Go to the Hutchinson Public Library

Hutchinson Public Library… it’s got to be one of the best around.  I’ve been a pretty “regular” visitor there for the last 9 years.  I have to admit I’ve always been a “reader” but that really was not what took me to the library 9 years ago. 

I was really into scrap booking and I had this precious 18 month old granddaughter who loved books, and we had this really cool library that would actually let little kids take books off the shelf, open them up, look at a few pages, put them in this huge animal box and get another more. In fact, get as many as they wanted – she was in heaven.  Then she’d find a special one and we’d sit down on the bench by the red fire truck and read till she toddled off to find another one.  Her brother was the same way and I WANTED PICTURES IN MY SCRAP BOOK OF THOSE GREAT MOMENTS!!  Well, that got them hooked and they’ve been going to the library regularly ever since and both love reading!

Today I went by myself for a couple of hours.  Time flew, and I was totally entertained.  I went for a very special event (see my article on “Pam Ponders”), but browsed the periodicals, checked through some great books. The local artwork was wonderful, and for a rainy day – well any day for that matter – you really can’t find a better way to relax and spend some time – (oh by the way, I have noticed that paperbacks are now up to $7.95 – that’s ridiculous – get a library card – they have a great little shop as you come in the door and you can buy books very cheap!)

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Users' Comments (17)

Posted by Jolene 07-14-2008 17:31, , Guest   Are you sure we're not related Pam? : )     I love, love, love the library. Loved Hutch's library when I lived there. Love the ones here now.     When Jacob (our son) was little, we always did the library events and the summer reading programs. Loved, loved, loved 'em. Met so many other great kids and moms.     Now that he's older he does the library on his own and mom gets to go by herself.     I just finished Patricia Cornwell's latest and have started Nevada Barr's "Winter Study". After that it's J.D. Robb's "Strangers in Death", a little book called "Crossing the Tracks for Love" about the hidden rules for different economic groups in the U.S. (which caught my interest because my hubby comes from a wealthy family and I come from the working poor). Then I have Iris Johansen, Linda Lael Miller and "Sing Me Back Home" by Dana Jennings in my to read this month pile.     I've always found librarians to be so cool. They know so many things and are so friendly. Always asking if this book or that book is good, Always making smiling recommendations in case you missed something.     I do so love the library.   » Reply to this comment...   Posted by Jolene 07-14-2008 17:37, , Guest   Pam,    My nephew Chris worked at the Hutch Public library for several years. For a year or so his ex-girlfriend worked there with him. Her name is Ashley.     Trying to put a time frame on it. Chris probably began working there in 2000 and quit around 2004. Ashley would have worked there around 2000.     Times flies but they have a 7 year old son together so that sounds about right.   » Reply to this comment...   Posted by Josie 07-14-2008 17:44, , Registered   Truly a great resource that many people in this modern age of technology forget about. If you are looking for a specific book you can even look it up online and reserve it - or recheck out your books! Love that!     My kids go at least once a week and Grandma enjoys taking them on weekends. I usually get the mad dash over lunch to pick up my latest musings. I just started reading an Iris Johansen so I hope it turns out well. My usual genre is Steven King and James Patterson. If you haven't read the Dark Tower Series by King I recommend you get started now. Best books I've ever, ever read. What a great story teller. My 7-year-old is reading chapter books and discovering they are better than movies. Glad she got my love of reading. Still working on the 4-year-old but she is coming around.     Jolene, I'm starting to wonder if we know each other as well. Or perhaps we did in another life... (wink)   » Reply to this comment...   Posted by Jolene 07-14-2008 18:01, , Guest   Pam,    I need to get back to Steven King. I limit myself to one of his books spaced between other books. I just can't read two in a row. Or rather I can but by then I'm completely, completely spooked out and I'm jumping at noises. He's soooo good.     My sister reads James Patterson but I just haven't worked him in yet. She also loves the Kellermans.     Which Iris are you reading? I read "Quicksand" and "Pandora's Daughter" last month. Now I've got "Stalemate". She's another author I've picked up fairly recently.     Chapter books are pure gold IMHO. I'm with your 7 year old. Your 4 year old will be the same way before you know it. The entire world just waiting for you to open the cover and explore it. It's so sweet.     I'm sure that's it Pam, another life. (wink).   » Reply to this comment...   Posted by patsyterrell 07-14-2008 18:06, , Registered   The library was one of the things I visited when I was decided whether or not to move here. I was quite impressed with it. We have a fantastic library. Also... if you don't have one... get a Kansas State Library Card. They're free and these little jewels get you online access to a world of goodies. You can register for one online I think, or just go to the reference desk at the library.   » Reply to this comment...   Posted by farmerrl 07-15-2008 01:18, , Registered   Hey the library is fun these days! They even have educational games for kids on the computers, story time for kids aged 3-8 this summer, craft days this month....go check it out. This summer's topic is bugs. Most kids like to at least look at bugs and name the roaches is a contest running this summer. I personally named them squash and splat but I don't think the names I picked will be chosen.   » Reply to this comment...   Posted by Pam Lyle 07-15-2008 06:14, , Guest   Thanks for all the comments. I have to add that I event took the time to go visit Mr. Ontjes or donated lots of money to the library (he has since deceased) to make it what it is today for children. I just felt after taking my grandchildren there, that I needed to thank him for what he did. He was amazing! He loved books and was such a generous man! I collect children's books and have close to 200 and from them from everywhere my husband and I have traveled. I, too, love to read also though and have read up to 5-6 books on a vacation! To me - that's a vacation!!! Have any of you had any experience with one of those techy book gadgets that you can download books - not an ipod but the newer things just for books? My husband has been wanting to get me one but not sure I could handle one.   » Reply to this comment...   Posted by Pam Lyle 07-15-2008 06:16, , Guest   Goodness - I have got to quit commenting so early in the AM or have to edit better when you're talking about the library - sorry about all the "oops" in the prior comment - will do better...   » Reply to this comment...   Posted by jadybug 07-15-2008 09:37, , Guest   Pam    I'm curious about the downloadable option too. Last time I went online to reserve a book, I noticed many of the books on cd had that option. Anyone know more?    If you spend long periods of time in your car, the books on cd are a godsend!     The library has a new drink policy too--coffee should make studying or researching go much easier!   » Reply to this comment...   Posted by mitchellhargrave 07-15-2008 10:33, , Registered   Pam,    You're talking about Amazon's Kindle.    http://www.amazon.com/Kindle- Amazons-Wireless-Reading- Device/dp/B000FI73MA    Sorry I can't make a link to it in here, but that'll take you there.    It's $359, and charges around $10/book. Considering that they're not even printed, that seems slightly steep.    I think it's super-cool technology, but I'll be waiting for someone else to make a cheaper option. You know it'll be happening soon.    Until then, I'm more than happy to stick with paperbacks and hardbacks. Besides, there's an aspect of having a tangible copy of the books I've read that I really like. It's kind of like a nerd trophy case.    Plus, they're a lot easier to force other people to read that way.    Re: Stephen King - He's the guy that got me interested in writing when I was like 8. Used to scare the crap out of me. I wanted to tackle the horror/thriller genre so bad, but realized early on that I just don't have the chops for it, so I switched to hacking away at comedy and paltry attempts at journalism.   » Reply to this comment...

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