Cyndi Fenske: School is back and the library is the place to be

Cyndi Fenske
Special to the Pioneer
Fall is in the air and before we know it leaves will be falling to the ground. Some students have already gone back to school, and others will be returning to the grindstone shortly. There are several fun events going on at the Library in September.
September is National Library Card Sign-up Month and this year’s spokesdog is Snoopy. Use of Public Library services and collections is absolutely free. If you do not already have a card, this would be a wonderful time to sign up. If you do, it’s a wonderful time to use it.
Check out the website ilovelibraries.org/library-card to learn more about Library Card Sign-up Month.
This month, the library will also celebrate Banned Books Week from Sept. 27 through Oct. 3, featuring books that have been challenged.  According to the American Library Association, “A challenge is an attempt to remove or restrict materials, based upon the objections of a person or group. Challenges do not simply involve a person expressing a point of view; rather, they are an attempt to remove material from the curriculum or library, thereby restricting the access of others.”  This certainly goes a lot further than stating an opinion. You may be surprised at some of the titles that have been banned. For more information on banned books and book challenges, check out ala.org/bbooks.
Don’t forget, the library will be closed Sept. 7 in observance of Labor Day, but will resume normal hours on Sept. 8.
The Moo! Travelling Trunk Show will be at the library at the end of September. This event is for children up to age 6. Join author David LaRochelle, illustrator Mike Wohnoutka, and Cow - the star of their book Moo! - for a one-of-a-kind show! The Travelling Trunk Show is a storytime and puppet show rolled into one moo-velous opportunity for fun. Suitable for families and groups, the show lasts approximately 45 minutes. This program will be travelling to all of the Kitchigami Regional Library locations, so if you cannot make the date at the Bemidji Public Library, or wish to see an encore performance, it’s only a short trip to the next stop. For more information on the Moo! Travelling Trunk Show, including branch dates and times, visit the library’s website at krls.org.
The Bemidji Area Reading Canines (B.A.R.C.) program will be at the library 10 a.m. to noon Sept. 19 in the Children’s Area. Please note this is the first month of a return to the regular Saturday schedule for the school year. This program partners with certified trainers to give children the opportunity to read to therapy dogs. The program is free of charge, but a permission form must be signed by a parent or guardian. This is really one of the coolest literacy programs offered in Bemidji, and your kids and grandkids certainly will not want to miss it.
Storytimes for 2-5 year olds are on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. The Storytimes program includes two to three stories followed by a short craft. The themes for Storytimes for the month of September are:
● “Bookworms” (Sept. 7-12)
● “Nursery Rhymes” (Sept. 14-19)
● “Autumn Trees” (Sept. 21-26)
● “Moo!” (Sept. 28-Oct. 3)
The library will host Senior Surf computer classes 8 to 10 a.m. Tuesday and from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday and again from 8 to 10 a.m. Sept. 15. Those interested in this introduction to computers class can call the library at (218) 751-3963 for more information and to register. Library computers will be used for this class and the trainer is not prepared to teach people how to use their own laptops or tablets, Windows 7, or Windows 8. The instructor only takes on a maximum of three students at a time.  Please register early if interested.
Finally, the library’s book discussion program will take place at noon Sept. 14 in the front meeting room. This month’s discussion will feature “Just Mercy,” a work of nonfiction by Bryan Stevenson.  During this meeting we will also distribute the next book, a Young Adult novel, “Looking for Alaska” by John Green. The monthly Book Discussion is open to all interested participants and new faces are always welcome.
Cyndi Fenske is a volunteer with the Bemidji Public Library