The holiday season is getting nearer, and the weather colder, and that means many people decide it’s time to break out the cookbooks and do more homemade cooking and baking. The Great Bend Public Library recently received a lot of cookbooks, and we have a special display near the new books area that features many of our most recent additions. This includes cookbooks specially tailored for slow cookers, potlucks, light cooking, or electric mixers, as well as “Binging with Babish,” which features recipes inspired by television shows and movies. If you don’t find what you’re looking for on the new book display, there are hundreds more cookbooks to choose from in the regular shelves; our staff would be happy to help you find exactly what you need.

There are some great opportunities coming in the next two weeks for teens to get involved at the library. Five-thirty p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 14 is the next meeting time of the teen Anime & Manga club. This is a group of teens that meets monthly to celebrate and explore Japanese visual culture, and it is open to any teens ages 13-18, whether you are a long-time fan or just curious. During each meeting the club will share thoughts from the month’s featured manga volume (which you can check out at the front desk), watch some anime, and participate in a craft, contest, or other fun activities. 

The next week, at 4 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 18, teens are welcome to visit the library again for a Paint-Along craft time. Teens will create a work of art by either going with their own inspiration or following a guided, step-by-step process. Space for this event is limited, so teens that are interested will need to register by using the code @gbpaint in the Remind app or texting it to 81010.

For event info or other library information, please visit our Facebook page or website (greatbendpl.info), stop by the library (1409 Williams St.), or give us a call (620-792-2409). We hope to see you soon.

Michael Adamyk is the marketing and technical services manager at the Great Bend Public Library. He can be reached by email at gbcirc@gmail.com.