Top 10 things to do this Winter Break for FREE at the Library

School is almost out for winter break and the Louisville Free Public Library is ready to help keep families engaged and entertained, without putting a dent in your budget. All LFPL branches offer free activities for children, teens, and caregivers throughout the winter break (closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day), including a variety of craft and maker workshops, dance parties, hands-on learning, movie screenings, teen challenges, and more!

1. Vie for the title of puzzle master at a Teen Jigsaw Puzzle Race (Dec. 21, 2-3:30 p.m. @ Main), or try to escape not one, but three rooms at Northeast’s Teen Escape Room Challenge (Jan. 2, 1-5 p.m. @ Northeast Regional Library)
2. The whole family can relax and create together at special Mindfulness Storytimes at Western Library (Dec. 23 & 30, 6 p.m., for kids ages 0-10 and their families), or drop-in to make winter crafts over hot cocoa at Shively Library (Jan. 2, 2:30-4:30 p.m., ages 0-10).
3. Dress to get messy at a Slime Party at Main (Dec. 30, 2 p.m.), or get creative with glue and paint at Crescent Hill’s Winter Crafts & Games (Dec. 23, 2-4 p.m., ages 4-10).
4. Young book fans can read to a dog (Jan. 2, 3 p.m. @ St. Matthews Library, ages 5-10 & Jan. 4, 2-3:30 p.m. @ Northeast Regional Library), get cozy with snacks and a good book at Silent Book Club (Dec. 28, 2 p.m. @ South Central Regional Library, ages 8-12), and meet new friends at the Little Bookworms Book Club (Jan. 2, 1:30 p.m. @ Iroquois, ages 6-11.
5. Celebrate New Year’s Eve early with a NYE Storytime (Dec. 31, 10:30 a.m. @ Northeast Regional Library), NYE Dance Party (Dec. 31, 11 a.m. @ Iroquois Library), NYE Around the World (Dec. 31, 2 p.m. @ Main Library), and a Noon Year’s Eve Party (Dec. 31, 11 a.m. @ South Central Regional Library).
6. Our youngest patrons are invited to try out percussion instruments while their parents chat at a Musical Baby Play Group (Jan. 4, 10:30am @ Middletown Library, ages 0-2), or take in a storytime at any Library branch.
7. Kids & teens are invited to the Shawnee Library to learn the basics of cooking (Jan. 2, 3 p.m.) and discover their green thumb at an indoor plant session (Jan. 3, 3 p.m.).
8. Learn how to play loteria in both Spanish and English / Acompáñenos a jugar lotería Vamos a jugar de forma bilingüe Española e Ingles. (Jan. 2, 6 p.m. @ Iroquois Library)
9. Teens can get out of the house and meet up at an indoor snowball fight (Jan. 2, 2-3:30 p.m. @ Main Library), or grab snacks and a movie at a teens-only Holiday Party (Dec. 23, 2-4 p.m. @ Shawnee).
10. READ! There is always a good book to check out at your local library branch.    

These are just a few of the many free activities hosted by your Louisville Free Public Library. In addition, we offer a wide selection of books, eBooks, audiobooks, DVDs, and streaming videos to keep kids and teens reading and entertained during the break—all for free!  For a full list of activities and registration information, go to www.LFPL.org/winterbreak, or call (502) 574-1611. 

New Year's Eve Parties at Louisville Parks and Recreation Community Centers

All Louisville Parks and Recreation Community Centers will be hosting Noon Year's Eve celebrations on December 31 from 11:30 - 1 p.m. This is a free event!

Flu and other respiratory illnesses are increasing in Louisville

The Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness has received increasing reports of flu, COVID-19, Whooping Cough (pertussis) and RSV cases in the past two weeks. Outbreaks of flu have been reported in congregate and educational settings. Visits to emergency departments and hospital admission for influenza are increasing across the state. “There is no more ‘flu season is around the corner.’ Flu is here,” said Dr. Kris Bryant, infectious disease specialist for Norton Children’s and associate medical director for LMPHW. “We are also well into RSV season, but we’ve not yet reached the peak. Cases continue to climb.” Staying healthy “No one wants to miss holiday gatherings because they’re sick,” said Dr. Bryant.  "There are several steps all of us can take to reduce our risk of getting a respiratory virus so we can do more of the things we enjoy.” Make sure you and your children up to date with your vaccines, including flu vaccine Wash your hands often. Sneeze or cough into your elbow or tissues. Stay home if you’re sick. Consider wearing a mask if you are high-risk for serious illness. Dr. Bryant notes that while many viral illnesses just need to run their course, there are antiviral medications are available to treat influenza. “These medications are recommended as soon as possible for anyone with severe, complicated, or progressive illness or anyone at higher risk for influenza complications. People at higher risk include those less than 5 years of age, those 65 years and older and individuals with chronic health conditions, including body mass index of 40 kg/m2 or higher,” said Dr. Bryant. “Antiviral treatment can be considered for otherwise healthy people if it can be started within 48 hours of illness.” New dashboard tracks flu cases in Jefferson County LMPHW has a new Influenza (Flu) Surveillance Dashboard. This interactive tool is designed to provide preliminary weekly totals for cases, flu-related deaths, and outbreaks within Jefferson County, using data from the National Electronic Disease Surveillance System. Information is collected from hospitals, laboratories, and private provider offices. The dashboard provides numbers across several different categories: Gender Race Ethnicity Age groups (adults or children) Location by ZIP code Please note that these figures are preliminary and may change over time. The dashboard will be refreshed weekly as new information becomes available. To learn more information about flu and other respiratory illnesses, please visit our website. To schedule your flu vaccine, contact your healthcare provider, local pharmacy or visit vaccines.gov.

Robbery Prevention Tips From LMPD

Avoid poorly lit areas. If you must walk through such areas, walk purposefully and with an air of confidence. When walking to your vehicle, have your car keys in hand, before walking across the parking lot. When you enter your vehicle, immediately lock your doors. When driving, keep your doors locked at all times and your car windows rolled up to the point that an arm can't be stuck into your vehicle. When possible, don't walk alone or on dark streets, or take short cuts through deserted area. Avoid displaying large amounts of cash, and keep tempting targets, such as jewelry, as hidden as much as possible. Before you use a bank's automated teller machine, be observant. Look around the area for people loitering. If you see a suspicious person or persons, do not use that machine at that time. Whenever possible, park your car in a well-lit area and as close to an open business as possible.

Employment Opportunities

Metro Parks & Recreation is Hiring

Employment with Louisville Parks and Recreation is a great opportunity to connect with nature and the community! We have employment opportunities throughout each division (aquatics, recreation, golf, community engagement, Jefferson Memorial forest) for both full-time and part-time positions. 

Visit bestparksever.com for more information on employment opportunities! 

Job Opportunities

Metro Public Works & Assets is Hiring

Serve the Louisville community through a rewarding public service career! The Department of Metro Public Works & Assets is currently hiring.

IMPORTANT! The link below is for all of Metro jobs currently open. To learn about career opportunities specifically in Public Works, once you've clicked the link, follow these 3 easy steps:

1. click the filter tab
2. click Departments
3. click Public Works on the dropdown menu

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/louisvilleky

Metro Public Health & Wellness is Hiring

Are you interested in improving the health and wellness of all residents of our city? If the answer is yes, we invite you to be a part of a dedicated team. Visit our Metro jobs center page to learn more about various career opportunities in public health.

For more information, please email LMPHWCareers@louisvilleky.gov.