To the Library and Beyond We’re making 40th Birthday plans! Save the date of our first celebration – Tuesday, May 13th from 11 AM to 3 PM at the Library. Everyone from town and beyond is welcome to help commemorate our long remarkable existence. Unlike most public libraries, we are supported not by tax dollars but by donations of time and money from those who value this community service. To have done so for forty years is truly cause for thanks and celebration of all who have contributed and used our library. We especially dedicate this first event to honor and thank seniors who have given and those who still give so much to our communities. During our celebration on May 13, at 11 AM we’ll also host a special presentation – Student Voices: Prairie Poetry and Art. Come see art and hear poetry read. We’ll also have refreshments, door prizes and more. Joan has reviewed the 2001 book, Rotting Face – Smallpox & the American Indian, by R. G. Robertson. “This is a very sobering book about how a [raging], unchecked disease can result in a terrible [degree of] mortality among unprotected people.” Mr. Robertson describes the smallpox disease, how it manifests and spreads, as well as ways to prevent its occurrence and transmission. The author portrays the Native American tribes inhabiting the area of the upper Missouri River during the 1830s. He details the smallpox epidemic that occurred among those Native Americans in the mid-1830s, and cites the fatality estimate at 17,000 – 20,000 Natives during 1937 – 1938. April is National Stress Awareness Month, School Library Month, and American Library Association Youth Media Awards. In 2022, Prairie Community Library served 1,945 people (an average of 162 people per month), 543 of them were children. In 2023 (January-September), we served 1,735 people (an average of 192 people per month). The volunteers who manage and operate Prairie Community Library strive to make service to each person in our communities the basis of all our efforts. "Service is what life is all about." Send your volunteer message to cottonwoodlib@gmail.com. “Volunteering helps us to explore our interests and it improves our self-esteem.” Please recommend improvements to the Library’s direction, priorities and customer service. Thank you all! | COTTONWOOD
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