Home Page St. Marys Headquarters Alma Branch Eskridge Branch Onaga Branch Mini Libraries

Library News

Pottawatomie wabaunsee regional library

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Annual Summer Reading & Summer Food Program at the Library

 

The Pottawatomie Wabaunsee Regional Library is gearing up for our annual Summer Reading Program. As families begin their annual journey toward the time when there is “nothing to do”, we ask parents to remember that the Summer Reading Program at the library may be the answer! Children may begin checking out and reading books for the 2025 reading challenge on June 1st. Participants will have until the program’s completion on July 31st to reach their reading goals.

The 2025 “Color Our World” summer reading theme invites participants to embark on a journey of art and creativity during the annual summer reading experience at the library. Children may participate at any PWRL location, including libraries in Alma, Alta Vista, Eskridge, Harveyville, Olsburg, Onaga, St. Marys, and Westmoreland. Pre-readers are invited to join the program with a parent or helper who will read to them as members of the Read-to-Me Club. Adults are also welcomed and encouraged to participate. The goal is to keep Everyone Reading over the summer!

Participants in the Library Summer Reading Challenge will be asked to check out library books at their reading level and log them to receive credit in the program.  Completion of craft activities, and attendance at special library programs will also count toward Summer Reading Program credits. All participants can earn prizes for their efforts. Registration is open now at all PWRL Library Locations.

There are many studies that look at the value of reading. Readers gain valuable knowledge about the world and their place in it. Reading exercises the brain. It improves the readers focus, and enhances memory. Reading improves the reader’s ability to empathize with others. Reading improves the communication skills of the reader. It reduces stress, improves mental health, and contributes to the longevity of the reader.

Studies also show that children who continue to read during summer vacation perform better in the fall when school resumes. The library’s summer reading program provides a chance for children to maintain their reading momentum and have fun at the same time. Special events will be scheduled each week throughout the summer to help promote the summer reading program and give children an opportunity to join the fun. Some locations will also have special reading activities for teens and adults. All programs are free and open to the public.

The Pottawatomie Wabaunsee Regional Library will also be hosting a Summer Food Program that will be conducted as part of the 2025 Summer Reading Program. PWRL, with the help of the Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas and in partnership with the Kansas Department of Education, will be providing free shelf-stable lunches to children during the summer through the USDA Federal food and nutrition program. Parents or caregivers will again be allowed to receive up to five days of shelf stable lunches with milk for every child 18 and younger in a single weekly pickup.

Meals will be served along with other activities surrounding PWRL’s annual Summer Reading Program. PWRL’s Alma, Eskridge, Onaga, Harveyville, Olsburg, and Westmoreland are eligible to provide this service. PWRL’s Alta Vista location will provide the service in July while the local school district will provide meals in June. The PWRL St. Marys headquarters location has been notified that they will not be eligible to distribute meals to children through the Summer Food Program. Food for children in this community will also be provided by the local school district.

There are no income requirements or registration necessary to receive meals. Any child 18 or younger may pick up lunches, and are also welcome and encouraged to participate in the all other Summer Reading Program activities planned at each of PWRL’s eight locations in Pottawatomie and Wabaunsee Counties.

Library staff members have worked with each school district to get flyers and instructions for the Summer Reading / Summer Food Program sent to each child. Flyers and instruction sheets will also be posted to the PottWab Regional Library website at http://www.pottwab.org and on the Pottawatomie Wabaunsee Regional Library Facebook page.

The Special Summer Reading Program Schedules for each PWRL Location are as follows.

Alma

·         June 3rd-July 29th, Children 0-18, or their caregivers, can get 5 shelf stable meals plus milk in a single grab and go pickup each Tuesday from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. inside the PWRL Alma Branch Library, 115 W. 3rd, Alma, KS.

·         The Summer Reading Kick-Off Event at Alma will be held on Tuesday, June 3rd. Check in begins at 9:30 a.m. Please Come and learn about the programming we will have all summer and sign up to join the fun!

