It’s the holiday season! Make the library part of your holiday fun this month with craft programs, button making, and good things to check out.

On Saturday, December 6, the Cosmos library is offering a class on stamped metal bracelets. In this free class, participants will learn how to create hand-stamped metal jewelry from instructor Jen Anfinson. All supplies are provided, but space is limited, so call the library at 320-440-1012 to sign up. Open to adults and teens age 15 and up. You could make a unique gift, or have a new bracelet to wear!

The monthly Craft Circle program will be held two weeks early, on Saturday, December 13. This bring-your-own craft program will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the library. Please leave any messy crafts at home that may damage the library’s carpet. For adults and teens age 16 and up. No need to sign up. This could be a good opportunity to work on a gift while you’re out of the house!

During the week of December 8th to 13th, the button maker will be back. This time you can make some stocking stuffers for the people in your life, or just make something fun for yourself. Drop in any time during library hours that week to do this fun activity.

Pokémon Trading Card Game continues every Thursday this month, except for the 25^th when the library will be closed for Christmas. Kids ages 7 to 18 can drop in between 4:00 and 5:30 p.m. to play Pokémon, or learn how in an encouraging environment. The library has cards to play, and players can bring their own cards if they wish. Kids under age 8 must be accompanied by an adult or teen caregiver. Kids can attend every session or just the ones that work for your family’s schedule. No need to sign up. Free to attend.

Looking for something to put you in the holiday spirit? Look for these new Christmas books and movies at the Cosmos library:

Picture books:
“Santa Claws” by Bridget Heos
“Christmas Under Construction” by Frank Tupta
“Dasher and the Polar Bear” by Matt Tavares
“The 13^th Day of Christmas” by Adam Rex

Adult novels:
“Snow Kissed” by RaeAnne Thayne
“Sharp Force” by Patricia Cornwell

DVD:
“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”

Cosmos Library is always closed on Wednesdays, so hours won’t change for Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve this year. The library will be closed on Thursday, December 25, for Christmas, and on Thursday, January 1, for New Year’s Day.

Sign up now for a free class on making hand-stamped metal cuff bracelets! Jen Anfinson will teach this class in the community room on Saturday, December 6, at 10:30 a.m.

Learn the technique of creating hand-stamped metal jewelry, with all supplies provided. For adults and teens age 15+.

Call the library at 320-440-1012 or stop at the front desk to sign up. Space is limited.

As late fall settles in, the holidays begin. It’s also a good time for crafts, as the weather usually brings us indoors more of the time.

Beginning Tuesday, November 4, the Cosmos Library will have turkey coaster craft kits available for kids to pick up. These are free and available while supplies last; one kit per person, please.

Pokémon Trading Card Game time continues every Thursday in November from 4:00 to 5:30, except for Thanksgiving Day. This casual program is for kids ages 7 to 18 to play or learn to play Pokémon. The library has cards to play. Players can bring their own cards if they wish. Kids under age 8 must be accompanied by an adult or teen caregiver. Kids can attend every session or just the ones that work for your family’s schedule. No need to sign up. Free to attend.

On Saturday, November 22, two craft programs will be happening at the same time: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sign up for a squeegee painting class at 10:30! Unleash your creativity with this fun, low pressure craft. We’ll explore multiple squeegee techniques for layering paint, and you’ll walk away with one-of-a-kind abstract paintings and greeting cards. For adults and teens age 16+. Free to attend, but spots are limited. Call the library at 320-440-1012, or stop at the front desk to sign up.

Our monthly Craft Circle program will also be held at the same time, this time in the community room while the painting class is happening. Bring your craft project-in-progress and sit with other creative people as you work on it. No need to sign up for this program, which is for adults and teens age 16 and up; teens ages 13-15 can attend this program with an adult.

Our annual gingerbread house event is almost here! This year it will be held on Thanksgiving weekend, Saturday, November 29, at 10:30 a.m. This free event is great for the whole family. It could be a fun activity for your extended family when you’re together for the holiday weekend. The library provides the graham crackers, frosting, and candy. If you know you’ll be coming, we’d love it if you’d let us know so that we can plan for enough supplies: 320-440-1012. If you won’t know until you see what everyone wants to do that day, it’s fine to attend this one without signing up.

Pioneerland libraries will be closed on Tuesday, November 11, for Veterans Day, and on Thursday, November 27, for Thanksgiving.

The library’s hours are Mondays 10-5, Tuesdays 2-5, Thursdays 2-6, Fridays 2-5, and Saturdays 10-1. Find us in city hall, at www.cosmos.lib.mn.us, or at 320-440-1012.

The public libraries in Meeker County are working to help the community this month with a Food for Fines program. Bring in nonperishable food or hygiene items for the Meeker Area Food Shelf, and get $1 in late fees waived from your library card per item donated, for a maximum of $5 waived in the month per card. The program runs from Monday, October 27, through Tuesday, November 25.

Only late fees can be waived as part of this program. Replacement charges for lost or damaged items cannot be waived.

If you have old late fees on kids’ materials with a call number that begins with E, J, YA, or B, talk to a staff member. Because late fees are no longer charged for kids’ materials, library staff can waive those for you without a food shelf donation.

No late fees? Bring your food shelf donations to the library anyway! It’s a great way to help local people in need. Look for the collection bin in the library.

The Meeker Area Food Shelf’s greatest needs are these, but they are happy to accept any food:

Crafters, bring your works in progress to the Cosmos Library for time to be social while you create! This program for adults and older teens will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on these Saturdays:
October 25
November 22
December 13 (note the change of date)

For adults and teens age 16+. Younger teens may attend with an adult.

Bring your own craft project. No messy projects such as paint and resin please, to avoid damaging the library’s carpet and furniture. No need to sign up.