Special to the Times Vedette

Last Monday, I had the best job ever; I worked in the library while RAGBRAI was in town. 

Why was a 13-hour shift with 100-200 people in the library most of the day my favorite day at work? It was a great day because it showcased all that was good about libraries, small towns and people in general.

Although it was a busy day with a lot of people with varied needs, the day was really easy. Mainly, it was an easy day because our library director is extremely organized and good at anticipating what people will need. We were well-prepared, well-staffed, and well-stocked with what people might need. 

It was also an easy day because we had great support and excellent volunteers. Friends of the Library provided volunteers to work at the library. The Friends volunteers sold T-shirts, pickles, and pickle juice shots. The pickle cut-out outside provided a lot of fun photo ops, and the funny pickle names were a great icebreaker for people as they hung out in the library. Volunteers also helped with traffic flow and attended to the bathrooms.  

For all the volunteers who took time to help in any way, please do not underestimate the value of your contributions. When I thanked one of our Friends for all of her help, she replied, “Oh, I just put toilet paper in the bathroom.” Trust me when I tell you, to the woman with serious digestive issues who had just taken medication and stopped at the library to use a clean, cool restroom, the volunteer who stocked the toilet paper in our bathroom might have been the most important person in her world. Every volunteer and every job mattered. 

The support from Panora Fiber was so appreciated. When guests weren’t able to connect to our Wi-Fi, Panora Fiber researched the problem and found a way to increase connectivity to meet the needs of our patrons.

Since the second day of RAGBRAI peaked around 100 degrees, working inside in air conditioning felt like a pretty good gig. It turns out, when it’s sweltering outside and people have been riding a bicycle for 50-plus miles, they are pretty nice to anyone who says, “Hey, come in. We have air conditioning!”  

Every person who walked through our door thanked us profusely as if we were somehow responsible for the cool air coming through the vents. They were appreciative, kind and respectful of our library and the fellow RAGBRAI riders.  

After buying one of the T-shirts from Friends of the Library, a librarian from Ohio took her shirt around the library to show everyone. I overheard her telling a group of people, “Isn’t this a great shirt? It only costs $30. You’re sitting here soaking up their air conditioning and hanging out in this awesome library. Go buy a shirt.” 

Pretty soon, people began to purchase more shirts. One gentleman said, “I don’t need a shirt, but I sure appreciate your library. Here’s $30. Give a shirt to the next kid who comes up and wants a shirt.” Classy people who love libraries and who pay it forward. Those are my people!   

My soul was overjoyed by the number of people who love libraries. One man told me that the first night of the ride, he and his wife discovered the library in Harlan. There weren’t many people at the Harlan library that night, so he and his wife decided to stop at libraries in all the towns and keep it their little secret. He said, “Apparently, someone told everyone how wonderful libraries are because look how crowded it is here!” 

One guy literally skipped through the door and loudly announced, “I just love libraries!” He promptly purchased books from our book sale and settled in to read in the air conditioning for a while. 

Several people came in search of a specific book. To simplify packing, they started a book at the library in Harlan, memorized what page they were on, and then sought out the book at our library. Genius way to read across the state! 

Some people played checkers, chess or board games. Others played the Wii. Puzzles were completed, conversations were shared, and phones were charged. Some folks just took advantage of the cool environment to take a quick nap; turns out there’s plenty of room to stretch out between the bookshelves.  

Not everyone on RAGBRAI was on vacation. One support vehicle driver who works remotely came in early with a computer Wi-Fi connectivity problem for Jerri to solve. A nurse used our small meeting room to do telehealth conferences. Later in the day, a student needed the room to take a test. Jerri’s office became the site for a Zoom job interview for one rider. A business owner needed a quiet place with Wi-Fi to complete that week’s payroll. Later, the KCCI news team used the office to edit their RAGBRAI reports. 

Though the day was long, time went quickly because it was a fun and gratifying day. Our staff was happy to contribute in small ways to making the trip across Iowa better for the people who sought out our library. The day felt easy because guests were so polite and appreciative, and we were able to help with most of the requests we got. 

At 8:30 p.m., when people finally left our library, we couldn’t tell that hundreds of people had been in the building all day. They picked up after themselves. Sure, we had extra chairs that had been moved in from our meeting room, but all the garbage had been disposed of, and areas tidied. Only an empty Gatorade bottle and a small book cart of books that had been enjoyed indicated that the library had been used. Otherwise, it would be impossible to see the difference between the beginning and the end of the day. 

We were left with wonderful memories of interesting people who brightened our day. I realized early on that people tend to see what they are looking for. Those who look for positives will find them, and the opposite is also true. This was evident last week when a group of strangers discovered how refreshing a day spent in the library could be. Was the day perfect? Probably not. No one would have chosen that type of weather, but a library is a fantastic place to be, especially when it’s hotter than ever outside. In such cases, a library truly is the best refuge.

