Q: What do computers, crochet, chess and Creston have in common?
A: The Gibson Memorial Library.
My favorite part of working at the Gibson Memorial Library is helping to plan the programming that we bring to the community. Our Children’s Librarian Sue Teutsch and our Young Adult’s Librarian Donna Walsh deliver up-to-date programs for kids of all ages, and I am steadily impressed by their efforts to be informed about what activities are available for our young readers.
Adult Librarian Merle Lee Pugh has scored big successes with her winter reading program, adult coloring and “Crochet with Hannah.” The latter, who we know fondly as the Gibson Girls, have crocheted a beautiful afghan for a 6 p.m. March 31 raffle at the library, and have donated knitted caps for Greater Regional Medical Center newborns. If you would like a chance to win this unique afghan, or would like information about any of our activities, please call or stop by the library.
I am very proud to announce that the library is teaming with Iowa State University extension and outreach to host “Dash into Robotics,” a three-part workshop using iPads, algorithms, debugging and programming to help Dash, the robot, complete tasks. On Thursdays, from 4 to 6 p.m. March 23, 30 and April 6, Union County Youth and Outreach (4-H) Coordinator Haley Jones and I will lead groups of area K through third graders in problem-solving activities that teach teamwork and introduce technological thinking.
Sign up for Dash into Robotics by contacting Haley at the Union County Extension Office by emailing hjones@iastate.edu or calling 641-782-8426. The deadline to register for this free program is Tuesday, March 21. We look forward to more programming partnerships with Haley and the folks at ISU Extension that prepare area youth to think critically and communicate effectively.
Next is a reminder that our Creston Area Chess Club was not a one-time event. We meet every third Thursday, which means 4 p.m. Thursday, March 16, is chess club! We had great turnout at the inaugural meeting, as pictured in the Creston News Advertiser, and my hope is that after meeting for several months, we can hold a Creston City Chess Championship, open to players of all ages from Creston and Union County. Wouldn’t you like to be city champ?
Last of all, I’ll mention that we are receiving some high-quality donations of used books, which will make this year’s Creston Friends of the Library book sale an exceptional opportunity to acquire literature of all types at pennies on the dollar. Stay tuned for details about this annual event coinciding with Balloon Days, and your Christmas shopping can be done before the snow falls.