By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette
Happy National Library Week, everyone. If you don’t have a library card yet, now is the perfect time to get one. If you already have a card, come on in and see all the fantastic things we have going on. We have just refreshed our children’s area with new, neurodivergent-friendly furnishings that provide comfort for everyone.
We have loads of fun programs for both adults and kids, so there’s something for everyone. If you’re looking for a warm, welcoming place to hang out, the library is ready to welcome you. You can check out computers, browse through our selection of magazines, or join a community jigsaw puzzle while enjoying a nice cup of coffee.
Need a quiet spot to focus? Our small meeting room is available for you to reserve, whether you are studying, working or having a Zoom meeting. Don’t forget to check out the beautiful quilts and intriguing collections that our wonderful patrons share for display each month. We can’t wait to see you at the library.
The library has so many resources for you besides the vast selection of children’s books, adult books, audiobooks and DVDs to check out. Laptops, tablets and hotspots are also available to check out. We have cake pans and candy molds to borrow. Homeschool families are welcome to participate in our sharing library of homeschool books and materials. Patrons who have an interest in astronomy can check out our telescope.
For fans of ebooks, digital magazines and audiobooks, use your library card to access the app called Libby; this app will give you access to thousands of resources.
These are just a few of the many reasons that you might be drawn to the Mary J. Barnett Library. Stop by this week to celebrate the library and the many people who support it including our Friends of the Guthrie Center Library, the Library Board, and our many volunteers who make the library so special.
Youth Programs
MJB Library will be hosting several new STEM activities for youth of all ages. Be sure to register online or by calling or emailing the library. All ages are welcome for these events. Some of the activities have advanced options; teens can also mentor younger participants.
Wednesday, April 9 is LEGO Mania Day at the MJB Library. Participants will be constructing a marble run with LEGOs. The activity begins at 2 p.m.
On Monday, April 21, the youth movie “Moana 2” will be playing at 12:30 p.m. Following the movie, there will be some activities and coloring activities. At 3:30 p.m., the Guthrie Center STEM lab will be making sail cars.
Creation Corner will be happening on Wednesday, April 30, at 2 p.m. Youth will be engaging in an art activity.
Fridays at 10 a.m., MJB Library holds a Preschool Story Hour. Preschoolers and their caregivers are invited to attend to enjoy stories and crafts centering around a particular theme. Flowers will be the topic of April 11’s story hour, while Easter is the subject of April 18. April 25 will focus on rainbows.
Adult Programs
Cribbage meets each Monday morning and the Bridge Class/Club each Wednesday; both groups meet from 9-11 a.m. and welcome newcomers.
Card-Making club, led by Judi Zimmerline, will meet on the third Thursday of the month from 9-11 a.m. All supplies and materials required to make lovely, one-of-a-kind greeting cards will be provided for the $5 cost for each class.
At 6:30 on Thursday, April 17, Cookbook Club will be meeting to discuss the Taste of Home Copycat cookbook. Stop by the library to pick out a recipe to make and share with the group on April 17.
Reads Well With Others evening book club will meet at 5 p.m. to discuss “The Briar Club,” a haunting and powerful story of female friendships and secrets in a Washington, D.C., boardinghouse set during the McCarthy era. Everyone in this all-woman boardinghouse keeps to themselves until the lovely widow Grace March moves into the attic room and draws her odd collection of neighbors into unlikely friendships.
Be sure to sign up for the Guthrie County ISU Extension program, Window Floral Box Planter, in the Taylor Meeting room on Tuesday, April 29, at 5:15 p.m. Participants will be planting a floral window box to take home. Sign up soon to secure your spot. A $15 registration fee is required.
Friends of the Library will have their regular meeting at 6:15 p.m. on Monday, May 5. The meeting topic will focus on the June 14 golf tournament. Registration for the tournament is open at the library website.
Be sure to explore the seed library at MJB Library. We encourage people to take some seeds for their gardens. We have herbs, vegetables and flowers. Patrons are welcome to donate any leftover seeds to the library. After harvest, seeds that have been saved and dried are welcomed.
As people are spring cleaning, the library would welcome donations of Guthrie Center High School Yearbooks, LEGOs and Hot Wheel cars and tracks.
The new furniture in the children’s section of the library is being enjoyed by patrons of all ages. New seating purchased with the donation from the Friends of the Library, using funds from 10 Squared Women, provides a cozy spot for caregivers to enjoy reading with their youngsters.
Cindy Steensen’s intricate quilt is on loan to the library through the month of April. The pattern is Celestial Garden. Cindy created this quilt using strip pricing and paper piecing; it was quilted by Laura Brenner.
The Mary J. Barnett Memorial Library is located at 400 Grand St. in Guthrie Center. Contact us at 641-747-8110 or mjblib@guthriecenter.lib.ia.us. Visit us online at www.guthriecenter.lib.ia.us.