Traverse Area District Library - December 2025 Newsletter Thank you to everyone who has supported the food pantry donation drive! We took the first load of food (about 500 lbs of food items!) to Father Fred on Friday Nov. 21, in advance of the holiday week. Our food drive will run through Dec. 13. ** What's new? ------------------------------------------------------------ We wish you comfort and joy this holiday season! Welcome to the 200 new cardholders who joined us during the first 25 days of November :) HOLIDAY SCHEDULE CHANGES! * 12/24 & 12/25 - Woodmere, East Bay, & Kingsley Libraries Closed * 12/29 & 12/30 Early Closure at 6 pm - Woodmere, East Bay, & Kingsley Libraries * 12/31/2025 to 1/1/2026 - Woodmere, East Bay, & Kingsley Libraries Closed For schedules at member libraries please check their websites: Fife Lake (http://tadl.org/fifelake) , Interlochen (https://interlochenpubliclibrary.org/calendar/) , Peninsula (https://peninsulacommunitylibrary.org/calendar/) Featured holiday programming * Thurs. 12/4 - Holiday Open House at Kingsley Branch Library, 3:30 - 6:30 pm * Sat. 12/6 + Holiday Open House at East Bay Branch Library, Noon - 2 pm + Holiday Fest with the Art of Giving Back (Woodmere), 3 - 5 pm o A club of Interlochen students will visit the Woodmere library with a musical performances, crafts, creative writing, and more! * Sat. 12/13 - TADLKids Candy House Making (Woodmere) + This annual favorite has multiple sessions - registration required (https://www.tadl.org/events/month/2025/12?keywords=candy) ! * Sun. 12/14 - An afternoon of holiday music at Woodmere + 1 pm - TCAPS TC Choral-Aires + 3 pm - Cherry Capital Men's Chorus * Thurs. 12/18 - A Christmas Carol Play (East Bay), 6 pm * Sat. 12/20 + A Visit with Santa & Jenny the Storytelling Elf (Woodmere), 10 am - Noon * Sun. 12/21 + 1 pm - Holiday music with pianist/vocalist Peter Bergin (Woodmere) + 3 pm - TLC Handbell Choir (Woodmere) * Mon. 12/22 - A Christmas Carol Play (Woodmere), 5 pm Discover what's new at TADL: New Fiction (https://discover.tadl.org/) New Non-Fiction (https://discover.tadl.org/) New in Large Print (https://tinyurl.com/tadllargeprint) New Audiobooks (https://discover.tadl.org/) New DVDs (https://discover.tadl.org/) New Music (https://discover.tadl.org/) Youth (https://www.tadl.org/services/youth) Family holiday features at Woodmere - * 12/6 - Holiday Fest with the Art of Giving Back, 3 - 5 pm + A club of Interlochen students will visit the Woodmere library with a concert, dance performance, crafts, and more! * 12/13 - TADLKids Candy House Making + This annual favorite has multiple sessions - registration required (https://www.tadl.org/events/month/2025/12?keywords=candy) ! * 12/20 - A Visit with Santa & Jenny the Storytelling Elf, 10 am - Noon * 12/23 - Holiday Break Playgroup, 11 am - Noon * 12/27 - New Year's Craft, 11 am - Noon * 12/30 - Holiday Break Playgroup, 11 am - Noon Storytime Calendar Please note: no storytimes 12/22/25 through 1/7//2026. * Mondays - Wigglers with Miss Carrie, 10 am * Tuesdays - Babytime with Miss Michele, 9:15 am; Toddler Time with Miss Michele, 10 am * Wednesdays - Make-Believers with Miss Kate, 10 am * Thursdays - Storytime for Bigs with Mr. Andy, 10 am * Fridays - Storytime with Miss Amanda, 10 am 12/7 - Preschool Family Storytime with Miss Kate, 1 pm Other Events & Programs * Build & Create - Wednesdays at 4 pm (12/3, 12/10, 12/17) * 12/4 + Homeschool Group Thematic Thursday, 1 pm + Tween Time, 4 pm * 12/8 - DIY Delights, 4 pm * 12/11 - Bricks & Build Motorized Lego© (Ages 9-12), 4 pm (Register (https://www.tadl.org/event/copy-bricks-build-learn-build-motorized-legoc-models-ages-9-12-25661) ) * 12/15 + DIY Delights, 4 pm + 4-H at the Library, 4:30 pm * 12/18 - Tween Time, 4 pm * NEW! 12/30 - Pokemon Club, 2 pm Teen (https://www.tadl.org/teen) Join us Mon. 12/8! Find the clues, solve the puzzles, and break the code before the time runs out! Ten seats will be available for the first session which will run from 5:30 - 6:30 pm. If these seats fill, there will be a waitlist available for a second session from 6:30 - 7:30 pm. Check out the newest Teen Blog post! (https://www.tadl.org/posts?field_bl_type_target_id%5B295%5D=295&field_bl_type_target_id%5B294%5D=294&field_bl_tags_target_id%5B353%5D=353) ** Teen Events ------------------------------------------------------------ * Twisted Quills Teen Writing Group - Wednesdays at 4 pm (12/3 and 12/10 only) 12/3 - French Language Conversation Teen Group, 6 pm 12/8 - Teen Escape Room, 5:30 pm (Register (https://www.tadl.org/event/teen-escape-room-25876) ) 12/13 - Teen Dungeons & Dragons, 1 pm (Register (https://www.tadl.org/event/teen-dungeons-dragons-26143) ) 12/15 - Anime Club, 5:30 pm 12/16 - Teen Book Club, 4 pm 12/29 - Flashback Crafts, 4 pm For older teens and adults 12/6 - Bust a Move with Lizzie Bennet (16 and up) 6:30 - 8 pm (Register (https://www.tadl.org/event/busting-move-lizzie-bennet-26185) ) 12/13 - TTRPG @ TADL: First Meeting! (16-22 years old) (Register) (https://www.tadl.org/event/ttrpg-program-28156) , 11 am - 3 pm The Larry Gorton Talking Book Library (https://www.tadl.org/tbl) 12/3 - Holiday party for The Larry Gorton Talking Book patrons! 