Message from Library Director Pamela Monroe
February is Library Lovers Month, and there’s no better time to celebrate the many ways your library supports curiosity, creativity, and lifelong learning. Whether you’re planting seeds, exploring science, sharpening your digital skills, or honoring powerful literary traditions, the library is a place where ideas grow.
That sense of growth is on display with the library’s Seed Library. Valentine’s Day marks the kickoff for the season, inviting patrons to stop by, check out free seeds, and start planning their spring gardens. Whether you’re growing fruits, herbs, or vegetables, the Seed Library encourages sustainability, food awareness, and the simple joy of watching something grow.
Growth also happens through learning. This month’s programs are designed to challenge your thinking and spark curiosity. Eureka! invites adults to explore scientific concepts through hands-on activities and conversations that make science approachable and fun. AI in Everyday Life breaks down artificial intelligence in practical, real-world terms, including how it’s already shaping work, communication, and daily decision-making.
Stories and shared experiences matter, too. The African American Read-In is more than a program—it’s a national movement that began in 1990 through the National Council of Teachers of English to celebrate African American authors, highlight Black voices, and bring communities together through reading. Libraries across the country continue this tradition not only during Black History Month but year-round. Our library is proud to be part of that legacy.
As the month continues, I hope you’ll take a moment to love your library back. Attend a program. Plant a seed. Learn something unexpected. The library is here to grow with you today and into the future.
Amazing things are happening,
Pamela Monroe, Library Director
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Join us Saturday, February 14, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Leon County Main Library for the Spring Seed Library Kickoff. The Seed Library Program encourages residents to grow their own nutritious food while supporting sustainable gardening practices across Leon County.
Hosted in partnership with UF/IFAS Leon County Extension, the kickoff event offers fun for all ages, including hands-on seeding activities, gardening and sustainability tips, and an Ask-a-Master-Gardener booth. Attendees can choose from 10 fruit, vegetable, and herb seed varieties to help start their spring gardens.
Beginning Saturday, February 14, at 10 a.m., seeds will be available at all Leon County Public Library locations. Residents may check out up to five seed packets per month with a library card, or three packets per month without a card, while supplies last.
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Celebrate the contributions, triumphs, and achievements of Black Americans during Black History Month at these upcoming events:
- African American Read-In, Saturday, February 7, at 1 p.m., Leon County Main Library – Enjoy children’s books by African American authors read aloud by featured community members, with a special performance by the Rickards High School Swinging Raider Jazz Band.
- Virtual Author Talk: The Conjuring of America with Dr. Lindsey Stewart, Thursday, February 12, at 2 p.m., virtual – Philosopher Dr. Lindsey Stewart discusses her book, The Conjuring of America: Mojos, Mermaids, Medicine, and 400 Years of Black Women’s Magic, exploring the history of Black women’s magical practices and their impact on American culture.
- Honoring the Ancestors of New Hope Cemetery, Thursday, February 19, at 6:30 p.m., Eastside Branch Library – Researcher and community advocate Gloria Jefferson-Anderson shares her journey uncovering this historic African American burial ground and the families connected to it.
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Learn how to manage your money with confidence through a series of free tax and money management programs at Leon County Public Library locations in February.
- One-on-One Financial Planning, Monday, February 2 and 16, from 5-7:30 p.m., Leon County Main Library – Meet with a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ for personalized guidance on budgeting, debt management, retirement planning, insurance, and other financial goals. Registration is recommended.
- Tax Toolkit: Prepare with Confidence, Tuesday, February 3, from 5:30-7 p.m., Leon County Main Library – Get practical tips for filing taxes, maximizing deductions, and approaching tax season with confidence.
- Free Tax Filing Assistance with AARP, Saturday, February 7, 14, 21, and 28, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Leon County Main Library – IRS-certified AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers will help residents prepare and electronically file taxes at no cost. You do not need to be an AARP member to participate.
- The Credit Climb: Reach Your Financial Goals, Thursday, February 19, from 5:30-7 p.m., Dr. B.L. Perry, Jr. Branch Library – Learn how credit scores work, strategies to build or rebuild credit, common pitfalls to avoid, and tips for major purchases.
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Celebrate the excitement of the Winter Olympics with a reading challenge on Beanstack. This February, readers of all ages can enjoy a fun, winter-themed challenge while tracking their reading. Earn badges and enter prize drawings as you read, celebrating your achievements and the spirit of the Olympic Games all month long.
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Explore the world of language with Mango Languages, a user-friendly platform offering step-by-step lessons in more than 70 languages. Interactive, bite-sized lessons let you learn at your own pace, whether you’re just curious or a dedicated language enthusiast. Access Mango Languages for free with your library card and start your language journey today.
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Enjoy engaging Virtual Author Talks with bestselling authors from a wide range of fiction and nonfiction genres. Tune in for these live events with interactive Q&As, or watch the recording afterward.Â
Upcoming Virtual Author Talks include:
- Thursday, February 5, at 7 p.m.: Author Talk with Vanessa Riley, award-winning author of Fire Sword and Sea and Island Queen. Â
- Thursday, February 12, at 2 p.m.: Author Talk with Dr. Lindsey Stewart, professor of philosophy and award-winning author of The Conjuring of America: Mojos, Mermaids, Medicine, and 400 Years of Black Women’s Magic.
- Tuesday, February 24, at 2 p.m.: Author Talk with Tom Crouch, Smithsonian curator emeritus and award-winning author of Smithson’s Gamble.
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