With all the fun events that the Mary J Barnett Memorial Library schedules each month, it’s easy to forget the everyday services they can provide as well.

Library Director Jerri Hawkins says they have VOX books, which have an audio option that read the book to you as you turn the pages. She mentions they have anything from picture books up to beginner novels in these read-along books, so they are able to cover different reading levels.

Hawkins tells Raccoon Valley Radio that they also participate in a statewide program.

“So the Open Access Program allows you to enjoy the convenience of using a library where you work, where you shop, or where you vacation, with direct access to physical items such as books, magazines, music, movies. You can borrow them from another library, and return them to any participating library in Iowa.”

Hawkins explains this means that for Guthrie Center residents, they can borrow a book from another participating library in Iowa, and return it to Mary J Barnett, and they will be able to send it back to the library they checked it out from. She adds that Mary J Barnett also uses a reading application called Libby, that will let individuals with a library card check out books, magazines and other items online for free. Other services that the library provides according to Hawkins are their Tech Talk service, where they can help with smart devices, and the Iowa Library Adventure Pass, that allows patrons to get two adult and two children’s tickets to the Blank Park Zoo or the Science Center of Iowa for free once per year.