Kathy Albright, Charlotte Holle and Judy Avey enjoy working on their craft projects and socializing.

By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette

As we are winding up the first month of the year, remember that if one of your goals was to read more nonfiction, the MJB Library has new books that will help you reach that goal. Some of our new biographies include “Ain’t Nobody’s Fool: the Life and Times of Dolly Parton” by Martha Ackmann, “The Last Days of Marilyn Monroe: a True Crime Thriller” by James Patterson, and “Nobody’s Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice” by Virginia Roberts Giuffre. 

Published posthumously, Charlie Kirk’s book “Stop in the Name of God: Why Honoring the Sabbath Will Change the World” offers a guide to help readers unplug, slow down and reconnect. Brene Brown’s popular new book, entitled “Strong Ground: The Lessons of Daring Leadership, the Tenacity of Paradox, and the Wisdom of the Human Spirit,” is waiting to be checked out. 

“How to Test Negative for Stupid: and Why Washington Never Will” by Louisiana Senator John Kennedy shares his interesting take on Washington politics. Author Robin Wall Kimmerer discusses the lessons we can learn from the plant world in what we value most in “The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World.” “How Not to Die: Foods Scientifically Proven to Prevent and Reverse Disease” by Michael Gegaer focuses on the connection between nutrition and longevity.  Be sure to check our new nonfiction shelf for more new titles.

As January finishes up, we have a few more events, including our Creation Corner on Wednesday, Jan. 28 at 2 p.m. Youth of all ages are encouraged to attend. Pre-registration is preferred. 

Our Preschool Story Hour is at 10 a.m. on each Friday. The theme for the Jan. 30 story hour is seasons. 

Craft and Connect, our new adult craft group, meets each Monday from 4-6 p.m. Participants just bring whatever craft they are working on and socialize while they work.  

Cribbage and Bridge classes meet every week from 9-11 a.m. Cribbage meets on Monday mornings, and Bridge meets on Wednesdays. 

The February Between the Covers Book Club will meet on Tuesday, Feb. 10, at 3 p.m. to discuss “Funny Story” by Emily Henry. Reads Well With Others Book Club will be reading Freida McFadden’s thriller “The Tenant” on Feb. 24 at 5 p.m. Copies of both books are available for checkout for those who would like to read the books and join the book clubs. 

February youth events are LEGO Mania Day on Wednesday, Feb. 11, at 2 p.m. and Creation Corner on Wednesday, Feb. 18, at 2 p.m. Pre-registration is preferred.

Ann Bolton and Diane Flanery enjoy chatting and crafting. For those who would like to join the Craft and Connect group, the group meets each Monday from 4-6 p.m.

By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette

Library Patrons, watch our weekly space for an exciting announcement about new digital in the coming weeks.

Friends of the Guthrie Center Library have again committed to paying for the Mary J. Barnett Library’s Adventure Pass for 2026. The Iowa Adventure Pass is a partnership between participating libraries and specific venues. The MJB Library adventure pass gives patrons who have a Guthrie Center address, are 18 years of age or older, and are in good standing with the library discounted admission to the Blank Park Zoo, the Science Center of Iowa, and the Blue Zoo. In addition, the Des Moines Performing Arts is partnering with the Iowa Adventure Pass this year to bring live theater to more Iowa families. 

Two adults and two children are admitted for free to both the Blank Park Zoo and the Science Center of Iowa. The Blue Zoo provides two free child admissions with one regular-priced adult admission. Cardholders are allowed to use each venue pass once every 365 days per venue.

Tickets to the Wellmark Family Series shows are limited and will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. Passes can only be reserved up to 60 days in advance. Library patrons who reserve tickets must bring their confirmation pass and photo ID to the Des Moines Civic Center Ticket Office (221 Walnut St., Des Moines) prior to the performance to redeem their tickets. Tickets must be redeemed no later than 45 minutes before the show.

See the MJB Library website for additional restrictions and guidelines, as well as to reserve a pass. We strongly encourage our Guthrie Center patrons to take advantage of this exceptional value for family outings. 

We have many regular adult activities scheduled right now. Cribbage meets each Monday morning from 9-11 a.m. in the Taylor meeting room. New players are always welcome. Craft and Connect meets each Monday from 4-6 p.m. to work on individual projects. The group members like to bring their projects, some coffee or tea, and then chat while they craft. The group would love more participants. On Wednesday mornings from 9-11 a.m., Bridge Class meets. New members are always encouraged to attend. 

