Thank a Veteran

This coming Monday, we as a nation, recognize the extraordinary service provided for all of us by those who serve in the military.  According to Military.com, "Veterans Day, formerly known as Armistice Day, was originally set as a U.S. legal holiday to honor the end of World War I, which officially took place on November 11, 1918. In legislation that was passed in 1938, November 11 was "dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as 'Armistice Day.'" As such, this new legal holiday honored World War I veterans.  In 1954, after having been through both World War II and the Korean War, the 83rd U.S. Congress -- at the urging of the veterans service organizations -- amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation on June 1, 1954, Nov. 11 became a day to honor American veterans of all wars."

Some of us confuse Veterans Day with Memorial Day.  Again, from Military.com, "Memorial Day honors service members who died in service to their country or as a result of injuries incurred during battle. Deceased veterans are also remembered on Veterans Day but the day is set aside to thank and honor living veterans who served honorably in the military - in wartime or peacetime."  

I know that my father and father-in-law were both very proud of their service during World War II. My dad flew with the Army Air Corps over Europe and my father-in-law served on a destroyer in the Pacific.  My dad came home without a scratch.  My father-in-law survived the sinking of his ship and came home with a crushed elbow.  And even though I listened to all their war stories, I never said, "Thank you for your service."  So Monday is our opportunity to say thank you to veterans and their families.

Asbury, Epworth, and Holy Cross Branches will be closed on Monday, November 11th.  Since school is still in session, our Farley Branch will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and our NICC/Peosta Branch will be open regular hours; 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.  

The Library is doing an upgrade to its online catalog over the weekend.  If you go to the webpage on Sunday, the catalog may not be available.  We will be up and running on Tuesday morning with some improvements that I think customers will like.  

Over the next few weeks, the Library will be a busy place with upcoming programs.  On Tuesday evening, Epworth Branch is hosting our first "Mom's Night Out" from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  There will be food, information, and fun.  You won't want to miss this one.  Call our Epworth Branch to register, 563-876-3388.  

Now that it's getting colder, you should join us for a movie on Saturday mornings.  On the 1st and 2nd Saturdays of the month, we will be showing a popular, family movie beginning at 10:00 a.m. at our Holy Cross Branch.  Or come to our NICC/Peosta Branch the third Thursday of the month for a family movie. The show starts at 6:30 p.m.

Preschool and family story times are continuing.  Check our webpage (www.dubcolib.lib.ia.us) for the times and locations.  You will want to take a look at the calendar for a complete list of events.  

I hope everyone has a nice weekend.  See you at the Library.  Dawn

Reading for Pleasur

"Reading is everything.  Reading is bliss."  I love this quote from the late Nora Ephron.  Ephron wrote and directed the wonderful movie, "You've Got Mail" starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.  I totally agree with Nora, that's what reading should be.  I was listening to National Public Radio yesterday and Nancy Pearl was on.  Nancy Pearl is the library queen of reading and book recommendations.  She has written at least nine books starting with 2003's "Book Lust" that categorize books for pleasure reading.  She has suggestions for every genre, every taste, every age from the classics, to first novels, dog stories, ghost stories, fantasy, memoir, and so much more.  If you don't know what to read next, Nancy has a recommendation for you.  Nancy even has her own action figure for those of us who are total library geeks!

On the radio, she was reminding her fans of her rule for starting a new book.  If you are 50 or under, give the writer 50 pages and then if you don't care what is happening to the protagonist or only want to find out "who done it," skip to the last page and find out.  There is no shame in not finishing the book.  If you are over 50, subtract your age from 100, and that is how many pages you should read before it is perfectly acceptable to put the book aside.  Pearl admits that sometimes she just isn't in the right mood for a book and she stops reading and hopes to try again another time.  There are so many good books out there for every reader that you do not have to read something that you don't like or doesn't interest you.

