Staff writer

Marion City Library offers a vast array of services for patrons — no doubt the reason the Kansas Library Association named it this year’s Best Small Library.

Library board vice president Missy Stubenhofer-May presented Marion librarian Janet Marler a plaque Tuesday commemorating the award.

The award is for libraries that serve populations of less than 5,000 and is selected based on library programs, attendance, community involvement, and community partnership. A library can get the award only once.

Upcoming programs include a Santa visit from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Nov. 25 during Marion’s Holy Jolly Christmas celebration.

Children may leave letters for Santa until Dec. 8. If letters include the child’s name and address, Santa will answer.

Each year the library organizes a Christmas home tour as a fundraiser. This year’s tour will be 1 to 5 p.m. Dec. 3.

Homes on the tour will include Darin and Jona Neufeld, Merle and Michele Flaming, Roger and Janell Holter, and Matt and Jenna Meyerhoff. The tour will include a visit to Kari’s Kitchen, where drinks will be half off with the ticket.Tickets are $5 and available at the library.

The library has been housed in its current location, a former Santa Fe Railroad depot, since 2002.