Category: Events & Activities

3.24/2020 Nothing has really changed for our patrons. We are still closed. The drop box is still closed and not back in place.  * Inside we are a jumbled mess. Not just because we miss all our patrons, but because the carpet guy is going full steam ahead. * The good thing is nothing has left the building, so we will eventually find it all back and put it in it’s place. We hope. * We’ve been busy cleaning the shelves, removing dust and dirt while they are empty. We plan to rearrange some things, so not everything will go back exactly where it was, and that will take time to work through. * We’ve been advised to quarantine items as they are returned to us. The Community Room will be used for that space, but first we have to clear out everything we moved over there when the carpet guy arrived. * Remember when we said it is like the story “If You Give A Mouse a Cookie”? We meant it. * The best way to reach us now is by email at: librarian@senecafreelibrary.org. * We hope you are all well and are practicing social distancing. We hope you have been able to access our online resources, if you need something to read.

3/23/2020 How are you today? Our world continues to spin out of control, our control. Today’s updates: As of 4:00 pm Tuesday March 24 we will no longer check items in or out. * Library due dates have been extended to May. * We will let you know when we are ready for you to return the items you have checked out. Keep them in a safe place, but remember where that safe place is. * The drop box is still unavailable * Patrons can contact us by email at librarian@senecafreelibrary.org. * We post often on Facebook and Instagram and, as you already know, since you are here, our website. * Thanks for checking in. * Stay safe and wash your hands!

 

3/20/2020 Our status is that we are now closed until further notice as advised by state and national organizations. *  As we posted yesterday, if you place a HOLD online, we will pull the items you want and check them out to you when you come up to the door. * Right now our drop box is not available. It’s been pulled away from the wall so the carpet layer can put down carpet in that spot. * We’ve added instruction videos to our Facebook page and in another post on our website. * Though we are closed, one or two of us will be at the library to answer the phone, check emails and Facebook messages, and check the HOLDS list, Monday thru Friday 10~4. *

3/19/2020 The hold feature is live again! Here are the facts:
1. You can only place a hold on items we own and that are currently in the library. Please check the status of items you want. If it is in transit or at another library right now, it will not be available until after April 5, at the earliest.
2. Any item checked out right now has a due date extended through April 20. Don’t worry about getting items back right now.
3. Items checked out right now and returned to us will be held in quarantine and won’t be accessible for some time.
4. Items can only be picked up between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm weekdays. No Saturday service.
5. Please allow us time to process your request. Don’t come until you have received an email, phone call, or text notifying you that your item is ready.
6. Item(s) will be checked out and brought to the door, no one is allowed into the library. You may need to call 785-336-2377 because we might not see you come up the sidewalk.
7. Wear your catcher’s mitt so you can catch your items when we throw them. Just kidding. But, seriously, don’t breathe on us.
8. Call if you have questions.
9. We miss you and we don’t like this anymore than you do.

3/18/2020 Our courier delivery service has been suspended until April 5. So any holds you have on your account coming from another library will not be arriving until after that date. If your hold is here already, give us a call, we can meet you at the door and get it to you.

Most libraries in our area are closed, so holds will not be filled anyway. But also know that the regional office has changed the due date of items already checked out. Don’t fret about returning items. We don’t charge over due fines.

BREAKING NEWS: The library will close at 8:00 pm this evening, March 17. We will remain closed through March 23 at which time we will reevaluate the situation. The Board of Trustees has made the decision based on information from the State of Kansas and American Library Association.

We know this is inconvenient and we do not take closing lightly.
Items on hold can be picked up. You will need to call us and let us know you are coming and we will meet you at the door.

All of our digital services are available.
We can help get you set up with hoopla, Libby, and Flipster so that you have entertainment in the palm of your hand.
Our WiFi is free and can be accessed from the curb or parking along the east side of the building.
Call us, we want to help you. 336-2377.

 

Hoopla is a free service offering audiobooks, eBooks, movies, TV shows, music, comics, and more!

