Happy 2012

I hope that you all had a great Christmas.  We had a chance to be with all of our family, from my 90 year-old father to my three year-old grandson, and everyone in between.  That was very special.  We had time to cook, watch movies, and play games.  The holidays are such a treat.

This week Dubuque County Library staff have been very busy bees.  Along with great volunteers, we moved the Farley branch library to Drexler Middle School.  Our new address is 405 3rd Ave. NE.  We are still settling in, but you can stop by and check out materials starting Tuesday. Community hours are:  Monday through Thursday 10am-7pm, Friday 10am-6pm, and Saturday 9-3.  The book return has been moved and is right by the library entrance.  Plenty of parking is available in the adjacent lot including handicapped access spaces.  We think you will be very pleased with the new space.  Drexler staff has been so gracious and helpful.  We will be announcing a grand opening reception very soon.

We are also updating our hours of operation beginning Tuesday, January 3rd.  Asbury branch will be open Monday through Thursday 9am-8pm, Friday 1pm-6pm, Saturday 9am-3pm and closed on Sunday.  After studyiing usage patterns and talking with many customers, we decided that it would be better to be open Friday afternoon rather than on Sunday.  We observed and you told us that you want to be able to stop by on Friday afternoon and pick up books and movies for the weekend.  Plus we will be open for students after school all week.  Sunday usage has not been strong, and we want to be open when most people want to visit us. This change means that three locations; Peosta, Farley, and Asbury will be open on Fridays.

Epworth is adding Monday morning hours from 9am-12pm and Holy Cross is adding Tuesday morning from 9am-1pm to its schedule.  Dubuque County Library is trying it's very best to serve you at a convenient location and a time that fits into your busy life.  Let us know what you think.

Dubuque County Library staff, Board, and Friends wishes you a Happy New Year!  We all have lots to look forward to in 2012.  Thank you for all your support.

Dawn Hayslett, Library Director







 

Happy Holidays and On to Drexler

This past couple of weeks has been a blur.  There is lots going on at Dubuque County Library.  Children's staff are doing holiday crafts and parties along with movie showings.  Be sure to check our web calendar to find out what is happening in your community. 

We just finished our first round of budget preparation.  Guess what?  It takes money to provide library services and more money to provide quality library services and programs.  In the budget proposal approved by the Board of Trustees for the next fiscal year which begins July 2012, we are requesting more money for materials and more money for programming and promotion.  We want to provide multiple copies of popular, best selling, titles so that customers don't have to wait for books and DVDs to be transferred between branches and don't have to wait on long hold lists for those great new items.  We need support for publicity to let people know we are here and to tell them what great services and programs we have.  I want everyone to know that Dubuque County Library, with its five, convenient branches, is a place to use the Internet, check out books and DVDs, and attend programs for all ages.  We have a great staff that is eager to serve you.  On January 12th, 2012 we will be presenting our budget to the Dubuque County Board of Supervisors.  We would love your support.  You can call or email any of the supervisors and tell them that you want them to fully fund library services.  In these economic times, library service is a bargain.  If you have questions or comments about the budget process or talking with the supervisors, just give me a call at 563-582-0008. 

We are also in the midst of the move from our 1st St. location in Farley to Drexler Middle School.  Next week we will start loading carts and the current location will be closed at the end of business on Monday, December 19th at 7:00 p.m.  The Farley branch will re-open at Drexler on Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012.  The new address is 405 3rd Avenue N.E. in Farley.  We will be moving and re-shelving books and equipment while the students are on holiday break.  If you want to help load and unload carts, the actual moving days are December 27-29.  We will start at the old location on the 27th and the next two days we will be unloading materials at Drexler.  Many hands make light work.

This will be our first Christmas in Dubuque.  My husband and I are looking forward to hosting all of the family at our house.  We have put up the tree and decorated the mantle in anticipation of our grandson arriving next Wednesday.  He is three and just getting the hang of this Santa thing.  We took him to see the jolly old elf last weekend and he promptly asked for a monster truck.  Children put real joy into the holidays.  If only I had my shopping done . . .

The Board and staff of Dubuque County Library wishes you happy holidays and a wonderful New Year.  There are great things to look forward to at the library in 2012, and I am honored and proud to be a part of it all.

Dawn

We're Moving

Farley residents rejoice!  The Dubuque County Library is moving from our store front location in Farley to Drexler Middle School.  We have established a partnership with the City of Farley and the Western Dubuque School District to share library space in the new addition at Drexler.  We will be open for business at Drexler in early January. 

The Drexler school library was designed with a community partnership in mind. The library entrance is close to a parking lot with a separate entrance for after schoool hours.  Community members will be able to use the combined public/school library many more hours than we previously we able to provide.  Farley community hours will be:

10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.

We will be open at Drexler/Farley year round.  Another plus is that there is a program room in the library that we can use for storytimes, craft programs, book discussions, and movies.  This room will also be available to community groups for meetings.  The library will have books, magazines, and DVDs for all ages.  We will have popular fiction and nonfiction, graphic novels, and board books for the little ones.  With a Dubuque County Library card you can check out any circulating item in the library.  Obviously, we are very excited about this new opportunity for service.  Western Dubuque School District staff has been so cooperative and so welcoming.  It's going to be a great collaboration.  I will keep you posted as we get closer to moving day.

We have a great Pearl Harbor Rembrance program scheduled for December 7th at Epworth branch.  At 2:30, Bill Mausser, local historian and veteran will share his experiences and collection of World War II memorabilia. This includes a model of the SS Arizona. There will be a question and answer session after Mr. Mausser's 45- minute presentation. The event is open to the public and all ages are welcome.

Holy Cross branch will have a family holiday movie at 2:00 on December 6th.

Check our calendar to sign up your children for our holiday craft programs.  Participants will make a wonderful holiday ornament and enjoy a snack.  This is one you won't want to miss.

The holidays are busy time.  Don't forget that the library is here to help.  We have books about holiday cooking and decorating as well as DVDs to keep the kids occupied while you try to wrap those presents. 

Remember, it's only 23 days until Christmas.  Have fun, Dawn.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Today, the Dubuque County Library staff had a half-day training workshop.  We learned how to use two of our electronic resources.  Ebscohost is a database of magazine and newspaper articles that is so helpful for general information and student research.  If you are looking for the latest articles on the politicial campaigns, or want to find out if Consumer Reports has recently evaluated toasters, tires, or DVD players, we can help.  EbscoHost contains several databases including general magazines, newspapers, health information, and an encyclopedia. 

NoveList is a source for information about books and authors.  Ever wondered what the next book in a Patterson series is?  I can never remember what order the Alex Cross books go in.  With NoveList, we can find it.  Have you read every Nicholas Sparks book and would like to read something similiar?  NoveList can give you lots of suggestions for other authors you might enjoy.  The database provides information on both fiction and nonfiction as well as books for adults and children.  If your student is working on a report about Botswana, NoveList can help you identify books at their age level. 

