The holiday season is in full swing at Collier County Public Libraries! Our branches have been putting up holiday-themed décor for our 65th anniversary as well as the county’s centennial for weeks and we want to spread the holiday cheer to our patrons by encouraging them to check out our digital resources.      

Looking for some great décor ideas for the holidays in December and January? We recommend taking a look on Flipster, the digital magazine service you can access for free with a Library card. The winter edition of Do it Yourself magazine will teach you how to create a whimsical winter wonderland in your house with colorful wreaths, tablecapes, and ornaments. The December issue of Better Homes and Gardens will inspire you with its modern take on decorating with a holiday classic – the poinsettia. If you’re interested in exploring your creativity in the kitchen this season, look no further than the December issue of Food Network Magazine. The latest issue includes over 97 recipes for you to try out this holiday season, ranging from delectable-looking pecan praline cookies to stunning salmon and kale salads with a white bean dressing.              

Flipster can be accessed from your computer at home or on any smart device, making them especially useful if you are traveling to visit family and friends this holiday season. If you want to learn more about our digital resources, visit our website at CollierLibrary.org!

LOCATION SPOTLIGHT

This month we’re highlighting the Golden Gate Branch Library located at 2432 Lucerne Road inside Golden Gate City. The original Golden Gate library was built in 1978, pictured to the right, but in 2008 Collier County built a new library building to take its place. The current Golden Gate Library building contains a computer lab that holds over 14 computers for patrons to use, ample desk and table space for studying, as well as a wonderful children’s room that hosts a Storytime every Monday morning at 10:30!

Golden Gate Library is now also offering a homework center every Monday- Wednesday from  3-6 pm. The homework center is staffed by former educators who can assist students from gradesK-12 with homework problems or projects. Snacks are provided for the students as well. This program is free and requires no registration!

We hope to see you at the Golden Gate Library soon!

A Word From Youth Services

Read for the Record Results
Congratulations Collier County! On October 27th, 77 children read “Nigel and the Moon” during special events at Collier County libraries! They also enjoyed an edible craft featuring the phases of the moon. It was out of this world!

100 Years of Collier County Continues!
We are celebrating the Library’s 65th Birthday. Did you know that on May 8, 2023 Collier County will be 100 years old? In the libraries, our youth departments have already begun celebrating. In October we posted 100 pumpkins and in November we numbered 100 Turkeys.  December’s goal is to gather 100 gingerbread men. Visit Colliercounty100.com to learn more information.

Activities for Parents:
Can your child count to 100? Can they count by fives? (5, 10, 15, 20, etc.)
Can your child count 100 items in your house? Easy items are dry macaroni or paper clips.
Can your child read 100 words? 100 pages?
Can your child make change for a dollar?  Use only quarters or dimes, then add nickels and   pennies.

Happy counting!

Virtual Book Discussions
CCPL Virtual Book Club is taking a break in December.
Happy Holidays and we will see you in January!

In-Person Discussions
Mystery Book Club
Monday, December 12 @ 2:00pm
Naples Regional Library

Holiday Readers' Roundtable Discussion
Thursday, Dec 1 @ 2:00pm
Golden Gate Library

"The Christmas Menorahs: How a Town Fought Hate"
by Janice Cohn
Wednesday, Dec 28 at 2:00pm
South Regional Library

Find us at collierlibrary.org/events to check for more events and sign up online to get back to talking about books!
Bakerita: 100+ No-Fuss Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, and Refined Sugar-Free Recipes
for the Modern Baker by Rachel Conners
Amazingly delicious and beautiful gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, and refined sugar–free desserts from the popular Bakerita blog.

The William Greenberg Desserts Cookbook: Classic Desserts from an Iconic New York City Bakery by Carol Becker
A slice of classic New York with sweet recipes that cover every craving, from rugelach to lemon bars to matzoh walnut brownies and coconut layer cake.

Martha Stewart's Fruit Desserts: 100+ Delicious Ways to Savor the Best of Every Season: A Baking Book by Martha Stewart
Gorgeous seasonal fruits abound in Martha Stewart's collection of 100+ dependable recipes for crumbles, crisps, pies, buckles, and more.

My Sweet Mexico: Recipes for Authentic Pastries, Breads, Candies, Beverages, and Frozen Treats by Fany Gerson
With its blend of beloved standards from across Mexico and inventive, flavor-forward new twists, My Sweet Mexico is the only guide you need to explore the delightful universe of Mexican treats.