·         At the PWRL Alma Branch Special Summer Reading Events will be held each Tuesday at the Library at 10 a.m. with check in starting at 9:30 a.m. In keeping with 2025 “Color Our World” theme, we will be asking our patrons to donate items each week for the Community Care Ministry in Alma. Each item donated will earn a ticket for a prize to be given away on July 22. The more items you donate, the more tickets you will earn!

·         Each Monday Alma patrons are invited to come in and spend the day coloring or working on your weekly Art Challenge.

·         Each Wednesday the Alma Library will be offering an Art Class for children ages 7 and up at 2:00 p.m. Space is limited, so we will have a sign-up sheet available when you come in to register! There will be grab and go crafts available for the younger children to pick up anytime during the week.

·         Friday mornings Alma will be having a Movie Time starting at 10 a.m

·         Milford Nature Center will present a program on Tuesday, July 1st at 10 a.m.

·         The PWRL Alma Branch Library will end the Summer Reading Program at the Park with a Wrap Up Party to award Prizes and give Recognition for those with Completed Reading Challenges on Friday, July 22nd.

Alta Vista

·         July 2nd – July 30th, Children 0-18, or their caregivers, can get 5 shelf stable meals plus milk in a single grab and go pickup each Wednesday from 12 p.m.-12:30 p.m. at the PWRL Alta Vista Mini Library, 310 Center, Alta Vista, KS. In June meals for kids will be available for pickup at the Prairie Heights Elementary School.

·         The PWRL Alta Vista Mini Library will have special Summer Reading Events with Storytime and Crafts every Wednesday June 4th to July 23rd at 11:00 a.m. at the Library.

·         Alta Vista will hold a Summer Reading Registration Party on Wednesday, June 4th from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Staff will be making cotton candy for all those who sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge.  

·         A special end of Summer Reading Wrap Party with snow cone treats will be held Wednesday, July 23rd from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Eskridge

·         June 3rd - July 29th , Children 0-18, or their caregivers, can get 5 shelf stable meals plus milk in a single grab and go pickup each Tuesday from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.at the PWRL Eskridge Branch Library, 115 S. Main, Eskridge, KS.

·         PWRL Eskridge Branch Library will have special Summer Reading Events with Storytime and Crafts every Tuesday June 3rd to July 22nd at 10 a.m.

·         An Adult Craft Circle will be held every Tuesday Afternoon at 2 p.m.

·         Patrons are invited to come color with us every Monday June 2nd to July 21st.

·         Game Days will be held every Wednesday June 4th to July 16th.

·         Teen Crafts will be offered every Friday June 6th to July 18th at 10 a.m.

·         Milford Nature Center will present a nature program on Tuesday, June 10th at 10 a.m.

·         A special end of Summer Party will be held at the Eskridge Park on Tuesday, July 22nd at 10 a.m.

Harveyville

·      June 3rd-July 29th, Children 0-18, or their caregivers, can get 5 shelf stable meals plus milk in a single grab and go pickup each Tuesday from 12 p.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Harveyville Methodist Church, 371 Wabaunsee, Harveyville, KS.

·      The PWRL Harveyville Mini Library at 128 Oak Street, Harveyville, Kansas, will have special Summer Reading Events with Storytime and Crafts every Tuesday June 3rd to July 22th at 11a.m. & every Saturday June 7th to July 26th at 10 a.m.

·      Milford Nature Center will present a special nature program Tuesday, June 10th at 11:30 a.m.

·      A special end of Summer Reading Wrap Party will be held on Tuesday, July 22nd from 11 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Olsburg

·      June 5th-July 31st, Children 0-18, or their caregivers, can get 5 shelf stable meals plus milk in a single grab and go pickup each Thursday from 12 p.m.-12:30 p.m. at the PWRL Olsburg Mini Library, 318 N. 2nd, Olsburg, KS.

·      The PWRL Olsburg Mini Library will have special Summer Reading Events with Storytime and Crafts every Thursday June 5th to July 24th at 11:30 a.m.

·      Olsburg will hold a Summer Reading Registration Party on Thursday, June 5th from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Staff will be making cotton candy for all those who sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge. 

