Holiday Tidings from the Library

Library Pick-up Service

The Library is currently limited to curbside pickup only. Although the building is closed to patrons, we will bring your library checkouts to you in the library parking lot. Visit our website for more detailed instructions https://lmlibrary.org/library-pick-up-service

How it works
Log in to catalog.lmlibrary.org to find items you want to checkout. 

Once you are logged in, you can search for and place holds on items you want. Call 620-626-0180 or email circdesk@lmlibrary.org if you have any questions and a staff member will be happy to help. 

Schedule your appointment

Once you have placed your holds, a staff member will pull the items that you placed on hold and get them ready for pick up. They will then call you and set up a convenient time for you to pick them up.

When you pick up your items – stay in your car, park in the parking lot near the front doors, and call the library to let us know that you’ve arrived. A staff member will bring your items to you in a plastic bag. 

Returning Library Items
We ask that all returning items be put in the book drop. All returning items will be put into quarantine for a time before they are made available for checkout again.

Holiday Reading

Here are a few new Christmas themed books to get you in the holiday spirit. See more Christmas books featured in our catalog at catalog.lmlibrary.org.

Twelve dates of Christmas

The twelve dates of Christmas
by Jenny Bayliss

From the book description
When it comes to relationships, thirty-four-year-old Kate Turner is ready to say “Bah, humbug.” The sleepy town of Blexford, England, isn’t exactly brimming with prospects, and anyway, Kate’s found fulfillment in her career as a designer, and in her delicious side job baking for her old friend Matt’s neighborhood café. But then her best friend signs her up for a dating agency that promises to help singles find love before the holidays. Twenty-three days until Christmas. Twelve dates with twelve different men. The odds must finally be in her favor . . . right?

Yet with each new date more disastrous than the one before–and the whole town keeping tabs on her misadventures–Kate must remind herself that sometimes love, like mistletoe, shows up where it’s least expected. And maybe, just maybe, it’s been right under her nose all along. . . .

Christmas cupcake murder

Christmas cupcake murder
by Joanne Fluke

Featuring over a dozen cookie and dessert recipes from The Cookie Jar—Hannah Swensen’s famous bakery, this festive new Christmas mystery from the Queen of Culinary Cozies is just the holiday treat you need this season!

While Hannah speeds through a lengthy holiday checklist, drama in town grows like Santa’s waistline on Christmas Eve. Her sister Andrea wants to stave off the blues by helping out at The Cookie Jar, Michelle’s love life is becoming complicated, Lisa needs Hannah’s advice, and Delores has a Christmas secret she’s not willing to share. But nothing dampens the holiday mood more than the chilling mystery surrounding the man found near death in an abandoned storefront two doors down from Hannah’s bakery . . .

The befuddled John Doe can’t recall a thing about himself—except for his unusual knowledge of restoring antique furniture. With a smattering of clues and barely enough time to frost Christmas cookies, Hannah must solve a deadly puzzle that could leave her dashing through the snow for her life!

Silent Bite

Silent bite
by David Rosenfelt

From the book description
Andy Carpenter and his golden retriever, Tara, are finding that all is not calm or bright in Silent Bite, the latest Christmas mystery in this heartwarming series from bestselling author David Rosenfelt.

Lawyer Andy Carpenter can finally take a breath; he’s back on dry land after a family Caribbean cruise forced on him by his wife, Laurie, to get into the Christmas spirit. Of course the family’s first stop is to the Tara Foundation, the dog rescue organization that has always been Andy’s true passion.

But when Andy arrives, his partner, Willie Miller, needs his help. Willie’s old cellmate, Tony Birch, has been arrested for murder. Andy doesn’t necessarily believe in Tony, but Willie does. And Andy believes in Willie, which is why Andy decides to take the case.

Once again David Rosenfelt puts readers in the Christmas spirit in a tale that is equal parts mystery and holiday cheer.

Closed for Christmas Holiday

Wishing all of you a merry and safe Christmas holiday from the Liberal Memorial Library family to yours.  In celebration of the holiday, we will be closed on December 24th and 25th. 

Online Library and Lunch

library and lunch January 2021

On Tuesday, January 12th at Noon, our book club will meet online to discuss “The Henna Artist” by Alka Joshi.

Programs Coming Soon

Teen Virtual Club – Teens are invited to join us on Zoom every Wednesday at 4 pm to have discussions and play games. Visit our website at lmlibrary.org to sign up and gain access to our zoom room.

