Cake pans added to library's recipe of materials to check out

Fishing poles, ukuleles, folding tables and wi-fi hotspots are just some of the less traditional items available to check out from the library. Add cake pans to that list now.

More than 25 different pans can be checked out for up to three weeks, just like most other library materials. The majority of the pans were donated by library member Sandy Mastrangelo, who used to have a small cake decorating business but is now retired.

The idea to give the pans to the library came from a friend who saw a similar collection at an Iowa library. She took a picture and sent it to Mastrangelo.

“I hope this generates some new life for the pans,” she said. “To me, it’s a dying profession because now everyone wants cupcakes.”

The pans are in the shapes of animals, a flower, toy soldier and Disney, Sesame Street and cartoon characters. They can be viewed online at the library website, rhcl.org. Look for the Library Catalog tab under the Technology drop-down menu. Then choose Booklists under the What’s Hot listing of items. The pans are stored at the Belt Branch but are available to all library members.

Mastrangelo will discuss how to use the pans and how to decorate cakes in a program at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22, at the Belt Branch.

The pans are another out-of-the ordinary item to provide patrons who might need something for a limited time but don’t want to purchase them.

“If you were going to have a garage sale, you probably wouldn’t go out and buy a 6-foot-long table and use it just once. You can check those out from us,” said Library Director Michelle Mears. “And how many Fred Flintstone cakes will you need to make in your life? Probably just one.”

The library also checks out some technology items. Wi-fi hotspots provide internet connections for people who don't have internet service at home or when they travel. Families can check out computer tablets loaded with educational games for preschoolers. And Wonder Bibles are audio players loaded with the Old and New Testaments.

Adults who want to obtain a high school diploma can check out Hiset prep kits that contain a laptop computer and mobile wi-fi hotspot for extended checkout times. The kits work in conjunction with the MOLearns.com program from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and are free to check out. Information about the kits can be found online at rhcl.org/high-school.

Belt Branch to open early Aug. 10 for special needs families

The stereotype of a library is that of a quiet place where people can concentrate on their reading and work. In reality, libraries can be busy, noisy places that can be upsetting to some people.

On Saturday, Aug. 10, the Belt Branch will open early from 8-9 a.m. for youths and adults who are on the autism spectrum or have sensory issues. Known as an Accessible Browsing Hour, the time will provide a quieter setting without a crowd. No registration is needed to attend.

“This is an opportunity for those who find the library too noisy or too overwhelming to visit for a program or to check out materials to have their own time in the library,” said Sarah Sieg, Belt Branch youth services librarian.

The hour also will give caregivers and families a chance to use the library without worrying about how their special needs members might be viewed by others if they act out in surprising manners or make unexpected noises.

Sieg hopes to make the special browsing hour a regular event if the August event proves to be popular.

The Quasi Brothers to perform at Rolling Hills Library

The history of the banjo and how it helped lead to bluegrass music will be the subject of a musical program at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 27, when the duo The Quasi Brothers present a Classy Seniors program in the Belt Branch Community Room.

The duo consists of Jesse Graber of Kansas City, Kan., and Steve Goeke of Kearney, Mo., and plays a version of old-time music that includes fiddle tunes on banjo and fiddle and brother-style duets on guitar and mandolin.

Goeke, who plays banjo and guitar, has played in many groups over the years, most recently with the Alfred Packer Memorial String Band of Lawrence, Kan. Graber plays fiddle and mandolin and has played with groups such as The Book of JEBB and The Grease Fire String Band. The duo has played for the Paul Mesner Puppet Theater in Kansas City and at the Kansas State Fiddling and Picking Championship.

Classy Seniors is the Belt Branch’s program series for ages 55 and older, but the events are open to all ages. 

Inclement weather cancels Belt Touch-a-Truck

Because of the inclement weather, the Belt Branch has called off the Touch-a-Truck festival that was originally scheduled for today (Tuesday, May 21) in the Belt parking lot.

In its place, the library will open the Bookmobile and its Belt garage for tours from 3-5 p.m. Young children will be able to do crafts and activities in the Community Room, and families also can sign up for the Summer Reading Program while at the library.

The Savannah Branch is scheduled to have its Touch-a-Truck festival from 3-5 p.m. Thursday, May 23, in its parking lot at 514 W. Main.

