What to read after you see The Odyssey (2026)
Did you love Chris Nolan’s take on The Odyssey? You can get more stories inspired by this classic myth at the library. Here’s some our librarians recommend: Adult Reads: The Iliad by Homer An epic poem set during the final weeks of the Trojan War, The Iliad follows the wrath of Achilles after a dispute with … Continued
Learning Resources at the Library
Did you know that your library card has your own private tutors? From storytime in different languages to help kindergarteners, to high school homework and advanced college essays – we’ve got an app for that! Check out some of the learning resources available at the library for free! LOTE4KIDS Explore the stories you grew up … Continued
Salty Art at the Gann MuseumÂ
By Cody Berry This summer I wanted to do something a little less heavy and give people something to just enjoy without needing a history lesson to do so. Saline County is home to many, many people who love to create. So, I decided to use the Gann Museum to shine light on them for the summer. Thanks to help from my friends at the … Continued
Mrs. Gann and the TrainÂ
Pictured above: Mrs. Martha Gann. By Cody Berry Sometimes when I’m researching one thing, I come across something completely new to me. Last week when I was on the library microfilm machine looking for articles about the library itself, I came across a gem of a story about Mrs. Martha Gann and an inaugural train in 1933. On March 16, 1933, the Benton Courier reported that Mrs. Gann … Continued
The Courier Gets A New BuildingÂ
By Cody Berry In October 1986, the Benton Courier moved into the building we all know on the corner of Cross and Market Streets in downtown Benton. It marked the first time in its long history that the paper had been “published in a building constructed for the expressed purpose of putting out a daily newspaper.”1 The new building was designed by local architectural … Continued
The Birth of the Saline County LibraryÂ
By Cody Berry The Saline County Library wasn’t created by the county or by the City of Benton. It was a direct outgrowth of a group of ladies called the Junior Fortnightly Club in 1931. The Junior Fortnightly Club was organized on February 6, 1930, with eleven original members, but they soon gained their goal of sixteen members in their first year. In March … Continued
National Library Week 2026
We are excited partner with a variety of local businesses to celebrate National Library Week: Sunday, April 19 through Saturday, April 25, with fundraisers, events, prizes, and a little pie-ing! The national theme of the event is “Find your joy!” For events hosted at restaurants, participants are responsible for ordering and purchasing their own food … Continued
Tiny Art Show & Artist Showcase!
Creativity takes center stage this April! Check out these two artsy events coming soon to a library near you: the Tiny Art Show and a Local Artist Showcase. 🎨 Tiny Art Show 🖌️ Get ready to make something small and awesome! The Tiny Art Show is open to all ages. Starting April 1, stop by … Continued
Big Book Sale!
Fill Your Bag for 5 dollars! Looking for a great deal on books? 📚✨ Come shop our Big Book Sale at the Saline County Library! Join us Saturday, March 14, from 9:00 AM–4:00 PM at the Benton Branch for a fun and easy way to grow your home library. We’ll have adult fiction books that … Continued
Battle of the Businesses donated double this year!
We just knocked out our past record!!! The Battle of the Businesses has donated even more this year to our community. This is the second annual Battle of the Businesses, collecting food, hygiene products, and winter clothing for our community. Back in 2023, we collected a little over 1,000 food and hygiene items during our … Continued