Winter Reading – We will have a Winter Reading Challenge similar to our Summer Reading program earlier this year. It will be held entirely online using the Beanstack website and mobile app – Google Play or Apple App Store. Watch our website for more information about this upcoming program.

Holiday Events at the Library

Events This Week

joy christmas ornament
  • Tuesday at 11 am Preschool Storytime – We’ll have stories, songs, crafts, and more! Plus, every child gets a free book to take home at every storytime.
  • Tuesday at 5 pm Library Closing Early – The library will close at 5 pm for a Staff Appreciation Dinner on Tuesday, December 17th. We will reopen for normal hours on Wednesday, December 18th at 9 a.m.
  • Wednesday at 11 am Lapsit Storytime – Storytimes for newborns to 2 year olds. Come listen to stories, sing songs, and develop key literacy skills. Also, every child gets a free book to take home!
  • Wednesday at 2 pm Spinning Yarns group – Hang out with other adults who share your interest in crochet, knitting, or other needlework. Bring your own materials. All are welcome.
  • Thursday at 5:30 pm Storytime – Evening Storytime is open to all ages. We’ll have stories, songs, crafts, and more! Plus, every child gets a free book to take home at every storytime.
  • Thursday at 6 pm Movie Time – Watch a fun new movie at the library. After discovering a Yeti on the roof of her apartment building, teenage Yi and her two friends embark on an epic quest to reunite the magical creature with his family. We’ll provide popcorn and drinks or you can bring your own drinks.
Ugly Christmas Sweater Party
  • Friday at Noon Ugly Sweater Party – Wear an ugly Christmas sweater for this fun party for adults! Participate in a White Elephant gift exchange (bring a gift costing $10 or less), play games, and eat snacks. Adults only. Seating is limited. Sign up online at lmlibrary.org or at the front desk.
  • Saturday at 1 pm Last Minute Make & Take Holiday Gifts – Don’t know what to get your friends or family this holiday season? On Saturday, December 21st from 1 to 3 pm, join us to make something with your own hands that they are sure to enjoy! We will have several different craft gift options to choose from, you are welcome to make one or make them all. This event is free but supplies will be limited.

More Events

Food for Fines

Food for Fines is still going on until the end of the year. Donate canned vegetables, any nonperishable food items, new toiletries (toothpaste, soap, toilet paper, etc.), or socks to the library and we will waive your overdue fines! All donated items will be given to local charities. (No expired or used donations, please.) Donate to a worthy cause and get your overdue fines forgiven.

This works for overdue fines only, fines for lost or damaged items will not be waived.

Video & Board Game Day

Kids out for Christmas break? On Monday, December 23rd between 1 and 4 pm, come on down to play video and board games at the library! We have all kinds of games that will keep them entertained.

Closed for Christmas Holiday

The library will be closed for the Christmas holiday on Tuesday, December 24th through Thursday the 26th. We will reopen for normal hours on Friday the 27th from 9:00 a.m.to 6:00 p.m.

Bad Art Kids Craft

bad art kids craft

Kids, are you bad at art, but love to do it anyway? On Friday, December 27th at 2 pm, come to Bad Art: Kids Edition, where the worst art is the best! We will be making art out of leftover craft supplies.

Indoor Snowball Fight

Kids & teens don’t be bored at home, come to the library and join in on our indoor snowball fight! On Monday, December 30th at 1 pm, we will be crafting our own marshmallow shooters and will have a “snowball” fight with them.

Noon Year’s Eve Party

Noon Year's Eve

Starting at 10:30 am on Tuesday, December 31st, we’re counting down to Noon for our Noon Year’s Eve party. Kids can celebrate of the coming New Year with fun and games without having to stay up until midnight!

Library Closed for New Year’s Eve and Day

The library will close at 1 pm on Tuesday, December 31st and will be closed on Wednesday, January 1st for New Year’s Day. We will reopen for normal hours on Thursday the 2nd from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Beginner’s 3D Printing Workshop

Do you have questions about 3D printing? Come to our beginner’s workshop to learn how to use the library’s 3D printer.

On Monday, January 6th at 6 p.m., we will walk through the process of finding a print-ready file online that you can print as is or alter to fit your needs. The workshop is held every 1st Monday of the month at 6 p.m. All ages welcome. Signup online (http://lmlibrary.org) or at the front desk.

