STATE CENTER — Community has always been an important component of the Gutekunst Public Library’s success. From hosting book clubs, to guest speakers, activities for all ages (and being home to Rosie the cat), the library works to offer something for everyone. From noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, the public is invited to attend the Community Picnic on the Lawn, sponsored by the Friends of the Gutekunst Public Library. A free-will donation will get you lunch and games on the lawn.

The Marshall County Pork Producers will be serving up pork burgers, plus enjoy chips, sweet corn and all the fixings, watermelon and a cookie walk. Also during that time, you can shop the library’s bookstore, located in the on-site garage. There will be face painting by Roxanna Bodie, corn hole, bag races and more.

All proceeds will benefit the Friends group, which is in the process of obtaining an AWE Early Literacy Station for the library.

Library Director Mara Edler said the goal is to raise about $3,000. The AWE is a kid-friendly resource computer loaded with thousands of learning activities aimed at youth ages 2-8. A stand-alone computer not connected to the Internet, it is age-appropriate, interactive and designed to support school readiness and early education in a fun way.

While the Friends group formed back in 2019, COVID sidelined some of its efforts until more recent times.

“They are back in action and doing great things,” Edler said. “They have been a wonderful addition to the library. We’re super grateful.”

Brooke German, who serves as vice president of the Friends group, said its effort began with a book sale and blossomed from there.

She noted that in 2022, the Friends brought back the State Center citywide garage sales, with registration fees going to support its mission. It is involved with Watson’s Fall Festival and Christmas on Main, plus hosts a book sale during the Rose Festival.

It also paid to have five free little libraries installed throughout the area, intended to serve the smaller towns that don’t have libraries. In addition, the group sponsors monthly subscription book boxes, including Chatterboxes for kids, and PageTurners for adults. They are filled with books and/or movies personally selected for participants, plus snacks and goodies.

It will also host another book sale on September 16 at the garage.

Annual membership costs $20 per household or $10 individual.

The Friends board meets monthly and members are welcome to attend the annual meeting.

For updates on fundraisers and projects, visit its Facebook page: www.facebook.com/FriendsofGutekunstPublicLibrary. It may be reached at: friendsofgutekunst@gmail.com.

Other events at Gutekunst

Edler said the library received a grant from the Martha-Ellen Tye Foundation to bring in three guest speakers with ties to the Des Moines metro area to the library’s fireside room, through CultureALL, a non-profit based in Urbandale.

On Sept. 21 at 6:30 p.m., Bev Ellis will present “Europe and The Holocaust.” She will discuss her parents’ experience in a forced labor camp in Russia during World War II and the aftermath.

On Oct. 9 at 6:30 p.m., R.J. Hernandez, who is a musician, chef and entrepreneur, will bring “The Musical Tour of Mexico” to the library.

The final program at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 13 will be given by Eugene Fracek and entitled “Native American Stories and Lifestyles.” Fracek is a member of the Dakota Tribe and was born on the Rosebud Sioux reservation in South Dakota.

“We are constantly trying to raise awareness of the many different cultures in our community, in Central Iowa, and to have an educational opportunity for families and adults,” Edler said.

Learn more at: www.cultureall.org.

To get into the Halloween spirit, Edgar Allan Poe impersonator Darrin Crow will do a dramatic reading at 6:30 p.m. on October 19. Edler said this isn’t Crow’s first time entertaining audiences at the library, and he is always well received when he visits.

For a complete listing of library events, go to: www.statecenter.lib.ia.us.