How can it possibly be December already? With the holiday season gearing up, we’d like to remind you of a few ways you can help your library and your community.

Searching for the “perfect” literary gift? Check out your local Friends of the Library while shopping for your gifts. They have book sale areas in the local libraries, offering hardback and paperback books, children’s books, music CDs and DVDs to accommodate almost every taste. You may also purchase a membership….for yourself or for someone on your gift list. There are a variety of membership levels available. By supporting the Friends of the Libraries, you make a profound impact on the quality of life in our community. Please become a Friend and join today!

And speaking of shopping, SJCPLS is once again participating in the St. Johns Cares Giving Trees program. The trees are up in our libraries and you may take a nametag from the tree, select gifts for that recipient, then place the unwrapped gifts back under the tree for collection and distribution. This annual collection is one way you can help those in our community who need a little extra assistance.

For those of you who are keeping things simple this year, consider making a financial donation to your local library. This is the perfect way to share the gift of learning and discovery with your community. The library staff have a “wish list” of projects and materials that are waiting on available funding. Your gift gives to others through the materials borrowed throughout the community or from library enhancements brought to fruition through donated funding. Ask any library staff member or visit the library website for more information on making a financial contribution. All donations are tax deductible.

As for the library, we are taking the next step in our phased approach to expanding library services. Effective January 5, 2021, the branch libraries will each be open an additional 13 hours per week in an effort to better accommodate the needs of our residents. So stop in to your local library, borrow a book or movie, use a computer, or just say “hello.” We’re here to serve you.

From all of us here at SJCPLS, we’d like to wish you a happy holiday season and look forward to serving you in the New Year!

Sincerely,