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*CANCELED* Trivia Night at Seneca Free Library! Friday, June 7, 2024

*Due to not enough teams signing up, we will not be holding this event on this date. We will try again in early fall, so be sure to find your teammates and challengers and be ready for the next round!*

Fire up those synapsis, stock up on your favorite brain foods, and hone your team communication skills. It’s TRIVIA NIGHT at the Seneca Free Library!

Friday, June 7, 2024, Seneca Free Library is serving up another round of brain teasers and hijinks for fabulous prizes and community bragging rights. Do you and your friends have what it takes to take on the challenges set by our Librarian Mega Minds? Only one way to find out!

Step 1: Gather up your team of 4-6 players. These can be friends, family, neighbors, coworkers, or even some random strangers you bribe on the street (hey, as long as they show up we aren’t going to question it).

Step 2: Come up with a quirky, clever, funny, or even just a plain old placeholder team name. (This is an adult focused event, but kindly don’t pick anything your grandma would be deeply disappointed by.)

Step 3: Come into the Library and sign your team up at the circulation desk, or call us at 785-336-2377 to reserve your team’s spot. (Have your team roster, team name, and team captain’s contact info ready!)

Step 4: Collect the cash! Entry is $10 per Person, payable at the circulation desk before June 7, or on the evening of Trivia Night at the door. (Please pay as a group, we are not responsible for collecting your team member’s individual entry fees. Thanks!) Proceeds go to help fund this and other awesome events, including Kids Summer Reading, Cooking with Kids, and our shiny new Passport Seneca Adventure!

Step 5: Stock up on your favorite snacks and non-alcoholic beverages to mix and match and share with your teammates!

Step 6: Show up ready to test your mental might! Doors open at 6:00 PM on June 7th at the Seneca Free Library Conference Room (Please use the Library Main Entrance).

Step 7: Have a great time with all of us here at the Seneca Free Library!

Want to bone up on your factoids or narrow down your team draft picks? Our trivia questions are based on classic Trivial Pursuit categories (more or less), but be warned… we put a spin on some of the categories to give them just a little more crunch and flavor for each Trivia Night Event! Who knows what we might ask this time?

Trail Mix and Scavenger Hunt Summer Program Kick Off!

We had a great turn out for our Monday, June 3rd Trail Mix and Scavenger Hunt program kick off event! Fruits and nuts and cereal bits got scooped and bagged for tasty power up snacks before our intrepid young adventurers took their mission slips and went hunting out in the wilds! (Predominantly the library yard from what we observed.) Thanks to all our visitors and participants for joining us in this fun and tasty event! We hope you had as much fun as we did!

“Tuck Everlasting” and “Between the Lines”: On our Shelf and On Brownville Village Theatre’s Stage Summer 2024!

Two classic books, two great stage shows, and your student can experience either combination for FREE! Check out either book here at the Seneca Free Library and get 1 free student ticket good to attend either show. Literature and Theater go hand-in-hand, so why not get this experience in the hands of your student?

Want more information on Brownville Village Theatre? We have pamphlets here at the circulation desk with their 2024 season schedule and program information or visit them at BrownvilleVillageTheatre.com .

Need more information about this program opportunity? Visit us at the circulation desk or call 785-336-3277.

Tickets and books are available as first come, first serve, so don’t delay!

The Mailbox Adventures of Gerald and Tess!

Our library mascots, Gerald Giraffe and Tess T-Rex, have indicated that they are super excited for all of our young readers to come in for Summer Reading, but they’re feeling a bit left out of the Summer Vacation Adventures scene. Can you and your young adventure seekers help them out?

Mail Gerald and Tess a postcard from the road or a letter telling them about your vacation and summer activities! If you forget to mail cards during your trip or didn’t have a stamp handy, you can always drop your postcard or letter in their personal mailbox in the library yourself (located on the circulation desk across from the kids’ pagoda). One of the best parts of adventuring is sharing your story with others, so why not tell us about yours! They’d love to hear what you’re up to! Send post to:

Gerald and Tess

c/o Seneca Free Library

606 Main St.

Seneca, KS 66538

Check back on this page later and you just might find your story being shared with Gerald and Tess in fun and unique ways!


