Good afternoon, Dear Library Friends! 

On Wednesday, January 18, 2023, Brian Cheslack resigned from the Delray Beach Public Library Board of Directors. Brian has served on the Board of Directors for nearly two decades, beginning his service in 2003. Upon his resignation, Brian was serving as the Board’s Vice President. Brian’s resignation surprised me as does any change to such a long-standing, fixed reality. His loss from our board is one I feel both professionally and personally. 

First the professional loss:

Mr. Cheslack had tremendous institutional knowledge of our library and is the only member of the standing board who had served at the old library location on 4^th Avenue (where the IPIC Theatres are now). Brian is a lawyer (Gunster Law Firm) and his legal expertise has been valuable over the years beyond measure. He was (and I’m sure will always be) very calm in demanding situations. His commitment to the library was without peer, attending every board meeting without fail as well as attending every city commission meeting that involved the future of the library. The thing that I most respected Brian for, along with his incredible sense of civic responsibility, was his unwavering passion for a free and independent library; a quality of increasing importance as both public and school librarians forge ahead into the future. 

In short, Brian was always there when called upon. And he was called upon often. 

Now the personal: 

I have gotten to know Brian well over the years in a professional capacity and have become very familiar with his compassion for people and his warmth via his interaction with library staff. When meeting Brian on Library business or at monthly board meetings, Brian always inquired about my father – just to see how he is doing. My father is in a Memory Care facility in Fort Myers, and Brian’s concern was evident whenever I described my father’s condition and status. 

My visits across the state to my father have become increasingly frequent. Brian always assured me: Family comes first. Go take care of your dad. We got this.

I will miss you, Brian. 

If anyone has any questions or concerns, please let me know. And, as always, be safe, well-read, and happy.

Mykal Banta, Executive Director
Delray Beach Public Library
561-266-9488
[email protected]

The Delray Beach Public Library is proud to partner with the Kiwanis Club of Delray Beach for their "On a Roll" Donation Drive, benefitting Orchard View Elementary School.

We have exciting news to share! Thanks to the Virginia and Harvey Kimmel Family Fund, our newly acquired Launchpads are here! Borrow one today! Screentime that equals learning? YES! Launchpad learning tablets are loaded with a world of learning with apps, videos, storybooks, games just for kids. 100% secure. No internet needed. We are grateful that the Kimmels are always supporting the library in providing engaging and exciting new materials, technology and programming for your children to learn and enjoy. Stop by and check them out! 

Library on the Go! "Global Music and Group Games"

Meets Wednesday, January 25th
@3:30 PM 
Ages 2 – 7

Join Children’s Librarian, Ms. Tea, and the Library On the Go golf cart at Merritt Park for an engaging, age-specific, pop-up library program featuring themes of cultural diversity, educational advocacy, environmental awareness and community care!

January’s program, “Global Music & Group Games” will feature stories and children’s music that hail from around the world! Ms. Lovely will get our bodies warmed up with an interactive song in Creole, Ms. Fernanda will lead an interactive Spanish-English Story Time and mindfulness for ages 2 - 4, and Ms. Tea will lead an international story and group games for ages 5 – 7.  

Location: Merritt Park at 316 SW 2nd Ave. Delray Beach, FL 33444. Please email tammeric.scurry@delraylibrary to confirm attendance. A sign-in sheet will be provided on site. No registration required.

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten

Meets Thursday, January 26th
@10:00 AM
Ages 0 - 5 

We want to commemorate your child’s reading journey thus far, so all families with children who have registered for our 1000 Books Before Kindergarten initiative and those who would like to sign up, join us for a story time, some activities and a celebration! Children who have already reached a milestone in the number of books read will receive special acknowledgement.

Register for 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten

Bonjou! Bilingual Creole Storytime

Meets 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, February 14th & 28th @ 3:30 PM Ages 5 – 7 

Join Ms. Marie for a bilingual Haitian Creole and English story time with interactive activities, crafts, and a whole lot of fun! Families are welcome to participate. 

