December is coming to a close, now is the time to reflect on the past year at the Drake Public Library. Here are some highlights of our year.
Scholastic book fair in March had profits of $1,717.41. Library received many books with the Scholastic dollars that were raised.
Friends of Drake Public library held a penny drive with the hopes of collecting fifty pounds of pennies. They netted over two hundred pounds of pennies! That is no small feat!
The Summer Reading program was a success. Over 300 local kids registered and counted reading hours. Yard signs purchased by Friends of the Drake Library dotted the landscape all over town. The theme for the annual event was “Every Hero has a story”. The library hosted a Veteran’s Appreciation program. Participants also had a visit from the Science Center of Iowa, Blank Park Zoo, and took a field trip to the Appanoose County Historical museum. A finale program wrapped things up with an outdoor evening movie and a Make your own Minion treat bar.
Circulation of library materials from December 1, 2014 to December 1, 2015 totaled 89,359.
The Kiss a Goat contest raised $438.77 for the library. Contestants Pete Lind, Mark Waits, and Jan Spurgeon were edged out by write in candidate Greger Barth. He puckered up and kissed George the Goat on September 11, 2015.
Friends also held a raffle and a Christmas boutique.
Two new book clubs were started by staff member Crys McKissick. Genre Shifters Book Club for adults and D3 for avid young readers.
As always the library offered free wireless internet, copy services, public access computers, e-books, faxing, DVD rental, audiobooks, large print rental, test proctoring, meeting room availability and the book nook.
Thank you for all the Christmas candy plates, sugar cookies, chips, fudge, homemade bread and other goodies! The library staff is overwhelmed by our patrons’ generosity.
2016 will be a great year!

Bruno the bulldog visits a young fan.