Fire Safety with the Bristol Virginia Fire Department

As part of our continuing New Year's Resolution series during January, the Bristol Public Library is offering a free seminar on fire safety at 6:00 p.m. today!  Representatives from the Bristol Virginia Fire Department will be present to discuss fire safety, how to prevent fires, and what to do in an emergency situation.

Registration is not required for our free event. If you would like to learn more about our upcoming seminar, please feel free to contact the Bristol Public Library at 276-645-8780 or email us at ajohnson@bristol-library.org.

BPL Winter Bingo!

We still have one month left of BPL Winter Bingo!

Pick up a book Bingo card either at the Bristol Public Library or at the Avoca Branch Library.  We'll be giving out prizes and hosting fun programs, until February 28.  If you can't make it to the library, then check out our BPL Book Bingo group on Facebook to check out our bingo cards, chat with fellow participants, and offer book recommendations.

The Candy Lab

It's time for our first Candy Lab workshop!

We're meeting tonight at 6:00 p.m. in the Jones Creativity Center to start creating our silicone candy molds.  We'll design and craft our candy mold shape, using the Tinkercad app and our 3D printer.  By next week, we'll have our handcrafted silicone candy molds!

If you're interested in our Candy Lab, but didn't have the opportunity to register for our first class, make sure to contact the Bristol Public Library at 276-645-8780 to sign up for our next class.  Although the Candy Lab is a 2-part workshop project, participants can join at any time.  We will have extra molds available.

Creative & Crafty: January Canvas Class #2

The Bristol Public Library is pleased to announce that we will be continuing our Canvas Classes into the New Year!

Today, starting at 5:30 p.m., we will be offering a brand new canvas class in which our participants will have the opportunity to create a fun, winter-themed portrait. We'll have two different canvases from which to choose, and participants will be able to give it their own personal flair.

Please note, the cost for our Canvas Class is increasing to $10. This fee will cover all the supplies needed for registered participants, including canvas, paint, brushes, instruction, and more. However, participants are welcome to bring their own canvas to waive this fee.

Registration is currently closed for our event; however, you can keep up to date on our canvas class by following us on Facebook or continuing to check our events blog.  If you have nay questions about our canvas class, please contact the Bristol Public Library at 276-645-8780 or ajohnson@bristol-library.org.

Computer Privacy & You: Security and Safety Online

Fake links, phishing, viruses, and scams.  They make the Web a scary place, but you can protect yourself and your privacy.

Join us for a free workshop on computer safety and security.  We’ll show you how to avoid phishing scams, identify fake links, ensure your privacy while using open WiFi, and create strong passwords to protect sensitive accounts.  We’ll meet today from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Jones Creativity Center at the Bristol Public Library.

To learn more, please contact the Bristol Public Library at 276-645-8780 or by email at reference@bristol-library.org.  No registration is required.

Happy Birthday, Citrus!

Citrus turns 14 years old today!

Make sure to stop by the Children's Department to sign her birthday card and offer her well wishes.

Understanding Credit Reports & Scores with ECU

As part of our New Year's Resolution series in January, the Bristol Public Library is offering a free seminar on understanding credit reports and scores on February 6, starting at 6:00 p.m. Kindle Horton with Eastman Credit Union will provide registered participants with a thorough explanation of credit reports, including how they impact daily life and how you can understand them to make personal finance easier.

Registration is required for our free event, but materials will be provided. Please feel free to register by leaving a comment on our Facebook page; however, if you do not receive a reply within 24 hours letting you know we have added your name to our list, please give us a call at 276-645-8780 or send us an email at ajohnson@bristol-library.org to ensure we have reserved a spot for you. You are also welcome to call us during our hours of operation or email us to register for our event at any time!

Self-Defense & Personal Safety with Stryker Martial Arts Academy

As part of our continuing New Year's Resolution series, the Bristol Public Library is offering a free workshop on self-defense and personal safety on February 3, 2018, starting at 12:00 p.m.  Chris Massie with Stryker Martial Arts Academy will provide participants with tips on how to protect oneself in potentially dangerous situations and ensure personal safety in everyday life.