The RAGBRAI guests we spent the day with were kind, respectful and incredibly generous. The staff enjoyed the experience and appreciated everyone who volunteered or contributed in any way.

Most importantly, I felt a deep sense of pride for my hometown, especially for our remarkable library. For those who use the library and understand why hundreds of bikers were excited to spend the day there, thank you. Please continue to utilize the many resources available to everyone.

For taxpayers who have never visited the library, we invite you to stop by and get a library card. With your card, you can check out books, download Libby (an app that provides access to eBooks, online magazines, and audiobooks), and enjoy Kanopy, a streaming service available for free to patrons with a Guthrie Center address. 

Take advantage of a family outing by using an adventure pass, or explore our collection of DVDs, audiobooks, and board games. You can also put together a puzzle or participate in one of our many programs and events. Our computers are available for use, and we have meeting rooms where you can hold private Zoom meetings.

Visit the library and see how your tax dollars are being utilized. Last fiscal year, Mary J. Barnett Library saved our patrons an impressive $601,327.33. That’s a significant return on the investment of just five minutes and no cost to obtain a library card. 

So, please, stop by and check us out. Hundreds of RAGBRAI riders can’t be wrong!

By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette

Last week, I visited my 2-month-old granddaughter in Tennessee. The best part of the visit was reading to her. We read “The Little Engine that Could,” her first book from the Dolly Parton Imagination Library; “The Wonky Donkey,” because it is funny; “Go, Dog, Go,” which, for reasons I still don’t understand, was one of her dad’s favorite books; and “The Paper Bag Princess” to remind her that girls are strong, brave and resourceful.

Some of you might think I’m crazy since a 2-month-old child can’t possibly understand the lessons in “The Paper Bag Princess,” nor can she appreciate that her daddy loved a book I’m sharing. At 2 months old, her vision isn’t even good enough to see the pictures in the books clearly. So why would I bother to spend time reading?

Research indicates that reading to children before they can talk builds essential skills for lifelong success. It strengthens bonding, boosts language development, enhances cognitive growth and improves fine motor skills.

Research suggest that 90% of a child’s brain develops by age 5, laying the foundation for health, learning and social development. During this period of rapid development, it is crucial to build neural connections. Even as newborns, babies benefit from hearing language.

Books provide the building blocks of language. A child’s first three years of life are the most important for acquiring speech and language skills. The more they are exposed to the sounds and words of their native language, the easier it will be to learn. Reading one picture book to a child daily exposes them to about 78,000 words per year.

Aside from language development and brain connection building, reading time is bonding time. Children love being close to caregivers and hearing their voices. When books are associated with love, a lifelong reader is born.

Reading helps with behavioral and social-emotional development. While reading books, children will see characters going through emotions and experiences that they might have themselves, and they can see how those characters deal with them. They will also witness ways to communicate those emotions to others.

Books provide a valuable sensory experience. As babies and toddlers explore books with their five senses, they are learning by experiencing colors, turning pages, pointing at pictures, opening and closing the cover and so much more. Repetition is key, and those habits lead to comfort with reading and communicating in the future.

Early exposure to books provides a lifelong advantage to children. Reading to babies nurtures their curiosity, strengthens their attention span and builds their capacity for empathy as they read stories about different experiences and people.

For all these reasons, the staff at MJB Library promotes programs aimed at early literacy. Parents of preschool children, we offer a free program called 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten, designed to engage families in reading together. Research indicates that reading 1,000 books to a child before kindergarten will improve their vocabulary and reading readiness. Sign up at the library to enroll your child.

Children who reside in Audubon, Guthrie, Carroll and Greene Counties are eligible to participate in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library thanks to the generous sponsorship of Partnership 4 Families. Families with newborn to 5-year-old children can sign up their child, who will receive a free book each month from birth to kindergarten from the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Go to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to sign up or stop by the library and use the QR Code.

Preschool families are invited to attend the Story Hour program each Friday at 10 a.m. Each week, children will hear stories around a different theme, followed by a craft project. The theme for July 24 is the color blue, and July 31’s theme is ducks.

Youth will have Creation Corner on Wednesday, July 22 at 4 p.m. On Thursday, July 23 at 1 p.m., the Guthrie County Farm Bureau will present a youth program titled “Grains We Grow.” Watch the library website for upcoming youth activities.

Families with children are reminded that the library has a large youth area where kids can play, read, assemble puzzles and do STEM activities. MJB Library has a huge selection of youth literature, including board books, picture books, beginning readers, chapter books and graphic novels. Stop in with your kids and find some new books to enjoy together.

