Notary Public Service at Pioneer Memorial Library!

We are excited to tell you about another new service that the Library is offering for local residents. We found we were having numerous requests for a notary. In staff discussions, Kim Brier, our Assistant Director, stated she’d like to take on that portfolio. With Pioneer Memorial Library Trustee Board approval, we now have notary service available for a nominal charge of $2.00 per notary item. Notary service will be available, Monday through Friday 9:00 am. until 5:00 pm. (as long as Kim is in the office). You can always call ahead and make an appointment with her (460-4470). 

Technology Classes in July Begin

The Pioneer Memorial Library is preparing to offer free basic computer classes. The series is “Computer ‘101’ Classes.” They start Thursday, July 3, 2014 at 1:30 pm.  We have limited computers and thus spacing, so signup is necessary.  In the first module, “Computer 101” we will learn the basics of operating a computer (review the hardware, turning it on, how to find programs, etc.). We will also cover subjects: Internet 101, Email 101 and Facebook 101 (four week series). The dates for each session is July 3, July 10, and July 17, and August 7. Come by the library and fill out the registration form for signup.

The next set of classes will be “Microsoft Word 101” (four week series): August 14, August 21, August 28, and September 4. We will learn how to create and save  documents,   access and use help, open and navigate documents, edit and format text, and more.

The third module is entitled “Microsoft Excel 101” (three week series), dates include: September 11, September 18, and September 25. We will learn how to create and save spreadsheets, format and adjust columns and rows, create simple formulas, and more.

In the fourth section of our technology classes we will study “Microsoft Publisher 101” (three week series), with dates including: October 2, October 9, and October 16. There participants will learn how to create and save publications (flyers, cards, brochures, etc.), insert pictures and objects, edit publications and more.

Laughing Matters: Chain Reaction

75 people enjoyed a silly afternoon with Jay and Leslie Cady. They served up some solid science and created a hilarious chain reaction with audience members.

Give those kids a hand! We as adults know how hard it can be to keep all those plates spinning in the air at once!

Spin, POP, Boom!

69 people attended a wonderful afternoon with Mad Science of Colorado. Everyone enjoyed the scientist's energetic and spectacular program that introduced many of the kids to the exciting world of chemistry.

He even gave our children's librarian an extra hand (seen in the picture) for doing such as fantastic job with summer reading!

BubbleRama: Summer Reading Kick Off Event

Approximately 150 people stopped by on a hot day in May when we had bubbles everywhere on the east lawn of the library! Big Bubble Pools, Bubble Snakes, Bubble Wands and Bubble Art were just some of the fun had by local children and their parents. Sign Up for the Reading Challenge Game was also taking place.

Bubble Snakes

Bubble Art

Gigantic Bubbles

Adult/Teen Summer Reading began June 1, 2014!

Summer reading is not just for kids anymore!  The Pioneer Memorial Library has had an Adult/Teen Summer Reading programing for two years now.  This years is entitled, “Spark A Reaction – Read!” This year we are stepping up the participation just a bit. Our Adult Services Librarian, Nancy Saddler has kept the basic program of the patron reading a book, filling out a card and being entered into a drawing for a prize. However, this year we have added a “Tic Tac Toe Game Challenge” to be entered into win a Kindle eReader. The adult or teen picks up the Tic Tac Toe game from the library, then reads books from 9 different categories.  Each Tic Tac Toe (across, up & down, or diagonal) is one entry for the Grand Prize. If a person gets all 8 possible Tic Tac Toe combinations they get 2 extra chances.  Thus, entering that person in for a total of 10 possibilities to win.  This Tic Tac Toe card must be turned in by August 1, 2014.  So you have lots of time to read the categories or genres on the card!

Booked for Lunch: Author, David Piper talks on his book,"Church of the God Particle"

 David Piper, son of Nancy Piper returned to Colby where he grew up. David shared his most recent mystery entitled, "Church of the God Particle." It has a scientific prodigy decide to seek the spiritual side of matter.  

People will stop at nothing to gain the power to control circumstances that can bring scientific discovery to a new level.

Murder and mystery are intertwined with science.  A fun read.

National Library Week, 2014 -- Libraries Change Lives!

The Pioneer Memorial Library averaged 60 persons per day for special speakers and lunch during our celebration of National Library Week. During that week we had local writers of poetry also share their work from the March 5th Poetry Workshop (sponsored by the Thomas County Community Foundation - Patricia A. Embree Trust).  Everyone appreciated the work shared. 

2014 - Murder Mystery a Success!

