The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

Big Sandy’s Friends of the Library met at the library on October 28, 2022, primarily to discuss our plans for the upcoming Christmas Stroll. As has been the practice for past Strolls, the library will be open Saturday, December 3, from 10 A.M. to 2 P.M. Darlene and Rachel will have fun activities for the youngsters, and the Friends will be providing hot cider, coffee, and tasty treats! Once again, we will have several basket raffles with many cool gifts to keep or to give. Also, we will be adding a Silent Auction of some special items. If you like “Depression Glass,” you will definitely want to see the display. Darlene will have a punch card for those who do the “County-wide Hop and Shop” and visit two out of the three county libraries that day. Lots of ways to end up with prizes!

October has been a busy month for our library, especially with the big crowd of students coming for the “After-school Hangout” where they can get homework help, have a snack, read a book or magazine, play the piano, use the computers (which are currently being upgraded with Microsoft Word; Cyberian has already been installed, and users have a 30-minute time allotment), or just relax until closing time. These kids have helped Darlene and Rachel make all kinds of darling decorations that have the library looking “spooktacular!”

Janell Barber has done presentations on the proper procedures for home canning, as well as a demonstration on beginning sewing. More activities on that order are planned for the winter months. If you have an idea that you would like to see the Extension Service discuss, please let Darlene know.

The Chouteau County Library Board held its monthly meeting October 26, at the Big Sandy library. There has been discussion of increasing our local library’s hours, hiring Rachel Baumgarn as a full-time librarian’s assistant. Darlene and Rachel will have a survey for patrons to fill out, indicating your preferred changes to our schedule.

Most importantly, our library needs a reliable substitute librarian for those occasions when both Darlene and Rachel are unavailable. If interested, please come in and inquire. You must be at least 18 years of age. This could be a wonderful way to help within your community. Please consider it.