We join Missouri River Regional Library in celebrating this week’s National Library Week.
It’s a perfect time to connect or reconnect to the library. If it’s been a while since you’ve used the library, you may be surprised to learn about all it offers. This isn’t your mother’s library. Sure, you can check out books, but you can also read an array of newspapers and magazines. Or you can attend instructional classes/workshops that will introduce you to everything from 3-D printing to knitting/crocheting to yoga.
In addition, the library has a vast network of digital offerings that let you listen to music, read audiobooks/ebooks, etc. Community groups use the library as a meeting place, and the bookmobile serves patrons in outlying areas.
As we recently reported, the library is offering several programs/benefits to its patrons this week, including:
• All week long, patrons may use canned foods to pay off overdue fines. One can is equal to $1. All food collected in Cole County is to be donated to the Samaritan Center. Food collected in Osage County is to be donated to Good Shepherd Food Pantry.
• Patrons may replace lost library cards for free.
• The library is hosting a contest to let patrons guess how many book and e-books it contains.
• MRRL is giving free books (while supplies last) to children 12 and younger. Children must be present to receive the books.
• On Wednesday — Library Giving Day — an online fundraiser will encourage patrons and library lovers to support their library. Give a gift in support of the library anytime now through Wednesday by visiting its website.
• Wednesday is also National Outreach Day. In commemoration of the day, there will be an 11:30 a.m. ribbon- cutting at the new lockers at Capital Mall. Staff will be available noon-2 p.m.to offer tutorials. The Bookmobile will also be parked at the mall noon-2 p.m. Face masks are required in the Bookmobile.
• On Thursday, popcorn is to be available to anyone who “pops” into the library Main Branch, 214 Adams St., Jefferson City, or the Osage County Branch, 101 Route CC, Linn, as part of Patron Appreciation Day.
For more information about MRRL, visit its website at mrrl.org.
Whether you’re looking for education or entertainment, we hope you keep the library in mind as a great resource.
News Tribune