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Dear Readers,
Every year the library provides an annual report to highlight the impact of our programs, services, and materials on the community. We are supported not only by our municipalities but also by our county. Sioux County funding from property taxes provides library access for all rural residents. What does that mean?
That means the farm kids and families get the same thing that town kids and families do; access to all the library has to offer! We offer programs, services, and materials for all ages. There are board books and picture books, easy readers and kids chapter books, Lego tables, creative play, puzzles, games, and toys! Our kids' programs span the spectrum from art, to zany and fun experiences.
We don’t leave the adults out on the farm, either. We have books, magazines, newspapers, puzzles, and games for them too! There are author talks, puzzle contests, and novel social events! And don’t forget we have public computers, printers, fax and scan services, proctoring, and meeting rooms for use for all your fun and business needs. And if you can’t get to the library, we have digital books and audiobooks to download, even when you are out on the back forty. Best of all, we have great people that love to work here and who are ready to serve you.
Kind regards, Lisa Johnson, MLIS
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FEATURED THIS MONTH:
Puzzling Entertainment | |
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Puzzles have made a big comeback in recent years and we’re happily joining the ranks of puzzle enthusiasts! Not only is puzzling a relaxing way to pass the time (especially during these winter months), but it also strengthens problem-solving skills, boosts focus, and keeps your mind sharp.
Whether you enjoy working alone or with others, we |
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have options for you. Stop in and spend some time at our community puzzle table near the study rooms, or check out a puzzle from our circulating collection located behind the adult fiction section. With puzzles ranging from 100 to 1,000 pieces, there’s something for every attention span and skill level.
Looking for a little friendly competition? Don’t miss our Pizza, Puzzles, & Pitchers event on March 20 at the Gezellig event center in downtown Orange City. Gather a team of four (choose wisely!) and compete |
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to be the first to finish a 500-piece puzzle, a large single-topping pizza, and a pitcher of pop or beer. The winning team earns bragging rights—and gift cards! Register your team by March 12 at orangecitylibrary.org. We hope to see you puzzling soon!
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BOOK TALK:
"Remarkably Bright Creatures" by Van Pelt | |
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This book is a perfect example of never judge a book by its cover. Working in the library, I've watched this title get checked out, returned, and immediately checked out again for months. That alone should have told me something — but I just couldn’t get past the big brown octopus on the cover. I’m glad I finally did.
This novel is about life, love, loss, and friendship — especially unexpected friendships: intergenerational, awkward, and even interspecies. It asks big questions: What do you do when you reach the later years of life and feel alone? What happens when you’ve been dealt a rough hand and |
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don’t know who to turn to? And then there’s Marcellus — an intelligent giant Pacific octopus living at the Sowell Bay Aquarium — who somehow becomes the heart of the story.
Marcellus narrates parts of the book, describing life in his tank and his friendship with Tova Sullivan, the aquarium’s night cleaner. Tova talks to the exhibits as she works, unaware that Marcellus understands every word — and eventually realizes more about her life than she expects. Marcellus, once free in the Pacific Ocean, brings both humor and surprising wisdom to the story.
Then there’s Cameron Cassmore, a 30-year-old drifting through life after being raised by his aunt since childhood. He doesn’t know who his father is, and his mother disappeared decades earlier. Struggling to hold a job and feeling stuck, Cameron hits rock bottom — until he stumbles on a clue that sends him to Sowell Bay, Washington.
It’s there that Tova, Marcellus, and Cameron’s stories beautifully intersect. Cameron learns what it means to grow up, take responsibility, and love. Tova finds connection and healing. And Marcellus, frankly, steals the show.
This book blends warmth, humor, mystery, and emotional depth while exploring loneliness, connection, and hope. For me, it was a refreshing change from my usual historical fiction and murder mysteries — and one that genuinely warmed my heart. Highly recommended. -Reviewed by Bill
*Remarkably Bright Creatures is going to premier on Netflix in May, so read the book and then watch the movie! |
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CHESS CLUB
Thursdays, January 22-March 26 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm |
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ALL AGES Whether you are a master or a beginner, whether 5 or 50, all are welcome at chess club! Join instructor Jake Peters every Thursday, where he will provide opportunities to play chess, offer individual and group coaching, and demonstrate the lessons and exercises he has developed throughout his years of coaching. If you want to learn, grow at, or simply play chess, please join us!