1 - 3 pm Family and friends of The Larry Gorton Talking Book patrons are welcome to join us for food and fun in the McGuire Community Room. Adults (https://www.tadl.org/adults) Seed Library We're taking seed donations - let's get the library stocked for next spring! Details online at http://tadl.org/seedlibrary Poets' Night Out If it's December that means it's time to think about poetry submittals! Polish up those entries for Poets' Night Out, details at https://www.tadl.org/PNOcall2026 Book Groups & Author Events * 12/3 - Local Author Event with Ann Goethals (https://www.tadl.org/anngoethals) , 6:30 pm + The Doublewide * 12/4 - Stay Golden Book Club (https://www.tadl.org/event/stay-golden-book-club-new-24280) , 9:30 am + Selection: Under a Dark Sky (https://discover.tadl.org/Record/48203941) by Lori Rader-Day - We'll be remotely joined by the author! * 12/10 - Local Author Event with Bryan Gruley (https://www.tadl.org/bryangruley) , 6:30 pm + Bitter Frost * 12/16 - Queer Tales (https://www.tadl.org/event/queer-tales-book-club-17696) , 7 pm + Selection: Make Room for Love (https://discover.tadl.org/Hoopla/18650887?searchId=56699&recordIndex=1&page=1&referred=resultIndex) , Darcy Liao Health & Wellness * 12/2 - Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Awareness Series (https://www.tadl.org/MSAwareness) , 6:30 pm + 2024 Diagnostic Criteria with Dr. Rosemarie Walch, DO * 12/5 - Tai Chi (https://www.tadl.org/event/tai-chi-20125) , Noon * 12/11 - Ageless Grace (https://www.tadl.org/event/ageless-grace-23004) , 10 am * 12/16 - Chair Yoga (https://www.tadl.org/event/chair-yoga-18956) , 11:30 am * 12/19 - Tai Chi (https://www.tadl.org/event/tai-chi-20126) , Noon * 12/22 - Ageless Grace (https://www.tadl.org/event/ageless-grace-17092) , Noon Let's Learn Together! * 12/3 - French Language Conversation Meet-Up (https://www.tadl.org/event/french-language-discussion-group-26125) , 6:30 pm * 12/4 + Mind Your Money (https://www.tadl.org/event/mind-your-money-smart-finances-everyone-25712) : Smart Finances for Everyone (https://www.tadl.org/event/mind-your-money-smart-finances-everyone-25710) , 6 pm - Preparing for a Financial Emergency + Climate Change Film Series with Citizens Climate Lobby (https://www.tadl.org/event/climate-change-film-series-citizens-climate-lobby-25622) , 6 pm - Climate and Farming * 12/6 - Spanish Language Conversation Meet-Up (https://www.tadl.org/event/spanish-language-conversation-meet-20040) , 10:30 am * 12/9 - Bust a Move with Lizzie Bennett! (https://www.tadl.org/event/busting-move-lizzie-bennet-26185) , 6:30 pm * 12/10 - D&D Miniature Painting Class (https://www.tadl.org/event/ddminiaturepainting3) , 5 pm - Open to Teens & Adults. Registration Required! * 12/16 - Mind Your Money (https://www.tadl.org/event/hold-financial-programs-seniors-22828) : Smart Finances for Seniors (https://www.tadl.org/event/hold-financial-programs-seniors-22826) , 11 am - Budgeting Just for Fun TADL Stitchers - Every Tuesday evening at 6 pm (Join us to work on your own needlecraft project.) * 12/8 - Adult Escape Room (https://www.tadl.org/event/adult-escape-room-26919) , 6 pm * 12/9 - TADL Volunteer Happy Hour! (https://www.tadl.org/event/tadl-volunteer-happy-hour-26321) , 1:30 pm - Come help the library with projects! * 12/13 - TTRPG @ TADL (https://www.tadl.org/event/ttrpg-program-28156) , 11 am - 3pm - Open to Teens & Adults. Registration Required! * 12/15 - Anime Club (https://www.tadl.org/event/anime-club-25424) , 4 pm - Open to Teens & Adults East Bay Branch Library (https://www.tadl.org/eastbay) Ongoing Sing & Stomp Wednesdays - 11 am (No Sing and stomp 12/24 & 12/30) Sing & Stomp Fridays - 10 am (No Sing & Stomp 12/26) * 12/2 - Adult Coloring Night, 5:30 - 7 pm * 12/4 + Baby Bookworms, 10:30 - 11:30 am + Ageless Grace, 11:30 - 12:30 pm * 12/5 - Chair Yoga, 11:30 am * 12/6 - Holiday Open House, 12 - 2 pm * 12/9 - Jane Austen Birthday Party, 5 - 6:30 pm * 12/12 - Introduction