Ainsworth Public Library

People across Nebraska are encouraged to read the work of a Nebraskan —and then talk about it with their friends and neighbors. Prairie Forge: The Extraordinary Story of the Nebraska Scrap Metal Drive of World War II (Bison Books, 2014) by James J. Kimble is the 2021 One Book One Nebraska selection.

Prairie Forge: The Extraordinary Story of the Nebraska Scrap Metal Drive of World War II takes readers across the entire state of Nebraska during the scrap metal drive early in America’s involvement in World War II. When Henry Doorly initially developed a plan to urge citizens to donate scrap metal to help with arms production, he had no idea that his plan would expand from Omaha to the entire state and then be used as a model for a national scrap drive. Readers from the selection committee felt that this book would draw readers into good discussions about the entire state’s participation in the challenge to provide scrap metal. Readers were impressed that the book covered every county’s participation in the Nebraska Plan, and how this fit into the larger effort on a national level.

2021 will mark the seventeenth year of the One Book One Nebraska reading program, sponsored by the Nebraska Center for the Book. It encourages Nebraskans across the state to read and discuss one book, chosen from books written by Nebraska authors or that have a Nebraska theme or setting. The Nebraska Center for the Book invites recommendations for One Book One Nebraska book selection year-round at http://centerforthebook.nebraska.gov/obon-nomination.asp.

One Book One Nebraska is sponsored by the Nebraska Center for the Book, Humanities Nebraska, and the Nebraska Library Commission. The Nebraska Center for the Book brings together the state’s readers, writers, booksellers, librarians, publishers, printers, educators, and scholars to build the community of the book, supporting programs to celebrate and stimulate public interest in books, reading, and the written word. The Nebraska Center for the Book is housed at and supported by the Nebraska Library Commission.

As the state library agency, the Nebraska Library Commission is an advocate for the library and information needs of all Nebraskans. The mission of the Library Commission is statewide promotion, development, and coordination of library and information services, “bringing together people and information.”

The Ainsworth Library Board held its regular monthly meeting on October 7, 2020 at the Ainsworth Public Library.   This meeting was advertised in the local newspaper, over the radio, and posted on the library’s website as well as at the library.  The meeting was called to order at 5:02 p.m.  Notice was given on the posting of the Nebraska Open Meeting Act.  Roll call showed four members present.  They included Todd Flynn, Stacey Gilliland, Phyllis Leach, and Alane Lentz.   The City Council appointed Luke Hitchcock to complete the term of Traci Ganser.  Luke was not present for the meeting.   Library Director, Gail Irwin, was also present for the meeting.

Phyllis Leach made the motion to approve the minutes.  Todd Flynn seconded this with all members voting in favor of.  Phyllis Leach moved to approve the claims for the end of the year and the claims for the month.  Stacey Gilliland seconded this with all members voting in favor of.  The budget spending sheet for September was shared as well as the budget sheet for the new fiscal year.  The monthly report was shared with the Board as well as the List of Titles Purchased.  It was noted that the End of the Year Report would be shared next month.

Discussion was held on the Part-Time Library Aide position.  Director had interviewed two people for the position on the 8^th of September.  Josie Voss was hired for the position and started training on the 23^rd.

Job Performances was discussed.  In order to get our yearly wage, employees need to have this review completed and forwarded to the City Clerk.  Josie will not have her review done until her six month probation period is up in March.  The review on Wanda Raymond was approved and signed by the board.  The Board President will complete the review on the director.

The Covid-19 restrictions were reviewed.  What area libraries are doing in light of the recent increases of covid cases was shared.  Board has decided to continue as we have been and leave the rules the same. 

Book Club was discussed.  Director has been working on getting a title list.  With the holidays coming up, it was decided to wait until January and hope that Covid-19 cases are down.

An update was given on the Dolly Patron’s Imagination Library Sign-Up.  We signed up 19 children at the park on the first sign-up date in August.  In September we signed up 10 more at the library. 