·      A special end of Summer Reading Wrap Party with snow cone treats will be held Thursday, July 24th from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Onaga

·         June 6th-July. 25th, Children 0-18, or their caregivers, can get 5 shelf stable meals plus milk in a single grab and go pickup each Friday from 11 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at the PWRL Onaga Branch Library, 313 Leonard, Onaga, KS.

·         The PWRL Onaga Branch Library will have special Summer Reading Events every Friday at 10:30 a.m.  Story Time and Movie Morning Programs will be alternated at this time throughout the months of June and July.

·         On June 21st 1:00 p.m. -4:00 p.m. the PWRL Onaga Branch Library will partner with the Onaga Historical Society to host the first Flint Hills Book Bash at the Onaga Museum Complex. Over a dozen regional authors will be attending the event and will be available to sell signed copies of their books.

·         Local author Rosie Bosse will present a program at the Library on July 2nd at 2:00 p.m. to share details about her adult western book series.

·         Milford Nature Center will present a special nature program on Wednesday, June 11th at 2:00 p.m. at the Onaga Historical Society and Museum.

·         Wednesday, June 11th, June 25th, July 9th, and July 23rd at 2:00pm the Library will partner with the Onaga Historical Society at the Museum for joint activities and snacks at the Museum.

·         Monday, June 16th at 2:00 p.m. Erin Tynon with the Pottawatomie County Extension Office will be presenting the C.O.M.E.T. (Changing Our Mental and Emotional Trajectory) course. This is a two-hour interactive training that teaches participants how to reach out in a meaningful, respectful and supportive way to friends, co-workers or acquaintances who may be struggling somewhere between wellness and a mental health crisis. Registration is required for this session and participants must be over 18 years of age.

·         Teen Book Club will be taking place Every Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. during the months of June and July.

St. Marys

·         The PWRL St. Marys Headquarters Library, 306 N. 5th, St. Marys, KS has been notified that the Library will not be eligible to distribute Summer Food this year. Kaw Valley USD 321 will be providing free meals to all children ages 1-18 throughout the summer. Parents or children can pick up a total of 14 meals per child over the course of three Monday, Wednesday, Friday Grab-N-Go pickups. Children do not need to be present at the pickup time. All food will be served cold and ready to heat at home. Meals can be picked up at the following locations and times from June 2nd – Aug. 1st., Delia Community Center, 10:00  a.m. – 10:30 a.m. ; Emmett Grade School, 10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. ; Rossville St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, 12:00 pm. – 1:30 p.m. ; St. Marys Jr. High Wing, 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

·         The PWRL St. Marys Headquarters Library will hold Special Summer Reading Events with storytime and crafts every Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. at the Library, located at 306 N. 5th Street, St. Marys, KS.  

·         Teen Art Programs are scheduled every Tuesday afternoon at 1:30 p.m.

·         Additional Special Summer Reading Programming will be held for children every Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. 

·         Wii Gaming systems will be available for play each Thursday at 1:30 p.m.

·         Milford Nature Center will present a special nature program on Wednesday, June 11th at 11:30 a.m. at the PWRL St. Marys Headquarter Library.

·         St. Marys Library Staff will hold a special end of Summer Reading Wrap Party on Thursday, July 24th at 2:00 p.m. at the Library.

Westmoreland

·         June 2nd-July 28th, Children 0-18, or their caregivers, can get 5 shelf stable meals plus milk in a single grab and go pickup every Monday from 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. at the PWRL Westmoreland Mini Library, 315 Main St., Westmoreland, KS.

·         The PWRL Westmoreland Mini Library will have special Summer Reading Events with Storytime and Crafts every Monday June 2nd to July 21st at 11 a.m.

·         Westmoreland will hold a Summer Reading Registration Party on Monday, June 6th from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Staff will be making cotton candy for all those who sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge. 

·         Movie nights will be hosted on Thursday June 19th and Thursday July 10th at 5 p.m.

·         Wii Game Days will be held every Saturday.

