From cicada seminars to foot care clinics, author talks to iJAG internships, it’s been an amazing year at the Garwin Public Library! Director Dani Dunning (top left photo, center back) pictured with GMG students on Hat Day during Read Across America Week (March 2-6, 2025). CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

GARWIN – Since the last library update over in Garwin, countless amazing happenings have taken place and it’s all thanks to the efforts of the Garwin Public Library staff, Garwin Library Foundation, and collaborations within the community. Many memories have been made, even more books have been checked out, and let us not fail to mention multiple levels of learning have been unlocked!

The library held Cicada seminars, soil painting camps, recycling lessons, welcomed worms, and talked about turtles – just to name a few of the events and activities hosted by Tama County Conservation and (former) naturalist Raina Genaw.

In the fall, GMG Schools graciously welcomed the library in hosting Wildthunder WARS at both the elementary and upper level buildings. Students were able to learn about care and conservation of many varieties of critters, see up close a handful of creatures including a possum, some snakes, and an owl, just to name a few. Opportunities to touch some of the animals were had by both school staff and students. Over 600 were in attendance between both presentations.

Library staff passed out candy at the GMG Trunk or Treat event – or wait, was that a zombie?!

GMG preschoolers later in the year enjoyed a special third annual field trip to the library and each checked out a book to take back to school.

Throughout the year, Cheryl Bruene with Tama County ISU Extension and Outreach hosted a variety of programs for patrons of all ages; attendance at her monthly Words on Wellness (WOW) were most noteworthy. Seed Starting and the Holiday Plant Care classes saw equal interest as well.

Tama County Public Health continues to host its Coffee Talks quarterly at the library while also offering Foot Care Clinics for residents in need of the service.

Iowa historian Brad Wilkening offered his expertise and knowledge of the Holocaust, while Iowa author Linda McCann spoke on Rosie the Riveters of Iowa. Each of these programs saw patrons in attendance traveling from over an hour away!

We held an Art Swap hosted by the Central Art Association, made chunky blankets and even learned to make homemade skin care products.

Mr. Sushi, the emotional support skunk from Pawsitive Vibes, greeted the community at the library this spring, while crochet classes were hosted by recent GMG graduates and food distributions were held over the holiday season.

Partnerships built with the AEA and iJAG (Iowa’s Jobs for America’s Graduates) brought students from GMG over to intern for a brief window. This offered the students a peek into the official side of running a library as well as real life experience to carry over into future job endeavors.

Library Director Dani Dunning attended the GMG High School job fair, read to elementary students during Read Across America Week, and hosted face painting during Garwin Freedom Days, just to name a few of her endeavors.

A new ramp was installed, beautification is happening to the lawn, and the front patio area was freshly cleaned of all the sludge under the tables.

The STEM cart was rolled out for loads of hands-on learning. Insect hotels were created, instruments donated by the AEA were played with, and the snails from last year returned bigger than ever! Librarian Dani must have been feeding them well…

Jenny Hulme and Hailey Princehouse with Tama County 4-H/ISU Extension and Outreach offered monthly programming during the school year on Wednesdays. The sessions were packed with learning, growing, and even riding a bicycle to blend smoothies?!? More programs than can be listed here have been demonstrated within the Garwin Library offerings.

Moving into the digital realm in the library world is no small task, but having a few sets of hands can make anything possible. Official start up of the new ILS (Integrated Library System) means Garwin patrons have access to browse the library collection right from their own devices. Text reminders to return items, easy renewal, and hold options are just a few benefits to patrons of the installation of this new system.

After a ludicrous amount of labels were printed and barcodes applied, the ILS system is now in use daily. Gratitude goes out to Jocelyn and Chloe, our library assistants, who worked diligently to make this change happen! New items are being added to the system weekly.

Further technology updates include three new computers and a new printer courtesy of grants received from the Tama County Community Foundation.

The Garwin Public Library now offers access to Bridges which hosts tens of thousands of materials, audios, e-books, and digital magazines. The library also now carries fun-shaped cake pans, a Toniesbox, a portable DVD player, and much much more.

Special thanks to the Hardy Reading Council for their $100 donation towards the upcoming 2025 summer reading program; to Mitchell Funeral Home; to the late, great Tia Hollatz for her generous support of all the after school and weekend opportunities for youth; and to those who donate items to “The Bin” – every little bit helps.

And finally, a sincere thank you to all who frequent the facility – this is your public library!