Well, we hope this video helped  you get started on HOOPLA. Below we have added information for you to get the most out of the app. We hope this helps and you get the most out of this new-to-you app!

Libby is another free app giving you access to eBooks and audiobooks. You will need to set up an account and pin with us, so call 785-336-2377– before you begin– between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm weekdays.

Here is a really quick look at how to use the online shared catalog. There is so much more than the video offers, but this will get you started. If you forgot your password, or are having trouble logging in, please call us.

Here is a quick intro to Flipster, our free online source of magazines. You use the same credentials that are needed to access our online shared catalog.

Below is a  link to  YouTube videos from Robin at our Regional Office in Lawrence about Learning Express:

Learning Express videos

 

Center for Disease Control

 

 

Kansas Department of Health and Environment

 

Nemaha County Kansas

Nemaha County Community Health Services

Have you started Spring Cleaning this year? If you happen to find any LEGO pieces under the couch cushions or if you have some your children are not playing with anymore, consider donating them to the library!

Our LEGO Lab is growing and we could use more bits and pieces. If you have questions let us know. Give us a call @ 336-2377

Seneca Free Library is hosting our first YOUTH ART SHOW to celebrate Youth Art Month in March.

We hope you made time to come in to see the art work the youth of our community shared with us, you, this week. We are so pleased that we had 14 entries! This was not a contest, we simply want to give students a place to share their talents with everyone. We’ve had very positive feedback from our patrons, we will certainly be hosting this event again. So hang on to the art work your children are creating and mark your calendars year two of the Youth Art Show at the Library.

We will accept artwork from area youth in grades 1 – 12 between March 2 -4 during library hours. There will be an open house for the artists, their family members, and the public Thursday, March 5 from 5:30 – 7:30 pm.

• One item per entrant is allowed. The mediums accepted will be drawing (colored pencil, ink, marker, pencil, etc.), paint (watercolor, acrylic, oil, etc.), and three-dimensional.
• The size limit on drawing and painting is no larger than 12 x 14 inches, and the size limit on three-dimensional is 12 x 12 x 12 inches.
• NO artwork from kits, models, molds, prefabricated forms, mass produced, or copies will be accepted.
• Artwork must be original and never entered or displayed. For example, anything taken to the 4-H Fair would not be allowed.
• For full details and any questions please contact the library.

There will be no ART or STEM in March at the library. We are getting a floor crack repaired and new carpet. We will need to store some furniture and books in the community room during this time.

We will be holding both ART and STEM in April; watch your email, Facebook and our website for details.

Thank you to everyone who has donated items for the Nemaha County Food Pantry. We have delivered two carts full in the last month. During March we will be collecting canned vegetables and beans. The beans can be dry in bags or canned, including pork and beans.

You are welcome to drop off items during regular library hours. Please do not put cans in the drop box as the weight may damage audio and visual materials.  {March 6,  2020}

We delivered a cart full of food items to the Nemaha County Food Pantry at the end of January. We collected mostly soups in December and January. We’ve decided to concentrate on BREAKFAST ITEMS for the month of February.  This includes boxed cereal, oatmeal, pancake mix and syrup, though any items you’d like to donate will be accepted and appreciated. {February,  2020}

 

The Nemaha County Food Pantry in Seneca is an organization that helps Nemaha County residents fill the needs of food and personal items. The food pantry is located at 518 Main Street and is open each Wednesday of the month from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. People receiving food must be residents of Nemaha County Kansas and have need.

The groceries they receive are the same each month and consist of the following: a breakfast item (boxed cereal, oatmeal, pancake mix & syrup), 4 cans of vegetables, 1 can of beans (any type including pork & beans), rice, spaghetti and sauce, 1 jar of peanut butter, crackers, 2 cans of fruit, 1 can of tuna and 1 can of chicken plus tuna and chicken helper, 2 soups, 1 dessert (jello, pudding, pie mix, cake mix & frosting, or cookies), and 1 pound of meat (hamburger, ground pork, sausage, lunchmeat). Consumers can also have a choice of three of the following: laundry detergent, toilet paper, paper towels, dish soap, shampoo, soap, and personal products. You can use this handy list when you shop for the food pantry.

