By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette

During an ordinary week, the Mary J Barnett Memorial Library is a hive of activity. Groups meet in the Taylor meeting room for bridge club, cribbage games, card making club and cookbook club. Children rush through the door after school to play games, use the STEM table and maker space, read books and use tablets. People use computers, check out books, movies, puzzles and board games. Some people come in to socialize, drink a cup of coffee, or put some pieces in place in the communal jigsaw puzzle. Patrons send faxes, make copies and get help with problems they have with their electronic devices. Preschoolers and parents play in the interactive play space while older kids use the electronic game table. For many reasons, people are drawn to the library. 

April 6-12 is National Library Week, and the theme is Drawn to the Library. May I suggest you take a moment to see what your library has that might draw you to it. We have programs and resources for patrons of all ages and interests. Having a library card also provides you with access to many digital resources such as Libby, which provides library card holders access to ebooks, digital magazines, and audio books. The library truly has something for everyone at every age and interest level. If you doubt this, watch this space for events and programs we offer.  

Story Hour

Preschoolers and their caregivers are welcome to join us each Friday at 10 a.m. to have fun with stories and crafts. This week, on March 28, the topic will be bugs. 

Book Clubs 

Between the Covers book club meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 3 p.m. This month’s book is “James” by Percival Everett. “James” is a brilliant retelling of Huckleberry Finn from the viewpoint of James, the slave who overhears that he is about to be sold away from his wife and daughter. James hides on Jackson Island where he runs into Huck Finn who has faked his death to escape his violent father. James and Huck begin a dangerous journey down the Mississippi River on a raft  toward the promise of Free States. While much of the original story remains, the intelligence and compassion displayed by James shows the story in a radically new light. Stop in and check out a copy today.

Reads Well with Others book club meets the fourth Tuesday of each month from 5-6 p.m. The April book will be “The Briar Club” by Kate Quinn. Set in 1959 Washington, D.C., the book focuses on residents of the all-female boarding house, Briarwood House. When the mysterious widow Grace March moves into the attic rooms, she draws the oddball collection of neighbors into unlikely friendship. Capturing the paranoia of the McCarthy era, and highlighting the changing roles of women in post-war America, “The Briar Club” is an intimate and thrilling novel of secrets and loyalty put to the test. We still have copies available for those who would like to join us. 

After School STEM activities

On Wednesday, April 9, the library will be hosting a LEGO Mania Day at 2 p.m. Students of all ages are invited to stop by for a challenging STEM activity using LEGOs.  

Monday, April 21, the library will be showing a youth movie, “Moana 2,” at 12:30 p.m. Following the movie, there will be some coloring and activities. At 3:30 p.m., a Guthrie STEM Lab will be featured.  

Creation Corner, youth craft time will be available for school-age children beginning at 2 p.m. on April 30. For each of these youth activities, students must pre-register either through the link on Facebook, a phone call, or email to the library. We only have spots for 25 children for the activities. 

By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette

On Monday, March 10, Library Director Jerri Hawkins and Library Aide Karen Kelly headed to Avoca for some exciting STEM Fair training with the State Library of Iowa. They enjoyed a morning filled with inspiring ideas and activities from presenters representing the State Library, local libraries, and Iowa Public Television — all aimed at bringing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) to life for our young library patrons. Jerri and Karen came back buzzing with new ideas to make our library programs even more engaging.

One fun activity we are looking to introduce involves using Hot Wheels cars and tracks for some hands-on engineering fun. If you have any gently used Hot Wheels cars or tracks that you would like to donate, we would absolutely love to hear from you. Please reach out to the MJB Library, as we would be thrilled to take them off your hands. Thank you for your support.

The library is bursting with activity as spring is beginning. We are offering Cribbage every Monday morning from 9-11 a.m. and Bridge Club each Wednesday morning from 9-11 a.m. for anyone who has an interest in joining.  

Thursday, March 20, card making class will be held from 9-11 a.m. in the Taylor Meeting Room. The classes are $5 to cover the cost of all supplies and materials. At 6:30 p.m., the Cookbook Club will meet in the Taylor Meeting Room to enjoy a potluck of recipes selected from the “Ina Garten Barefoot Contessa Cookbook.” Anyone who would like to join the cookbook club can stop in the library and choose a recipe to make and share with the group.   

