Category Archives: Events

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.

The Ainsworth Public Library will be holding an Open House on May 5^th from 4-5 p.m. so that the public can see all the new equipment we have added to our Makerspace.  The library was recently awarded a 2022 ARPA Library Improvement Grant in the amount of $1,428 to purchase equipment and supplies for our Makerspace area. 

The grant funds were used to purchase a Cricut Mug Press; Wood Burning Kit; American Button Maker 1.25”; and a Laminator to use with paper size 9 x 11.5 and smaller.   Supplies were also purchased to use with training on the machines.  The Library was also gifted this spring with a large vinyl cutting machine, computer with software as well as supplies from the Innovation Studio Grant.  All of these items will be on display along with our other Makerspace items such as our Accut Die Cutter; Cricut Machine; Heat Press; Label Maker; and Engraver.  Training Sign-up sheets will be posted for people that would like to have one-on-one training on the machines.  Training dates will be scheduled at a later date.   Make sure to sign up for several Door Prizes to be given away at the Open House.

The Library Improvement Grant is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by the Nebraska Library Commission.

AINSWORTH LIBRARY BOARD MEETING

April 13, 2022 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.         Grant Updates

            a.         Youth Grant for Excellence    

                        1.         Purchases completed

                        2.         Open House on 4-17-22

                        3.         Mondays from 4-5 p.m. set as S.T.E.M. Time

            b.         Library Improvement Grant

                        1.         Purchases completed

                        2.         Plan for Open House/Sign people up for one-on-one training

            c.         Formula Grant

                        1.         Still working on purchases

            d.         $500 Teacher’s Grant awarded for S.T.E.M. items

8.         National Library Week:  April 4-9^th 

9.         Summer Reading Program

10.       NebraskAccess Password

11.       OverDrive

            a.         Discontinuing the OverDrive app

            b.         Transition to Libby app

            c.         Survey questions for the public on Overdrive website

12.       Upcoming Displays/Exhibits

            a.         Ainsworth Art Guilds Spring Show-April 8-30^th

            b.         Bright Horizons Display-April 11-16^th

13.       Cleaning Position

14.       Public Librarian Certification renewed for Wanda Raymond to 3-23-2025

15.       Start work on Budget for 2022-2023

16.       Meetings/Workshop

            a.         Director’s Thursday Zoom Meetings:  March 10^th, 17^th, and 31^st

            b.         Aquatic WILD-March 8

            c.         NCompass Live

                        1.         Importance of Chit Chat in the Library March 9^th

                        2.         If You Build It They Will Come -March 15^th

            d.         Transitioning to Libby March 15^th

            e.         Nebraska 4H S.T.E.M. Reading Connections Workshop-March 13^th

            f.          Nebraska State  Advisory Council on Libraries  March 18^th

            g.         City Safety Meeting -March 31^st

            h.         How to Train Your Community on Libby-April 7^th

            i.          Reluctant Readers Workshop-April 21^st Zoom

            j.          Golden Sower Reading Day-June 3^rd-Kearney

            k.         Games People Play-June 16^th-Hastings

17.       Correspondence

            a.         Items of interest from Library newsletters/journals

18.       Set next meeting date/time

19.       Adjournment

Take control of your future with financial empowerment.

There will be a Financial Literacy Class starting today at 6 p.m. at the Library hosted by Bright Horizons. The entire community is encouraged to attend the Financial Literacy 101 class in order to have a better chance of gaining financial freedom and losing financial debt.