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More than just books

Oct 26, 2026 | MJB LIBRARY NEWS

October’s Creation Corner activity was creating fall leaves, which was achieved by melting crayons between pieces of waxed paper.

By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette

Avery proudly shows off the leaf he created in Creation Corner.

“The Boo Bash has become one of our favorite traditions because it brings families together in a fun and welcoming environment. It showcases the library as more than a place to check out books; it’s a place where our community can connect, celebrate and create lasting memories together,” MJB Library Director Jerri Hawkins said.

Thursday, Oct. 29, from 5-6:30 p.m., the seventh annual Li-BOO-ary Bash will take place at the MJB Library.

“The Boo Bash began seven years ago as a way to provide families with a safe, fun, and community-centered Halloween celebration at the library,” Hawkins said. “What started as a simple idea to bring families together has grown into one of our most anticipated annual events. The Boo Bash has become a cherished tradition that reflects the library’s commitment to building community connections and creating memorable experiences for children and families.”

Hawkins points out that “seeing children and families fill the library with excitement, creativity and laughter reminds us that the library is more than a building filled with books. It is a gathering place where people connect, celebrate and build relationships. The event reflects our mission to serve the community while creating fun and meaningful experiences for all ages.”

Many people see the costumes, decorations, games and treats, but they may not realize how much work goes on behind the scenes. The Boo Bash is planned and organized almost entirely by library staff with support from dedicated volunteers and community members. It is also more than just a Halloween celebration. The event helps families connect with the library, discover programs and services, and experience the library as a welcoming gathering place for the entire community.

To color the leaves for Creation Corner, the young artists had to shave crayons with pencil sharpeners, which proved to be a challenge.

A great deal of preparation goes into making the Boo Bash a success.

“Planning starts months in advance as staff develop activities, gather supplies, create decorations, coordinate volunteer support and prepare every detail of the event,” Hawkins said. “As the date approaches, the library team spends many hours transforming the space and ensuring everything is ready for a safe, enjoyable experience. While guests see a few hours of fun, the event represents months of planning, creativity and teamwork.”

Because staff will be working to decorate the library, it will be closed during the day on Thursday, Oct. 29, and will open at 5 p.m. for the Boo Bash. The library staff doesn’t want to spoil the surprises, so, families, be sure to plan a stop at the MJB Library between 5-6:30 p.m. on Beggar’s Night to see what spooky fun is happening.

November is just around the corner, so be sure to follow the community calendar on the MJB Library webpage to know what is ahead. Remember that our regular programs will continue to meet. Cribbage will meet each Monday from 9-11 a.m.; Canasta will play on the first and third Tuesdays of the month beginning at 1 p.m. Bridge will meet on Wednesdays from 9-11 a.m. each week. Craft and Connect meets every Monday from 4-6 p.m. for those crafters who like to socialize while they create.

These boys wait patiently for help to melt their crayons with an iron.

Thursday, Nov. 5, at 5 p.m., the library will host a program titled “Social Security 101,” presented by the Social Security Administration to teach all you need to know about Social Security and your retirement. Patrons who plan to attend will need to either click on “tickets” on Facebook or call the library to register for this event.

Upcoming youth programs include LEGO Mania Day on Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 2 p.m., Creation Corner at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 18, and the weekly Friday preschool story hour at 10 a.m.

Guthrie County ISU Extension will present “Snow Spectacular” at the library at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 12. Youth of all ages are invited to attend to learn about blizzards, explore how meteorologists use tools to forecast weather, and make their own snowman measuring stick.

Libby users are reminded that they may get a message asking them to verify their card, requiring their library card number and a PIN. Remember, when entering the library card number, it must be seven digits, so if your number is 123, enter 0000123. The PIN is the 10-digit phone number they used when signing up for their library card, with no spaces or hyphens.

More than just books

Oct 20, 2026 | MJB LIBRARY NEWS

Sherri Gruwell with Parents as Teachers was the guest reader at the preschool story hour last week. Gruwell shared stories with the children and shared information about the Parents as Teachers program with the adults.

By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette

Sherri Gruwell with the Parents as Teachers program was the guest reader at the weekly preschool story hour. Gruwell read stories to the children and shared information with parents about available resources through the Parents as Teachers program.  