Rolling Hills Library to have tax levy election Aug. 6

On Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2019, Rolling Hills Library will hold an election to ask voters in Andrew County and parts of Buchanan County to continue the portion of its operating levy that is sunsetting after 20 years.

In 1999, voters approved a 15-cent increase to the library’s then-existing levy of 16 cents, raising it to $0.31 cents per $100 of assessed property valuation. Voters will decide if the levy should remain at that amount for another 20 years. If it fails, the levy would expire at the end of 2019 and cut the library’s budget in half.

The 15-cent levy has been important to the library’s growth, Library Director Michelle Mears said.

“We have improved and expanded our library branches, reinstituted bookmobile service to schools and rural communities, added to both the physical and digital collections, and provided top-notch programs and services, including traveling exhibits and becoming a passport acceptance facility,” she said.

If the levy passes, the library will continue to grow its material collection, increase its early literacy offerings, add more modern technology, and increase partnerships with local businesses and non-profits to improve the two counties, Mears said.

An election loss would mean cutbacks in library hours, staff, and materials.

“Because it is nearly half of our operating budget, we would have to reduce or eliminate programs and stop hosting our early literacy exhibits from children’s museums across the country,” Mears said.

The Rolling Hills Library district takes in all of Andrew County and the rural parts of Buchanan County outside of the 1965 St. Joseph city limits. Some areas in east, northeast, and south St. Joseph now fall within the district because of city growth after 1965. Voters who are unsure if they reside in the Rolling Hills district can consult their voter registration cards, property tax statements, or a map on the Levy Info page of the library’s website, rhcl.org, or ask at the Belt Branch, Savannah Branch, or Bookmobile.

The last day to register to vote for the Aug. 6 election is Wednesday, July 10.

Summer Reading Program to be out of this world

Parents wanting to get a jump on their kids' summer plans and anyone else looking forward to reading through the warm season can sign up beginning Monday, May 13, for the 2019 Summer Reading Program.

From June 3 through July 27, all ages – from babies to adults – can win prizes by taking part in the annual readfest. Participants will set their own goals and keep track of them on reading logs. They’ll earn prizes as they work toward their goals and be entered in a prize drawing for gift baskets and three grand prizes of $100 Walmart gift cards.

The summer’s theme is “A Universe of Stories” and celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. Two months of programs and events are planned for adults, teens and youths, many of which are related to space, including planetarium shows on Thursday, June 13, and Tuesday, July 16, at Missouri Western State University; astronaut training sessions for kids on Monday, July 1, and Wednesday, July 3; and a special event on Thursday, July 18, for all ages to mark the 1969 moon landing.

Getting the summer started is the decidedly earth-bound program of Touch-a-Truck. From 3-5 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, at the Belt Branch and 3-5 pm. Thursday, May 23, at the Savannah Branch, youths can get see and get inside a variety of emergency vehicles, work trucks and other industrial rides in the library parking lots.

The summer’s lineup of featured performers (who will be at the libraries on Mondays) includes local biologist Jonn Casey and his spiders, lizards, snakes and other creatures on June 3, Mad Science of Kansas City on June 10, singer-songwriter Jennifer Daniels on June 17, singer-storyteller Mike Anderson (aka Dulcimer Guy) on June 24, juggler Brian Wendling on July 8, the Mesner Puppet Theater on July 15 and reptile handler Serengeti Steve on July 22.

All of these events are to bring readers young and old to the library and to inspire them to read while they are out of school or if they need entertainment.

 “We know that people are busy, and everyone reads at a different pace, so participants in our program get to set their own goals,” Belt Branch manager Kelly Morris said. “The goals can be as high or as low as you want, and reading can be tracked by minutes, titles or pages -- whatever method is easiest for you to keep track of. We just want people to read!”

Parents have their own important role when it comes to encouraging their kids to read.

“Studies show that when children see the adults in their lives reading, it encourages them to become readers as well,” Morris said. “Reading is especially important for children over the summer and any amount of reading can help prevent ‘summer slide’ -- kids losing skills over the summer when they’re not in school and having to relearn things in the fall.”

Library to be closed Wednesday, May 8

Both branches of the library will be closed all day Wednesday, May 8, for staff training. We will open again for regular hours on Thursday, May 9.