National Library Week @ Both MRRL branches

We're celebrating National Library Week, April 19-25, 2026. And YOU'RE invited to join us in Jefferson City and Linn!  

In addition to our regular events....

At both our Cole and Osage county branches, the week features (all dates are 4/19-25 except where noted):

• Food for Fines (April 19-30) - Every non-perishable food item = $1 for overdue fines
  All food collected in Cole County will be donated to the Samaritan Center 
  All food collected in Osage County will be donated to the Good Shepherd Pantry
• Free replacement cards - Normally $1
• CHECKOUT CHALLENGE - Help us reach our goal of 10,000 checkouts during National Library Week, and both libraries will host a donut party for our patrons!
• Media contests and swag bag giveaways (April 20-21) 

Special National Library Week Events at the Cole County branch in Jefferson City:

• Scavenger Hunt upstairs! - Find a hidden piggy bank and earn a voucher for a goodie bag at Central Bank.
• National (Bookmobile) Outreach Day (WEDNESDAY)  - Join us for storytime from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Have children's photos taken in the driver's seat of the bookmobile and also with Bookmobile Driver Jon!
• Patron Appreciation Day in the Library Park (SATURDAY) - MRRL celebrates our patrons in a BIG way from 11-1 with a free hotdog lunch, big games, and musical accompaniment by Those Guys.
• Share your joy!- Contribute what brings you joy to our lobby display
• Cheep! We'll be hatching baby chicks this week in the Children's Department and also livestreaming them 24/7 

Special National Library Week Events at the Osage County branch in Linn:

• Popcorn for Patrons (MONDAY) - Pop into the Osage branch for free popcorn between 12-5:30 pm.
• Bookmobile Outreach Day (THURSDAY)  The library's Bookmobile will be parked outside the Barefoot Event Center from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. for Senior Connections. Everyone is invited to come out and bring home a selection of books, CDs, and DVDs and say hi to Bookmobile Driver Jon!
• Family Earth Day Celebration (FRIDAY) - Time to celebrate our Earth! Join us at the library from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm to play games, create crafts, and learn more about how to conserve energy to take care of our planet. The library is serving hotdogs, chips and drinks, MU Extension is bringing activities, and Osage 4-H groups will be available for hands-on activities.