MJB LIBRARY NEWS Archives

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.

So much more than books

Sep 8, 2026 | MJB LIBRARY NEWS

By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette

Fall has arrived, and temperatures will soon drop, but things are heating up at the MJB Library. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and check the library’s website for upcoming events.

On loan through September, Lynda Menefee is sharing her collection of teacher memorabilia to celebrate back-to-school. Community members who have collections that they would like to share for a month with the library are invited to contact the library to arrange a month to display their items.

Youth events for the month include LEGO Mania Day at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 9. On Thursday, Sept. 10, at 4 p.m., the Guthrie County ISU Extension Office will present “Lots of Layers” in the Taylor Meeting Room for youth of all ages. Creation Corner is happening on Wednesday, Sept. 23, at 2 p.m.

Friday mornings at 10 a.m., MJB Library offers preschool Story Hour for preschoolers of all ages and their caregivers. Sept. 11 will feature the theme “B is for bus.” School is the topic of Sept. 18, and clouds will be the subject of Sept. 25.

The MJB Library offers programs for adults of all interests. On Mondays, from 4-6 p.m., the library hosts Craft and Create, a time for creative adults to bring a craft project and socialize with other crafters while they work. Cribbage players gather every Monday morning from 9-11 a.m. to play. On the first, third the fifth Tuesdays of the month, Canasta Class meets beginning at 1 p.m. Bridge Class meets each Wednesday from 9-11 a.m.

Two book clubs are available for readers. Between the Covers afternoon book club meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 3 p.m. The evening book club, Reads Well with Others, meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 5 p.m.

On the third Thursday of each month, card-making class meets from 9-11 a.m. Later on the third Thursday, Cookbook Club meets at 6 p.m.

The Friends of the Guthrie Center Library still has T-shirts available from RAGBRAI for sale for $30. These shirts can be purchased at the library. Anyone who would like to support the library is invited to join Friends of the Guthrie Center Library; contact the library for membership information.

This tidewater quilt and matching pillow were created by Jerri Hawkins. The quilt is on loan to the library during September.

Library patrons are reminded to take advantage of the perks of being a library cardholder. Guthrie Center town and rural Guthrie County library cardholders 18 years of age or older are encouraged to use the Iowa Adventure Pass, which is sponsored by the Friends of the Guthrie Center Library, to go to The Blank Park Zoo, the Des Moines Science Center, the Museum of Danish America and the Des Moines Performing Arts Center. New to library users is the streaming service called Kanopy, which offers movies, documentaries, children’s shows, TV shows and educational programs for patrons to view.

Each month, the library displays collections in the locked display case by the front desk and a quilt on the quilt display rack on the North wall. We are looking for patrons who would like to share their talents and collections. If anyone has a collection of Halloween items that they would like to display, we would love to be able to use it for October. Please contact the MJB Library if you have collections or quilts you would be willing to loan to us for a month-long display.

The library will once again be hosting the annual Festival of Trees. This year’s theme will be “Merry Christmas, America 250!” Local businesses, organizations and groups are invited to decorate a tree for the festival.

So much more than just books

Sep 1, 2026 | MJB LIBRARY NEWS

Miss Cass shares a new book during MJB Library’s Preschool Story Hour, which is held each Friday at 10 a.m.

By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette

The flag in front of the MJB Library is at half-staff today, and a sparkly “Remembering Dolly” display encourages patrons to read about the woman considered to be an icon and a national treasure. During a time when our country is so divided, it seems that the love for Dolly Parton is universal.

What is it about this self-proclaimed “Backwoods Barbie” that makes her so appealing? Everyone is aware of her talents as an entertainer, but there are a lot of multi-talented performers who are not so revered and admired. What is it about Parton that caused a nation to mourn, the British Band of the Coldstream Guard to play “9 to 5” during the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace and the President to declare that flags should fly at half-staff for a week?

In a world that reveres money more than character, power more than kindness and accumulating wealth more than charity, Dolly Parton was a unicorn. She commented, “I always count my blessings more than I count my money. I don’t work for money. Never did.”

Parton, whose humanitarian deeds were not widely publicized before her death, believed that philanthropy didn’t set her apart from others; rather, she saw it as just part of being human. In 2022, Parton told the Associated Press, “I think it’s important for everyone to do their share to help their fellow man.”

In a culture that admires billionaires, Dolly Parton made a choice not to be a billionaire, but rather to reinvest her money in people instead of hoarding wealth for the sake of accumulating wealth.