5/28/2024

Director Kate discovered these notes to Gerald and Tess in their personal mailbox this morning. It’s their first official mailbox delivery so we were all quite excited. And, as a personal note, if you’ve never witnessed a plush giraffe blush, it’s quite the sight to see.

SUMMER READING Registration Begins Monday, May 20!

School’s wrapped up. Graduates have been sent off in style. Summer is hot on our heels. That means it’s time for SUMMER READING 2024!

This year, Summer Reading registration for all ages begins May 20 and continues through June 8. Paper reading records are available here at the library or you can use the MyLibro app on your mobile device (access to the online log won’t open until May 20). Once you’ve met the summer reading goal you can return your record to the library between June 24 and July 31 for a super fun surprise that focuses on our program theme “Adventure Begins in Your Library!”

Preschool Story Time with Ms. Dee will be Wednesdays, June 5, 12, 19, and 26th at 10:00 AM (ages birth to post-kindergarten) and includes story and craft time.

Elementary Story Time with Ms. Dee will be Wednesdays, June 5, 12, 19, and 26th at 1:30 PM (ages 1st to 3rd grade) and includes story and craft time.

Cooking with Kids will return in June! Dates and times will be confirmed and posted soon!

Kady and Izzy the Corgi will be here Tuesday, June 4 at 10:30 AM for a read-aloud from Kady’s books and a “How-to-draw” session. (Age appropriate for first grade and up.)

Jet Pack Jason of Mad Science and “The Adventures of Biblio, the Superhero” RETURNS Tuesday, June 18 at 10:30 AM. (This patron favorite’s program is appropriate for elementary age students, first grade and up.)

And don’t forget our new adult program (18+), “Passport Seneca Extravaganza 2024!” Registration for this summer adventure also begins May 20 and ends June 8.

It’s a summer of Activities and Adventures here at Seneca Free Library! Don’t miss out! We look forward to seeing you!

Passport Seneca: Your Guide to Summer Adventures in 2024!

Need a little adventure but running short on funds for a big ticket vacation? Need a chance to get away but your schedule says, “Not unless you can fit it in on this specific afternoon in June!”? Partner or friends disappointed that “We never do anything fun together anymore.”? Look no further than your local Seneca Free Library for your guide to all this and More!

Passport Seneca Extravaganza 2024 is a sizzling fresh new program for adult patrons 18+ sponsored by the Seneca Free Library! Inside this free passport is a page by page list of recommended activities to do Right Here in Seneca either by yourself or with a group of avid adventurers like you. Interested? Here’s what you have to do:

Step 1: Between May 20 and June 8, hot foot it down to the Seneca Free Library and visit the circulation desk. Talk to your Librarian and ask about the Passport Program. We’ll get you registered and ready to go with your physical passport* and a reminder of what to do with it! (*This is not a legal or government authorized document, that’s a completely different agency! But if you want us to take a really terrible photo of you just for kicks, we can.)

Step 2: Pick your path to Adventure! Decide which opportunities you want to knock out and when you want to do them! Most of them are even Free! (Savvy Adventurers should take note, Saturday, June 8th, is Museum Day and it’s a super efficient chance to check off a bunch of activities without having to schedule individual tours with the museums’ staff.)

Step 3: As with the official government document, Don’t Lose Your Passport! Why? Because your passport isn’t just a list of fun things to do and get checked off, it’s also your ticket to FABULOUS PRIZES! (If you do lose your passport, no worries, we can get you a new one at the circulation desk, you’ll just need to repeat the activities you already had checked off. Nothing replaces experiences, not even the magic of the library.)

Step 4: Keep track of your stamps and receipts. 5 stamps gets you the first tier prize from the library. 10 Stamps gets you the second tier prize. A full passport not only means you had a great summer, but it gets you entered into our Grand Prize Adventure Pack Giveaway drawing at the end of the summer!