NoveList and Ebscohost are available at all our branches or you can login from home as long as you have a library card.  Stop in or call and we will get you started. 

We also did a beginning session on using NEIBORS to download ebooks to the computer and mobile devices like IPhones or Kindles. 

For the Thanksgiving Holiday, all of our branches will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and the following Friday.  On Saturday, Asbury branch and Farley branch will be open 9-3 and on Sunday, Asbury will be open 1-5.  After all the eating and shopping, stop by and see us.  Check out a holiday DVD or perhaps a book about decorating or crafting for your December celebrations.

There are good things coming to Dubuque County Library.  Our logo contest brought us wonderful designs and our panel of judges narrowed it down to four finalists.  The Board will see the finalists at their meeting next week and choose a winner in December.

The Board will also be considering the 28E agreement with the City of Farley and Western Dubuque Community Schools.  If the agreement is approved by all three organizations, we plan to be open at the Drexler Middle School in Farley in January 2012.  It is a great space and the hours will be expanded to serve you better.  I will keep you posted.

The Friends of Dubuque County Library is sponsoring a "Make and Take Christmas Card" workshop on November 30th at 6:30 at Asbury branch.  Jane Bechen will teach you how to use rubber stamps to make great designs.  The cost is $8.00 and is a fundraiser for the Friends. 

Thanksgiving helps us to think about what we are grateful for.  I have quite a list this year.  I have a new job with a great staff and board, my husband and I love our "new to us" house in Dubuque.  My father and my children are healthy, and my grandson is fantastic.  What more could a girl want? 

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.    Dawn

What's coming up at DCL?

It's beginning to feel like winter is approaching.  We have had such a wonderful Iowa fall.  I love this time of year but it's a busy one.  It always seems like once Halloween is over that everything speeds up to Thanksgiving and on to Christmas.  But, we need to learn to savor every day.  And as we savor there is lots to do and your library can help.  We can help you find those delicious Thanksgiving dinner recipes.  My Thankgiving dinner tactic is to always make the tried and true recipes (turkey, stuffing, green bean casserole) and add one thing new.  Last year my escalloped pineapple failed pretty miserably, but this is another year.  The library staff can also help with great book suggestions that will be just right for all the people on your holiday list. Think of us as you scurry through the holidays and let us help.

We had a great time with the Halloween parties around the county.  All the kids had a good time.  There is a special event in Peosta this coming Saturday, November 12th.  We will be hosting our own celebration of National Game Day.  Come play with us at 10:00 a.m. Saturday morning.  If you haven't been to our newest branch, you should stop by.  The space is beautiful and the hours are very community friendly.  They just added the first fish to the aquarium in the storytime room.  Say hello to Danielle who is there to serve you.

Another special event is coming up November 17th at 7:00 p.m. at our Epworth branch--Paws with a Cause.  Cindy Ludwig, owner of Canine Connection LLC and a Paws With A Cause field representative, will present an informative program on the world of service dogs.  Included will be information on the organization, the benefits of a service dog for people with disabilities, and how to apply for a dog.  All ages welcome!  No registration is required.

The Friends of the Dubuque County Library are sponsoring another craft program on Wednesday, November 16th.  Jane Bechen will be teaching a "Make and Take Christmas Cards" class at 6:30 p.m. at NICC/Peosta Library.  The cost is $8.00 and you may pre-pay at any county library.  The class will teach you how to create your own holiday cards using rubber stamps.  Jane will bring a selection of stamps, paper, and decorations to use and you will bring home your own masterpiece.  The class is open to ages 10 and up.  What a great way to start the holiday season.

The library logo design contest submissions are in.  We had over 50 entries and they are fabulous.  Our panel of judges is reviewing the designs and we hope to announce a winner at our December Board meeting.  Some lucky artist will win a $100 Amazon gift certificate courtesy of the Friends of Dubuque County Library.

That's all the news for now.  If you have questions, please contact me at 582-0008 or dawnh@dubcolib.lib.ia.us.  I'd love to hear from you!  Have a good weekend.

News from DCL

It's been two weeks since I've written about the library.  I came down with a nasty case of bronchitis and I'm finally feeling much better.  So, let's catch up.

I want to introduce you to a new Dubuque County Library staff member.  Maggie Chilsen joined our team on October 11th.  Maggie is a native of Madison, Wisconsin who earned her social work degree from Loras College.  After a stint in Chicago, Maggie moved back to Dubuque and is working for AmeriCorps at the Multicultural Family Center.  She is teaching conservation skills to children at the Mines of Spain.  Maggie is working part-time for us and you can meet her when you stop by the Farley branch library. 

As you might have read in the Telegraph Herald, the library is affected by the recent layoff in the county treasurer's office.  We had to lay off our least senior librarian.  As a result of these staff changes, we may experience some temporary closings.  This Saturday, Holy Cross library branch, will be closed because we are short of staff. 

On the bright side, Epworth branch will be open this Saturday.  It is still difficult to drive into the library parking lot.  As of today, you can park in the cornfield and walk down to the library.  We hope that Bierman Road will be open in the next few days.  We apologize for the inconvenience.  Please check out our website for the latest information.

Last Tuesday evening, the library sponsored an author event at our NICC/Peosta library branch.  Dr. Richard Barker shared with us his new book "Dubuque's Haunted History."  Dr. Barker is a certified paranormal investigator and the President of the Dubuque County Library Board of Trustees.  "Dubuque's Haunted History" tells the tales of haunted places all around the tri-state region from ancient Native American stories to recent creepy sightings.  We had a really good time discussing paranormal research while sitting around the library fireplace followed by cookies and tea.  "Dubuque's Haunted History" is available at the Dubuque County Library as well as on sale at River Lights Bookstore and amazon.com.

This weekend should be perfect for Halloween.  There is a crispness in the air and just the right amount of spooky for trick or treaters.  Have a safe and happy Halloween.  Boo!!

Halloween is Approaching

It's been a busy week at my house.  We really celebrate Halloween.  Tombstones have appeared outside near the front steps.  A bat glows from the window.  A lovely, skeletal bridal couple will greet you on the porch and we have installed the seasonal "screaming" doormat.  Since we are new to town, we are waiting anxiously to see if we will have a bumper crop of trick or treaters in our neighborhood.  It's all in good fun.

Speaking of fun.  Now is the time to register for Dubuque County Library Halloween parties.  Kids will have a spooky good time with a skeleton scavenger hunt, listening to Halloween stories and making their own Halloween treat.  Here's when the fun begins:

NICC/Peosta on October 20th from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Holy Cross on October 22nd from 10-11 a.m.
Farely on October 27th from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.   and
Asbury on October 29th from 10-11 a.m.

