OUT WITH THE OLD....IN WITH THE NEW

Have you been in and registered for your new library card yet? Your old card is no longer valid as of Oct. 22nd. Allow a little extra time when you come in as the staff has to verify information and sign you up for email alterts and internet access, if you wish. There are many benefits to the patrons with our new system and some of our patrons have already been placing holds and renewing items online. A word of advice, your wait will probably be shortest if you do not come in between 3:30 and 5:30 :). Thanks for your patience as the staff learns all the features of the new system.

Online at the Garnett Public Library

The Garnett Public Library is getting a new online library catalog for library services and library users will see big changes in the amount of features the online catalog system has available. The Garnett Public Library is a member of the Southeast Kansas Library System and has joined a consortium which will include 17 libraries in the region. The SEKnFind (seek-n-find) catalog already includes libraries from Bronson, Chanute, Coffeyville, Galena, Howard, Independence, Iola, Hamilton, Parker, Savonburg, and Madison. Joining in October will be Garnett, Caney, Columbus, Erie, Oswego and Fredonia. Users will be able to search the consolidated catalog for books and materials of all of the SEKnFind libraries and place a hold on items from any of the member libraries. The requested items will be transferred between libraries for checkout by the person requesting them. Users can limit their search to items only at Garnett by using the "Advanced Search" and choosing Garnett for the list of libraries, or by logging in so that the catalog will recognize which library they are registered with. Book jacket art will be visible from the online card catalog and users will see that the catalog has an Amazon.com feel to it. Library users can tag items in the catalog with search terms and place comments on individual items. These two features will be seen by other library users to make the catalog friendlier and easier to use. Users can compile lists of books and other materials, and either make them public or keep them private. They can also change their password or submit changes of information such as their address and can check their reading history, renew items that are eligible for renewal, see what items they have checked out, what is overdue and what their fines are. The library will be closed on Wed. Oct., 21st for staff training and preparation for the change over. The "go live" date is tenatively set for Oct. 22nd. The library will begin issuing new library cards starting on that date. In preparation for this event, we are asking all patrons to please assist us by paying all fines and returning all overdue materials prior to that time. A new card cannot be issued until all issues are resolved. The SEKnFind consortium is funded in part by an LSTA grant from the State Library of Kansas.

Creative Kids Camp & Teen Scene Late Night

Summer Reading Program

More Summer Reading Program Pictures!

FAMILY NIGHT

The Hula Hoop Game

Tie Dye

Storytime

The Friends of the Library Ice Cream Social was held last night. Despite the heat everyone had a nice time listening to the music and eating the nice cool ice cream. Co-Chairs Diane Hastert and Susie Grimes would like to extend a big thank you to all the people who made ice cream and desserts and those who helped serve. The band also deserves another round of applause for all their hard work. Below are some pictures of the event.

Summer Reading is off to a great start. The pictures below are from some of our recent events.

Hats off to Storytime!!!!

Teen Scene

I just love the library!!!

Topeka Zoo

Summer Reading has begun!!!

We kicked off the Summer Reading Program with a visit by Clifford the Big Red Dog on Monday. The Scholastic Buy One Get One Free Book Fair also started Monday and will be running through this Saturday. There are some great bargains so be sure and stop by.

The Teen Scene group had great fun making origami and playing Family Feud on Wednesday.

There is still plenty of time to join in the Summer Reading Program fun, so stop by the library to sign up and get complete details.

Clifford the Red Dog!!!!!

FUN WITH CLIFFORD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Teen Scene Group Playing Family Feud!

National Library week Events

National Library Week is April 13th-19th.

In celebration the Friends of the Library will be sponsoring three events:

Wednesday, April 15th:

The Friends will be sponsoring an after school program featuring storyteller & puppeteer Priscilla Howe. All kids and kids at heart are invited to attend the program. Ms. Howe has presented for us before and always gives a zany and lively performance. The presentation is free and open to everyone; it will be held in the gym at GEC at 3:45.

Thursday, April 16th at 7:00 p.m in the Archer Room :

The Magic of Flowers:
Maintaining your sanity by playing in the dirt!!

Not sure where to start with flower gardening? Don’t know what to plant? Learn what to plant in a sunny or shady area that will actually grow and prosper!! Master Gardner, Anita Dennis will present a program with slides. Refreshments will be served and there will be a wonderful door prize.

Friday, April 17th at 7:00 p.m.

The Friends of the Library Book Sale Preview for Friends members only. If you are a current member of the Friends of the Library you have a wonderful opportunity to have first choice at the book sale. The sale will open to the general public on Saturday from 10:00-4:00 and will run through the following week.