Library Card Sign-Up month was in September.   We had a total of 8 new card holders this month.  Banned Books Week was honored from Sept. 28^th to Oct. 3^rd with the theme of “Words Have Power”.   Both of these special events were promoted in the library, on FaceBook, and on the library website.

It has not been decided yet if there will be the annual “Trunk & Treat” event downtown this year.  The Board directed the library to not participate this year.

An update has given on the meetings attended by staff.  It was noted that staff has attended the Thursday Director’s Zoom Meetings on Sept. 3, 10, 17, & 24.  Wanda Raymond and Gail Irwin received a Continuing Education Grant from Nebraska Library Commission to attend the 2020 Online ARSL Conference from Sept. 28^th to Oct. 2^nd.  A list of sessions attended was shared. 

Under correspondence we had a thank you card from the Sandhills Care Center for some items we donated to them.  Our library applied for the free membership to the Nebraska Library Association for their 125^th anniversary.  A letter from the Nebraska Library Commission was received to inform libraries that they had renewed the Public Performance Site License.  It will run from October 1, 2020 to September 30, 2021.  Articles of interest from various library newsletters and journals were shared.

Election of officers was held.  Alane Lentz moved to appoint Phyllis Leach as President.  Stacey Gilliland seconded this with all members voting in favor of.  Phyllis Leach made the motion to have Alane Lentz appointed as Vice President.  Stacey Gilliland seconded this with all members voting in favor of. 

The next meeting was set for November 4^th at 5 p.m.  Since there was no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 5:45 p.m.     

In turbulent times, books are tools that help people navigate the world around them. Intellectual freedom and access to information uplift people in crisis and during more peaceful times, so the Banned Books Week Coalition invites you to champion the right to read during Banned Books Week, September 27 – October 3, 2020! 

Since it was founded in 1982, Banned Books Week has helped people recognize and navigate censorship, and the battle for free expression is unending. Reading brings people together, but censorship drives us apart.

 In 2019, ALA tracked nearly 377 attempts to censor library, school, and university materials and services, encompassing 566 books that were challenged or banned. The list includes books that can help readers, especially young people, understand and navigate tough situations.

The American Library Association condemns censorship and works to ensure free access to information. Every year, the Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) compiles a list of the Top 10 Most Challenged Books in order to inform the public about censorship in libraries and schools. The lists are based on information from media stories and voluntary reports sent to OIF from communities across the U.S.

The Top 10 lists are only a snapshot of book challenges. Surveys indicate that 82-97% of book challenges – documented requests to remove materials from schools or libraries – remain unreported and receive no media.

Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2019

1. George by Alex Gino
   Reasons: challenged, banned, restricted, and hidden to avoid controversy; for LGBTQIA+ content and a transgender character; because schools and libraries should not “put books in a child’s hand that require discussion”; for sexual references; and for conflicting with a religious viewpoint and “traditional family structure”
2. Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out by Susan Kuklin
   Reasons: challenged for LGBTQIA+ content, for “its effect on any young people who would read it,” and for concerns that it was sexually explicit and biased
3. A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo by Jill Twiss, illustrated by EG Keller
   Reasons: Challenged and vandalized for LGBTQIA+ content and political viewpoints, for concerns that it is “designed to pollute the morals of its readers,” and for not including a content warning
4. Sex is a Funny Word by Cory Silverberg, illustrated by Fiona Smyth
   Reasons: Challenged, banned, and relocated for LGBTQIA+ content; for discussing gender identity and sex education; and for concerns that the title and illustrations were “inappropriate” 
5. Prince & Knight by Daniel Haack, illustrated by Stevie Lewis
   Reasons: Challenged and restricted for featuring a gay marriage and LGBTQIA+ content; for being “a deliberate attempt to indoctrinate young children” with the potential to cause confusion, curiosity, and gender dysphoria; and for conflicting with a religious viewpoint
6. I Am Jazz by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings, illustrated by Shelagh McNicholas
   Reasons: Challenged and relocated for LGBTQIA+ content, for a transgender character, and for confronting a topic that is “sensitive, controversial, and politically charged”
7. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
   Reasons: Banned and challenged for profanity and for “vulgarity and sexual overtones”
8. Drama written and illustrated by Raina Telgemeier
   Reasons: Challenged for LGBTQIA+ content and for concerns that it goes against “family values/morals”
9. Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling
   Reasons: Banned and forbidden from discussion for referring to magic and witchcraft, for containing actual curses and spells, and for characters that use “nefarious means” to attain goals
10. And Tango Makes Three by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson illustrated by Henry Cole
    Reason: Challenged and relocated for LGBTQIA+ content