To register please call or visit your local branch.  Here are the phone numbers:

Asbury - 582-0008
NICC/Peosta - 556-5110 ext. 224
Farley - 744-3577
Holy Cross - 870-2082

If you are looking for the perfect, read-aloud Halloween book, I recommend Ray Bradbury's "Dandelion Wine."  It takes you on a worldwind tour of the history of Halloween as you follow the exploits of a young, small town boy on All Hallows Eve.  It's the best!

A word to everyone about Epworth branch.  Construction on Bierman Road is in high gear.  As a precaution, we are monitoring access to the library on a day-by-day basis.  We don't want anyone getting hurt either driving or walking into our parking lot.  If you need something, call the Asbury branch at 582-0008 and we will retrieve items for you.  If you wish to use the library, please call ahead to see if we are able to be open.  The number is 876-3388.  We will continue to empty the book drop and let you know if your hold has arrived.  The construction is supposed to be completed in a couple of weeks.  We will keep you posted.

It's supposed to be a great weekend.  My family is going to a pumpkin patch and pick out pumpkins.  Maybe we will even go on a hayrack ride.  Don't you love fall in the Midwest? 

Please let us know if you have questions or concerns.  I still would like to hear from other book readers about forming a book group.  I know you are out there.  Give me a call at 582-0008 or email at dawnh@dubcolib.lib.ia.us.  Thanks, Dawn.

What's on your bedside table?

The very clever credit card commercials with Vikings in contemporary settings asks the question, "What's in your wallet?"  So I'm asking, what's on your bedside table? What books are stacked up there for you to read or what have you recently downloaded that you can't wait to start?  We are past the beach read season and we will be staying inside more, so now's the time to stop by the library or visit our website and get stocked up with books and DVDs.

There are two books on the table beside my recliner.  "Doc" by Mary Doria Russell and "The Last Town on Earth" by Thomas Mullen.  Russell is one of my very favorite authors.  She writes sentences that make you stop and catch your breath because they are so beautiful.  You savor every paragraph.  "Doc" is a fictional biography of Doc Holiday.  Transplanted to the Arizona and Kansas catttle towns from his upper class Atlanta family because of tuberculosis, John Henry Holiday was trained as a dentist and  practiced his skills in tough, boom or bust times, but made his living at the card table in dusty saloons. The story is fascinating with its cast of famous characters like Wyatt Earp and it narrates the life of someone who perserved through very difficult circumstances.  Now I want to watch Val Kilmer's portrayal of Doc on film all over again. Check out the DVD "Wyatt Earp" for a gritty, honest view of the Old West.

To talk about the next book, I have to share a little secret.  I love plague literature; fiction and nonfiction.  It doesn't matter what the disease is; bubonic plague, yellow fever, ebola outbreak, whatever.  I want to read about it.  I read about plagues from long ago and plagues of the future.  What can I say?  Some people love serial killers, or boddice rippers, or romance.  I love epidemics.  Good novelists use the dynamics of a plague to explore how humans rise and fall, succeed and fail, in stressful situations.  It brings out the best and worst in our characters. Some time I will give you my list of favorites.

"The Last Town on Earth" is the story of a Washington state logging town that quarantines itself off during the horrible Spanish influenza epidemic in 1918.  I remember seeing old photographs of the ISU campus where there were their rows and rows of beds to accomodate the growing numbers of flu victiims.  Commonwealth, Washington decides to let the flu burn itself out in their town rather than spread the disease to surrounding communities.  Talk about stress!  The novel is scary, yet hopeful. The story is similar to Geraldine Brooks' novel "A Year of Wonders" in which the townspeople of a small British hamlet shut themselves off from the rest of the world during an outbreak of bubonic plague in 1665-1666.  Brooks' novel is based on a true story.

So, that's what I'm reading.  Do you like to talk about what you are reading?  I would love to gather people together who want to discuss books.  Are you interested?  We can structure the group in many ways; talk about what we are reading and just share good titles, or pick a book a month to read and talk about, or create a series of discussions around a topic or a kind of book (like childhood favorites, history of Iowa, war and peace, or genres like chick lit, mystery, or science fiction).  What intrigues you?  Please email or give me a call if you would like to join a book discussion group.  We can talk about what, when, how often, and where.  My phone number is 563-582-0008 and my email address is dawnh@dubcolib.lib.ia.us.

Enjoy this wonderful fall weather and have a good weekend.  Dawn

Fire up your Kindle and It's Annual Report Time

Breaking news today - Kindle joins other ereaders to provide books to libraries

You can now check out ebooks from the library and read them on your Kindle or Kindle mobile app!  Most of the titles provided by NEIBORS (the consortium that we belong to in order to provide ebooks) are now compatible with Kindle, and the process will seem familiar to NEIBORS and Kindle users.

You will need an Amazon account to download to a Kindle or Kindle app, but you won’t need a credit card—just an e-mail address to create an account.  Look for eBooks that have “Kindle Book” as an option on the NEIBORS website, check them out as usual, but instead of “Download” you’ll see a “Get for Kindle” button, which will take you to Amazon where you can “Get library book” and select the Kindle or app device to which you want to deliver the book.

To download ebooks and audiobooks, go to the library's website: www.library.dubcolib.lib.ia.us and click on the NEIBORS square in the lower right-hand corner.  There is a start-up guide on the first page.  If you have never done this before, call us at 582-0008 and we will talk you through the process.  All you need is your library card!

Annual Report Time
For libraries in Iowa, the year is a fiscal one that begins July 1st and ends June 30th.  The State Library requires us to submit an annual survey in order to qualify for state funding.  The annual survey must be completed by September 30th.  Just under the wire, we got ours in on Monday.  It sounds like I resent this assault of numbers, but secretly I love to have those statistics so that we can show where we are growing and where we need to work harder.  It helps us compare ourselves with other libraries in Iowa and watch for trends over the years. 

Let me share with you some of the numbers and some observations.  We circulated 80, 944 items for the whole system.  This is down slightly from the previous year.  That isn't surprising since we retired the bookmobile.  We hope to bring those numbers up next year with our new branch in Peosta and more publicity about all the great resources and services available at our library.  DCL has 6,220 registered borrowers.  That is too low for a service area population of 29,184.  To help in that area, I am hoping to talk to several city councils for towns that currently don't contract for service and encourage them to join the Public Libraries of Dubuque County 28E Agency.  Membership in the agency allows borrowers to use any library in the county (Cascade, Carnegie-Stout, James Kennedy Public Library in Dyersville, and all the locations of Dubuque County Library).  There are thousands of Dubuque County residents that have no access to library service and we want to serve them. 

