YCL E-NEWS January 2024

YCL E-NEWS January 2024
Have a Look at What’s New for York County Library!

Totally Cool Winter Reading Challenge
December 11, 2023 – January 31, 2024 • Register Online Now

Help us read at least 2 million minutes for your chance to win "totally cool" prizes during our Winter Reading Challenge! The Challenge is open to all ages, and participating is fun and easy! Just track your progress online using our interactive Beanstack service as you read or listen to anything you want. After you log just five hours of reading, stop by any YCL location by January 31 to pick up a prize! You don't have to stop at five hours!
 
For every five hours you log, you'll receive one entry to win our Totally Cool Grand Prize Drawing — up to five entries! Register now at any YCL branch, the Bookmobile, or online to get started, and check the Events Calendar for all of our winter events — including the fun programs below! Visit yclibrary.org/wrc for full details. Happy Reading, York County!
 
Wildlife Geeks: Animal lovers, get ready to be part of the action as The Wildlife Geeks bring the zoo to you! Your fun begins with an interactive and hands-on show featuring a variety of rescue animals from around the world. Registration is required.
Thursday, Jan. 4, Clover Library, 11–11:30 a.m. Ages 6–11. Register online or call 803-222-3474. Please register each participant separately. Participants will receive a phone call prior to the event to confirm attendance. Limit 15.
Thursday, Jan. 4, Lake Wylie Library, 2:30–3:30 p.m. Ages 5–11. Register online or call 803-831-7774. Please register each participant separately. Participants will receive a phone call prior to the event to confirm attendance. Limit 50.
Thursday, Jan. 4, Main Library (Rock Hill), 5–6 p.m. Ages 5–11. Register online or call 803-981-5888. Limit 50.
 
Storytime with Hugo: Join Hugo the Hornet and the Book Bus Crew for an interactive storytime that encourages participation and connections to reading. You're also invited onto the Book Bus to get a free book and a photo with Hugo! Registration is required. A parent or guardian must sign a participant waiver for any child going on the bus to pick out a book.
Friday, Jan. 26, Main Library (Rock Hill), 10–11 a.m. Ages 2–5. Register online or call 803-981-5888, starting January 12. Limit 50.

What's Cooking? Join York County Reads!
Read, Encourage, Inspire • Popular Authors • Fun Events

YCL's Fifth Annual York County Reads runs February through March! This exciting program connects readers throughout York County as they read the same books at the same time to promote literacy and community engagement for this year's theme, "What's Cooking in York County?" All ages can read one or all of our featured books to get inspired and encourage others around you to sign up and read together. Look for more information soon at yclibrary.org!

Kanopy Films Honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

During January, we remember, celebrate, and honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by immersing ourselves in documentaries that shed light on his inspiring journey and the civil rights movement. Watching titles within Kanopy's MLK Day collection opens viewers' hearts and minds to the struggles, triumphs, and relentless determination of Dr. King and the countless individuals who fought for equality and justice.

Learn more about this incredible man and his mission at kanopy.com, where you can also watch him deliver his memorable, meaningful words.

New Year, New You: Control Your Finances

Do you have New Year's Resolutions? Make 2024 the year you take control of your finances! Financial Ratings Series Online, powered by Weiss Ratings and Grey House Publishing, gives you the accurate, independent ratings and financial planning tools you need to make informed decisions about your insurance, banking, and investment options. 

To get started with Weiss Financial Ratings and many other helpful resources available through York County Library, visit yclibrary.org/all-resources.

YCL Genealogy Librarian Publishes New Book

YCL Genealogy Librarian John Skardon is now a published author! John not only helps patrons with family research, but he is active in the community at churches, cemeteries, funeral homes, and the courthouse, where he frequently scans and copies old records for the library. He also transcribes and abstracts old York County records, and his new book contains abstracts of early York County deeds from 1801–1815. His book is the first of his projects to be published, and he hopes to publish additional genealogy books soon. Please check it out, and we all congratulate John on his accomplishment!

Friends of the Library to Host Annual Meeting

Please join us as we welcome guest speaker Stephen Turner for the Friends of the York County Library Annual Meeting on Sunday, Jan. 28, at 2 p.m. in the Main Library. Turner, a Rock Hill native and also the City's former director of economic development, will discuss his book The Bleachery: Rock Hill’s Greatest Business Enterprise, and how this business impacted Rock Hill and its citizens for almost 70 years. The Friends' Annual Meeting is open to everyone and will also include the election of 2024–2027 board members, YCL Director Julie Ward’s annual report, and announcements of awards.

Income Tax Forms Available Soon

YCL will once again offer limited Federal tax forms to the public, although we currently do not have an expected arrival date. We encourage you to visit the IRS website to view, download, print, and order your Federal tax products online. No paper state income tax forms will be available. We will also provide a helpful handout with resources for finding tax forms and assistance. Please continue to check yclibrary.org for updates.

York County Library Hours & Closing Notices
All Locations: Monday–Thursday, 9 a.m.–7 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
Main Library (Rock Hill), Fort Mill, & Lake Wylie: Saturday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
Clover & York: Saturday, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.

New Year's: All YCL locations will be closed Saturday, Dec. 30, through Monday, Jan. 1.
 
Martin Luther King Jr. Day: All YCL locations will be closed Saturday, Jan. 13, through Monday, Jan. 15.
 
Friends Books on Main: Shop a huge selection of books, DVDs, CDs, and audiobooks for all ages at the Friends of the Library bookstore, open to the public at 206 E. Main St. in Old Town Rock Hill, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, from 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
 
*During our holiday closings, the book drops at our Rock Hill and Clover locations will be closed; only the book drops at our Fort Mill, Lake Wylie, and York Libraries will remain open for returning library materials. No fines will be charged for overdue items during these times. Visit yclibrary.org for more information about our Fine-Free Policy.