Book It to the Library: December Edition

We’ve sung the praises of the Huntsville Madison County Public Library (HMCPL) system before and with it pointed out all the awesome things they do for the community and how almost everything they do is FREE. But we still feel that we can’t emphasize enough the critical importance that a great library system plays in the educational and mental health of the area it serves. Both children and adults benefit from the classes, story times, and events that occur within its walls and so Rocket City Mom is bringing you a new feature titled “Book It To The Library.” Each month we’ll bring you highlights of upcoming events from the libraries within HMCPL.

Harry Potter’s World Exhibit: Renaissance Science, Magic and Medicine

BRANCH: Main Library, Youth Services
DATES: Now – December 28th
AGES: All ages
INFO: Everyone loves the magical world of Harry Potter, but did you know you can learn some cool things about history, science and medicine from reading the books, too? Were there ever really dragons, unicorns and basilisks? Was there a Sorcerer’s Stone? The magic in J. K. Rowling’s series of Harry Potter novels is partially based on Renaissance traditions that played an important role in the development of Western science, including alchemy, astrology, and natural philosophy. Harry Potter’s World: Renaissance, Science, Magic, and Medicine explores the intersection of these worlds, featuring highlights from the collections of the History of Medicine Division at the National Library of Medicine. A special thanks to Huntsville Pediatrics Association for their sponsorship of this event. For more information contact Annie Pendergrass at 256-532-5982 or apendergrass@hmcpl.org

Garden Rangers Club

BRANCH: Madison Library
DATES: December 2nd, 4:00 pm
AGES: Grades K-5th
INFO:Attention school age kids! Want to help out in the garden and learn at the same time? In November, we’ll decorate wreaths for the holidays, and in December, we’ll create fabulous gifts and ornaments perfect for the holidays. Garden Rangers always meet 1st Mondays of each month @ 4pm. For more information contact Miss Maggie (mallen@hmcpl.org) or 256-461-0046

Homework Haven at Madison

BRANCH: Madison Library
DATES: weekly on Wednesdays and Thursdays; 4:00-6:00 PM
AGES: 12-18
INFO: Need a place to study for that test? Missing that final bit of research for that project? Is it too noisy where you normally study? Head to the YA area of the Madison library to enjoy a low-key study area. Study music will play while you have a place to work on homework, projects, and pick up new study tips. There will be special monthly sessions to highlight different library services in resources. Those will take place in the meeting room. No RSVP required, and it is free to the public. For more information contact Miss Doom (rdoom@hmcpl.org) or 256-461-0046

Supernova Science Club

BRANCH: Eleanor E. Murphy Branch Library
DATE: Thursday, December 12, 4:00-5:00 PM
AGES:Grades K-5th
INFO: Join Ms. Haley for a fun, hands-on science experiment and investigation every week. This week, we’ll be doing weight and balance investigation! For more information contact Ms. Haley at handerson@hmcpl.org.

YA Author Talk with Melanie Dickerson

BRANCH: Monrovia Public Library
DATES: Tuesday, Dec. 3, 6:00 PM
AGES: 12-18
INFO: Meet young adult author Melanie Dickerson as she talks about her 4th book, The Captive Maiden. Copies of all her books will be available for purchase and autographing by the author. For more information contact chewitt@hmcpl.org or 256-489-3392

Holiday Party @ the Library

BRANCH: Eleanor Murphy Public Library
DATE: Thursday, December 5, 5:30 PM
AGES: All Ages
INFO: Join Ms. Haley for a holiday party and tree trimming. We’ll have treats, make ornaments and decorate the library for the holidays! For more information contact Ms. Haley @ 256-881-5620 or handerson@hmcpl.org

Make & Take Ornaments

BRANCH: Madison Public Library
DATE: Saturday, December 7th @ 10:00 AM
AGES: All ages
INFO: Families are invited to come out on Saturday, December 7th, from 10am until Noon to enjoy hot cocoa & cookies while making special holiday ornaments. For more information contact Miss Maggie (mallen@hmcpl.org) or 256-461-0046

Christmas Concert In the Library

BRANCH: Huntsville Public Library
DATE: Saturday, December 7, 7:00 – 9:00PM
AGES: All ages, Free & open to the public
INFO: U.S. Army Four Star Jazz Orchestra & The Rocket City Jazz Orchestra play Christmas favorites in the atrium www.hmcpl.org

Home School Story Time – Christmas Extravaganza!