During her career, Parton has supported medical, educational and social charities that were important to her. The most personal cause that Parton funded is the Imagination Library, which sends children all over the world a book each month from birth until the child turns five. More than 300 million books have been sent since 1995.

Parton said, “My father could not read and write, and I saw how crippling that could be.” Aside from improving early literacy, the program helps children’s self-esteem. As Parton said, “It’s the fact that they get recognized. They get this little book with their little name on it in the mail, and they feel special. They start taking pride in themselves, and they know somebody out there is thinking of them.”

When asked in 2024 how she wants to be remembered, Parton said, “I hope people will just say she was a good ol’ girl, you know? She tried hard, she worked hard and she tried to make the world a better place and tried to make people happy. And I will be doing that till I keel over.”

We can all learn a lesson from Parton. All of us can share our time, talents and energy to improve the world around us. Maybe each of us can be a little more like Dolly to celebrate her extraordinary life. To help carry on her legacy, her family requested donations to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Our library invites anyone interested in promoting literacy to join our Friends of the Guthrie Center Library.

Young residents of Guthrie, Greene, Audubon and Carroll Counties can join the global community of readers fostered by the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, made possible through local support from Our Counties Health Foundation. From the moment of birth until they reach the milestone of kindergarten, children can be registered to receive a complimentary book delivered to their doorstep every month. To begin this literacy journey, families may visit the official program website or simply utilize the QR code available at our library to complete the enrollment process.

The library has exciting programs lined up for fall, including LEGO Mania Day at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 9 and Creation Corner at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 23. Working with the Guthrie County/ISU Extension, the library will present a youth program entitled “Lots of Layers” on Thursday, Sept. 10 at 4 p.m.

Adults, be sure to put the Social Security Pre-Retirement Presentation on your calendar for Thursday, Nov. 5 at 5 p.m.

Patrons are reminded that due to the Guthrie County Fair and Labor Day, the library will be closed Saturday, Sept. 5 and Monday, Sept. 7.

Stop by the MJB Library to check out a book from our Remembering Dolly display.

More than just books

Aug 24, 2026 | MJB LIBRARY NEWS

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.

Wellmark Family Series:	Pass LIVE date on IAP website (subject to change):	Performance Date:
“Velveteen, A New Musical”	Aug. 20, 2026	Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026
“Tales of the Sun and Moon”	Jan. 6, 2027	Saturday, March 6, 2027
“What Do You Do with a Problem?”	March 7, 2027	Saturday, April 10, 2027

The Dance Series:
“Ailey II”	Sept. 24, 2026	Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026
“Ballet Hispanico”	Feb. 27, 2027	Tuesday, April 27, 2027

National Geographic LIVE Speaker Series:
“Wild Wolves of Yellowstone”	Sept. 24, 2026	Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026
“The Ghosts of Pompeii”	Nov. 27, 2026	Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2027
“Chasing Monarchs”	Feb. 28, 2027	Thursday, April 29, 2027

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.

More than just books

Aug 18, 2026 | MJB LIBRARY NEWS

By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette

For those of you who are going back to school or sending someone back to school, remember that the MJB Library is here to meet your needs.

For students, be sure to check out our online resources. The library website offers links to many online educational resources. Check out the digital resources menus on the website.

Kanopy is our newest addition to digital resources. Residents of Guthrie Center and rural Guthrie County can stream up to three videos a month for free. Kanopy features 30,000 movies, documentaries, PBS shows and educational videos.

Libby is also available to patrons at Guthrie Center and in rural Guthrie County and offers free access to thousands of eBooks, audiobooks and online magazines.

Mometrix eLibrary provides a wide range of study materials to help test-takers, including flashcards, practice tests and guides, covering subjects from foundational education to specialized trades and advanced academic fields. This online resource is available to all Iowa residents and authorized users and is funded by an appropriation from the Iowa Legislature.

Access the MJB Library Online Catalogue at this site as well. Use our online catalog to find items, place reserves, renew items, and so much more.

The online resource link also provides links to virtual tours, activities and sites, including PBS, AEA, Homeschool Iowa and the Iowa State Historical Society.

The library also has free Wi-Fi, computers to check out, and inexpensive printing services. For students who need quiet places to study, reserve the small meeting room during library hours. College students who need a test proctored can also reserve the small meeting room and request a proctor for exams.

For homeschool families, MJB Library offers a homeschool exchange. The library has many homeschool textbooks and workbooks available at no cost. We accept donations of homeschool books and materials.

Readers and supporters of the library are reminded that the Friends of the Library still have T-shirts available for $30. Profits go to support Friends of the Guthrie Center Library.

