Happy New Year! I’m excited to start the new year by sharing some of the great things we have happening at New Ulm Public Library in January. We hope you’ll join us for one of these activities or stop by to pick up some books, movies, music, magazines, puzzles, and more to keep you busy during another chilly Minnesota winter.

Storytime resumes in January, with two great options for children and their parents or caregivers. Monday morning storytimes begin at 10:30 a.m. and feature stories, songs, and more. We’ve also added a Pajama Party storytime on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. Children can wear their pajamas and bring their favorite stuffed animal for songs and stories before bed. It’s the perfect way to end the day!

Children in grades 2 through 5 are invited to explore arts, crafts, and STEM projects during our Wacky Wonders program on Thursday, January 13 at 3:30 p.m. This fun program meets once a month for hands-on activities in the library’s meeting room. Registration is required; please visit www.newulmlibrary.org to register.

Two-thirds of Americans admit that the news they consume has bias. In today’s world of 24/7 news coverage, advertising sponsorships, hype, and frequent retractions, how can you sift out the facts to make your own informed decisions? How do you recognize bias and opinion? How can you determine the motives of an article or publication? Programming and Technology Services Library LeRoy Harris will present a no-holds-barred in-depth analysis of news media companies, fact checking, click bait, fake news, misinformation, and bias. The seminar series meets at 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays through February 3. Even if you miss a session or two, you’re sure to find each session entertaining and interesting. Each seminar will last about one hour and will feature real life, happening now, news articles for analysis. We hope you’ll join us for this informative and empowering series!

We’re excited to welcome back author Allen Eskens on Friday, January 21 at 4 p.m.! Eskens will discuss his path to becoming a bestselling author, as well as his approach to writing novels that are compelling and thought-provoking with a strong emotional core. His presentation will include a question and answer session, and a book signing for those who are interested. This program is made possible by a grant provided by the Traverse des Sioux Regional Library and funded with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Your reading has the potential to earn you prizes if you sign up to participate in the Adult Winter Reading Program! This year’s “Bingo!” program began on January 6 and continues to the end of February. Stop by the library to register and receive a bingo sheet. Each book you read marks off a square on your card. Get five in a row to earn an entry to win one of three $20 Chamber Bucks certificates. You can earn up to five prize entries. Also, each person who completes at least one five-in-a-row will be able to choose a free book to keep. Thank you to the Friends of the Library for sponsoring the program.

Don’t forget that the library also offers a Library of Things! The Library of Things includes items like snowshoes, sleds, snow fort kits, instruments, building and STEM toys, board games, and more. We even have a light therapy lamp if gloomy winter days are making you feel down. Visit the library’s online catalog at www.newulmlibrary.org for a complete list of items that are available to check out.

We hope you’ll take advantage of the wealth of programs and materials we have available to you. Together we can keep ourselves interested, engaged, and entertained throughout the year!

The library is located at 17 N. Broadway and is open to the public Monday to Thursdays 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. and Friday and Saturdays 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. The library will be closed on Monday, January 17 in observance of Martin Luther King Day.