The community will get another chance to check out the updated Iola Public Library facilities with an open house and tours Sunday.
Then, trivia buffs are welcomed to test their mastery on a wide range of topics as part of a trivia contest, a new program Roger Carswell hopes to find a foothold for local library patrons.
The events kick off with the open house at 2 p.m., said Carswell, the library’s executive director.
A short presentation will precede tours of the library and the nearby Flewharty-Powell Annex. Refreshments will be served by Friends of the Library in the annex as well.
Sunday’s tour will be the first public tour to include the portion of the library renovation that includes the new meeting room and Southeast Kansas Library System office space.
Based in Iola, SEKLS provides books and materials to more than 150 public, school and college libraries across southeast Kansas, including all of Allen and surrounding counties.
The library system has been a part of Iola Public Library since a 4,400-square-foot addition was built onto the library in 1986.
The open house will once again feature other renovations to the library, most of which were completed last November. The work included a redesign of the front lobby area to make for more efficient use of space as well as the addition of a meeting room in the SEKLS wing.
Access to the room is from the parking lot on the west side of the library.
The room is available from 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and can accommodate up to 64 people. No fee, admission charge or donation is permitted for entrance into any event.
No cooking is allowed in the new meeting room, however, food or Crockpots for keeping food warm may be brought in. Three coffee makers, a microwave and sink are available for participants’ use.
The room also boasts a ceiling projector and hookups for PowerPoint programs.
The room may be reserved up to six months in advance or with as little as 24 hours’ notice. The cost of the room is $30 for four hours and $10 for each additional hour. A $50 refundable deposit is required and will be returned if the room is left in the same clean condition as it was when rented.
TALK TURNS from tours to trivia at 3:30 p.m.
Carswell said as many as 10 teams can compete — only two have signed on so far — in what he hopes becomes a regular affair at the library.
Ten rounds of questions of different themes will be asked, including one audio round, Carswell said.
Carswell recounted being invited to a similar trivia event at a Topeka library recently. He’s now a regular competitor.
“It’s a lot of fun,” he said.
The categories are wide ranging, from ice cream to Jane Austin. Carswell noted that Iola and Allen County trivia will be a component as well.
Teams can have up to six members apiece — the number of chairs at each table — although stragglers are welcome to Sunday’s event.
“We’re a little concerned we only have two teams so far,” Carswell said. “We hope to grow.”
