By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette

What are you doing at 6 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month? If your answer isn’t going to the MJB Library Cookbook Club, you might want to rethink how you are spending your Thursday evenings.

Last week I had the privilege of attending the monthly cookbook club meeting. I chose a recipe from the month’s featured cookbook, “Taste of Home Pizza, Pasta, and More!,” and prepared it to bring to the meeting. Some of the area’s best cooks and bakers did the same. Eight of us attended. The food was delicious and plentiful, and the camaraderie was even better than the food.

As we ate and enjoyed the food, the discussion bounced from what our favorite recipes were (lemon ricotta cookies, one-pot black bean enchilada pasta, and Tuscan sun orange cranberry cake for me), how we might adapt recipes to appeal to our families, and recipes that disappointed us.

As the meeting wound to a close, the members divided up leftovers to share with each other, cleaned up the meeting room, and looked at the cookbook for next month. At the end of the evening, I left with a full belly, new recipes and a smile on my face.

For those who have considered joining the cookbook club but didn’t for any number of reasons, let me share my feelings about my first meeting. I am not an exceptional cook as many of the regular members are, but they were welcoming, inclusive and kind. My chocolate peanut butter pizza was no one’s favorite recipe, but that’s OK. I made something new, tried new dishes and made new friends. So, my rating for the evening with Cookbook Club is five stars. I would go again.

The next cookbook club meeting will feature recipes from the “Homestyle Kitchen” cookbook. Stop by the library to choose a recipe. When you show up with your dish at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 16, you’ll be in for a fun evening with great food.

A reminder that the Friends of the Guthrie Center Library membership drive is still going on. Prospective members can still be eligible for the drawing for the gift bag of literary treats if they have paid their dues by the end of March. The drawing will be held during the regular meeting on Monday, April 6, at 6:15 p.m. at the library.

A new program, Canasta class, will be offered on Tuesday, April 7 and April 21, from 1-3 p.m. in the Taylor Meeting Room. Participants will be learning Hand, Knee and Foot Canasta. Canasta is a card game where players form open teams to score points by melding cards of the same rank, aiming to create “canastas” (melds of seven cards). This is an adult class for participants 19 and older.

Remember, cribbage meets each Monday from 9-11 a.m. in the Taylor meeting room. Craft and Connect meets from 4-6 p.m. each Monday for creative people who enjoy socializing while crafting. Wednesday from 9-11 a.m., the bridge class gathers in the meeting room. Try out one of these fun groups.

The April selections for both book clubs are now available. Anyone who would like to participate in the book club can stop in and check out April’s book. The afternoon book club is reading “Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers” by Jesse Q. Sutanto. “Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk” by Kathleen Rooney is the evening book group’s selection.

For youth, LEGO Mania Day is coming up on Wednesday, April 15, at 2 p.m. Creation Corner is on Wednesday, April 29 at 2 p.m. Both of these events are for youth of all ages. Preregistration is appreciated.

Preschool Story Hour is each Friday at 10 a.m. for preschoolers and their caretakers. This week’s theme will be bunnies.

The Summer Reading Program will be here before you know it. This year’s theme, “Plant a Seed, Read!” promises to be great fun. Registration is now open on the library website.

A big thank you to everyone who participated in the Peeps Diorama Competition. Stop in to take a look at these creative works of art/ A winner will be announced on April 1.

By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette

The MJB Library would like to remind patrons that there is so much more than books at the library. Remember that the library has a new Memory Lab; this equipment allows digitization of old photos and negatives, as well as home movies.  

Library card holders 18 and older are able to go online to reserve an Iowa Adventure Pass once every 365 days to Blank Park Zoo, the Science Center, and the Blue Zoo. The Iowa Adventure Pass allows families to obtain free or reduced admission to these venues. New this year is a partnership with the Des Moines Performing Arts to allow passes to one of the three Wellmark Family Series productions. 

The library is working on an exciting Summer Reading Program for youth. Registration is now open on the MJB Library website.  

In addition to these opportunities, the library has regular programs scheduled for the week. Wednesday, March 18, the bridge class will be meeting from 9-11 a.m. New players are always welcome to join. At 2 p.m. on Wednesday, youth of all ages are invited to participate in Creation Corner where they will be making a spring craft. 