Reads Well with Others Book Club will meet on Tuesday, Jan. 27, at 5 p.m. to discuss this month’s selection, “The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife.” This charming novel tells the heartwarming story of a kind, elderly widower who, through a series of unfortunate events, unintentionally assumes the identity of a gentleman living in a nursing home. This story deals with the challenges of aging, forgiveness and second chances. There are still copies available to check out and read before the book club meets.  

Preschool Story Hour takes place each Friday at 10 a.m. Preschoolers and their caregivers are invited to join Miss Cass for stories and crafts. This week’s theme is winter. The MJB Library Creation Corner, available to kids of all ages, will be on Wednesday, Jan. 28, at 2 p.m. Pre-registration is appreciated. 

Between the Covers afternoon book club met on Jan. 13 to discuss their first book of the year, “When Crickets Cry” by Charles Martin. The group meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 3 p.m. Stop by the MJB Library and pick up the February book, Emily Henry’s “Funny Story.”

A proud participant in the LEGO Mania Day event shows off his construction.

LEGO Mania Day is a great way for kids of all ages to use problem-solving and creative skills to solve STEM challenges.

For this month’s LEGO Mania Day, participants chose a challenge and created it with LEGOs. This is the flower that was created.

LEGO Mania is one of the many STEM activities offered at the Mary J. Barnett Library. Youth of all ages are encouraged to pre-register and attend this popular monthly event.

Library aide Karen Kelly read to the two ACGC preschool classes on Friday, Jan. 16, as part of the library’s outreach to the local school. Once a month, one of the MJB Library staff members reads to the preschool classes.

By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette

Stop by the library to explore the latest book displays. One highlights incredible novels that are being transformed into movies. Remember, the journey through a book often offers depth and insight that the film cannot capture, so embrace the adventure of reading before experiencing the movie.

The library also features a display of cozy mysteries. For those unfamiliar with the cozy mystery genre, these stories are gentle and friendly mysteries that focus on solving the puzzle of the crime. Typically set in small, charming towns, cozy mysteries feature amateur sleuths — ordinary people rather than trained detectives or police officers. These stories avoid graphic violence, sexual content and profanity. If you’re seeking a challenging mystery that also offers a “feel-good” experience, this genre is an excellent choice.

Another display features books that can help achieve New Year’s resolutions. This display was curated to focus on developing habits that will enhance the reader’s life, such as books about mindfulness, achieving goals, healthier habits and choices, and healthy eating cookbooks. 

The new book display features the newest content that the library has to offer, which includes best-sellers, new large print, westerns and nonfiction. The newest inspirational books are also featured.

All of the materials featured in the displays are intended to be checked out. Stop by and see the books that are waiting for you to discover.

Remember also that the MJB Library has a large selection of jigsaw puzzles, audiobooks, DVDs and games as well. If there’s something you are looking for that you can’t find on our shelves, let us know, and we will try to get it for you.   

Patrons of the library, please be aware that, due to state library accreditation requirements, library cards must be periodically renewed. Guthrie Center residents’ cards must be renewed every three years. Patrons residing in surrounding towns need to renew every two years.  

Renewing a library card is a straightforward process that can be completed either by telephone or in person. Library staff will verify and, if necessary, update the patron’s contact information as well as any other required details. It is important to note that patrons who utilize their library cards solely for the Libby application must renew their cards every three years. Should patrons fail to renew their cards upon notification of impending expirations, the cards will be classified as inactive and will be purged within three years following the expiration date. Therefore, if your card requires renewal, please take a few moments to complete the process to prevent deactivation of your card.

Remember that LEGO Mania Day is on Wednesday, Jan. 14, at 2 p.m. Creation Corner will be on Wednesday, Jan. 28, at 2 p.m. Pre-registration is preferred for these events. 

The cardmaking class is from 9-11 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 15. Led by Judi Zimmerline, the cardmaking class is a chance to make handmade greeting cards. The $5 fee covers all materials and supplies needed to make the cards. 

The Cookbook Club will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 15. Participants are asked to stop by the library and choose a recipe from the featured cookbook. The night of the cookbook club meeting, please make the recipe and bring it to share with the group.  

The library story hour will continue to be each Friday at 10 a.m. for preschoolers and their caretakers.  Preschoolers will enjoy a few stories and a craft.  

Parents of preschool children are reminded that the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten is available at no cost for all preschool kids. The program encourages families to read 1,000 books with their child before the child begins kindergarten, as this will give the child the vocabulary and the prereading skills necessary for reading readiness. Stop by the library desk to enroll your child today.  

By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette

With the new year underway, remember that the MJB Library is here to help you reach your goals for 2026. According to recent surveys, in addition to the ever-popular New Year’s resolutions like exercising more and eating healthier, Americans are resolving to improve their quality of life by setting goals to be happier, read more and learn new things.  

