STAFFORD — $3,600! That is what the Golden Belt Community Foundation granted us with the Spring 2025 Community Grant.
Books and Buddies was our grant title that enabled us to receive money for books for all ages, from the Recently Read book group to our littlest patrons in Preschool Story Hour. The picture for this article shows some of the latest books received, including some of those in the rotating shelves. It felt like Christmas all year long as I opened up packages of new books throughout the year. This wonderful gift to us has enabled us to energize the library with new books and authors that has enhanced our programs and enticed people to come check out our books.
Thank you, Golden Belt Community Foundation!
This week has been a busy one at Nora’s Place. On Monday, we had all nine of our little ones show up for a fun time of play, crafts and a story. It was wonderful. Tuesday, we started the afternoon with a Strip Quilting demonstration given by Alda Hildebrand. Alda is a valued homemaking/music/sewing resource in our community. She helped me get my first project in quilting planned out. Recently Read met at 5:30 and had many great books shared:
• This Book Made Me Think of You by Libby Page
• Nash Falls by David Baldacci
• Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney
• The Second Story Bookshop by Denise Hunter
• Anatomy of an Albi by Ashley Elston
• The Girl from Normandy by Rachel Sweasey
• One Perfect Lie by Lisa Scottolin
• The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley
• A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
• The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin
• The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See
• Silver Bay by Jojo Moyes
I mentioned that I am on a Harlan Coben and Lisa See kick right now and we have many of their great titles in the library and more coming soon thanks to the Golden Belt Community Foundation.
This Tuesday at the library we are excited to have a Zoom meeting with a K-State Horticulturist on flower gardening. Come prepared to ask questions and learn from this expert. Baley Doggett of K-State extension is bringing a bunch of fresh flowers and will give us a chance to have a hands-on arranging experience. You can still come join the fun.
April 9 at 2:30 we will host a Books, Balls, and Blocks event where you can bring your age 0-5 children in and screen their development. This is a fun, relaxed way to see if your child is on track developmentally.
Are you thinking you would like to earn some money? Ryan Russell of Stafford Economic Development is coming to the library April 16 to provide a program to educate you on how to become a day care sub. Day Care is a much needed service in Stafford and surrounding areas. This meeting with Ryan will help you decide if it is a career path for you.
Library calendar:
• Monday Mornings 10-11 a.m. Preschool Story Hour
• Dungeons & Dragons every Wednesday 4-6 p.m.
• Winter Reads to Contentment Leads - Book Challenge
• Every Wednesday except 2nd Wednesday - ESOL with Rachel Sandoval, 6 p.m.
• April 28 - Recently Read, 5:30 p.m. - come enhance our conversation
The next board meeting will be on April 8.
Gerry Hildebrand is the head librarian for the Nora Larabee Memorial Library, 108 N. Union St. in Stafford. Phone 620-234-5762, email larabeelibrary@gmail.com or visit Facebook at Nora Larabee Memorial Library. Library hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday; 2-6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.
