Cure the winter blues at the Cody library

She highlighted the Planetree Health Resource Center. This quiet, private corner of the library houses a collection maintained in cooperation with Cody Regional Health. Planetree is between the reference library and the Coe Reading Room.

Research computers are available in this space. Topics such as mental health, mental disorders, physical or emotional abuse, addictive behavior, substance abuse and psychotherapies are labeled CA-CF in Planetree.

In the rest of the library, nonfiction books and DVDs pertaining to mental health are organized by Dewey Decimal numbers 610-618.

Soroptomist International of Cody recently funded the purchase of 20 new books, including “Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety and Depression during Pregnancy and Beyond: How to Manage Symptoms and Maximize Well-Being,” “Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents” and “Difficult Mothers, Adult Daughters: A Guide for Separation, Liberation and Inspiration.”

There are fiction, nonfiction and graphic novels about mental illness and recovery that are written specifically for that audience in the teen room.

“I feel teens need a sense of community,” teen librarian Shelly Waidelich said. She seeks to provide that space. “Treat others in a polite and caring way” is the first rule of the Teen Room Code of Conduct. In this culture of civility, the policy pertains to staff, too.

Waidelich discovered the courses “Anxiety Therapy 101” and “Meditation 101” on Universal Class. Universal class is an online classroom underwritten by the Friends of the Cody Library and is free for Park County Library card holders.

Wyoming libraries maintain health and medicine research databases at gowyld.net. They include “Health and Wellness Resource Center” for medical references; “Alt Healthwatch,” a complementary, holistic and integrated approaches to wellness and “Consumer Health Complete.”

Unbiased internet sites identified by Gerharter include “MedlinePlus” at medlineplus.gov, National Institutes of Health at nimh.nih.gov and the “National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health” at nccih.nih.gov.

The librarians offer confidential help to find wellness information, although they don’t dispense medical advice. Librarians can also arrange interlibrary loans and receive patron purchase recommendations.

To see Gerharter’s outline visit parkcountylibrary.org.

In the reference library

For more health and wellness resources contact Nicholle Gerharter at (307) 527-1880, ngerharter@parkcountylibrary.org or stop by the reference desk.

In the Bison Room

Learn Linux Basics hands-on. At 6 p.m. Feb. 20, Seth Johnson and Chris Beyeler will show you how to revitalize an old computer with Linux, a free, open-source computer operating system.

To sign up, come by the library, call (307) 527-1880 or email news@parkcountylibrary.org.

Class will be limited to six.

Attendees are encouraged to bring an old functioning laptop computer with at least 1 GB of RAM and the charger. Loaner machines will be available.

A USB thumb drive that can be erased will be needed. Back up any important data on the thumb drive and laptop, as they will be reset during the process.

At the end of this tutorial, people will leave with their old laptop transformed into something fast, fun and functional again.

This class is preparatory for the next session “Digital Signage 101” – learn how to turn an $80 Linux mini-computer (Raspberry Pi) into a highly functional digital sign.

Library programs are free and open to the public.

Teen Room

A library for students in grades 6-12.

•“Charlie Brown’s Valentine,” movie hour complete with treats, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Feb. 15

•After-hours Nerf War, 5-7:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 23.

•Homeschool Hour, 2:30-3:30 p.m., Wednesdays.

•Homework Hour, 4-5 p.m., Thursdays. No computer gaming during this quiet time.

Stop by for a calendar or visit parkcountylibrary.org/teens. For details contact Shelly Waidelich (307) 527-1889 or sw@parkcountylibrary.org. On Facebook follow Park County Public Library Teen Room.

In the children’s library

Sign up for:

•Read with a Yellowstone Quake player for grades K-5, 3:45-4:45 p.m. Thursday.

•Children’s Resource Center toddler playgroup for ages 18-36 months, 10-11 a.m. Friday.

•Blow up Your Valentine, experiments for grades K-5, 3:45-4:45 p.m. Feb. 14.

•Babywearing Dance, 10 a.m. Feb. 15. Moms can particpate with babies in front or backpacks and try this national craze. Toddlers welcome.

•“Nailed it!” for grades K-5, 2-3 p.m. Feb. 22, inspired by the TV show and the library’s own Pinterest fails.

•Play LEGOs with a Yellowstone Quake player for grades K-5, 3:45-4:45 p.m. Feb. 25.

•Read to a Dog, 15-minute sessions for youth in grades K-5 at 3:45-4:45 p.m. on Tuesdays.

Certified therapy dogs are good listeners.

Drop in for:

•Toddler Time for ages 1-3 with parent or caregiver, 10-10:20 a.m., Mondays (except Feb. 18). Short stories, music and movement develop comfort in the library and a love for books.

•Story Time for ages 3-6, 10-10:45 a.m., Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Stories, games, songs and crafts promote early literacy and a love for the library.

•Homeschool Hour for students in grades K-5, 2:30-3:30 p.m., Wednesdays.

•Screen-free Haven, 3-8 p.m., Thursdays. Take a break from technology with a book, game or craft project.

For details contact Holly Baker, (307) 527-1884, hbaker@parkcountylibrary.org or visit parkcountylibrary.org/cody/kids. Follow codykidsread on Twitter and Facebook.

The libraries will be closed Feb. 18 for Presidents Day.

For more information call (307) 527-1880, visit parkcountylibrary.org/calendar/, find Mabel Wilkinson or Park County Public Library, Cody on Facebook or email news@parkcountylibrary.org.