·         A special end of Summer Reading Wrap Party with snow cone treats will be held Monday, July 21st from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Please plan to visit your library soon. Read books, attend special programs, pickup crafts packets and color sheets, and get lunch to go. Participants will earn prizes as they read along with us this summer! All programs are free and open to the public. For more information about the Summer Reading Program, or any aspect of library services, call the St. Marys Headquarters Library at 785-437-2778 or go to the Library website at http://www.pottwab.org.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

                 

Pottawatomie Wabaunsee Regional Library Offers Digital eBooks and Audiobooks

Best-selling and classic titles available anytime, anywhere 

Pottawatomie Wabaunsee Regional Library has expanded its services to include digital eBooks and audiobooks. Library card holders can borrow and enjoy digital media anytime, anywhere by clicking the link on the library’s website at www.pottwab.org or visiting the Sunflower eLibrary site directly at www.sunflowerelibrary.org.

If you have a device that you can use to read digital content and want to try eBooks, or would like to have some new audiobooks you could listen to on your MP3 player or other device, then Pottawatomie Wabaunsee Regional Library has a great new service for you!

Users may browse the library’s digital content website, borrow titles with a valid library card, and enjoy on all major computers and devices, including iPhone®, iPad®, Nook®, Android™ phones and tablets. The Sunflower eLibrary service is also compatible with Amazon Kindle devices. Titles will automatically expire at the end of the lending period. There are no late fees! If desired item is already checked out, users can place a hold. They will be notified by email when the item becomes available. Library staff can always help you if you need assistance!

PWRL has contracted with OverDrive to provide patrons with this new access to digital content through the Sunflower eLibrary. This service is available in addition to statewide access provided by Kansas Library Card digital resources, such as the 3M Digital Library for eBooks and One Click Digital Library for digital audiobooks. Using Sunflower eLibrary patrons can easily browse and check out digital audiobooks and eBooks online. Best of all the service is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so users are free to use it whenever their schedule allows!

The Sunflower eLibrary service is free for PWRL users with a library card. To get started enjoying digital eBooks and audiobooks visit www.sunflowerelibrary.org. Click the link at the top of the page labeled “Discover the Next Generation experience” for an overview, including a how-to video. Additional information, including a link to free software downloads, can be found by clicking the Help button on any page of this website. The OverDrive Media Console App is also available for free download from various app providers including the apple app store and the Google Play store. This app can be installed on many mobile devices and allows users to download content directly from the Sunflower eLibrary site to their device without the need of a computer to complete the transaction.

All PWRL locations, including libraries in Alma, Alta Vista, Eskridge, Harveyville, Olsburg, Onaga, St. Marys, and Westmoreland, have computers with high speed internet and WIFI that patrons can use for free! If you’re ready to give digital eBooks and audiobooks a try but don’t have a computer or internet access you can do it all at the Library! Patrons may read or listen to eBooks or audiobooks at the Library, or bring their mobile devices and transfer checked out items to it.

This new service will allow PWRL to add thousands of popular digital items to the Library’s collection. Sunflower eLibrary also gives easy access to a huge collection of free public domain titles and don’t count against patron checkout limits. We are very excited to be able to offer this new option to our patrons!

If you don’t already have one, come get your Library card today! Your card is the key to gaining access to the over 100,000 physical items the Library has available to borrow through PWRL’s online library catalog, as well as around the clock Internet access to the new digital collection!

To explore this new resource, visit the Library website at www.pottwab.org and click the link for the service or visit the Sunflower eLibCopyright 2010-2012 Pottawatomie Wabaunsee Regional Library All rights reserved. Headquarters: 306 N. 5th Street, St. Marys, KS 66536 - (785) 437-2778 Comments on this web page? send mail to: pwrldr@gmail.com Last update: 03/31/2020 Web Design and Development by Patti Peterson rary directly at www.sunflowerelibrary.org. For more information about the digital eBooks and audiobooks, or any aspect of library service, call the St. Marys Headquarters Library at 785-437-2778 or go to the Library website address listed above.                

###

 

Copyright 2010-2012 Pottawatomie Wabaunsee Regional Library All rights reserved.
 Headquarters: 306 N. 5th Street, St. Mary's, KS 66536 - (785) 437-2778
Comments on this web page? send mail to: pwrldr@gmail.com
 Last update: 09/05/2023

Web Design and Development by Patti Peterson