The Reads Well with Others evening book club will meet at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 25. “All the Colors of the Dark” by Chris Whitaker will be the topic of discussion. Copies are still available for checkout at the library. Join us for a good chat about an interesting book. Between the Covers book club members can stop in and check out a copy of “James,” which is their April book club book.

Friday mornings at 10 a.m., Preschool Story Hour is available to all preschool children and caregivers. March 21 will focus on the alphabet. Bugs will be the theme of story hour on March 28.  

We are working on some exciting new programs for our youth. On Wednesday, April 9  at 2 p.m., the library will host a Lego STEM afternoon. We will host youth activities on Monday, April 21. Beginning at 12:30 p.m., we will be showing “Moana 2.” Following the movie, there will be a STEM activity at 3:30 p.m. On Wednesday, April 30, the library will have a youth craft at 2 p.m. because of an early out. Put these dates on your calendar. We will have more details as we get closer to the events. 

By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette

Despite last week’s crazy weather, spring is just around the corner. That means adjusting to Daylight Savings Time, tulips and spring cleaning. As you clean your closets, many people think of the library as a place to donate things. We appreciate donations, but we do have some limitations on what we can accept. Unfortunately, we do not have unlimited space, so we have to be judicious with the donations we accept.

We would be thrilled to have donations of Guthrie Center High School and ACGC High School Yearbooks. We are working on a grant to digitize our collection of yearbooks, so the more complete our collection, the better.

We do take books, but only books in good condition with a copyright less than five years old. If the book is one that we already have, we would be glad to add it to our Friends of the Library fundraising book sale.

We can use board games and puzzles in excellent condition with all the pieces. Recent DVDs and audio books that we do not have would also be appreciated.

If you have something that you think the library can use, please feel free to call or stop by to check with us.

Collection Displays

Do you have a collection you would like to show off? If so, please be in touch with the library. We would be happy to schedule your collection for a month in our locked display case.

Story Hour

Our preschool story hour is every Friday at 10 a.m. Preschoolers of all ages and their caretakers are welcome to join us for a fun time of stories and crafts. St. Patrick’s Day is the topic for March 14. On March 21, we will talk about the alphabet, and bugs will be the theme on March 28.

Book Club

Reads Well With Others Book Club will be reading “All the Colors of the Dark” for March book club. The meeting will be March 25 at 5 p.m. Stop by the library if you need a copy of the book.

Cookbook Club

Ina Garten’s “Barefoot Contessa Cookbook” will be the topic of discussion for the March 20 cookbook club at 6:30 p.m. Stop by the library to choose a recipe to share with the group at the meeting.

Card Making Club

Led by Judi Zimmerline, the card making club meets on the third Thursday of each month to create some unique and beautiful greeting cards. This month’s meeting will be from 9-11 a.m. on Thursday, March 20. The cost of $5 covers all the supplies and equipment needed. All are welcome to join in and create.

Seed Library

Our seed library is still available for gardeners who would like to get some seedlings started. We have many varieties of herbs, flowers and vegetables. Stop in to see the free seeds we have for you to try out.

The Mary J. Barnett Memorial Library is located at 400 Grand St. in Guthrie Center. Contact us at 641-747-8110 or mjblib@guthriecenter.lib.ia.us. Visit us online at www.guthriecenter.lib.ia.us.

By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette

It’s been a busy week at MJB Library. Another preschooler has completed reading 1,000 books before kindergarten. The program is a national program that is free for families to participate.  Open to all preschool-age children, the program promotes youth literacy and is designed to promote the skills needed for reading readiness when a child starts kindergarten. If you have a preschool-age child or are a caregiver for a preschooler and would like to enroll your child, contact the library for information. 

Seed Library

With the warmer temperatures and bright sunshine, many people are thinking ahead to gardening season. If you are one of those, please consider stopping by the MJB Library to take a look at our seed library. We have a supply of seeds for many varieties of flowers, vegetables and herbs.  Now is a good time to start your plants, and we have seeds free for the taking. 

