Remember how we used to love snow days? A day off from school!! We went sledding with friends and drove our mothers crazy. Now, I'm not so keen on snow days. Yesterday took me by surprise. We unfortunately had to cancel our All Iowa Reads book discussion and we closed early in several locations because it was getting pretty messy out there.
Today because Western Dubuque Schools cancelled, we are closed at Drexler/Farley branch. We will be open regular hours from 9:00-3:00 p.m. on Saturday. Remember to check our website in case of bad weather.
We have rescheduled the All Iowa Reads discussion of Tracy Kidder's "Strength in What Remains" for next Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at NICC/Peosta branch. The good news is that you have more time to finish the book or to stop by your local branch and pick up a copy so you can join us. At each branch there is also a discussion questions handout so you can think about the book beforehand.
"Strength in What Remains" is a personal memoir of the genocide in Burundi and Rwanda told through the journey of a medical student who escapes to America. Escape is a loaded word because arriving nearly penniless and homeless in New York is an overwhelming challenge. How can you go from terror to being on Harlem streets to medical school? Tracy Kidder is very good at structuring his narrative to keep you involved throughout the book. Though it's nonfiction, the book reads like fiction. It is a powerful book and we will have lots to talk about. If you haven't visited our Peosta branch, this is also the perfect excuse to do so. It is gorgeous.
We are in the process of starting a regular book group. Let me know if you would like to be notified as we make our plans. My phone number is 563-582-0008 and my email is: dawnh@dubcolib.lib.ia.us. Let me know when you would like to meet and what you like to read.
I also want to apologize for the gap in Internet service at our Epworth branch. We apparently "fried" a router and had to wait for a replacement part to arrive and be installed. Terrie is working very hard to get all the returns checked in. Please don't worry. She is eliminating fines for this past week because we were unable to check in books as they arrived. If you do discover a fine on your card, please call and we will take care of it. I love computers, except when they don't work.
While, I'm not keen on snow days anymore. It was absolutely stunning driving to work this morning. Iowa winters may be a challenge, but they can also be beautiful.
Have a great weekend.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Friday, February 17, 2012
Aren't Libraries Great!
I'll admit it. I'm a goner for libraries. It goes way back. I did a whole project on libraries in Camp Fire. I hung out at the Cedar Rapids Public Library whenver I could. I actually talked to the librarian about what she did. I'm sure I was a total nuisance, but there you go. My family groans every time we go to a new city. "Mom has to go the library," they whine. But really, they love libraries almost as much as I do. My husband is demanding of his "personal librarian." I must track down most of the books mentioned on "Morning Joe" or NPR. We are all readers. Even my youngest, who is dyslexic, has learned to enjoy reading.
Why do I love libraries? Let me count the ways . . . First of all they are free. I grew up in a one-income, working class family and buying books was just not in the budget. I could get whatever I wanted at either the bookmobile or the downtown library. Secondly, it was a great place to hang out and meet all kinds of kids from all across the city. Thirdly, I thought all the information in the world was there. Anytime I needed something, no matter what they subject, they had it. And now libraries are truly connected to the whole world. You can get access to almost anything through your library. And it's still free. Let me know why you love libraries and I will share in a future blog.
I want to alert you to a new service we will be offering in the coming weeks. All of our branches will be installing the IowaWorks, Virtual Access Point software. This platform will allow you to apply for unemployment insurance, look for jobs, even learn typing skills and create a resume. It is very easy to use and unlike the IowaWorks offices, will be available anytime the library is open. It also good for students looking at career information and for employers who want to research market trends or post jobs. I'll keep you posted as we install the new program across the system.
Don't forget our All Iowa Reads discussion of "Strength in What Remains" by Tracy Kidder is next Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at our NICC/Peosta branch. You still have time to read the book. Copies are available at all our branches along with discussion questions. Lisa Hendershott and I will be leading the discussion.
