Library activities: Main Library

Each month, Administrative Assistant Angelina Gervasi reports to Historic City News the upcoming activities at the branch locations of the St Johns County Public Library System; one of the shining stars that complements our public education system, and enhances the quality of life for all our residents.

Historic City News supports our local libraries because they can, should, and do play an important role in the political life of our community. They can help citizens learn how to become advocates for themselves as well as their communities. They provide a safe, neutral environment where community members are encouraged to talk about issues of freedom, justice, and democracy. Our libraries are pivotal in encouraging informed political involvement with programs like “Banned Books Week”, which exposes the perils of school and community censorship efforts.

Falun Dafa: Exercises & Meditation for the Body
Fridays, December 6, 13, 20, & 27 @ 2:30pm
Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, is a traditional Chinese self-cultivation practice that improves mental and physical wellness through a series of easy-to-learn exercises, meditation, and the development of one’s xinxing or heart-mind nature. The practice is based on the universal principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance. Please call Michelle at 392-6789 for more information about these free workshops.

Family Winter Film Series
Thursdays, December 12, 19, & 26 @ 4pm
Join us after school for a cinematic event. We’ll show a new release with a G or PG rating, so it’s fun for the whole family. Please call the Main Library at 827-6940 for movie title and rating. We have plenty of pillow seating and serve free, organic popcorn, courtesy of Diane’s Natural Food Market.

Yoga Experience with Marlene
Monday, December 2 @ 10:30am
Did you know Yoga improves physical flexibility, strength, balance, and stamina? At this free session we’ll explore practical, easy ways to take care of the body, reduce stress and relax, improve breathing and energy levels. Yoga can easily be a part of your lifestyle. First-timers are welcome to experience yoga with respect and gentleness in a comfortable environment. Presented by yoga instructor, Marlene Pitts.

Get Medicare Answers
Tuesday, December 3 from 10am – 2pm
SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) is a program offered by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs. A specially-trained volunteer can assist you with your Medicare questions. Get free and unbiased help with Medicare eligibility, enrollment, and coverage options. Medicare Open Enrollment ends December 7, so don’t miss out on this invaluable workshop.

Movie Nite @ Main
Tuesday, December 3 @ 5:30pm
Tired of being on the hold list, and can’t wait any longer to see that new release film? Then join us at the library for a movie night. We’re going to show a new release with a PG or PG-13 rating. Please call the Main Library at 827-6940 for movie title. We’ll have plenty of snacks, courtesy of the Friends of the Library of St. Johns County.

Book a Digital Librarian
Wednesday, December 4 from 10am – 12pm
Do you have an e-reader, tablet, or other digital device you aren’t sure how to use? Need to learn Facebook, Twitter, or how to navigate Pinterest? Or do you just want to know how to download free eBooks from the library’s OverDrive or OneClickdigital services? All of your questions can be answered in a 30-minute, one-on-one session with library staff at the Main Library. Library cardholders can call 827-6940 to make an appointment.

Tai-Chi: Enter the Healing Journey
Wednesday, December 4 @ 10:30am
You are cordially invited to begin a pleasant and enjoyable journey in the ancient Chinese healing exercise, as you learn and practice Tai-Chi. In class, students will perform soft, continuous movements that will allow them to receive many positive aspects of renewed health, while developing internal stillness. Some of the benefits of Tai-Chi include: relief from muscular tension and anxiety, increased concentration and memory, enhanced sensory awareness, and improved balance. This free workshop is presented by Hector M. Ruiz, Jr., a certified instructor in Tai-Chi and Qi Gong.

Affordable Health Care Act Informational Workshop
Friday, December 6 @ 10:30am
The Affordable Care Act, or healthcare reform, is a set of health insurance reforms that started in 2010 and will continue to roll out in 2014, and beyond. The law’s goal is to ensure that all Americans have access to quality, affordable health care. Join staff from Azalea Health of St. Augustine to learn more about the ACA and how it might affect you and your family. Representatives will be available to explain how the health care reform affects you, help you gain the peace of mind to make a smart choice in a short time, and discover ways to get financial help, if you qualify.

Community Spa Day
Saturday, December 7 from 10:30am – 12:30pm
If colder weather is drying your skin or holiday stress is literally showing on your face, how about a relaxing visit to the library? Paige Hunt, a.k.a. The Spa Lady, will be providing complimentary mini-spa treatments. Reserve your spot by calling the Main Library at 827-6940.

