By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The Hays Public Library is launching 2023 with three new programs.
The library has launched a new events series called hobby jumping.
"It's kind of a fun way for people to try out some new things to see if they think it's a hobby they want to explore," Callie Kolacny, library communications coordinator, said.
Hobby jumping will be offered twice a month at 5 p.m. on the first and third Mondays. A new topic will be introduced each month. January's topic is easy chair yoga.
February's topic will be amateur geology, March's topic will be bread making, and April's topic will be nature journaling.
"It's just a fun way to learn about something different and see if you want to explore it further," Kolacny said.
The library will be launching a spice series at 6 p.m Jan. 12 and it will run every Thursday night through Feb. 9. The program is a partnership with Moburts Specialty Grocery of Topeka.
See below for a list of the topics that will be covered.
"I believe there will be some samples for people each week," Kolacny said. "It is something for the cooks to explore in our area."
If you are further interested in the culinary arts, the library has relaunched its Cookbook Club after a break during the pandemic. That group meets at 11 a.m. on the second Thursday of the month. Home cooks can make and bring a dish from one of the two cookbooks selected for the month.
This month's books are "Marvel Eat the Universe: The Official Cookbook" and "House of Vinegar: The Power of Sour."
The library is adding a Fantasy Book Club to its list of reading groups. That group will meet at 6 p.m. on the last Monday of the month. The first club meeting will be on Jan. 30.
The group will look at sub-genres of fantasy with gothic fantasy on the agenda for the first month. The book will be "Sabriel" by Garth Nix.
This joins the Cozy Mystery and True Crime book clubs. The Kansas Room is doing its own book club. A discussion on "The Worst Hard Time" by Timothy Egan will be at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 12 in person and at 7 p.m. Jan. 17 online.
See a list of the Hays Public Library's Top 10 most popular fiction and non-fiction books for 2022.
The Hays Public Library Foundation will have an Afternoon Tea Party from 2 to 4 p.m. Feb. 5. Tickets are $35 and are on sale now through the library website.
A full list of library events can be found on its website, hayslibrary.org. This includes a long list of activities for children and teens, including a Bluey Party at 1 p.m. March 25. Bluey will appear in person.
Print copies of the event calendars are also available at the library.