At the Library

Heat shimmers off of the asphalt, and the smell of manure stings in the air, for once not only welcome but invited. After all, it is summer in Iowa. The county fair is the pinnacle of summer. In Iowa, the fair means 4-H projects, deep-fried food, animal shows, queen contests and other fantastic displays. For those participating in 4-H Club and FFA, it?s the fruits of their labors, and for the rest of us well, it?s the summeriest week of the year.

It?s the week where we?re intensely aware of the important role agriculture plays in our community.

Meanwhile, at the library, we?ve been keeping this in mind all year long. We foster our young farmers with books about caring for cows, goats, and rabbits, and books about caring for a garden and growing our own food. Through nonfiction books and fiction books about farmers, we plant the seeds for a passion in agriculture.

For the adult agriculture aficionados, we carry books that go more in depth about growing food, caring for farm animals, and the tools of the trade.

We like to keep the passion for Iowa culture alive all year round with magazines like Iowa History, Iowan, and Iowa Heritage, as well as the Annals of Iowa.

There?s nothing more Iowan than the county fair, a celebration of local agriculture, industry, and talent.

Don?t forget to stop by the Washington Public Library booth at the fair this week!