Young and old readers alike can stay busy at libraries across Crawford County this month. The Crawford County Library District (CCLD) released a jam-packed August event calendar, with programs ranging from Settlers of Catan tournaments and storytimes to author talks and craft workshops. The library will also sponsor outreach events at senior centers and daycares across Crawford County.

Gevenieve Alexander, program manager for CCLD, said free events and classes aim to strengthen community ties among county residents.

“My goal is to create a sense of community, and for folks to see that the library is not just a place that has books. We have lots of resources, it’s a good way to get out and meet other folks,” Alexander said. “So, we are just kind of showing the community what we have, and then pulling people together.”

Highlights from the adult event calendar include tabletop role playing games from 5-8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays all month long in the Steelville library. For those with a competitive streak, 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 8, the Recklein Memorial Library in Cuba will be hosting an adult’s Settlers of Catan tournament.

August workshops include a beaded bookmark craft event at 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 13 in Steelville, a resume writing workshop at 6 p.m. on Aug. 18 in Cuba, a medicinal mushroom informational event at 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 24 at the Bourbon branch, and a culinary cooks club at 1 p.m. on Aug. 28 in Bourbon.

Several book clubs will also meet this month. The Shelf Indulgence Book Club will meet at 1 p.m. on Aug. 13 at in Cuba. The Bookish Bunch Book Club will meet at 6 p.m. on Aug. 20 in Bourbon. The Book Lovers Book Club will meet at 2:30 p.m. on Aug. 27 in Steelville.

Crawford County Library District has also planned three outreach events that will take place off-site at residential care homes. Outreach events are 1 p.m. on Aug. 14 at Cuba Manor, 1 p.m. on Aug. 19 at Equilibrium Ranch Retirement Home, and 1 p.m. on Aug. 25 at Cuba Village.

Outreach activities are when “we bring the library to them,” Alexander said. Events typically include crafts and activities.

“It’s something very simple, very hands-on, and it’s a fun way for folks to interact with each other, and do stuff we would (normally) do with the library,” Alexander said.

The event calendar for kids is even busier than the adult calendar. August kicked off with the “Summer’s End” celebration on Aug. 1, which was held across the street from the Bourbon library. Other off-site events include the Back to School festival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Aug. 12 in Cuba, and a booth at the Cuba Farmer’s Market from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Aug. 22, which will feature a storytime every half hour.

Storytimes are scheduled across the county every week starting Aug. 10. Storytime at the Bourbon library is every Monday at 11 a.m. Cuba library storytimes are every Tuesday at 11 a.m., and Steelville story times are at 11 a.m. every Thursday.

Two Kids Klub events are scheduled for August. First, a “Nature and Nourish” event from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 10 in Bourbon. Then, an “Author Talk” with local Author Rachel Johnson at 6 p.m. on Aug. 11 in Cuba.

Teen events for August include a Settlers of Catan tournament at 11 a.m. on Aug. 8 in Cuba, and a “Coffee and Books” teen book club at 6 p.m. on Aug. 20 in Bourbon.

Children’s outreach events for August include an event at the Community Childcare Center at 9:30 a.m. on Aug. 13 in Steelville, an event at All Aboard Learning Center at 9 a.m. on Aug. 14 in Cuba, and at Pasch Daycare at 10 a.m. on Aug. 28 in Bourbon.

The Crawford and Gasconade County Literacy Council also announced their second annual Puzzle Race Fundraiser, which will take place at 6 p.m. on Aug. 29 at Cherry Rose Hall in Cuba. Proceeds from the fundraiser supports adult literacy initiatives in Crawford and Gasconade counties. At the event, teams will compete to assemble a 500-piece jigsaw puzzle, with prizes for the fastest teams.

Alexander, who started her role as program director in December of last year, said that Crawford County Library District is trying to keep the event calendar full year-round. Despite the busy August calendar, community members can expect even more events in the months to come.

“Funnily enough, August is actually going to be my lightest month,” Alexander said.