The 1,150-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race across Alaska is an unbelievably difficult race. According to mymusher.com, "more people have reached the summit of Mount Everest than have made it to the Iditarod finish line behind a dog team."

You will want to be at the Hays Public Library on Thursday, when Iditarod musher Karen Land and her dog Borage will present a special program at 7 p.m. in the library gallery.

An Indiana native, Land became intrigued with sled dog racing in 1997 after reading a book on the subject while hiking the Appalachian Trail. After relocating to Maine, then Montana, and learning about the sport, she successfully completed a couple of shorter sled-dog races. Land went from an observer to a doer in just three short years; it takes most mushers at least twice that long to work up to the Iditarod.

In March 2002, Land took on and finished the biggest, most challenging sled dog race in the world -- the Iditarod. She went on to compete in the 2003 and 2004 Iditarod as well.

Land is writing several books based on her Iditarod adventures, the mushing life, and, of course, all of the dogs she has met along the way. Join us Thursday for an entertaining evening with Land and her dog.

For more information on activities at your Hays Public Library this week, go to our Web site www.hayspublib.org.

Friends of the Hays Public Library

Thank you to everyone who made our pre-holiday book sale a success.

Bookstore

Books, Etc, the bookstore of the Friends of the Hays Public Library, is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday and Tuesday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Members of the Friends continue to receive a 10-percent discount on all book purchases from the store.

Children's department

Read Across Kansas

A Jayhawker will be placed on the Kansas map for every book read by the children of Ellis County this week. It is a fun program to see if we can read enough books to stretch across the state of Kansas.

Story hours

Parents can enroll their children in one of the following sessions by calling the library at (785) 625-5916. The schedule is as follows:

* 3- to 6-year-olds: 10 to 10:30 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays; 7 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays.

* 2-year-olds: 10:45 to 11:05 a.m. Mondays and Tuesdays; 7 to 7:20 p.m. Tuesdays.

* Toddlers -- younger than the age of 2: 10:45 to 11 a.m. Wednesdays.

* All ages -- 2 to 2:30 p.m. Thursdays.

Wii Game Days

At 4 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, come and show off your Wii skills.

Craft hours

Join us for a special craft project at 4 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. Children must register to attend; limit of 20 participants. Tuesday's craft is a snowman pillow and Thursday's is a sunflower windsock.

Super sensational snack

Children will enjoy making an after-school snack at 4 p.m. Thursday. Must register to attend.

Special Moments Through the Ages

Fridays at 10 a.m. Children must register to attend; limit 20 participants.

Chess lessons

Children can learn to play or improve their chess game during lessons at 4 p.m. Fridays in the children's department. Randy Brull will be the instructor. Please register to attend.

Adult department

Feed and Film

The films begin at 12:05 p.m. Wednesdays in the library's main floor gallery. They last about an hour. Bring your lunch and a cup -- coffee is provided. This week, join us for "Amelia Earhart."

YA department

All programs are free and for anyone grades six through 12. For more information, call (785) 625-9014.

Weekly programs

All start at 3:30 p.m.

* Mondays -- STAGE Drama Club, board games and snacks.

* PS2 and Wii Tuesdays.

* Wavering Wednesdays -- something different each week.

* Make and Take Thursdays -- crafts and more.

* Friday -- movies and snacks.

Kansas Room

In January, the books on display are on stagecoaches. One display case will also feature the stagecoach, the other will highlight the Iditarod dog sled race.

Mary Ann Thompson is the Kansas Room Librarian at the Hays Public Library.