DCL added 4,361 items last year.  The best news is library programs are going great.  We provided 247 programs for children, teens, and adults.  And 3,150 people attended those programs.  Summer reading registration (856) was at an all-time high.  Plus 35,843 people visited DCL over the year.  That's pretty darn good.

On the financial side, our total operating budget was $589,835.  We spent $431,808 on salaries, $62,661 on books and other materials, $17,865 on computers and telecommunications costs, and $77,501 for rent, supplies, utilities, etc.  That's a pretty normal breakdown of what it costs to run a library these days.  Looking forward, we will be working to increase our book budget next year so that there are more choices when you come to the library and you don't have to wait very long for a book request or a hold.  Service is always our goal.

If you would like to read our annual report, there is a copy available at all of our branches.

Remember the Asbury library is now open 1-5 on Sundays.  Download or checkout a great read at your Dubuque County Library.  Enjoy the crisp fall weather this weekend.   Dawn

Whew! It's Been Busy

I am a cold weather person.  I could live forever with a daytime high temperature of 65 degrees.  So, I love fall.  For me the crisp days of autumn are why I live in Iowa.  I love the leaves turning to gorgeous colors of yellow and red, watching kids going back to school with new book bags and new markers, and I love having the windows open for fresh air and feeling just a little chilly.  Fall is an energizing time, and although it may be the end of some things, it is always the beginning of something new. 

New things are certainly happening at Dubuque County Library.  Staff has had a very busy couple of weeks getting ready and then moving materials to Peosta.  We opened our Peosta branch with a grand reception on Tuesday.  NICC hosted a wonderful event with speeches from lots of folks including former governor Chet Culver and an official ribbon-cutting.  The best part of the day though was watching our children's programmers doing storytimes in the new story space created at NICC/Peosta library.  They were having a great time and at one point the children were singing "Old McDonald" at the top of their lungs.  Those little people are our future and we love that we are helping grow that next generation of readers, the next generation of students, and the next generation of Americans. 

Dubuque County Library is open for business at Peosta and all across our county.  We invite you to stop in. Check our website for the hours at Peosta.  If you have a Dubuque County Library card, you can check things out from Peosta or any of the branches plus any of the other public libraries in our county; Cascade, Dyersville, or Carnegie-Stout in downtown Dubuque.  If you don't see what you need at any branch, be sure to tell a staff member what you are looking for and we will find it for you at another branch or another library. 

We have completed another phase in our computer upgrade.  New routers have been installed at all the branches which we expect will provide more reliable service for you. 

Storytimes and movie nights are scheduled for the next few months.  Please check the website for details.

We hope you have noticed some new things  appearing at all of our branches.  We have been adding learning cubes, activity centers, and puzzles for our youngest customers.  These quality toys are there so that mom and/or dad can have time to select materials for the family while visiting the library.  The toys will be rotated among our sites to keep them fresh for little hands and minds.

Stay tuned for more news coming from Dubuque County Library.  And have a wonderful, fall weekend.
Dawn

New Branch at NICC in Peosta

We have moved!!  Today we moved materials from Epworth storage into the new NICC library at Peosta.  We will be open for business on Tuesday (September 13th).  September 13th is also the NICC ribbon-cutting and open house for the newly remodelled wing.  In addition to the library, the wing has meeting rooms, an Internet cafe, a coffee shop, and health sciences classrooms.  Tours begin at 3:00.  The program is at 4:30 with a reception following.  Come by for a tour.  You will be amazed at the new space.  Special story times are scheduled for 3:30 and 4:30 that afternoon at the new library. 

Remember, we are adding the Peosta branch.  No Dubuque County branches are closing.  The Asbury, Epworth, Farley, and Holy Cross branches are alive and well.  Thank you for your patience this week when we had to close on Thursday to get ready for the move.  We are open tomorrow as usual and ready to serve.

Hannibal Smith of A-Team fame had a great catchphrase, "I love it when a plan comes together."  (I just saw the new verion of the movie last weekend.)  That's what I want to say about our move to Peosta.  With a wonderful staff and group of dedicated volunteers, our plan for the move came together.  With help from NICC library staff as well, we moved in our materials and put them on the shelves in record time.

Dubuque County residents should be pleased when they visit the new branch.  It is a beautiful space, with a lively collection of materials, and great hours.  You can visit from 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday and from 9:00 to 1:00 on Saturday (beginning September 24th).  You can check out books on cd, DVDs, magazines, adult popular fiction and nonfiction, plus children's books ranging from board books to young adult novels (including manga and graphic novels.)  We hope there is something for everyone plus you have access to the NICC library collection which is particularly strong in medicine and agriculture. 

The fall series of story times is underway.  Check our website for times and locations. 

Dubuque County Library wants to be your community resource.  Please stop by and get your library card.  If we don't have what you are looking for, we will get it for you either by borrowing the item from another library or purchasing your request for our collection.  We aim to please. 

Have a nice weekend.  Dawn

Peosta Here We Come

Dubuque County Library is moving materials to the new NICC library wing next week.  All of our locations will be closed on Thursday, September 8th, in order for us to load up the carts and the moving van will be trucking everything over to Peosta on Friday. 

The official opening day for the NICC/Peosta branch is Tuesday, September 13th.  A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at 4:30 p.m.  To celebrate this new community resource, we will be offering two family story times that day:  one at 3:30 and one at 4:30 in the library story space. 

Everyone is invited to join in the festivities with tours of the new wing beginning at 3:00 until 4:15 and refreshments following the ribbon-cutting from 5:00 to 6:00.  Please come and join us as we begin a new chapter in Dubuque County Library history.

This is a partnership that was a long time in the making and now the community of Peosta will have a beautiful library to enjoy.  NICC has been extremely generous in providing a space that is inviting to both community members and students.  Library customers will be able to use the facility all the hours they are open which are 7 am to 8 pm Monday through Thursday, 7 am to 6  pm on Friday and 9 am to 1 pm on Saturday.  The library is closed on Sunday.  In addition to current NICC staff, the city of Peosta is funding an additional staff member to enhance service to the public.  Her name is Danielle Lensen.  She will be working evenings and Saturdays. 

In addition to books, there are magazines, DVDs, and audiobooks to choose from.  The collection will be small to start with, but we will be adding new materials.  We are also providing two public computer stations for community customers.  These stations will have Internet access and MicroSoft office programs. 

The fall 8-week story time series kicks off next week.   

