues, Title Clearing, Probate, Contractor Disputes, Insurance Coverage Disputes, Denial of Repair Assistance, and more! Assistance is provided on a first-come, first-served basis and is based on lawyer availability. Please bring documentation & paperwork related to your legal question. The Legal Services of North Florida require a Covid-19 Screening Questionnaire and masks to attend the Free Disaster Legal Help clinic.

Friday, January 21st at 2:00 p.m. CT

Email sburris@nwrls.com for Zoom invitation or meet in the Youth Services Program Room. January's set list is blues and ragtime.

January 24th - 28th

Are you looking for a job? Stop by the Information Desk in Adult Services to pick up a helpful bag full of goodies. You'll gain access to resume and interview tips, local job listings, education information, items like pens and notepads, and so much more!

January 24th - 28th

Do you need help with your resume? You can email your resume (Word or PDF file) to referencedesk@nwrls.com or schedule an appointment to meet with a librarian in person. A librarian will proofread your resume and provide suggestions for improvements. Please note that library staff cannot type or edit the document for you. If you are emailing your resume, please include a brief description of the job of interest. Call 850-522-2107 to schedule an appointment.

Fridays from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. CT

Bring your yarn and let's knit! Seating is limited to 7 total to allow for social distancing. First come, first served.

Saturdays from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. ET

Bring whatever project you are working on and enjoy a relaxed social gathering in our Florida room with others who share your love for knitting, felting, crochet and other needle arts. Seating is limited. First come, first served.

Tuesday, January 4th at 2 p.m. ET

The modern city of St. Joe is near the site of one of the most important towns in Florida's antebellum history - a frontier boomtown nearly wiped off the map in the 1840s by the twin scourge of a catastrophic hurricane and yellow fever epidemic. St. Joseph, near present day Oak Grove, was the site of the Florida territory’s first railroad, and of its Constitutional Convention. University of South Florida Archaeologist, Chris Hunt, will present his research based on the Herman and Pam Jones/Depot Creek Collection, now on display at the library. Registration required for all Tuesday at Two programs. Visit the library to register or call 850-229-8879.

Friday, January 7th at 10:30 a.m. ET

Join us for a short presentation presented by Climate Up Close scientists followed by conversation and Q&A. Space is limited; Registration is required. Visit the library to register or call 850-229-8879.

Monday, January 10th at 10:30 a.m. ET

The Friends of the Gulf County Public Libraries is a 501(c)3 organization founded to support libraries in Gulf County by providing financial assistance for programs that support lifelong learning and enhance the cultural life of the community. Seating is limited. First come, first served.

Chess Club (All Ages Program)

Mondays, January 10th and 24th at 3:30 p.m. ET

Saturday, January 15th at 10:30 a.m. ET

The game of chess offers many brainy benefits and -- it's fun! All skillsets are welcome. Chess boards are provided and library materials are available for further learning. Chess sets may also be checked out for in library use at any time by visiting the information desk.

Tuesday, January 11th at 2 p.m. ET

For billions of years, life has evolved in tune with the predictable rhythm of day and night. Humans have disrupted this cycle by lighting up the night. Scientific evidence suggests artificial light at night has negative effects on many creatures. It inhibits our ability to experience the beauty of the cosmos above us. Join us for a short film from the International Dark Sky Association, followed by a conversation with local amateur astronomer Skip Marlin about actions you can take locally to decrease light pollution and increase your enjoyment of the night sky.

Registration required for all Tuesday at Two programs. Visit the library to register or call 850-229-8879.

Thursday, January 13th at 4:00 p.m. ET

Join us for a reading and book signing of My Name is Archie: Port St. Joe’s Jughead Dog, about a local dog with an astonishing story. Rescued by the St. Joseph Bay Humane Society, Archie's story is a heartwarming tale about love and rescue in Gulf County. Written by local animal advocate Ann Comforter and illustrated by Dianna Harrison, all proceeds of the book go toward rescuing dogs and cats to help them find their way to "fur-ever" homes. Books will be available for purchase and signing; pet food donations will also be accepted.

Tuesday, January 18th at 2 p.m. ET

The decline of honey bees and Monarch butterflies has brought the issue of pollinators to the forefront of roadside management. Join naturalist Liz Sparks to learn about the Florida Wildflower Foundation’s partnership with the Florida Department of Transportation to develop vegetation management practices on roadsides as a means of increasing wildflowers and native grasses that benefit pollinators and other beneficial insects.

Registration required for all Tuesday at Two programs. Visit the library to register or call 850-229-8879.

Monday, January 24th at 10:30 a.m. ET

Title to be determined. Contact the library for more information at 850-229-8879.

Tuesday, January 25th at 2 p.m. ET

Travel back to one of the most colorful and captivating periods of Florida history when Prohibition ended the legal production of liquor, and the rebellious spirit of Old Florida challenged the federal government. Historian Robert Buccellato will shine a light on a forgotten time of bootlegged liquor, crafty moonshiners facing off with corrupt rural sheriffs, and Panhandle traditions that date back centuries. Registration required for all Tuesday at Two programs. Visit the library to register or call 850-229-8879.

