​Please join us in celebrating this amazing work of art! On June 29th from 5-7 you will have the opportunity to meet the talented folks from the Atchison Art Association who brought the Tree of Knowledge to life on the library steps. Inspired by Allison McFerrin and brought to life by Lorna Garrison, the mosaic was installed by a group of local volunteers. Public libraries are where knowledge and ideas are nurtured and developed. The underlying premise of the Tree of Knowledge is that what we read, think and say impacts our growth and the growth of those around us. We will begin our celebration with words from community members followed by the Ribbon Cutting at 5:30. The library courtyard will be filled with games, music and refreshments to be enjoyed for the remainder of the evening.

​Interested in art? And gardening? But can't find time for both? Why not combine them? That's what we'll be doing at Paint and Plant on Wednesday, June 20th at 12:30 for our next Kids Summer Reading Program! Kids who come to Paint and Plant will receive a small flower pot of their own to paint and decorate according to their own specifications, and then they'll be provided seeds and soil to plant their own flowers! This program is FREE and open to kids age 11 and under.

​Libraries Rock is the theme of Summer Reading 2018, and this doesn't just apply to music! Join us on Tuesday, June 19th at 12:30, when we'll be hosting Dr. Ryan Maderak, the curator of the Benedictine College rock and mineral collection. Dr. Maderak will present a program that will appeal to all ages, but specifically designed to appeal to young rock enthusiasts. So come on down and check out some cool rock samples, and learn how to rock out without ever turning on the stereo! This presentation is FREE and open to all ages.

​Everything is awesome at the Library on Wednesday, June 13 at 12:30 pm because we will be having a Lego Building Contest. Here's what you need to know about it:
-Legos will be provided by the Library. We have lots of Legos for contestants to use.
-Contestants will be given an assortment of Legos for each round of competition. Each round will have a different theme (buildings, vehicles, etc.) and a time limit. Judges will choose the best creation after each round.
-While only Library Legos will be allowed for in-house competition, we will have a special prize for creations you make at home. These can either be original creations or based on Lego designs.
-Ages 3-11 are eligible to participate. There is no charge for entry.
-Prizes will be awarded!

Did you know that there is a special prize given to the kid who reads the most minutes during our entire Summer Reading Program? That's right! All you have to is this: 
1. Read your 100 minutes and turn in your weekly reading slip so you can claim your weekly prize.
2. Then, if you plan to read more that week, ask us for some Bonus Super Reader slips. Keep track of how much you read and mark it down on the slips. (Each Bonus Super Reader slip has 60 minutes on it and you can have as many as you need.)
3. Turn in your slips as you go along all summer.
We'll tally everyone's minutes and award a special prize to whoever read the most at our Summer Reading Finale Party on July 29th at the Atchison Family YMCA/Cray Community Center.
We encourage every child in this competition, though it really doesn't matter if you win or lose. Every minute spent reading this summer is time well spent. However, if you're looking for a little extra motivation, here is the total minutes read by last year's winner:
                                                                              4100!!!!!
Over 68 hours, nearly 3 full days! Now that's some serious reading! And it was a close race too, so let's see if someone can top that this year! Maybe even lots of you can. All you need are some good stories to really suck you in, and we've got lots of them to choose from.
Summer Reading officially begins on Saturday, June 2nd at 11:00 am, at our Summer Reading Kickoff Party. So come on down for a great time and browse our shelves for the right book to kickstart your summer!

On June 12th at 6:00 McLouth quilter Patti Poe will share quilts she has made over the past 40 years-including the very first quilt she made in 1978, a baby quilt.  In 1986 she received an NEA apprenticeship grant and studied quilt making with Master Quilter Enola Gish.  Each of the 35 quilts she will share has a different pattern, from a different period, with very different fabrics and lots of techniques.  Hope to see you there. 

​Join us as we celebrate the start of Summer Reading 2018! The theme for Summer Reading 2018 is Libraries Rock, and we plan to prove it on Saturday, June 2nd at 11:00am! Sign up for Summer Reading (children and teens will receive a sign-up goodie bag) and then have a blast! We'll have refreshments, music, games, prizes, and a variety of activities for all to enjoy. And when you've tired yourself out from partying, check out some books to take home and get a start on Summer Reading. This event and the Summer Reading program are free and open to all ages. So make sure you save the date and join the Library for a rockin' good time!