By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette
Fall has arrived, and temperatures will soon drop, but things are heating up at the MJB Library. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and check the library’s website for upcoming events.
On loan through September, Lynda Menefee is sharing her collection of teacher memorabilia to celebrate back-to-school. Community members who have collections that they would like to share for a month with the library are invited to contact the library to arrange a month to display their items.
Youth events for the month include LEGO Mania Day at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 9. On Thursday, Sept. 10, at 4 p.m., the Guthrie County ISU Extension Office will present “Lots of Layers” in the Taylor Meeting Room for youth of all ages. Creation Corner is happening on Wednesday, Sept. 23, at 2 p.m.
Friday mornings at 10 a.m., MJB Library offers preschool Story Hour for preschoolers of all ages and their caregivers. Sept. 11 will feature the theme “B is for bus.” School is the topic of Sept. 18, and clouds will be the subject of Sept. 25.
The MJB Library offers programs for adults of all interests. On Mondays, from 4-6 p.m., the library hosts Craft and Create, a time for creative adults to bring a craft project and socialize with other crafters while they work. Cribbage players gather every Monday morning from 9-11 a.m. to play. On the first, third the fifth Tuesdays of the month, Canasta Class meets beginning at 1 p.m. Bridge Class meets each Wednesday from 9-11 a.m.
Two book clubs are available for readers. Between the Covers afternoon book club meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 3 p.m. The evening book club, Reads Well with Others, meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 5 p.m.
On the third Thursday of each month, card-making class meets from 9-11 a.m. Later on the third Thursday, Cookbook Club meets at 6 p.m.
The Friends of the Guthrie Center Library still has T-shirts available from RAGBRAI for sale for $30. These shirts can be purchased at the library. Anyone who would like to support the library is invited to join Friends of the Guthrie Center Library; contact the library for membership information.
This tidewater quilt and matching pillow were created by Jerri Hawkins. The quilt is on loan to the library during September.
Library patrons are reminded to take advantage of the perks of being a library cardholder. Guthrie Center town and rural Guthrie County library cardholders 18 years of age or older are encouraged to use the Iowa Adventure Pass, which is sponsored by the Friends of the Guthrie Center Library, to go to The Blank Park Zoo, the Des Moines Science Center, the Museum of Danish America and the Des Moines Performing Arts Center. New to library users is the streaming service called Kanopy, which offers movies, documentaries, children’s shows, TV shows and educational programs for patrons to view.
Each month, the library displays collections in the locked display case by the front desk and a quilt on the quilt display rack on the North wall. We are looking for patrons who would like to share their talents and collections. If anyone has a collection of Halloween items that they would like to display, we would love to be able to use it for October. Please contact the MJB Library if you have collections or quilts you would be willing to loan to us for a month-long display.
The library will once again be hosting the annual Festival of Trees. This year’s theme will be “Merry Christmas, America 250!” Local businesses, organizations and groups are invited to decorate a tree for the festival.
Alexis and Alyse Dreher
Marlene Janice Frettim, 87, of Adair, daughter of Arkle and Ina (Cory) McGee, was born Oct. 23, 1938, in Bayard. She passed away suddenly on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, at her home.