Grants make great things possible! Memorial Library recently received one from Seward County Soil Conservation District/Natural Resources Conservation Service which made possible the purchase of a number of terrific books reflecting the goals of these agencies.

The first idea that came to mind was how great these would be for young people working on reports for school. However, just looking at these books reveals a wealth of great pictures and informative text that would be appealing to anyone with interest in the subjects.
Here's a brief summary of some of the new books.

Endangered Animals by Elise Forier is one of our easy readers in the "We Both Read" series. It offers a chance for early readers to share in the reading experience along with an adult. Beautiful photographs give children a glimpse of some animals that are well known and some that are not so well known.

Protecting Species and Habitats is set up in a question and answer format. It features information boxes as well, using lots of maps and charts. Websites are also offered for further exploration.

Two books which are part of the Sustainable Futures series of five books are Conserving Our Fresh Water and Healthy Seas both by Carol Inskipp. In Conserving Our Fresh Water, readers learn the distribution of the world's water, how that water is used by the world, and the threats to fresh water, as well as other usable information. Healthy Seas begins by showing the world's bodies of water and providing some sea facts. Readers then delve into the ecosystems of the seas and what is threatening them.
Animals Under Threat by Louise and Richard Spilsbury discusses not only the problems of animals under threat but offers some solutions.

Many of the grant books are being added to our shelves as this column is being written. Be the first to check out some of these great titles!

A word or two about Summer Reading which just completed its third week. Everyone's having a great time! One of the most exciting parts of our five weeks is the special programs. Young people and adults alike get an opportunity to learn something in a fun way. Our first week of summer reading was Get a Clue About Science and started off with a fast-paced program from Mad Science of Greater Kansas City. Tectonic Tony (a.k.a. Tony O'Brien) was in perpetual motion the entire time he presented "Up, Up, & Away". Youngsters learned all about air pressure through a series of neat experiments and demonstrations. O'Brien even created a hovercraft which some children got the opportunity to ride.

Week two brought Get a Clue about Crime. The library hosted Liberal Police Investigator Lana Gudgel and Evidence Technician Patsy Guinn for the program "Detect It". Young people learned how crime detection is similar and dissimilar from what they see on CSI. Following the presentation, questions showed that the young people were really interested in the topic and had thought out what they would ask. McGruff the Crime Dog made a surprise appearance at the end of the program and stayed around for photos with some of the attendees.

The following evening, mystery writer Janet Riehecky brought "Magic and Mystery" to the library. Riehecky used magic to demonstrate how the parts of a mystery go together. Youngsters got to take part in creating their own mystery. It was virtually impossible to figure out how she performed most of her tricks, which added to the fun!

This past week was Get a Clue About the Past and brought two presentations of different types. The first was genealogist Kathy Rippel from the Central Kansas Library System. Her program centered around helping young people learn how to begin searching for their family information. Participants were given a complimentary copy of "Hunting for Your Heritage", a comic book type of publication with important information, put out by the National Genealogy Society. In addition, lots of valuable forms and website information were given out as well. If you are interested in this type of thing and just couldn't make the program, be sure to stop at the Children's Desk for copies of the handouts.

The second program of the week was "Can You Dig It?" with Norman Dye of the Kansas Anthropological Association. Youngsters learned what archeology is and what sorts of things have been dug up right here in our home state.

The really great thing about all of these programs is that they are open to anyone who would like to attend. You do not have to have a child in summer reading in order to take part in our special programs.

With that said, here are the ones that remain. On Monday, June 25, the Traveling Lantern Theatre Company will be presenting two identical performances of Sherlock Holmes Takes the Case at the Seward County Community College Showcase Theater. Traveling Lantern is a troupe that performs nationwide and does a really great job using just some portable props and two actors. The performances are at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tickets are not necessary. Just plan to arrive prior to the start of the program to insure a good seat.

On Tuesday evening, June 26, at 6:30 p.m., Diane Marsh of Baker Art Center will be doing Magical Masks with the children. Each will be given a plain mask and lots of odds and ends with which to decorate it.

Mark your calendar for our final end of summer program, which is August 18, at 2:30 p.m. Thad Beach will be presenting The Mixed Up Mystery of Song City. Thad puts on a one-man show using lots of interesting instruments and songs. All the young people who have earned summer reading tee shirts will receive them at this program.

Looking for something to do this summer? Come on down to Memorial Library and... Get a Clue!