Did you know that the library has a Friends of the Library organization? Friends of the Library groups exist nationwide to support libraries through fundraising activities and encouraging gifts to libraries. Our Friends group is responsible for many of the nice things we have in our building, including the comfortable chairs, kids puppet theater and wooden shelving where our first chapter books currently live. They also typically sponsor a performer for us during our Summer Reading Program.

The Friends of the Yankton Community Library, like many other Friends groups, also host monthly book sales to raise funds for library activities and goals. Those book sales are the first Saturday of each month from 9:30 a.m. 12:00 p.m. The next sale will be March 4. The Friends are always happy to accept gently used donations for the sale; books can be dropped off at the Circulation Desk, or you can call ahead and well meet you around back if you have some boxes. We will also be hosting a special sale from March 29-31 in the Library Meeting Room, so look for more details on that coming up!

The Friends are hosting their annual membership drive on March 12, 2017 with a Local Authors Event and Book Signing. The event will take place from 2 4 p.m. in the Library meeting room with light refreshments served. Participating Yankton authors include: Mark Adderley; Kathy Grow; Travis Gulbrandson; Bernie Hunhoff and the South Dakota Magazine staff; Brenda Johnson; Maxine Kinsley; Marilyn Kratz; James Reese; Loretta Sorensen; Randy Tramp; and Lois Varvel. For those that are interested, the authors will have books available for purchase and signing, but the event is free and open to anyone who wants to visit with the authors or learn more about the Friends of the Library organization.

You may be thinking, What about Gourmet Guys? Fear not! Gourmet Guys lives on. We have decided to move the event to the fall. It is scheduled for Oct. 7, 2017, so save the date. Tickets and more details will be available as we get closer to the event. For those of you that may not know, Gourmet Guys is the annual fundraiser for the Friends group. We invite several local Guys to cook for us, while you explore the Library, listen to relaxing music and visit with friends. This will be our 9th year and we look forward to hosting you this fall.

If youre interested in joining the Friends of the Yankton Community Library but cant make it to our March event, please reach out to Bob Nagy, Vice President and membership chair, or myself at tolson@cityofyankton.org or 605-668-5275. We would love to have you!

As for library events, we will be hosting a Birthday Party for Dr. Seuss on March 2 with games, activities and arts & crafts. Come ready to have some silly Seuss-style fun! Our teen program this month is March 18 and it will be Brush Bots, a robotics program. We are asking that teens register by March 10. Our afterschool Thursday events will continue at 3:45 p.m. with LEGO Club on March 9, Science Club on March 16, and a showing of Disneys Moana on March 23. We will also continue with open Wii play time on Fridays beginning at 3:30 p.m.

If you have little ones, also join us for our weekly Story Times on Mondays at 6:30 p.m. and Wednesdays/Thursdays at 10:15 a.m. Toddler Time, which is aimed at the littlest littles, is Tuesdays at 10:15 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. As the American Library Associations Libraries Transform campaign reminds us, 5 out of 5 doctors agree that reading aloud to children supports brain development so bring those kiddos to us! We also follow each morning session was with sensory play, activities that encourage exploration and play and another way to help babies and toddlers build language.

On Monday, Feb. 27, we will be hosting the Gitchie Girl authors Phil & Sandy Hamman from Sioux City. They will have a presentation at 6:30 p.m. followed by a book signing. Books will be available for purchase at the event. We are anticipating a big crowd, so get here early!

The Yankton Seed Library will be holding their monthly class on March 14 at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. and will focus on composting. Seeds will be available at the class.

Our Unplug, Unwind, Craft series continues on March 21st at 6:30 p.m. This months craft will be Zenbroidery. Registration is required and will open on March 1. The class will be limited to 20 participants.

We are looking forward to Oscars Weekend this Saturday & Sunday! On Saturday, we will be showing Florence Foster Jenkins (PG-13) at 9 a.m., Loving (PG-13) at 11 a.m., Kubo and the Two Strings (PG) at 1:15 p.m., and Arrival (PG-13) at 3 p.m. On Sunday, we will be showing Manchester by the Sea (R) at 1 p.m. and Hell or High Water (R) at 3:30 p.m. In March, we will be having Oscars Weekend Part 2 with even more Academy Award nominees. That will be Saturday March 18-19. Were currently finalizing those showings, so look for more information on that soon.

The best way to follow along with all of our library happenings is to follow us on Facebook by searching Yankton Community Library or check out our events calendar on our website at http://library.cityofyankton.org. Youre also always welcome to call or email us with questions at library@cityofyankton.org or 605-668-5275. We look forward to seeing you!

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We've Got A Friend In You - Yankton Daily Press