The Reads Well With Others book club met on Tuesday, Feb. 25 to discuss “Part of Your World.” The group meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m. Join us for a fun and interesting discussion.

Reads Well With Others

The Reads Well With Others evening book club met on Tuesday, Feb. 25 to discuss the February selection “Part of My World” by Abby Jimenez. Seventeen people gathered to share thoughts and insights about the book and how it resonated. Carla Wood and Roberta Gilson brought snacks for the group to enjoy. The March book will be a thriller entitled “All the Colors of the Dark” by Chris Whitaker. Copies are still available for check out for anyone who would like to join next month’s discussion. 

Card Clubs

If you are looking for a chance to play some cards and socialize with others, remember that the library has a group that meets every Monday from 9-11 a.m. to play cribbage. For those of you who want to play bridge, our bridge club meets weekly on Wednesdays from 9-11 a.m. Whether you are an experienced player or you want to learn, players of all skill levels are welcome to come to these groups. 

Preschool Story Hour

Friday mornings at 10 a.m., the library is a magical place where preschoolers and their caretakers gather to read some books and make some craft projects. Preschool children of all ages are welcome to attend. Each week, Miss Cass has a special theme for the stories and crafts. March 7, green is the focus for the week. Saint Patrick’s Day is the topic for March 14, and the alphabet is the theme for March 21. On March 28, our little patrons will get to learn about bugs. If you have a preschooler, stop by the library on Friday morning for playtime, reading and fun with other little people and their caregivers.

Between the Covers

Between the Covers Book Club is reading “The Secret Book of Flora Lea” by Patti Callahan Henry. When a woman discovers a rare book that has connections to her past, long-held secrets about her missing sister and their childhood spent in the English countryside during World War II are revealed. Come in and get a copy of this engrossing historical novel so you’re ready to join the book club on Tuesday, March 11, at 3 p.m.

Do you collect things?

The library is looking for collections to share in our display case each month. If you have a collection you’d like to share in our locked display case in the library for a month, please contact us, and we will schedule you for a month. 

By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette

Library lovers, while many of you are lovers of fiction, it probably is also good to read up on current events and nonfiction occasionally. For example, you might want to take a few minutes and read a couple of the proposed bills that, if passed, will impact the way our public libraries operate in Iowa. 

These bills are presently at the subcommittee stage. HF284 and SF238 are companion bills in the House and the Senate that are focused on taking away Enrich Iowa funding for libraries that pay dues to organizations that engage in advocacy work — such as the Iowa Library Association. This legislation would impact the ability of libraries across the state to benefit from professional organizations such as the Iowa Library Association, the Association of Small and Rural Libraries, and the American Association of Law Libraries. These professional associations help bring millions of dollars in library aid to Iowa from the federal government. They also offer grant opportunities and professional development to libraries and library workers and improve services provided by libraries. Penalizing libraries or library employees from joining or participating in the activities of a professional organization goes against the values of free thought, inquiry and the collective improvement of our society.

Other proposed bills to pay attention to regarding our libraries are SF235 and HF 274 (which has been renumbered to HF 521). These bills are entitled “A bill for an act relating to obscenity exemptions for public libraries and educational institutions.” This bill restricts free speech and access to information and allows the state to ban books and other materials from libraries and schools that have educational and cultural value. This bill strips citizens of their right to a library free from censorship. 

Take the time to research these bills and understand their implications. Reaching out through email or phone calls to your state senators and representatives can significantly impact their decision-making if you feel strongly about these proposed bills; your voice matters. In Guthrie Center, your state representative is Carter Nordman for District 19, and Jesse Green serves as your state senator. We truly value your commitment to advocating for our library and making a difference in our community.

Upcoming events

Our preschool Story Hour meets every Friday morning at 10 a.m. Grandparents will be the theme for Feb. 28. March 10 story hour will explore “green.” Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day is the focus of March 14. Preschoolers will learn about the alphabet on March 21 and bugs on March 28.

Friends of the Library will meet on Monday, March 3 at 6:15 p.m. The group will be discussing future fundraisers and library grants. Come out and join us to support our library.

