By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette
The Summer Reading Program (SRP), Plant a Seed, Read, is buzzing with excitement — almost as lively as a bee on a sugar rush! A total of 93 enthusiastic kids have signed up for the Summer Reading Program, which means the library is officially the coolest hangout in town.
Just a friendly reminder to our little bookworms: Keep tracking those reading minutes like a detective on the case. Fill out your bookmark tracker and turn it in for a chance to win awesome prizes on Friday, June 26. If you make it to library activities during SRP month, you will earn extra chances in the prize drawing. It is like playing the lottery but with books instead of scratch-offs.
This coming week is filled with exciting programs. First up, we have Creation Stations starting at 4 p.m. on Monday, June 15. Get ready for a variety of crafts. The library will have everything from Perler bead projects to a trail mix bar. Who wouldn’t want to create fingerprint berry bookmarks and compete in a nature memory game? Don’t forget to join us on Monday; otherwise, you might find yourself in a craft-less void.
On Wednesday, June 17, the GC ISU Extension office is presenting the “Beeman” program at 2 p.m. It is a beekeeping masterclass where attendees will learn why bees are the real MVPs of gardens — and they won’t even buzz you for admission.
On Thursday, June 18, prepare for Mesozoic Adventures with Toby Kid at 1 p.m. Imagine a time-traveling paleontologist digging up dinosaurs while cracking jokes.It’s the kind of scientific comedy that’s sure to have you rolling in the aisles. Don’t be surprised if you learn a dino-fact or two while giggling uncontrollably.
On Friday, June 19, the preschool story hour will be all about “Bicycles.” Set your tiny tots free to pedal through stories and crafts at 10 a.m.
On the adult side of things, we are keeping it artsy with a card-making class on Thursday, June 18, from 9-11 a.m. For just $5, you can make handmade greeting cards that may or may not impress your cat more than that last store-bought card you sent.
For all you foodies, the Cookbook Club meets that same day at 6 p.m. Bring your best finger food or appetizer to share.
Card players, unite! Join the morning cribbage sessions on Mondays and the bridge players on Wednesdays, where the cards are as strategic as chess, but with less pondering and more laughing. Canasta class takes the stage on the first and third Tuesdays. Just remember to keep the canasta drama to a minimum.
Crafters, Craft and Connect is happening every Monday from 4-6 p.m. Bring your unfinished projects, swap ideas and maybe end up with more glitter in your hair than anyone bargained for.
Mark your calendars for book club meetings. The evening group chats about “The View from Lake Como” on Tuesday, June 23 at 5 p.m., while the afternoon crew tackles “The Perfect Couple” on July 14 at 3 p.m. Plenty of copies are available, but be careful, as these books might just become the new best friends you never knew you needed.
Join the fun, whether you are reading, crafting, or just snacking. The library is where the magic happens — books, laughs and everything in between.
Below are some amazing photos from two of our summer reading events this week, made possible by “Funds received through Communities 4 Children and Community Partnerships for Protecting Children, neighborhood/Community Network Mini Grants.” Science Heroes program was “Digging It,” an interactive STEM program where kids explored earth sciences, geology and fossils through storytelling and hands-on experiments. Anne Riordan shared information and led activities to teach our young readers about pollinators.
The library is also hosting the Fourth Annual Friends of the Guthrie Center Public Library golf tournament. Visit https://www.guthriecenter.lib.ia.us/friends-library/golf-tournament-fundraiser to register.
Friends of the Guthrie Center Library has T-shirts for sale. Visit https://gc-friendsofthelibrary.itemorder.com/shop/category/669259/ to get yours.
