Many of us have spent lots more time reading during the pandemic. Some of the books were great, and others not so much. With so many titles on the library’s shelves, how do you know which ones you’ll enjoy? Our library staff know where to direct you based on your personal interests and preferences, and you don’t have to come into the library to get their advice.

Nate Suttenfield was born and raised in Holts Summit where he currently lives with his wife, Amie, and his three beautiful children. He graduated from high school in New Bloomfield, then attended William Woods University on a baseball scholarship, where he graduated with a degree in psychology.

He’s currently the associate executive director for Cole County Residential Services, Inc., an organization providing residential, respite and community-based services to individuals with developmental disabilities.

The community voted to read “Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud, and the Last Trial of Harper Lee” by Casey Cep for this year’s One Read program. Last November, the library received more than 230 suggestions for what to read in 2021, and this April 833 people voted for their preferred title. The other title considered this year was the novel “The Resisters” by Gish Jen.

“During the 20 years of One Read, this is the second time a true crime nonfiction book has been selected,” said One Read co-chair Lauren Williams. “Coincidentally, the first time we asked for the community to vote for the One Read book, the winner was “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee. This year’s book is partly about her.”

Did you lose your job during the pandemic or are you ready to make a job change? Whatever situation you’re in, there are free online tools available through the library’s website to help you get your full unemployment benefits, improve your job skills and get back in the swing of searching for employment. All you need is a free library card to use these employment tools.

The One Read reading panel of community members from Boone and Callaway Counties narrowed the list of more than 230 book suggestions for the 2021 One Read title to two top contenders. From April 5-24, you can cast your vote for either “Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud, and the Last Trial of Harper Lee” by Casey Cep or “The Resisters” by Gish Jen.

Vote online at oneread.org.

Kate Markie and her husband Peter moved to Columbia in the fall of 1976 when she was working on her dissertation in philosophy from the University of Rochester.

Kate went to law school at the University of Missouri, worked at the Missouri Supreme Court clerking for judge Robert T. Donnelly and for the state Public Defender System. She is now retired after 27 years serving as an attorney for the University of Missouri.

During the pandemic, reading may play a more important role in a student’s learning process than ever before.

Reading or being read to can really help a student during this time of education disruption. Just like your body, your brain benefits from regular exercise to keep it strong, stimulated and focused. Reading is brain exercise.

Welcome to 2021, friends! While we are all looking forward to the good things to come, I would like to reflect on how the library has continued to provide services during the pandemic, and what we have learned.