A very good article about library use in hard economic times appeared in the Hutchinson News on Monday. Kathy Hanks spoke to several librarians, myself included, about what they were seeing on the “front lines”. While HPL was only briefly mentioned, we are seeing some of the same effects here in Hutchinson.
Instead of dwelling on the bad times and worrying about the future in this post, I am going to share some of the current goings-on at HPL. These are things that we do all the time.
Kids can come to the library and “Read to Rover” once a month. (March 12 from 6-7 will be the next opportunity). Your child can select a favorite book and share it with a canine friend from the Hutchinson Kennel Club’s group of therapy dogs.
Teens and young adults can game in the library, everything from board games to Wii and PS3, at our next gaming day on March 7 from 12-4 pm.
Right now, the Hutchinson Public Library is at the start of its spring adult reading program, details here. This is something we do every year to promote reading, good economy or bad!
We also participate in a cool program put on by the Kansas Humanities Council. With the TALK About Literature in Kansas program, participating libraries pick a genre and then hold book discussions led by Kansans with some expertise either in the genre or the particular title for which they lead the book talk. This spring we have “The Best of the West”. The details are on our website.
One of our favorite things to do at HPL is to have authors visit and talk about writing, getting published, or simply tell us about what their latest project might be. In March – the 22nd and 23rd – the author Nancy Pickard will be at HPL to give both a writer’s workshop AND an author talk.
If you are trying to save money or simply looking for something relaxing and different to do, stop by, get a cup of tea or coffee at our coffee bar, “The Reader’s Cup”, and browse the stacks, view the art on display in the auditorium, or attend one of our many programs. Find info about everything I’ve mentioned on our website, or give us a call.
Maybe I am biased, but public libraries are great uses of public money. And librarians, because they often have to work with tight budgets, try to make that money really work for you.
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