Whatever patrons are resolving for 2026, the MJB Library has resources to support the goals. The library has cookbooks and resources about healthy eating, weight loss and exercise. Books about relaxation, meditation and mindfulness can jump-start efforts to improve quality of life.

Puzzles, games, movies and books are available for check out for those who are working toward adding relaxation, more family time or more reading to their routines.  

Patrons who are looking to learn a new skill or enhance a skill they already have should consider the library programs that are offered each month. Be sure to follow the calendar of events on the library website and consult the monthly newsletter to see what programs are available to everyone in the community. For library card holders with a Guthrie Center address, remember to take advantage of the expanded offerings of the Adventure Pass. 

Crafty community members, you are invited to join the Craft and Connect group who meet each Monday from 4-6 p.m. The participants bring whatever project they might be working on, a warm beverage and drop in at the library to work and visit with other creative people while they create. 

Between the Covers afternoon book club will meet on Tuesday, Jan. 13 at 3 p.m. Charles Martin’s novel “When Crickets Cry,” the January book club selection, takes readers on an emotional journey focused on a heart surgeon and a little girl whose heart won’t last much longer and how their lives change because of their encounter. For people who are interested in joining the book club, copies are available for checkout at the MJB Library. 

“The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife” by Anna Johnston is available for check out for members of the Reads Well with Others evening book club. The next meeting will be at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

Youth events for January include LEGO Mania Day on Wednesday, Jan. 14, and Creation Corner on Wednesday, Jan. 28. Both events are at 2 p.m. in the Taylor Meeting Room with pre-registration preferred. Interested participants may sign up on the MJB Library website. 

Story Hour for preschoolers and their caretakers will continue on each Friday at 10 a.m.  Snowflakes will be the focus of the stories and crafts on Jan. 9. The theme for Jan. 16 is cold with winter being the topic of Jan. 23’s story hour. On Jan. 30, story hour will feature seasons.

Card players are invited to join the weekly groups at the MJB Library. Cribbage players meet on Monday mornings from 9-11 a.m. in the Taylor Meeting Room. Bridge Class meets each Wednesday morning from 9-11 a.m. Both groups are always excited to welcome new players of all skill levels. 

Cookbook Club meets at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 15 to taste and discuss recipes from “The Amish Friends’ No Waste Cookbook” by Wanda Brunsteader. To join the Cookbook Club, stop by the library and choose a recipe from the selected cookbook. Prepare the recipe and bring it to the meeting to share with the group on the third Thursday of each month. Patrons who have an interest in joining the cookbook club can call the library with questions. 

On Thursday, Jan. 15 from 9-11 a.m., the card-making class will be held in the Taylor Meeting Room for anyone who would like to make one-of-a-kind greeting cards. All supplies are provided for a $5 fee to cover the cost of card-making materials. 

By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette

The MJB Library staff is gearing up for an exciting 2026 for our patrons. In case Santa didn’t bring you the books or movies that were on your list, we can help you out. 

Remember that our Festival of Trees will go on until Jan. 2, so you still have time to come and enjoy the beauty of the season. A reminder for groups with trees: we encourage you to pick up your trees during library hours between Jan. 2 and Jan. 10. 

Please remember that we will have holiday hours this week. We will close at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 31 and will be closed all day on Thursday, Jan. 1. We will resume regular hours on Friday, Jan. 2, opening at 9 a.m. and closing at 1 p.m. There will be no preschool story hour on Friday, Jan. 2.

Our card classes will meet at their regular times in the new year. Cribbage will be on Mondays from 9-11 a.m., and Bridge Class will meet Wednesday at the same time. Both groups meet in the Taylor Meeting Room.

Our newest adult group, Craft and Connect, will meet on Mondays each week from 4-6 p.m. in the Taylor Meeting Room. Creative people are encouraged to bring their current creative project and join the group. 

Friends of the Library will have their first meeting of the new year on Monday, Jan. 5 at 6:15 p.m. Members are reminded that this is a good time to pay yearly dues. Nonmembers are invited to attend and see what Friends of the Library do.  

Preschool Story Hour will resume as usual on Friday, Jan. 9 at 10 a.m. Preschoolers of all ages and their caretakers are invited to attend for stories and a craft. 

Youth activities for this month include LEGO Mania day on Wednesday, Jan. 14 at 2 p.m. and Creation Corner on Wednesday, Jan. 28 at 2 p.m. Preregistration is preferred.

Book Club members for the afternoon and evening book clubs are reminded to stop by the library to pick up the January book.  Books are here and ready for checkout. 

Patrons who have collections or hobbies that they would like to display for a month in our library display case should contact the library to sign up.

