Curious to know what your library has been up to lately? Check out the latest issue of Library Happenings.
Update From the Director
Your library is full of stories. On the shelves, of course—complete and ready to be consumed. But also in the hearts of every patron who walks through the doors. Heroes in the making, every one of them. Just like the books on our shelves, our patrons’ stories come in all different kinds: the child discovering something new about the world around them; the teenager seeking a place to belong; the parent instilling curiosity in the next generation; the creative hunting inspiration; the inquisitive striving to learn. All of their stories have a place here, and we collect them, because they’re valuable to us.
As librarians, we don’t play an active role in writing any part of the plot. If anything, we inhabit the Mentor archetype. A Gandalf, if you will. (Minus the plunging into the chasms of Moria, please. Mornings are hard enough without adding a Balrog to the mix.) Sometimes our role in the story is short, hardly even worth a mention. Often, we don’t realize the part we’ve played until much later, if ever.
That is, after all, the purpose of the Mentor archetype. They exist to guide, teach, and support the hero on their journey, providing wisdom, knowledge, and skills, then turning them loose to discover their own path. Always, we are here to remind the hero (or heroine) of who they are, and who they can be. We see their potential, even when they can’t.
The library is full of stories, the setting of hundreds of unfolding tales. It’s where past and present meet, where voices from long ago whisper alongside new ideas waiting to be born. Every shelf holds a doorway; every visit, a new beginning. Within its walls, everyone is the author of something new.
So, what story will you write? The library is ready when you are.
Program Highlights
- Summer Meals – The library partnered with Feeding America to distribute 947 boxes of food to local Casey County children. That’s 6,629 healthy meals in total provided to our kids during July and August.
- Studying Ostriches?! – According to our newest 4th graders, osteology is the study of ostriches! We love their creativity, and they loved learning about animal skeletons, including studying real x-rays!
- Minute Mania – The library launched a new reading initiative to encourage reading through elementary school age! Minute mania is an arcade-style reading challenge, where the more you read, the more points you earn! Points = prizes.
- Homeschool Hangout – We’ve launched a Homeschool Hangout! This program is geared towards promoting community amongst homeschoolers and encouraging socialization and curiosity at all ages (parents included)!
CCPL Out on the Town
Recently, the library has been out in the community handing out books at school open houses, giving Bookmobile tours at Touch a Truck, greeting the community at the Apple Festival, treating children at Trail and Treat, and making necklaces at Harvest & Haunts.
Grant Updates
The CCPL is excited to announce that it’s been fortunate enough to receive the following grants:
- Feeding America – The library received $3,400 to help with summer food distribution, including providing summer jobs for three local high schoolers.
- Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Libraries – The library has received $20,000 the renovate a room of the library to build a study room for the community.
- KDLA Continuing Education – The library received $3,000 to train our librarians on how to better and more efficiently serve our patrons.
- KDLA Web Development – The library received $6,400 to redevelop the library’s website and make it ADA compliant and accessible (which is this website, and we’re very thankful for it!)
- KDLA Technology Grant – The library received $9,000 to purchase new computers.
New At Your Library
- Seed Library – Fishing poles aren’t enough? Get your fill of the outdoors with the new seed library. Check out a pack of seeds and get your gardening on. 938 seed packets have gone out since March!
- Listening Center – Thanks to a donation by the Casey County Homemakers, the kid’s area now features everything needed to listen to books together, listen to nursery rhymes, and be silly! This includes VOX Books — books that read aloud!
- Children’s Museum – See what local kiddos value most with our limited time Children’s Museum, curated by kids for kids! Features favorite books, toys, and artwork they’re proud of, plus more!
- Homeschool Hub – Local homeschoolers can get their fill of learning fun with the Homeschool Hub — a curated collection of learning games, tools, and sets that can be taken home! Great for young learners.