More than just books

By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette

The MJB Library, in conjunction with the Orange Lodge No. 123 AF and AM, offered a Bikes and Books program for elementary-age children. The purpose of the contest was to promote summer reading among youth. Participating youth got an entry for the drawing for each book they read during the month of June and July.

Winners drawn by the Wylie Wood, representative of the Free Masons Orange Lodge No. 123, were Ainsley Schreiber and Bailey Tinken. Each of the prize winners was awarded a new bike and helmet. Twenty-five youths signed up for the program.

Thanks to the Friends of the Guthrie Center Library, the MJB Library offers Guthrie Center and Guthrie Center rural patrons the Iowa Adventure Pass. With the pass, patrons 18 and older are eligible to have a pass for each venue once every 365 days. The Blank Park Zoo, The Science Center of Iowa, and the Museum of Danish America are the venues that offer discounted admission fees.

In addition to these venues, the Des Moines Performing Arts will have free passes available. The Des Moines Performing Arts passes went live on the Iowa Adventure Pass website starting Thursday, Aug. 20. The program was so successful last season that the number of eligible shows has been expanded.

Reminders about using the pass for Des Moines Performing Arts shows: There are 100 tickets available for each performance on a first-come, first-served basis for each show. Eligible cardholders may reserve up to eight passes for one performance. Once patrons make a reservation, they will need to redeem their print/digital confirmation at the Civic Center box office before the show. This can happen 60 days in advance of the show but must be redeemed no later than 45 minutes before the performance.

Shows included are the Wellmark Family Series: “Velveteen, A New Musical,” “Tales of the Sun and Moon,” “What Do You Do with a Problem?” From the Dance Series, shows are “Ailey II,” and “Ballet Hispanico.” Three shows with the National Geographic LIVE Speaker Series are “Wild Wolves of Yellowstone,” “The Ghosts of Pompeii,” and “Chasing Monarchs.” See the Iowa Adventure Pass for dates and availability.

Remember we have several programs for adults including Cribbage on Monday mornings, Canasta on the first and third Tuesday afternoons, and Bridge on Wednesday mornings. Craft and Connect meets each Monday afternoon. Card-making class and Cookbook Club meet on the third Thursday of each month while afternoon book club meets on the second Tuesday and the evening book club meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month. See the library website for times for these programs.

Readers, be sure to plan ahead for Labor Day weekend. The library will be closed on Saturday, Sept. 5 and Monday, Sept. 7.

Winners of new bikes from the Books and Bikes program at the MJB Library are Ainsley Schreiber and Bailey Tinken. The program was done with community partner, The Orange Lodge No. 123 AF and AM, which donated the bicycles and helmets. Winners were drawn by Wylie Wood, representative of the Masonic Orange Lodge No. 123. Pictured are Jerri Hawkins, MJB Library Director; Bailey Tinken; Ainsley Schreiber; and Wylie Wood, representative of the Orange Lodge No. 123.

Canasta Class meets at the MJB Library at 1 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of each month.

Canasta Class is an adult library program available to card players of all ability levels.