Blog
Potty Training Like a Pro
It’s time to talk about that horrible “P” word — potty. When it is time for potty training, you can’t help being a little apprehensive. Even if you have previous potty training experience, you cannot predict how potty training will go this time.
Books are Magical
Unleash the magic — open a book and make today extraordinary. September 25 is National Open the Magic Day. After discovering this celebration, I did a little digging because it reminded me of unicorns. My five-year-old daughter is rather obsessed with them.
Apple-solutely Love Fall
During the fall season, the apple truly hits its prime with delicious concoctions like apple cider, apple pie, caramel apples — and the list goes on. October marks National Apple Month, a dedication to the top-tier fruit that’s been around for nearly 10,000 years.
Wine, Cheese & Books, Please
Since July 25 is National Wine and Cheese Day, I thought I’d make some reading and pairing suggestions. Who likes perusing their favorite genre or author with a nice red? Try reading on the patio with a chilled white? Here’s a list of some great pairings to get you started. If you have suggestions, we’d love to hear about some of your favorites, too.
Black History Month
Every February, we celebrate the achievements and history of African Americans as part of Black History Month. Literature in particular has been a space for black authors to tell their stories and bookworms seeking good reads can choose from an array of …
Board Games Aren’t Just for Fun
Board games aren’t just for fun — they’re learning tools. Cooperation, strategy, math, science, literacy, critical-thinking … there’s a game for that. From classic to brand new, here are some board games to play with your family.
Fall Into Winter Reading
The days are getting colder and the nights are getting longer — but reading always brightens up our day — so we’re challenging you to Fall Into Winter Reading. We realize you’re busy, so we made it simple.
Kindness Project
We invite you to join in spreading kindness throughout the month of November. The library offers a series of activities encouraging local residents to be kind to others, be kind to ourselves, be kind to animals and be kind to the earth.
Witches
Witches (and wizards) wield magic with a wave of a wand, a wiggle of a nose and the snap of a finger. Whether they are from Oz, Camelot, the Discworld — or the most magical land of all, Scotland — witches and wizards have made us spell-bound.
Werewolves
Who’s afraid of the big, bad wolf? Not us. Werewolves are one of the world’s most famous shape-shifters, and have enthralled us in stories — both in print and on screens. Below the glow of a full moon, werewolves frolic and stalk the night. But what else do you know about werewolves? Read these hair-raising facts, and become a shape-shifting scholar.
Mermaids
Mermaids swim and splash through our imaginations in a flurry of shells, seaweed and scales. They give us mental images of gorgeous beaches, serene lagoons, sunken pirate ships and underwater cities made of coral. Not to mention grottos full of human treasures such as gadgets, gizmos, whozits, whatsits and thingamabobs galore. The secretive nature of these elusive men and women of the sea leave us with many questions. Surf through these awesome Mermaid facts and feel free to shell them out as you “sea” fit.
Vampires
Regardless of whether they are the heroes or villains of their story, vampires captivate our imaginations. These blood-sucking fiends (or, in some cases, friends) hide in the shadows, cloaked in the darkness of night. While vampires may hide from the sun, let us metaphorically shine a light on these ferocious, fanged creatures of the night.
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage
National Hispanic Heritage Month, from September 15 to October 15, traditionally honors the cultures and contributions of both Hispanic and Latino Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society. To celebrate Hispanic authors, illustrators and creators this month (and every month) be sure to check out some excelente books written by Latinx authors.
Back to School
Summer is coming to an end which means it’s time to get ready for school. Avoid the anxiety and let this be an exciting time for you and your children. Keep these tips in mind for a smooth transition back to school.
Fairy Tales: Little Red & Cinderella
Fairy tales are an important genre in children’s literature and have been passed down from generation to generation. Usually ending “happily ever after,” fairy tales make for a perfect family read aloud. These favorites …
Lefties Get Their Day
Oh, hear the cheerful cries of the left-handed population. August 13 is officially recognized as International Left-Handers Day, and I find it most important to honor these everyday troopers for making it in a right-handed world. Why, you ask?
Back to School During the Pandemic
This year, first-day-of-school jitters are mixed in with uncertainty, all while the coronavirus pandemic wreaks havoc on our lives. Hand sanitizer and laptops have replaced backpacks and lunch boxes as must-have items for returning students …
Camp NaNoWriMo
This summer, Lexington County Public Library encourages you to not only Imagine Your Story — but to tell it. Go camping in the comfort of your own home with Camp NaNoWriMo this July. This summer version of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) allows users to choose their goals for how they spend their time and utilize their creativity.