Mondays from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. ET

Tuesday & Thursdays from 1 - 7 p.m. ET

Appointments required. Visit the library or register at Bit.ly/RealsenseTaxes. Program in partnership with United Way. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) offers free tax-filing help to residents who earn a moderate income, and to people who are over 65, disabled, or do not speak English well. IRS certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return prep with electronic filing to qualified individuals.

We offer free classes for learning and practicing English skills for daily life, work, and citizenship in our English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes. Please contact the library for more information at 850-229-8879.

Join our free Conversation circles to practice with others learning to speak English and Spanish. Group size is limited to 12. Please contact the library for more information at 850-229-8879.

Tuesday January 4 at 9:30 a.m. CT

Join us for an educational presentation with professional archaeologist, Nancy White from the University of South Florida, Department of Anthropology. She will discuss local Indian artifacts discovered at Chipola Cutoff.

Monday, January 24th at 2 p.m. CT

Join us as we discuss this month’s read, The Late Show by Michael Connelly.

Fridays from 9:30 - 3:30 p.m. CT

Appointments required. Visit the library or register at Bit.ly/RealsenseTaxes. Program in partnership with United Way. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) offers free tax filing help to residents who earn a moderate income, to people who are over 65, disabled, or do not speak English well. IRS certified volunteers provide basic income tax return prep with electronic filing to qualified individuals.

Monday, January 3rd at 5 p.m. ET

Join us at the library the first Monday of each month for a fun filled family game night!

Tuesday, January 11th at 2:00 p.m. ET

January's selection is Thick as Thieves by Sandra Brown.

Tuesday, January 11th at 12:30 p.m. ET

Adult Nutrition Class presented by the Liberty County UF/IFAS Family Nutrition Program. Each month we will explore different nutrition topics, all while having fun! Group limited to 8 attendees. First come, first served or pre-register at the library or call (850) 379-3300.

Thursday, January 13th at 10:00 a.m. ET

Crafts not determined yet, but always fun!

Packets contain coloring pages, word searches and more!

Wednesday, January 19th at 1:30 p.m. ET

Adult Nutrition Class presented by the Liberty County UF/IFAS Family Nutrition Program. Each month we will explore different nutrition topics, all while having fun! Group limited to 6 attendees. First come, first served or pre-register at the library or call (850) 643-2247.

Packets contain coloring pages, word searches and more!

by Shea Ernshaw

Travis Wren has an unusual talent for locating missing people. When he takes on the case of Maggie St. James, a well-known children's author, he's led to a place many believed to be only a legend. Called Pastoral, this reclusive community was founded in the 1970s by like-minded people searching for a simpler way of life. By all accounts, the commune shouldn't exist anymore and soon after Travis stumbles upon it...he disappears. Years later, Theo, a lifelong member of Pastoral, discovers Travis's abandoned truck beyond the border of the community. No one is allowed in or out, not when there's a risk of bringing a disease into Pastoral. Unraveling the mystery of what happened reveals secrets that Theo, his wife, Calla, and her sister, Bee, keep from one another. Secrets that prove their perfect, isolated world isn't as safe as they believed—and that darkness takes many forms.

by Jocelyn Nicole Johnson

Jocelyn Nicole Johnson's precisely imagined debut explores burdened inheritances and extraordinary pursuits of belonging. Set in the near future, the eponymous novella, "My Monticello," tells of a diverse group of Charlottesville neighbors fleeing violent white supremacists. Led by Da'Naisha, a young Black descendant of Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings, they seek refuge in Jefferson's historic plantation home in a desperate attempt to outlive the long-foretold racial and environmental unravelling within the nation.

by Mallory O'Meara

With whip-smart insight and boundless curiosity, Girly Drinks unveils an entire untold history of the female distillers, drinkers and brewers who have played a vital role in the creation and consumption of alcohol, from ancient Sumerian beer goddess Ninkasi to iconic 1920s bartender Ada Coleman. Filling a crucial gap in culinary history, O'Meara dismantles the long-standing patriarchal traditions at the heart of these very drinking cultures, in the hope that readers everywhere can look to each celebrated woman in this book—and proudly have what she's having.

With the Libby by Overdrive app, you can check out five e-books and audiobooks for free for 21 days. All you need is your library card number and PIN. Forgot your PIN? Just give us a call at 850-522-2100 and we'll set one up for you. And you can return items early!

To access e-books and downloadable audiobooks, click here or:

Go to www.nwrls.com

Click on Books & Research

Click on eBooks & eAudiobooks

Click on OverDrive and Libby to find eBooks, audiobooks and magazines

Download the Libby App to your device.

Sign in by selecting Panhandle Library Access Network.

Select Northwest Regional Library System as your library,

and login with library card number and PIN.