Gruwell explained that the program supports parents from the prenatal stage through 5 years old. The intent of the program is to support parents by helping them to access necessary resources as well as helping them become more involved in their child’s early education and connect with their children through play and reading time.

Parents as Teachers is proven to increase parent knowledge of early childhood development, improve early detection of developmental delays and health issues, prevent child neglect and abuse, and increase children’s school readiness and success. Parents as Teachers is located in the Guthrie County Public Health Office, and Gruwell can be reached at 641-757-0364.

Raising children takes a village, and the MJB Library works hard to be an active part of that village. In addition to the weekly preschool story hour each Friday at 10 a.m., the MJB Library does a monthly reading outreach to the Guthrie Center preschool classes. 

The library offers many youth activities and programs, including Creation Corner, which will be on Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 2 p.m. Our annual Li-BOO-ary Bash is Thursday, Oct. 29, from 5-6:30 p.m.; family-friendly decorations and a sweet treat for trick-or-treaters will be the highlight.  

MJB Library promotes the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. If you have a child from birth to age 5 who isn’t signed up, the library can give you the QR code to register your child to receive a children’s book, mailed to your child each month. 

Through the library, preschool children younger than 5 can participate in 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten. This free program promotes reading readiness by encouraging parents to read 1000 books with their child before they begin kindergarten. Sign-up can be done at the library or online on the MJB Library website. 

Adults with Guthrie Center addresses can use the Iowa Adventure Pass to each venue once every 365 days. With the Iowa Adventure Pass, two adults and two children are admitted at no charge to the Blank Park Zoo or the Science Center of Iowa. The Museum of Danish America and the Des Moines Performing Arts also offer free ticket deals for patrons. Check the MJB Library website for specifics regarding the use of the Iowa Adventure Passes and to reserve them. 

Homeschool families are reminded that the library also has a homeschool materials exchange available at no cost. Families are encouraged to come in and take home school resources that they need, and when they finish with books and materials that they would like to donate to the program, the library is happy to share them. 

Remember that while Libby is a fantastic resource for adult and young adult readers, a vast number of electronic and audio picture books are available through the app. Kanopy, the streaming service that is free for MJB Library patrons with a Guthrie Center address, has a huge number of educational programs available for children. 

Speaking of Libby, users have lately been required to verify their card and enter a PIN. On Libby, patrons are required to enter a seven-digit card number, so if the MJB card number is shorter, use the appropriate number of leading zeros. For example, if the card number is 123, enter 0000123. The PIN will be the telephone number that the library has on file; enter all 10 digits with no spaces or hyphens. 

AI controls are coming to Libby in the next few weeks. In Libby, users can set their preferences for discovering titles with AI contributions via a new Content Controls menu. This menu will present AI contribution choices in four different categories: text, audio, graphics, and translation. Each category has several options, so that people can find the right balance for them. AI Content Controls apply to all titles in Libby, whether you’re browsing or searching. For example, if a user disallows AI audio in Libby, all AI narrators will be filtered out of search results and library lists.

Remember that Friends of the Library still has T-shirts available for purchase for $30. Friends of the Guthrie Center Library meet the first Monday of each month at 6:15 p.m. 

Sign-up forms to bring a Christmas tree to the MJB Library Festival of Trees are now available on the MJB Library website. This year’s theme is Merry Christmas America 250. 

Be sure to look at the book displays throughout the library. In addition to the new book displays, the library currently has a display about cozy novels, a display about banned books, and a display featuring books with sprayed edges. Don’t just look at the displays; check some books out to read. 

The library is still looking for collections or hobbies to display each month in the library display case. If you have a collection or have created art/craft pieces that you’d be willing to display for a month at the library, please email or call the library. 

The MJB Library staff wants to congratulate Edward for reading 1,000 books before kindergarten. He is wearing his new shirt that he earned by completing the program.

After story hour, Caden created this working gear assembly.

Rook proves that STEM is fun and challenging for all ages.

More than just books

Oct 13, 2026 | MJB LIBRARY NEWS

By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette

Tyler Sullivan presented a program at the MJB Library last week describing his travels to 98 of Iowa’s 99 counties. During the program, Sullivan shared interesting attractions he visited as well as original poetry written about his experiences.

The leaves are turning; farmers are harvesting. Porches are filled with pumpkins and mums. Iowa’s monsoon season has ended, and autumn is here. With Halloween just around the corner, books by Stephen King, Anne Rice, and Dean Koontz are flying off the shelves. However, what about those readers whose fall vibe leans more toward warm, comforting and heartwarming?

