Special to the Times Vedette

April is finally here, and so is National Library Week, which is April 7-13 this year. Sponsored by the American Library Association, the theme for National Library Week 2024 is “Ready, Set, Library!” 

“Ready, Set, Library” promotes the idea that in our digital world, the library still offers something special to its patrons. The library also offers a gathering place, a place to connect with others, to learn new skills, and to focus on what matters most. Check our community calendar on the website to see what events are scheduled and to sign up. No matter what stage of life you are in, the library can provide something for you.  

Our library offers you a place to access free Wi-Fi. We have computers, tablets and game systems that can be used. Mobile hotspots are available to check out for those who need internet at home. 

For those who are looking to begin a new career or look for a job, remember that the library offers extensive career resources online.  To access, go to https://www.guthriecenter.lib.ia.us/ and click Online Resources. Then choose Brainfuse. Under Brainfuse, select JobNow from the pulldown menu. In JobNow, patrons can access live resume coaching and live interview coaching. Additionally, there is assistance with unemployment, including how to complete paperwork to access benefits. SkillsFirst is award-winning software to help with resume creation, job interview prep and more. Resume templates are also available for patrons’ use. For  those who are considering a career change, eParachute helps users discover college majors and careers that match skills and interests. The best part of this program is that it is free. All that is required is a library card, and those are free, too. 

To celebrate National Library Week, consider using one of the many services the library has to offer.

Cribbage, bridge and card-making

Every Monday from 9-11 a.m., cribbage players compete in the Taylor Meeting Room. Bridge class meets every Wednesday morning at the same time and place. Players are welcome to join, regardless of skill level. Card Making Club meets the third Thursday of each month to create one-of-a-kind greeting cards. The group is led  by Judi Zimmerline. There is a $5 fee, which covers the cost of all needed supplies. 

Book Club

On Tuesday, April 9, Between the Covers will  meet to discuss this month’s book club selection “How Beautiful We Were” by Imbolo Mbue. Copies are available for check out by anyone who would like to participate. Book club meets at 3 p.m.

Lunch and Learn

Be sure to pre-register for the April Lunch and Learn, which will be from noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, April 10. Dementia Friends of Iowa will be presenting a workshop to help people who want to help someone living with dementia. The program explain the basics of dementia such as what dementia is, what it’s like to live with the disease, and some tips for communicating with people who have dementia. A light lunch will be served. Pre-register by calling or emailing the library or signing up online. 

New Opportunities Naloxone Training

New Opportunities will be presenting a workshop on Thursday, April 11 at 5:30 p.m. An overview of opioids and Naloxone distribution training will be the topic of this program. Issues addressed in the program will explain what opioids are and how they impact physical functioning, the consequences of opioid misuse, what Narcan is, what Narcan is used for, and how to obtain and administer NARCAN properly. Naloxone (NARCAN) will be onsite and available for distribution provided by New Opportunities. If you have questions, call New Opportunities at 712-792-9266.

After-school STEM Program

Students of all ages are invited to attend the after-school STEM program presented by the Guthrie County ISU Extension Office. Participants will be working on spring-related STEM activities. The workshop is from 3:30-4:30 p.m. on Monday, April 15.

Charcuterie Class

Charcuterie To Go will be presenting a charcuterie class at the MJB Library on Saturday, May 4 from noon to 1:30 p.m. Participants will take their charcuterie skills to the next level by getting an overview of perfect meat, cheese and cracker combinations and then having a chance to make their own board. The cost is $25 for a 6 x 6 board and $45 for an 8 x 8 board. For those who would like to attend but are not able to make the noon class, the same class is offered at the Linden Library on May 4 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Pre-registration is required by April 30.

On Monday, March 18, these enthusiastic students participated in the afterschool STEM program. They used Play-Doh and Easter eggs to create towers.

Special to the Times Vedette

Story Hour

Story Hour is at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 29. The theme will be Easter.

Friends of the Library

Friends of the Library will meet on Tuesday, April 2 at 6:15 p.m. The group will be working on planning the June golf fundraiser.

Bluegrass Music and Cattle Trail Program

Bluegrass music fans and history buffs, plan to attend a fun and informative program at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 2. Joan Wells and Kris Simon will present “Up the Nebraska Cattle Trail and Songs of the West” as part of the Speakers Bureau Living History Program. Wells and Simon will share the story of cattle drives on the Western Trail from Texas to Nebraska while sharing the origin of Western music and singing the songs of the early-day cowboys. Be ready to learn some history and enjoy some bluegrass music.

Lunch and Learn

April 10 from noon to 1 p.m. will be the next lunch and learn. Dementia Friends of Iowa will be sharing about this movement, living with dementia, and the simple things you can do to support someone living with this disease. Pre-register by calling or emailing the library or by going to the library website and registering online. A light lunch is provided.

New Opportunities NARCAN Workshop

New Opportunities will be presenting a workshop on Thursday, April 11 at 5:30 p.m. An overview of opioids and Naloxone distribution training will be the topic of this program.  Issues addressed in the program will explain what opioids are and how they impact physical functioning, the consequences of opioid misuse, what Narcan is, what Narcan is used for, and how to obtain and administer NARCAN properly. 

