Photo by Betty Dahms Pictured are retiring Gladbrook Public Library Director Karen Collins, left, and new Library Director Beth Wegner at the open house held on November 20 at the Public Library. Karen and her husband Phil Collins are retiring to Newton. Beth, husband Zac, and daughter Grace reside here. Beth grew up outside a very small town in Kansas on a farm. She has a love of horses and animals, enjoys spending time with family and friends, and of course has a love of reading whether its fiction or non-fiction. Beth says she would love to start story hour time again, maybe a craft hour and really try to have kids of all ages more active in the library whether it’s just checking out more books or enticing them with fun programs. Besides focusing on children she would also be open to any programming for adults. Beth is pumped and ready to start trying different and new things.

There will be a party on December 22, 2015 from 6-8 pm for kids age 4-12. Parents send your kiddos in for some snacks, movie, story time and games. Please sign the kids up by either by calling the library, stopping in at the library, or going to the Gladbrook Library Facebook page. Drop kids off and use this time to finish Christmas shopping, wrapping or even take a nap! Looking For Something New? Try some of these authors recommend by June K. June is a great patron to the library and has served on the library board for the past 4 years: JD Robb This is a celebrated author who is often compared to well-known writers such as Stephen King, Janet Evanovich, and Andrew Gross. A constant bestseller with her In Death series she writes a futuristic novel with a tough as nails heroine and of course a shadowy love interest. Fans of Nora Roberts take note as JD Robb is her pseudonym. Kat Martin The Raines of Wind Mountain series currently at the library is only the tip of the iceberg of this bestselling author’s list of titles. With over 15 million books in print she is sure to be a crowd pleaser to those book lovers whose interest is in historical and contemporary romance. James Patterson Let’s be real here-if you haven’t tried a James Patterson book you need to! Considered the “busiest man in publishing”, he not only caters to those who love thrillers he is successful as a bestselling author in Young Adult and middle grade books. Come in and check out our new book selections: Children’s: Red Truck by Kirsten Hamilton Confessions of a Former Bully by Beth Adams Duddle Duck by Karma Wilson Nearsighted Giraffe by A.H. Benjamin Featured Children’s Book Goodnight Selfie by Scott Menchin: The love of selfies is here in this book by Scott Menchin. With the invention of selfies and the selfie stick it’s no wonder that a book has been written about it. In this adorable book Menchin follows a little girl throughout the day with her cell phone in her hand and the need to let go of that technology at bedtime. Junior Fiction: Confectionately Yours by Lisa Papademetriou Extra Credit by Andrew Clements Non-Fiction: Killing Reagan by Bill O’Reilly Fiction: Hawk by Ronie Kendig Wyoming Rugged by Diana Palmer The Survivor by Vince Flynn The Crossing by Michael Connelly The Accidental Scot by Patience Griffen Precious Gifts by Danielle Steel Guilty by David Baldacci Featured Books in Fiction Ashley Bell by Dean Koontz: This book is hailed as the must read thriller of the year with excellent reviews. It is a richly layered story about a heroine who has been given one year to live. It’s here at the library now-be one of the first ones to check it out. Booty Bones by Carolyn Haines: A mystery and a little romance is tied together in this quirky fun book. Sarah Booth Haney and her fiancé head to an island for a little healing and relaxation. It doesn’t stay this way for long as Haines throws in a plot twist with a murder to add to an entertaining read. On December 4th the library received a memorial print titled “Learning Thru Love” from the class of 1976 in dedication to Kenneth and Beverly Clark, Alice Maassen; living memorial for Alma Gilchrist. Take a look at it in our Children’s section. Come in on the 23rd from 9-12 am to stock up on Christmas movies and books to get you through holidays until the library opens again on the 28th of December!