JKPL to mark 24th year with slew of activities

The community is invited to celebrate the 24th anniversary of the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library on Dec. 19, from 9am to 4pm.

Several events have been planned throughout the month of December, including raffle ticket giveaways, a Christmas decoration contest, local author presentations, volunteer community presentations, Saturday read-louds, Motheread Fatheread classes adult courses and a children’s story exploring class, and a Free Fitness Half-Hour.

The fitness class features the popular 21 Day Fix Program on select days (Dec. 15, 17, 22, 24, 29, and 31 from 5:15pm to 5:45pm). Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable workout clothing, proper shoes, and bring a small towel and bottled water.

The Motheread Fatheread adult course and children’s Story Exploring Class will be held at the Children of Our Homeland Library on Dec. 14 and 28 from 5pm to 6pm for the month of December.  The classes run every Monday and will continue through the end of January 2016.

On Dec. 16, Pacifica Insurance will be hosting a Christmas craft activity in the Children of Our Homeland Library from 3pm to 3:30pm. The craft will feature festive friendship bracelets.

Also on Dec. 16, Mami Ikeda and the team from CNMI C.O.R.E. is scheduled to present from 5pm to 5:30pm in the main lobby of the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library. This will be an informational session. Come learn about volunteer opportunities and experiences in the field of disaster recovery in post-Soudelor Saipan.

On Dec., 18, Keith Murdock, visiting board member of the Rockland Astronomy Club of New York, will deliver a free astronomy presentation titled “The Birth and Death of the Solar System” in the Pacific Room at 4:30pm. The lecture will last approximately one hour and will allow for questions and answers at the end.  The material is not highly technical and is understandable to anyone who can appreciate a science documentary on NOVA or the Discovery Channel.

On Dec. 19, the library will be raffling prizes to patrons throughout the day. Raffle tickets are available at the Front Circulation Desk beginning early December; inquire with front desk staff on how to earn more chances to win.

Also on Dec. 19, there will be a special read-aloud in the Children of Our Homeland Library by the Let’s Move Marianas Coalition and Team Y.E.A.H. at 10am, as well as a tree planting project to replace the fallen trees that were damaged by Typhoon Soudelor last Aug. 2.  The project, sponsored by CNMI Department of Lands and Natural Resources-Forestry Division and Best Sunshine International, Ltd. is for beautification and environmental protection.

At 1pm, there will be a free family movie presentation in the Children of Our Homeland Library.

Several local authors will be conducting 30-minute book presentations throughout the day on Dec. 19.  The presentations include a short question and answer session at the end of the talk.  The authors will be available for autographs; copies of their books will also be made available for purchase.

This library is an essential part of the community. Since its inception in 1991, patrons have used the library for a variety of reasons including checking email, surfing the internet, job hunting, basic computer classes, live homework help, after-school programs, earning volunteer hours and paid work experience, learning English as a second language, learning to play the ukulele, attending a club or professional meeting, enjoying a free movie, seminar, or public hearing, or just finding a good book.

Thanks to the contributions of two prominent local businessmen, Jose Camacho Tenorio and Manuel Seman Villagomez, the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library opened its doors on Dec. 19, 1991. Public Law 7-18 established the mission of the library as the following:

• Cheerfully assist the general public in obtaining accurate and up-to-date information as well as classic or popular fiction, nonfiction and reference books, magazines and materials in printed, multi-media and digital formats.
• Maintain and expand traditional library services to the readers and nonreaders of all ages. Provide special emphasis on Children’s and Youth collections, services and programs.
• Reach out to groups, classes, and individuals who have not traditionally used public library services. Seek out means to serve the underserved throughout all islands of the Commonwealth.
• Pragmatically use computer and related technology to reduce the inherent isolation of island societies and establish the library as a window to the outside world.
• Avoid obsolescence, anticipate trends, and create new models of public access as technology evolves. Take advantage of unexpected breakthroughs as well as changes in technology and other library services.
• Deliver innovative services that anticipate the needs of the library’s users.
• Collaborate with the Federal Government, other agencies, organizations and businesses to prudently improve services or resources for the public.
• Promote flexible and responsive administrative structures, procedures and measures in internal and external relations with all governmental entities.
• Provide access to information, knowledge and material in support of educational, entrepreneurial, cultural, research, and recreational activities.

For more information on any of these activities, call 235-7322/16/29. (JKPL)