Tag: libraries

Bekah Jerde Visiting

Events

Named Emerging Visual Artist at the 2022 Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards, Omaha photographer Bekah Jerde grew up on a cattle ranch in northwestern South Dakota. Her story of the years in between will be presented at 7 p.m., Thursday, April 7 at the Chatt Center in Tekamah.

A guest of the Tekamah Public Library Foundation, Bekah is a nonprofit leader, advocate, woman in recovery and artist, as well as an award-winning photographer. She was featured in the Omaha World Herald as part of the Faces of Fearless series in 2019 and as an artist spotlight in Omaha Magazine in 2021.

Please join us in welcoming Bekah to Tekamah! This event is free and open to the public. For more information, call Beverly Lydick, Foundation chair, at 402-620-5267.

Bekah Jerde
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March Happenings

Events

National Read Across America Day was Wednesday, March 2nd. This annual children’s literacy event is also Dr. Seuss’ birthday. We are celebrating these two events all month at Tekamah Public Library, along with some other fun! Keep reading to learn about the events and displays we have going on this month.

Paper Chain Project

For every book checked out during the month of March, a link will be added to a paper chain. Patrons are invited to decorate and attach links to the chain, which will be displayed at the front desk. We can also add links for you if you’re in a hurry. Help grow our chain by checking out books this month!

Favorite Picture Book Display

We are also displaying our favorite picture books. Each week, a different librarian will display their favorite picture books. Remember, there is no age limit on picture books. Even adults can check them out to enjoy. We won’t judge you!

  • Miss Megan’s Favorites – Week of March 7th
  • Miss Theresa’s Favorites – Week of March 14th
  • Miss Linda’s Favorites – Week of March 21st

4-H Activities

The local Clover Stars will be decorating the curio cabinet with a 4-H display. They will also be giving a special story time on Thursday, March 10th at 3:30 p.m. Join us for guest readers and a 4-H themed craft.

Dr. Seuss Story Times

Several of our weekly story times this month will have a Dr. Seuss theme. If you missed the story time, don’t worry! Stop in any time to see if we have crafts left… We usually do! They make fun, easy after school or weekend projects. Check out the darling Cat in the Hat one of our story time kids made!

Mark Miller Visiting

Local author Mark Miller will be visiting the library from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Monday, March 28th. He wrote for the Burt County Plaindealer in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Mark Miller currently lives in Genoa, Nebraska. He will be promoting his two books. In Bright Sunshine is a collection of short stories and Sports in a Nebraska Town is a collection of his sports columns. The author has graciously donated a copy of each book to the library!

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National Bird-Feeding Month

Events

This month, we are celebrating an important but lesser-known holiday. February is National Bird-Feeding Month. Food and water is scarce during the winter months, and February is the hardest month for wild birds to survive. You can help by placing bird feeders and water sources in safe locations in your backyard. In exchange, you get the beauty and pleasure of watching birds flock to your yard.

We have many birding books that cover every angle of this hobby. Birdwatching, bird feeding, birdhouses… You name it, we have a book about it! Check out our display of books that will be up for the entire month.

From Monday, February 21st to Saturday, February 26th, we will be having a take-home bird feeder craft available for all ages. Everyone is welcome to make this simple bird feeder to hang in their yard. Your feathered critters will surely appreciate it! It’s also a great opportunity to introduce your children to the joy of birdwatching.

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Tax Season at Your Library

Events, General

Tax season officially begins January 24th. During this time of year, the library is inundated with questions regarding income taxes. This post intends to address some of our most frequently asked questions.

Where can I get tax forms?

All forms and schedules can be printed from the IRS website. We are happy to print these forms for you. Please come to the library with the name of the form you need.

Can a librarian answer my tax questions?

In most cases, no. We may be able to find basic information online, but it would be best to consult an accountant or use online tax preparation software.

Can you help me fill out my tax forms?

We are not trained to assist in the filing of income taxes. Please consult an accountant or use online tax preparation software.

When is the tax deadline this year?

The deadline to file your taxes is Monday, April 18th. The U.S. Treasury Department is predicting delays in processing refunds, so get your taxes done as early as possible.

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Library turns 105

Events
The library circa 1920.
An undated photo of the library.
Newspaper clipping from 1926.
Newspaper clipping from 1930.
Newspaper clipping from 1956.

Tekamah Public Library will be celebrating its 105th birthday this month. The original Carnegie structure was dedicated on October 25th, 1916, but Tekamah’s library was already a couple years in the making.

The community’s desire for a library had been known since May 1914, when the Burt County Herald reported that the Tekamah Commercial Club was putting forth efforts to secure the funding via a grant.

This money came from none other than businessman and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie’s foundation. Tekamah Public Library is one of 2,509 libraries that were built with this grant money between 1883 and 1929. There were 69 Carnegie libraries constructed in Nebraska, but only a handful are still standing and even fewer are still used as libraries. What we have in Tekamah is truly a precious jewel.