Card-making class will meet on Thursday, March 19 from 9-11 a.m. to make handmade greeting cards. All supplies are provided for a $5 fee. On Thursday at 6 p.m., cookbook club will meet to share recipes from “Taste of Home Pizza and Pasta Cookbook.” For those who would like to attend cookbook club, stop by the library to select a recipe and then prepare it and bring it to the meeting at 6 p.m. on Thursday. 

Friday is Story Hour for preschoolers and their caregivers at 10 a.m. Spring is the theme for this week; let’s hope the snow is gone by then. The craft and stories will be focused on warmer weather. 

On Saturday morning, the MJB Library is offering a new opportunity. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., groups can stop by the library to create a diorama featuring at least one Peep Marshmallow candy. Entries can be made by individuals or a group. All ages are welcome to participate. For those attending on Saturday, bring a shoebox to  build the diorama on and any other supplies wanted. The library will provide some Peeps and craft supplies.  

The dioramas should family-friendly and will be displayed at the library until the winner is announced on April 1. Patrons who wish to compete in the diorama contest but aren’t able to attend on Saturday may drop off a finished diorama by closing on Friday, March 21. Additional details are available on the MJB Library website.

Cribbage will meet on Monday, March 23 from 9-11 a.m. in the Taylor Meeting Room. Craft and Connect will meet on Monday also from 4-6 p.m., so bring a craft project and spend a couple of hours working and chatting with others. 

The evening book club, Reads Well With Others, will be meeting on Tuesday, May 24 at 5 p.m. to discuss Catherine Newman’s novel “Sandwich.” For those who would like to participate, copies of the book are  available to check out.  

Remember Friends of the Guthrie Center Library membership drive is still going on. Those who pay membership dues by the end of March are eligible for a drawing for a gift bag full of literary goodies. The drawing will be done at the regular meeting of the Friends of the  Guthrie Center Library on Monday, April 6, at 6:15 p.m. 

By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette

The MJB Library has planned a family-friendly event for Peep-le of all ages. On Saturday, March 21, the MJB Library invites patrons to join us from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to build a diorama featuring Peeps marshmallow characters.  

The challenge is to construct a shoebox-sized diorama featuring at least one Peep, inspired by a family-friendly book, movie, TV show or creative theme of your choice. Using recycled materials, magazines, paint, pipe cleaners and other craft supplies, teams should bring their Peep-sterpiece to life. 

Here are the rules:

1. Diorama must include at least one Peep Marshmallow candy.
2. Entries must be family-friendly.
3. Diorama base must be no larger than a shoebox and must be free-standing. 
4. Dioramas must be either constructed at the event on Saturday, March 21, or constructed at home and submitted to the library by close on Friday, March 20. 
5. Teamwork is welcome. This is an all-age contest. We encourage families and friends to work together. 
6. Entries will be displayed from March 23 to April 2. The winner will be selected on April 1.
7. Please pick up your entry between April 4 and 11.  Unclaimed entries will be discarded. 

Teams who come to the library on March 21 should bring a shoebox and any other supplies they would like. The library will provide some craft supplies and Peeps for participants to use. Preregistration is appreciated. 

Plans are underway for our summer reading program. This year’s theme is Plant a seed, Read! The reading program will take place in June.  Registration is now open to sign up for all the fun.  

Some highlights that are planned for participants include several programs that are paid for with funds received through Communities 4 Children and Community Partnerships for Protecting Children’s neighborhood/Community Network Mini Grants. Those programs include Science Heroes on Monday, June 8; Mesozoic Adventures by Toby Kid Funny Farm on Thursday, June 18; and the Summer Reading Program Prize Party and Mega Foam Cannon by Absolute Science on Friday, June 26.

Upcoming library events include a program presented by New Opportunities about behavioral health services on Thursday, March 12, at 2 p.m.  The program will be in the Taylor Meeting Room. 

Community members are invited to join any of the MJB Library’s ongoing programs and groups. Weekly adult groups include Cribbage on Monday from 9-11 a.m. and bridge class on Wednesday from 9-11 a.m. On Monday from 4-6 p.m., Craft and Connect meets to work on craft projects and socialize. 

For preschool, weekly story hour meets each Friday at 10 a.m. In March, the themes will include St. Patrick’s Day on March 13, spring on March 20, and bunnies on March 27. Join us for a craft and stories. 