Preschool Story Times

NICC/Peosta

Date: Tuesdays 9/13, 9/20, 9/27, 10/4, 10/11, 10/18, 10/25, 11/1

Time: 9:30 am lasting 30-45 minutes depending on the age of the group

Epworth Library

Date: Wednesdays 9/14, 9/21, 9/28, 10/5, 10/12, 10/19, 10/26,11/2

Time: 11:30 am lasting 30-45 min depending on the age of the group

Asbury Library

Date: Thursdays 9/15, 9/22, 9/29, 10/6, 10/13, 10/20, 10/27, 11/3

Time: 9:30 am lasting 30-45 minutes depending on the age of the group

Family Story Times

Farley Library

Date: Thursdays Sept 15, Sept. 29, Oct 13, Oct 27 and Nov. 17

Time: 6:30 pm lasting 30-45 minutes

NICC/Peosta Library

Date: Thursdays Sept. 22, Oct. 6, Oct 20, Nov 3

Time: 6:30 pm lasting 30-45 minutes

Holy Cross Library

            Date: Saturdays Sept. 10, Sept. 24, Oct. 8, Oct 22, and Nov. 5

Time: 10:00 am lasting 30-45 minutes

Asbury Library

            Date: Saturdays  Sept 17 and Oct. 1, Oct 15, Oct 29, Nov. 12        

            Time: 10:00 am lasting 30-45 minutes

Also for your calendar:  Friday Family Flicks:

Holy Cross Library

 Date: Sept 16, 2011

Time: 6:30 pm-8:00 pm

Asbury Library

Date Sept 30, 2011

Time: 6:30 pm-8:00 pm

NICC/Peosta Library

Date Oct 14, 2011     

Time: 6:30 pm-8:00 pm

Farley Library

Date Oct 28, 2011     

Time:  6:30 pm-8:00 pm

Epworth  Library

Date Nov 4, 2011       

Time:  6:30 pm-8:00 pm

Holy CrossLibrary

Date Nov. 18, 2011    

Time:  6:30 pm-8:00 pm

Remember all of our branches are here to serve you.  Join us on September 13th as we welcome a new branch to our library family. 

Have a great week, Dawn.
 

Gearing Up

"Turbulence is life force.  It is opportunity.  Let's love turbulence and use it for change."  Ramsey Clark (U.S. Attorney General 1967-1969).  When I worked at the University of Texas at Austin, Ramsey Clark came to speak at his alma mater.  He is a long, lanky man with a rugged face and a slow, Texas drawl.  Clark tells stories in the best backwoods tradition of tall tales with a wit as dry as the Texas Hill Country.  He said that life is rocky and change is not always smooth, but well worth the effort.  He was truly inspiring because he has lived his values. Whether you agree with his politics or not, Ramsey Clark is a model for believing that we can change the world and maybe make it a little better.

Change is coming to Dubuque County Library.  We are going to open a new branch.  The branch will be located in the new health sciences and library wing of Northeast Iowa Community College in Peosta.  This is a partnership between a community college and a public library that has been years in the making.  The new facility will be dedicated on September 13th at 4:30 p.m.

What is this new branch?  NICC/Peosta Community Library will be a welcoming place for all ages.  Students and community members will be sharing a lovely space with all kinds of resources.  Dubuque County Library will be providing popular books, DVDs, books on CD, and magazines.  NICC will be providing public access computers and access to their existing collection.  In addition there will be story times in the specially-designed story space.  Community members may use the library all the hours it is open and check out books and other materials.

We will be moving into the new location the week of September 6th.  All library locations will be closed on Thursday, September 8th so that we can have all hands on deck to move materials.  The Peosta branch may not have all the materials available right away, but we will be adding more materials continuously and exchanging materials with other branches in our system.  Remember libraries are like trees, they grow.

Dubuque County Library is not closing any of its other branches.  If you are a regular user of Farley, Epworth, Holy Cross or Asbury, we will continue to be there for you. 

Preschool and family story times will begin again in mid-September for an 8-week series.  The times and locations will be posted on our website.  Please call or stop by to register.  There will also be movie nights twice a month at various locations.

Just a reminder of another change that's coming.  Beginning September 1st, DVDs will check out for one week and books will be checked out for 21 days instead of 2 weeks.  All materials checked out after September 1st, will be subject to overdue fines.  A list of fines and fees is available on our website.  There will be a 48-hour grace period so that fines won't start adding up until two days after the item is due.  You can renew materials online, in person or by phone. 

I'll end with a Dylan song taken from the Bible, "oh the times, they are a changing."  Change can be messy, but change is the only way to achieve progress.  Let us know how we are doing.

Have a great weekend. 

Dawn

Onward and Upward

I have always said, "Computers are great when they work."  That was our experience this week at Dubuque County Library.  Last Thursday, August 11th, we worked with our circulation vendor to upgrade our system.  We worked out bumps on Friday at Asbury to get us up and running, but unfortunately we had more serious errors at our other locations.  With much perseverance and assistance from great staff both here and from our vendor, we had everybody up and running by Tuesday noon.  I apologize for the inconvenience.  If that weren't enough, a hub went out at Epworth yesterday so that there was no Internet service at all.  Fortunately our intrepid IT guy, Alan Grant, knew what was wrong, found us the part, and Terrie was able to install the new hub and get Internet service back before the end of the day. 

It's amazing how dependent we have become on this new technology.  We are "dead in the water" when our systems won't let us connect to the outside world.  But this is all part of the process we are undergoing here at Dubuque County Library.  We are upgrading equipment all over our system so that we will be more reliable for our customers.  We want you to know that we will be there for you when you want to look up a book, print a photo, or send an email.  So please excuse our "mess" while we get these upgrades in place.  By mid-September we should have this work done and be opening our community library at NICC Peosta.

Wasn't that exciting that the President was at NICC?  Amy Esterhuizen, Provost for NICC/Peosta, said that the President's cabinet used the new library space for their meetings.  What an auspicious beginning.  We should all be very proud that Washington chose Dubuque County for gathering information and listening to the people.

This is really the last weekend of summer for a lot of us.  Local schools will begin next Monday.  It's an end to sleeping late, lazy afternoons, pool splashes, car trips, and catching fireflies.  I remember I was always torn between wanting to get back to school and see school chums and wanting summer to never end.  As a parent, I loved the beginning of school.  We shopped for new markers and notebooks plus just the right outfit for the first day back.  That was fun!  Now I'm excited because my grandson can't wait for his first day of preschool in a few days.  Life is good when you can watch the passage of time with fond memories and new hopes.

Enjoy what's left of summer.  Let us know what comments or questions you have about Dubuque County Library.   Dawn

I Love Libraries

The economic news is dismal.  We seem to have avoided defaulting on the nation's debt, but the stock market is anything but confident.  All the indicators show we are in for a long, slow recovery.  What keeps me sane in this crazy time?  Libraries.  I know that sounds naive, but libraries are a bright light in a very dark tunnel.  The shear fact that we have publicly funded libraries is a unique statement about our American values.  We believe that everyone in a democracy has a right to information.  And we put our tax dollars to work in a place that offers information that is not tied to commercial or political interests.  The library.   The library offers a wide range of information that helps you understand your world.  We provide books, magazines, and Internet access that is available to everyone regardless of economic status.  Libraries are part and parcel of that level playing field people always talk about.