Sometimes I am guilty of just not being able to give up on a book.  My most recent example is "Eiefelheim" by Michael Flynn.  This is a science fiction novel about alien contact set in medieval Germany.  I know, it sounds weird anyway, but I like alien contact novels and I love medieval history.  Flynn is a well known author.  So, I thought this must be the book for me.  I slogged my way through and it was terrible.  The plot was simplistic and there was way too much German history that wasn't explained at all.  The author assumed that I was an expert on German kings, princes, barons and countless feuds and battles.  And the ending was so disappointing.  Over all, a colossal failure of a book.  Let that be a lesson.  If after the required number of pages, if the book isn't engaging you, give up. You can always return to it if you think it's worth another try.

Remember leisure reading is for pleasure.  After finishing that book, I rewarded myself with Sheri Holman's "The Dress Lodger" which I loved.  I just finished her first novel, "A Stolen Tongue."  It's not as good, but still a compelling read.

If you like reading for pleasure, follow Nancy's other cardinal suggestion, go to the library and ask the librarian for a recommendation.  We will ask you what you have read, what you liked about your favorite books, and then suggest titles that you may enjoy.  We love to talk about books!

Or join our library book discussion group.  This month we are reading Khaled Hosseini's second novel, "A Thousand Splendid Suns."  According to Amazon, "It is a deeply moving story of family, friendship, faith, and the salvation to be found in love set in modern Afghanistan."  I read it several years ago and I am looking forward to re-reading it.  Our book group meets the third Thursday of each month at our NICC/Peosta branch and begins at 6:00 p.m.  Everyone is welcome.  Copies of the book are available for loan, just call your local branch and we will send one out for you.  The next meeting is November 21st.  In December, we will be talking about David Sedaris' "Holidays on Ice."  Please join us.

Thanks to everyone who visited the library after the Asbury Halloween parade.  We loved meeting you and you are welcome back any time.  

Have a great weekend.  Dawn

Happy Halloween

This is my favorite time of year.  I love the crisp air, the blue October skies, and Halloween.  Come celebrate with us tonight at the Asbury Branch.  The City of Asbury Halloween Parade starts at 6:30 p.m.  Our Library  will be the final destination for all parade goers.  Local vendors will be giving out treats in front of the Library and the Library has a special prize for every child who visits after the parade.  My grandson is coming to join in the fun.  So look for a 5 year-old Spiderman in the crowd.  

What I like about Halloween is that it celebrates the cycle of life.  Spring is all about rebirth, but in the fall we reflect on the passing of time and the transitory nature of our existence.  And Halloween lets us make fun of the inevitable and we can play among the zombies, skeletons, and ghosts.  In Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico, families bring treats and have picnics on the graves of their loved ones.  It is a sign of respect and remembrance.  

I also like that Halloween teaches children not to be afraid of the dark or of pretend scary things. There is enough real stuff to be afraid of, so it's good to be able to take the scare out of wispy ghosts, spider webs, tombstones, werewolves, and vampires. If we can dress up like them, they must not be too scary.  

And Halloween is a time for spooky stories.  I used to read to  my children from Alvin Schwartz's "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark" every season.  He re-tells many of the old folktales in very short stories. He has several volumes to choose from.  If you are planning a Halloween party, the Library has lots of great books to tell spine-chilling stories from.

Here is a very short list:
"The Skull Talks Back" by Zora Neale Hurton 
"Favorite Scary Stories of American Children" by Richard and Judy Young.
"Scary Stories to Sink Your Teeth In" by Lois Metzger (contemporary stories for older readers)
and "Ask the Bones: scary stories from around the world" by Olson and Schwartz.

Don't forget to pick up some scary movies when you visit.  We have all the classics for your teen or grown-up parties.

We also are having regular storytimes this week.  Check the website (www.dubcolib.lib.ia.us) for times and locations.  Also we are having a special author visit.  

Come meet local author, Art Huinker. His book "Small Man, BIG Heart" shares his experiences in the world of baseball.  Mr. Huinker will be speaking on Wednesday, October 23rd at the Residences Model home beginning at 4:00 p.m.  The Residences Model Home is located at 5249 Grand Meadow Dr. (Take Waterfront Dr. off of Asbury Rd. then left onto Grand Meadow Dr.)  Art will also be speaking at Peosta/NICC Branch on Tuesday, October 29th, 10-11am.

