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New book challenge set to start on June 1
Larabee Library News
Larabee Library

STAFFORD — We have had a great number of patrons this week in the library using our diverse services. We have had people doing the usual things of getting books, using the computers, printing, researching information. We are also enjoying the children who come in and play games on the computer or enjoy our chess table, puzzles, and arts and crafts that Sandy provides. If you haven’t been in lately, come see what Nora’s place provides.

The Read Everyday - Live a Better Life Book challenge has concluded. Those of you that have read at least five books, come in for your prize! On June 1 I will have a new book challenge ready to go.

Why participate? Reading is entertaining, informative, increases your brain power and makes your day better. A Book Challenge (even though it is easy to complete) helps you select books that stretch your reading experience. We encourage you to come to the library and select a few books, but you can also use titles from other sources and watch on Facebook or come to the library to get the current challenge. Summer reading rocks! 

What a difference a week makes on the front yard! The “Larabee Lawn Crew” made up of board members and friends in the community killed the existing “grass,” roto-tilled, had dirt moved in (thanks to the city crew), raked and smoothed a seed bed and seeded a new lawn for the library. Now the work of watering it up begins. We are excited about the possibilities. An area at the borders by the building has been marked off for future landscaping. A landscape plan has been developed by the Blew Brothers (Greg, a professional golf course manager, and Roger, the local muscle). This plan is waiting for money to proceed. If you want to buy plantings for the library to honor a loved one, now is your chance. Contact the library and we will explore the possibilities.

SCKLS came Thursday to give a hands on tech lesson on the network we have in the library. Sandy, Denise and I all attended so we could better understand our technology and if a problem came up we could troubleshoot locally before contacting them. I feel more comfortable with the technology now and several times it was mentioned that parts of the technology only a few libraries in their area had. I am glad that SCKLS has kept us on top of the technology that we can offer our patrons.

I will be going to the school early Monday Morning to reveal the plans for “Adventure in the Library.” I have also got informational flyers and pre-enrollment forms printed that will be around town, on your child’s classroom Facebook and on the library’s Facebook. Nora’s Caverns, many fun crafts and special book selections will be a weekly adventure for children of Stafford. Special weeks will include PBS for Preschool on June 10th; Exploration Place for 3-13 year-olds on June 18th; and Kim Volker and Tank (a great dog life partner) will be here on July 2nd. We do need you to pre-enroll your children. Forms will be available, contact the library or look on your child’s classroom page. Kids will need to wear or bring socks to go through Nora’s Cavern with parental permission to explore the cave signed.


Coming up:

• English Language Learners class meets every Wednesday Evening with Rachel Sandoval. Excepting Board meeting nights.

• May 14th - 2 p.m. Jennifer Gleason 21st Central Extension,  “Tech Talk: Preventing Scams & Hacks”

• No Coffee and Goodies May 27th, Memorial Day. The Library will be closed. Monday Morning Coffee is being discontinued during the summer months.  

• June 7th - First Friday Event - “Wellness”  we’ll make it a fun evening - come see it to believe it!

• June 10th - The beginning of summer reading! PBS will be here at 9:30 a.m. to entertain Preschool Children with Adventure in the Library!  

• June 11th - Summer Reading for K-2 and 3-5th. Tuesdays will be the day for older kids. We are thinking, 10:30-11:30 a.m. for K-2 and 2- 3 p.m. for 3-5th grades.

• June 18th - “Exploration Place”! 3-7 year olds in the morning - 6-13 year olds in the afternoon.

• July 2 - Tank the lab and Kim Volker 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.,  K-2 

Our next Board meeting is June 12 at 6 p.m.

Our library hours are: Monday morning 8 a.m. to noon; and Tuesday through Friday 2-6 p.m.


By Gerry Hildebrand, head librarian for the Nora Larabee Memorial Library. Phone 620-234-5762, email larabeelibrary@gmail.com or visit Facebook at Nora Larabee Memorial Library.