NEW Book Club at Colfax Library!

Everyone is welcome to the library's first book club meeting on Monday, Jan. 28, 5:30 to 6 p.m. Our first meeting will be a short meet & greet where we will...

• find out our first read
• enjoy coffee & snacks
• introduce ourselves in a fun icebreaker
• explore PBS' great American Read
• pick an official meeting time
• do a fun activity together
• WIN door prizes!

Join the Colfax Library's NEW Great American Read Book Club if you want to...

• Find an exciting, new read (or watch, movies count too!)
• Have interesting discussions & meet new people
• Share about a book you LOVED or even hated in past (yes, books you've read before also count)
• Just try it out because you aren't sure if you want to join or not

Questions? Call Sarah Phelan at (509) 397-4366 or email sarahp@whitco.lib.wa.us

Happy Gal-entine's Day!

It's Gal-entine’s Day! Ladies bring a friend (or two or three) to enjoy an evening of Valentine's Day crafting, food, beverages, and fun at the Colfax Library Center on Friday, January 25, 6:30 to 8 p.m.! 

The Valentine's Day centerpiece we will create this year can be enjoyed during each holiday with a little bit of creativity, crafting and redecorating! The $25.00 class fee covers all supplies.

Call the Colfax Library at (509) 397-4366 to sign up for this fun and festive class!

Our favorite books in 2018!

Kristie's favorite read of 2018 was the deeply touching and insightful book, "An American Marriage" by Tayari Jones

Rachelle's favorite read of 2018 was New York Times Bestseller, "Nine Perfect Strangers" by Liane Moriarty

Sarah's favorite read of 2018 was the science fiction novel, "Red Rising"

Hannah's favorite read of 2018 was the hilarious and heartwarming hit, "Crazy Rich Asians" by Kevin Kwan

Still can't decide what to read next? Check out our Staff Picks book display at the Colfax Library and pick from a variety of genres, authors, and titles all hand picked by your friendly neighborhood librarians! Look for our Staff Pick bookmarks year round!

Call Whitman County Library at 509-397-4366, visit us online at www.whitco.lib.wa.us, or stop by in person to 102 S. Main St. in Colfax with any questions.

Thank you to everyone who attended Art Among the Trees in December!

A huge crowd turned out to enjoy the trees, art. and dedication of Libey Gallery during the 3rd annual “Art Among the Trees” held at the Bettie Steiger Community Enrichment Center on Wednesday, Dec. 19.

Music was provided by John Elwood and Sally Burkhart of Elberton while all food was provided by Friends of Whitman County Library.

Artists on display included Ken Carper, Jacqueline Daisley, Nona Hengen, Bob Krikac, Tom Mohr, Nancy Rothwell, Rob Smith and Carrie Vielle.

During the dedication ceremony the contributions Don and Bettie Steiger, local volunteers and donors and of course, Judge Gary Libey and his wife Trudy were recognized. A large plaque was unveiled by the Libey’s honoring all three groups.

Mayor Vanek also thanked everyone for participating in Festival of Trees and helped present certificates to the 24 participants and top six finishers as voted on by over 750 people. Winners are as follows:

Kid’s Favorites Trees - Jennings Elementary's Grinch Tree & Whitman Hospital’s Mickey Mouse Tree

Adult Favorites - Bryan Johnson’s Nature Tree and Hennigar Trucking’s Cowboy Christmas Tree

Most Creative - Washington Federal's Newspaper Tree and Whitman County Library'sTechnology Tree

Judge’s Choices - Route 26 Vintage Market's “The Birth of the Pink Tractor” and Pioneer Title Company’s Robot Tree

To close the event, Dan Griffith’s was drawn as the winner of over $200 in STEM Toys courtesy of Pioneer Title Company. The raffle brought in $913 for WCL programs.

¿hablas español?

Learn a new language with Mango! Through fun and engaging interactive lessons, Mango makes learning a new language fast, easy, and incredibly effective! Access Mango Languages on your computer, tablet, or smartphone (there is even an app for on-the-go learning) with your library card number!

Learn how Mango Languages' language-learning resources help patrons, students, employees, and individuals now learn over 70 languages online and on-the-go!

Click here to start learning on your computer today or download the Mango Languages App to your smartphone from the app store today!