Registration is not required for our free event.  If you would like to learn more about our upcoming workshop, please feel free to contact the Bristol Public Library at 276-645-8780 or email us at ajohnson@bristol-library.org.

Creative & Crafty: BPL Rocks!

Don't forget, we're painting Kindness Rocks today!

To participate, simply drop in to the library anytime between 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to help paint kindness rocks to distribute around the Bristol Public Library and beyond. Our goal is to create positive, upbeat, and creative designs--and have a bit of fun in the process!

This event is completely free, family-friendly, and no registration is required!  The library will supply paint, brushes, rocks, and more, just bring yourself and a friend to get started.

BPL Bookblog

Are you a fan of books?  Want to hear more about what we're reading here at the library?  Then check out our BPL Bookblog at:  http://bristol-library-bookblog.blogspot.com/

We share our favorite (and some not so favorite) books each week, as well as discuss what we're reading at our Nevermore Book Club.  We have book reviews and recommendations for every kind of reader, so make sure to check it out!

And don't forget to leave a comment or two.  We'd love to hear from you!

Take Your Child to the Library Day!

February 3 is National Take Your Child to the Library Day!

To celebrate, the Avoca Branch Library is planning a fun-filled day of snacks, crafts, storytime, giveaways, and family-friendly activities for all of visiting patrons! To participate, simply drop in to the library and join the fun. It starts at 9:00 a.m. and continues until we close at noon, so make sure to stop by and pay us a visit.

Please note, in order to participate in our library giveaways, you must have a library card or sign up for a library card on the day of the event. Participants who show their library card or receive a new card will be entered into a free drawing for a $25 gift certificate.

BPL Anime Theater: Metropolis

Duke Red has plans for Metropolis. A tri-level city filled with incredible technology and great civil unrest, Metropolis is a city on the brink of change—and Duke Red is ready to seize that change by introducing a highly advanced robot named Tima to the world. But Rock, Duke Red’s son, distrusts robots and he intends to destroy Tima at any cost.

Based on the classic comic by Osamu Tezuka, Metropolis (2001) is a fascinatingly complex story about a city caught in the midst turmoil as humanity attempts to keep pace with technology. Written by Katsuhiro Otomo, creator of the famed anime classic Akira, Metropolis is a must-see for anime fans.

Join us on February 1 at 5:30 p.m. in the J. Henry Kegley Meeting Room upstairs for a free presentation of this month’s BPL Anime Theater. Snacks, drinks, and popcorn will be served to all movie attendees.

Rated PG-13. 113 minutes.

Classic Movie Corner: Close Encounters of the Third Kind

The Bristol Public Library is offering a free showing of Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) at 5:30 p.m. on January 25, 2018.  Starring Richard Dreyfuss as Roy Neary, a man who encounters alien beings, Close Encounters of the Third Kind tells the story of what could happen when interstellar visitors reach out to planet Earth.

Popcorn and water will be provided to all movie attendees, so make sure to drop in for our very first Classic Movie Corner of the New Year!

Rated PG.  138 minutes.

BPL Book Club Movie Night: Jamaica Inn

During our December meeting of BPL Book Club, we finished reading Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier. To celebrate, we're offering a free presentation of the movie, Jamaica Inn (1983), starring Jane Seymour, Patrick McGoohan, and Trevor Eve.

After her mother dies, Mary Yellan (Seymour) is sent to live with her aunt and uncle at Jamaica Inn. When she arrives, Mary discovers that Jamaica Inn has a dark, terrifying history that will lead her to the most dangerous adventure of her life.

We'll start our movie at 5:00 p.m. on January 24, so don't be late! Popcorn and water will be provided to all movie attendees.

Not rated. 155 minutes.

Fire Safety with the Bristol Virginia

As part of our continuing New Year's Resolution series during January, the Bristol Public Library is offering a free seminar on fire safety at 6:00 p.m. on January 31, 2018. Representatives from the Bristol Virginia Fire Department will be present to discuss fire safety, how to prevent fires, and what to do in an emergency situation.

Registration is not required for our free event. If you would like to learn more about our upcoming seminar, please feel free to contact the Bristol Public Library at 276-645-8780 or email us at ajohnson@bristol-library.org.

