December was a busy month for everyone in town including the folks at the Fairfield Library.  We sponsored a logo design contest which ended on Dec 4 (won by Fairfield Jr High student Madysen Farris – pictured at top); continued the Book Bingo that just ended on Jan 3rd (winner Cathy Henry – pictured at left); had a great (freezing) time at our decorated camp site at the Fairfield State Park on Saturday, the 8th; had a Intro to Excel Adult Technology class on Dec 13th; Christmas at the Library on Friday the 14th; as well as regularly scheduled Wednesday Story Times with Mary King.  We hope that all our friends in the community enjoyed these events as much as we did.

We also finished our year with some wonderful volunteers and we want to recognize them so that our patrons can thank them when visiting the library.  Ann Lovell, Lupe Gonzales, Debbie Tugwell, Elia Vasquez (who was a tremendous help during the summer weekly reading program), and Sophie Espinosa made it possible to provide smiling service to our community.   If you, or someone you know, is interested in donating some free time to the library, please check out our web page to learn more about volunteer activities, https://www.fairfieldtxlibrary.org/support-the-library, and send us a note!

Cassie Rattolee from Jewett is also a great help to us as a member of the Friends of the Fairfield Library group.  She, along with other volunteers and Friends, are working on conducting a semi-annual book sale in the Community Room early this year, possibly in March.  A date will be announced next month.  The Friends group, headed by Angela Oglesbee, plans to expand their involvement in the library this year, especially planning some fund-raising activities.

We are looking forward to expanding our programs for adults in 2019.  In January, Director Gary Wiggins continues assisting with the free Tech Time, and Session Two of the Intro to Excel is scheduled for Tuesday, January 15th at 5:30 p.m.  All computer lab seats have been filled for this class, but if you have a laptop with MS Excel on it, you can bring it and join the class.  Also, you can always call to see if a cancellation has opened up a seat in the computer lab area for the class.

In the education arena, the Fairfield Library continues to work with Faith Academy in providing computer technology resources on Friday mornings.  The Library staff is also looking forward to working with them on some new programs including drama and art.  Tours of the library by the school will also be part of the schedule this year.   We are also considering hosting a recorded web broadcast of a DNA presentation, and want to know how much interest there is in the community for a program in the late January, early February time frame.  We are hoping to begin providing more programs and services to the genealogists in our area, and want to know your thoughts and desire to participate.

As always, Mary King, Children’s Programs Coordinator, is planning many fun new stories and crafts every Wednesday morning.  Check our Facebook page every week to see what fun story she will be telling every week!

We continue to work to make your library the “go to” place for you and your family.  We welcome all suggestions and requests for programs of interest to you and your family.   Remember to check out the Fairfield Library page every week for fun-filled photos of the weekly Story Time, see what events are coming up (Facebook.com/FairfieldTXLibrary).  Also visit our website for additional information and latest updates (https://www.fairfieldtxlibrary.org/).