By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette
Actor John Goodman once said, “When I was young, we couldn’t afford much. But, my library card was my key to the world.”
I think John Goodman speaks for many of us who grew up using the library. So for those who cannot relate to Goodman’s comment, let me tell you why he might have felt that way. At the library, everyone can access the same services and materials, regardless of their bank balance.
Obviously, libraries are packed with books. No matter what your age, a good book can transport readers to any place you want to be. A good book allows readers to time travel, meet new people, and understand other people’s ideas, experiences and beliefs. If you want a book that the library doesn’t have, the library can often borrow a copy from another library.
The days of libraries being silent places where people fear being shushed by the librarian are over. Come into the library someday, and you will see kids playing video games, using tablets, doing activities at the STEM table, playing board games, racing Hot Wheels on tracks they designed, coloring or doing a craft, constructing cities with LEGOs, or quietly reading. Adults at the other end of the building are using computers, having meetings in the conference room, putting together a jigsaw puzzle, perusing magazines, chatting with friends, or having a book club meeting. Someone is using the memory lab equipment to digitize old movies and photos. A couple of middle schoolers are playing chess while a couple of other teens are sitting at a table working on a project. A library in 2026 is a place where people gather, a social hub, a hive of activity.
With a library card, patrons can check out DVDs, audiobooks, jigsaw puzzles, board games and cake pans. A library card allows the cardholder to access the Libby app to enjoy thousands of eBooks, audiobooks, and online magazines for free. Kanopy streaming service lets cardholders watch movies, series, documentaries, educational programming and children’s programming for free.
Cardholders 18 or older can use their card to get free admission to the Blank Park Zoo, the Des Moines Science Center, the Museum of Danish America, and several Des Moines Performing Arts shows.
The library offers programs and classes for youth and adults. Cribbage, bridge, Craft and Connect, Cookbook Club, Cardmaking Club, and two book clubs are available to any adults who wish to participate.
Youth can participate in LEGO Mania Day, Creation Corner, Preschool Story Hour, and, when school is out, the Summer Reading Program.
Digital materials available to patrons are endless. Local newspapers and all the old yearbooks have been digitized and are available from a link on the library’s website. Mometrix is an online study resource for people of all ages with very extensive resources. Need legal information? The People’s Law Library is an online source for easy-to-understand answers about legal questions. The library website provides links to endless learning and entertainment opportunities.
Free technical advice on smartphones, tablets, and laptops can be obtained with an appointment. For a minimal fee, laminating, faxing and copying are available.
Mobile hotspots, a portable speaker, a large movie screen, a portable DVD player and a telescope are available to check out. If you want to be involved in helping to foster all these opportunities, consider joining the Friends of the Guthrie Center Library. For $25, members can support the library financially and also by volunteering for programs, reading to youth or fundraising.
Former first lady and librarian Laura Bush said, “Libraries are community treasure chests, loaded with a wealth of information available to everyone equally, and the key to that treasure chest is the library card. I have found the most valuable thing in my wallet is my library card.”
With the holidays approaching, the library will get even busier. The library will again be hosting the annual Festival of Trees from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day. Organizations or individuals who would like to display a tree can submit a form on the library’s website. This year’s theme, Merry Christmas America 250, should provide a beautiful display of trees.
On Saturday, Nov. 28, the library will be participating in the Holiday Showcase, A Very Merry Guthrie Center. The Friends of the Guthrie Center Library will be hosting a bake sale at the library from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., so be sure to stop by to get some homemade holiday goodies and support the library. The Starduster Trio will be providing holiday music from 10 -11 a.m. to get patrons in the holiday spirit. Friends of the Library members are encouraged to sign up to bring baked goods or to volunteer to work a shift at the library.
Friends of the Library also has a great holiday sale for anyone who would like to purchase one of the T-shirts they have available. The cost of the shirts is $25, and they would make a special gift.
Upcoming library events include Cribbage on Monday at 9 a.m. and bridge class on Wednesday at 9 a.m. Between the Covers book club will be discussing this month’s selection, “Life in Five Senses,” at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 10. On Thursday, Nov. 12 at 4 p.m., Guthrie County ISU Extension will provide a Youth STEM activity for youth to learn about meteorology and the equipment that is used; attendees will be making a snow-measuring stick. This Friday at 10 a.m., the preschool story hour theme will be counting.
Remember that the library will be closed on Wednesday, Nov. 11, in observance of Veterans’ Day. The library will be closed also on Thursday, Nov. 26, and Friday, Nov. 27 to celebrate Thanksgiving. Regular hours will resume on Saturday, Nov. 28.
This week’s preschool story hour talked about birthdays.
Kids of all ages are enjoying the Hot Wheels track and cars added to the library’s STEM inventory.
LEGO Mania Day was last Wednesday and was attended by eight youth. The next LEGO Mania Day will be Wednesday, Dec. 2.
Morgan shows off the blind marble maze he made for the LEGO Mania Day challenge.
Stop by the library to look at this month’s quilt on loan from Cindy Steensen. This vibrant beauty is paper-pieced using the confetti cake pattern.