January 2, 2018 • Page 8 shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com Yankton Library Turning The Page: A Look Back At 2017 BY TONYA FERRELL Yankton Community Library In a few days we’ll be coming up on my one year anniversary as director of the Yankton Community Library … and what a year it’s been! It’s been a rewarding, challenging, exciting, fun year and I’m excited to see where the next one goes. Throughout the year, we’ve done a lot of things I’m proud of. First on the list is also the newest: eliminating overdue fines on books. It’s a big step in the right direction towards eliminating barriers to access. Another barrier we’ve worked through this year is starting a partnership with the Pathways Shelter for the Homeless to offer cards to their residents for the first time ever. It seems our theme this year was increasing accessibility as we also started offering cards to all members of nonresident and county households, rather than the entire household having to share one card, and we lowered the age of first library cards to birth rather than 3 years old. It’s also been a busy year at the library. We’ve hosted more than 400 programs so far this year with more than 6,000 attendees! Even though you hear them in this column each month, I’ll list some of our favorites: Seed Library classes, Oscars Weekend, local author talks, Teen Tech Tutors, Monthly Craft Nights, Story Time, After School Programs, Teen Events, Summer Reading Program, the Cemetery Walk, Historic Home Walking Tour, Veterans Day Living Library, Tolkien Week, Jane Austen Week, Batman Day and more! Evermore, libraries are bustling community spaces and I’m happy to say that the library team is always brainstorming on how programs can best serve our community. Circulation of library materials has been a success this year too. So far in 2017, patrons have checked out 131,498 items — not including our electronic offerings. That’s an average of 403 items going out our doors every single day, and an increase of 2.71 percent over 2016 circulation from the same period. All this is to say, don’t believe people when they tell you that libraries — or reading — are dying. In fact, a 2016 report from Pew Research tells us that nearly 50 percent of millennials (people aged 18-35) have visited a library in the previous year. We’ve done countless other things in 2017 that are impossible to measure and quantify in numbers or data, such as solidifying staff procedures, updating our policies, rearranging our spaces, and planning for the future. All of this, and more, will continue in 2018! Starting off in January, Story Time will return from its short break on the week of Jan. 8. Sessions are Monday at 5:30 p.m. and Tuesdays/Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. Stay & Play will also continue through the winter/spring at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesdays. For the afterschool crowd, we have the WiiU Gaming System each Friday at 3:30 p.m. We will also continue our Thursday after school programs with Craft Club on Jan. 4, LEGO Club on Jan. 11, Science Club on Jan. 18, and “Despicable Me 3” (PG) on Jan. 25. All Thursday programs begin at 3:45 p.m. The Friends of the Library will hold their monthly book sale on Jan. 6 from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Book sales are the first Saturday of each month. The Friends are always happy to accept donations of gently used books; no encyclopedias or textbooks, please. The Teen Advisory Board will be meeting on Jan. 8 at 7 p.m. for their monthly planning meeting. All teens are invited to participate in the January Teen Event on Saturday, Jan. 20, at 3 p.m. The activity will include several different types of painting. We’ll be having the Teen Tech Tutors in to help out anyone who needs instruction on a computer or technology issue. The Teens will be here from 1-3 p.m. on Jan. 20. Please call the library to sign up for one of our 30-minute sessions. Teen Tech Tutors is the third Saturday of each month during the school year. The Classic Movie Series will be back on Jan. 14 with a showing of “The Wizard of Oz” at 2 p.m. As always, participants are welcome to bring their own snacks. The Yankton Seed Library will be hosting classes again this month with the first session being on Jan. 9 at 1 p.m. The same class will take place again at 6:30 p.m. on the same day. New members and participants are always welcome. The Seed Library is also taking orders for their T-shirt fundraiser, with proceeds going to fund hands-on classes, supplies, and more. Stop by the library to place an order by Jan. 9. Our two book clubs will also be meeting in January. • Reader’s Anonymous meets the second Tuesday of each month at 1 p.m. This month they are meeting on Jan. 9 and will be discussing “Mink River” by Brian Doyle. • Between the Lines meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. This month they will be meeting on Jan. 23 and will be discussing “Before We Were Yours” by Lisa Wingate. Both clubs are open to new members; ask for details at the desk. If you’re interested in the future of the library, the Library Foundation will be hosting their annual meeting on Thursday, Jan. 18, at 5:30 p.m. New members are welcome! We will be collecting canned fruit from Jan. 1-10, with all donations going to the Contact Center. We will be closed on Jan. 1 in celebration of the New Year and on Jan. 15 for a staff in-service. You can contact the library at 605-668-5275 or email library@cityofyankton. org. Find us at http://library. cityofyankton.org. Register for Power of Women AgVocates by Jan. 5 BROOKINGS, S.D. - SDSU Extension will host the Power of Women as AgVocates Conference January 19-20, 2018 at the AmericInn Lodge & Suites, Fort Pierre (312 Island Dr). "This conference is designed for women to learn about the power of advocating for you, your family, business and industry," said Robin Salverson, SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist. "SDSU Extension is excited to bring three dynamic and engaging women from North Dakota to Fort Pierre to share their passion for advocating for agriculture." Sarah Wilson and Teresa Dvorak work with their husbands and children on their family farms while spreading the word of agriculture. Each have different backgrounds and a unique way of interacting with consumers. They will be sharing some of their experiences and knowledge to help more women have the courage to share their stories. Katie Pinke is a fifth generation farm girl who passionate about talking about agriculture, rural life and motherhood. As the publisher and general manager of Ag Week she has an opportunity to share the story of agriculture in not only her personal life, but also professional career. Vona Johnson is a certified life and health coach who is going to help us to get organized and stay on track so that we can reach our goals. These women will all provide great insight into how we can all be advocates for agriculture and how it doesn't have to look the same for everyone. Participants will leave with tips and ideas to start telling their story about the products we produce. The conference will provide women in agriculture with opportunities to network, learn and grow. Registration fee for this conference is $50. To register and for hotel information, visit the iGrow Events page. Registration deadline is January 5, 2018. Agenda Friday, January 19 5:30 p.m. Register at AmericInn Convention Center 6:30 p.m. Supper 7:30 p.m. Advocating for You Join this fun, interactive session by Vona Johnson so you get things done and enjoy life again. Saturday, January 20 8 a.m. Registration 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The State of the Union: learn the perceptions of agriculture and priorities to bridge the gap of misunderstanding from Sarah Wilson. Finding our CommonGround: Learn from Dvorak and Wilson about the approach they use to start the conversations about the food we produce with the people that consume our products. Industry Panel - How to Get Involved: Panelists include: Suzie Geppert, South Dakota Beef Industry Council; Silvia Christen, South Dakota Stockgrowers Assoc.; Colin Nachtigal, South Dakota Soybean Assoc. and a representative from the South Dakota Pork Producers. Debunking the Myths of Agriculture: How can we combat the myths of agriculture with facts? Hear from a rancher and the media about the methods they use to stay positive and credible in a world filled with myths. Accepting Interruptions: Even the most well-orchestrated plans aren't exempt from interruptions. Drawing upon personal trials and triumphs, Pinke will help attendees define their paths forward through life's pivotal moments and empower each to find their voice. Breakout Sessions Attendees will have the opportunity to attend one breakout session. Session 1 - Sharing the Local Ag Love. Gain ideas for agvocacy collaborations in your community. Everyone has circles of influence. Learn how to harness the power of yours. Session 2 - This one's for all the Farm Girls. Gain appreciation for each stage a farm girl must transition through in life to better understand how to be the best advocate for your family, the future and during family transitions. Session 3 - Developing relationships with local/ regional media. 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