It is supposed to warm up this weekend, so enjoy the weather and come visit the Library to get your "spooky" on.    Dawn

The Future of Libraries

Neil Gaiman is a big name in science fiction and fantasy.  Gaiman has been called the modern master of wonder and terror.  He is the author of the "Sandman" series of graphic novels, "American Gods," "Good Omens," "Coraline" which was made into a movie by the director who created "The Nightmare Before Christmas, my personal favorite is his picture book titled, "The Wolves in the Walls, and he won the 2009 Hugo Award for his juvenile novel, "The Graveyard Book." His latest novel, "The Ocean at the End of the Lane," is a frightening fairy tale for adults. So why the big build-up for Neil Gaiman?  Neil Gaiman gave a speech at the Barbican (Arts Centre) in London on Monday, October 14th.  The text of his speech was published the next day in "The Guardian" newspaper.  The headline reads, " Neil Gaiman: Why our future depends on libraries, reading and daydreaming."  

Here are some excerpts,   "I was lucky. I had an excellent local library growing up. I had the kind of parents who could be persuaded to drop me off in the library on their way to work in summer holidays, and the kind of librarians who did not mind a small, unaccompanied boy heading back into the children's library every morning and working his way through the card catalogue, looking for books with ghosts or magic or rockets in them, looking for vampires or detectives or witches or wonders. And when I had finished reading the children's' library I began on the adult books.

They were good librarians. They liked books and they liked the books being read. They taught me how to order books from other libraries on inter-library loans. They had no snobbery about anything I read. They just seemed to like that there was this wide-eyed little boy who loved to read, and would talk to me about the books I was reading, they would find me other books in a series, they would help. They treated me as another reader – nothing less or more – which meant they treated me with respect. I was not used to being treated with respect as an eight-year-old.

But libraries are about freedom. Freedom to read, freedom of ideas, freedom of communication. They are about education (which is not a process that finishes the day we leave school or university), about entertainment, about making safe spaces, and about access to information.

I worry that here in the 21st century people misunderstand what libraries are and the purpose of them. If you perceive a library as a shelf of books, it may seem antiquated or outdated in a world in which most, but not all, books in print exist digitally. But that is to miss the point fundamentally.

Libraries are places that people go to for information. Books are only the tip of the information iceberg: they are there, and libraries can provide you freely and legally with books. More children are borrowing books from libraries than ever before – books of all kinds: paper and digital and audio. But libraries are also, for example, places that people, who may not have computers, who may not have internet connections, can go online without paying anything: hugely important when the way you find out about jobs, apply for jobs or apply for benefits is increasingly migrating exclusively online. Librarians can help these people navigate that world.

Physical books are tough, hard to destroy, bath-resistant, solar-operated, feel good in your hand: they are good at being books, and there will always be a place for them. They belong in libraries, just as libraries have already become places you can go to get access to ebooks, and audiobooks and DVDs and web content.

A library is a place that is a repository of information and gives every citizen equal access to it. That includes health information. And mental health information. It's a community space. It's a place of safety, a haven from the world. It's a place with librarians in it. What the libraries of the future will be like is something we should be imagining now."

My response is, Wow!  Right on!  Couldn't have said it better myself.  Awesome!  Libraries are important to our future.  How can we move forward without being able to comprehend the lessons of the past or our hopes for the future?  Libraries play an essential role in a democratic society, for the preservation of civilization, and the health and success of our children.  

Don't let anyone tell you books or libraries are dead.  Libraries are alive and well and planning for the future.

Our Library has great programs coming up next week:  

Come meet local author, Art Huinker. His book "Small Man, BIG Heart" shares his experiences in the world of baseball.  Mr. Huinker will be speaking on Wednesday, October 23rd at the Residences Model home beginning at 4:00 p.m.  The Residences Model Home is located at 5249 Grand Meadow Dr. (Take Waterfront Dr. off of Asbury Rd. then left onto Grand Meadow Dr.)  Art will also be speaking at Peosta/NICC Branch on Tuesday, October 29th, 10-11am.