Participants will also be informed of common prescription and illegal opioids, strategies for preventing opioid misuse, overdose risk factors, and signs of an opioid overdose.  Naloxone (NARCAN) will be onsite and available for distribution provided by New Opportunities.

If someone you know takes opioids or prescription opioids such as oxycodone or hydrocodone, be prepared for a possible life-threatening opioid overdose emergency.  NARCAN is a potentially life-saving medication designed to help reverse the effects of an opioid overdose in minutes. 

Since most opioid overdoses occur in the home and are most often witnessed, having a NARCAN rescue kit nearby can make all the difference. If you have questions, call New Opportunities at (712) 792-9266.

STEM After School

The Guthrie County ISU Extension Office is planning after-school STEM workshops for Monday, April 15, and Monday, May 20 from 3:30-4:30 p.m.  The sessions will entail a book and then working through a STEM problem-solving activity. Students of all ages are welcome.

Card-making Class

Thursday, April 18 from 9-11:00 a.m. Judi Zimmerline will lead the class. All materials are provided for a $5 fee.

Cookbook Club

Cookbook Club will be meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 18. This month’s recipes will come from “Taste of Home Make It! Take it! 2023.” Stop by the library to sign up for a recipe to bring to the meeting. 

A speaker from Living History Farms was at the MJB Library on Tuesday, March 18 with a program entitled “The History of Iowa Farming.”

Special to the Times Vedette

Spring is on the way, which means the MJB Library Summer Reading Program is just around the corner. The month of June will be jam-packed with fun reading activities, so plan to spend some quality time at the library. This year’s theme is “Read, Renew, Repeat.”

In the meantime, MJB Library has many exciting events planned for all ages. For preschoolers and their caretakers, Story Hour is every Friday morning at 10 a.m. On Friday, March 15, our special guest will be Miss Iowa.  

Afterschool Programs

The Guthrie County ISU Extension is sharing an after school STEM workshop from 3:30-4:30 p.m. on Monday, March 18. Participants will be doing some spring-themed reading and activities.  STEM afterschool programs are also scheduled for Monday, April 22 and Monday, May 20.

History of Farming program

On Tuesday, March 19 at 5:30 p.m., Living History Farms will be presenting a program at the MJB Library about the History of Farming in Iowa. Learn how agriculture has evolved over the past several centuries in Iowa, from Native American farmers to 1850s settlers to the golden age of horse-powered farming. Photographs from the museum’s historic working farms will highlight the changes in what was grown on an Iowa farm, what tools and power were necessary, and the impact on farming families. Sign up online or by calling or emailing the library, as we have a 50-person limit for this special event. 

Card-making Class

Card-making class will meet from 9-11 a.m. on Thursday, March 21. Led by Judi Zimmerline, participants will learn to make stunning hand-made greeting cards. The $5 fee covers the cost of all needed materials. 

Cookbook Club

“Big Bites: Wholesome, Comforting Recipes that Are Big on Flavor, Nourishment, and Fun” by Kat Ashmore will be the source for the recipes that will be samples at cookbook club on Thursday, March 21 at 6:30 p.m. If you would like to participate, stop in the library to sign up for a recipe. Bring your dish and your appetite and come to the cookbook club to discuss the recipes in this month’s selection. 

Clubs

Cribbage meets every Monday morning from 9-11 a.m. in the Taylor Meeting Room while the bridge class is every Wednesday morning from 9-11 a.m. New players are welcome, regardless of skill level. 

Friends of the Library

Friends of the Library will be meeting at 6:15 p.m. on Tuesday, April 2. They will be planning their June golf fundraiser. 

Bluegrass Music and Cattle Drive Program

Mark your calendar for a fun and informative program at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 2. Joan Wells and Kris Simon will be presenting “Up the Nebraska Cattle Trail and Songs of the West” as part of the Speakers Bureau Living History Program. Wells and Simon will share the story of cattle drives on the Western Trail from Texas to Nebraska while sharing the origin of Western music and singing the songs of the early-day cowboys. Be ready to learn some history and enjoy some bluegrass music. 

Between the Covers

The April book club pick, “How Beautiful We Were” by Imbolo Mbue, is available to check out.  The novel, which is set in the fictional African village of Kosawa, tells of a people living in fear amid environmental problems caused by an American oil company. Children are dying from drinking toxic water, and farmland is infertile because of pipeline spills. Promises of cleanup and financial reparations to the villagers are made and ignored. The country’s government, led by a dictator, exists to serve its own interests. Left with few choices, the people of Kosawa decide to fight back. Their struggle will last for decades and come at a steep price.

Special to the Times Vedette

Mary J Barnett Memorial Library launches its Read, Renew, Repeat summer reading program during the month of June. During June, the library will host a range of free activities for children to encourage and support a love of reading. Participants can win prizes for reaching their reading goals.