I love working in a library.  Not only do I help continue the long tradition started by Benjamin Franklin for public libraries, but I get to spend my days figuring out how to offer the best service possible to our customers.  Public libraries began, in many ways, as the people's university.  Thousands of immigrants flocked to public library reading rooms to learn how to become American citizens.  Those immigrants went on to work hard in their new country and create a special American way of life.  Today the public library is still the place where working moms and dads can bring their children to story time, select books, learn a craft, search for a job, improve their computer skills, and use library resources to improve their quality of life.  That's a pretty good institution to be a part of and I'm proud of it everyday.

This past week at Dubuque County Library we were busy as bees.  We upgraded our circulation system to keep up with the improvements provided by our vendor.  It will look the same to our customers, but behind the scenes it will be a smoother process for library operations.  We are receiving and processing new books, and selecting ones from our existing collection all in preparation for the opening of our new branch at NICC/Peosta in early September.  We are also working on getting catalog terminals operational at all of the branches and fixing some software glitches and printing issues.  Computers are great when they work.  Please be patient as we try to bring everything up to snuff.  Staff is also planning for a series of fall story times, special programs, and events.  More on that soon.

Don't forget to attend the last in our multicultural series this Saturday.  Members of our community will share the culture of India at 2:30 at the Asbury Eagles Club.  They have lots of activities planned for the whole family.

The Holy Cross Library will be closed this Saturday so that we can participate in the parade and festivities.  And all library locations will close at 4:30 on Thursday, August 18th so that staff can attend a new director reception hosted by the Friends of Dubuque County Library.  The reception will be from 5:00-8:00 at Park Farm Winery.

And remember as a partner in the grand tradition of public libraries, the Dubuque County Library wants to provide quality library service that meets your needs.  Let us know how we can help.  Thanks for your support.  Dawn

Free Online Courses from the Library

Starting today, the Dubuque County Library is offering free online courses from Universal Class.  Universal Class offers over 500 non-credit continuing education courses.  Here are the facts: 

• You are welcome to enroll in up to 5 courses.
• You have up to 6 months to finish each course.
• You have access to your course 24/7 via the Internet.
• Attend class and do assignments on your schedule. Each course has a real instructor who you may communicate with using email.

  These are non-credit courses and are provided for your personal enrichment.

All of this is free and available with your Dubuque County Library card.  Just go to the library's website www.library.dubcolib.lib.ia.us and click on "Universal Class."  Type in your library card number and complete a one-time registration form.  Universal Class will confirm your email address and then you are ready to enroll.

They have classes in a wide range of subjects ranging from basic math and writing to finance skills, starting your own business, parenting, counseling, learning HTML, and fun skills like gardening, photography, and natural remedies.  You can learn everything from dog training to Buddhism. 

No tutition fees, no books to buy, and you can learn at your own pace with the guidance of a real instructor and classmates.  You really should give it a try! 

Saturday, August 6th is your last chance to turn in your reading calendars and enter for the grand prize drawing.  The drawing is Monday, August 8th at all branch locations.

This weekend is Town and Country Funfest in Epworth.  To celebrate, the library will close at 10:00 so staff can join the parade at 10:30. 

Remember to mark your calendars for our last big program of the summer.  We will learn about the culture of India on Saturday, August 13th at 2:30.  The program will be held at the Asbury Eagles Club.

I welcome your comments and suggestions for the library.  So, let me hear from you.  Have a great week.

Dawn

Fines at Dubuque County Library

First of all I hope all of you have recovered from our recent downpour.  What a mess!  My house which has had water in the basement one time in twenty-five years (according to the previous owners) suffered again Wednesday evening.  There just isn't anywhere for ten inches of rain to go in that short a time.  On the bright side, it gave us a good excuse to pull up the shag carpeting in the downstairs bedroom although I would rather have done that when it wasn't totally soaked.  Our libraries were fine and we were open regular hours.

We had a board meeting last week and I want to let you know about some upcoming changes at the library.  Based on staff recommendations, the board approved a new circulation policy that the library will begin charging fines for overdue materials beginning September 1st.  The board and staff feel that this is a stewardship issue.  Our materials are purchased with tax dollars from the county and the cities we serve.  Those materials are meant to be shared by all of the citizens eligible for library service.  When those materials aren't returned on time other citizens are not able to use them.  Most libraries across the country charge a small penalty or late fee for items not returned on time. 

All library materials checked out before September 1st are not subject to a fine.  We hope our customers will return those materials as quickly as possible.  For library materials checked out after September 1st, Dubuque County Library will charge 20 cents per item per day for books not returned by their due date and 50 cents per day for each overdue DVD. 

To help our customers adjust to a new way of doing things, we also instituted a 48 hour grace period so that your fine will not begin until 2 days after the item is due.  And also to help our customers adjust to a new system, we have lengthened our loan period from 14 days to 21 days. 

The great thing about overdue fines is that you never have to pay them if you return your materials on time or renew them before they are due.  You can renew items by calling the library or using your online library account.  Also, if you have provided us your email address, we will notify you before your items are due and remind you if they are not returned.

And if you do end up having to pay a small late charge you can think of it as a contribution to the library's collection.   All the money collected for fines will go towards the purchase of library materials.

Not everything in life is fair, but you can make things equal.  The library is striving to be a responsible custodian of the tax dollars you give us.  We want all of our customers to have an opportunity to use the materials in the library's collection and have an expectation that they will be able to use materials that are checked out to another customer when they are due back to the library.  I will post the new fine schedule on our library homepage so there are no surprises.  There will be information on fines next week at all of our branch libraries.

Please let me know if you have questions or concerns about your library.   Have a good weekend.
Dawn

Just Keep Reading

Summer library programs are winding down.  Next week beginning on Wednesday, participants may turn in their reading calendars for prizes at all library locations.  We are showing "The King's Speech" at Epworth Branch at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday the 28th.  We have one more armchair traveling program on India scheduled for Saturday, August 13th at the Asbury Eagles Club at 2:30 p.m. 

We take a programming break as August arrives.  But you don't have to stop coming to the library.  There are still lots of stories to discover.  We are here for you all over Dubuque County.

I was listening to Wisconsin public radio yesterday afternoon. They have been doing a series called the "sounds of summer."  These short vignettes bring back the joys of summer.  Yesterday it was the clink of ice cubes that brought back the writer's memories of sweet tea shared with her grandma in the evening on the front porch. In the days before air conditioning, keeping cool was based on how many ice cubes you consumed over the course of a hot day. 