Spinning Yarns

On Wednesday, January 8th from 2 to 4 pm – join our Spinning Yarns group and spend time with other adults who share your interest in crochet, knitting, or other needlework! Bring your own materials and work on your ongoing projects. Beginners to experts, are all welcome.

Library and Lunch book discussion

Library and Lunch January 2020

In January, we will discuss “The Mother-in-Law” by Sally Hepworth. We’ll meet on Tuesday, January 14th at 12 p.m. Bring your lunch and join the discussion.

Unusual holidays and interesting cookbooks

When I looked to see what sort of things were going on today, July 27th, I found all kinds of interesting and unusual holidays. Today is officially regarded to be Bugs bunny’s birthday. In 1940 the wascally wabbit debuted in Tex Avery’s A Wild Hare.

Today is also Parents’ Day, a day set aside to promote responsible parenting and to recognize positive parental role models. It is celebrated on the fourth Sunday of July each year.

It is Aunties Day, a day honoring Aunts and Godmothers; Take Your Houseplant for a Walk Day; and Walk on Stilts Day (hopefully not while carrying your houseplant).

It also happens to be National Crème Brûlée Day. Although there does seem to be some confusion as to whether it falls on the 21st or 27th. Well, for our purposes we’ll say it’s the 27th.

In honor of National Crème Brûlée Day, I thought we might focus this column on some of the newest and more unusual cookbooks available for checkout.

Guy on Fire: 130 recipes for adventures in outdoor cooking
by Guy Fieri, with Ann Volkwein

This is the perfect time of year to explore outdoor cooking. Guy Fieri, of Food Network fame, introduces us to the equipment and rules of barbecue as well as some very interesting recipes (charred octopus and white bean salad anyone?) Some of the recipes included in this book might be a bit ambitious for the average camper, but I thought the baked ziti and the pineapple upside-down cake with rum blueberries might be worth a trying out.

Salad samurai : 100 cutting-edge, ultra-hearty, easy-to-make salads you don’t have to be vegan to love
by Terry Hope Romero

Salad Samurai ( I just really like the name), according to the book cover will “teach you the way of the veggie warrior, rescuing salads from their bland, boring reputation and ‘side’ status“. The author, Terry Hope Romero, is an award-winning chef and bestselling author. There are salad dressing recipes, hearty salads, seasonal salads, and even sweet and savory desert salads. So if you’re thinking vegan or just looking to find a really good new salad recipe, give this book a chance.

The can’t cook book : 100+ recipes for the absolutely terrified!
by Jessica Seinfeld

I’d like to mention The can’t cook book even though it’s checked out right now and I haven’t had a chance to get a good look at it. According to the description it will “show you how to prepare the deliciously simple food you love to order in restaurants…in easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions”. I think this cook book sounds like it’s more my speed.

This is the author’s second book. Her first book, Deceptively Delicious, was a #1 New York Times bestseller. If the author’s name sounds a bit familiar, it’s because her husband is Jerry Seinfeld. Yes, that Jerry Seinfeld.

Keep cookin’ cowgirl : more recipes for your home on the range
by Jill Charlotte Stanford

“Cowgirls have always known that what makes people happy is good food, prepared simply.” This book is filled with simple dishes that will stick to your ribs plus black and white photos and anecdotes of cowgirls past. These recipes are suitable for Sunday dinners with the family or for out on the range.

The author has written several other books including The Cowgirl’s Cookbook andYou Might Be a Cowgirl If…A Guide To Life on the Range.

The dairy-free kitchen : 100 recipes for all the creamy foods you love–without lactose, casein, or dairy
by Ashley Adams

This book actually does have a recipe for crème brûlée in it!

Ashley Adams has a blog on About.com called Dairy Free Cooking. She discovered, like many people, that she has a food allergy to dairy. She has since mastered the techniques of dairy-free substitutions in cooking and baking recipes.

The Dairy-Free Kitchen includes tips on how to avoid buying hidden dairy and finding nondairy calcium sources – including spinach, almonds, and sesame seeds among others. There is even a chapter on making dairy-free milks, butter, cheeses and yogurts. Now, I don’t think I would ever go so far as to make my own milk or cheese, but some of the recipes are interesting and don’t look too complicated. The last chapter is devoted to recipes just for kids, traditional family staples with a dairy-free twist.

These are just a few of the cookbooks currently available. Visit us at the library and see a display of all our newest cookbooks. As always, all of the books on display are available for checkout.