February Brings Full Calendar of Fun, Learning at Samuels Public Library

February may be a short month, but it is packed with activity at Samuels Public Library. Kaitlyn Leckliter, Adult Reference Manager, and Pat Lopreto, Assistant Youth Librarian, recently stopped by the Royal Examiner studio to share what’s coming up, and the message was clear: there’s something for everyone, from kids and teens to adults and seniors.

February is officially Love Your Library Month, and Samuels is celebrating in a special way. Patrons are invited to write love letters to the library, which will be displayed as part of a growing community quilt. Each letter helps raise funds during the library’s annual campaign, with donations matched up to $10,000. The project also celebrates 250 years of libraries and their role in bringing communities together.

Programs kick off early in the month with Groundhog Tales and Trails on Saturday, featuring a visit from Shenandoah River State Park to talk all things groundhog. Teens will step back in time with colonial cooking, learning what people ate 250 years ago, and yes, they get to eat the food they make.

Valentine’s Day brings extra sweetness with Paws to Read, where children ages 6 to 18 can read to therapy dogs, and Chocolate Fever, where participants will make chocolate lollipops and crunchy chocolate treats. Later in the month, teens can explore creativity with Teen Sense, learning how to make perfume and cologne.

Educational opportunities are also front and center. Trivia Night on February 10 focuses on the Winter Olympics, while Seniors First will host a workshop on protecting yourself from Medicare fraud on February 12. A popular Personal Archiving Series continues, teaching families how to preserve photos, documents, and memories for future generations.

One of the biggest events of the month arrives on February 21 with a giant game tournament, featuring oversized Jenga, Connect Four, cornhole, and checkers. These games will later become part of the library’s “Library of Things” collection, available for checkout.

Looking ahead, the library is also collecting supplies for a Craft Swap in early March and preparing for children’s music and dance programs tied to the community ceilidh fundraiser.

With programs happening nearly every day, the library continues to prove it’s more than books—it’s a gathering place for learning, creativity, and community.