My best summer memory is the braided rug on the living room floor of my childhood home.  I spent hours and hours lying on my tummy reading.  Occasionally when I was too underfoot, my mother would shoo me outside.  But I always returned to the familiar soft ridges of the rug.  That is where I learned what a tesseract was from "A Wrinkle in Time" and what a first kiss might be like from "Seventeenth Summer."  Reading was my travel and my adventure.  The Cedar Rapids Public Library summer library program enticed me to ride my bike to the bookmobile to redeem my carefully filled-out reading folder for wonderful prizes.  One year it was small, ceramic dinosaurs.  What more could a kid want? 

So thank you to all those parents who participated with us this summer and kept the joy of reading alive.  Thank you for bringing your children to the library for storytimes, movies, and craft programs.  And thanks to all the adults who watched movies with us, enjoyed the travel presentations from around the globe, and learned how to make a handcrafted memory book. We loved having all of you at the Dubuque County Library.  And now we are in the midst of planning for fall.  Enjoy your August and don't stop reading.

Dawn

Everybody Needs Friends

"A friend is one of the nicest things you can have and one of the best things you can be." (Douglas Pagels, contemporary Colorado writer)

 

Last night was a busy one for me.  First I attended an Asbury City Council meeting to hear about their plans for a new city hall building.  In all of the designs presented, they have planned for a larger library along with shared programming space.  Just imagine, in this new space we would be able to have movie nights, storytimes and all kinds of programs.  I am really excited and grateful for the continued support from the Asbury City Council and the entire community.   

 

After that meeting I joined our Friends of Dubuque County Library monthly meeting.  This is such a great group.   Friends help in so many ways.  They organize book sales, march in parades, provide treats for children's and adult programs, volunteer to help with summer reading programs, and talk to public officials on our behalf.  Right now the Friends are planning a meet and greet reception for me.  They are sponsoring the event to be held at Park Farm Winery later in August.  Isn't it wonderful to have Friends?  Wouldn't you like to be a friend of the library?  We needs friends from all over the county. There is plenty of work to do and you can participate in lots of ways.  You can volunteer for programs, serve as a contact person in the network, serve on the board, and more.  If you want more information, contact Mary Pfeiler.  Her email address is pfeilerj@iowatelecom.net.  Or you may stop by your local library branch and fill out a Friends "Time and Talent" sheet and tell us how you would like to help. 

Let me share with you a quick rundown of the summer programs going on next week. 

Tweens will be creating on Monday at Farley Memorial Hall from 11:30-1:00.   They will be learning origami and making their own Mancala game.  Mancala is a very old African game played with beans that is sort of like backgammon.  I used to play it for hours when I was in college and worked as a playground director in the summers at Ellis Park in Cedar Rapids. 

Adults can learn how to make their own keepsake books on Tuesday evening July 19th at 7:00 at the Farley library branch.  Spaces are limited so be sure to call the library to sign up for your spot.

You can travel from your armchair many times next week.  On Wednesday watch the beautiful Julia Roberts' movie, "Eat, Pray, Love" at 6:00 p.m. at the Holy Cross branch.  Popcorn is provided.  And on Thursday, July 21st at the Epworth library at 7:00, join Julie Habel as she shares her travels through South America and the Galapagos Islands.  Julie did a slide show on Australia and New Zealand last week in Holy Cross and I have it on good authority that she was great! 

Wrap up the week with on Friday, July 22nd with a Movie @ Your Library in Asbury beginning at 6:30.  We will be showing the Swedish film sensation, "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo."  The movie is based on the best selling novel by Steig Larsson.  In the story, a journalist and a computer hacker get entangled in a forty-year-old missing persons case and you won't believe how it turns out!  The movie is rated R and has English subtitles.

The heat is supposed to return this weekend so be sure to plan to do something cool at the library next week.  We'll be waiting for you.

Dawn

What are you reading?

During a staff meeting today, we were talking about how to get to know people.  One person talked about a question that is an easy icebreaker in library circles:  What are you reading now?  Former Iowa First Lady, Christie Vilsack, often uses that question when she meets new people.  As a librarian and book lover, that question is always easy for me.  I can hardly remember a time when I wasn't reading a book (except for some fuzzy months when each of my daughters was born.  During that time I was pleased if I had the attention span to finish an article in Redbook magazine). 

Right now I am reading Heather Gudenkauf's second novel, "These Things Hidden."  Gudenkauf lives in Dubuque with her husband and three children.  She graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in elementary education and is currently a literacy coach working with teachers. I liked her first novel, "The Weight of Silence."  If you like Jodie Picoult you might like Heather Gudenkauf.  Both authors write about contemporary issues and use multiple narrators.  Picoult's novels often lead to a court case whereas Gudenkauf keeps it closer to home with plenty of Iowa settings and sensibilities.  I'd love to hear what you are reading. You may email me at dawnh@dubcolib.lib.ia.us.  Or stop by the library. We all love to talk about what we're reading and offer reading suggestions.

Summer programs continue at the Dubuque County Library this coming week.  Monday the 11th is our first grand prize drawing for the Read @ Home program!  It's not too late to sign up for the August drawing.  There is a toddler storytime at our Asbury Branch at 9:00 on Monday. 

Holy Cross is the place to be on Tuesday.  There is a storytime at 10:30 and at 11:20 is the Friends Forever program presented by Jessica from the Riverview Center of Dubuque.  At 6:00, Holy Cross resident and world traveler, Julie Habel will share tales from her travels to the lands down under:  Australia and New Zealand. 

Wednesday, July 13th there will be a storytime at Epworth at 10:30 and at l:00 at Farley Memorial Hall, Jenny Ammon from Dubuque County Conservation will talk about Native American stories, games, and history.  The program will also be presented on Thursday at 1:00 at the Peosta Community Center.  Peosta storytime on Thursday is at 10:30. 

On Friday there is a 9:00 storytime at Asbury and a Tween program at 10:30.  We travel to Africa at 1:00 with a slide show presented by Mary Beth Wagner.  And if that's not enough, at 6:30 there will be a program to teach you how to make your own book.  Your handcrafted book will be great for photos, journaling, doodling, or whatever strikes your fancy.  Space is limited for the adult craft program so please call 582-0008 to sign up.

Tonight I will be reading "Goodnight Moon," "Runaway Bunny," "Bob the Dinosaur," and "One Monday Morning."  My three-year-old grandson is here for the weekend.  I wish you all good reads.
Dawn

Summer Fun at Dubuque County Library

This weekend is a time for picnics and fireworks.  On July 4th we celebrate our nation's founding and remember what a privilege it is to live in the United States.  The good ol' USA is the birthplace of modern democracy and the birthplace of public libraries.  We should all be proud that we as citizens recognize the importance of the public library as a community resource for the common good.  Yea independence!  Yea libraries!

