What is the Nebraska Library Commission?

 “The Nebraska Public Library Commission was established by an act of the Legislature on March 27, 1901, and the office of the Commission was opened in the State Capitol on November 11 of that year. The Commission was charged to “encourage the establishment of libraries where none existed and the improvement of those already established.” In 1933, due to economic hardships, the Legislature passed a bill abolishing the Library Commission and establishing in its place the Nebraska Public Library. It was relocated to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where the University Librarian served as Public Library Commissioner. The Nebraska Public Library Commission was re-established by law in 1935 and moved to an office in the new Capitol Building. In 1952 the Commission was designated by the Library of Congress as the official distribution center for the Books for the Blind program. In 1972 the Nebraska Public Library Commission assumed its present identity as the Nebraska Library Commission

Nebraska has a long tradition of library service, beginning with military post libraries, continuing with literary society libraries founded during Territorial times, women’s club libraries, Carnegie libraries, college and school libraries, and the modern libraries of today.”   There just under 300 public libraries in Nebraska.

Summer reading plans

 Hi all,

The staff are gearing up for Summer Reading.  The frist program will be on June 13 — which is a Monday — with David Marsh who will give us a musical program “Music From Around the World”.  He is young and enthusiastic and the program will be a great kick-off for the summer.

The other 3 programs will be on Wednesdays — June 22, 29 & July 6.  More details will be posted as we get closer.

New books in May

 Finally, some new books to announce in the column. 

Adult Fiction:  “Minding Frankie” by Maeve Binchy; “Miles to Go” by Richard Paul Evans; “Cold Wind” by C. J. Box;  “The Wedding Promise” by Thomas Kinkade;  “Mobbed: a Regan Reilly Mystery” by Carol Higgins Clark;  “Red on Read” by Edward Conlon;  “Live Wire” by Harlan Coben;  “Save Me” by Lisa Scottoline;  “The Fifth Witness” by Michael Connelly;  “Chasing Fire” by Nora Roberts;  “Devious” by Lisa Jackson;  “44 Charles Street” by Danielle Steel;  “The Pope’s Assassin” by Luis M. Rocha;  “The Judgment” by Beverly Lewis; “Treason at Lisson Grove” by Anne Perry;  “Eve” by Iris Johansen;  “The Sixth Man” by David Baldiacci;  “Toys” by James Patterson and Neil McMahon;  “I’ll Walk Alone” by Mary Higgins Clark;  “Mystery: an Alex Delaware novel” by Jonathan Kellerman;  and “Friendship Bread” by Darien Gee. 

Adult non-fiction:  “River Monsters: True Stories of the Ones That Didn’t Get Away” by Jeremy Wade; “Liberty Defined” by Ron Paul; and “Bossypants” (a biography) by Tina Fey.

Libraries are good for….

 So, to spend a little time on my soap box, here are some thoughts.  There are so many reasons to keep libraries open and available, especially in harder times.  Citizens are trimming their budgets too.  The library provides information to all levels of interest and needs.  Libraries provide: computers which provide access to job openings, job applications and continuing education;  access to testing such as ACT, SAT, ASVAB & more; court systems; tax information; political information; health information and a host of other opportunities.  I hear comments weekly from library users about how important the library is to them and to our Kimball area community.  I thank the community and our city officials who support the library.  Okay, I’m off the soap box.