Blog Entries

Did you know that Aging Best now has a Mobile Senior Center? Aging Best on the M.O.V.E. offers a plethora of services to our seniors in 19 different counties in Missouri. One of my favorite services is an affordable meal for community members that is served fresh from the Mobile Senior Center!

February 14th is Library Lovers’ Day, and here at Missouri River Regional Library, we are lucky to have so many amazing supporters of what we do. If you are one of those awesome Library Lovers, you probably want to express your undying devotion to us (we know, we think we’re pretty great too). Maybe you’re planning on standing in our park area with your boombox blasting “In Your Eyes” by Peter Gabriel, or doing a choreographed dance with a lift. While those are both great ideas, they might be a little disruptive to other patrons.

Last year I wrote a blog titled, “Donating? Remember, We Take *Almost* Everything…” 

To recap, it is a post with a humorous reminder (that was the intent, at least) about donating to our pop-up and major books sales. Using the adage, “If you wouldn’t want it on your shelf, then neither will our book sale shoppers,” we showed examples of exactly what is NOT wanted.

If you are an avid Hoopla user you might have experienced some difficulties in the past few weeks. Attempting to check something out has probably resulted in the following message:

Many of you have called the library wondering what is going on. Be assured that there is nothing wrong with your account if you are getting this message. It is definitely a library wide problem. 

Book banning has been at an all time high the last four years. Each year, the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom reports higher and higher numbers of unique titles being challenged in public, academic, and school libraries. In 2023, over 4,000 books were challenged across the United States, with over 100 of those challenges coming from Missouri.

For many, the word “library” is synonymous with the word “books.” But if you’ve set foot in a public library recently, you know that libraries are much more than book warehouses. They’re bustling community centers that offer many different forms of entertainment and education, and our computer classes are no exception.

What’s Red, White, and 1’s and 0’s All Over?

The publishing industry is continually changing. You have no doubt noticed that many newspapers are now smaller, with others shuttering entirely. Many magazines have transformed from print-only to become digital or use a print-digital hybrid format.That changes how our library serves you as well. Over the past year, we have consolidated the number of newspapers and magazines we carry, but still offer several dozen with back issues available. Patrons can browse these at either branch.

Maybe you know the oldies enough to remember the song “A” You’re Adorable, popularized back in the late 1940’s by Perry Como and the Fontaine Sisters. 

I don’t know if “adorable” is the right word, but it certainly is nice to discover a new author, or perhaps a previously unknown short story by a favorite author. 

Many patrons love our Preschool and STEAM kits. They are perfect for grandparents wanting to entertain their grandkids during a weekend stay, homeschooled families who need hands-on learning tools, and parents who don’t want to spend money on toys that will be played with once or twice, only to be forgotten in the toy box until garage sale season. Whether you are a regular kit checker-outer or you are considering checking one out for the first time, here is everything you want to know (and maybe some things you don’t) about our kits.

We're excited to share the fantastic news that "The Collectors: Stories," edited by A.S. King and written by the author along with nine other talented writers, and published by Dutton, an imprint of Penguin Random House, has clinched the prestigious 2024 Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature!

A huge congratulations to the entire team behind this collection of stories that has captured the hearts of readers everywhere.

What should you do if you damage a library book? Nothing, almost! Your options of what to do with a damaged library book really depend on what kind of damage it is. Most minor damage can be dealt with easily and painlessly with no cost to you, the patron. We are most forgiving when it comes to little things that we can repair.

Madeline Matson has been chosen as the 2023 Most Impactful Staff Member from City Magazine. The Impact Awards are an opportunity to recognize the people that make an impact in Jefferson City. Awardees are nominated by the public and recognized in City Magazine.  Madeline has worked at Missouri River Regional Library for almost 16 years, and in that time she has made a huge impact on the community.

We have thoroughly enjoyed getting out in the community to share information about Proposition Library! At each meeting, there have been similar questions asked and we thought you might have the same questions, so we wanted to share the answers. As more questions pop up, we'll be adding to this list. 

How long will the library be closed and where will you go?

On June 29th, members of the community had the opportunity to learn more about the library's expansion plans. Director Claudia Young and Assistant Director Natalie Newville shared about library resources and the upcoming Proposition Library ballot initiative. Dan Maginn, Harison Pitchford, and Jack LaFontaine from Dake Wells Architecture shared about the building design and the process that went into the plan.

Watch the replay.

Important Dates for the August 8th Special Election.

Library Director Claudia Young is a 2023 Women of Achievement Nominee, sponsored by the Zonta Club of Jefferson City Foundation. At the annual Women of Achievement “Yellow Rose Luncheon,” Zonta awards and acknowledges the accomplishments of ten to fifteen outstanding women from the Jefferson City area, nominated by individuals from the community and the Zonta Club membership. These women meet the criteria of being noted for their exceptional achievements in their chosen field or as a volunteer working to improve the community.