September is Library Card Sign-up Month, a time when Ainsworth Public Library joins with the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries nationwide to remind parents, caregivers, and students that signing up for a library card is the first step on the path to academic achievement and lifelong learning.

The Ainsworth Library, along with libraries everywhere, continues to adapt and expand services to meet the evolving needs of our community. A library card, by providing access to technology, media resources, and educational programs, gives students the tools to succeed in the classroom and provides people of all ages opportunities to pursue their dreams and passions.

If you don’t have a library card, please stop by the library and fill out a registration form. It is easy and simple to do! Make sure to bring in an ID to prove that your address is in Brown County.

The Ainsworth Public Library will be closed on Monday, September 7th, to observe the Labor Day Holiday. Have a safe and happy weekend!

The Ainsworth Library Board meeting was held on September 2, 2020 at the Ainsworth Public Library.  This meeting was advertised on the radio, in the local newspaper, and at the library.  President Traci Ganser called the meeting to order at 5 p.m.  Notice was given on the posting of the Nebraska Open Meeting Act.  Roll call showed four members present.  They included Todd Flynn, Traci Ganser, Stacey Gilliland, and Phyllis Leach.  Member Alane Lentz was absent due to sickness.  Library Director was also present for the meeting. 

Phyllis Leach made the motion to approve the minutes.  Traci Ganser seconded this with all members voting in favor of.  Phyllis Leach moved to approve the claims for payment.  Todd Flynn seconded this with all members voting in favor.   The Monthly Library Report for August was presented.  It was noted that 50 advantage copies was checked out this past month on our OverDrive account. 

Discussion was held on Library Board terms.  Stacey Gilliland was welcomed to the Board and will complete the term of Pedro Bordes.  Traci Ganser informed the Board that she would be moving out of the city limits in October and we would need to find someone to complete her term.  The Board members listed some people that they thought would be a good member.  These names will be forwarded to the Mayor.

An update was given on the proposed budget for 2020-2021.  The City Clerk made a couple of changes to it.  Health insurance is going up 22% instead of the 15% we planned on.  That line item was changed from $19,729 to $21,864.  To make up the difference, worker comp was changed from $2,730 to $595.  This will leave the bottom line the same amount. No update has been received from the county.

It was noted that we had handed out ten job application forms with only three being returned for the part time library aid position.  Two of these will be called in for an interview.  Several board members stated that they could be here for the interview.  We may need to re-advertise for this position until it is filled.

Discussion was held on the COVID-19 restrictions and if we should make any changes to the current rules.  Due to the rise of COVID cases in our area and surrounding counties, no changes were made. The REALM test 3 showed that after five days of quarantine in an unstacked configuration, the rigid plastic containers and cassettes all showed detectable virus. The library will keep these types of materials back longer than we had before.  Notice has been sent out that a number of publishers will extend permissions for Read Aloud since remote learning looks like it will be in play this fall.

Board members noticed that the exhibits on the 19^th Amendment Centennial is currently on display.  The displays include “Rightfully Hers:  American Women and Vote” from National Archives; “Votes for Women: A Portrait of Persistence” from Smithsonian, and the “Women’s Suffrage Book Set for Youth” from the American Library Association. 