Remember to add the library’s monthly events to your calendar as well.  On the second Tuesday of each month, the afternoon book club, Between the Covers, meets at 3 p.m. The fourth Tuesday of the month, the Reads Well With Others evening book club meets. On March 24 at 5 p.m., the group will be discussing Sandwich by Catherine Newman.  Books for book clubs are available for checkout at the front desk. 

Card-making class, which takes place on the third Thursday of each month from 9-11 a.m., will be on March 19. Remember that all materials are provided for a $5 fee to cover the cost of supplies needed to design one-of-a-kind greeting cards. Also, on the third Thursday at 6 p.m., the cookbook club meets to sample and discuss recipes from the cookbook chosen for the month. The March cookbook will be “Taste of Home: Pizza, Pasta, and More.” Stop by the library to select a recipe to make and bring to the meeting. 

The regular monthly events for youth include Creation Corner, which will be on Wednesday, March 18 at 2 p.m.  Registration for the event is appreciated. Youth of all ages are welcome. 

To register for events, visit the MJB Library website calendar at www.guthriecenter.lib.ia.us

A reminder that the Friends of the Guthrie Center Library are having a membership drive. Those who pay their $25 membership dues by March 31 are entered in a drawing for a bag of literary treats valued at $100. 

By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette

The State Library of Iowa provides digital resources available to MJB Library patrons, which include the People’s Law Library, available at PeoplesLawIowa.org. This source provides easy-to-understand information about Iowa’s laws.  

Made possible by the State Library of Iowa, the University of Iowa Law Library, the Iowa Judicial Branch, and the Iowa State Bar Association, this site is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act.

While the information on the website is not legal advice, patrons can find research guidance and information on many legal topics such as consumer law, veterans law, family law, work law, housing law, and life/estate planning.  

The easily navigated site helps Iowans find answers to legal questions and concerns, explanations of legal terms, and even resources to help find a lawyer. This free site is a great place to start to get answers to legal issues. The People’s Law Library is one more resource provided to patrons thanks to the State Library of Iowa. 

March is Women’s History Month, so in observance, the MJB Library has several book displays. A display of memoirs, biographies and autobiographies of influential women is set up in front of the circulation desk.  

Fiction books with strong female characters are set up in the Taylor Meeting Room window display, on the Young Adult book shelf, and on tables next to the fiction shelves. Check out some great reads. 

Remember that Friends of the Guthrie Center Library membership drive is going on now. Anyone who would like to support the Friends group is invited to join. The cost is $25 for the year, and anyone who pays by March 31 is entered into a drawing for a gift bag valued at $100. Payment can be cash, check or Venmo. Membership and payment may also be dropped off at the library during regular hours. 

Youth activities for the month include LEGO Mania Day on Wednesday, March 4 at 2 p.m. and Creation Corner on Wednesday, March 18 also at 2 p.m.  Both of these events are suitable for youth of all ages. Preregistration is preferred. 

Preschool Story Hour for preschoolers of all ages and their caretakers takes place on Friday at 10 a.m.  Stop in and enjoy stories and a craft. Themes for the month include apples, St. Patrick’s Day, spring and bunnies. 

Adult programs are available for people of all different interests. Our newest program, Craft and Connect, is designed to give creative people an outlet to socialize and work on craft projects. All community members are invited to bring a creative project and come to Craft and Connect each Monday from 4-6 p.m.

Card players are encouraged to come play cribbage on Mondays from 9-11 a.m. at the Taylor Meeting Room.  Bridge classes are on Wednesday from 9-11 a.m., also in the Taylor Meeting Room. Regardless of skill level, all are invited to participate in these groups.

Between the Covers afternoon book club will meet on Tuesday, March 10, at 3 p.m. Books are available for check out for the MJB Library book clubs. The group is reading “Too Old for This” by Samantha Downing, which tells the story of a retired serial killer who might be forced out of retirement by an unexpected visitor. The book is described as equal parts hilarious and disturbing. The evening book club book, “Sandwich” by Catherine Newman, is also available for checkout. 

