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
Friday, September 30, 2011
Friday, September 23, 2011
Fire up your Kindle and It's Annual Report Time
Breaking news today - Kindle joins other ereaders to provide books to libraries
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
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!
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
Friday, September 16, 2011
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 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
Friday, September 9, 2011
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
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
Friday, September 2, 2011
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
Family Story Times
Also for your calendar: Friday Family Flicks:
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.
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 minutesAlso 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.
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