to Tai Chi, 12 - 1 pm * 12/13 - Cardio Drumming + 11 am (register (https://www.tadl.org/event/cardio-drumming-east-bay-i-27967) ) + Noon (register (https://www.tadl.org/event/cardio-drumming-east-bay-ii-27968) ) * 12/16 + Afternoon Tea & Stitch, 2 - 3:30 pm + French Language Conversation Group, 5:30 - 6:30 pm * 12/18 + Adult Craft - Dorset Button Ornament, 2 - 3:30 pm + A Christmas Carol (two-man adaptation), 6 - 7 pm Kingsley Branch Library (https://www.tadl.org/kingsley) Join The Kingsley Folk School and Kingsley Branch Library (KBL) for a relaxed, no-prep storytelling community circle. Inspired by NPR’s The Moth, the Everyone Has a Story series invites you to simply show up and share—no scripts, no pressure. Just real moments from your life, told in the moment. Together, we’ll listen, laugh, reflect, and connect with neighbors through the power of spontaneous storytelling. Participants are welcome to speak for up to 5 minutes, or simply come to enjoy the stories and the sense of community. Join us at KBL on the second Thursday of every month from 5:30 - 7 pm. It's free and open to all, with no registration required. For more information or to request reasonable accommodations, please call the Library at 231-263-5484 or follow us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/TADLKingsley) . Ongoing Wigglers Storytime Tuesdays and Wednesdays - 10:30 am (No Wigglers 12/23/2025 - 1/5/2026) * 12/4 - Holiday Open House at Kingsley Branch Library, 3:30 - 6:30 pm * 12/11 - Everyone Has a Story, 5:30 pm * 12/20 - Open Spot Theatre Workshop for All, 1 pm (Link (https://www.tadl.org/event/open-spot-theatre-all-28097) ) * 12/30 - Jane Austen Movie Night (After Hours), 5:30 - 7:30 pm From the Director’s Desk with Library Director Michele P. Howard First off, I send the warmest holiday wishes to all the patrons that come to the library. This year I am particularly thankful because of the abundance of food donations we have received. Our goal was to fill the book bike just once, but it has been filled every day with donations from all of you. The gratitude of the local organizations we gave the food to is unparalleled. Our readers' dedication never ceases to amaze me but this outpouring of generosity is astonishing. It truly brings a community together when we all take part in helping and sharing with one another. Not to mention, sharing family stories and those in books, music, and movies from the library is always a great way to show you care! You'll be hearing more from us in the January newsletter - and throughout 2026 - about evaluating information. In the meantime, I'm hoping you can take a moment to complete this short survey from Press Forward (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeuJ-2ujH1bu-wv02YK3kYCm54_sF0taK3rhgvJatPdfhErTw/viewform) . They are a non-partisan citizen-led group seeking to understand how we all stay informed about local news in our communities. There's a QR code at the bottom of this letter as well. While I always look forward to the holiday season because the library looks beautiful, all lit up and decorated, this year is bittersweet. Longtime TADL Librarian extraordinaire, Katheryn Carrier has decided to retire after over 38 years with our library. Katheryn will be remembered for her vast knowledge of local history and genealogy. We wish her the best in her retirement! After 12 years we must say one last thank you to Joseph Jones at the end of December. Joe has served in many positions on the TADL Board including Treasurer and President. He’s also guided the Board (and the library) with grace and humor through two director changes (from Metta Lansdale to Gail Parsons Juett to me), a pandemic, two millages, and countless budgets. Prior to that he served since 2007 as a Fife Lake Board member and member of the Fife Lake Friends. Joe’s strength as a Trustee was his foresight and budgetary oversight along with his deep passion for libraries. He always put the long-term security of the library first when making decisions. His care of the buildings, patrons, and staff is appreciated by all. Thank you, Joe! We’ll be having a celebration of his tenure at the December 11th board meeting. All are invited to attend, start time is 4 pm. Happy Seasons (g)Readings! Michele ============================================================ ** Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/TraverseAreaDistrictLibrary) ** Link (http://www.instagram.com/notjustbooks) ** Website (http://tadl.org) ** YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/TADLnotjustbooks)