Hello Library Friends,

Later this month we say goodbye to Youth Services Manager, Teri Rankin, as she retires after 35 years of dedicated service to the residents of O’Fallon.  Her career has been marked by passion, creativity, and unwavering commitment to enriching the lives of young minds.

Teri's impact extends far beyond the library shelves, as she has been a guiding force in fostering a love for learning among generations of children. Her warm heart and nurturing spirit have created a vibrant and welcoming space where imaginations flourish.

Under Teri's leadership, the Youth Services Department has become a cornerstone of the community, providing not only a wealth of books but also a haven for exploration, curiosity, and the joy of discovery. Her efforts have left an indelible mark on the hearts of countless families who have benefited from her guidance, attention, and care.

As Teri embarks on a well-deserved retirement, we extend our deepest gratitude for her years of service, passion, and the lasting impact she has made on the community. May the next chapter bring her the same joy and fulfillment she has brought to the O'Fallon Public Library throughout her remarkable career. Congratulations, Teri, on an extraordinary journey!

Warm regards,

Ryan Johnson

OFPL Director

Fandom Club

The Fandom Club - Crafted by enthusiasts for enthusiasts. Whether you adore Anime, Disney, Superheroes, Kaiju, Dungeons and Dragons, or any niche genre, this club is tailored for you. Join us to engage in lively discussions, watch, and enjoy learning about our beloved shows, movies, and books.

Teens

Teri's Pick:

Elf Dog & Owl Head

by Junyi Wu

A mysterious dog with a jeweled collar and stunning speed shows up in Clay’s backyard.  She leads Clay into the woods on a path that he is not familiar with, and he notices strange creatures and unimaginable beings. They come upon a colony of people with the bodies of humans and the heads of owls. One such creature follows him home and tells him he must return the elf hound to the People Under the Mountain or his home and his family will be cursed, and his home destroyed. This intermediate-grade fantasy won a 2024 Newbery Honor Medal and is a delightful boy-meets-dog adventure!   

Sage's Pick:

Unholy Land

by Lavie Tidhar

Israeli-born Lavie Tidhar’s genre-bending, reality-warping novel, Unholy Land, asks a question of cost: what price would you pay – in blood or memories – to save six million people? Lior Tirosh, a divorced pulp fiction writer, slips between universes as a series of murders mar his return home to Palestine, an East African Jewish state established in the early 1900s. Tidhar crafts a haunting story that demands we look honestly at our relationships to power, our relationships to each other, and most of all, our relationship to grief.

Owlfred's Corner

Join Owlfred every month to discover more about the OFPL library staff. This month, he invites you to learn about our 
Youth Services Manager, 
Teri Rankin.

What kind of music do you like? I like Americana, Folk, (Roseanne Cash, Emmylou Harris, Nanci Griffith, Steve Earle), 70’s and I recently discovered Jacob Collier (He’s not a folk artist but so interesting and talented).  I love old songwriters like Steven Foster, Woody Guthrie, and Bob Dylan.

If you could get rid of one month out of the year, which month would it be?

 Definitely, January – too cold and long!

If you could speak any language, what would it be? Spanish.  Being fluent in Spanish would come in handy.

What fictional book world would you be a part of?  I think I would hike along with Cheryl on the Pacific Trail in the book Wild. I was so worried about her!!

Other than a great selection of books, what is something our library offers that you find exceptional?  I think it is the many educational kits and backpacks for kids.  We have games for reinforcing math, learning Spanish (I should check one out), and learning about science.

We have backpacks for having an outdoor adventure or a car trip.  The younger kids like our fairy tale and book character backpacks.

Romance & Regency with Bridgerton’s Julia Quinn

Engage in a lively discussion with Julia Quinn, the #1 New York Times bestselling and award-winning romance author, known for her nearly 40 novels, including the beloved series centered around the Bridgerton family. Explore the world of Quinn's popular novels in this vibrant conversation.