The old cliché once again proves true, time certainly flies when you’re having fun! 2024 was a big year for the Dunklin County Library. We met goals, exceeded expectations, and started making plans for the year ahead.
The main purpose of a public library is to provide information and resources to patrons. The Dunklin County Library offers computer usage and printing, copying, fax services, study rooms, reading rooms, and reading material in eight different locations across our beautiful county. In the past year, computers have been upgraded, and they will continue to do so with state grants. Supporting lifelong literacy is always on our minds at the DCL.
Children are big business for the Dunklin County Library. The 2024 Summer Reading theme was “Adventure Begins At Your Library”! This past summer, children filled our locations. Our young readers checked out books while our librarians were hustling to return them to the shelves. With the support of Pizza Hut and the Book It! Program, each child received a personal pan pizza. Creating lifelong readers is one of our biggest goals at the DCL. With the Kindergarten Program in the spring, each child completing kindergarten in Dunklin County has a book placed in the library dedicated to him/her. Story Time is a monthly activity focusing on a fun read-aloud children’s book with games, treats, crafts, and more based on the book. Malden, Campbell, Kennett, and Senath are the locations for this rousing time.
In April, the DCL held a Book Sale. Tables were overflowing, and the floor held more books and boxes. Unopened boxes of paperback books were a hot item, and the community response was amazing. Patrons always astound me as to what they are seeking in a book sale. Some individuals want a certain author or they are collecting a book series. Cookbooks are quite popular as are westerns and children’s books.
The 2024 reading list of the Ennis Book Discussion is eclectic. Amor Towles’ The Lincoln Highway was the first selection, and they ended the year with The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods. In between, a memoir about life in a small town by a girl nicknamed, Zippy by Haven Kimmel, and the thriller, The Housemaid by Freida McFadden, provided much discussion at the end of each month. All of the monthly selections are good choices for anyone seeking something different to read.
This year, the DCL held more community events and even more are planned for the new year. From bug hunts to eclipse watching, local patrons learned about science and nature. The DCL provided safety solar eclipse glasses to state, county and city law officers, fire departments, and utility workers. People from as far away as southern Illinois needing eclipse glasses called the DCL! With community events throughout the
county, the DCL supported the public with goodie bags full of information, treats, and a little fun!
Looking to 2025, your Dunklin County Library has a slate of public programs to enrich your abilities, challenge your artistic endeavors, plant seeds in your mind and garden, and ease your future. You ask: so exactly what is going on? Follow the DCL on Facebook or Instagram or request the monthly newsletter! Most importantly, visit one of our eight locations to experience the friendly, informative environment of the Dunklin County Library.
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