On Thursday, March 12, New Opportunities is presenting a program on behavioral health services at 2 p.m. in the Taylor Meeting Room. Last year, Iowa realigned its mental health and substance abuse service system, and now they are asking us to provide this presentation to providers, community members and the general public to help educate them on how to navigate the new system. This includes how to connect with a system navigator, where to find services, and how prevention will look moving forward. The system navigation is more than just talking with someone about counseling. The system navigators can also help people who are looking for non-mental health or substance abuse help. For example, Grandpa needs a ride to his oncology appointment, but his kids are not able to take him… a system navigator can help connect him to someone who can give him a ride. Or maybe someone is new to the area and looking for a dentist; the system navigator can help connect them with one. Or maybe someone needs to find a mental health therapist in their area and doesn’t know how to get that process started. A system navigator can assist with finding a provider and even scheduling the appointment for them.   

This presentation will target young adults to adults throughout the lifespan. Everyone is welcome to attend. 

By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette 

One of the strengths of the Mary J. Barnett Library is the Friends of the Guthrie Center  Library, which provides support to the library in many forms. This volunteer group has been active since the mid 1990s and played a vital role in the construction of the building that currently houses the library. Currently, the group is embarking on a membership drive.  

Friends of the Guthrie Center Library president Diane Flannery explains the mission and the way your membership helps in the following paragraphs.  

“The Mary J. Barnett Memorial Library has always been more than just books — it’s a gathering space, a learning hub, and a cornerstone of our community. From children’s programs and summer reading to special events and expanded resources, your library continues to grow because of the support of people like you. 

The Friends of the Guthrie Center Library invite you to become a member and help us continue enriching our community. For just $25 in annual dues, your membership directly supports:

• Educational programs for all ages
• Special events and community outreach
• New books, materials and resources
• Improvements that make our library welcoming and vibrant

Every membership makes a difference, and, together, we can ensure our library remains a thriving space for generations to come. Joining is easy and your support truly matters. Thank you for believing in the power of libraries.”

As the Friends’ president points out, membership is easy. You can contact Diane Flanery or reach out to the MJB Library. Your $25 annual membership dues go directly to fund library programs, materials and community events. Friends will accept cash, a check made to Friends of the GC Library, or Venmo to @FriendsofGCLIbrary. Additional donations are also always welcome. 

Members can choose to be active members who participate in meetings, events and fundraising or supporting members who primarily support through dues.

Become a Friend of the GC Library before March 31, 2026, and be entered into a drawing for a gift basket valued at roughly $100.  

It’s impossible to put a price tag on the value of the Friends of the Library Group. Their generosity and contributions of money, time, knowledge and resources contribute to the success of the MJB Library and are crucial to its operations. Don’t miss your chance to make a difference to our community by joining Friends of the Guthrie Center Library.

Remember that MJB Library has many on-going events for all ages. Monday from 9-11 a.m., cribbage players of all ages and skill levels are invited to participate in weekly cribbage games at the library’s Taylor Meeting room.  

On Mondays, Craft and Connect meets from 4-6 p.m. Crafters of all ages and backgrounds are invited to bring a project and work while visiting with other creative people in the Taylor Meeting Room.  

Bridge classes are each Wednesday from 9-11 a.m. On the third Thursday of each month, cardmaking class meets from 9 to 11 a.m. to create handmade greeting cards while the Cookbook Club meets that evening at 6:30 p.m. to sample and discuss cookbooks. 

The library hosts two book clubs each month. Members can check out the book for the month and then come to the discussion. The afternoon book club, Between the Covers, meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 3 p.m. Reads Well With Others Evening Book Club meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m.  

The March book for the afternoon club is “Too Old for This” by Samantha Downing, described as equal parts hilarious and disturbing, tells the story of a retired serial killer whose world is upset by an unexpected visitor. “Sandwich” by Catherine Newman tells the story of Rocky, a middle-aged woman sandwiched between her half-grown children and fully aging parents, who is forced to navigate her family’s past and future on the week-long multigenerational vacation while accepting that she can no longer hide secrets from the people she loves. Both books are available to be checked out.  

As part of our STEM programming for youth, LEGO Mania Day will be Wednesday, March 2 at 2 p.m. Youth of all ages are welcome. Preregistration is appreciated. 

Each Friday at 10 a.m., the library offers preschool story hour for preschoolers of all ages and their caregivers. Each  week, the youngest patrons can plan on a few stories and a craft focusing on a theme. 

Each person is invited to be involved in the future of the MJB Library by joining the Friends of the Guthrie Center Library and by being involved in the programs offered by the library. Remember, we have so much to offer — including some great new books.