Step 5: Turn in your passport at the circulation desk BEFORE JULY 31 to be eligible for the grand prize drawing! Tier 1 and Tier 2 prizes can be claimed and marked off at the circulation desk any time between June 8 and July 31. Only ONE passport is eligible for completion per Patron.

That’s it! Pretty simple, right? So come in and get registered between May 20 and June 8, get out there and have some fun, and be sure to tell us about your adventures when you come to report your progress! We look forward to seeing you this summer! Happy Adventuring!

Adventure Begins in Your Library: May’s Suggested Activity is Picnicking

The Summer Reading Program theme for 2024 is “Adventure Begins in Your Library,” but in May, adventure actually begins in your kitchen as the theme is “Picnics and Outdoor Dining.”

Now, I’m going to be super honest, I have a thing about bugs. Buzzing, crawling, jumping, doesn’t matter, I don’t want them near me, and I really don’t want them near my food. So as charming an idea as picnics have always been to me, I don’t know much about them. But if you’re an outdoorsy type, dining al fresco or in a beautiful and remote location may be right up your alley. The following article by Professor Teresa Hunsaker of Utah State University may help make your next picnic a major success instead of a cautionary tale of “this is why we stay inside.”

Ask an Expert: Five Tips for the Perfect Picnic

By: Teresa Hunsaker, USU Extension family and consumer sciences educator

Picnics are the perfect way to get out and enjoy the outdoors without going too far or spending a lot of money. Picnicking can fit almost any budget and can be as simple or elaborate as you want it to be. Some of the best picnics happen on the spur of the moment and don’t need a lot of planning. No picnic basket? No problem. Anything that holds your supplies will do.

Consider these tips for the perfect picnic.

* Pack your picnic with food safety in mind. If you will be gone longer than 2 hours from departure to eating, plan to pack a cooler. After 2 hours at room temperature (1 hour if temperatures are around 90 F), harmful bacteria that can cause food poisoning multiply rapidly. USDA guidelines say cold foods should be kept as close to 40 F as possible and hot foods should be kept above 140 F.

* Keep your cooler ready. If you are planning to make picnics a regular part of your summer, consider investing in a cooler-on-wheels for portability. To help keep foods cold, chill them in the refrigerator before packing and keep them in the cooler until serving time.

* Get double duty from your cooler space. Fill empty drink bottles half full of water or juice and freeze. The frozen drinks will act as ice packs to keep the picnic cool in transit. At your destination, top off the bottles with water or a drink to enjoy with your meal.

* Be mindful of your picnic location. When planning your food items, consider where you are going. Even if it’s just to the park, it will help you prepare by considering the setting. Avoid anything that gets drippy, limp or wimpy in warm weather. Gelatin salad is a perfect example of what not to take, and even tossed salads will wilt if left in the sun or warm weather for very long.

* Make a menu. For a no-fuss menu, have a fix-your-own sandwich bar. Fill plastic containers with pre-sliced sandwich fixings such as lettuce, tomatoes, cheeses, meats, bell peppers, olives, mushrooms, onions and spinach. Set out hearty breads, crusty rolls or tortilla wraps and condiments. To add a gourmet touch, splurge on a couple of interesting spreads, such as pesto, tapenade or flavored soft cheese. Everyone can build a custom sandwich for a fraction of what it would cost at the deli.

* Sometimes the fun of a summer picnic is the spontaneity, and having fruits and vegetables on hand will make packing a breeze. Simple finger food, like carrots, celery, sliced jicama and sliced bell peppers are cool, crispy additions to any picnic plate and a great way to include vegetables. Add a vegetable dip, and you have a quick and easy side dish.

* Keep supplies on hand. If you plan to picnic frequently this summer, make a standard packing list for spur-of-the-moment jaunts, and keep your pantry stocked with food that is suitable for a picnic. Include the following items on your supply list: napkins, plates, cups, dinnerware; garbage bags; plastic bags that seal; serving utensils and cutting knives; can opener; cutting mat or board; salt and pepper, packets of condiments; blanket to sit on; hand sanitizer, wet wipes or a wet washcloth in a plastic bag; paper towels; insect repellent; extra water; and don’t forget equipment for activities including balls, games, Frisbees, etc.