All Hallow's eve is approaching.  The spirits are getting restless and the festivities are about to begin.  Start your Halloween celebrations at the library.  The City of Asbury Halloween Parade starts at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, October 25th.  The Asbury Branch will be the final destination for all parade goers.  Local vendors will be giving out treats and the Library has a special prize for every child who visits after the parade.  

Check our website (www.dubcolib.lib.ia.us) for more program information.  And don't forget to stop at your local branch and buy your Friends raffle tickets.  Information about the prizes is also on the website.

Have a great weekend.  Dawn 

We're so excited!!

This past week has flown by.  I have been concentrating on the new Asbury Municipal Building Project.  This endeavor has been in the works for over three years now.  The City of Asbury is the 10th fastest growing city in Iowa.  The population has doubled in the past five years!  So, it was time for the city to assess it's community presence.  So, the City Council undertook a space needs assessment and found that City Hall, the Police Department, and the Library were woefully small for a growing city.  Next they searched the community and selected the site which is a three-acre parcel the City owns next to the Village Co-op and Asbury Park.  Next they constituted a design committee of City officials, the Library, and community members to work with Marty Johnson of Straka & Johnson to develop plans for a building.  The City Council of Asbury approved the $3.6 million municipal building plan that will include City Hall, the Police Department, and the Library.  Last evening Mayor Jim Adams led the first public meeting at the Meadows to talk about the project with citizens.  The building will create a community hub for Asbury.  It will be a place of business but also community events like a farmer's market and concerts.

The Library portion of the project will cost $1.6 million.  It will include story time and play area space, an outdoor amphitheater, more computers, study rooms, and a shared program room that will seat over 100 people.  Now we are fundraising for the Library portion.  So far, the fundraising committee has over $500,000 in commitments to the project.  We are so excited!!  Asbury Library is needed in this community.  Circulation was up over 23% from last year and visits increased 19%!  We could do so much more if we just had the space;  space to offer programs and classes, space for computer stations, and space for the collection to grow.


In the next few months we will be ramping up our fundraising with community events you won't want to miss.

The other big new this week is that the Friends of Dubuque County Library is having it's first annual fall raffle.  Tickets go on sale next week at all of our library branches.  All the proceeds will go the Friends group so they can continue to support library services.  Friends helps out every year with programming, equipment, furniture, and much more.  Raffle tickets are $1.00 or 6 for $5.00.  You could win:  a handmade lap quilt; a handmade bean bag toss game, a handmade necklace with matching earrings, a large tote bag, or a goody basket.  All of the prizes have been donated by Friends members and Library Board members.  The raffle ends December 28th.  Check out our website for photos of the prizes or stop by Epworth Branch where everything is on display.

This weather is gorgeous, so get out and have a great weekend.  But remember to stop by next week and get your raffle tickets!!!    Dawn

Thanks for Your Support

Last year was a great year for Dubuque County Library.  Circulation (number of items checked out) rose nearly 26% across the system.  Visits to our library branches was up nearly 20%.  Program attendance was up 32%.  These are incredible numbers!!  I feel like Sally Field at the Oscars, "Gosh, you really like me."  Gosh, you really like libraries and you are using Dubuque County Library more than ever.  We had over 175 participants at our "Snakes Alive" program and at least 100 at our two "Rockin' Reptile" programs.  You turned out in droves to see the big construction machinery in the Epworth parking lot!!  

Our entire annual report is on our website so you can see the details.  I want to thank all of you for coming to programs and visiting our branches and to the DCL staff for their excellent service and dedication.  I also want to thank the those of you who have attended the library focus groups hosted by our Library.  Many more of you have filled out surveys.  There is still time to participate.

There are 3 more focus groups scheduled.  You may attend at any location.

Wednesday, October 2 at 6:30 p.m. at the Carnegie-Stout Public Library in Dubuque

Friday, October 4 at 10:00 a.m. at the Cascade Public Library in Cascade

Sunday, October 6 at 2:00 p.m. at the Carnegie-Stout Public Library in Dubuque

Light refreshments will be served at all locations.   The groups will be led by Molly Menster, former Human Relations Specialist, Human Rights Department, City of Dubuque.

