About – Seneca Free Library

Spring Weather Policy Review

It’s late winter heading into springtime in Kansas which means all bets are officially off. There’s no telling what kind of weather we’re going to get from day to day (sometimes even minute to minute). So here’s a basic Weather Advisory Overview to keep in mind…

If the weather is severe enough for Nemaha Central Schools to be dismissed early, the library will close at 5:00 that day. We will also post on Facebook, KNZA radio station and WIBW TV if we close or open late due to weather. School closures for extreme weather do not guarantee the library will be closed, though we do reserve the option to open late if necessary. If city administrative offices are closed for weather, the library will also be closed.

Regarding sudden severe weather such as tornado watches or warnings, and severe thunderstorm watches or warnings, please be aware that Seneca Free Library is NOT a designated storm shelter for the city. If emergency sirens sound, the library will lock the doors and escort any patrons currently inside the building to the basement. Patrons not wanting to remain in the library during the storm event are free to leave at their own discretion, but will not be able to get back inside once the doors are closed.

It’s always best to check before heading out. Call us at 785.336.2377

The December Adventure Theme is “Neighborhood Game Night or Tournament”

It’s a new month, and December’s recommended library adventure is “Host a Neighborhood Game Night or Tournament!”

Maybe some of you out there already do this, or maybe you even have regular neighborhood barbecues or potlucks. Maybe (probably “likely” for many of you) you live out in the country or on the far edge of town and your closest neighbor is a solid mile away at least (and that’s how you like it). But for those of us in the middle who are neither super-social nor happily isolated, there’s some wiggle room to grow and explore new options. Hence, Adventure!

Here’s some tips to get you started:

1. Do a knock and talk around the block and extend the invitation in person. It’s more personal than a card or letter (better yet, hand deliver an invite card so they have the date and time already written down).

2. Plan a pot luck or snack buffet everyone can contribute to.

3. Pick easy to learn or broadly familiar games that can be taught in 5 minutes or less and preferably games best suited for groups of 4-8 players.

4. If you have enough players to split into even(ish) groups, try dividing them equally and then mix up the groups one or two times through the event to keep the conversations fresh and the participants mingling.

5. Keep in mind, and perhaps remind your guests, this is about getting together and getting to know your neighbors better. This is not the time to discuss property line disputes, HOA complaints, whose leaves are going into what yard, or whose dog is doing their business where. A potential benefit of an event like this is it might actually humanize the neighbors to each other and improve any trivial bickering that might normally be (at least for a while).

With wild weather and wilder people out and about these days, knowing your neighbors is more important than ever. Better to find out who they are over a game of “Apples to Apples” than when the next “gust-nado” puts your favorite tree through their living room window. It also becomes easier to call them direct and ask if the stranger doing a lookie-loo through their shed is supposed to be there or if the police need to be called.

Seed Ball Workshop Held Monday, July 8

The Meadowlark District Extension Office presented their Seed Ball Workshop on Monday, July 8 at 1:30 PM. The kids made wildflower seed balls, learned why seed balling is beneficial to growing plants and helping pollinators, discussed a bit about soil conservation, and took home the start to an adventure in growing their own wildflowers!

A special thanks to Laura Phillips, Extension Agent and Horticulturist, for presenting this fun and educational opportunity here at the library!

New at Seneca Free Library: Adventure Backpacks!

After much anticipation and several misfires in getting the cataloging to program correctly, we are excited to announce the availability and release of our Adventure Backpacks! These super sharp-looking backpacks contain one pair of adult binoculars, one pair of youth binoculars and assorted field guides: The Moon: A Folding Pocket Guide to the Moon, its Surface Features, Phases and Eclipses; Kansas Butterflies & Pollinators: A Folding Pocket Guide to Familiar Species; Kansas Birds: A Folding Pocket Guide to Familiar Species; Kansas Trees & Wildflowers; and Kansas Wildlife: A Folding Pocket Guide to Familiar Species.

The Adventure Backpacks are available to Seneca Free Library patrons only and are obtained on a first come, first serve basis. They are checked out on a one week loan period and will accrue late fees if kept longer than the allotted time.

We look forward to checking these Adventure Backpacks out and hearing about the adventures our friends and patrons have exploring with them!