Library bids farewell to summer and looks toward fall

MT. PLEASANT — With the end of July comes the end of the summer programming at the Mt. Pleasant Public Library as they look ahead to fall programming.

“Summer programming went very well,” Children’s Librarian Amy Willson said. “We had over 200 children register from zero to 12th grade register for the summer reading program.”

Throughout the summer the children’s department not only provided reading logs that children could then turn in for prizes at the end of the summer, but they also hosted activities four days a week in the month of June and five special bigger events in the month of July.

The month of June included fun acts from magicians, scientists, and even a cartoonist.

“I really enjoyed the cartoonist,” Willson said. “I notice from the kids’ reactions that they really enjoyed the puppeteer.”

“We saw a decline in attendance in the month of July last year, so, we switched it up, and it worked well,” Willson said.

As summer programming came to an end, the library invited children and families to enjoy a Mad Mixture Science program, two presentations from Henry County Conservationists, the Brent Allan Puppet Talent Show, and musical performance from Duke Otherwise.

Families filled in the Civic Center meeting room above the library to enjoy these acts throughout July.

Duke Otherwise captivated kids and adults with funny and imaginative songs as he encouraged audience participation, dancing, and simply being silly.

Brent Allan entertained with a unique talent show consisting of weird and outrageous talents of his interesting puppet friends.

Henry County Conservationist Shania Hansen educated kids with fun programs about owls one week and snakes another as they introduced the newest member of their team, Kendall Prehn.

“I really appreciate our local Henry County Conservation coming in and doing two programs,” Willson said.

The children’s department concluded their summer activities with an interactive Mad Mixture Science program where children made discoveries through various experiments.

While summer programming has come to an end, Willson says the children’s department has already shifted their sights to how they can engage the youngest members of the community this fall.

“At this point we have our toddler story time planned out and scheduled,” Willson said. “In the past we did story time on Mondays and Thursdays, but this year we’re switching it up to Tuesdays and Wednesdays.”

Toddler Storytime will still include music, reading, and a craft or activity beginning at 10 a.m., and both days will have the same programming so families can simply choose which day works best for them.

Additionally, Sweet Mimi will return for story time, this year.

Sweet Mimi’s mission is to help introduce children to clowns and alleviate some of the fears associated with the characters.

“We’re excited to have her back,” Willson said. “She comes in as a normal person and then shows kids how she becomes a clown, so they know clowns are just friendly people that are just dressed up in a costume. She helps acclimate them to clowns.”

Registration is required for Toddler Storytime, but Willson invites any families with kids not yet attending school to join them.

Registration is available through a link on their Facebook page or their website through Aug. 31 and story times will begin Sept. 5.

While not all of the fall programming plans are set, yet, Willson says they look forward to meeting the needs of the community as they continue to put everything together.

“Be on the lookout for early-out Friday programming,” Willson encouraged.

Last year early-out programming included movies, stations, crafts, games, and other various activities to keep kids engaged the days the school district let out early, and they intend to continue to do this even as the school switches to nearly every Friday early-outs.

This year, they will even grow their programming as Willson anticipates adding more STEM activities to the rotation.

During these early-out programs, Willson reminds families that the library’s safe child policy remains in effect.

“All children ages 8 and under must be attended to and adequately supervised by a responsible person, examples include an adult, parental guardian, or mature adolescent over the age of 14,” Willson said.

This policy is a little different from the safe child policy for the newer Discovery Center located in the lower half of the library building.

All children enjoying the Discover Center must be accompanied by an adult (not a mature adolescent) regardless of age.

With fall on the way in, the Discovery Center’s hours also will shift.

From September-December, the center will open Mondays from 10 a.m.-noon and Thursdays 12-2 p.m.

Saturday hours will remain 10 a.m.-noon every other Saturday. These hours will continue Sept. 16 following a week off for Old Threshers Reunion Sept. 2.

Willson says to keep an eye on the library’s Facebook page and website for updates of Discovery Center hours, early-out programming, and any other changes or exciting events to come to the library.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com