By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette

As the end of the year draws near, consumers are inundated with “Best of” lists from the year. In that spirit, the MJB Library would like to share the most popular books of 2025.

Adult Fiction  

1. “Broken Country” by Clare Leslie Hall
2. “James: A Novel” by Percival Everett
3.  “The Crash” by Freida McFadden
4. “The Mirror” by Nora Roberts
5. “Ward D” by Freida McFadden

Adult Nonfiction

1. “Cabin: Off-the-grid Adventures with a Clueless Craftsman” by Patrick Hutchison
2. “Dear Sister: A Memoir of Secrets, Survival, and Unbreakable Bonds” by Judith Summers
3. “The Let Them Theory: a Life-Changing Tool That Millions of People Can’t Stop Talking About” by Mel Robbins
4. “The Boys of Riverside: a Deaf Football Team and a Quest for Glory” by Thomas Fuller
5. “Wiseguys and the White House: Gangsters, Presidents, and the Deals they Made” by Eric Dezenhall

Large Print Books 

1. “The Sawmill Book Club” by Carolyn Brown
2. “West with Giraffes: a Novel” by Lynda Rutledge
3. “The Edge of Nowhere” by William W. Johnstone
4. “The Queen’s Cook” by Tessa Afshar
5. “Montana Courage” by Caroline Fyffe

Movies

1. “Moana 2”
2. “Inside Out 2”
3. “Wicked”
4. “Inside Out”
5. “A Minecraft Movie”

Juvenile Fiction

1. “The Couch Potato” by Jory John
2. “The New Girl” by Cassandra Calin
3. “The Bad Seed Goes to the Library: Level”  by Jory John
4. “Squished” by Megan Wagner Lloyd
5. “Dog Man: Big Jim Begins” by Dav Pilkey

Kids’ Books

1. “Disney Princess 5-Minute Princess Stories” by Disney Books
2. “Cranky Makes a Friends” by Phuc Tran
3. “Bluey–Jingle Bells” 
4. “Bluey: How to Be Romance with Bluey and Bingo”
5. “Disney Moana 2: The Great Voyage” by Natasha Bouchard

Young Adult

1. “ Empire of Storms” by Sara J. Maas
2. “Shatter Me” by Tahereh Mafi
3. “The Reappearance of Rachel Price” by Holly Jackson
4. “American Royals” by Katharine McGee
5. “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” by JK Rowling

Top Five Most Circulated Materials

1. Hotspots
2. Country Compilation Jigsaw Puzzle
3. Goggles for Immersive Reality Books
4. Department Store Jigsaw Puzzle
5. Memory Lane Jigsaw Puzzle

Most Circulated Library Materials, including all media, equipment, and hardware

1. Apple iPad
2. Computer
3. “Super Smash Bros: Ultimate (Nintendo Switch) 
4. “Broken Country: A Novel” by Clare Leslie Hall
5. “James: A Novel” by Percival Everett

Stop in and check out some of these most circulated materials and see why they were so popular.

The MJB Library Festival of Trees will be up until Jan. 2, so stop in and take some time to enjoy the beauty of the season. For those who decorated a tree for the festival, please plan to pick up your tree during library hours between Jan. 2 and Jan. 10.  

Book club members, stop in and get your copies of the January books. Between the Covers afternoon book club will be reading “When Crickets Cry” by Charles Martin. “The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife” by Anna Johnston is the selection for the Reads Well With Others evening book club. Both selections are available on Libby with a reduced wait time for MJB Library patrons; ebooks and audiobooks are available. 

Cribbage Club meets each Monday from 9-11 a.m., and Bridge Club meets at the same time on Wednesdays. Both groups meet in the Taylor Meeting Room and welcome new participants. MJB Library’s newest group, Craft and Connect, meets weekly on Monday evenings from 4-6 p.m.  Craft and Connect participants just need to bring whatever craft they are working on and socialize with other creative folks while working. 

Preschool Story Hour takes place each Friday at 10 a.m. in the children’s area of the library. Preschoolers and their caretakers are invited to come listen to some stories and do a craft. On Dec. 26, the theme will be cold and snow. There will be no story hour on Friday, Jan. 2.  

Patrons are reminded that the library will be closed on Wednesday, Dec. 24, and Thursday, Dec. 25, for Christmas.  On Wednesday, Dec. 31, the library will close at 3 p.m. for New Year’s Eve and will remain closed on New Year’s Day, Thursday, Jan. 1.

This creative group attended the Creation Corner on Dec. 17 to make some holiday crafts.

Library Director Jerri Hawkins read “The Night Before Christmas” to the Preschool Story Hour group on Friday.