You're invited!

Join us tonight at 5:30 p.m. for a free evening of Bingo at the BPL!  We'll have drinks and snacks available for participants, and small prizes will be awarded to our winners.  Make sure to join us for an evening of family-friendly fun!

Computer Privacy & You: Security and Safety Online

Fake links, phishing, viruses, and scams.  They make the Web a scary place, but you can protect yourself and your privacy.

Join us for a free workshop on computer safety and security.  We’ll show you how to avoid phishing scams, identify fake links, ensure your privacy while using open WiFi, and create strong passwords to protect sensitive accounts.  We’ll meet on January 29, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Jones Creativity Center at the Bristol Public Library, and again on February 1, starting at 5:30 p.m., at the Avoca Branch Library.

To learn more, please contact the Bristol Public Library at 276-645-8780 or by email at reference@bristol-library.org.  No registration is required.

Creative & Crafty: January Canvas Class #2

The Bristol Public Library is pleased to announce that we will be continuing our Canvas Classes into the New Year!

On January 30, 2018, starting at 5:30 p.m., we will be offering a brand new canvas class in which our participants will have the opportunity to create a fun, winter-themed portrait. We'll have two different canvases from which to choose, and participants will be able to give it their own personal flair.

Please note, the cost for our Canvas Class is increasing to $10. This fee will cover all the supplies needed for registered participants, including canvas, paint, brushes, instruction, and more. However, participants are welcome to bring their own canvas to waive this fee.

Registration is required for our event. Please feel free to register by leaving a comment on our Facebook event or page; however, if you do not receive a reply within 24 hours letting you know we have added your name to our list, please give us a call at 276-645-8780 or send us an email at ajohnson@bristol-library.org to ensure we have reserved a spot for you. You are also welcome to call us during our hours of operation or email us to register for our event at any time!

Creative & Crafty: BPL Rocks!

The Bristol Public Library is pleased to announce we will be hosting rock painting on January 27 at 12:00 p.m. in the J. Henry Kegley Meeting Room.  This event is completely free, family-friendly, and no registration is required.

To participate, simply drop in to the library anytime between 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to help paint kindness rocks to distribute around the Bristol Public Library and beyond. Our goal is to create positive, upbeat, and creative designs--and have a bit of fun in the process!

The library will supply paint, brushes, rocks, and more, just bring yourself and a friend to get started! If you would like to learn more about our upcoming event, keep an eye on our Facebook group, "BPL Rocks," or contact the Bristol Public Library at 276-645-8780 or ajohnson@bristol-library.org.

BPL Book Club: January

BPL Book Club meets tonight in the Frances Kegley Conference Room at 6:00 p.m.  We'll finish reading Dead Wake by Erik Larson and pick up our next book.  Join us for an exciting evening of book discussion and Blackbird Bakery treats!

Our BPL Book Club is free to join and open to everyone.  If you would like to learn more about BPL Book Club, visit the Bristol Public Library or contact us at 276-645-8780 or ajohnson@bristol-library.org.

The Candy Lab

The JCC is pleased to announce our latest project:  The Candy Lab!

During our 2-part project series, interested visitors will have the opportunity to use the Tinkercad app and our 3D printer to create a handcrafted silicone candy mold. Participants can even bring their own computer and mouse!  We'll meet on January 31 for our first class, and then again on February 7 to finish our candy molds.

Registration is required. Children under age 13 must be accompanied by an adult.  The cost is $5 per person for both classes.

Visit the Bristol Public Library for more details.  To register, please call 276-645-8780 or email ajohnson@bristol-library.org.

Creative & Crafty: Homemade Wax Candles

It's time to get crafty!

This month, we're offering a new type of Creative & Crafty class for our patrons: Homemade Wax Candles! Starting at 5:30 p.m. today, we'll be making homemade wax candles using mason pint jars, natural soy wax, essential oils, and cotton wicks.

Supplies will be provided for a nominal fee of $5. This will cover all the supplies needed for our class, including wax, oil, wicks, jars, instruction, and more.

