On the Same Page: Seed saving presentation, final week of summer reading challenges

It seems like yesterday that summer was beginning, but next week will mark the changing of the seasons at Reedsburg Public Library. On Aug. 19, the library will host a program on seed harvesting, and the RPL Summer Reading Challenges end on Saturday, Aug. 22. Library customers should note that the library will be closed on Tuesday, Aug. 18, for library staff inservice training.

All age groups are encouraged to report on their summer reading by the library’s close on Saturday, Aug. 22. The following week library staff will be drawing the names of grand prize winners in all reading categories; winners will be notified by phone. Youth Services Fall programming begins the week of Sept. 14.

As of our latest count on Aug. 4, over 430 youth and 240 adults have signed up for summer reading challenges. Library staff has been busy recording reading achievements, and distributing grand prize ticket entries, prize wheel souvenirs, and books throughout the summer. Special thanks are extended to this year’s summer reading prize contributors including: The Friends of the Reedsburg Public Library, Country Roots Corn Maze & Market, Reedsburg Area Flying Club, Main Street Books, RAMC Foundation, St. Peter’s Lutheran Church & School, Voyageur Inn, Reedsburg Utility Commission, Baraboo Area Senior Citizen Organization, Democratic Party of Sauk County, Habitat for Humanity, Nicole Bellock State Farm Insurance, Reedsburg State Bank and the Reedsburg Area Medical Center.

Master Gardener Doreen Hamburg of the Sauk County Master Gardeners Association will present the program Seed Saving at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 19. Hamburg will share the many reasons to save seeds, types of seeds to be aware of, and methods of harvesting and storing. There is no registration or fee required to attend this program.

Mark your calendars for Monday, Aug. 24, at 6 p.m. when Ho Chunk Elder Sherman Funmaker visits the library to talk about his new book, “Bear Tracks.” In verse, Funmaker, musician, designer and teacher, describes his life experiences growing up in an indigenous community, leaving, and returning several years later.

Looking ahead to next month, the Friends of the Reedsburg Public Library will have its fall book sale from Thursday, Sept. 10, through Sunday, Sept. 13, during library open hours. Several fiction and non-fiction selections that have been either weeded from the library collection, or donated by generous library customers, will be available. Friends volunteers will take donations for the sale on Tuesday, Sept. 8, through Wednesday, Sept. 9.

For questions about any library service or program, call the library at 608-768-READ (7323) or email info@reedsburglibrary.org.