Stop by to pick up the March books for our book clubs. Reads Well With Others, (meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month at 5 p.m.) the evening book club will be reading a thriller by Chris Whitaker entitled “All the Colors of the Dark.” 1975 is a time of change in America. The Vietnam War is ending. Muhammad Ali is fighting Joe Frazier. And in the small town of Monta Clare, Missouri, girls are disappearing. When the daughter of a wealthy family is targeted, the most unlikely hero emerges — Patch, a local boy, who saves the girl, and, in doing so, leaves heartache in his wake. A missing person mystery, a serial killer thriller, a love story and a unique twist on each, Chris Whitaker has written a novel about what lurks in the shadows of obsession and the blinding light of hope.

Between the Covers, (meets on the second Tuesday of every month at 3 p.m.) the afternoon book club, will be reading “The Secret Book of Flora Lea” by Patti Callahan Henri. In 1939 during WWII, sisters Hazel and Flora are sent from London to the countryside to be safe from bombings, but then the unthinkable happens. Flora disappears. Years later, Hazel discovers a rare book that tells the story of an imaginary world that Hazel had created as a child to entertain her sister, Flora, the only person with whom she shared the stories. As Hazel embarks on a feverish quest, revisiting long-dormant relationships and bravely opening wounds from her past, her career and future hang in the balance. An astonishing twist ultimately reveals the truth in this transporting and refreshingly original novel about the bond between sisters, the complications of conflicted love and the enduring magic of storytelling.

Both books are available for checkout at the library. Stop in and pick one up.

Cookbook Club, which will be on Thursday, March 20, will be choosing recipes from Ina Garten’s “Barefoot Contessa Cookbook.” If you would like to be at the meeting, be sure to stop in the library to choose a recipe to prepare and bring to the meeting to share with the group.

By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette

February is National Library Lovers’ Month, and we at Mary J. Barnett Library are working hard to give you a reason to celebrate. A huge cause for celebration is that we have had another young patron who finished 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten. Blair reached her goal of reading 1,000 books before starting school.

Another reason to love the library is the after-school programs available to our elementary-age patrons. The Guthrie County/ISU Extension office presented a STEM workshop on Feb. 13. The topic of the activities was color connections. 

Upcoming events

Cribbage Players meet weekly at the MJB Library. They play each Monday morning from 9-11 a.m. On Wednesday mornings, Bridge Club meets from 9-11 a.m. each week. New players are encouraged and welcome to join the fun. 

Card-making club meets monthly to work on hand-crafted greeting cards. Led by Judi Zimmerline, this creative group works on the third Thursday of each month. Feb. 20, from 9-11 a.m. will be the next class. All materials are provided for a $5 fee. 

Cookbook club will be meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 20. “Does This Taste Funny?” by Stephen Colbert and Evie McGee Colbert will be the source for February’s recipes. Anyone who would like to participate should stop by the library to select a recipe from the book to make for the meeting. 

MJB Library is excited to have two book clubs. Reads Well With Others evening book club will be meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 25 at 5 p.m. to discuss “Part of Your World” by Abby Jimenez. After a wild bet, a gourmet grilled-cheese sandwich and a cuddle with a baby goat, Alexis Montgomery has had her world turned upside down. The cause: Daniel Grant, a ridiculously attractive carpenter who is 10 years younger than her and as casual as they come — the complete opposite of sophisticated city-girl Alexis. And, yet, their chemistry is undeniable. This fast-paced romantic comedy will keep readers entertained. Copies are still available for checkout for anyone who would like to join.   

Between the Covers book club which meets at 3 p.m. will be reading “The Secret Book of Flora Lea” by Patti Callahan Henri. This historical fiction novel centers around Hazel and her sister, Flora. When Hazel stumbles across a mysterious children’s book, long-held secrets about her missing sister Flora and their childhood spent in the English countryside during WWII are revealed. 

Preschoolers and their caregivers are invited to join us for Story Hour at the MJB Library each Friday morning beginning at 10 a.m. Parents and caregivers of preschool-age children are also reminded to sign up for the free program 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten, intended to help children with reading readiness by reading 1,000 books before they start school.