Category Archives: Events

The AINSWORTH LIBRARY BOARD MEETING will be held at the Ainsworth Public Library on April 5, 2023 at 5 p.m.

AGENDA

1.            Call meeting to order

2.            Give notice on the posting of the Nebraska Open Meeting Act

3.            Roll call

4.            Approve minutes

5.            Approve claims for payment

6.            Monthly Library Report/List of titles purchased

7.            Summer Reading Program

8.            NEA Big Read

9.            Library Board Certification Program

10.          State Aid for 2023

11.          COE Student for school year 2023-2024

12.          National Library Week

13.          Ainsworth Area Art Guild Spring Show (April 14-27^th)

14.          Grants:

                a.            Midwest Region American Heart Association Grant

                b.            Game On! ALA Grant

15.          Proposed budget for 2023-2024

16.          Meetings and Workshops:

                a.            Thursday Director’s Zoom Meeting-  March 9^th and 16^th

                b.            State Advisory council on Libraries:  March 3^rd in Lincoln

                c.             Reader Zone Zoom Meeting-April 5^th

17.          Correspondence:

                a.            Atriuum Library System Update (Canvas or Gallery)

                b.            Free Financial Literacy Story Books and Materials –U.S. Gov. Publishing Office

                c.             Nebraska Librarian Certification Program:  Gail Irwin to 2-1-26

                d.            Nebraska Legislation update on bills affecting Libraries

                e.            Items of interest from Library Journals and newsletters

18.          Set next meeting date/time

19.          Adjournment

The Ainsworth Library is joining the Northeast Community College NEA Big Read during March and April.  The Big Read selection will focus on the title of “Sitting Pretty: The View from My Ordinary Resilient Disabled Body” by Rebekah Taussig.  The Ainsworth Library has copies of this title available now for check-out.  Read the book and come join us on April 17^th at 3:30 p.m.  to share thoughts on the title.

Rebekah Taussig is a disability advocate that brings an intimate and eye-opening essay collection that processes a lifetime of memories to paint a beautiful, nuanced portrait of a body that looks and moves differently than most.  This book was selected because of the honest and intimate rendering of her experiences, which inspires caring and connection.   Our focus is on disability, disability services, accessibility and inclusion and to promote open dialogue leading to a deeper understanding of how best to respect and serve one another.  The book will make you rethink everything you’ve previously believed bout disabled people and their lives.    

This program is part of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest to help show the power of a shared reading experience, aims to inspire meaningful conversations, artists responses, and new discoveries and connections in communities.  Northeast Community College is one of 62 organizations nationwide that has been selected to receive a 2022-23 NEA Big Read Grant.  If you have an questions, please contact the library in person or call 402-387-2032.

The Library Foundation Board held its regular quarterly meeting at the Ainsworth Public Library on August 17, 2022.  The meeting was called to order at 5 p.m.  Roll call showed all seven members present plus the library director.   The minutes and the Treasurer’s Report were approved.  One bill was approved for payment to Marsha Fuchs in the total of $22.44 for mulch in the front landscaping. 

The Gift Transaction List from May to August 2022 was presented.  Memorials were received in memory of Mr. Robert Tyler from Mrs. Camie See and Mrs. LaVonne Lippold.  Mr. and Mrs. Tom Chohon gave a gift in memory of Mrs. Kaye Chohon.  A cash donation was received from Mrs. Shirley West.  Other revenue on the list included Art Guild Card Sales; Coffee Station Sales; and donation jar funds.  A total of $190 was raised from the Note Card Sales.  The library appreciates all the gifts and support shown.

It was reported that the landscaping Project has been completed.  We lost one plant but the others are doing wonderful.  Lots of complements have been received on the plants this summer.

An update was given on the grants received this spring.  It was noted that everything is now completed on the grants.   A total of $7,868 was received with the ARPA Formula Grant; ARPA Library Improvement Grant; ARPA Youth Grant for Excellence; and the Delta Kappa Gamma International Alpha Delta Chapter Grant. 

It was noted that the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Fundraiser Online was a success.  We made the $1500 goal plus had a $700 match to bring the total to $2200.  The Board approved of the Treasurer sending the funds to the Ainsworth Chamber of Commerce when they arrive.

A Humanities Nebraska Program will be held on October 20^th at 5 p.m.  featuring the 2022 One Book One Nebraska Title.  Nebraska author, Jonis Agee will be here with her program on “The Bones of Paradise:  A Novel Examined”.   The Foundation Board agreed to provide refreshments for this event.

A letter was shared from the Nebraska Library Commission on a partnership between them and the Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired with a new service for libraries in Nebraska.   They will provide a 20” ONYX  Deskset HC CCTV (electronic video magnifier) free of charge to libraries.   The unit should arrive in several months.

Fundraising was discussed.  It was decided to hold a Book Basket Auction in the fall.  Baskets will need to be at the Library by Nov. 5^th.   Marsha Fuchs will get the information out to people who have provided a basket in the past.  Our theme will be “Shine a Light on Reading” and proceeds will go towards the outside lighting project. 

The next meeting date was set for November 9^th  at 5 p.m.  Since there was no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 6:07 p.m.

A new season of Book Club is about to begin at the Ainsworth Public Library!  The September selection title will be “The Book Club” by Mary Alice Monroe.  This story features five remarkable women who are all in their 50’s and 60’s that belong to the same book club but from different walks of life.  All are embracing the challenge of change such as marriage, children, death, health, or life in general.  As they share their hopes and fears and triumphs, they hold fast to the true magic of the book club-friendship.   The library has some copies of this title available for you to check out during the week of August 22^nd or later.  Readers will gather together on September 19^th at 2 p.m. to share thoughts on the book.

The October book title will feature the 2022 One Book One Nebraska title of “The Bones of Paradise” by Nebraska author, Jonis Agee.  The Book Discussion will be held on October 17^th at 2 p.m.   This novel is a multigenerational family saga set in the unforgiving Nebraska Sand Hills in the years following the massacre at Wounded Knee.  This is a tale of history, vengeance, race, quilt, betrayal, family, and belonging; filled with a vivid cast of characters shaped by violence, love, and a desperate loyalty to the land.  The story is mystery, a tragedy, a romance, exploration of the beauty of the land, and the tenderness and cruelty that defined the settling of the American West.  Extra copies will be available for check out in October for this title.  The Library will have an extra event related to this book.  The Library will be holding a Humanities Nebraska program on October 20^th at 5 p.m. with the author titled “Bones of Paradise: A Novel Examined. Please mark your calendar now so that you can attend.

Other titles and authors planned for the 2022-2023 Book Club season includes:  “The Last Green Valley” by Mark Sullivan; “A Hundred Sweet Promises” by Sepehr Haddad; “The Doctor’s Daughter” by Shari Ryan; “The Saints of Swallow Hill” by Donna Everhart; “Impossible to Forget” by Imogen Clark; and “The Girl Who Escaped From Auschwitz” by Ellie Midwood.  The Library used some of its ARPA Formula Grant to purchase Book Kits of these titles.  It is hoped that you will enjoy the titles and come share your thoughts on them during our Book Discussions this season.

The Ainsworth Library Board will be holding its regular monthly meeting today (8-3-22) at the Ainsworth Public Library starting at 5 p.m. This meeting is open to the public!

Registration is now open for the 2022 Summer Reading Program “Oceans of Possibilities”. Please sign up below, by calling the library, or stopping by in person. Registrations will close on May 15th.