Register for Bonjou! Bilingual Creole Storytime

English for Families

Meets Tuesdays and Thursdays,
Feb. 21 thru March 30*
@ 5:30 - 7PM (Dinner provided) 

(*No class March 21 & 23 - Spring Break) 

Ages 10 to 12 years
plus an adult family member or friend 

English for Families is a series of interactive classes for kids and their parents that focuses on developing English vocabulary and literacy skills through strategic and fun story reading and activities.  Designed specifically for individuals whose native language is not English (ESOL), the goal is to develop the literacy skills of the whole family. With the help of an English teacher, the path is created for success at work and school. 

Every student/family will receive a free Oxford Picture Dictionary along with some other giveaways. The program meets twice a week for five weeks for a total of 10 sessions. Dinner provided. Space is limited. 

FREE; registration is required by February 15.

This program is a partnership between the Florida Humanities and Delray Beach Public Library.  Funding for this program was provided by Florida Humanities and sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture, and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture. 

Register for English for Families

Teen Book Club

New!? 2023 Teen Book Club
Ages 13-17? 

Complete Fantasy Series
Teen Book Subscription Box? 

New Series! Three Dark Crowns (Complete Series – 3 books) by Kendare Blake

Tuesday, February 7th, @ 5:00-6:00pm in the Teen Room, 2nd Floor & via Zoom? 

Tuesday, February 21st, @ 5:00-6:00pm in the Teen Room, 2nd Floor & via Zoom? 

Online registration will open on January 24th.  

Pssst! Check this out!? A FREE monthly teen book subscription full of one-of-a-kind collection items, and specially curated products for teen readers!? Each box will include all the books in a fantasy series, plus self-care products to help you set the mood and unplug from the world and read! All free for you to keep!  

We will meet Face-to-Face (F2F) and via Zoom meeting on the 1st?and 3rd?Tuesday of every month in the Teen Room, 2nd Floor & via Zoom. Quantities are limited to 12 Teen Subscription Boxes each month, so register now to reserve your very own September Teen Book Subscription Box!?? 

Attending the Teen Book Club Discussions is required.? Must join the Teen Book Club’s Remind group @dbpltbc for updates and Zoom links.   

Register for Teen Book Club

Manga Club

Tuesday, February 14^th
5:00pm-6:00pm
In the Teen Room, 2nd Floor
Manga is one of Japan’s most popular forms of entertainment that made international success since the 1960s! If you are interested in or curious about manga, join us at the Teen Room to discuss and share your favorite titles. Checkout out the library’s extensive manga collection and discover a new manga series to add to your TBR list!
Online registration is required.

Register for Manga Club

Teen Volunteers Needed

Be a part of our volunteer team! The Delray Beach Public Library has a wide variety of volunteer opportunities for young adults. Volunteer activities include program preparation, shelving, tutoring, and more. Sign-up today and be a helpful member of our library community!  

Download the Teen Volunteer Application Form below.

Scan the completed form and send it to [email protected] 

Get Teen Volunteer Application Form

Where the Poem Takes Me and Why

Where the Poem Takes Me and Why 
Saturday, January 28 @ 2-4:30PM 

Seven local poets will read poems by other poets and share their thoughts on why they picked them, followed by a Q&A session. This free winter reading event is an opportunity to bring together the poetry community and see how a poet’s mind works – and delights itself – while approaching another poet’s work. Presented in partnership with The Cream Literary Alliance. Free; registration not required. 

Register for Where the Poem Takes Me and Why

Résumé Coaching with Merrill

Résumé Coaching with Merrill
Tuesdays from January 3, 2023 through March 14, 2023

Applicants will have a 45-minute private session by appointment only at the Library starting at 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Applicants must obtain a free Delray Beach Public Library card to use this service and are asked to bring a printed copy of their most recent resume or work history. Attendees are also asked to arrive 15 minutes before their appointment to complete an important questionnaire.

Important: Appointments must be selected before the library closes by 8pm on the Monday prior to the appointment scheduled. Late reservations/arrivals will not be admitted and will have to be rescheduled. Walk-ins will not be admitted.

