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This week at the Library, you can enjoy our Facebook Live storytimes and book parties, as well as get a handle on the FAFSA!

Step-by-Step through the FAFSA Wednesday, Sept. 23 @ 6:30 pm (register online)

and more! See all of our events »

Johnson County Library Foundation President Vickie Trott summed up one craving in 2020 as she addressed attendees at this year’s annual Library gala: “In these unusual times,” Trott said, “we need to let loose however we can until we can let loose in person again.”

And that’s exactly what happened Sept. 12, with the “virtual” Library Lets Loose celebration and fund-raiser. Because of the Coronavirus pandemic, this year’s event could not be held in-person and pivoted to online. Using the On24 platform, the Foundation hosted an event that still featured fun activities, capped off by a virtual dance club where people were encouraged to get their groove on from the comfort of their own homes.

“I am truly amazed at the ingenuity and willingness of so many people to look at the possibility to keep our Library Lets Loose event an ongoing tradition,” Trott told participants.

Honorary co-chairs Cindy Wallis-Lage and Kent Lage greeted people from their home. “Even in this time where we are sheltered in place a lot and we don’t get to go out to the places that we like to go, the Library is still there as a great resource,” Wallis-Lage said. “We hope you have a fantastic night and really remember how much the Library means to all of us.”  

In past years, the gala has attracted 44 sponsors and about 500 participants. This year, the event still garnered 44 sponsors and more than 500 attendees.  Feedback was very positive. The event was free to register but many people and companies still made generous donations. “As a Foundation, we are grateful for the brave Library Lovers who were willing to try an online fundraising event,” said Foundation Executive Director Stephanie Stollsteimer. “We are thrilled with the outpouring of financial support as well.”

Welcome educators and readers!

Registration has closed for our Fall book clubs. Registration for Spring book clubs will open in late Fall. Watch this page for announcements. If you're already registered for Fall, you can check your book club's information below. 

If you'd like to read these books in your classroom or home, you'll find our monthly book club guides linked below (coming soon). Please feel free to use these resources as the basis for your own book discussions or lesson plans.

Kids Book Club
Meets 4:30-5:30 pm on Sept, 21, Oct. 19, Nov. 16, and Dec. 21 

• October: The Haunted House Next Door by Andres Miedoso and The Haunted Library by Dori Hillestad Butler 
• November: The Glorkian Warrior Delivers Pizza by James Kochalka and Odd Duck by Cecil Castellucci 
• December: Zoey and Sassafras: Dragons and Marshmallows by Asia Citro and March of Mini Beasts by Ada Hopper 

Tween Book Club
Meets 4:30-5:30 pm on Sept. 14, Oct. 12, Nov. 9, and Dec. 14

• October: Ghost Squad by Claribel A. Ortega and Love Sugar Magic 1 by Anna Merian
• November: Song for a Whale by Lynne Kelly and Merci Suarez Changes Gears by Meg Medina
• December: Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbit and Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga

American Girl Book Club
Meets 6 - 7 pm on Sept., Oct. 7, Nov. 4, and Dec. 2

• October: Addy: Shadows on Society Hill  by Evelyn Coleman and Finding Freedom, Book 1  by Connie Rose Porter
• November: Melody: No Ordinary Sound  by Denise Lewis Patrick and Never Stop Singing  by Denise Lewis Patrick
• December: Julie: The Big Break  by Megan McDonald and Samantha: Lost and Found  by Valerie Tripp

Family Book Club - Community Matters: Race
Meets 6 - 7 pm on Sept. 10, Oct. 8, Nov. 12, and Dec. 10 • September Lesson Plan 

• October: One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia and We Rise, We Resist, We Raise Our Voices 
• November: New Kid by Jerry Craft and Stamped by Jason Reynolds 
• December: Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes and Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

Have a review of one of these titles? Submit here »

Does waiting for The Writers Conference make your pen hand restless?

Several writing programs which were originally meant for that exciting weekend this November, will now be offered as one-time, online Zoom sessions. These unique writing programs are scheduled September through December with a limited number of seats.

These programs cover topics ranging from Starting a Writing Project with Shannon Thompson (9/16) to Elements of a Sentence: Building Sentences for Rhetorical Effect with Amy Woods Butler (10/3). 

Need publishing advice? Look no further, Dave Burns has your back with Publishing: What are My Options? (10/21) and Tiffany White can give you tips on how to get connected with other writers in How to Use Social Media to Connect with Other Writers (12/2). We have something for every writer at any level!

Find a complete list of our events for writers here! With these amazing programs, the long wait until The Writers Conference -- is over. 

Hey you! Yes, you, human with untapped writing potential and ideas that need to be set free. Suffering from writer’s block? Don’t know where to get started on your writing journey? Did you know you can be published without winning one of our writing contests or finding a publisher?

The JoCoWrites Blog is the perfect place to let your creativity flow with the monthly prompt. Here is how it works:

1. Head on over to the For Writers page on the Johnson County Public Library website.
2. Read the new prompt for the month and start brainstorming.
3. Write your piece, and submit your work.
    

We welcome writers of any level to share their creativity and thoughts with the community through the JoCoWrites Blog. You can submit under your name or anonymously if you choose. While the prompt changes every month, submissions for past prompts still remain viewable!