Upcoming YA Fiction Releases
YA (that’s young adult literature for newbies) has a lot of hot titles hitting the shelves this month — including books from some of our favorite authors and breathtaking debuts from fresh voices. We’ll experience the beginnings of exciting new series and the much-anticipated continuations and conclusions of others. No matter what you love, whether it’s thrillers, romance, fantasy, nonfiction or graphic novels, you’ll find a wide variety of books sure to satisfy every kind of reader. With all of these great works to read, you’ll be happily turning pages all summer long.
Literature’s Love Guru
As a Jane Austen novice, I was intrigued to read about one of her most popular novel characters, Emma, of whom Austen stated, “I am
Find Your Escape
One of the best things about being a reader is that even after we close the pages of a book, we don’t have to leave
Learn at Home
For supporting children’s continuous learning at home and for back-to-school plans, we’ve got you covered with virtual learning materials. Explore any interest, develop new skills, connect with others in the community.
Full STEAM Ahead
You’re probably already familiar with the term STEM or STEAM as it’s become an educational buzz word in recent years. Science, technology, engineering, art and math, are considered the most important skills for life in the 21st century; and while it may sound intimidating, it doesn’t have to be.
School at Home
The kids are bouncing off the walls — excited about a break from school, but now you’re tasked with managing them at home all day for weeks, potentially months, all while juggling work, dishes, laundry, taking care of the dog, cat, fish and all the other adulting stuff we do. Oh, I forgot to mention, the added stress of having to scavenge hunt grocery stores to find food, toilet paper and cleaning products (that are no where to be found) while practicing social distancing of a minimum of six feet. You really wish you had more hand sanitizer. It’s enough to drive anyone crazy.
The Joy of Rereading
My friends have always known me as the girl who’ll read anything — cereal boxes, bottles of ketchup, warning labels on medicine — if there are words
Pizza ♥️ Love
Whether you’re a thin crust fan or a deep dish enthusiast, I’m sure we can all agree on one thing — pizza is love. Pizza can
Jane Austen
It is a truth universally acknowledged that Jane Austen is one of the most influential writers to this day. Jane Austen was born on December
How to Hygge
In the last couple years (and particularly in the winter months), you may have stumbled upon a certain word … “hygge.” But what in the world
A to Z Reading Challenge
It’s time to wrap up your 2019 resolutions and think about what you want to accomplish next year. Most of us consider the same resolutions
Pretend to Be a Time Traveler
One of the first time travel stories recorded appears in a Hindi epic written in 400 BCE. However, the idea of time travel didn’t gain
Study Skills 101
Of all the lessons we learn in school, teachers rarely cover how to study but study skills can make all the difference when it comes
Improve Your Test Scores by Reading
Did you know that reading is an excellent way to prepare for your SAT and ACT tests? Reading helps you develop the skills necessary for
Your Fall To-Do List
Too old for costumes and trick-or-treating but still looking for fun ways to rock the fall season? Try these ideas
Turtles, Stars & Paper Towns
I’m not ashamed to admit that I read young adult fiction and here’s why … It tackles serious issues but in a hopeful way
Transitioning from J to YA
For parents of teens and tweens, moving from the juvenile section of the library to young adult can be intimidating. Young adult literature represents a
NaNoWriMo
Fall is finally here. That means football, pumpkin spice, temperatures below 90 degrees and — for the month of November — NaNoWriMo. NaNoWri—WHAT? National Novel Writing
J Fic for Grownups
Many adult readers are drawn to the books on young adult shelves like Harry Potter, Twilight, The Hunger Games and so on. Even though these
International Podcast
The meteoric rise of podcasts in the last few years has been incredible, but if you’ve been left in the dust, look no further for
Reading Aloud
How often do you read with your children — once a day, once a week or maybe not at all? No matter your answer, anywhere is
Book Cover Trends
Book covers have a big job … they have to entice readers to pick up the book, be memorable, describe the essence of the book and
Are You Bored Yet?
Are you already saying or hearing, “I’m Bored” and looking for things to do? Be creative. Visit your local branch to find books to help relieve the tediousness of daily routines.
Road Trip Ready
Now that warmer weather is in our sights and the last week of school is on the horizon, it’s time to start planning the details
Summer Slide
A long summer break is a great time for students to reset and take time away from studying but watch out for Summer Slide. Research
Did These Books Predict the Future?
Natural disasters, big brother, organ transplants, the atomic bomb, consumer fatigue and more. At one time these concepts were merely speculation and science fiction
Summer Programs
Looking for something to do this summer? Check out our calendar of events where you’ll find programs for all ages and a wide variety of
