Snow Day

Remember how we used to love snow days?  A day off from school!!  We went sledding with friends and drove our mothers crazy.  Now, I'm not so keen on snow days.  Yesterday took me by surprise.  We unfortunately had to cancel our All Iowa Reads book discussion and we closed early in several locations because it was getting pretty messy out there.

Today because Western Dubuque Schools cancelled, we are closed at Drexler/Farley branch.  We will be open regular hours from 9:00-3:00 p.m. on Saturday.  Remember to check our website in case of bad weather.

We have rescheduled the All Iowa Reads discussion of Tracy Kidder's "Strength in What Remains" for next Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at NICC/Peosta branch.  The good news is that you have more time to finish the book or to stop by your local branch and pick up a copy so you can join us.  At each branch there is also a discussion questions handout so you can think about the book beforehand. 

"Strength in What Remains" is a personal memoir of the genocide in Burundi and Rwanda told through the journey of a medical student who escapes to America.  Escape is a loaded word because arriving nearly penniless and homeless in New York is an overwhelming challenge.  How can you go from terror to being on Harlem streets to medical school?  Tracy Kidder is very good at structuring his narrative to keep you involved throughout the book.  Though it's nonfiction, the book reads like fiction.  It is a powerful book and we will have lots to talk about.  If you haven't visited our Peosta branch, this is also the perfect excuse to do so.  It is gorgeous.

We are in the process of starting a regular book group.  Let me know if you would like to be notified as we make our plans.  My phone number is 563-582-0008 and my email is:  dawnh@dubcolib.lib.ia.us.  Let me know when you would like to meet and what you like to read.

I also want to apologize for the gap in Internet service at our Epworth branch.  We apparently "fried" a router and had to wait for a replacement part to arrive and be installed.  Terrie is working very hard to get all the returns checked in.  Please don't worry.  She is eliminating fines for this past week because we were unable to check in books as they arrived.  If you do discover a fine on your card, please call and we will take care of it.  I love computers, except when they don't work.

While, I'm not keen on snow days anymore.  It was absolutely stunning driving to work this morning.  Iowa winters may be a challenge, but they can also be beautiful.

Have a great weekend.