By Karen Kelly | Special to Guthrie Center Times
Chase Betts
We had an exciting week at the MJB Library. Chase Betts, pictured here proudly showing off the T-shirt he earned, reached his goal of reading 1,000 books before kindergarten. Chase and his parents have been reading for some time to achieve his goal of completing the challenge. Chase has discovered some great books and has enjoyed weekly trips to the library with his family. Another big moment for Chase was that he recently got his own library card.
The MJB Library is proud to partner with Partnerships 4 Families to promote this program, which encourages early childhood literacy. 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten is a free nationwide program that encourages parents and caregivers to read 1,000 books with their child before he/she enters kindergarten.
According to the U.S. Department of Education, “Reading is the single most important activity for building the knowledge required for eventual success in reading.” Sharing books, conversation and songs with young children builds language skill, helps their brains develop and encourages social and emotional development. Reading to children also improves their vocabulary, listening skills and increases attention spans.
Reading together is a fun way to bond with your child and create lifelong memories as well as fostering a lifelong love of reading. Children who are read to at home during early childhood are more likely to succeed in school.
This program is open to infants through 5-year-olds. Sign-up is free and simple. Stop by the library desk to sign up your child; you will get a new book to start your child’s personal library and a log sheet to keep track of the first 100 books you read together. As you fill up the log sheet, return it to the library desk for a small prize and a new log sheet. When your child completes 1,000 books, he or she will get a very cool T-shirt so everyone knows the goal has been reached.
Library Card Sign Up Month
September is Library Card Sign Up Month. Do you have your own card to the MJB Library? If not, you can stop by the library or go online at the library website to sign up for a card today. Remember this is for all ages, not just adults. We have recently purchased some great books for children and young adults. Why spend money on new books when you can borrow ours?
“The Chicken Sisters”
Hallmark movie lovers, we have “The Chicken Sisters” by K.J. Dell’Antonia, which is the basis for the Hallmark + channel’s big movie launch. Set in a tiny Kansas town, three generations who own and run two chicken shacks have one big feud that culminates in a reality TV show food war. Read the book before you watch it on Hallmark.
StoryHour
Remember that preschoolers and their caregivers are invited to join us for story hour each Friday at 10 a.m. On Sept. 20, Stephanie Hafner from Lake Lumber will be our guest reader. She will be sharing books about building, craft and snack. Fall will be the theme for the Sept. 27 StoryHour.
Upcoming Adult Programs
Cribbage meets each Monday from 9-11 a.m. On Wednesdays, from 9-11 a.m., Bridge Club will meet. Players of all abilities are invited to join.
Card Making Club will be meeting on Thursday, Sept. 19 from 9-11 a.m. to create unique greeting cards. Judi Zimmerline leads the group and provides all needed materials for a $5 fee to cover the cost of supplies.
On Oct. 2 at 6:30 p.m., Art on the Fly will be presenting a class on how to do needle felting. Participants must pre-register for this class. For $25, each participant will create a pumpkin and an acorn.
Between the Covers book club will meet to discuss “The House in the Pines” by Ana Reyes at 3 p.m. on Oct. 8. Anyone interested in book club may stop in to check out a copy of this month’s selection.
Don Todd, Jr. will be sharing an encore performance of his presentation entitled “A Tale of Two Soldiers” on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 11 a.m. This talk will highlight the career of his father, Dr. Donald Todd, Sr., and his medical partner, Dr. Herbert Neff, and how these two World War II soldiers found their way to set up a medical practice in Guthrie Center that treated Guthrie County families for decades.
Holiday Fun
Mark your calendar to attend our annual Li-BOO-ary Bash on Thursday, Oct. 31 from 5-7:15 p.m. Trick or Treaters can stop in for a not so scary Halloween experience and leave with a treat from the MJB Library.
It’s time to think about a tree for the library’s annual Festival of Trees. The theme this year is Christmas Stories, so think how your favorite holiday story, Bible story or family story might provide the decorations for your tree. Please complete your registration by Nov. 20. Remember to bring your tree and decorations before Thanksgiving. Tree pick up should be done within the first week of January. Visit the library website to complete the registration process.
Felipe Castillo poses next to the display of his model cars. The car display will be at the MJB Library during the month of September, so be sure to stop in and take a look.
During the September, this beautiful quilt is on display on loan from Karen Benton. Karen’s mother, Audrey Stetzel, created this lovely patchwork piece of art.
These photos are from the telescope viewing on Sept. 11. Patrons of all ages stopped by the library to try out the library’s new telescope. The atmospheric conditions made viewing a little challenging, but participants’ patience was rewarded with views of the moon’s craters and rings of Saturn. The telescope is available for patrons to check out and enjoy.
