Ralls County Library Newsletter

Check out this month's newsletter to stay up to date on everything happening at the Ralls County Library.

Many of you remember the first time we met author/illustrator Kenneth Kraegel two years ago. Well...he’s back!! Kenneth visited the Ralls County Elementary School last time he was here. I bet your children remember him.

Kenneth will be here at the Ralls County Library on Thursday, October 9 for Story Hour at 10:00 am and then again that night starting at 6:00 pm.

For Story Hour, he will share his book, A Book of Shapes, with the birth to age 5 and his new book, Something Good, with the school-aged kids. Kenneth will share Mermaid Lullaby Thursday night. Watch for more details about a fun Thursday night!!

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Notes from the Director - Debbie Jameson

Welcome Fall!!

What a great time to grab a new release or an old favorite and enjoy the weather!

The staff is always ready to recommend their favorites or their latest read. Just ask!

I just completed the state-required Public Library Survey for 2024, and now it’s time for some numbers:

The Ralls County Library received $25,070 in state aid and grants; the remaining funds for operation came from county taxes. State aid/grants make up less than 10% of our budget.

The library had a total of 19,087 print materials. The biggest growth of purchased materials was in Adult Fiction.

We had 9,533 library visits in 2024, up from 7,535 in 2023.

We circulated 18,287 items in 2024, up from 12,626 in 2023. Our biggest growth in circulated items was Childrens/Juvenile.

The patrons of Ralls County enjoyed programming in 2024 by a count of 5,887.

Thank you, Ralls County, for your support of our library both in use and financially.

We appreciate you!

Join Us at The Ralls County Library

Birth to Age 5 Programming

Dawn Snodgrass & Diane Schulte

There are many fun topics headed your way for October Story Hour. We will kick off the month talking about the changing leaves with a fun new story called The Leaf Thief. We will then have author Kenneth Kraegel read his story This is a Book of Shapes. The following weeks we will talk about raccoons, owls, and bones! October 18th will be Saturday programming for the family where we make a “What’s in a pumpkin?” craft, write a creative story and investigate a real pumpkin. It is come and go from 9-11 AM. Lastly, be on the lookout for a new Reading Challenge this month!

Children/Youth

(Grades Kdg-12) Programming

Dawn Hargraves

Girls Club FAQ Who? Girls Club is for girls in 6th-8th grade. When? We meet on Thursdays from 3:45 to 5:30. What? We take walks, enjoy snacks, chat about life, play games, cook, craft, and read. It’s a great time to make friends. How do I sign up? Call the library! We still have a few slots open.	Story Hour Story Hour is always full of fun and friends. Join us in October to play games, read books, meet an author, use the maker space, and create great art.

Adult Programming Milinda Wagoner

We’ve got some fun things planned for adults at the library this October!

Get crafty with us on Tuesday, October 14, from 6–7 pm as we make our own Scarecrow Crafts—a perfect project to welcome fall.
We’re also kicking off a brand-new book club on Monday, October 27, at 6 pm for our discussion of the first half of The Names by Florence Knapp—come ready to discuss and meet new friends!
Don’t forget, our Classics and Conversations group will gather again on Tuesday, November 4, at 10:30 am for a lively morning chat over timeless reads. This time we will be discussing The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson.

Come join the fun—there’s always room for you at the library!

The Ralls County Library Family Nights for October Thursday, Oct. 9 Wear your favorite, comfy jammies and join us for author Kenneth Kraegel and his newest book Mermaid Lullaby. There will be books available for purchase. Thursday, Oct. 23 Pumpkins, pumpkins, pumpkins! Join us for a pumpkin extravaganza from 6-7 pm. Pumpkin poems, stories, songs and then carve a family pumpkin. If weather allows, we will be outside in the outdoor classroom.