Registration is closed for our event, but make sure to check out our Facebook page to learn about more of our events.  You can also give us a call at 276-645-8780 or send us an email at ajohnson@bristol-library.org if you're curious about more of our events.

Computer Privacy & You: Security and Safety Online

Fake links, phishing, viruses, and scams.  They make the Web a scary place, but you can protect yourself and your privacy.

Join us for a free workshop on computer safety and security.  We’ll show you how to avoid phishing scams, identify fake links, ensure your privacy while using open WiFi, and create strong passwords to protect sensitive accounts.  We’ll meet on January 29, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Jones Creativity Center at the Bristol Public Library, and again on February 1, starting at 5:30 p.m., at the Avoca Branch Library.

To learn more, please contact the Bristol Public Library at 276-645-8780 or by email at reference@bristol-library.org.  No registration is required.

Creative & Crafty: January Canvas #1

The Bristol Public Library is pleased to announce that we will be continuing our Canvas Classes into the New Year!

On January 13, 2018, starting at 2:00 p.m., we will be offering a brand new canvas class in which our participants will have the opportunity to create a fun, winter-themed portrait. We'll have two different canvases from which to choose, and participants will be able to give it their own personal flair.

Please note, the cost for our Canvas Class is increasing to $10. This fee will cover all the supplies needed for registered participants, including canvas, paint, brushes, instruction, and more. However, participants are welcome to bring their own canvas to waive this fee.

Registration is currently closed for our event, but make sure to check out our Facebook to learn more about upcoming events.  We're planning on introducing more Creative & Crafty events, including a more diverse range of canvas classes, candy making, cooking, paper marbling, candle-making, and much more!

Tennessee READS

It's time to get the New Year started off right.

With books, of course!

You can access thousands of digital resources with just your library card and your electronic device.  Want to know the best part?  It's available 24 hours, even if you aren't at home, and it's completely free!  To learn more, contact the Bristol Public Library at 276-645-8780 or drop in to discover more about Tennessee READS.

To access their website, simply click the icon below:

Creative & Crafty: Homemade Wax Candles

It's time to get crafty!

This month, we're offering a new type of Creative & Crafty class for our patrons: Homemade Wax Candles! Starting at 5:30 p.m. on January 17, 2018, we'll be making homemade wax candles using mason pint jars, natural soy wax, essential oils, and cotton wicks.

Supplies will be provided for a nominal fee of $5. This will cover all the supplies needed for our class, including wax, oil, wicks, jars, instruction, and more.

Registration is required for our event. Please feel free to register by leaving a comment on our Facebook page; however, if you do not receive a reply within 24 hours letting you know we have added your name to our list, please give us a call at 276-645-8780 or send us an email at ajohnson@bristol-library.org to ensure we've reserved a spot for you. You are also welcome to call us during our hours of operation or email us at any time to register for our event!

Healthy Habits for the New Year

As part of our continuing "New Year, New You" program series, the Bristol Public Library is offering a free seminar on healthy habits.  Jonya Kennedy will be at the library on tonight at 6:00 p.m. in the J. Henry Kegley Meeting Room for a special presentation on healthy habits and how to integrate them into daily life.

Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about small, healthy habits that can have life-changing results.  No registration is required.  Simply drop in and join the library for this free seminar.  To learn more about our upcoming events, call 276-645-8780 or email at ajohnson@bristol-library.org.

Free FAFSA Workshop

Ready to go to college?  Need help applying for scholarship or financial aid?

Then visit the Bristol Public Library today from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. for assistance in submitting your FAFSA (Federal Application for Federal Student Aid), completing college admissions and scholarship applications.

Library Movie Presentation: Ever After

The Bristol Public Library is kicking off the New Year with a free movie presentation of Ever After: A Cinderella Story (1998) on January 9, 2018, in the J. Henry Kegley Meeting Room:

Starring Drew Barrymore and Angelica Houston, Ever After is a historical remake of the Cinderella fairy tale.  Danielle (Barrymore) works as a servant in her stepmother's house (Houston), but she never stops dreaming of the day she can take back her family home and restore it to its former glory.  One day, she stumbles across Prince Henry (portrayed by Dougray Scott) and knocks him from her father’s horse, believing him to be a horse thief.  Unbeknownst to her, it is the beginning of an unexpected romance that leads her defy her stepmother and discover a happily ever after of her own.

