Exodusters: Arrival of Black Settlers in Iola, a lobby exhibit for Black History Month, chronicles events in the era of early statehood, reminiscences of former slave Nancy Grubbs and handbills advertising Kansas.
Book Talk
On Tuesday, Feb. 8 at 2 p.m., Colleen Dobbins will highlight the Nordic Noir of Jo Nesbo and his Harry Hole detective series, which the library has just acquired.
The meeting then will open up to discuss the books others are reading. Come drop in to listen and learn from others. Book talks are a great way to figure out what you want to read next, especially if you’re looking for a change of pace.
Black History Month
Feb. 14-16: Prominent Black Iola families are featured on seven large display boards prepared by Helen Newman Ambler and shown in the library meeting room. Portraits, copies of freedom papers and photos of community life retrace history. Helen is married to Spencer Ambler, Iola’s first Black postmaster. From 1-3 p.m. Feb. 15, Colleen Dobbins will be on hand with books of special interest and answer questions about other library resources.
Library Littles
Thursday, Feb. 17: Library Littles Play Date features fun and games for infants to age 3 and information for parents on their children’s learning and development skills.
Karen Culver, a family educator for SEK-CAP Early Head Start, is this month’s featured speaker. There are two sessions: 10-11 a.m. and 2-3 p.m., in the meeting room. Space and time is limited, so registration is appreciated. Registrants receive a reminder call. Library Littles is held the third Thursday of each month.
Celebrating Our Teachers with Letters
Feb. 7-17: Iola Reads, co-sponsored with USD 257 and the Bowlus Fine Arts Center, is sponsoring a letter-writing campaign to thank teachers for their dedication.
The effort is spurred by the Iola Reads book, “Take Me With You,” by Catherine Ryan Hyde.
The entire community is encouraged to read the book as well as submit letters expressing gratitude for teachers, present and past.
The Iola Register will publish the letters on March 8. Submit your letter telling of how a teacher impacted your life to promotions@iolaregister.com.
are invited to write a letter thanking an inspiring teacher and submit it to the Iola Register for publication in a special “Teachers” edition March 8. Copies of the book are available in yellow tubs at designated locations around town as well as the library.
Social distancing and masking will be in effect for group programs. For events that require registration, click the link on Facebook or the new website iolapubliclibrary.org, or call 620-365-3262.