Find the Perfect Read for your Mood!

Whether you love horror, humor, heart-wrenching, or heartwarming Whitman County Library has a recommendation for you! Request a book today!

Receive a new eReader over the Holidays?

Need Help With Your New Electronic Device? Contact WCL For Assistance!

Did you, your child, or teenager receive a new tablet or eReader for Christmas? Would you like to learn how to download FREE eBooks and audiobooks to your new device? The Whitman County Library offers help through Drop-in Tech Time every Tuesday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. or Book-a-Librarian ANYTIME!

Drop-in for individualized, hands-on assistance!

Through Book-a-Librarian you receive one-on-one help with your device! Appointments may be made Monday - Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. To Book-a-Librarian, simply call (509) 397 - 4366 or book your appointment online the days and times you desire and how we can assist you. Library staff will follow up quickly to schedule your appointment.

BINGO at the Colfax Library tomorrow!

Looking for something fun to do this week, BINGO, you've found it! 

Come play BINGO, win prizes, and enjoy light refreshments at the Colfax Library on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 1 - 3 p.m. ALL AGES are welcome! Call Gina at (509) 397-4366 for details.

FREE & Achievable New Year's Resolutions at Your Library!

New Year's Resolutions by Kristie Kirkpatrick

Once again, I find myself writing this column just as the New Year begins. I’m starting to think this is a sign that I should dramatically improve my life through the perfect New Year’s resolution.

I know my husband Al would love for me to take up cooking. I imagine our diet of popcorn and frozen pizza is getting a bit mundane. But no. As I reflect, I think it would actually be a lot easier if Al took on a cooking resolution for our household.

Perhaps I could start exercising more? Such a healthy resolution for me! After I finish reading the newspaper, drinking my coffee, working all day, visiting with my grandchildren, enjoy a cocktail with friends, wash a load of clothes, and eat my frozen pizza, I can easily squeeze in some exercise. Nah that probably won’t happen.

But wait! In the middle of these musings what should appear but a handy guide, “New Year's Resolutions with your Library Card.” This is brilliant!

First resolution on the guide is to “Learn Something New.” Right here at the library you can attend a computer class, learn to play the ukulele, compete in a trivia contest, explore a new language, or get certified in Microsoft programming and software.

The guide also encourages you to “Exercise your Body” by trying yoga, boot camp or the new gentle fitness class called “Move It or Lose it!” right here in Colfax. The guide also suggests borrowing the library’s diet and healthy living books, a workout DVDs or an “Outdoor Exploration” backpack filled with a variety of adventure gear.

Next suggestion from the guide is to “De-Stress & Relax.” It advises cultivating calm and creativity at the library’s coloring, art, knitting, or craft classes. Also, it says to try relaxing with a good book, movie, or to enjoy a magazine and cup of coffee in the library’s comfy seating area.

“Exercise your Mind” is listed next. This can be accomplished by accessing free newspapers or NewsBank from the library’s website. While you’re there, you can learn about local history at the Whitman County Heritage site or research your family’s history with Heritage Quest.

Finally, on the helpful resolution list is to “Read More.” Seriously? This is an actual resolution? Finally, a resolution I can keep. And to get started, I’ve found a beautiful new book called “The Book of Books” that explores America’s 100 best-loved books as identified in the PBS Series, The Great American Read.” So I’m off to read book #44, “The Handmaid’s Tale.”

You know, this resolution thing isn’t so bad after all!

High School Art Show Jan. 5 - 11!

Rural Alliance High School Art Show at the Libey Gallery in the Center January 5 - 11, 2019.
Come browse the marvelous exhibit of paintings, drawings, pottery, collage, and sculpture on display at the Colfax Library! Students participating in the show represent schools in Colfax, Garfield-Palouse, Oakesdale, Rosalia & St. John-Endicott.

The community is also invited to the Rural Alliance High School Art Show Reception on Monday, January 7, 5 - 6 p.m. to help celebrate 60 talented Whitman County teen artists. Refreshments served!

The exhibit and reception are free to the public. Visit the exhibit open during regular library hours. For more info, please Patty Mills at Oakesdale School, 285-5296 or Nichole Kopp at Whitman County Library, 397-4366.

Happy New Year from your Local Library!