Next week will be a very busy one here at Dubuque County Library.  We have lots of regularly scheduled storytimes:  Holy Cross branch on Tuesday at 10:30, Wednesday at Farley at 9:00 and Epworth at 10:30, Peosta Community Center at 10:30 on Thursday, and Asbury at 9:00 on Friday.  Also, there are two special programs: on Thursday and Friday will be Friends Forever presented by Jessica from the Riverview Center of Dubuque.  She will read "The Sneetches" by Dr. Seuss and everyone will create their own mask.  The programs will be at 11:20 following the Peosta storytime and on Friday following Asbury storytime at 9:50.  And on Friday at 1:00 we will be showing "Diary of  Wimpy Kid" at Farley Branch Library.  These are great ways to beat the summer heat.

Our Read @ Home program is still going on.  Kids of all ages win prizes for reaching their summer reading goals of reading 4 days or more each week.  Stop by and sign up.  The program continues through August 8th.

Have you noticed that we now have computer catalog terminals at the Asbury and Holy Cross branches?  We are in the process of getting those set up at the rest of the branches and they will be available very soon.  You can use these stations to search for your own materials when you visit the library and to place holds.  If an item you want is at another branch, place a hold and we will bring it to your most convenient branch location.

Did you not find what you wanted when you visited the library?  Please talk with one of our staff members if we don't have the book or DVD you need.  We will be happy to either borrow it from another library or order it for our collection and place a hold so you will be notified when the book is available.

In the spirit of founding father and library founder, Ben Franklin, happy 4th of July!!!!

Dawn

News from Dubuque County Library

The Dubuque County Library Board of Trustees signed an agreement with Northeast Iowa Community College and the City of Peosta to open a community library within the new library addition at NICC.  The NICC library will be moving in July and we plan to be open for business by the end of August.  It is a fabulous facility and everyone in the county should check it out.  We are very grateful to the citizens of Peosta and NICC administration for providing this incredible opportunity.

In other news, DCL just started email notification.  If you gave us an email address when you registered for a library card, now we will let you know through an email message when a book you wanted is ready to pick up and when your books are due.  This is a fast, efficient, and cost effective way of communicating with you.  So the next time you stop by your community branch, make sure and let staff know if you have an email address and we will add it to your patron record. 

There are still lots of programs going on for summer reading.  On Monday, June 27th, the tweens will be geocaching with Jenny from Dubuque County Conservation at Swiss Valley Park from 11:30 until 1:00.  We continue our worldwind tour at Epworth Branch on Tuesday, June 28th, at 7:00 p.m.  Nancy Burds will present a program on China.    Watch the best Oscar winning movie, "The King's Speech," at Asbury Branch on June 30th at 7:00 p.m.   Regular storytimes continue so check our website calendar for details.

Today everyone had big fun at the Storm Chaser programs as well storytime and a movie.  Don't miss out.  Mark your own family calendar to include Dubuque County Library summer activities. 

Please let me know if you have questions or concerns about your Dubuque County Library.  We want to provide quality library service so let us know how we are doing.  My phone number is 563-582-0008 and my email is dawnh@dubcolib.lib.ia.us.

Summer Reading in Full Swing

Dear Dubuque County,
     Weatherwise this summer has been up and down.  One minute it's normal Iowa hot and muggy and then the next minute it cools off.  But there are no ups and downs for the Dubuque County Library summer reading program.  It's off and running, but there is still plenty of time for you and your children to participate.  Register for the Read @ Home program through August 8th and win prizes by reaching your summer reading goals.  Let's see what's happening this coming week.
     The theme for this summer is "One World, Many Stories," and so we are traveling around the globe from our libraries.  Next up is Vietnam.  Come to our Epworth Branch on Tuesday, June 21st and learn about Vietnam's culture through crafts, storytelling, and music.  The fun begins at 1:30. 
     For the whole family, there is a Friday Flick at 1:00 at our Asbury branch.  Included with your free admission is a snack. 
     Want to learn how a tornado forms or what is really inside the eye of a hurricane?  Then you definitely won't want to miss "Your Weather - Your World."  Meet real storm chaser, Eddy Weiss.  Mr. Weiss will be at each of our branches on Friday, June 24th:  Asbury Library 10:00, Holy Cross (in the Dubuque Bank and Trust basement) 1:00, Farley Memorial Hall at 4:00, and at Epworth Library at 7:00 p.m.  The program lasts about an hour and all ages are welcome.
     We don't leave adults out of the fun for summer reading.  Pick up your reading passport or reading road map at any branch, write down your reading selections, and be eligible to win a Global Goods gift certificate or a travel mug.  If you are truly ambitious, you can do both programs.  Our next grown-up event is on Thursday, June 23rd at 7:00 at our Epworth branch.  Learn how to scrapbook your summer vacation and preserve those memories forever.  Call 563-876-3388 to reserve your space.
     Whew!  There is a lot going on at your Dubuque County Library.  In addition to our special programs, there are regularly scheduled story times and tween programs.  Check our website: http://www.dubcolib.lib.ia.us/ for times and locations.  Talk to you later.
Dawn Hayslett
Dubuque County Library Director
563-582-0008
dawnh@dubcolib.lib.ia.us

Let me introduce myself . . .

Dear Dubuque County,
     My name is Dawn Hayslett and I am the new director of the Dubuque County Library.  Today marks my fourth Monday "on the job."  I came here via Burlington Public Library where I was Public Services Manager for three and a half years and before that I was Assistant Director of the Ames Public Library for 17 years.  I am an eastern Iowa girl, born and raised in Cedar Rapids.  I attended the University of Iowa for both my bachelor's in English and my master's degree in Library Science.  On the homefront, I am married and we have two grown-up daughters.  My husband Larry is a high school teacher in math and science.  Our oldest daughter, Maya, is an instructor at the University of Wisconsin Madison in plant pathology (rust, oak wilt, and other diseases) and our youngest, Kali, is a Unitarian Universalist minister now serving the First Unitarian Church of Des Moines as their summer pastor.  The light of our lives is our three-year-old grandson, Leif, who lives with mommy and daddy in Madison.
     I am very excited to work with the staff and Board of Trustees of the Dubuque County Library.  We serve the citizens of rural Dubuque county as well as the towns where we have branches (Asbury, Epworth, Farley, and Holy Cross).  We just kicked off our summer reading program and there are lots of upcoming programs for children and adults.  Stop by your nearest branch and get a library card so you don't miss out on all the fun. 
     Remember, children need to continue reading during the summer to maintain their skills.  Students can lose as much as half a year of reading development if they don't continue to read during summer vacation.  That's my soapbox for today.  Talk to you soon, Dawn.