The Library is working with the Ainsworth Chamber of Commerce to start Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library for our area.  Children under the age of five in Brown County will be eligible.  People will notify the Chamber any time that their address changes so the books can keep on arriving.  Sign-up was held on August 29^th at the Back to School BBQ Bash at East City Park.  19 children were signed up there.  The Library and Chamber continued to sign up more children this week.

A total of 350 readers completed the August Nebraska 1,000 Minute Challenge on Reader Zone.  Each reader will receive an exclusive vinyl sticker and a chance to win a Kindle White Reader.  The library with the reader winning the Kindle will also receive a Kindle.  The Nebraska Library Commission has released information stating that they used some CARES Act money to provide year-long access to Reader Zone free of charge for Nebraska libraries  (9-1-20 to 8-31-21).  This access is for public libraries, school libraries, and academic libraries.  Patrons can keep track of the reading they do, either by minutes, pages, chapters, and/or books.   This would be great to use if a classroom teacher wants to have a reading competition (girls vs. boys or Mrs. Smith class vs. Mr. Jones Class). 

Library Card Sign-Up Month will be honored all of September.  Our library will promote this on Facebook and on the library’s website.  A special bulletin board is currently being developed to encourage library card sign-up.

Under workshops and meetings, a review was given on the weekly Thursday Director’s Zoom meeting on August 6^th, 13^th, 20^th, and 27^th.  Topics covered included keep staff and hiring during COVID-19; Budgets & Cuts; Staff Quarantine List; Reclosing of libraries and putting restrictions back in place; Reader Zone; Surveys and seeing what people want/need from libraries right now.  The Ainsworth Library Foundation Board meeting was held on August 26th.  They have purchased a Cricut Machine and items for the Clara Mae’s Activity Bags.  Bev Whitney has resigned from the Foundation Board and Teri Soles will complete her term.  The Board was informed of the Joint Youth Services Retreat being held virtual on September 3^rd.   The ARSL 2020 Virtual Conference will be held Sept. 28th-Oct 2^nd.  Wanda has a grant to attend and Gail has applied for one also. 

Under Correspondence, a notice was shared from OverDrive to discontinue support for devices that use the outdated TLS 1.0 and 1.1 Security Protocols in October. Thank you cards from Eli and Olivia Beel were shared.  Articles of interest were shared from library journals and newsletters.

  The next meeting date was set for October 7^th at 5 p.m.  Since there was no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 5:55 p.m.

The Gift Transaction List from the Ainsworth Library Foundation showed the following memorials received from March to August 2020 in honor of:

Mrs. Clara Mae Daniels from family and friends

Mr. Dan Kozisek from Mrs. LaVonne Lippold

                                    Mr. & Mrs. William Cassel

                                    Ms. Mariann Kozisek  

Ms. Geri Johnson                                                          

                                    Mr. & Mrs. David Span

                                    Mr. & Mrs. Denton Weichman

                                    Mr. & Mrs. Gerald Ehlers

                                    Mr. & Mrs. Robert Maxwell

                                    Ms. Diane Johnson

                                    Ms. Mary Birkel

                                    Ms. Susan Sealy

                                    Mr. Randall Fitch

                                    Family & Friends

                                    Gaylen Boettcher Baier PC LLD

                                    West Plains Bank

Mr. Duane Childers from the Ainsworth Community Schools

Donations were received from Mr. John Bejot, Mrs. Shirley West, Mrs. Marilyn Williams, and Mrs. Carol Plate.  Other revenue came from the Garden Walk Fundraiser ($333); recycling of inkjet Cartridges ($166), the Art Guild card sales/coffee station sales ($13.75), and from the donation jar ($82.05). 

The Library Foundation appreciates all the support shown to the Ainsworth Public Library.  Thank you! If you would like to make a donation to the library, please contact the library at 402-387-2032.