As part of the Many Book, One Community initiative, the Morton-James Public Library is putting together a Community Hamster Hunt that will take place in May. Businesses in Nebraska City can get a picture of a hamster they have named to put in their front window from May 1st-31st. Community members can then collect names of Hamsters and return them to the Library for a prize. The list of participating businesses will be included in the reading guides handed out to all students preschool-8th grade and will also be available for pick up at the Library. If your business would like to participate, please prepare the following information: 1. Business Name 2. Address as you want it printed on the list 3. Hamster Name 4. Contact Person 5. Phone number or email to get ahold of you so we can drop off or you can pick up your hamster And email it to mortonjameslibrary@gmail.com or call us at 402-873-5609 and ask for Amanda. The theme this year is “Sail into Adventure” and each book has an ocean/ship adventure theme. The hamster in the picture for business windows is wearing a pirate hat, so pirate themed names for your hamster would be a great fit, but not required. Pictures are black and white, so businesses can color or decorate their hamsters if they want to. The deadline to sign up your business is Friday March 22nd. The Library will be in touch once hamsters are printed and ready to be distributed. Any questions, call the Library at 402-873-5609.Story Time for ages 2-6 and families Wednesday, March 20th at 10:00 AM Join us to work on your crocheting or knitting. First Wednesday of each month. This is for all levels of crafters. Bring your own hooks, yarn, needles, whatever you need to make your yarn craft. Club members will be here to help those beginning, and MJPL will have some patterns available. Free to attend. Everyone welcome 15 and older! For questions call 402-873-5609.Lonesome Dreamer: The Life of John G. Neihardt This program, which draws on Anderson’s 2016 biography of John G. Neihardt, examines the life of Nebraska’s poet laureate. Beginning with his birth in 1881 and highlighting the 30 years he lived in Nebraska, Neihardt’s life story covers the triumphs and disappointments he experienced in a publishing career of more than 70 years and the personal life that he enjoyed with his wife and four children. This program is free and open to the public. There is no registration. If you have any questions, please call the Library at 402-873-5609. This program was made possible through MJPL's Harry and Grace Moller Endowment. Young Adult Trivia Night Ages 16-19 Friday, April 12th 5:00-7:00 PM Sign ups in teams of 2 MUST REGISTER BY APRIL 1ST Call the Library at 402-873-5609 to registerJoin us at the Morton-James Public Library on Thursday, April 18th at 7:00 pm for a book talk from Gail Shaffer Blankenau, author of "Journey to Freedom: Uncovering the Grayson Sisters' Escape from Nebraska Territory" In Journey to Freedom Gail Shaffer Blankenau provides the first detailed history of Black enslavement in Nebraska Territory and the escape of sisters Celia and Eliza Grayson, two enslaved Black women from Nebraska City. This event is free and open to the public. No registration. Questions? Call the Library at 402-873-5609Tween Trivia Night Ages 11-15 Friday, April 19th 5:00-7:00 Sign ups in teams of 2 MUST REGISTER BY APRIL 8TH Call the Library at 402-873-5609 to registerPoetry Slam at the Morton-James Public Library 923 1st Corso, Nebraska City, NE April 21st, 2024 2:00-5:00 PM Poets check in at 1:45 PM. Must register by April 12th! Call the Library at 402-873-5609 to sign up. Ages 15 and older. Audience members welcome! Free and open to the public!