By Amanda Armlin

Evening Sun Contributor

NORWICH - The Guernsey Memorial Library has been a beacon for any individual in the Chenango County region who wants to educate themselves on history, fine arts, cooking, nonfiction books of past and present; as well as those who want to dabble in fiction and sci-fi novels.

A home where you can let your imagination run wild and be anyone and anything that you choose. But there is more to the library than one may think. They are entering the 2026 year with a whole new determination and outlook on not only getting more individuals in the door, but to also be even more hands on in the community.

The February calendar alone has shown quite the initiative for the Guernsey Memorial Library.

Starting off the month with LGBTQ+ support groups that run on Monday the 2nd and Saturday the 21st. Giving a setting of hope for all those individuals who are too afraid to express who they truly are  and or need the extra support to come out to their families and friends.

Where everyone can come and speak truth to their worries and doubts and feel free to explore any avenues they need while they move forward to sustain a physically and mentally healthy life. A place where everyone needs love and everyone should feel love.

Kids story time is a major highlight within the library. Where children can come to hear some of their favorite books of fairytales and even their ABC’s. To feel safe and comfortable. Where they can  wonder and wander and ask questions.

A place that allows them to be more intrigued about stories and books and truly helps grow their mind and curiosity. Story time takes place at 10:30 a.m., every Tuesday and Thursday of the month. While children spend a good share of the year learning, they also need to have the ability to play. Crafts, legos, games and puzzles are provided Saturday the 7th from 10:00-11:00 a.m.

A more detailed description of the crafts that will be taking place can be found on the Guernsey Memorial Library page. On Thursday the 12th, the library will be ringing  in another kid's craft day, where wooden gnomes will be the highlight at 4:00 p.m. and Duplo club will be taking place on Friday the 20th at 10:00 a.m.

Director of Guernsey Memorial Library Connie Dalrymple said, “Every year we get pretty excited to prepare for the kid's summer reading program, which is coordinated by children’s librarian Kim Hazen and happens in July and August. Every year we have reading goals and prizes for achieving them, lots of performers and special programs; and a summer reading wrap-up celebration to top it all off. The kids have lots of fun and it also helps prevent summer slide, which happens when students lose learning progress while they’re off school in the summer.”

On Saturday, February 7th, the library is hosting an event to bring in teens of all ages to create a card for hospitalized youth. Joining a program that brings smiles to young children who are unfortunate enough to spend their days in a hospital due to unforeseen health issues. This program runs from 1:00-4:00PM, and all supplies are provided. As they say, the more the merrier, so please bring in a friend.  If you can spread anything, let it be happiness and joy and a bright smile. 

Now it wouldn’t  be fair to host a craft event for children and not adults, right? Adult craft night will be held on Monday the 9th at 6:00 p.m. and Sunday the 22nd  at 1:30 p.m.

On the first night, you will be creating a beautiful lollipop flower to bring home to a loved one, and the second night will be a crocheted alpine stitch hat to help ward off this cold weather. The fact that this event is free should entice the easy sign up. Monday the 9th will  end in lego club and Saturday the 14th  there will be a Guernsey Stitchers Open Sew from 9:00-3:30 p.m.

This is a great event to bring in  all  our sewing lovers who want to join a group of people to share tips and tricks and or their latest creation. Supplies are not provided, so please remember to bring in your  own supplies, project and machine.

Calling all artist lovers! The library hosts a free Guernsey Artists gathering that allows both seasoned and unseasoned artists to walk into a world of color. Bringing in their own piece of art that they have been working on and or have just begun. Supplies are provided, and all experience levels are welcome.  A  great event  to allow  each individual to outsource their knowledge of the arts and  convey their idea of what art truly means to them and how they extract it. This will be taking place on Wednesday the 4th and Wednesday the 18th  at 5:00 p.m.

On Tuesday the 17th, the library is holding a book lover, book discussion group. This will be taking place at 5:30 p.m.. You can obtain a copy of the libraries book of the month at the front desk. Bring your enthusiasm and ideas with you, as this will be a fun night to discuss anything and everything about the book you have in hand. 

Where are all our gamers? Dungeons and dragons are taking center stage at the library on Tuesday the 10th and 24th  from  3:30-6:30 p.m.  Newcomers and experienced players are all invited. This will be a family friendly event, with the starting age of twelve years old and older. Come one, come all  to experience this night of fun and games.

Have you ever heard of Mahjong? Mahjong is a tile-based game  that was developed in the 19th century in  China and has since, spread throughout the world since the early 20th century. It is played by four players and is similar  to the Western card game rummy. Mahjong is a  game of skill, strategy, and luck. To distinguish it from mahjong solitaire, it is sometimes referred to as mahjong rummy. The Guernsey Library  hosts  this game night every Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. If you are looking for a night of fun and entertainment, please come out and enjoy the extra company. 

Are you someone who enjoys dancing? Dance club will be taking place on Wednesday the 11th  and  25th at 6:00 p.m.. Bring your dancing shoes and a partner to enjoy some laughs while you sway your body to the beat.

The ability to donate blood is exponentially important to help others in the community and surrounding areas. Donating blood offers significant  benefits for both the recipients and the donors, ranging from improved physical and mental health for the donor to saving the lives of up to three people with one  single donation. 

The Guernsey Library is hosting a blood drive for Red Cross at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday the 12.If you have the time, please come and donate blood to  not only help those who need it, but to  also to make  a difference.

Many of these events will take  place monthly throughout the year. A scheduled library event  calendar can be found  on the Guernsey Memorial Library website for any questions you may have.  Registration is  not  necessary for these events, and there are no attendance limits.  There will be guest speakers and performers in the summer months for the Summer Reading Program, so please, keep an eye out for that.

Dalrymple said they hope to embark on a construction project to replace the curtain wall in the  mezzanine/nonfiction area of the library. The library currently has offered community outreach efforts by  providing satellite collections at Norwich Rehabilitation Center and Peacock Manor for adults who are unable to travel to the library. They also have monthly off-site craft programs for seniors at Preston Manor, Peacock Manor,  GraceView Manor and the Senior Center at the American Legion.

What better way to enrich our minds, our children’s minds and individuals of all walks of life by bringing everyone together to educate ourselves and to improve the community. To allow our children to be released from the addiction of technology and use their imagination to its fullest. To give members of the community the chance to feel connected to their  surroundings and the people in it. To pass on  knowledge to newcomers who are entering Chenango County for a small visit. Books are power. People are powerful.

Our actions to enrich our community and help others are extraordinary. So please feel free to reach out to your local library and see just what you can do to give a helping hand and join in on the fun!