BRNCH: Monrovia Public Library
DATE: Tuesday, December 10, 1:00 PM
AGES: Grades K-4th
INFO: Home school children from Kindergarten through fourth grade can participate in a home school story time that is educational and focuses on using the library. For more information contact chewitt@hmcpl.org or 256-489-3392

Gingerbread Puppet Show

BRANCH: Bailey Cove Library
DATE: Wednesday, December 11 @ 9:15 am and 10:30 am
Thursday, December 12 @ 9:15 am, 10:30 am, and 4:00 pm
AGES: Toddler – lower elementary grades
INFO: A fun-filled holiday puppet show featuring The Gingerbread Man and other fun holiday stories. In addition to the puppet skits, there will be music and a craft.

Mad Scientists Club

BRANCH: Madison Public Library
DATES: Thursday, December 12 at 4:00 PM
AGES: Grades K-5th
INFO: Join us for more exciting, hands-on science experiments at our next meeting! For this session, we’ll create some holiday magic and much morw0! This club always meets 2nd Thursdays of each month @ 4pm. For more information contact Miss Maggie (mallen@hmcpl.org) or 256-461-0046

Holiday Puppet Show Downtown

BRANCH: Main Library
DATE: Thursday, December 12, 10:30 AM and again at 4:00 PM
AGES: K-5th grades & their families
INFO: Caroling and fun holiday stories – with puppets! Sing along and join in on the fun with our Holiday Puppet Show and a themed craft.

Family Movie Night

BRANCH: Monrovia Public Library
DATE: Friday, December 13, 6:00 PM
AGES: All ages
INFO: Please come enjoy a family-friendly movie with free admission and snacks (popcorn and bottled water) for just 25 cents each. For more information contact chewitt@hmcpl.org or 256-489-3392.

Holiday Family Story Time

BRANCH: Eleanor Murphy Public Library
TIME: Saturday, December 14, 1:30 PM
AGES: 2-5 (siblings welcome)
INFO: Join Ms. Haley for a special Holiday Preschool Story Time. We’ll read Holiday stories, sing songs and do a fun craft! For more information contact Ms. Haley @ 256-881-5620 or handerson@hmcpl.org

Holiday Make & Take Craft Day

BRANCH: Bailey Cove Branch Library
DATE: Saturday, December 14, 2:00pm – 4:00pm
AGES: All ages
INFO: Please join us for a fun time of holiday crafting and refreshments.

Paper Ornament Class

BRANCH: Eleanor Murphy Public Library
TIME: Monday, December 16, 4:00p.m.
AGES: All Ages
INFO: We’ll make paper ornaments to decorate for the holidays! See our blog post for more info, or call 256-881-5620.

Nonfiction Connection

BRANCH: Madison Public Library
DATE: Monday, December 16 at 4:00 PM
AGES: Ages K-5th
INFO: School age children are invited to explore a different subject each month with books, activities & crafts. In December we’ll study constellations. This club always meets the 3rd Mondays of every month @ 4pm. For more information contact Miss Teresa (tallsion@hmcpl.org) or 256-461-0046

Children’s Christmas Party in Monrovia

BRANCH: Monrovia Public Library
DATE: Tuesday, Dec. 17, 6:00 p.m.
AGES: All ages and their families
INFO: Stories, crafts, fun and more at our children’s Christmas Party for kids of all ages. For more information contact chewitt@hmcpl.org or 256-489-3392

Christmas Party in Madison

BRANCH: Madison Public Library
DATE: Tuesday, December 17th @ 6pm
AGES: All ages & their families
INFO: Come out to Madison Public Library and enjoy a retelling of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’, some Carols, pictures with Roary the Christmas Lion, and decorate holiday cookies.
For more information contact Miss Maggie (mallen@hmcpl.org) or 256-461-0046