Services will be expanded to include adult library users

Cornbread, cowboys, pioneer women, fitness enthusiast, retro housewives and the Mafia. What do all of those things have in common?  They’re all at, or coming to, your Marion County Public Library.  
Everyone knows that the library is the go to place for summer reading fun for babies, toddlers, teens and tweens but the fun doesn’t have to stop at the age of 18.  This summer, along with all of our regular weekly reading programs, contests, crafts, special family events and performers hosted for ages 0-18 we’ll be expanding our services to include a reading contest, book discussion groups and even crafting sessions for our adult library users. With the theme for our teen and tween readers being “Own the Night” and the youngest readers looking to “Dream Big” our thoughts for the adult crowd turned to “Starry Skies Above” and will take on a western flare complete with campfires and cowpoke cuisine.  Our book discussion groups will feature:
“The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels--a Love Story” by Ree Drummond blogger, cookbook author and recently a host on the Food Network who shares the story of her courtship and marriage to her husband, whom she refers to as Marlboro Man.  The book is now in the works to become a movie.  This book is a light, romantic comedy that’s perfect for the lazy days of summer.  The book discussion will be held: Tuesday, June 19 from 6-7 p.m.  Participants will also enjoy a tasting of some of the recipes from the Pioneer Woman Cook Book.
If you’re looking more for cowboys than cowgirls in your reading try out our second title, “True Grit” by Charles Portis.  True Grit tells the story of Mattie Ross, who is just fourteen years when a man named Tom Chaney shoots her father down and robs him of his life, his horse, and $150. Mattie leaves home to avenge her father’s murder. With Rooster Cogburn, most remembered as John Wayne in the original movie version of the book and the meanest available U.S. Marshal by her side, Mattie pursues the homicide into Indian Territory.  Discussion will commence:  Tuesday June 26th from 6-7 p.m. with a light meal of Cowboy Cuisine, feel free to wear your boots and cowboy hats if you have ‘em.  Pick up both books starting Monday, May 28.  
While you’re in to get your book don’t forget to sign up for the other great adult aged events.  Thursday, June 21 from 6-7 p.m., inspired by the Pioneer Woman book, we’ll be hosting a Retro Happy Homemaker Crafting Night.  We’ll make aprons and other cute and somewhat silly household crafts from the fifties era.  All are welcome to attend, you need not be able to boil water or bake a cake to gain entrance.
Saturday, June 30 from 12 to 3 p.m. we’ll be showing the newest movie version of the “True Grit” film.  For those die hard John Wayne fans might we just say this film while without the Duke is truly worth the watch.  We’ll have popcorn and other movie concessions as well.  
Registration and event calendars for the children, teen and tween summer reading programs will be available starting May 14.  If you can’t make it in you can join us on Saturday, June 9,  12-2 p.m. for the annual kick off in the park.  Registration will be available alongside the water slide and other fun activities held in the pavilion area of Graham Memorial Park.   We don’t want to spoil too much of the fun but just as a teaser we’ll let you know that this summer we’ll have visits from an Indoor Planetarium, Nature Nightlife Nocturnal Animals, Monster Weeks and even a Steam Punk Tea Party.  As always all of these events are open to the public however space may be limited for some programs so make sure to stop by early to ensure your spot.
Can’t wait till summer for the fun to begin?  Join us Thursday, April 26 at 6:30 p.m. to meet Lebanon’s newest home grown author James Higdon to hear excerpts from his book, “The Cornbread Mafia: A Homegrown Syndicate’s Code of Silence and the Biggest Marijuana Bust in American History” and even purchase your own copy to have signed by James and some other local celebrities affiliated with the book.  The event will be held outdoors, weather permitting, and we’ll also have light refreshments.
Perhaps you want to get up and get moving a bit more than reading will allow?  Why not join us on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 8:30 a.m. to follow video lead exercise or when the warmer weather prevails to walk outdoors in the area surrounding the library.  Interest has also been expressed by patrons to form a walking group that meets after library hours to walk in the park as well, if you would be interested in this added time please call or stop by to leave your contact information.  Those wishing to participate in the current programs should bring a water bottle, small towel or exercise mat, light hand weights if you own them and will be required to sign a release form acknowledging that the library will not be held responsible for any personal/bodily harm gained due to participation in the group.  All participants should seek medical advice before beginning this or any other exercise regime.
Beyond programming news the library is also offering a new resource that we are pretty excited about.  You can now check out one of our laptop computers with a video connection to allow for video conferencing.
This service would be particularly helpful to those families and friends of those in the military and who are stationed out of state or the country and would love to be able to not only hear but see their loved ones.
Use of the equipment needs to be done in the library itself and utilizing the library’s small meeting room due to the sound factor.  Times must be pre-scheduled and are privy to all library rules and policies regarding meeting room use as well as internet and wireless internet activity.  If you’d like to learn more call (270) 692-4698 and ask for Terry Brockman.
Another resource in the works for the coming months is the addition of a database that will help store digital scans of photos of local people and places.  This database will be searchable by name and will allow for genealogist and other research enthusiasts to have access to a broader range of local and family image history.
The process will require community members to be willing to have their personal photo collections scanned into the database and to help in the labeling of the people and places in them.  If you or someone you know has photos that they would like added to this please call the library and ask for Jama Watts.
 These are but a few of the exciting events and resources the library offers.  We hope you’ll take the time to stop by and check us out.  If you have questions regarding anything from this article or other library issues please feel free to call us at (270) 692-4698.  For the most up to date information regarding the library don’t forget to Like us on Facebook or Follow us on Twitter.  As always, from the library family to yours, Happy Reading!