AUGUST 2025 | LIBRARY NEWS

NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR
This has been one fast summer! I can’t believe our Summer Reading Program is coming to an end-we have had such a great program this year! A special thank you to our amazing staff this summer, especially Kristen and Kaylee, for planning an amazing program this year!
 
Don’t forget to turn in your final reading trackers and gear up for our Finale Party for qualifying kids at Power Up Arcade on August 4th. A big Thank You to the Sedalia Public Library Foundation for funding this party-we appreciate you.
 
Children’s department will take a well-deserved break from normal programming in August, but we’ll be back to normal right after Labor Day. Before you know it, we’ll be planning the Summer Reading Program for 2026-the theme is “Unearth a Story”, which focuses on Dinosaurs, Archaeology, and Paleontology. If you have an idea for a program or presenter, we’d love to hear your ideas!
 
Here are some library services & programs to check out this month:
• As the school year starts again, don’t forget we have Teacher Cards available for teachers in Pettis County. We want to support you in your classroom-please stop by to get signed up and if we can help you locate needed materials, please let us know. This card is free.
• A new feature on our website is our online reservation calendar to reserve a meeting room. Just fill out the needed information to reserve a room and we’ll confirm your reservation-easy!
• Learn all about the graphic design platform Canva. On Aug. 16, we are offering a class to get you started using Canva. There is a free version with some great options that are super easy to use. Join us as we teach you some tips and tricks to get the most out of this platform.
• Horizontal book displays-you may see some books displayed Horizontally throughout the library. Tall books that don’t fit on our bookshelves well have prompted us to try this out, so patrons can still see the spine of the book! We have started with the books in the New Section (main floor, behind the circulation desk)-stop in and see how it looks.
 
I listened to a great book this month that you should definitely check out, especially if you or someone you love deals with chronic disease (or wants to prevent it):
Lies I Taught in Medical School, by Dr. Robert Lufkin
 Additionally, I recommend (again) Good Energy, by Dr. Casey Means
 
Happy Reading-
Jamie Sparks, Director

Wrapping Up Summer Reading 2025
We want to extend a big THANK YOU to all who participated in our Summer Reading Program this year! Whether you attended an event, turned in a reading log, or offered praise for our themed decorations—you helped make this year's program a great one for us all!
Missed out on the fun altogether? Don't fret—we're ready to Unearth a Story with everyone next year!

Readers Ready!
We're celebrating your dedication to reading this summer in style with our two End of Summer Reading Parties!
 
Power Up! Arcade
Monday, August 4
5:00–7:00 PM – Ages 7 and under
7:00–9:00 PM – Ages 8 and up
For qualified participants.
Click here for details
Paint & Sip at The Local Tap
Sunday, August 10
2PM–3PM
For qualified participants.
Click here for details

UPCOMING ADULT EVENTS
Book Club
This month's pick: Bookish People by Susan Coll
Dicussions are open to all who've read the book!
Monday the 11th at 5:30pm
Tuesday the 12th at 2pm
Design Made Easy 
An introduction to Canva—the popular (and free!) graphic design tool—for everyone. This presentation is free and open to the public.
 
 
Create and Connect 
Join us on the 4th Monday of the month at 5:30pm for a fun, free, guided craft.
This month's craft: Stenciled Honey Bee tea towels.
 
 
Questions? Contact our Adult Services and Outreach Librarian, Kaylee.

LET'S SWAP!
School Supply Swap 
Have a surplus of unused school or office supplies? Bring them in to the swap table to trade for something you need!
Participate in our school supply swap all month long.

RESERVE WITH EASE
Our new reservation calendars make it easy to reserve a meeting room for your group's use! View available dates and times and make your reservation request all online—to further streamline your reservation process, make sure to review our room usage policy prior to submitting your application. Click the button below to be taken to our meeting room reservation page.

THIRD SATURDAY
Build and Play
Our regular Children's Programs may be paused this month, but don't forget about our Third Saturday fun! Drop in anytime during library hours for a casual day of creativity and fun! Kids are invited to explore, build, and play with a variety of materials including LEGOs, blocks, and more. This self-guided, come-and-go event encourages open-ended play and imaginative construction. No registration required—just bring your curiosity!
STAFF PICKS
Books to read during this back-to-school season
 
The art of fielding [electronic resource] : a novel
by Chad Harbach

A baseball star at a small college near Lake Michigan launches a routine throw that goes disastrously off course and inadvertently changes the lives of five people, including the college president, a gay teammate and the president's daughter.
Girls with bright futures : a novel
by Tracy Dobmeier

Locked in competition for a single admittance into Stanford, the mothers of three prep-school students confront their worst nightmares and doubts about each other's true characters when their daughter applicants are violently targeted.
The schoolhouse
by Sophie Ward

When recent events bring back the trauma of what happened years ago, Isobel, once a pupil at an experimental school—The Schoolhouse, a place of freedom, adventure, violence and fear where she learned some truths should never be revealed, must face her past to protect those she loves.

JOB OPENING
 
Love books and serving your community?
Join our team! We have a position open for a new Library Clerk—click here to check out the details, then submit your application online or in person at the library.
Don't delay! Applications will be accepted until August 15th

BOOK DISPLAYS TO SEE
National Dog Month

Have a howling good time with a book featuring one of humanity's best furry friends!
MO State Fair & Local History

This State Fair season, celebrate what makes Sedalia and Missouri great with one of these hand-selected reads.

HOLIDAY CLOSURES
Sunday, August 31st & Monday September 1st
 

Sedalia Public Library
311 W. 3rd Street, Sedalia, Missouri 65301
660-826-1314
https://www.sedalialibrary.com/