By October 1914, the mayor appointed the members of the first library board: Mrs. Hattie Hopewell, J. A. Clark, J. E. Cornish, A. H. Dixon, Dr. J. P. Merritt, Mrs. J. W. Tamplin, E. I. Ellis, Dr. A. D. Nesbit, and Mrs. Ed Latta. The board selected the current site of the library and it was reported in the newspaper that there was great community support for the project.

A grant of $8,000 (over $200,000 in today’s money) was awarded on November 17th, 1914. The building was designed by Beatrice architect R.W. Grant. Bids for construction and masonry were granted to local contractors.

In June 1916, the library board appealed to the public for donations of books and magazines. They were concerned they would not have the funds to purchase enough books by opening day. Again, the citizens of Tekamah came through. The library had 1200 pieces of material, most of them donated, by November.

This set the precedent for community support of our library, a strong driving force that has continued over a century. This same effort led to the wonderful renovation and addition project that was completed 97 years after the original building came to be. We think we look pretty good for being 105 years old!

We will be celebrating the library’s birthday on Monday, October 25th from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Please stop by for a cupcake and an entry in our prize drawings! We will be giving away some book totes and other goodies.

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Banned Books Week

Events, Uncategorized

The week of September 26th is Banned Books Week. This event is sponsored by the American Library Association, who keeps a record of all reported challenges and bans.

So what is a banned book? This term is used to describe books that have either been challenged or removed from public libraries, school libraries, or school curriculum. These books are often described as offensive or inappropriate for a multitude of reasons.

It is the opinion of the library community that attempting to ban books is a form of censorship and is not acceptable under the First Amendment. Tekamah Public Library adheres to the Library Bill of Rights, which is outlined by the American Library Association. We believe that all patrons should have access to a variety of ideas, viewpoints, and knowledge, including those that some may find offensive or distasteful.

This year, we have a display of 7 books that are on the Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2020. However, we have many titles that have been challenged or banned over the years. We encourage patrons to check out these controversial books in an effort to combat censorship.

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Summer Reading Update

Summer Reading Program, Uncategorized

The start of the 2021 Summer Reading Program is rapidly approaching. The fun starts Monday, June 7th at 5:00 p.m. with an open house at Tekamah Public Library. We will be reading some stories and assisting with last minute signups. Kids who attend will receive a goodie bag and we will have drawings for several prizes! If you want to sign up now or get more information, please go to this page.

JUNE SUMMER READING EVENTS

Library Open House

Monday, June 7th at 5:00 p.m.

Join us for an open house at Tekamah Public Library on Monday, June 7th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. We are kicking off the 2021 Summer Reading Program with our first in-person story time in over a year. We will also have refreshments, goodie bags, and drawings for prizes.

“All About My Pet” Activity

Monday, June 14th ALL DAY

Children are invited to fill out a coloring sheet that tells the world about their special pet. There is no set time for this event. Simply come in the library anytime on Monday, June 14th. Participating in this activity enters your child for a chance to with a gift card to Chewy!

Pollinator Garden Activity

Monday, June 21st from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

PLEASE NOTE THIS EVENT IS NOT LOCATED AT THE LIBRARY!

Tekamah Public Library is teaming up with Dodge Country Extension Educator Kathleen Cue and a local beekeeper to educate children about pollinating insects. Join us at the Tekamah Pollinator Garden from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. on Monday, June 21st for some fun bug-related activities. The garden is located just north of the Burt County Plaindealer building at 707 S 13th Street in Tekamah.

Reptiles at the Library

Monday, June 28th from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Johnson’s Sweet Reptiles from Oakland, NE will be setting up outside the library for an afternoon of creepy-crawly fun. They will be bringing an assortment of snakes, lizards, and other critters. Join us Monday, June 28th from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Our activities are also available in a calendar format. We hope you will join us for all the fun events we have planned this month. Check back for our July calendar later this month.

JuneActivities

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Memorial Day Story Time

Uncategorized, Virtual Story Time

This week, we are celebrating Memorial Day with a couple stories about the holiday. Memorial Day is a long weekend that is sometimes referred to as the official start of summer in the United States. We celebrate this day to remember our fallen soldiers.

For our craft this week, we have a link to a bunch of fun Memorial Day crafts you can try at home!

https://blog.ooly.com/fun-memorial-day-crafts-kids/
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Grumpy Story Time

Uncategorized, Virtual Story Time

Have you ever felt grumpy? Other words for being grumpy are grouchy or crabby. It’s a perfectly normal emotion, but it is important to know where it comes from and how to handle it. Today we are reading a couple stories about being grumpy!

For our craft, we have a cute coloring page so you can make your own Grouchy Ladybug. You can print it at home or get a copy here at the library. Be sure to give him some angry eyebrows so he looks EXTRA GROUCHY!

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Rainy Day Story Time

Uncategorized

Are you staying dry? At the library, we like to say that days like this are “good reading weather.” This week, we are sharing a couple selections from Junior Library Guild. This company sends a handpicked picture book to the library every month and we always love what comes in the mail.

This week, we are offering a variety of craft kits for pick up at the library! We have many odds and ends saved from different in-person story times, past Summer Reading Programs, and other events. Come pick up a kit or two and make something fun!

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