Join us for this free presentation of a Cinderella classic at 6:00 p.m.  Popcorn and water will be provided to all movie attendees!

Rated PG-13.  121 minutes.

Avoca Branch Friends of the Library

Don't forget, our Friends of the Library meet today at 12:00 p.m.  Bring your lunch and join the conversation!

New Tech Workshop

Did you receive a new smart phone, tablet, or laptop as a holiday gift this year?  Want to learn more about it?

Then join the Bristol Public Library for our New Tech Workshop today, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Jones Creativity Center.  We’re here to help you learn all about those Christmas gifts and gadgets you received.  So, if you have a question about how to add apps to your new smart phone or Overdrive to your Kindle, or if you’d just like to learn a little more about electronics and 3D Printing, make sure to drop in and pay the Bristol Public Library a visit!

The Candy Lab

The JCC is pleased to announce our latest project:  The Candy Lab!

During our 2-part project series, interested visitors will have the opportunity to use the Tinkercad app and our 3D printer to create a handcrafted silicone candy mold. Participants can even bring their own computer and mouse!  We'll meet on January 31 for our first class, and then again on February 7 to finish our candy molds.

Registration is required. Children under age 13 must be accompanied by an adult.  The cost is $5 per person for both classes.

Visit the Bristol Public Library for more details.  To register, please call 276-645-8780 or email ajohnson@bristol-library.org.

BPL Book Club: January

The BPL Book Club will meet on Thursday, January 18, 2018, in the Frances Kegley Conference Room at 6:00 p.m.  We'll finish reading Dead Wake by Erik Larson and pick up our next book, Enemy Women by Paulette Jiles.  Join us for an exciting evening of book discussion and Blackbird Bakery treats!

Our BPL Book Club is free to join and open to everyone.  If you would like to learn more about BPL Book Club, visit the Bristol Public Library or contact us at 276-645-8780 or ajohnson@bristol-library.org.

BPL Anime Theater: The Big O

The Bristol Public Library is offering a free showing of the first four episodes of the hit anime series The Big O (1999) on tonight at 5:30 p.m.  As part of the BPL Anime Theater, the library will also be offering snacks, drinks, and popcorn for all attendees!

Roger Smith is a negotiator; in fact, he’s Paradigm City’s best.  He solves problems for all sorts of people—and when things get dangerous, he has back up in the form of a giant robot named the Big O.  With his faithful servant Norman and the android, R. Dorothy, Roger defends Paradigm City, a city of lost memories with a past no one really knows.  A mixture of film noir and post-apocalyptic drama, The Big O is a fascinating series of action, adventure, and city-smashing giant robots.

Rated TV-PG.  4 episodes (approximately 120 minutes).

Free FAFSA Workshop

Ready to go to college?  Need help applying for scholarship or financial aid?

Then visit the Bristol Public Library on January 10, 2018, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. for assistance in submitting your FAFSA (Federal Application for Federal Student Aid), completing college admissions and scholarship applications.

January Calendar and Newsletter

This month, we're celebrating the new year with a brand new program series!  We'll kick off our "New Year, New You" campaign starting on January 2, 2018, with a special visit from Secure Money Masters for a seminar on financial planning at 5:30 p.m.  We're hosting a workshop on New Tech on January 8 at 5:30 p.m. in the JCC, a healthy habits seminar on January 10, a fire safety class on January 31, a self-defense workshop on February 3, and a free seminar on understanding credit reports and scores with ECU on February 6.

We'll also be offering canvas class, movies, book clubs, candle-making, and much more!

Please note:  Photography 101 is cancelled until further notice; however, we hope to have our photography classes back up and running very soon.  If you would like to receive more information about our photography classes or if you would like to have your name added to our wait list, please contact the Bristol Public Library at 276-645-8780 or email us at ajohnson@bristol-library.org.

Our BPL Anime Theater will meet on January 4, 2018, in the J. Henry Kegley Meeting Room at 5:30 p.m.  We'll be watching the first four episodes of The Big O (1999).  As part of our BPL Anime Theater, we'll also be offering snacks, drinks, and popcorn for all attendees.  All episodes of The Big O are rated TV-PG; run time is approximately 120 minutes.