Participants may register for a focus group by calling their local library or online by visiting the library website.   Visit our website at www.dubcolib.lib.ia.us to fill out an online survey or stop by and pick up a paper copy.  The focus groups and surveys end October 6th.

Last weekend my family all went to the American Players Theater in Spring Green, Wisconsin to watch their production of "Rosencrantz and Gildenstern Are Dead" by Tom Stoppard.  The play is the Hamlet story seen through the eyes of these two minor characters.  We had seen APT's "Hamlet" in late June and so we just had to see the same players do the Stoppard version. Wow!  It is a very complex, talky play.  Parts are very funny and yes, it is still a tragedy.  We all enjoyed the performance enormously.  Live theater is a totally different experience.  I highly recommend it.  

Our GAB book discussion group is reading "Half the Sky" by Nicholas Kristoff.  It is about the oppression of women and girls around the globe.  It is hard to read, but we need to know these atrocities are going on and that something can be done to reduce the torment.  Please join us for the discussion on Thursday, October 17th at 6:00 p.m. at our NICC/Peosta Branch.  

I am still slogging my way through "A Stolen Tongue" by Sheri Holman.  This is historical fiction about religious relics.  Her writing is amazing, but so far, it is slow going.  I'll let you know if it's worth it.

It is supposed to be beautiful this weekend.  Enjoy it!!!  See you at the Library, Dawn.

Help Us Plan

There is still time and opportunities for you to tell the Dubuque County Library Services Advisory Committee how you use libraries in the county and what you expect in library service.  You may pick up a paper copy of the survey, fill it out, and give it to a library staff member.  Or you may go to the library's website:  www.dubcolib.lib.ia.us and in the middle of the homepage is a link to the survey.  Or you may attend any of the remaining focus groups:

Tuesday, September 24 at 6:00 p.m. at the Holy Cross Fire Department Training Room in Holy Cross

Thursday, September 26 at 6:00 p.m. at the Dubuque County Library branch at NICC in Peosta

Wednesday, October 2 at 6:30 p.m. at the Carnegie-Stout Public Library in Dubuque

Friday, October 4 at 10:00 a.m. at the Cascade Public Library in Cascade

Sunday, October 6 at 2:00 p.m. at the Carnegie-Stout Public Library in Dubuque.

You may attend at any site.  Please pre-register so that we can plan for the number of participants.  Sandwiches, chips, cookies, and a dessert will be provided for the evening meetings.  You may pre-register at the library's website.  

We really need lots of ideas so don't miss sharing yours with us.  Please call me at 563-582-0008 or email me at dawnh@dubcolib.lib.ia.us if you have any questions or would like me to sign you up.

Congratulations and thanks to everyone who planned last week's cemetery walks.  Special thanks to Jeff Simon (tour guide) and Terrie Lenger (library programmer).  We had 40 people!! Terrie hosted a reception following the walks.  Check our calendar for the next walk scheduled in October.

Now is your chance to learn how to get more from your computer. Explore the library web page, card catalog and many of the data base offerings available through the library web site.

This class is for the beginners who want to learn more...we will also have Q&A session the last half hour. Join us at 1:00 on Monday, September 23rd at our Epworth branch.

A follow-up class will be offered October 21st at the same time & place.  You can register for both now.

There is a limit of 8 patrons for this class.  Call Terrie at 582-0008 and register TODAY!

                                                Banned Books Week is next week!!  

Did you know that classics like "Huckleberry Finn," "Of Mice and Men," and "Are You There God, It's Me Margaret?" have been removed from library shelves.  Libraries contain many titles that someone may find objectionable, but we resist censorship and let you decide what you wish to read, listen to, or view.

Stop at one of our 5 branches and pick up a Banned Book Mystery Bag. Inside will be a book that has been banned in the past by other libraries. A list of other banned books will be available for viewing at the branches.

Celebrate the freedom to read!

Have a great weekend, Dawn.

A