For readers who desire a more serene and peaceful read, brew some tea and snuggle in with a cozy read that you checked out at the MJB Library. Cozies originated in the mystery genre for those who like a good whodunit without the blood and gore that are often part of contemporary thrillers.  These days, readers can find cozy versions of fantasy, sci-fi, romance and even horror.  

The MJB Library has many cozy books, and even more can be found on the Libby app. Here are a few popular cozy books on our shelves:

  • “Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel” by Lucy Foley
  • “Dolly all the Time” by Annabel Monaghan
  • “This Book Made Me Think of You” by Libby Page
  • “Remarkably Bright Creatures” by Shelby Van Pelt
  • “The House in the Cerulean Sea” by TJ Klune
  • “The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife” by Anna Johnston
  • “Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers” by Jesse Q. Sutanto
  • “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
  • “A Gentleman in Moscow” by Amor Towles
  • “Theo of Golden” by Allen Levi
  • “Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine” by Gail Honeyman
  • “A Man Called Ove” by Fredrik Backman

Local students enjoy constructing with the large Magna Tiles, which are on loan from the state library STEM program. MJB Library has many STEM activities available for students who visit.

Be sure to check the library calendar on the website to keep up with all the events at the library.  Bridge class will meet on Wednesday from 9-11 a.m. Judi Zimmerline and the Cardmaking Class will meet at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15 to create unique, handmade greeting cards. All materials are included in the $5 fee for the class. On Thursday, Oct. 15, Cookbook Club will be meeting at 6 p.m. to share Halloween-themed food. 

Cribbage will meet from 9-11 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 19. From 4-6 p.m., Craft and Connect will meet on Monday, Oct. 19. Canasta Class will be playing beginning at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 20. Evening book club members are reminded that copies of “Remain” by Nicholas Sparks and M. Night Shyamalan are available at the front desk for everyone who is still preparing for book club on Oct. 27. 

Preschool Story Hour is each Friday morning at 10 a.m. for preschoolers of all ages and their caregivers. Participants are treated to stories and a craft project each week.  

Families are reminded to join us at the library on Thursday, Oct. 29, from 5:00-6:30 p.m. for the annual Li-BOO-ary Bash. Visitors can expect family-friendly, “spooky” decorations and a sweet treat.

So much more than books

Oct 6, 2026 | MJB LIBRARY NEWS

By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette

Now that Iowa’s monsoon season seems to be over, it’s time to begin thinking of fall. The MJB Library is here with everything you need to get ready for cooler days and upcoming holidays.  

Be sure to include a stop at the MJB Library when your family goes out to trick-or-treat. The annual Li-BOO-Ary Bash will be on Thursday, Oct. 29, from 5-6:30 p.m. The library will be decked out in family-friendly decor and will include activities and a sweet treat for young patrons. 

LEGO Mania Day will be at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 7. At 4 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 8, the Guthrie County ISU Extension will present a youth program entitled “Fractions and Stained Glass.” Creation Corner will be at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 21. These programs are for youth of all ages. 

Friday mornings at 10 a.m., the library offers Preschool Story Hour for preschoolers of all ages and their caregivers. On Oct. 9, the theme is fall. A special guest will present on Oct. 16. Monsters will be the focus on Oct. 23, and Halloween is the topic for Oct. 30. 

For creative patrons, remember that Craft and Connect is each Monday from 4-6 p.m.; participants bring their current craft project and spend time socializing and creating.  On Thursday, Oct. 15, Cardmaking Class will meet from 9-11 a.m. to create handmade greeting cards. Judi Zimmerline leads the group. All materials are provided for a $5 fee. At 6 p.m. on Oct. 15, Cookbook Club will meet to share Halloween-themed recipes for a group potluck.  

Card players have a lot of options. Cribbage meets each Monday from 9-11 a.m. at the library.
Canasta Class is the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 1 p.m., and Bridge Class plays on Wednesday mornings from 9-11. 

“The Secret Life of Audrey James” by Heather Marshall is the title of the afternoon book club. Between the Covers will meet at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 13. Reads Well with Others, the evening book club, will meet at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 27, to discuss “Remain” by Nicholas Sparks and M. Night Shyamalan. Books for both groups are available for checkout at the front desk.

