Greetings from the Great Bend Public Library and Happy New Year! I know I’m a bit late but this is my first article of 2025, so I wanted to wish everyone a happy start to 2025.
Well, Kansas you sure know how to start a new year. We were not even a week in and the whole state shut down with a blizzard that might have even grounded Rudolph. It’s a good thing the weather had the decency to hold off until after Santa’s big flight. As many of you know, here at the library we have been closed for a few days but by the time you are reading this we should be up and running again. But with the weekend forecast who knows what’s coming next, so be sure to come in and grab so reading or watching materials now before the next storm blows in. This is a great time to remind you that we offer curbside pick-up (just give us a call to schedule a time) and we have a digital library through Libby. Libby is a free service with your Great Bend Public Library card offering a catalog of thousands of audiobooks and ebooks. Libby is an amazing service all year round but it’s especially nice to have when you’re snowed in and yes they even have stuff for the kiddos. Lastly, I’d like to remind you that we are a no-fines library. If your book is due, that’s OK; keep it home safe with you for a few more days until the weather clears up. I promise we won’t mind.
Well, it’s a new year, so how about some new events for the coming week? First up is Genealogy Thursday. If you need some one-on-one genealogy help, come in on Thursdays from 11 to 12 and our resident genealogy expert will be happy to help you fill out that family tree. Then at 6 p.m., we are getting fancy at Adult Craft Night with a tiered tray making craft. Whether you need something to hold your jewelry or maybe you’re looking to host an afternoon tea, either way, we’ve got you covered with this month’s craft.
Saturday is the last day to turn in your winter reading bingo sheets. If you haven’t snagged one, there is still time to get one at the front desk and complete some cozy tasks to earn prizes. All ages are welcome to participate, and there are even reading challenges specifically geared towards kids.
Story times are back on Tuesday, with Baby Bounce Story Time from 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., and Early Literacy Story Time from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Although our two story times are intended to engage specific age groups, families may bring children of any age to the story time that fits their family and schedule best. Our new Writing Club will have its first meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday evening. Writers from the Barton County area are welcome to join us for our monthly meetings to share and work on their craft. We will connect at the beginning of each meeting before splitting up by age group (children, teens, and adults).
Wednesday Tween Scene is back with a special event. Tweens can join us from 3:30 to 5 p.m. to get a preview of one of our most popular teen events, our Teen Café in the form of a hot chocolate bar.
Then Thursday the 16th we have Genealogy Thursday and Luna is back to hear stories from 3:30-5 p.m. Then at 5:30 p.m. we have a very magical Teen Manga and Anime club meeting planned. We will be watching and discussing Sailor Moon, followed by making our own sailor pen wands, so we can punish evildoers in the name of the moon and finish our homework on time.
Hannah Grippin is outreach manager at the Great Bend Public Library. To see what else they are up to at the library, find GBPL on social media @greatbendpl and visit the website, greatbendpl.info. You can also message the staff on Facebook, send email to gbcirc@gmail.com, or call at 620-792-2409 with any questions about programming or services.
