Celebrate the Season on a Budget with Help from Bellevue Public Library
Celebrate the Season on a Budget with Help from Bellevue Public Library
by Melissa Moore, Library Technical Services Staff
The Bellevue Public Library Is Here to Help with Holiday Cheer
It’s November and the holidays are racing our way! We all want to enjoy the festivities with family and friends, but with prices on the rise we’re all looking to capture the holiday spirit without emptying our bank accounts in the process. So, before you start your holiday planning, check out the Bellevue Public Library for free and helpful resources. You’ll be amazed at everything we have to offer!
Books
Well, of course, there are books! It’s a library! But have you stopped to consider the wide variety available?
- Picture books and novels: It doesn’t matter if you’re 6 or 106, there’s nothing quite like a book to make you stop and enjoy the spirit of the season. Snag a copy of A Cranberry Thanksgiving or A Christmas Carol, old and new seasonal favorites.
- Books on history, customs, and religion: It’s easy to get lost in the consumerism that surrounds our end-of-the-year holidays, so it’s important to step back at times and take a good look at what they’re really about.
- Cookbooks: Cookbooks! COOKBOOKS! Whether you’re just looking for a new cookie recipe or need to find a vegan dish for your sister-in-law, with over 1,200 cookbooks on the shelves, it’s almost guaranteed there’s something perfect for your needs.
- Arts & Crafts books: What better way to make the holidays extra special than with handmade decorations and gifts? No matter your age, skill level, or interest, we’ve got the books to get you started.
- Decorating books and magazines: For when you just need a little inspiration.
Take Home Supplies
Get crafty in the comfort of your own home with these take-home supplies:
- Stamp Kits: Themed stamp kits are available for checkout, 5 per account. Perfect for cardmaking and scrapbooking! Ink pads not included.
- Cake Pans: ’Tis the season to bake, bake, bake! Come in for themed cake pans to make a beautiful bundt cake or an adorable Christmas tree cake!
- Craft Kits: Every month, the library provides a variety of take-home craft kits for kids, teens, and adults, and November and December are no different. Check out our website at bellevuelibrary.org to see upcoming crafts. See one you like? Check the webpage’s event calendar, select the craft, and click the register button to sign up. Registrations open Sundays at 8:00 am, and the kits can be picked up from Monday to Friday. Slots fill up fast, so don’t delay!
Take Home Entertainment
Family and friends are coming to visit, so how do you keep them busy while the turkey is in the oven?
- Movies: The BPL has a great DVD collection! Check out up to 10 DVDs per account at a time. Need to find something for someone else but aren’t familiar with their preferred genre? Pick up a Binge Box! It’s 10 themed DVDs per box for them to pick from. Even better, you can check out one Binge Box and 10 individual DVDs together. That’s 20 movies!
- CDs: A little music for your get-togethers and shopping trips never goes amiss.
- Jigsaw puzzles and tabletop games: Turn off the TV and gather around the table! It’s time to play!
Libby
If you’re too busy to come in or spending the holidays traveling, our online library app Libby is available with thousands of books and audiobooks and an enormous archive of magazines. Just download the Libby app to your phone or tablet, register with your active library card number and four-digit PIN, and have immediate access. Items check out up to two weeks and return themselves automatically. No worrying about late fees or forgetting your book on the plane!
Makerspace
For those looking to take their DIY project to the next level, the Bellevue Library hosts over a dozen specialized machines available for public use in our makerspace, including:
- Beamnova Button Maker
- Bettersub Mug Press
- Canon Large Format Printer
- Cricut Maker
- Die Cut Machine
- EENOUR Tumbler Press
- Elegoo Neptune 4 Max Large 3D Printer
- Epson Pigment & Ink Printer
- Fellows Laminator
- Ibico Binding System
- Janome Memory Embroidery Machine
- 2 Prusa MK4 3D Printers
- Riley Hopkins 150 Screen Printing Press
- Sawgrass 500 Sublimation Printer
- Sewing Machines
- Shapeoko CNC Router
- Sizzix Machine
- Universal Laser Cutter
These machines are free to use, but additional materials must be brought in or purchased “at cost” from the library. The makerspace is in high demand over the holidays and requires appointments to be made in advance, so plan accordingly. No drop-in appointments will be accepted. To make an appointment request or ask questions, email refrequest@bellevue.net.
Outside Entertainment
Getting a little stir crazy? Check these out!
Leisure Passes: The Bellevue Library provides family passes free of charge to our patrons to the following attractions:
- Durham Museum
- Omaha Children’s Museum
- Fontenelle Forest
- Lauritzen Gardens
- Kiewit Luminarium
These passes are now available through online reservation at http://bellevuelibrary.libcal.com or by calling 402-293-3157 up to 30 days in advance. Be aware, the passes can only be reserved by someone 18 or older and each pass has its own use restrictions. Once reserved, a digital pass will be sent to your email. If the pass cannot be displayed on your phone, it may be printed at home or by the library free of charge.
Zoo Passes: On Friday, December 1st, the library will be handing out one-time use family passes to the Henry Doorly Zoo to patrons in good standing. These passes are handed out on a first come, first-served basis and cannot be reserved in advance.
Music: Ring of Flutes will be performing at the library Wednesday, December 3rd at 6:30 pm, and the Bit of Bronze bell choir will be performing Thursday, December 4th at 9:00 am. These concerts are open to the public with no library membership required.
Craft classes: The library hosts craft and recreation activities every month. These activities are free of charge with all materials provided. Please register for each activity on our website bellevuelibrary.org so that we know how much material to prepare. Feel free to invite family and friends, as library membership is not required. Age restrictions may apply.
Miscellaneous
- Holiday Wrapping Station: During the month of December, the library will provide free wrapping paper and supplies to the public.
- Book Store: The Book Store is open every day and year-round. Prices range from 10¢ to $2.00 for regular items, with specialty pricing for antique books, making it a great place to find a gift on a tight budget.
- Handmade Cards: Retired children’s librarian and full-time library supporter, Allison Boeckman’s cards are handmade, entirely unique, and at $2 apiece, an absolute steal. All funds raised go directly to support the Bellevue Public Library and its programming.
- 3D Printed Dragons and Blob Friends: The Bellevue Library sells $10 dragons and $5 Blob friends in a variety of designs and colors printed from our very own makerspace. These highly collectible figures make great gifts, and proceeds help raise funds for additional equipment and materials for the makerspace. A gift for loved ones and the community all in one!
Holiday Hours
- Tuesday, Nov. 11th – Veteran’s Day: Closed All Day
- Wednesday, Nov. 26th – Thanksgiving Eve: Closing at 5:00 pm
- Thursday, Nov. 27th – Thanksgiving: Closed All Day
- Friday, Nov. 28th – Closed All Day
- Wednesday, Dec. 24th – Closing at 12:00 pm
- Thursday, Dec. 25th – Christmas: Closed All Day
- Wednesday, Dec. 31st – New Year’s Eve: Closing at 12:00 pm
- Thursday, Jan. 1st – New Year’s Day: Closed All Day
Whether you’re staying on budget or just looking for a bit of seasonal cheer, make the Bellevue Public Library a part of your holiday traditions. We’re always happy to see you!