The Friends of the Pioneer Memorial Library held their 10th Annual Murder Mystery! A great cast and great audience ensured a great night of fun!

"Art Friendsy - Chair-ish Your Library" Fundraiser - 2014

The Friends of Pioneer Memorial Library asked local artists, be they adult, teens or children to contribute the the "Chair-ish Your Library project for the second year.  The Friends ended up with 4 wonderful chairs creatively designed and painted by 4 middler school groups of art students, 1 chair by two high school teachers, a table and chair by an interior decorator and her young adult daughter, an artist and her husband who designed the lady bug rolling chair, and other artists who presented their wares!  We made over $1,000.00 for this project!

Poetry Workshop conducted by Kansas Poet Laureate, Wyatt Townley

Wyatt Townley, the Kansas Poet Laureate stayed at the library after Booked For Lunch and taught 14 participants how to write an American Cinquain poem. This workshop was sponsored by the Patricia A. Embree Trust Fund at the Thomas County Community Foundation.

Wyatt had us begin by thinking about home.  What was in each room of our house. Then we choose a room and thought about it for about 5 minutes. We then wrote some notes down on our thoughts.


A Cinaquain poem is a poem that has 5 stanzas with different syllables on each line. Once we had grasped that, we tried our hand at writing something.  Most of us shared our creations with the group.  We had some real talent.  We need to start a poetry group so that such gifted communicators can begin to share their thoughts and creativity with others!

Booked For Lunch: March 2014 - Kansas Poet Laureate, Wyatt Townley spoke

The library had the honor of having the Kansas Poet Laureate speak to us about the Notion of Home. This was sponsored by the Kansas Humanities Council.  They helped bring Wyatt Townley to speak to us.

Lunch was sponsored by the American Association of University Women of Colby (AAUW). Fifty six (56) of us ate a wonderful soup or chili with crackers, dill or bread & butter pickles, sugar cookies with the AAUW logo on it, and more.

Meanwhile Wyatt talked to us about poetry and the value it brings to our souls.  She asked us why we often struggle with poetry.  Some in the audience thought we were too busy to enjoy or write poetry. She also commented that many think that a piece of poetry has to have a meaning. She negated that and said it needs to speak to us, allow it to do its work in us.  Wyatt read some of her poetry and poetry of other authors. She just has the way to speak, gesture and express the poetry so that it comes alive. She inspired the whole group.  Many wanted to start a poetry writing group.  The Library Director, Melany Wilks then said that that would be a great thing to happen at the library, and that there was a Poetry Workshop right after the Booked For Lunch event. She invited everyone to participate in the workshop.

Booked for Lunch - February 2014

Marcia Schlageck spoke on the book, Me Before You by JoJo Moyes.

She told us that the book was about a young man who was desperately sick and a young woman who has been hired by his mother to encourage him so he won't want to die.  She shared that in Europe assisted suicide is legal. Dignitas is the word used for this as well as a noun as a place that aides people in this area. While it is a controversial subject, she said the book gave us a glimpse of how important our lives together can become.

Booked For Lunch - January 2014

Professor, Ryan Hale spoke at our Booked For Lunch in January.  Since many of us make new year resolutions, I thought that having Ryan talk to us about being happy would be a great program.

He caught our attention when he shared that being happy is something we can work towards. He told us that being a happy person is largely set by genetic makeup, there is about 10% that we control.  He shared that what really makes us happy is to serve and share with others. Get our mind off ourselves.

He teaches this class at the Colby Community College in the spring of 2014. We were all ready to sign up the same day.

YAC Attack - Youth Activity for youth

Each month our youth have a special activity and fun time together.  It usually on the third Wednesday of the month and held in the basement.  Call the library for more information.

The basement is open for youth each day after school also.  It is normally open

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday from 3:30 to 5:30 pm
Wednesday opens early 2:00 - 5:30 pm
Friday we close early 3:30 - 5:00 pm

BFL - December 2013 - Colby Community College - Sunflower Singers

The Colby Community College - Sunflower Singers serenaded us into the new year.  We had lots of holiday songs. We also were delighted to have one of the singers share a violin solo with us as well.

The 90 people we hosted enjoyed warm soups, crackers of different sorts, a veggie tray and wonderful Christmas dessert.

Book Club - Come and Join Us! - First Monday of the Month

We have lots of discussion and fun. December's book will read
The Art of Racing in the Rain, by Garth Stein. It is a great book narrated from a dog's point of view.  You will love it.

January's Book is David & Goliath by Gladwell.