Delish Insane Sweets: Bake Yourself a Little Crazy: 100+ Cookies, Bars, Bites, and Treats by Joanna Saltz
This indulgent book will appeal to food lovers who bake the way most of us do—sometimes with a boxed mix, sometimes from scratch; as therapy for a bad day; or to impress friends on Girls’ Night.

The Last Course: The Desserts of Gramercy Tavern by Claudia Fleming
The Last Course contains 175 mouthwatering recipes that are organized seasonally by fruits, vegetables, nuts, herbs and flowers, spices, sweet essences, dairy, and chocolate. In the final chapter, Fleming suggests how to combine and assemble desserts from the previous chapters to create the ultimate composed desserts. Each chapter and each composed dessert is paired with a selection of wines.

Daisy Cakes Bakes: Keepsake Recipes for Southern Layer Cakes, Pies, Cookies, and More : A Baking Book by Kim Nelson
Nelson brings Southern heritage baking into your home with these recipes for cakes, cookies, pies, cobblers, and more. The flavors are rich and nostalgic, the recipes simple to make, and her stories and guidance will inspire both beginner and experienced bakers.

Food52 genius desserts: 100 recipes that will change the way you bake by Kristen Miglore
With just the right answers for every moment that needs a sweet (so, pretty much every moment). When you're not a baker but you need the birthday cake. When you've tried every chocolate mousse but haven't found one that sticks. When you're short on time and want your efforts in the kitchen to count.

Have Your Cake and Eat It: Nutritious, Delicious Recipes for Healthier Everyday Baking by Mich Turner
Celebrity baker Mich Turner cooks up a smarter take on sweet treats so you can eat your cake and enjoy it, too! Her yummy recipes, which include cakes, cookies, and cupcakes, offer healthier choices with substitutions for refined sugar and the addition of superfoods.

Bobbette & Belle: Classic Recipes from the Celebrated Pastry Shop: A Baking Book by Allyson Bobbitt and Sarah Bell
Over 100 recipes and variations including classic cookies and bars; cupcakes and layer cakes; loaves, scones, bundts and tortes; crumbles, tarts and pies; French macarons; confections and more to create your own magical world of sweets at home.

Milk & Cardamom: Spectacular Cakes, Custards and More, Inspired by the Flavors of India by Hetal Vasavada
Simple techniques and smart shortcuts make it easy to create familiar flavors or experiment with new ones. With delectable ingredients like ginger, cardamom, saffron, fennel and rose, every bite is worth celebrating.

Red Truck Bakery Cookbook: Gold-standard Recipes from America's Favorite Rural Bakery by Brian Noyes and Nevin Martell
Shares recipes from the rural Virginia bakery for such favorites as Southern shoofly pie, wild raspberry buckle, sweet potato pecan pie, persimmon cookies, and bourbon balls.

Sweets & Treats with Six Sisters' Stuff: 100+ Desserts, Gift Ideas, and Traditions for the Whole Family by Six Sisters Stuff
Whether quick-and-easy, imaginative show-stoppers, special occasion, holiday-themed or adorably cute and kid-friendly, this new Six Sisters' Stuff cookbook features 110 scrumptious homemade dessert recipes, covering every sweet tooth craving.

Tea at the Palace: A Cookbook: 50 Delicious Afternoon Tea Recipes by Carolyn Robb
The former royal chef to TRH The Prince & Princess of Wales, Prince William and Prince Harry shares 50 of her best-loved recipes fit for any teatime event.  Carolyn Robb presents sumptuous recipes for delectable sweet and savory tea-time treats, which are tied to twelve of Britain’s best-loved royal palaces and castles.

Baking for the Holidays: 50+ Treats for a Festive Season by Sarah Kieffer
This is the kind of indulgent sharable, calories-don't-count baking we dream about all year round. Kieffer shares recipes for brunches, parties, cookies swaps, and gift-giving. Perfect for any cozy day, these baked goods will get you through the long winter months after the holidays have ended.

Christmas Baking: Festive Cookies, Candies, Cakes, Breads, and Snacks to Bring Comfort and Joy to Your Holiday by Joyce Klynstra and Laura Klynstra
Irresistible cookies, cakes, confections, snacks, and breads to make and share during the most wonderful time of the year.

Upgrade to Libby
In early 2023, the OverDrive app will be discontinued. Make the switch to Libby today and keep reading with Collier County Public Library anywhere and anytime. Libby is made by the same people from Overdrive, with the same goal of connecting you to your library and to your favorite books and audiobooks. Staff are ready to help you make the switch if you need assistance, just call or stop by your local branch.

Download Libby from your app store or visit libbyapp.com to get started.

If you have any questions or want to learn more please visit https://www.overdrive.com/apps/libby/switchtolibby