Category: Events

The Rock County Public Library is offering a “Lunch & Learn” Google Applications Class on Thursday, January 26, 2012 from 12 noon to 1:00 p.m. The instructor will be Mary Gurney. There is a $3 cover charge for lunch. Pre-registration is required by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 25th. Call 402-684-3800 or e-mail rockcolib@abbnebraska.com

The Rock County Public Library is planning a two-day open house on Tuesday, November 15 and Wednesday, November 16 to celebrate the arrival of all the new equipment and furniture the library has received through the Library Broadband Builds Nebraska Communities project. New equipment includes ten new computers with Webcams, a projector, two scanners, a laser black & white printer, a laser colored printer and several new desks and chairs. One of the computers is ADA compatible including all the necessary software. The value of the computers, software, and furnishings are valued at $17,282.76. The computers are installed and ready for use by the public. The computers can be used free of charge to access court records, find health information, take advantage of educational opportunities, hunt for jobs, explore small business options, etc.

Planned activities include a special adult book discussion of “The Help” by Kathryn Stockett at 4:30 p.m. on the 15th with pie served to attendees. A noon luncheon is planned on November 16th from 12:00 to 1:00 at the library with demonstrations on using the computers to Skype using the Webcams. Another demonstration at the luncheon will be e-readers and other devices that can be used for reading books with four readers available for the public to try out. The book discussion and noon luncheon require advanced pre-registration to insure adequate food & seating arrangements. Please call 402-684-3800 or e-mail rockcolib@huntel.net. There will be a $3 cover charge for the soup & sandwich luncheon. Refreshments will be served to all who stop in the library on Tuesday from 1-5:30 and Wednesday from 1-9 p.m. Door prizes include a new Wi-Fi Kindle, flash drives, and pop-up book lights.

The library staff will provide free access to the Internet along with training for many levels of users. For example, those seeking new computer skills, looking for a job, or researching health information can learn here. Over the next year, many training sessions will be offered in the center including one hour one-on-one free training by appointment provided by staff during regular library hours.

“New technologies have helped all libraries but have been especially important in our many rural communities,” said Rod Wagner, Nebraska Library Commission Director. “Public libraries are the most commonly used place (outside the home or office) for accessing the Internet.”

This project was supported in part by the Department of Commerce National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP), funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, as administered by the Nebraska Library Commission.

The “Give a HOOOT” annual pajama story hour will be held on Wednesday, November 9 from 7:30-8:30 p.m. at the Rock County Public Library. All students’ ages 3 through 2nd grades are invited to attend. Students must be 3 years of age by September 1, 2011. Come in pajamas. Best loved blankets, stuffed animals or dolls understood. Find out whoo’s reading @ your library.

Marita Placek will visit the Rock County Public Library on Thursday, October 20 at 7:00 p.m. to speak on a book she has compiled titled, “Legends & Lore of the Outlaw Trail.” The book features some of Nebraska’s most colorful tales of horse thieves, cattle rustlers, swindlers and attacks by native American Indians. Marita is from rural Lynch and will be available after the book talk to sign copies of the book for those wishing to purchase a copy. Refreshments will be served. Everyone is welcome to attend.

The next public Q125 planning meeting will be held on October 12 at 7 p.m. in the Multi-purpose Room at Rock County High School. Everyone is encouraged to attend.

The adult book discussion is starting again on Tuesday, September 20th at 4:30 p.m. with Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese as the selected book to read. Copies of the title are available at the Library and attendees usually read the selected book before meeting for discussion. Anyone may join this discussion by simply stopping by the Library to pick up a copy of the book.

The Rock County Public Library will hold a four week Pre School Story Hour, “Everything Fall”, on Wednesday, October 5, 12, 19, 26 from 2 to 3 PM.  Students must be 3 years of age by September 1, 2011.  Please register by September 28th by calling 402-684-3800, email rockcolib@huntel.net or by stopping at the library.  Students will be exploring the wonders of the fall season.

Rock County Fair will be celebrating 90 years of fun and action for five big, fun-filled days starting August 10-14th. Stop and take a look at the library fair booth and all the exhibits. Enjoy the “Pulling Together in Rock County” parade on August 11 at 7:00. The Fair concludes with a hymn sing at the Historical Memorial Church at 7:00 on Sunday, August 14th. This is only a partial listing of the many activities.

BKR Extension will be presenting a Heritage Workshop on Wednesday, August 3 from 1:30-4:30 p.m. at the Rock County Public Library. This workshop is open to all youth enrolled in the library summer reading program. Parents are asked to please register their student/students at the library by Tuesday, August 2nd by calling 402-684-3800 or stop in the library. Students are invited to learn what it means to have a legacy and make a keepsake of family photos. Students are requested to bring at least ten current or historic family photos. This workshop has been made possible through support from UNL Estension in the BKR Counties and a grant from TransCanada Keystone Pipeline, LP.

BKR Extension Office will be presenting a scrapbooking class for summer readers on Monday, July 11 at 1:00 p.m. at the library.  Students must pre-register for this class by calling 402-684-3800 by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, July 8th.