Central Plains Library System

If you love all the dies we have that coordinate with our Summer Reading theme and want to incorporate them in your displays, crafts, and programs, be sure to get your order in by MAY 13, 2022. Remember, CPLS will supply the die cuts for you in either colored paper, card stock, or craft foam.

One of the featured projects is the Craft Stick Angel Fish. The System will send you all the necessary supplies to include this craft during your Summer Reading Program. Just let us know how many you want.

The Central Plains Library System has a new Book Club Set. We purchased 10 copies of Jodi Picoult’s latest title, Wish You Were Here. It is ready to borrow. Please call or email the System office to get this set reserved for your Book Club.

Diana O’Toole is perfectly on track. She will be married by thirty, done having kids by thirty-five, and move out to the New York City suburbs, all while climbing the professional ladder in the cutthroat art auction world. She’s an associate specialist at Sotheby’s now, but her boss has hinted at a promotion if she can close a deal with a high-profile client. She’s not engaged just yet, but she knows her boyfriend, Finn, a surgical resident, is about to propose on their romantic getaway to the Galapagos—days before her thirtieth birthday. Right on time.

But then a virus that felt worlds away has appeared in the city, and on the eve of their departure, Finn breaks the news: It’s all hands on deck at the hospital. He has to stay behind. You should still go, he assures her, since it would be a shame for all of their nonrefundable trip to go to waste. And so, reluctantly, she goes.

Almost immediately, Diana’s dream vacation goes awry. Her luggage is lost, the Wi-Fi is nearly nonexistent, and the hotel they’d booked is shut down due to the pandemic. In fact, the whole island is now under quarantine, and she is stranded until the borders reopen. Completely isolated, she must venture beyond her comfort zone. Slowly, she carves out a connection with a local family when a teenager with a secret opens up to Diana, despite her father’s suspicion of outsiders.

In the Galapagos Islands, where Darwin’s theory of natural selection was formed, Diana finds herself examining her relationships, her choices, and herself—and wondering if when she goes home, she too will have evolved into someone completely different.

Cover picture and synopsis from Jodi Picoult · Wish You Were Here (2021)

Wouldn’t it be great if teens all over Nebraska were talking about books? The Nebraska Library Commission and the Regional Library Systems have a program where teens can all read and discuss the same book. The 2022 title for teens is Stupid Fast by Geoff Herbach. Click here for activities and puzzles related to this book.

We have a book set for this title including an audiobook. To borrow a book set, contact the CPLS System Office or Commission Reference Services at 402-471-4016 or 800-307-2665 or by e-mail. For more information contact Sally Snyder, Coordinator of Children and Young Adult Library Services. This is a thought-provoking book to read anytime and librarians may borrow the book set whenever the sets are available and will fit into the library’s or school’s schedule. 

Wouldn’t it be great if kids all over Nebraska were talking about books? The Nebraska Library Commission and the Regional Library Systems have a program where kids can all read and discuss the same book. The 2022 title for kids is The Adventures of Beanboy by Lisa Harkrader. Click here for activities and puzzles related to this book.

We have a book set for this title. To borrow a book set, contact the CPLS System Office or Commission Reference Services at 402-471-4016 or 800-307-2665 or by e-mail. For more information contact Sally Snyder, Coordinator of Children and Young Adult Library Services.   This is a thought-provoking book to read anytime and librarians may borrow the book set whenever the sets are available and will fit into the library’s or school’s schedule. 

The North Platte Public Library is hiring!  We’re looking for our next Children’s Librarian who believes in delivering super customer services, even to our smallest readers! We want to engage with children in ways that encourage them to explore the world around them and connect with them in ways that shape their lives.

We are seeking someone who loves all kids and is filled with “out of the box” thinking ideas on programs that will engage, support and nurture our youngest readers. With the collaboration of the Library Director, this individual will be responsible for implementing and creating programs, outreach, book advisory and other library duties for our children’s department. If you love kids and are a detail-oriented self-starter who enjoys working in a supportive and patron-focused environment, we encourage you to join our team. The mission of our library is to ensure access to the accumulated knowledge of the world. This enables individuals to pursue personal enrichment and take informed action.

This is a full-time position with benefits. Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA accredited institution preferred.  Equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the duties as described will be considered. Starting annual salary range : $44,011-$52,776: placement on the salary schedule is based upon education and experience. Will be expected to work one night per week and one Saturday per month. 

Applications and resume must be received by 5:00PM, August 20, 2021. Fill out City Application online at: https://www.ci.north-platte.ne.us/employment/library-job-application/. Send resumes to: library@ci.north-platte.ne.us

City Employment Application (PDF Fillable)
Job Description (PDF)

At the System’s Annual Meeting in Red Cloud on July 9, 2021, we added some new Board Members, elected new officers, and said good-bye to the first and only Board President that CPLS has had. Judy Hagan, Library Director in Atkinson, became the CPLS Board President when the Nebraska Regional Library Systems were reconfigured from six Systems down to four in 2015. She served out the remainder of her elected term to the Board of the Northeast Library System and was then elected to two terms for CPLS. We certainly appreciate Judy’s commitment to the Systems and will miss her on the Board. The Board elected officers at the business meeting prior to the Annual Meeting. The new Board President is Terri Johnson, Tony Anderson is the Vice President, and Terri Eberly is the Secretary.

Three people were elected to the Board this year: Jody Crocker, Jamie Dennis, and Sherrie Dux-Ideus. With these additions, we have 12 people on our Board. Next year we will again be looking for a few individuals willing to serve on the System’s Board. Thank to all who have served in the past and those who will join the Board in the future.

President, Terri Johnson. Terri is the Technology Librarian at the North Platte Public Library. Her second term will expire on June 30, 2024.

Vice President, Tony Anderson. Tony is a long-time library advocate. He is married to Library Director, Keri Anderson from the Hoesch Memorial Library in Alma. His second term ends on 6/30/2022.

Secretary, Terri Eberly. Terri is the Library Director for the Auld Public Library in Red Cloud. Terri’s second term expires June 30, 2024.

Doris Brandon. Doris is a strong Advocate for libraries. She serves on the Library Board of the Hoesch Memorial Library in Alma. Her second term ends on June 30, 2024.

Jody Crocker. Jody is the Library Director at the McCook City Library. She has presented ideas for the Summer Reading Programs for many years. Her first term expires on 6/30/2024.

Jamie Dennis. Jamie is a Library Assistant at the Grand Island Campus of Central Community College. This is her first time serving on a System Board. Jamie’s first term ends June 30, 2024.

Sherrie Dux-Ideus. Sherrie is the Library Director for the Nuckolls Library on the Hastings Campus of Central Community College. Her first term ends 6/30/2024.

Janene Hill. Janene is the Library Director at Jensen Memorial Library in Minden. Her second term expires 6/30/2024.

Lori Long. Lori is the School Librarian at Gothenburg Jr./Sr. High School. Her second term ends on June 30, 2022.

Linda Nickel. Linda has years of experience being a Library Advocate. She retired as the Library Director for the Gibbon Public Library. Linda’s second term expires on June 30, 2022.

Shelley Ruterbories. Shelley is the Library Director at the Garfield County Library in Burwell. Her first term ends on 6/30/2022.

Matthew Williams. Matt is the Library Director at the Kearney Public Library. His second term ends 6/30/2022.