Register for Résumé Coaching with Merrill

Sneak Peek at February

Loving (Biography/Drama, 2016, 123 minutes, Rated: PG-13)  
Wednesday, February 1 @ 1 pm 

The story of Richard and Mildred Loving, a couple whose arrest for interracial marriage in 1960s Virginia began a legal battle that would end with the Supreme Court's historic 1967 decision. 

The Butler (Biography/Drama, 2013, 132 minutes, Rated: PG-13) 
Wednesday, February 8 @ 1 pm 

As Cecil Gaines serves eight presidents during his tenure as a butler at the White House, the civil rights movement, Vietnam, and other events affect this man's life, family, and American society. 

Home of the Brave (Documentary, 2004, 75 minutes, Not Rated) 
Wednesday, February 15 @ 1 pm 

Documentary on the civil rights activist, Viola Liuzzo, a white woman who was murdered in 1965 as she campaigned for black suffrage in Selma, Alabama, and its effect on her family. 

Rejoice & Shout (Documentary, 2010, 115 minutes, Rated: PG) 
Wednesday, February 22 @ 1 pm  

A jubilant journey through Gospel music's 200-year-history. 

Register for Films for Black History Month

Publish or Perish!

Publish or Perish!  
Saturday, February 4 @ 1-4:30PM 
Cost: $75

Half-Day Seminar featuring: 

You’ve finished writing your manuscript, now what? Update: the publishing industry today. 
Barbara Cronie, director of The Writers’ Colony and president of Editing Par Excellence 

Query letters that work. The all-important pitch. 
Catherina Hill, moderator of “Open Read” 

From brainstorm to bookstore 
Al Pessin, author of the thriller series: “Sandblast”, “Blowback”, and “Shock Wave” from Kensington Publishers;  multi-award-winning Writers’ Colony member, Al shares his top tips on the writing and publishing process and tells the twisted tale of how he went from brainstorm to bookstore. 

How to self-publish 
Greg Morse is the author of The Untested, a novel, which received a “recommend” rating from Kirkus Reviews and won second place in The Best Fiction Writer Competition by the Palm Beach Book Festival (2021). 

Register for Publish or Perish!

Besties Book Club Subscription Box

What’s in each box? Everything you'll need for a Besties Night Out with a book! Enjoy two copies of a hardcover book by a bestselling author. Plus, self-care goodies to help you unplug and disconnect from the world, soothe your senses, and immerse yourselves into your book fix! Some cookies, taffy, chocolate, teas, and cocoa may also be included. Bookmarks, book deets, author info and discussion questions are included.  

How much is it? Free! Just bring your Delray Beach Public Library Card. 

What’s the catch? No catch! Simply register for the Besties Book Club Subscription Box, and we will reserve a box for you and your bestie.  We will call you to come check it out!  Checkout periods are 3 weeks, and the books are renewed automatically twice! All you need to return are the books and the box.  All other goodies are yours to enjoy for free, forever!   

Register for Besties Book Club

3D Printing and Design with TinkerCAD

Thursday, January 26, 2023 @ 10:00 am
Receive an introduction to 3D printing at the Delray Beach Public Library. View a demonstration of one of the library's 3D printers. See how to create a free TinkerCAD account and get started making your own designs. Then learn how to send a request for 3D Printing your design at the library.

Register for 3D Printing and Design with TinkerCAD

Learn Basic Cricut Design

Session 6: Iron-on Basics
Friday, February 3, 2023

Learn about the many projects you can do with iron-on or heat transfer vinyl (HTV)! Step-by-step tutorial for a beginner’s heat transfer project, including tips and tricks for working with this material.

Register for Learn Basic Cricut Design

Computer Basics

Monday, February 6, 2023 2:00 pm
2nd Floor Computer Lab.

Learn the basics of the PC, introduce yourself to the mouse and keyboard, learn your way around the desktop and work with multiple windows. 

Register for Computer Basics