Halfway through December. Need inspiration for something to cook or make? We have books. Need something to read when the weather sends you inside? We have books and movies. Come see us at 301 N. Pacific in Mineola.

Our Open House is Thursday, Dec. 12 from 4-6 p.m. We’ll catch you on up on the efforts of the library over the past year, serve refreshments and host a visit from Santa Claus beginning about 5 p.m. (he’s very busy this time of year so it’s hard to pin him down but he will be here).

City National Bank will be hosting a bake sale benefiting the library on Friday, Dec. 13 during operating hours. They are located at 200 N. Pacific in Mineola. We thank them for hosting this bake sale for us.

Tuesday, Dec. 17 at 9 a.m. will be the last Toddler Story Time of 2024. They will return next year on Jan. 7 for the 18-month to 3-year-old children and their parents/caregivers.

Wednesday, Dec. 18 at 10 a.m. will be the last Preschool Story Time of 2024. They too will return next year on Jan. 8 for the 3-5 year olds and their parent/caregivers.

The last Home-school Heroes for 2024 will be Friday, Dec. 20 at 10 a.m. and they will be looking at X-out (also known as Bingo).

Monday, Dec. 23 at 7 p.m. the Historic Select Theater will show the “Polar Express,” and ticket sales will benefit the library. Get tickets through the theater website so you don’t miss out on this fun, family event. Thank you to the theater for supporting us.

East Texas Library Friends Book Club will meet on Saturday, Dec. 28 at 2 p.m. in the Lillie Russell Memorial Library in Lindale to discuss their book “Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books” by Kirsten Miller.

Mineola Memorial Library will be closed on Dec. 24 and 25 and then again Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 to give staff time to spend with family and friends. We hope you have a peaceful holiday season.

We have received a memorial donation for Errol Barber from the Hunziker family.

Thank you to KMOO for giving us a monthly spot to talk about the library. Thank you to the Wood County Monitor for giving us column space to write about the library. Thank you to all of our patrons and members of our community for supporting the Mineola Memorial Library.

The Mineola Memorial Library is a 501(c)3, non-profit and your donations may be tax-deductible.