The Abilene Public Library in Abilene, TX, has expanded its digital offerings for local cardholders, introducing two online food databases—AtoZ Food America and AtoZ World Food—alongside the revival of the community Cookbook Club.
Abilene Public Library Offers Free Recipe Databases
- Two digital databases offering thousands of recipes and cultural articles are now available free to Abilene Public Library cardholders.
- The Sears Branch Library and Sears Recreation Center are launching a monthly Cookbook Club with a “Harvest Table” theme meeting on Tuesday, October 13, at 6:30 PM.
- Participants in the Cookbook Club must register online and bring a homemade harvest-inspired dish large enough to serve at least 15 people.
Accessing Culinary Databases Through the Abilene Public Library
Local cardholders seeking to expand their culinary skills now have 24/7 access to AtoZ Food America and AtoZ World Food via the library’s e-Resources and Databases page at www.abilenetx.gov/apl/Databases. AtoZ Food America covers all 50 states with approximately 6,500 recipes, 1,200 articles on national and regional cuisine, and 650 ingredient articles. Meanwhile, AtoZ World Food expands the digital shelf globally, providing roughly 6,500 recipes from 174 countries alongside international cultural insights, dining etiquette guides, and historical food resources.
Launching the Sears Branch Library Cookbook Club
To put these digital tools into practice, the Sears Branch Library staff and the Sears Recreation Center are partnering to bring back the monthly adult Cookbook Club. The inaugural gathering is scheduled for Tuesday, October 13, at 6:30 PM in the Multipurpose Room at the Sears Recreation Center. October’s official theme is “Harvest Table,” encouraging attendees to select a farm-to-table or harvest-inspired recipe from a physical cookbook or digital resources like AtoZ Food America and AtoZ World Food.
| Resource / Event | Location / Platform | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| AtoZ Food America | Online (Abilene Public Library) | ~6,500 recipes across 50 states, 1,200 cuisine articles, 24/7 access with library card. |
| AtoZ World Food | Online (Abilene Public Library) | ~6,500 recipes from 174 countries, international food history, and ingredient guides. |
| Cookbook Club Meeting | Sears Recreation Center (Multipurpose Room) | Tuesday, October 13 at 6:30 PM; theme is “Harvest Table”; dishes must serve at least 15. |
Registration and Participation Requirements
Attendees planning to join the October 13 gathering must prepare a home-cooked dish designed to serve a minimum of 15 people, bringing it ready to share, sample, and discuss with fellow members. Interested guests are required to register online beforehand through www.abilenetx.gov/recsignup.
