By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette
“Amazon is doing four days of deals. Walmart is doing six. Target said let’s make it a week. The library? We’ve been serving 100% off every single day. No promo codes. No shipping delays. No buyer’s remorse. Just books, movies, internet, events and air conditioning. Totally free. All year long.” This Facebook meme stirred something in me.
I have long considered libraries the physical manifestation of the First Amendment and the great equalizer in our nation. Throughout history, books have been regarded as luxuries that only the wealthy can access, but because of America’s public library system, this is not the case.
Libraries offer free access to ideas, ensuring freedom of thought and speech. Public libraries allow all people in America to access print and digital materials for free.
Every resident of Guthrie Center can afford a library card because library cards are free. If you have an ID, you can get a library card. And if you have a library card, you can access the world. Not only can you borrow materials from our shelves, thanks to our SILO program, which enables us to share resources with many other libraries around the state, but we often obtain requested material that our library might not own.
Our library allows digital access to everyone. We have computers, tablets and Wi-Fi hotspots available for checkout. If you have a device but no Wi-Fi at your home, the library has free Wi-Fi. With your library card and a cell phone or tablet, you can download an app called Libby that allows free access to thousands of ebooks and audiobooks, as well as digital copies of magazines to borrow.
Our website offers links to digital resources, including Mometrix eLibrary, digital newspaper archives, DOT practice tests, educational resources and government and legal resources.
Additionally, the library provides activities, clubs and programs for all ages. The library is a source for information and ideas, but it is also a safe place to gather. The library is a great spot for play dates and an after-school hangout. It is a place for teens to work on homework or meet up with friends. Adults often find it a comfortable and relaxing spot to spend some time reading a magazine, putting together a puzzle or gathering with friends.
Thanks to people like Benjamin Franklin who is credited with starting the first book-borrowing library in the U.S. and Andrew Carnegie who used his vast fortune from his steel business to build thousands of libraries in the U.S. and around the world, knowledge and resources in the U.S. don’t just belong to people who have the money to purchase them. Public libraries allow all of us to read the latest best-sellers, acquire the most expensive magazines or access digital resources.
One of the programs that our library is providing for our community this week includes the Guthrie STEM Lab on Wednesday, July 16, at 4 p.m. This tween/teen program will be building rubber band race cars. Those who intend to participate are encouraged to go online and pre-register.
Card-making club will meet on Thursday, July 17, from 9-11 a.m.; this program is led by Judi Zimmerline, who will provide all needed materials to make unique greeting cards. Participants are asked to pay a $5 fee to cover the cost of the consumable materials.
At 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 17, Cookbook Club will meet to sample and discuss the recipes from “Every Day with Babs,” this month’s featured cookbook. To participate, stop by the library to choose a recipe and then prepare it and bring it to share with the group.
Story Hour for preschoolers and their caregivers will be on Friday, July 18, at 10 a.m. Blue is the topic of the books and crafts for the week.
The evening book club will meet again on Tuesday, July 22, at 5 p.m. to discuss James McBride’s book entitled “The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store.” If you need a copy of the book, the library has plenty available for checkout.
Cribbage and Bridge Clubs meet from 9-11 a.m. each Monday and Wednesday, respectively. There is no cost, and all are welcome regardless of skill level.
This innovative LEGO engineer created a three-dimensional rainbow.
This LEGO artist created an abstract interpretation of a rainbow.
The LEGO Mania challenge was to use LEGOs to create a rainbow. This guy nailed it.