By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette

The Friends of the Guthrie Center Library had a fantastic time hosting a fundraising golf tournament on Saturday, June 27 at the Guthrie Center Golf Course. We had 11 eager teams join us for our four-person best ball tournament. A huge congratulations to the winning team: Rod Rumelhart, Kelly Bast, Kristopher Schroeder and Jack Robbins. They played wonderfully. Also, a big shout-out to our second-place team: Brandon Schreiber, Bailey Schreiber, Brandon Peterson and Cameron Hester. Well done, everyone, and thank you for supporting the Friends of the GC Library. 

We’re excited to share that our “Plant a Seed: Read!” 2026 Summer Reading Program was a resounding success. Throughout June, the library was buzzing with fun programs and activities. We had 91 kids sign up to join the reading adventure. The MJB Library hosted 12 awesome events during the month, and a total of 506 attendees came out to participate. By the end of June, 33 kids proudly turned in their reading logs, racking up an incredible 543 hours of reading. That means each of those amazing kids averaged about 16.5 hours of reading. We are so proud of our young readers.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to all the kids who participated and to the parents for supporting the library program. A special shout-out to our wonderful community partners who helped make this summer reading program such a success. 

Let’s keep the reading momentum going. Don’t forget, we’re still accepting reading logs for our Bikes and Books drawing until July 31. Happy reading, everyone.

Patrons are reminded that the cardmaking class, led by Judi Zimmerline, is on Thursday, July 16 from 9-11 a.m. Cookbook Club will meet at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 16. Canasta class will be Tuesday, July 21 at 1 p.m. Cribbage is every Monday from 9-11 a.m., and bridge class is 9-11 a.m. every Wednesday. Craft and Connect continues to meet each Monday at 4 p.m. for crafters who enjoy socializing with other creative people while working on projects. Members of the Reads Well with Others book club are reminded that copies of Fredrik Backman’s “My Friends” are available for check-out before our 5 p.m. book club on Tuesday, July 28. 

Youth have Creation Corner at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, July 22.  At 1 p.m. on Thursday, July 23, the Guthrie County Farm Bureau will present a youth event entitled “Grains We Grow.”  Preschool Story Hour is every Friday at 10 a.m. 

Patrons are reminded that due to the influx of RAGBRAI riders coming to town on Monday, July 20, the library will have extended hours. On that day only, the library hours will be 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette

The Summer Reading Program has concluded, but the Mary J. Barnett Library still offers a variety of exciting and fun events throughout the summer. Visit our website to check the community calendar and see what’s happening.

We are thrilled to introduce Kanopy, a new streaming service available to patrons with a Guthrie Center and Guthrie County rural library card. Kanopy allows users to stream movies, documentaries, TV shows and more through the Kanopy app.

To get started, install the Kanopy app on your device or visit Kanopy.com. Follow the prompts to find the Mary J. Barnett Library, enter your library card number and create an account. You can then explore the library’s curated list of available videos and start watching.

Additionally, patrons with a Guthrie Center address can enjoy the Libby app, which provides free access to thousands of eBooks, audiobooks and magazines.

Although our summer reading program has ended, there are still numerous opportunities to keep our young readers engaged. Remember, the “Books for Bikes” initiative will continue until July 31. Check the list of summer reading opportunities available at our front desk.

Youth of all ages are encouraged to attend our programs presented by the Guthrie County Farm Bureau. “Apples and Orchards” will be on Thursday, July 9, and “Grains We Grow” will be on Thursday, July 23. Both programs begin at 1 p.m.

LEGO Mania Day is at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, July 8, with Creation Corner meeting at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, July 22. These events are open to youth of all ages.

Preschool Story Hour will be at 10 a.m. each Friday. In July, preschoolers and their caregivers can enjoy stories and crafts about the July themes, which include America, the color red, the color blue and ducks.

Regular adult programming for the summer will continue to feature cribbage classes on Monday from 9-11 a.m. Bridge classes will be held each Wednesday from 9-11 a.m. Canasta classes will be the first and third Tuesdays of each month. Players of all skill levels are encouraged to join.

Craft and Connect will be each Monday beginning at 4 p.m. From 9-11 a.m. on Thursday, July 16, a card-making class will meet to create unique greeting cards. Cookbook club will meet at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 16, to share dishes they have made and to discuss the recipes they chose.

Just a quick reminder that the Between the Covers book club will be getting together at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14, to chat about Elin Hilderbrand’s delightful novel, “The Perfect Couple.” We would love to have you join us for some fun discussion.

Don’t forget that the Reads Well with Others evening book club will be meeting at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, July 28, to dive into “My Friends” by Fredrick Backman.

The community is reminded that the MJB Library will have extended hours to accommodate our RAGBRAI guests. The hours for Monday, July 20, will be 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Community members are invited to stop by the library to purchase a pickle or a library T-shirt, sold by the Friends of the Guthrie Center Library.