The Clark County Public Library’s monthly Local History Potluck Dinner Program, postponed for a week, will happen this coming Thursday, May 31.

Reference librarian Andy Gary, who organized this program, writes: “James L. Hood, adjunct professor at Midway College in Midway Kentucky, will offer us a humorous and informative look at the enduring images Kentuckians and others have of the state and its people-from that of the barefoot, warring hillbillies to southern aristocrats.

“The presentation will touch on Kentucky’s core values of family and home, individualism and community, basketball and horse racing, snake handlers and mega-churches, tobacco and whiskey and wine, yellow dog Democrats and dastardly Republicans. Kentucky will be presented as the nation’s true borderland and heart.

“Bring a dish and join us for this interesting program. It is free and open to the public. You may also come at 6:50 p.m. if you would prefer not to partake in the potluck, but let us know. Either way to ensure you have a seat, call for a reservation at 744-5661. Or, you can register by using Evanced which can be accessed from our web site, www.clarkbooks.org.”

The library’s Adult Summer Reading Program begins next Monday, June 4.

All you need to participate is a current, valid adult Clark County Public Library card. When you sign up you will receive a new library book bag. This year’s book bag is stylish in GRC Cardinal scarlet and black with the library’s blooming book logo on the front. It’s made of sturdy-made of a substantial woven polyester that’s zippered at the top to keep rain off all the materials you’ll check out. It’s capacious at 14 inches wide by 14 inches tall and five inches deep with a notebook pocket on the front, and a webbed water-bottle pocket on the side. It’s the best bag in years.

When you register, you’ll also receive a ticket to be entered into the ASRP prize raffles. This year there will be six grand prize book baskets in six different categories: mystery, fantasy, bonnets, steamy, western and DIY.

Participants will also receive a raffle ticket for every five adult or young adult materials checked out and for every adult services program attended during June and July. Write your name and phone number on each ticket and then circle the category of the book basket you’d like to win. Tickets will be collected until 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 31. Winners will be notified Aug. 1.

If you don’t get the library’s newsletter and calendar by mail, be sure to pick up the June and July calendars when you come in so you can plan to attend ASRP programs. If you’d like to receive the newsletter/calendar by mail, just give one of the friendly circulation librarians your name and address and you’ll be added to the mailing list.

We often hear patrons say they don’t want to participate in the Adult Summer Reading Program because they “don’t have time to read pre-selected books.” However, ASRP participants read only what they like. Videos, magazines, books on CD, music recordings — even download — count as items to tally for raffle tickets.

So, come in, sign up, enjoy the library as you like, get a brand-new book bag and maybe win a basket of swell books. It’s a win-win-winwinwin summer program.

And!

— Today at 6:30 p.m., Meeting of Minds discusses Revolutionary Love. No, not Colonial snogging but showing compassion toward all.

— Wednesday at 2 p.m., Kentucky Picture Show presents a film about a cover-up that spanned four U.S. presidents and how it pushed the country’s first female newspaper publisher and a hard-driving editor to join an unprecedented battle between the press and the government. Rated PG–13.

— Wednesday at 7 p.m., Trivia travail at the Engine House Pizza Pub.

— Friday at 10 a.m, Say Bunny, bunny. Bunny Rabbit! Then hop on into Write Local.

Happy Memorial Day. Break out your white wardrobe.

John Maruskin is director of adult services at the Clark County Public Library. He can be reached at john.clarkbooks@gmail.com.