North Webster Library News
On Dec. 11, Indiana turns 196 years old. It was on that date in 1816 that Indiana became the 19th state of the Union with Jonathan Jennings serving as Indiana’s first governor.
You can learn more about Indiana and local history in the North Webster Public Library’s Local History and Genealogy Center where you will find an interesting collection of books, news articles, photographs, memorabilia, and other materials from the past. Books authored by Hoosiers as well as books written about famous and ordinary Hoosiers are included in the Center’s collection.
Family historians and genealogists will be interested in the center’s collection of local family histories, personal recollections, and diaries along with books and transcriptions of cemeteries in Kosciusko, Whitley and Elkhart counties and area Genealogy Society quarterlies.
In order to grow their collection and preserve local history, the NWPL is always interested in accepting donations of materials and memorabilia. Contact the center’s director, Beth Smith at (547) 834-7122 ext. 205, if you have an historical item to donate or are interested in volunteering.
While history buffs browse the Local History and Genealogy Center, teens will meet at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13, to discuss why and how certain books get banned from some libraries and schools around the country. Books get banned due to opinions on racial stereotyping, religious views, social mores, family values, and other reasons.
Teens are encouraged to read a so-called “banned” book, then meet on Dec. 13 to talk about the books they’ve read and the reasons why some groups think these books should be banished. The Youth Services Desk has a list of “banned” books that are available at the Library.
From now until Dec. 15, the NWPL is sponsoring its annual Food for Fines. For every non-perishable food item you bring in, one dollar will be taken off your fine. All food items will be donated to the North Webster Food Pantry.
Also ending on Dec. 15 are the Library’s Newsletter Title Contest and Mystery Marathon Reading Contest. If you have an idea for a new name for the Library’s newsletter, be sure to submit your idea before Dec. 15. Mystery Marathoners need to complete their entries by that date as well. Contest winners will be announced at the Library’s Cozy Christmas Celebration, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 20, and must be present to win.