During February, we have some books and movies reflecting Black excellence in America available for check out.
Special to the Times Vedette
February is Black History Month, which began in 1925 when Carter G. Woodson and the organization he founded, the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH), conceived and announced Negro History Week. Woodson’s intent was to raise awareness of African Americans’ contributions to civilization. The event was first celebrated in February 1926 during a week that encompassed the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. During the bicentennial in 1976, President Gerald R. Ford expanded the observation to a month. The theme for 2024 is African Americans and the arts.
MJB Library has several displays to highlight Black History Month. There is a display featuring biographies of Black Americans including Louis Armstrong, Michelle Obama, Barack Obama, John Lewis and Martin Luther King, Jr, to name a few. Additionally, another display focuses on Black authors. The children’s section features displays highlighting civil rights leaders, Black scientists, leaders and athletes, as well as a timeline chronicling the evolution of Black History Month.
Another display at MJB Library highlights the best books from 2023, and another features some of the most popular new releases with our patrons. For those looking for a Valentine’s Day read, we have a display featuring books appropriate for the holiday. Finally, for folks looking to celebrate Valentine’s Day with a quiet evening at home, check out our display of Valentine’s Day movies.
Trivia Night
Get your teams registered for the second annual Friends of the Library Trivia Night, which will take place on Saturday, Feb. 24 at the Guthrie Center Activity Center. Dinner, catered by the Cabbage Rose, will begin at 6 p.m. followed by trivia at 7 p.m. Teams may be up to eight people. Tickets cost $35 for dinner and trivia and are available at Mary J Barnett Memorial Library.
Clubs and Classes
Lunch and Learn will be Wednesday, Feb. 14, from noon-1 p.m. The Guthrie County Extension office will present information about their Spend Smart, Eat Smart program. Recipes will also be shared. The event will also include a light lunch.
Judi Zimmerline will lead card-making class on Thursday, Feb. 15, from 9-11 a.m. The $5 fee includes all materials needed to create exquisite cards.
Cookbook Club members will be choosing a recipe from Ree Drummond’s newest cookbook entitled “The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Dinner’s Ready.” Members will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 15 to share their dishes and to discuss the book.
Boredom Busters will meet at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 21 to create an imaginative craft. All youth are welcome to attend.
New Materials
MJB Library has some new movies. Stop in and check out “Barbie,” “Oppenheimer,” “Captain America: Winter Soldier,” “Indian Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” “Sound of Freedom”, or “Joe Pickett season 2.”
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.
Stop in to look at the lovely quilt on loan from Jerri Hawkins. While you’re there, grab a book from our Valentine’s Day display or borrow a movie from our Valentine’s Day movie options.