by Brittany Schaaf - St. Charles City-County Library

The twinkling lights outside, the cozy crackling fireplace, and the crisp sparkling snow have me feeling romantic lately. Add in the Hallmark romance movies on repeat, the nostalgic feeling of magic in the air, and being snug under bundles of scarves and gloves, and I’m in love. This time of year reminds me how important it is to slow down and treasure a moment with my significant other, especially against the bustle of the holiday season. And what better way to celebrate date night than with the Library? We’ve gathered a list of unique (and FREE) date night ideas for you and yours; you only need your sweetheart by your side and your Library card!

Read a Book Together: A staple to every Library date night is a book. Snuggle up with a holiday romance, solve a thrilling mystery together, or share a childhood classic you both loved. Read the stories together or listen to an audiobook with the Libby app. Need a book recommendation? See this month’s list of Book Discussion groups – then attend the discussion together!
Daydream about traveling: Would you rather be snowbirding at sunny beaches, coastal castles, or over-sea adventures? Take the first step in planning a dream vacation: book an appointment to apply for a U.S. passport at the Library (We’ll even take your picture!)

Free Movie Streaming: Tired of endlessly scrolling through Netflix to find something to watch, only to fall asleep before you agree on something? Check out Kanopy, the Library’s free movie streaming service, for something new. Log in with your Library card and have access to hundreds of Oscar Winning films, BBC delights, golden age of Hollywood romances, biopics, and so much more!

Bored? Not with Board Games: The Library offers a plethora of board games for checkout; from the strategic Ticket to Ride to the creative Dixit, we have something for everyone.

Cook Together: Is there anything more romantic than a lovely dinner for two? Have a look at our Library of Things collection of kitchen equipment for everything you need for a perfect meal at home. Some of the items available are an Instapot, an air fryer, cake pans, cookie cutters and much more.

‘Tis the season for snow angels, strolling hand in hand, and holding your loved ones near. Write the Library into your love story by making it your next destination for date night!

Explore more ideas for free entertainment, learning, and discovery at our new website, stchlibrary.org. Be sure to stay connected by signing up for email notifications.

December 2022 Classes and Events for Boone’s Trail and Augusta Library Branch

Coffee and Conversation - Thu., Dec. 8, 15, 22, 29 - 9 to 10 a.m. - Augusta Branch - adults - Enjoy a cup of coffee, a sweet treat, and conversation with others in the community.

Wood Block Ornament Set - Discover Crafting* - Sat., Dec. 3 - 10 to 11:30 a.m., Mon., Dec. 5 - 1 to 2:30 p.m. and Tue., Dec. 6, 5 to 6:30 p.m. - Boone’s Trail Branch - adults - Learn how to make your own ornaments out of wooden blocks, card stock, and ribbon! This is a repeated event; please register for only one session.

Canasta - Game On!* Tue., Dec. 6, 13, 20, 27 - 1 - 3:30 p.m., Thu. Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 - 1 - 3:30 p.m. Boone’s Trail Branch - adults - Need to get out of the house? Learn to play Hand & Foot Canasta!

Crafting Connections - Yarn Arts* - Thu., Dec. 8, 15, 22, 29 - 2 to 4 p.m. Augusta Branch - adults - Other yarn enthusiasts will keep you company while you work on your knit, crochet, or embroidery project.

Augusta Candlelight Christmas Walk - Fridays, Dec. 2 & 9: 5 to 8 p.m. Augusta Branch - all ages - Come and enjoy the 40th annual Augusta Candlelight Christmas Walk. Stop in at the library for hot apple cider and a cookie. We will also have a craft for children.

Beeswax Wraps - Discover Crafting* Tue., Dec. 13 - 10 to 11:00 a.m. Boone’s Trail Branch - adults - Beeswax wrap is a sustainable food wrap that can be reused over and over for about a year. This is a repeated event; please register for only one session.

Crochet for Beginners - Let’s Crochet* - Thu., Dec. 8 - 10 a.m. - noon, Mon., Dec. 19 from 1 to 3 p.m. Boone’s Trail Branch - adults and teens - Learn and practice basic crochet skills with new beginners. Experienced crocheters are welcome!

Crafting Connections - Make It Sew - Catch Up Day* - Thu., Dec. 8 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Augusta Branch - adults - Now is the time to catch up on a project or two!

"Read to a Dog" - Tale Waggers - Love on a Leash* - Thu., Dec. 8 from 5 to 6:00 p.m. - Boone's Trail Branch - children - Kids can practice reading aloud to an attentive, adorable dog.

Book Discussion - "The Nature of Fragile Things" by Susan Meissner* - Mon., Dec. 12 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Boone's Trail Branch - adults - Sophie Whalen is so desperate to get out of a New York tenement that she answers a mail-order bride ad and agrees to marry a man she knows nothing about.

Book Discussion - "Breath” by James Nestor* - Thu., Dec. 15 from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - Boone's Trail Branch - adults - There is nothing more essential to our health and well being than breathing, yet humans have lost the ability to breathe correctly. Science journalist James Nestor travels the world to figure out what went wrong with our breathing and how to fix it. Modern research is showing us that changing the ways in which we breathe can jump-start athletic performance, halt snoring and more.

Book Discussion - "The Artic Fury" by Greer Macallister* - Mon., Dec. 19 from 2 to 3 p.m. - Augusta Branch - adult - 1855: Lady Jane Franklin wants Virginia Reeve to lead a dozen women into the Arctic in search of the ships of her husband’s lost expedition. Four previous search attempts have failed, so she has decided only a radical new approach can succeed: let women make the decisions.

Crafting Connections - English Paper Piecing* - Tue., Dec. 20 from 2 to 4 p.m. - Augusta Branch - adults - Learn how to English Paper Piece, a fun method of sewing fabric pieces together.

*Register at https://attend.mylibrary.org/events or call Boone’s Trail at 636-398-6200 or Augusta at 636-228-4855 for more information about classes.

The Boone’s Trail and Augusta branches are open Mon., Tues. and Thu. from 9:00 a.m.- 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, 9:00 a.m.- 12:00 noon. All St. Charles City-County Library Branches will be closed for the following winter dates: December 24, 25, & 26 as well as closing at 5 p.m. on December 31 and all day January 1 & 2, 2023. Our online library is open 24/7 all year round.