For patrons who have not used the Iowa Adventure Pass this year, 2026 is a great year to visit the Blank Park Zoo, as it’s the zoo’s 60th anniversary. In addition to celebrating its Diamond Jubilee, the zoo is showcasing new faces. Two female lions and a male lion have joined the lion pride at the zoo. By the end of the summer, the expanded lion enclosure is due to open as well. Walnut, a harbor seal, moved from the Los Angeles Zoo to Des Moines.

Victoria, a rare Addax Antelope, was born in late May of this year, while Hiro, the Japanese Macaque, was born July 6. Kida and Eddie, endangered cotton-top tamarins, just produced twins on Aug. 12. Two reticulated giraffes are expecting this summer. Skye’s calf was born at 8 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 17, while Zola’s calf will be born in September 2026. Schedule the Iowa Adventure Pass so you can take your family to enjoy these new faces.

Each month, the MJB Library displays a quilt and a collection in our locked display case. If you have a quilt you would like to loan to the library to display for a month, or if you have a collection you’d like to share for a month in our display case, please call or email Karen at the library.

Upcoming events

Wednesday, Aug. 19 – Bridge Class, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 19 – Creation Corner, 4 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 20 – Card Making Class, 9-11 a.m.
Thursday, Aug. 20 – Cookbook Club, 6 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 21 – Preschool Story Hour, 10 a.m.
Monday, Aug. 24 – Cribbage, 9-11 a.m.
Monday, Aug. 24 – Craft and Connect, 4-6 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 25 – Evening Book Club, 5 p.m.

Story Hour kids worked on fine motor skills during craft time.

The Story Hour craft on Friday allowed children to be creative and to develop fine motor skills as they cut, color and glue to make pretty butterflies.

Story Hour every Friday at 10 a.m. is a great chance for preschoolers to hear stories and be creative.

Mason displays his STEM creation.

Parker and Mason are competing on the game table.

More than just books

Aug 11, 2026 | MJB LIBRARY NEWS

By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette

As summer starts to bid us farewell, the MJB Library is here to help you squeeze the last drops of sunny fun before school hits/ If you are 18 or older and live in Guthrie Center, don’t miss out on the Iowa Adventure Pass, which opens up three exciting venues: The Blank Park Zoo, The Science Center of Iowa, and the Museum of Danish America. Get ready for family adventures with two free adult and two free kids’ admissions. Just hop onto the library website to snag your pass.

Calling all crafty kids and those young at heart. Join us at Creation Corner on Wednesday, Aug. 19 at 4 p.m. It’s the perfect time to unleash your creativity. And don’t forget our treasured preschool story hour every Friday at 10 a.m. Bring your little ones to listen to stories and get their hands busy with a fun craft.

Looking for some enjoyable activities to round off summer? The library’s got your back with an array of board games, DVDs, puzzles and audiobooks. Plus, check out our telescope and get lost in the stars while the planets do their dance across the sky.

Card players, gather around. Our cribbage games are a Monday ritual from 9-11 a.m., bridge class is ready to deal on Wednesdays from 9-11 a.m., and our Canasta class meets on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 1 p.m. Who’s ready for some friendly competition?

Don’t miss out on Craft and Connect every Monday from 4-6 p.m. Bring your craft projects and enjoy some chat. It’s the perfect way to unwind. And bookworms, we have not one, but two book clubs for you. “Between the Covers” meets the second Tuesday at 3 p.m., while “Reads Well With Others” gathers on the fourth Tuesday at 5 p.m. Check out the books at the front desk.

Curious about what’s hot off the shelves? These are the top 10 most popular reads this week at the MJB Library: “Theo of Golden” by Allen Levi; “Want to Know a Secret” by Freida McFadden; “The Score” by Elle Kennedy; “Whistler: a novel” by Ann Patchett; “The Rainy Day Bookshop” by Rae Anne Thayne; “The Divorce” by Freida McFadden; “The Final Target” by Nora Roberts; “Our Perfect Storm” by Carley Fortune; “The News from Dublin” by Colm Tobin; and “Mad Mabel” by Sally Hepworth. Check them out before they disappear.

For those who love audiobooks and Ebooks, the top three on the Libby app are “The Calamity Club” by Katherine Sockett; “Yesteryear” by Caro Claire Burke; and “The Correspondent” by Virginia Evans. But if waiting isn’t your style, swing by MJB Library to grab these titles without the hold/

Let’s make the most of this summer together at the library.