NORTH WEBSTER — Many families like to create their own personalized Christmas cards that incorporate a family portrait.

Areina, Ellieora and Sun-Ae Battig pose in front of one of the holiday-themed photographic backdrops available at North Webster Community Public Library. Photo provided by the North Webster Community Public Library.

North Webster Community Public Library has available three holiday-themed photographic backdrops that families or individuals can use to take a holiday portrait. Patrons just need to bring their camera to the Youth Department, stand in front of their choice of backdrop and snap a picture. Patrons can then take their photos to a vendor for printing. Use of the backdrops is free and available now until the end of December, said a news release from the North Webster Community Public Library.

While it is the season for holiday gatherings and festivities, it can also be a time of spreading illnesses and stress. Learn about the health and wellness benefits of essential oils in the Adult Services Department 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4. Carla Ward, owner of the Palace of Wellness, will explain the wide variety of essential oils available, their properties, how to use them effectively and more.

Take the historic Ruthmere Mansion holiday tour with the library on a field trip to Elkhart on Tuesday, Dec. 10. Leaving the library at 9 a.m. and traveling by carpool, the group will also visit the 1848 Havilah Beardsley House and stop for lunch at Hoppers Pike Street Grill in Goshen. To join the field trip, you must sign up in advance at the library’s circulation desk. Bring along $10 for house tours, plus money for lunch and shopping. The field trip is for adults only.

Although the yarn crafter group Knit 1 Crochet 2 group normally meets the first Tuesday each month, in December it will meet at 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5. The group will resume its normal schedule in January. All knitters and crocheters are welcomed.

Interested in earning some extra cash? A representative from the United States Census Bureau will be at the library from 11 a.m. to 3 p .m. Wednesday, Dec. 4 with information about temporary employment opportunities working the 2020 U.S. census. Stop by the information table and learn about positions available, eligibility qualifications, job requirements, pay rate and more.

The library will close early at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 27 and will be closed all day, Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28 and Friday, Nov. 29. The library will re-open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 30.