Yoga Experience with Marlene
Monday, December 9 @ 10:30am
Did you know Yoga improves physical flexibility, strength, balance, and stamina? At this free session we’ll explore practical, easy ways to take care of the body, reduce stress and relax, improve breathing and energy levels. Yoga can easily be a part of your lifestyle. First timers are welcome to experience yoga with respect and gentleness in a comfortable environment. Presented by yoga instructor, Marlene Pitts.

Foreclosure Prevention Workshop
Monday, December 9 @ 1:30pm
Are you behind on your mortgage and facing foreclosure? Let the St. Johns Housing Partnership help you avoid scams and save your home. At this free workshop you’ll learn about various government-funded programs and their eligibility requirements. The St. Johns Housing Partnership is a non-profit organization, and there is never a charge to the homeowner for any of their services. Please call 819-1266 with questions and to sign up for this workshop.

iPad Workshop
Tuesday, December 10 @ 3pm
Do you have an iPad but find yourself asking questions such as: What apps would work for me? How do I run updates? Or, does my iPad have a camera? Join David Penney for a hands-on iPad workshop where these questions, and more, will be answered. Bring your iPad and follow along as David goes through most of the capabilities of the iPad, the Apple Cloud, and iTunes synchronization. Library cardholders may call 827-6940 to sign up for this free technology workshop.

Book a Digital Librarian
Wednesday, December 11 from 10am-12pm
Do you have an e-reader, tablet, or other digital device you aren’t sure how to use? Need to learn Facebook, Twitter, or how to navigate Pinterest? Or do you just want to know how to download free eBooks from the library’s OverDrive and OneClickdigital services? All of your questions can be answered in a 30-minute, one-on-one session with the Reference Team right here at the Main Library. Library cardholders can call 827-6940 to make an appointment.

Tai-Chi: Enter the Healing Journey
Wednesday, December 11 @ 10:30am
You are cordially invited to begin a pleasant and enjoyable journey in the ancient Chinese healing exercise, as you learn and practice Tai-Chi. In class, students will perform soft, continuous movements that will allow them to receive many positive aspects of renewed health, while developing internal stillness. Some of the benefits of Tai-Chi include: relief from muscular tension and anxiety, increased concentration and memory, enhanced sensory awareness, and improved balance. This free workshop is presented by Hector M. Ruiz, Jr., a certified instructor in Tai-Chi and Qi Gong.

Illustrator Visit with Deborah Spiller
Thursday, December 12 @ 11am
Deborah Spiller, the illustrator of Snowball: The Bear Who Saved Christmas, will be visiting the Main Library for a special book reading and signing event. The book is a colorful romp in the cold tundra, where young Snowball the bear rescues Santa and his elves in time for their Christmas Eve flight.

Gentle Stretch with Gina Marie
Friday, December 13 @ 10:30am
This free class emphasizes stretching, coordination of breath with movement, and attention to alignment. The class is designed to create breath awareness, enhance balance, and increase flexibility. Stretching is great for those who are experiencing joint sensitivity, or overall stiffness. Wear loose clothing, bring a towel & mat. Presented by yoga instructor, Gina Mercado.

Literary Lions Book Club: Heart of Palm by Laura Lee Smith
Saturday, December 14 @ 10:30am
Utina, Florida, is a small, down-at-the-heels, southern town. Once enlivened by the trade in Palm Sunday palms and moonshine, Utina hasn’t seen economic growth in decades, and no family is more emblematic of the local reality than the Bravos. Deserted by the patriarch years ago, the Bravos are held together in equal measure by love, unspoken blame, and tenuously brokered truces. Little do any of them know that Utina is about to meet the tide of development that has already engulfed the rest of Northeast Florida.

Yoga Experience with Marlene
Monday, December 16 @ 10:30am
Did you know Yoga improves physical flexibility, strength, balance, and stamina? At this free session we’ll explore practical, easy ways to take care of the body, reduce stress and relax, improve breathing and energy levels. Learn how yoga can easily be a part of your lifestyle. First timers are welcome to experience yoga with respect and gentleness in a comfortable environment. Presented by yoga instructor, Marlene Pitts.

Relax with Raindrop Therapy
Tuesday, December 17 @ 6pm
Give your feet a treat with Raindrop Therapy using therapeutic oils. Inspired by the Lakota Indians, Raindrop Therapy has been used for years as a highly effective method for balancing and rejuvenating the mind and body. When properly applied to the neck, back and feet, these essential oils can bring about electrical alignment and help relieve a variety of discomforts caused by imbalances in the body. Presented by licensed massage therapist, Gina Mercado.

