It’s hard to believe that Waukee was home to a bustling coal mine less than 70 years ago.

The Waukee Public Library is proud to honor the legacy of the Shuler Mine and Camp in the library’s Coal Mine Meeting Room and Museum. The museum was generously donated in honor of Hiram Ori and officially dedicated on November 2, 2013. The museum features a wealth of information about the coal mine itself, but also about daily life in the coal mine camp, and information about the city of Waukee’s past.

To learn more about the mine, camp, and the museum itself, join us on Thursday, April 14 at 1:30 p.m. for a special program, “Shuler Mine and Camp History.” Bruno Andreini, a former chairman of the Shuler Group, will speak about the Shuler Mine. Bruno’s father was one of the first three people to take a carload of coal from the mine. Bruno was born and raised at the Shuler Coal Mine Camp. The Shuler Group is responsible for suggesting the name for Shuler Elementary School, as well as establishing a museum to remember and honor the Shuler Mine and Camp residents. Stay after the program for a tour of the museum, to share your own mine memories, and enjoy light refreshments.

Special Children’s Programs

Magic Show Fundraiser

Friday, March 4, 7-8:15 p.m.

Waukee High School Auditorium

Enjoy a magical evening of entertainment provided by four fantastic magicians from the Quad Cities Magic Club. Tickets can be purchased at the library for $5 in advance, or $8 at the door. Ages 2 and under are free. Proceeds benefit the Summer Reading Program.

March of the Dinosaurs

March 1-31

Inspired by Dinovember and the book What the Dinosaurs Did Last Night, the library will celebrate the month of March with epic prehistoric shenanigans. Participate in dinosaur-themed social media posts, contests and activities for all ages, all month long. Watch out for dinosaurs on the loose!

Special Adult Programs

Ginni’s Garden Travels

Thursday, April 7, 2 p.m.

Ginni DeHaan from the Waukee Garden Club will share her travels through gardens in Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the Mid-East and Africa.

Shuler Mine and Camp History

Thursday, April 14, 1:30 p.m.

Hear Bruno Andreini speak about the Schuler Mine and tour the library’s museum.

How Austentatious: Tea & Accomplishments

Sunday, April 17, 1 p.m.

Ladies in Jane Austen’s day were expected to be accomplished in many areas. Try tea-making, hat-making and quilling, and learn how to make the fashionable breast-knot worn on Regency gowns.

Please visit our new website, www.waukeepubliclibrary.org, for more information about the library’s services and programs.