By: Teresa Hunsaker, Utah State University Extension family and consumer sciences educator, (801) 399-8200, teresa.hunsaker@usu.edu

The E-Letter Rides Again!

After a bit of a hiatus the Seneca Free Library E-News Letter is making a comeback. Updates, program previews, and semi-weekly “From the Bookshelf” articles are all available in a nifty automated email service that drops neatly into your inbox, ready to read at your leisure. Follow the link below and sign up today! It’s free, it’s easy, and it’s one less password you have to remember between websites and phone apps!

Sign Up for Library E-News Updates Here!

State Library Card: ComicsPlus Library Pass App is Even Easier to Access!

Comic books and Graphic Novels are powerful tools in bringing reluctant readers onboard while still building reading fluency and comprehension in younger readers and improving reading retention rates in older readers. Today’s comics are more than just spandex clad super heroes clashing with powerful villains in epic battles. Comics are available that depict nonfiction narratives for historical events, people, and any number of specialized topics from dinosaurs to solar systems. Kids comics can focus on social skills, educational materials (like numbers, colors, and the alphabet), and, of course, just fun or goofy stories to support literacy and literary understanding.

CompicsPlus Library Pass is an app available on Android and iOS that lets you or your young readers access a large assortment of comic book and graphic novel resources on your phone or tablet. The State Library of Kansas offers a new and easier access method to this resource than ever before. You can now access the ComicsPlus Library Pass directly with your Kansas Library eCard number. Your password will be your birth date (MMDDYYYY no spaces or characters between numbers).

Here’s How it Works!

Download the Library Pass App. (Library Pass, Inc * Comics) from your Play Store or Apple App Store.

Open the app and search for the Library from the list below that best fits your reading level or the reading level of your younger reader. The various reading levels and library collections help offer better control over the content your younger readers are likely to find. Choose from the following (you can always add or change library catalogs later, using the same login credentials).

State Library of Kansas KS- Full Library (All age content available, no restrictions)

State Library of Kansas KS- Children’s Library (Includes: Emergent (PreK – grade 1, ages 3-5), Children (K – grade 3, ages 5-7), Kids (Grades 3-5, ages 8-10), and Teen (Grades 6-8, ages 11-14)

Kansas Elementary Schools (Includes: Emergent (PreK – grade 1, ages 3-5), and Children (K – grade 3, ages 5-7)

Kansas Middle Schools (Includes: Kids (Grades 3-5, ages 8-10) and Teen (Grades 6-8, ages 11-14)

Kansas High Schools (Includes: Teen (Grades 6-8, ages 11-14) and Young Adult (Grades 9-12, ages 15-18)

Once you’ve chosen the library catalog you wish to access, enter your State of Kansas eCard Number and Password where prompted (date of birth mmddyyyy no characters or spaces between numbers).

Get in there and start browsing! Titles are available from the following publishers as of April 2024!

Don’t have a State Library ID? We can help you get one at the library circulation desk! A state library id opens up countless online resources, adding even more options to your reading, listening, and streaming arsenal!

Seneca Free Library – Severe Weather Policy: Spring/Summer 2024

With the rapidly changing weather, we would like to remind our patrons and visitors of our Severe Weather Policy. The Seneca Free Library is not a designated storm shelter, nor is our basement designed for public accessibility. In the event of a direct sighting of a safety threat or the sounding of the city’s warning sirens, the library will be locked down until such time as an all clear is given. Patrons may choose to leave the library up until the time the doors are locked or be escorted to the basement for shelter until the threat has passed. In the event of a confirmed severe storm system approaching the city of Seneca, the Library Director or the Librarian on Duty has the right and authority to close the library early for the safety and security of the library staff and patrons. Should this happen, we will do our best to announce the closing on our Facebook and Instagram pages. As with any chance of severe weather, please be sure to call ahead before departing for the library to avoid unnecessary travel in hazardous conditions.