Category: Library News

Last month Marshall Public Library’s Board of Directors approved the contract to hire Matt Rahner as the new director. He has been serving in the role since August 1st.

“I am thrilled to be able to serve the Marshall community,” says Rahner. “I strongly believe in the mission of the Marshall Public Library, and look forward to working with the staff, board, and community to strengthen and adapt the library’s services to the needs of the Marshall community.”

Rahner earned his Masters of Fine Arts degree at the University of Missouri of Columbia, and a bachelor’s degree from Columbia College. For five years he was a professor in Fine Arts at Missouri Valley College, where he was also director of the Morris Gallery of Contemporary Art.

Rahner was born in Maryland, but grew up in Columbia, Missouri. He is currently a freelance photographer and has exhibited his work nationally and internationally.

“We are excited to have Matt on board to lead the library into an exciting time with many new opportunities,” says board Secretary Brooke Linsenbardt. “Please join us to say hello to Matt and to learn about our exciting plans for the library.”

In April, the board announced it had purchased the building at 102 E. Morgan St. and will be moving after renovations are made. As director, Rahner will facilitate the transition into the new building.

The Marshall Public Library has purchased the building on the southeast corner of Morgan and Jefferson, made possible by a Gordon Buckner Estate trust. For the time being, Powerhouse General Store will remain a tenant under a new lease agreement with the Library.

Our staff is enthusiastic about this future location as it has better visibility, more space and natural light. The Library’s trustees, acting director, and staff are working with Sapp Design Architects to design the new library space.

We will be scheduling community meetings to learn more about the wants and needs of local citizens. Past surveys have shown the community would like reading rooms, computer access, a set aside bookstore, a coffee shop, tutoring and training services, and spaces for music lessons, open mic sessions, and a variety of other community meetings and presentations. Documenting community input will be the guide for programming and design of the new library space.

Meanwhile, the library will continue to operate in its current location in the basement of the City Offices at 214 N Lafayette Ave.

The Marshall Public Library will hold free children’s storytimes at the Salt Fork YMCA at 9am every second and fourth Tuesday of each month. This is in addition to the weekly storytimes held at the library building.

We have had recent inquiries from patrons asking about classes to learn English. Now the First United Methodist Church is conducting free English as Second Language classes for adults Tuesdays and Thursdays 6 – 8pm. Teachers are Christina Benitez and Rebecca Hernandez.

They offer beginning and intermediate level classes for adults. Location: Youth Rooms at the First United Methodist Church, 225 E. Arrow in Marshall.

Child care is not provided.

We thank First United Methodist Church and Pastor Vessel for sponsoring this much sought after service!

Marshall Public Library has made available the nominated books for this year’s Show Me award (grades 1-3), Mark Twain award (grades 4-6), Truman award (grades 6-8), and Gateway award (grades 9-12). Voting takes place in March 2023.

The librarians of Missouri believe that exposing students to quality literature impacts their future reading habits. These awards encourage students to explore new literary genres, to recognize excellence in writing and illustrating, and to experience the joy of literature.

Winning books receive an award from the Missouri Association of School Librarians.

More information can be found at the MASL website.