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
Friday, July 29, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
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
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
Friday, July 15, 2011
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.
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
Friday, July 8, 2011
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
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
Friday, July 1, 2011
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
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
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)