By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette
As the weather is warming up and many of us are having spring fever, consider resources from the MJB Library that can make spring more interesting. The MJB Library has a seed library that allows patrons to take flower, vegetable and herb seeds for gardening; after harvest, if patrons want to donate saved seeds from their harvest, the library will add those to the seed library.
With warmer spring nights, patrons might wish to check out the telescope to enjoy the night sky. Several books about astronomy and the planets are also available to check out.
The MJB Summer Reading Program (SRP) theme is “Plant a Seed, Read!” The artwork for the SRP features characters that might look familiar to families with young readers; the characters are from “The Bad Seed” series by Jory John. There are displays in the youth area of these books as well as some nonfiction books about nature. Stop in and check them out to share with your young readers.
Registration for the Summer Reading Program is now open. Go to the MJB Library website to sign up interested youth. The program begins on Monday, June 1, at Riverside Park, beginning at 4 p.m. with our special SRP Kick-off party. Check the June calendar on the website to see the many exciting events that are planned to fuel our youth to continue to read through the summer.
In addition to the SRP, MJB Library is partnering with Masonic Lodge, Orange Lodge No. 123 to promote academic success through a reading program entitled Bikes and Books. Registration is required for children pre-K through sixth grade who want to participate. See our website or call the library to register. For each book a child reads between June 1 through July 31, they will get an entry for the drawing for a bike donated by the Masonic Orange Lodge No. 123.
In addition to these opportunities, the library has several books about gardening, landscaping and outdoor pursuits like bird watching. Our cookbook section features books about grilling and outdoor cooking.
For patrons who are feeling like they are in a reading rut, the library is offering book bundles. Patrons can sign up at the website by answering a few questions about what they like to read. Library staff will then put together a bundle of books by authors the patron has not checked out before. We are excited to offer this new service to help patrons discover even more wonderful authors.
In addition to these opportunities, the MJB Library continues to offer the usual programs as well. Cribbage players meet Mondays from 9-11 a.m. to play. Bridge Class meets each Wednesday from 9-11 a.m. Canasta Class meets at 1 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of the month, so the May dates will be May 4 and May 19. Card players of all skill levels are invited to join these events.
LEGO Mania day will be Wednesday, May 6, at 3:30 p.m. Creation Corner is Wednesday, May 27 at 4 p.m. Both events are open to youth of all ages. Story Hour at 10 a.m. each Friday is available to preschool children and their caregivers.
Remember for those creative folk, Craft and Connect meets each Monday from 4-6 p.m. Patrons are welcome to bring whatever project they are working on and have a work time that allows them to visit with other creative people.
Between the Covers Book Club meets on Tuesday, May 12 at 3 p.m., and Reads Well with Others will meet on Tuesday, May 26 at 5 p.m. Books are available to check out for both book clubs.
Remember to plan and get library materials checked out in advance for the Memorial Day holiday since the library will be closed Monday, May 25, in observance of the holiday.
Lieutenant Governor Chris Cournoyer and MJB Library Director Jerri Hawkins stopped to look at the Iowa 250 Display. The display celebrates influential Iowans through history and is intended to shine a spotlight on our state for the 250th Birthday of America. The display will be up at the library through the summer.
The MJB Library youth area has a puzzle table where young people can work on a community puzzle. The library has added puzzles for youth to check out.
Lieutenant Governor Chris Cournoyer toured the Mary J. Barnett Library on Wednesday, April 29. Library Director Jerri Hawkins discusses library programs with Cournoyer.