We also have several movies planned for January, including a special presentation of Ever After (1998) on January 9 at 6:00 p.m..  We're showing Jamaica Inn (1983) on January 24 at 5:00 p.m. as part of our BPL Book Club Movie Night, and Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) on January 25 at 5:30 p.m. for our Classic Movie Corner.

And, don't forget, BPL Bingo begins on January 2, 2018!  We'll have book bingo cards available at both the Bristol Public Library and the Avoca Branch Library.  Participants can turn in completed cards to receive a special prize.  For more information, call the Bristol Public Library at 276-645-8780 or check out our BPL Book Bingo page on Facebook.

The Children's Department will continue to host storytime on Mondays at 11:30 a.m. and Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m, along with the American Girl Book Club on Mondays at 5:00 p.m. and the 8-12 year Old Book Club on Wednesdays at 5:00 p.m.  We're also hosting our Winter Reading program, starting on January 11.  Join us for fun crafts, movies, board games, and more!  We'll have new events each week, until February 15.

Plus, join us for Citrus' Birthday on January 29.  We'll have a birthday card for patrons and visitors to sign, and everyone is welcome to drop in to wish her a happy birthday.  She's going to be 14 this year, and we hope everyone will join us in celebrating with her!

The Avoca Branch Library is hosting their monthly Friends of the Library meeting on January 8, so don't forget to drop in during lunch at 12:00 p.m. to see what's happening in the library.  We'll also have the Nifty Fifty Adventure at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesdays, Children's Storytime at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesdays, and the Kids' Classic Book Club on Fridays at 4:00 p.m.

We're also planning our very first Creative & Crafty:  Canvas Class on January 20 at 2:00 p.m.  If you're interested in joining our class, please make sure to contact the Avoca Branch Library at 423-968-9663.

The Jones Creativity Center is full of new events!  We have Job Club at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesdays, Crochet Class & Club at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesdays, Adult Coloring at 2:00 p.m. on Thursdays, and Touch Typing at 10:00 a.m. on Fridays.  We're also planning on hosting a free FAFSA Workshop on January 10 at 3:00 p.m., a special seminar on Computer Privacy & You at 5:30 p.m. on January 29, and our Candy Lab program on January 31 at 6:00 p.m.  If you would like to learn more about our upcoming programs, make sure to contact the JCC at 276-645-8790.

Healthy Habits for the New Year

As part of our continuing "New Year, New You" program series, the Bristol Public Library is offering a free seminar on healthy habits.  Jonya Kennedy will be at the library on January 10, 2018, at 6:00 p.m. in the J. Henry Kegley Meeting Room to speak about healthy habits and how you can integrate them into your life.

Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about small, healthy habits that can have life-changing results.  No registration is required.  Simply drop in and join the library for this free seminar.  To learn more about our upcoming events, call 276-645-8780 or email at ajohnson@bristol-library.org.

BPL Winter Bingo

BPL Winter Bingo begins today!

Pick up a book Bingo card either at the Bristol Public Library or at the Avoca Branch Library.  We'll be giving out prizes and hosting fun programs, until February 28.  If you can't make it to the library, then check out our BPL Book Bingo group on Facebook to check out our bingo cards, chat with fellow participants, and offer book recommendations.

Financial Planning with Secure Money Masters

The Bristol Public Library is hosting a New Years’ Resolution program series this year called “Near Year, New You.”  As part of our new series, we’re offering a free workshop on financial planning today at 5:30 p.m. in the J. Henry Kegley Meeting Room.

With the assistance of Michael Bird and Secure Money Masters, visitors will have the opportunity to understand more about the basics of building a budget and learn more about creating a solid financial plan.  No registration is required.

For more information about upcoming events at the Bristol Public Library, please call at 276-645-8780 or email ajohnson@bristol-library.org.

Library Closing: New Years Day

The Bristol Public Library will be closed on January 1, 2018, for New Years Day.  We will reopen on January 2, 2018, at 9:00 a.m.