Library News for Adults - Special Edition
December 30, 2020
All Scott County Library locations will close at 5:00pm on Thursday, December 31st, and will remain closed on Friday, January 1st in observance of the New Year's holiday. Libraries will be open during their regular Express hours on Saturday, January 2nd.
Winter Reads begins January 1st!

Winter can be a lovely time to snuggle up inside, but winter can also be a little isolating -- especially this winter -- and that doesn’t bode well for our mental health. However, we can still surround ourselves with friends and fun in the form of good books and our annual adult winter reading program.

Join other participants in reading or listening to as many books as you can handle (one to one hundred!) during January and February and do all or some of the following:



  • Participate in the book- and winter-themed “Question of the Week” on our Facebook and twitter pages.

  • Enter our monthly prize drawings - details here

So make yourself a hot drink, find a comfy cozy spot, and read your way through winter!
Upcoming Adult Programs

**Last Chance to Register!**
Cozy Up! Winter Activities for Adults
January - mid-March

Is winter looking a little dreary? Well, don't miss out on this free program (beginning in January) that will deliver activities, contests, creative projects, and more right to your mailbox. Sign up to receive:

  • an initial mailing containing a 16-page booklet and additional activities in early January
  • a mid-winter mailing of a unique creative project
  • a final mailing with a special surprise gift

Supplies are limited, so request your packet now. Complete the online form at bit.ly/SCLCozyUp.
Legal Clinics

To schedule an appointment to participate in any of these clinics, please call the Law Library at (952) 496-8713.

Monday, January 11th
All Day

A volunteer attorney will call you at your pre-determined appointment time to discuss family law issues. This may include divorce, post-divorce issues, custody and parenting time, child support, and more.

Thursday, January 14th
All Day

Meet with a volunteer attorney for 30 mins to discuss a civil legal issue (this can include family law, conciliation/civil court, protective orders, simple probate/estate questions, etc.).
Updated COVID-19 Assistance

  • MN Unemployment Insurance - Get the latest on how the new federal stimulus package will be implemented, and how it will affect your unemployment benefits
  • Relief Program for Businesses and Landlords/Rental Property Owners - The program is intended to provide relief payments to restaurants, bars, gyms, and other similar businesses who have been partially or fully closed – as a result of MN Executive Order 20-99, which went into effect November 20, 2020. To help cover the costs of unpaid rent and/or fees, Scott County rental property landlords and owners can apply for housing assistance funds on behalf of tenants financially impacted by COVID-19.
Job & Career Resources

  • Coursera - The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (MnDEED) has partnered with Coursera to provide free career-focused, online learning resources to Minnesotans. Coursera offers 4,800 courses and training modules from over 200 top businesses and universities, including more than 60 courses from the University of Minnesota. Deadline to register is December 31, 2020, and you must be enrolled in courses by January 31, 2021. You will have access to the platform through March 2021.
  • Resume Writing Workshop - January 6th, 1:00-2:30pm online. CareerForce Center staff will cover best practices for how to create a resume that meets the specific requirements of a position. They will also demonstrate the different types of resumes and when to use them, as well some common mistakes to avoid.
Weekly Trivia Challenge

This week's challenge: Books Into Movies Good luck!

Think you know your winter holidays? Try this trivia, by Kyle in New Prague, and see how many you can identify. The multiple choice challenge is timed, so the faster you respond, the more points you get! You have until Tuesday, December 29 at noon to take the challenge.

We’ve built our trivia challenge in Kahoot!, but there’s no need for you to create an account. Just click the link, spin for a randomly-generated player name, and play! The top five winners will be revealed in next Wednesday’s newsletter, so be sure to remember your player name!

Here are the top finishers from last week's "Winter Holidays" challenge. So many winter holidays - I'm planning on celebrating all of them!

  1. Golden Gecko-100%
  2. Amazing Bear-100%
  3. Charming Deer
  4. Magic Lemus
  5. Hero Cheetah
Library Staff Recommends
 
All titles are available (or will soon be available) in print, on Cloud Library eBooks or eAudiobooks, or RBDigital eAudiobooks.

Memorable Audiobooks - recommended by Mo, Library Associate at the Prior Lake Library.

Here is a list of some of the most memorable audiobooks that I have listened to (or re-listened to) in 2020. These are available on Cloud Library and have been great for downloading and listening to on long drives.

  • The Dutch House by Ann Patchett, audio read by Tom Hanks
  • The Sun Down Motel by Simon St. James, audio by Brittany Pressley, Kirsten Potter
  • The Harry Potter series by JK Rowling, audio by Jim Dale. (This is my all-time favorite comfort read, and the narration is absolutely brilliant!)
  • Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, audio by Frankie Corzo
  • Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel, audio: Madeline Maby
New Year's Resolution: Run More! - Recommended by Ally, Youth Services Librarian.