As some of our regular patrons might know, we changed directors and I thought it was time to introduce myself to some of our irregular patrons. My name is Jeana Lawrence, and I used to be the Children’s Librarian Assistant. You may have seen me running around like a crazy person during our children’s summer reading program, so now I’m running around like a crazy person as Director! Our previous director Kara Hale has moved on to bigger and better things, and we wish her all the best! 

Now for some library news and updates: 

Thank you to our Artist Alley Book Sale volunteers, who made it a success once again! Sales from Artist Alley and our lobby book sale go straight to our Friends of the Library group, who fund literacy-focused projects at the library and grants, like the Barb Keller Grant. If you know a USD 413 teacher, let them know the grant is open and we’re taking submissions! 

Congratulations to our Children’s Head Librarian Kandi Wilson on her recent award from the Southeast Kansas Library System. Her Litwits program is the first to win a new award, Special Programs. Litwits and Kandi are both truly deserving of this award and we couldn’t be happier for her!

We also had a successful Oktoberfest earlier this month. Special thanks to Amy Rhodes for her polka music and FOCL for sponsoring the event. If you need the recipe for the world’s greatest sauerkraut and brats, stop by and ask Kandi. 

Food for fines starts Oct. 17th and runs through Dec. 3rd. If you have fines from the Chanute Public Library, bring in a non-perishable food item or three ramen type noodle packages, and get $1 off your fines! Expired items will not be accepted and only count for Chanute Library fines. Food items will be distributed to food pantries throughout Chanute just in time for the holidays! 

Some upcoming events: Select-It-Yourself Book Club on Tuesday, Oct. 18th at 5:30 pm (we’re doing westerns!); special story time with author Jessie Vallier on Saturday, Oct. 22nd  at 10 am; Trick or Treat at the Depot on Thursday, Oct. 27th at 4 pm.  

Fall has started and it’s finally sweater weather (or close to it). There’s no better time to curl up with a good book so stop by the library and check out these new bestsellers: The Bullet that Missed by Richard Osman; Suspect by Scott Turow; Treasure State by C.J. Box; Righteous Prey by John Sandford; Falling Stars by Fern Michaels, The Twelve Topsy-Turvy, Very Messy Days of Christmas by James Patterson; Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult; Distant Thunder by Stuart Woods; Long Shadows by David Baldacci; The Furies by John Connelly; Santa’s Little Yelpers by David Rosenfelt; Voice of Fear by Heather Graham; The High Notes by Danielle Steele. 

Since I was a children’s librarian, I don’t know adult books nearly as well so if anyone has suggestions for books, magazines, graphic novels, etc., let me know!