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ALL AGES Looking to feel more comfortable around dogs? Need a little extra love? Or do you just love dogs? Join us at our next dog therapy session, every second Monday of the month.
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PEEPS DIORAMAS
Supply Pick-Up: March 9-20, While Supplies Last Exhibition: March 23-April 4 |
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ALL AGES Get your creative juices flowing and adapt some Peeps into a unique diorama about a book! Pick up peeps between March 9 and 20, and then return your completed diorama to the library by March 21 to be included in our Diorama Exhibition! Interested in viewing the dioramas but don’t want to make one yourself? The exhibition will run from March 23-April 4.
*We will provide you with a box of 4 peeps, you’ll need to be creative and come up with the rest! |
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English Conversation Group for intermediate to advanced learners – meets on Monday evenings.
To sign up for the class, contact Anna. |
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Join us as we hear from K. Scott Culpepper as he shares about his new book, The Demonologist’s Daughters. Scott is an author, historian, and speaker creatively exploring the history and mystery of human experiences. He holds a Ph.D. from Baylor University and specializes in the history of the Atlantic World. He teaches courses in history and religious studies at Dordt.
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Come learn about cooking, and writing a cookbook! Oksana Baranovska is an Orange City resident with two degrees from Odesa National University, one in Food Engineering and one in Accounting, and has written two cookbooks. Her first published cookbook is called Mediterranean Diet Cookbook: 2000 Days Quick, Tasty & Nutritious Recipes for Beginners, and her second cookbook features recipes that can be made with an air fryer. She is also working on a healthy desserts cookbook.
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ART CLUB
Tuesday, March 17 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm |
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Art Club, overseen by artist April Benson from Orange City Arts, is a time and space where you can socialize with other artists while working on your current art work. There will also be opportunity to give and receive feedback on your current work in progress. Stop in with your current project and supplies and enjoy time with other artists.
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Join us for food, fun, and fizz at the Gezellig event center in downtown Orange City. The competition begins at 6:00 pm. Register your team of 4 to join in the fun and compete to win a gift card!
The first team to finish a large 1-topping pizza, a pitcher (of beer or pop), and a 500-piece puzzle wins. The cost is $100 per team of 4 people. There will be a cash bar available. *Registration Required by March 12. |
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Come learn about the benefits of gardening from local gardener John Buntsma! His goal in the presentation will be to enlarge the perspective on the value of gardening. We all know the value of the produce and the taste benefits of home-grown vegetables. Together, we will look at the physical, mental, and spiritual therapeutic values involved in gardening. He will also touch on the environmental benefits of home gardening. John’s hope is that we can have a dialogue about gardening. Everyone is welcome to learn from and about gardening!
*Registration Required |
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This story time is geared for babies, toddlers, and caregivers. We begin our time together with sensory play and then move into songs and stories. This season's book is "Peek-A-Boo Zoo."
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Join us for this season’s Story Time with books, songs, crafts, and more! This season, we will be focusing on the themes of Community and Friendship.
On March 19 we'll meet at the Dutch American Heritage Museum for a special story time. |
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LEGO CLUB
Fridays, March 6, March 27 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm |
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KINDERGARTEN-GRADE 4 Calling all young builders and creative minds! Join us for our Early Out Lego program. This fun and engaging program is designed for kids grades K-4 to explore their creativity, develop problem-solving skills, and have a blast building with LEGO bricks.
*Registration Required for Each Date. |
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DOMINOES
Friday, March 13 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm |
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KINDERGARTEN-GRADE 4 Get ready to set up, and then knock down, some crazy domino chains! Each session, we will be learning a new strategy for setting up more complex domino structures, and after setting them up, we get to knock them all down!
*Registration Required. |
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GRADES 5-12 Join us for an afternoon of crafting, snacks, and socializing. Each date will be a different craft.
*Registration Required. |
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Ever wondered what goes into museums and museum exhibits? Now is your chance to find out from local Public Historian Abby Sitzmann! Join us for a preschool story time at the Dutch American Heritage Museum to learn about how they evaluate their exhibits, and read some fun museum books!
*Registration Required. |
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GRADES 3-6 Join us for some STEM time at the library! Each session, children will be guided in creating something out of the materials from our STEM Maker Space. Some of the sessions will be assembly and engineering, some will be circuitry and electricity, and some will be open for the kids to experiment!
*Registration Required. |
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READ FOR MARCH:
National Women's History Month | |
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