Happenings at the library

BY STEPH STEVENS
LAKE MILLS PUBLIC LIBRARY DIRECTOR
Cooler temps have arrived, but the library is heating up its schedule with a whole host of activities. We have something for all ages coming in the next few weeks, so make sure to check us out.
Miss Betty’s Library Lambs Story Times will be starting back up Wednesday, Sept. 19. Join us every Wednesday morning at 10:15 for stories, activities, crafts, songs, and a snack. If you haven’t been before, it’s a must-see if you have a little one in your life.
Dwight will also be doing a Fall Story Time on Monday nights at 5:30 p.m., that will run through the end of October. He’s got some fun themes and activities planned including using our new sensory table, music, parachute, and so much more. Both of these story times are open to the public, so stop in to check one out with your child.
The library is once again teaming up with the Lake Mills Park and Rec Department and local churches to host the annual Fall Carnival, Monday, Sept. 24. There will be 150 pumpkins to paint with prizes, face painting, carnival games, bars and apple cider, and a story walk—what’s not to love. We are excited to be part of this fantastic community event.
Join us if ye dare for a fun-filled afternoon of pirate activities Wednesday, Sept. 26, from 2:30-6 p.m. The library will be decked out with pirate games, activities, a treasure hunt, and a pirate photo booth. You won’t want to miss this one.
Adults we have something for you too. Join us Thursday, Oct. 4, at 5:30 p.m. for the program “Our Neighbors: The Amish,” presented by Dianne and Don Kramer. The Kramer’s are surrounded by three Amish communities and have done extensive research to provide this enlightening program about everything Amish. They will cover many aspects of the Amish lifestyle including Rumspringa, Ordnung, language, Believer’s Baptism, schooling, healing, and much much more, plus Amish treats will be provided for all those in attendance.
All of the above events are free and open to the public, no registration required, and come-and-go. I hope you can join us for at least one, if not all, of these fun activities.
We are currently holding our annual book sale, but do you know how we end up with all these books to sell? Every year, the library goes through a weeding process. This entails running reports and pulling books off the shelves that haven’t been checked out in over five years. The weeding process is important for a couple reasons. Obviously, it helps make room on our shelves for new books which we are getting every week. Another reason libraries weed, is it helps patrons find books easier. Studies have proven less cluttered shelves lead to a more satisfying library experience. So, even though getting rid of books is hard for this librarian to do, it does have many benefits.