The Friends of the Litchfield Public Library will hold the 2024 book sales on these dates:

Saturday, March 16, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday, July 13, 10 a.m. to 3 pm. (Watercade book sale)

Saturday, November 16, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

by Miss Rachel
11/8/23

If you were fortunate enough to come to the library for our visit from James Vukelich Kaagegaabaw, then you may already have a good start on reading material for the month of November, which is Native American Heritage Month. He wrote the book “The Seven Generations and The Seven Grandfather Teachings,” where he reflects on the history of words and traditions of the Ojibwe people. In his presentation, he talked about the importance of sharing these teachings and passing them down for future generations. Part of his work is in keeping the language alive.

Even if you weren’t able to make it to James’s presentation, you can still find plenty of books, including his own, here at the library to learn about Native American traditions, languages, and customs. This is a great time to learn with your younger readers – take the opportunity to learn from some of our new picture books or middle grade novels.

 “Forever Our Home” by Tonya Simpson and Carla Joseph

This gorgeous book celebrates the nature that is home. From the grasses on the ground to the birds in the sky, everything is a gift that connects us to the earth. Tonya Simpson writes a heartwarming debut picture book featuring the incredible artist Carla Joseph as illustrator. These pictures are beyond comparison. Readers of all ages will feel the sunshine come off the page and warm them as they read this book.

“Still This Love Goes On” by Buffy Sainte-Marie

As the seasons change around us, this book illustrates those transitions in a soft, cozy way. Buffy Sainte-Marie published this book using the lyrics of her song by the same name. She incorporates Indigenous traditions into the passing of each season, making the reader feel like a part of a greater community. Julie Flett captures joy in each page with her simple yet dynamic illustrations.

“Who Was Jim Thorpe?” by James Buckley Jr.

For anyone looking to learn a bit of history, the publishing company Who HQ produces books that teach all about important people and events in history. These books are written in a way for younger readers like a short novel with plenty of pictures and quick chapters. This book tells the story of Jim Thorpe, a Native American athlete who grew up to win two Olympic gold medals. Learn more about him when you read this super informative book!

“We Still Belong” by Christine Day

Many middle schoolers struggle with identity and figuring out who they want to be. Wesley writes a poem for Indigenous Peoples’ Day, but she ends up feeling as though it’s not enough. In addition to her struggle of fitting in within her Native community, Wesley also has to figure out her place at her middle school and find her voice.

In addition to these newer books, we have a wide range of books by and about Native American people. Many of these picture books, board books, middle grade, and even YA books are featured in a display that will be up for a couple of weeks in the children’s section of the library. Come take a look at all the Indigenous American books in our collection.

Our STEAM lab activity this month is based on the Native American tradition of weaving. Weaving is an Indigenous innovation that allows for native people to make baskets, mats, hats, rugs, and blankets. This craft can be done with animal or plant fibers – but for our STEAM lab, we’re going to use paper bags! Kids in grades kindergarten through grade five are welcome to sign up (ages eight and younger must be accompanied by an adult). Please make sure to sign up in advance to ensure that we have enough materials and space for everyone.

If you are looking for some resources to teach your young ones about Native American history or culture, the library has many books and items for you to check out. Perhaps you want to learn something for yourself – don’t hesitate to check out books at any level. Picture books can teach readers of all ages, and we have plenty here at the library!

By Miss Rachel

The end of the summer draws closer, whether we’re ready for the fall or not. But before we dive into the next season and the excitement and/or anxiety that might bring, let’s take a moment to reflect on the success of the Summer Reading Program here at the library!

If you stopped in this summer, you may have noticed our wall of speech and thought bubbles with the names of all the kids signed up for the program. Recently, we had to extend over to another wall because of the amazing number of kids who signed up: 309 total participants! For comparison, we had a total of 265 kids sign up last year. Not only that, we had 29 teens sign up this year, and they’ve read a total of 966 hours. Not a bad turnout for our awesome patrons!

We’d also like to give special thanks to all of the wonderful businesses in the community who contributed to our Summer Reading Program. Because of your help and donations, we’re able to get kids reading and building up skills they take with them for the rest of their lives. Thank you to Sweet Escape, Pizza Ranch in Hutchinson, Fantastic Sam’s, Subway, Litchfield Dental, McDonald’s, Dairy Queen, Casey’s, Stockmen’s Greenhouse & Garden Center, and the Friends of the Litchfield Public Library – you all make this reading program a success!

Our young patrons were able to try new things and explore new interests this summer to help them with finding their voices. As many of them head to school, the library is still here to support all readers. Here is what we have scheduled for the fall.

For our littlest patrons, we have our baby/toddler storytimes on Wednesdays starting at 10:15am. This continues from August through the fall without a break. But our preschool storytime on Fridays will start up again on September 15^th at 10:00am. We will be outside as long as the weather permits.

Our STEAM Labs and LEGO Nights will continue to happen once a month: September 12^th, October 10^th, and November 14^th. STEAM Labs are for kids in grades kindergarten through sixth, and it runs from 4:00pm – 4:30pm. We ask that you call in or stop by to sign up your kiddo ahead of time. Descriptions of the STEAM lab activity will be posted on our website and Facebook page. LEGO nights go from 6:30pm-7:30pm and don’t have a sign-up — just stop in and build something cool with your young ones!

We also have our 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program that goes all year long. Parents/guardians can sign up any young readers who aren’t in kindergarten yet. Any book read to your little one gets counted toward the goal of 1,000 books – this can include storytime books read here at the library! Does it count if you read the same book more than once? Absolutely! We encourage reading books multiple times with young ones! You can sign up for this program at any time throughout the year.

Thank you to everyone who supported our Summer Reading Program; from parents, to grandparents, to babysitters, and everyone who helped our young patrons make their way to the library, we appreciate you. While we will miss the hustle and bustle of all the kids in the library during the summer days, we love to be here for them when they need us for a recommendation for their next book report or help with a research project. Maybe they will stop in just to find a book that reminds them of sweet summertime. Whatever the occasion, we are happy to see young readers here at the library.

Need the motivation to finish your knitting or crochet project? Need some advice from an experienced knitter? Just want the company of others interested in fiber arts while you work? Drop in for Knitting Club! The group meets in the library’s meeting room from 12:30-1:30 p.m. the last Thursday of the month this fall: September 28, October 26, and November 30. Open to all ages, no need to sign up or attend for the entire hour.

Stay tuned for more pictures from the Stuffie Sleepover!

The Litchfield Library Board meets on the 4th Tuesday of January, April, July, and October at 5:30 p.m. in the library meeting room. The Litchfield Library Foundation meeting immediately follows.

This board is an advisory board to the city of Litchfield about library facility matters. Members are appointed by city council. Ex-officio members are the head librarian and a city council representative.