The Kalona Public Library is getting set to welcome in the start of the Winter Olympics and Mardi Gras among other events in February. 

Throughout the entire month, both kids and adults will have the opportunity to win some books to take home as a part of the Winter Reading Program challenge. Library Director Trevor Sherping explains why they are hosting the program and how residents can participate, “Each one basically entails a bingo card with a bunch of fun activities, cozy stuff for the winter to make sure you’re not getting bored when you’re trapped inside and it’s super cold outside. Every bingo you complete you receive a prize and the prize is a book for each level. So if you go crazy, you can get up to twelve bingos and twelve books.”

As the Winter Olympics are set to start this weekend, the library will be hosting a showing of “Cool Runnings” at 1 p.m. on Saturday. Sherping says that with the Mid-Prairie School District not having classes on Monday, February 21st, the library will be holding a Mardi Gras celebration for kids. Festivities will include mask making, cookie decorating and a parade around the library. In preparation for their March book sale, the library is now accepting book donations. Sherping says that there is a bigger need for children’s books but any book in good condition except textbooks and encyclopedias are accepted. You can hear more about the library this month during Tuesday’s JJ Nichting Company In Touch with Southeast Iowa program.