Planning ahead, at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 5, the program Social Security 101 will be featured. A Social Security specialist will share everything that future retirees should know and plan for. Preregistration is appreciated. 

Merry Christmas America 250 is the theme for this year’s Festival of Trees. It’s not too early to begin planning your decorations for this exciting event. 

Friends of the Guthrie Center Library are still selling T-shirts for $30. Shirts are available for purchase at the library. 

Libby and Kanopy users, beginning on Oct. 12, OverDrive will require users to enter a PIN/password in addition to a library card. Your PIN/password will be the primary phone number as it appears on your library card account, including the area code (no dashes or spaces).

Library card holders, make sure you’re using all the resources your card offers. Check out the library website to see the online resources like the Law Library and Mometrix. Sign up to use the Iowa Adventure Pass, Kanopy and Libby. The library offers so much more than books these days.

Mom helps as Brinley chooses the colors she needs for her craft project.

Preschool Story Hour theme was fall, so the craft featured autumn leaves. Edward shows his mom the leaves he has created.

A big congratulations to Lainey for completing the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Program. Created to encourage literacy, this program is free and available to all preschool children through the MJB Library.

So much more than books

Sep 22, 2026 | MJB LIBRARY NEWS

By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette

Although summer is over, things are heating up at the MJB Library this fall with new programs, events and classes being added regularly.

“Iowa Scenic Views by Foot,” presented by Iowa author Tyler Sullivan, will take place Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 4 p.m. Sullivan has visited 98 of Iowa’s 99 counties and 101 courthouses. He runs at least one mile in each community and writes a poem about every county he visits. In 2024, he visited more than 150 museums and attractions across the state. In 2025, he saw an astonishing 366 attractions. So far in 2026, Sullivan has visited more than 230 museums. Join us to hear about his adventures across Iowa.

Youth of all ages are invited to Creation Corner at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23. Preschoolers and their caregivers can also attend Story Hour each Friday at 10 a.m. for stories, crafts and optional playtime afterward.

LEGO Mania is scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7. On Thursday, Oct. 8, at 4 p.m., ISU Extension and Outreach in Guthrie County will present “Rainbow Fish and Stained Glass.” During this engaging STEM program, youth will explore fractions while creating their own stained-glass-inspired artwork. This colorful, hands-on activity combines math and creativity.

Families, mark your calendars for Thursday, Oct. 29, from 5-6:30 p.m. for the seventh annual Li-Boo-Ary Bash. Be sure to bring the kids to the library for family-friendly “spooky” decorations and a sweet treat during beggars night.

The library has many adult events scheduled this fall. Cribbage players meet every Monday from 9-11 a.m. to challenge one another. Craft and Connect meets Mondays from 4-6 p.m.; bring your current project and socialize with other crafty adults while you work.

Canasta players meet on the first and third Tuesdays of each month from 1-3 p.m. to play and learn more about the game. Between the Covers Book Club meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 3 p.m. For October, the group will discuss “The Secret History of Audrey James” by Heather Marshall. Reads Well With Others Book Club meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m.; its October selection is “Remain” by Nicholas Sparks and M. Night Shyamalan.

Bridge Class meets each Wednesday from 9-11 a.m. to play cards. As with all of our groups, everyone is welcome regardless of skill level. On the third Thursday of each month, Cardmaking Class meets from 9-11 a.m. Under the guidance of Judi Zimmerline, participants learn to make unique, handmade greeting cards. For a $5 fee, all materials are provided. Also, on every third Thursday, Cookbook Club meets at 6 p.m. This club is open to anyone who would like to choose a recipe from the month’s cookbook, prepare it and attend the monthly meeting where the group shares the food they prepared.

“Social Security 101: Everything You Need to Know” will be held Thursday, Nov. 5, from 5-6 p.m. The workshop will be led by Kirsten Goodwin, a public affairs specialist with 18 years of experience at the Social Security Administration in the Midwest-West Region. Topics will include eligibility for retirement, disability, survivor and spousal benefits; the effects of early retirement; how to maximize benefits; when to file for Medicare; and the future of Social Security.

It’s not too early to plan a tree for the MJB Library’s annual Festival of Trees. This year’s theme is “Merry Christmas America 250!” Setup begins Nov. 20. Contact the library to reserve a space for your business or organization’s tree.

