Our Library Is An Open Book
Libraries change and evolve to meet the needs of their community and adapt to new technologies. At Phillips Free Library though one thing is constant - we exist to create an equitable world. Our mission is to empower and inspire all people to grow and connect with one another to create a better world for all. Here are some ways to connect with your community at the library this month!
New This Month
Tea and a Talk with Nancy Dafoe
Join us on Saturday, November 19th at 11 am for a cup of tea and a chat with author, Nancy Dafoe. Nancy will be talking about her latest books, a new novel entitled Socrates is Dead Again, and an upcoming book of poetry, The House Was Quiet, But the Mind Was Anxious. She’ll also share her experiences publishing with small presses.
Tea and refreshments will be served.
Featured Events
Yoga
The library is once again offering a yoga for beginners’ class taught by Jill Pace RYT 200. This three-class series will meet Thursday mornings from 10:30 am to 11:30 on November 3rd, 10th, and 17th. Space is limited. Contact the library to pre-register. Email office@phillipsfreelibrary.org for information or to register. 
Knee High Story Time
Knee High Story Time meets Wednesday mornings at 9 am. The story time is a program of stories, songs, rhymes, and other activities geared for toddlers through pre-K. Contact office@phillipsfreelibrary.org for more information.
 
Upcoming Story Time themes are:
 
Oct. 26th – Cats
Nov 2: Autumn
Nov 9: Dragons
Nov 16: Thank you!
Nov 30: Bath Time Bubbles
New Books
Adult Fiction
The Loneliest Places: Loss, Grief, and the Long Journey Home
by Rachel Dickinson (local author)
place it on hold here

The essays of The Loneliest Places began as a chronicle of Rachel Dickinson's life after her son's suicide. The pieces became much more. Dickinson writes the unimaginable and terrifying facts of heartbreaking loss. In The Loneliest Places she tells stories from her months on the run, fleeing her grief and herself, as she escapes to Iceland and the Falkland Islands―as far as possible from the memories of her dead son, Jack. She frankly relates the paralyzing emotion that sometimes left her trapped in her home, confined to a single chair, helplessly isolated.  
 
The tales from these years are bleak and Dickinson's journey home, back to her changed self and fractured family, is lonely. Conjuring Emily Dickinson, however, she describes how hope was sighted, allowed to perch, and then, remarkably, made actual.  
Picture Book
I Cannot Draw a Horse
by Charise Mericle Harper
place it on hold here

The cat wants a horse.
The book cannot draw a horse.
The book CAN draw a squirrel, a beaver, and a bunny.
Fun . . . but the cat still wants a horse.
 
Can the quick-draw book appease the horse-obsessed cat with an impressive collection of horse-y alternatives (all created from the same “nothing shape”)? Or will the cat finally get a horse? The cat REALLY wants a horse.
Coming Soon
Halloween
Phillips Free Library will be open until 6 pm on Monday, October 31st. Stop in between 5 and 6 pm in costume for a treat (while supplies last).
Family Lock-In
Sunday, December 4th is National Cookie Day and we couldn't let it go by without a party! Join us for a Family Lock-In to celebrate the holidays and cookies. This program is on Sunday, December 4th at 2 pm. Registration preferred so we have enough cookies!! Email: office@phillipsfreelibrary.org to register or for more information.
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Book Clubs
Our book clubs are underway and we have had a great time making new friends and seeing old friends too! So far we have discussed Sometimes All I Need is Me by Juliana Perdomo, The Attack of the Underwear Dragon by Scott Rothman, Pumpkin Soup by Helen Cooper, Maybe Maybe Marisol Rainey by Erin Entrada Kelly, Capture the Flag by Kate Messner, Framed! by James Ponti, and Chasing Secrets by Gennifer Choldenko. They are all good books, give one a try!
Annual Fundraising Campaign
Dear Friends,
The library continues to adapt and grow with our ever-changing world. This year we continued outdoor programming, as well as returned to our full slate of programs at the library. Our grant-funded book clubs, from K-2nd grade book club through Sr. High Book club and Family Book Club, offer young people a chance to discover the joy of reading and be exposed to new cultures, ideas, and experiences. Along with these book clubs, this year we offered extensive programming to students involved with the summer reading program at the Homer Schools. This included our traveling library, weekly story times to the younger grades, and read-along book clubs to the 3rd– 5th grade students.

Our adult programming continues to expand with Fresh Perspectives: A monthly Ted Talk Discussion and Points of View book club, a monthly discussion of books with diverse perspectives and cultures. We also host the meetings of The Tioughnioga River Writers and we offer much needed wellness programs like tai chi and yoga. We still offer a food pantry in our foyer, which provides fresh produce during the growing season thanks to the Seven Valley Health Coalition and Main Street Farms

With Covid becoming a standard part of our lives, we work hard to be a resource for the community. We are able to provide services with the support of people like you. If you can, please return the form below with your contribution. In the meantime, check out our new website at www.phillipsfreelibrary.org, or find us on Facebook. We’ve also started an e-newsletter. If you aren’t getting it, please send us your email so we can add you to the list.
 
Gratefully,
Meghan Gilbert, President
The Phillips Free Library Board of Trustees

If you would like to make a donation please either drop it off at the front desk or mail it to Phillips Free Library, PO Box 7, Homer NY 13077 contributions are tax deductible as allowed
What are the books that get you through?
Humorous books
Informational books
Books with a friendship theme
Feel good books
Books with characters who persevere
Poetry
Dog books
Travel books
Meditation books
Murder Mysteries
Results from our poll last month
Calendar of Events - November
November 1 - 3rd & 4th Grade Book Club 5:30 pm
November 2 - Knee High Story Time 9 am - Autumn
November 2 - K-2 Library Zoo 3:20-4:15 pm - LEGO Club
November 3 - Yoga #1 of 3 10:30-11:30 am
November 3 - Fresh Perspectives 6 pm
Three Steps to Turn Everyday Get Togethers Into Transformative Gatherings by Priya Parker
November 4 - Catholic Charities Peer Support 12:30-2:30 pm
November 9 - Knee High Story Time 9 am - Dragons
November 9 - K-2 Library Zoo 3:20-4:15 pm - Book Club
November 10 - Yoga #2 of 3 10:30-11:30 am
November 11 - Library Closed
November 14 - Family Book Club 6 pm
November 16 - Knee High Story Time 9 am - Thank You!
November 16 - K-2 Library Zoo 3:20-4:15 pm - Yoga and Games
November 17 - Yoga #3 of 3 10:30 - 11:30 am
November 17 - Community Conversation on Opioid Use Disorder by Area
Health Education Center 12-2:30 pm
November 19 - Tea and a Talk with Nancy Dafoe 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
November 21 - Board of Trustees Meeting 7 pm
November 24 - Library Closed
November 30 - Knee High Story Time 9 am - Bath Time Bubbles
November 30 - K-2 Library Zoo 3:20-4:15 pm - Storytime: Goats
November 30 - Points of View: Book Discussion 6:30 pm on Zoom
Firekeepers Daughter by Angeline Boulley email ashley@phillipsfreelibrary.org for zoom link

Unless otherwise indicated, for more information or to register, email office@phillipsfreelibrary.org
37 South Main Street
Homer, NY 13077
607-749-4616