Central Plains Library System

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.

Think way back to December 2020…I started a reading challenge called Snow Many Great Books! for all Nebraska residents ages 10 and older. Reading was completed by February 28, 2021. I was supposed to announce the winners in March. Life happened and I am now announcing the winners in April!

We had 459 people participate by reading at least one book. We had nearly 100 people finish the challenge by reading at least 8 books that fit one of the listed categories. The Most Popular Activity was to Read a Book in Bed Under a Blanket. No surprise there! The Least Popular Activity was to Read a Nonfiction Book About Winter. We had a total of 1,674 books read in our challenge!!!

And now the winners:

Marissa H.
Mary Ellen K.
Charlotte E.

I have email addresses for all the winners and I will contact them to ask for a physical address where I can send them each a $50 Visa Gift Card.

Thank you to all the participants.

Maltman Memorial Library in Wood River is looking for a permanent part-time Library Assistant.  Must have technology skills and be willing to obtain a Nebraska Public Librarian Certificate through the Nebraska Library Commission. 

Pick up an application at the library and schedule an interview with Deb Fairbanks library director.  910 Main St. Wood River, (308) 583-2349. Open until filled.