The library has always accepted small donations and delivered them to the food pantry. For the new year, starting now, we’d like to focus on certain items each month for patrons to donate, though any items will be accepted and delivered. Now through January, we are asking for donations of canned soup.

If your group does large quantity donations, the food pantry staff would rather have those delivered directly to the pantry. Any non-perishable food items on the above list are acceptable. So, stop in with your soup donations and we will get them to the food pantry.

And so it begins. Monday March 9th we will begin moving furniture out of the library. All the large furniture, tables, chairs, recliners, will be moved to the community room. Two computers will be moved out at this time also. The city crew will provide the muscle power needed to get the job done, so we will make the most of their time here. The books in the stacks will be moved later in the week or early the next week.

If you know of some young people needing volunteer hours contact the library about how they can help. Or even not so young people who want to join in the fun of being a part of history would be welcome. Give us a call at 336-2377 for details like when and where.  {March 6, 2020}

 

In March, the library will be having a crack in the floor repaired in the north end, the adult side of the library.

What does this mean to you? To us? We aren’t completely sure yet. We know the carpet will have to be replaced. We know we will have to move book stacks, shelves, and furniture.  We haven’t worked out all the details yet, but it will be quite an undertaking. It is likely to create quite a mess, please be patient with us. Also, stay tuned for notices about what items and parts of the library will be available during this project.

Have you ever read the book If You Give A Mouse A Cookie? Well, it’s similar to If You Have To Get New Carpet At The Library. We are shaking things up around here. We aren’t sure just how drastic the changes will be, but it will probably feel like a whole new library. That’s a good thing.

We started with condensing our non-fiction books and moving the magazines to the east side of the library, near the grandfather clock. So, what will go in the area where the magazines were? Stay tuned. {Feb. 6, 2020}

The U.S. Census Bureau is recruiting to fill hundreds of thousands of temporary positions across the country to assist with the 2020 Census count.

The map below shows that only a portion of our region has enough Census workers ready to go, the green square. The goal is to have this rest of the  region, the beige area, turn green by March 1.

Census Job Information & Application

Why is the US Census so important?

 

Photos are from the US Census website

It’s time to GET REAL! October 1, 2020 is the deadline to get your real ID by updating your driver’s license to the federally approved REAL ID. This safety measure will be required October 1, 2020 for boarding domestic flights and for civilians entering military bases and some federal buildings. There are several documents required at the DMV and you will need to be prepared. All documents must be original and not laminated (the only exception would be a laminated Social Security card). There are four proofs needed. First is one proof of lawful presence which could be a state issued birth certificate, unexpired passport, unexpired permanent resident card, unexpired employment authorization card, naturalization certificate, or a consular report of birth abroad (FS-240). Second is one proof of Social Security. The full Social Security number must be visible. You can present a Social Security card, current W-2, 1099, or 1040 or a current pay stub. The third and fourth required documents are proof of Kansas residency. Note that you need two proofs here. These can be a rent/lease agreement, driver’s license renewal postcard, vehicle registration, utility bill, or financial institution documents (bank statement, deed, mortgage, etc.). If your name has changed due to marriage, divorce, adoption, or court order, or if your name does not match on all documents of proof then further documentation is required. This could be a certified state issued marriage certificate, court ordered divorce decree, legal adoption paperwork, or other court ordered name change document. If you were married in Kansas but do not have a certified copy of a marriage certificate, you can get that done quickly at the Registrar’s office in the courthouse. Birth certificates can be ordered online at ikan.ks.gov. The library has pamphlets with all the details so you don’t have to copy this article – or you can if you want to. Remember this starts October 1, 2020.

{Real ID image from Kansas Department of Revenue website.}