Book a Digital Librarian
Wednesday, December 18 from 10am – 12pm
Do you have an e-reader, tablet, or other digital device you aren’t sure how to use? Need to learn Facebook, Twitter, or how to navigate Pinterest? Or do you just want to know how to download free eBooks from the library’s OverDrive or OneClickdigital services? All of your questions can be answered in a 30-minute, one-on-one session with the Reference Team at the Main Library. Library cardholders can call 827-6940 to make an appointment.

Tai-Chi: Enter the Healing Journey
Wednesday, December 18 @ 10:30am
You are cordially invited to begin a pleasant and enjoyable journey in the ancient Chinese healing exercise as you learn and practice Tai-Chi. In class, students will perform soft, continuous movements that will allow them to receive many positive aspects of renewed health, while developing internal stillness. Some of the benefits of Tai-Chi include: relief from muscular tension and anxiety, increased concentration and memory, enhanced sensory awareness, and improved balance. This free workshop is presented by Hector M. Ruiz, Jr., a certified instructor in Tai-Chi and Qi Gong.

Medicine Cabinet Makeover
Thursday, December 19 @ 10am
What would safer, cheaper, more effective health care mean for your family? Learn how to make over your medicine cabinet by replacing over-the-counter medicines and other drugs with pure, plant-based medicine–also known as essential oils. Discover how to take charge of your health care with these self-directed, medicinal oils that you can utilize every day to improve your body’s chemistry and natural defenses. Presented by Green Smoothie Girl Health Coach, Joy Traugott, Naturopath. Please email Joy to register for this free class.

The ABCs of Veggies
Thursday, December 19 @ 11am
Children and caregivers are invited to a special visit with local author, Mary Jane Hayes. Vegetables come in many shapes, colors, and forms and they are all delicious and nutritious. Explore all those veggies from A to Z with us.

Gentle Stretch with Gina Marie
Friday, December 20 @ 10:30am
This free class emphasizes stretching, coordination of breath with movement, and attention to alignment. The class is designed to create breath awareness, enhance balance, and increase flexibility. Stretching is great for those who are experiencing joint sensitivity, or overall stiffness. Wear loose clothing, bring a towel & mat. Presented by yoga instructor, Gina Mercado.

Adult BINGO for Books
Friday, December 20 @ 3:30pm
Do you love free books and playing B-I-N-G-O? Come on out to the library, make new friends or bring old friends along, and win adult fiction and non-fiction books. Everyone is guaranteed to go home with at least one book. Book prizes are generously donated by the Friends of the Library of St. Johns County. Everyone is welcome and it’s free.

eBooks vs. Tree Books – The Differences From a Writer’s Point of View
Saturday, December 21 @ 10am
eBooks are about content while tree books are about formatting. We’ll look at why an eBook writer can forget pages, font styles, and most layout problems while living a happier life and spending more time writing. John Simmons will discuss how authors should prepare texts for eBooks, and what makes them so different from a tree book. After an award-winning, 25-year career in broadcast journalism, John has turned his talents to the eBook industry where his new business is to convert manuscripts into a format ready to be used by all eBook publishers. This program is sponsored by the Ancient City Chapter, Florida Writers Association through a partnership with the Friends of the Library of St. Johns County.

Classic Christmas Movie @ Main
Monday, December 23 @ 5:30pm
Can’t wait for Santa to be here? Join us at the library for a Christmas movie night. We’re going to show a classic film with a PG or PG-13 rating. Please call the Main Library at 827-6940 for movie title. If you’ve been nice, we’ll have plenty of snacks, courtesy of the Friends of the Library of St. Johns County.

Gentle Stretch with Gina Marie
Friday, December 27 @ 10:30am
This free class emphasizes stretching, coordination of breath with movement, and attention to alignment. The class is designed to create breath awareness, enhance balance, and increase flexibility. Stretching is great for those who are experiencing joint sensitivity, or overall stiffness. Wear loose clothing, bring a towel & mat. Presented by yoga instructor, Gina Mercado.

Foreclosure Prevention Workshop
Monday, December 30 @ 1:30pm
Are you behind on your mortgage and facing foreclosure? Let the St. Johns Housing Partnership help you avoid scams and save your home. At this free workshop you’ll learn about various government-funded programs and their eligibility requirements. The St. Johns Housing Partnership is a non-profit organization, and there is never a charge to the homeowner for any of their services. Please call 819-1266 with questions and to register for this workshop.

J.A.A.M. (Japanese Anime At Main)
Monday, December 30 @ 5pm
Do you love watching anime or reading manga? Tweens, teens, and young twenty-somethings are invited to the monthly meeting of our anime club, where you can meet others with similar interests. Feel free to wear a costume if you’d like and come “JAAM” with us. Refreshments provided by the Friends of the Library of St. Johns County.