“We’ve planned a wonderful program for kids to make the library a great place to read, learn, and discover what’s available for their enjoyment,” said Library Director Jerri Hawkins. “Karen, Cass, Ava and I are planning some exciting programs and creation stations.” 

There’s also a serious side to summer reading. Research has shown that reading over the summer prevents summer reading loss.

“Studies also indicate students who read recreationally outperformed those who don’t. Students read more when they can choose materials based on their own interests,” Hawkins added. “Our library is committed to supporting lifelong learning and educational enrichment for all families.”

Registration is now open and continues through the first part of June. To learn more about the summer reading adventure at the library, call 641-747-8110 or check out the library’s website www.guthriecenter.lib.ia.us.

Our March display at the MJB Library is a nod to March Madness and to the rich history of women’s basketball in Iowa. The display features memorabilia on loan from Guthrie Center native and Iowa High School Girls Athletic Union Hall of Fame Member, Debbie Menning. The display will be out through the end of the month.

By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette

March 2 was the birthday of Dr. Seuss, and it was also Read Across America Day, a day celebrated in many American schools to promote reading.  In conjunction with these celebrations, the Iowa State Extension is promoting READ across Iowa during March. 

The month-long READ across Iowa celebration is intended to motivate kids to read, to bring the joys of reading to students of all ages, and to make all children feel valued and welcomed. The 2024 theme is Food Science. Check with your local extension office for special virtual events including read-alouds. 

Why is reading so important that we devote a month to promoting it?  Did you know that reading to children and having books in the home is one of the strongest predictors of school success? Children who read and listen to books hear a greater variety of words — up to 50% more — leading to a better vocabulary than those who watch media. Children raised in homes with more than 500 books spent three years longer in school than children whose parents had only a few books. 

Not only is reading important for the development of children, it is vital for all ages. Were you aware that researchers estimate that reading can reduce stress by up to 68%? Adults with a reading habit are 2.5 times less likely to develop Alzheimer’s. 

This lovely spring diamond quilt is on loan from Robyn Corkins. The quilt, which will be on display in the library until the end of March, was made by Robyn’s cousin, Pam Baker.

March is also Women’s History Month.  Stop in the MJB Library to see the display of books celebrating Women’s History Month. The children’s section features a display of biographies about influential female leaders, business people, athletes, artists, writers and entertainers. For adults, there is a display of fiction and nonfiction books featuring strong women and important women’s issues. Coloring pages celebrating Women’s History Month are also available for patrons to pick up. 

Additionally, March is National Craft Month and National Quilting Month. Take a minute to look at the display featuring crafting and quilting books. 

While you’re at the library, take a look at our display of movies.  We have some new releases like “Wonka,” “Oppenheimer” and “Barbie” as well as some classic favorites like “Field of Dreams,” “Stand by Me” and “Little Miss Sunshine.” Be sure to look at the Taylor Meeting Room window display for some book suggestions as well. 

Lunch and Learn

Remember the March Lunch and Learn on Wednesday, March 13. Farm Bureau and Erin Swalwell from Advanced Markets are presenting Changing Hands: Practical Tips in Farm Estate and Succession Planning. This event will be from noon to 1 p.m.; a light lunch is provided. 

StoryHour

Miss Iowa, Alyssa Goethe, will be our guest for StoryHour on March 15. St. Patrick’s Day is the theme on March 22. On March 29, we will be celebrating Easter. Preschool StoryHour is each Friday at 10 a.m. 

STEM Program

Monday, March 18, the Guthrie County ISU Extension will present a STEM program from 3:30-4:30 p.m. in the Taylor Meeting room. Participants will be “springing” into STEM activities as well as a story and craft. 

History of the Farming in Iowa program

The Living History Farms will be presenting a program at the MJB Library about the History of Farming in Iowa on Tuesday, March 19 at 5:30 p.m. Learn how agriculture has evolved over the past several centuries in Iowa, from Native American farmers to 1850s settlers to the golden age of horse-powered farming. Photographs from the museum’s historic working farms will highlight the changes in what was grown on an Iowa farm, what tools and power were necessary, and the impact on farming families. Sign up online or by calling or emailing the library, as we have a 50-person limit for this special event. 

Cookbook Club

“Big Bites: Wholesome, Comforting Recipes that Are Big on Flavor, Nourishment, and Fun” by Kat Ashmore will be the source for the recipes to share at the cookbook club on Thursday, March 21 at 6:30 p.m. If you would like to participate, stop in the library to sign up for a recipe. Bring your dish and share your food and your opinions about this month’s cookbook. 

Calling all Bluegrass fans

Bluegrass music fans and history buffs, mark your calendar for a fun and informative program at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 2. Joan Wells and Kris Simon will be presenting “Up the Nebraska Cattle Trail and Songs of the West” as part of the Speakers Bureau Living History Program.  Wells and Simon will share the story of cattle drives on the Western Trail from Texas to Nebraska while sharing the origin of Western music and singing the songs of the early-day cowboys.