Kanopy and Libby users, please note an upcoming change effective Oct. 16. OverDrive will require a PIN or password in addition to a library card when signing in to Libby and Kanopy. Your PIN or password will be the primary telephone number listed on your library account, including the area code, with no dashes or spaces.

Quilters and collectors, the library is looking for items to share with patrons. Quilts are displayed on the north wall, away from direct sunlight and collections are placed in a locked display case at the front of the library. Please contact us if you would be willing to display a quilt or collection for one month.

The Friends of the Guthrie Center Library will hold their monthly meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 5. Shirts are still available for $30. Contact the library to purchase yours today.

So much more than books

Sep 15, 2026 | MJB LIBRARY NEWS

By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette

“We’d all be smarter if we used library cards as often as we do credit cards.” – Arnold H. Glasow

One card, endless possibilities; that’s the feeling when you have a library card. Since 1987, September has been Library Card Sign-Up Month. Back-to-school time is the perfect time to bring youth in to get their first library card.

A library card gives users access not only to the book collection but also to all the other resources including DVDs, hot spots, tablets, computers, board games and audiobooks, as well as the Iowa Adventure Pass, Libby and Kanopy. My summer has not allowed me much reading time, but since the new fiscal year began in July, I have saved $449 just from the books I have checked out instead of purchasing them.

Stop by during library hours or go to the library website to get your library card and access so many resources.

Remember that the Friends of the Guthrie Center Library are selling T-shirts for $30. The next Friends meeting will be at 6 p.m. on Oct. 5.

For patrons who live in Guthrie Center and rural patrons with a Guthrie County address, remember to download Libby and Kanopy. Libby gives patrons access to thousands of eBooks, audiobooks and online magazines at no cost, with no limit on how many can be checked out. Kanopy is a streaming service that can be downloaded on a smart TV, smartphone or other device to view hundreds of movies, TV shows, documentaries and children’s programs.

For patrons who are considering retirement, Social Security 101: Everything You Need to Know is a program that the MJB Library will be hosting on Thursday, Nov. 5, from 5-6 p.m., led by Kirsten Goodwin, a public affairs specialist with 18 years of experience at the Social Security Administration in the Midwest-West Region. The workshop will cover topics such as when you are eligible to receive retirement benefits; how early retirement affects benefits; whether you are eligible for disability, survivors and spouse benefits; how to get the most from benefits; when to file for Medicare; and the future of Social Security.

Remember that this week, Canasta class will meet on Tuesday at 1 p.m., and Bridge class will meet on Wednesday at 9 a.m. Card-making class with Judi Zimmerline will meet from 9-11 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 17; all materials and equipment are supplied for a $5 fee. At 6 p.m., Cookbook Club will meet to share a potluck of recipes that were chosen this month. Patrons who have questions regarding any of these events may contact the library.

Cribbage will meet next Monday at 9 a.m., while Craft and Connect will meet next Monday from 4-6 p.m. On Tuesday, Sept. 22, Reads Well with Others will meet at 5 p.m. to discuss “The Unraveling of Julia” by Lisa Scottoline.

Upcoming youth events include preschool story hour each Friday morning at 10, and Creation Corner, which will be at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 23.

The staff of the MJB Library is honored to have been voted runner-up for the Best Guthrie County Library. Every day, we strive to enrich our community, educate minds and energize curiosity. We couldn’t have achieved this without your support and your votes. We are so much more than books.

STEM Projects require a lot of concentration. The next STEM workshop entitled “Fractions and Stained Glass” will be at the MJB Library at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 8.

Following the workshop, Library Director Jerri Hawkins provided a real pizza for the workshop participants to enjoy.

Youth were tasked with creating a pizza using layers of materials during the Layers workshop.

On Sept. 10, the ISU Extension presented a library program with the theme “Lots of Layers.” The idea was to get young people to think about layers, textures and how individual pieces come together to create something unique.

MJB Library Aide Karen Kelly is pictured with Miss Alaina’s preschool class at the Guthrie Center Elementary School on Sept. 11, when she read to both preschool groups. The MJB Library Staff visits the preschool classes each month to share books as part of their community outreach.

The library is a place where curious, young minds can explore and learn. Using a STEM kit on loan from the State Library, these creative minds are building a large structure.