By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette
The State Library of Iowa provides digital resources available to MJB Library patrons, which include the People’s Law Library, available at PeoplesLawIowa.org. This source provides easy-to-understand information about Iowa’s laws.
Made possible by the State Library of Iowa, the University of Iowa Law Library, the Iowa Judicial Branch, and the Iowa State Bar Association, this site is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act.
While the information on the website is not legal advice, patrons can find research guidance and information on many legal topics such as consumer law, veterans law, family law, work law, housing law, and life/estate planning.
The easily navigated site helps Iowans find answers to legal questions and concerns, explanations of legal terms, and even resources to help find a lawyer. This free site is a great place to start to get answers to legal issues. The People’s Law Library is one more resource provided to patrons thanks to the State Library of Iowa.
March is Women’s History Month, so in observance, the MJB Library has several book displays. A display of memoirs, biographies and autobiographies of influential women is set up in front of the circulation desk.
Fiction books with strong female characters are set up in the Taylor Meeting Room window display, on the Young Adult book shelf, and on tables next to the fiction shelves. Check out some great reads.
Remember that Friends of the Guthrie Center Library membership drive is going on now. Anyone who would like to support the Friends group is invited to join. The cost is $25 for the year, and anyone who pays by March 31 is entered into a drawing for a gift bag valued at $100. Payment can be cash, check or Venmo. Membership and payment may also be dropped off at the library during regular hours.
Youth activities for the month include LEGO Mania Day on Wednesday, March 4 at 2 p.m. and Creation Corner on Wednesday, March 18 also at 2 p.m. Both of these events are suitable for youth of all ages. Preregistration is preferred.
Preschool Story Hour for preschoolers of all ages and their caretakers takes place on Friday at 10 a.m. Stop in and enjoy stories and a craft. Themes for the month include apples, St. Patrick’s Day, spring and bunnies.
Adult programs are available for people of all different interests. Our newest program, Craft and Connect, is designed to give creative people an outlet to socialize and work on craft projects. All community members are invited to bring a creative project and come to Craft and Connect each Monday from 4-6 p.m.
Card players are encouraged to come play cribbage on Mondays from 9-11 a.m. at the Taylor Meeting Room. Bridge classes are on Wednesday from 9-11 a.m., also in the Taylor Meeting Room. Regardless of skill level, all are invited to participate in these groups.
Between the Covers afternoon book club will meet on Tuesday, March 10, at 3 p.m. Books are available for check out for the MJB Library book clubs. The group is reading “Too Old for This” by Samantha Downing, which tells the story of a retired serial killer who might be forced out of retirement by an unexpected visitor. The book is described as equal parts hilarious and disturbing. The evening book club book, “Sandwich” by Catherine Newman, is also available for checkout.
On Thursday, March 12, New Opportunities is presenting a program on behavioral health services at 2 p.m. in the Taylor Meeting Room. Last year, Iowa realigned its mental health and substance abuse service system, and now they are asking us to provide this presentation to providers, community members and the general public to help educate them on how to navigate the new system. This includes how to connect with a system navigator, where to find services, and how prevention will look moving forward. The system navigation is more than just talking with someone about counseling. The system navigators can also help people who are looking for non-mental health or substance abuse help. For example, Grandpa needs a ride to his oncology appointment, but his kids are not able to take him… a system navigator can help connect him to someone who can give him a ride. Or maybe someone is new to the area and looking for a dentist; the system navigator can help connect them with one. Or maybe someone needs to find a mental health therapist in their area and doesn’t know how to get that process started. A system navigator can assist with finding a provider and even scheduling the appointment for them.
This presentation will target young adults to adults throughout the lifespan. Everyone is welcome to attend.