Other big news: The first issue of the Friends of DCL newsletter just hit the stands, er, branches. Liz Mehan, an Asbury Friends member, designed and edited the premier edition. It has library news, Friends activities, new titles at the library, program information, and more. You can even submit a review and we will publish it in this montly publication. Stop by and pick up a copy today. Thank you Friends!
Remember Asbury, Epworth and Holy Cross are closed on Monday for President's Day. Drexler/Farley will be open 10-3 and NICC/Peosta will be open regular hours 7-8.
Enjoy the weekend.
Dawn
Why do I love libraries? Let me count the ways . . . First of all they are free. I grew up in a one-income, working class family and buying books was just not in the budget. I could get whatever I wanted at either the bookmobile or the downtown library. Secondly, it was a great place to hang out and meet all kinds of kids from all across the city. Thirdly, I thought all the information in the world was there. Anytime I needed something, no matter what they subject, they had it. And now libraries are truly connected to the whole world. You can get access to almost anything through your library. And it's still free. Let me know why you love libraries and I will share in a future blog.
I want to alert you to a new service we will be offering in the coming weeks. All of our branches will be installing the IowaWorks, Virtual Access Point software. This platform will allow you to apply for unemployment insurance, look for jobs, even learn typing skills and create a resume. It is very easy to use and unlike the IowaWorks offices, will be available anytime the library is open. It also good for students looking at career information and for employers who want to research market trends or post jobs. I'll keep you posted as we install the new program across the system.
Don't forget our All Iowa Reads discussion of "Strength in What Remains" by Tracy Kidder is next Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at our NICC/Peosta branch. You still have time to read the book. Copies are available at all our branches along with discussion questions. Lisa Hendershott and I will be leading the discussion.
Other big news: The first issue of the Friends of DCL newsletter just hit the stands, er, branches. Liz Mehan, an Asbury Friends member, designed and edited the premier edition. It has library news, Friends activities, new titles at the library, program information, and more. You can even submit a review and we will publish it in this montly publication. Stop by and pick up a copy today. Thank you Friends!
Remember Asbury, Epworth and Holy Cross are closed on Monday for President's Day. Drexler/Farley will be open 10-3 and NICC/Peosta will be open regular hours 7-8.
Enjoy the weekend.
Dawn
Friday, February 10, 2012
Baby it's cold outside
Right now it's blowing and spitting snow outside. The wind chill must be nasty. So I'm planning what to read and watch this weekend because I think it is time to hunker down. Top of my list is finishing Wednesday Wars by Gary Schmidt. This is a 2007 young adult novel that was recommended to me by a friend of my daughter's. Kathleen loved the book and thought I would like it because it is about reading and growing up. Here's the brief description, "During the 1967 school year, on Wednesday afternoons when all his classmates go to either Catechism or Hebrew school, seventh-grader Holling Hoodhood stays in Mrs. Baker's classroom where they read the plays of William Shakespeare and Holling learns much of value about the world he lives in." Holling is a wise-cracking, normal adolescent who doesn't think high-tone classics have much to say to him, but Mrs. Baker teaches him otherwise.
Next on my list is Strength in What Remains by Tracy Kidder. This is the All Iowa Reads selection for 2012. It is a nonfiction, immigrant story that takes you from Burundi to New York and back again. There is still time for you to read it and join our book discussion. Lisa and I will be facilitating a discussion of Strength in What Remains on Thursday, February 23rd at 6:30 at our NICC/Peosta branch. Copies of the book and discussion questions are available at all our branches.
As for movies, there are some good ones out right now. Last week I watched Contagion; a contemporary plague story starring; Laurence Fishburne, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, and Matt Damon. A strange virus strikes a Minneapolis woman while she is on a business trip to Hong Kong and the pandemic begins. This movie doesn't pull any punches and it does give a terrifying picture of what could happen to us in this situation. On a lighter note, I am looking forward to watching Morning Glory starring Harrison Ford, Rachel McAdams, and Diane Keaton. The backdrop for this romantic comedy is a quirky New York TV show with rival anchors Ford and Keaton. This should be good old fashioned romantic fun--kind of like watching Adam's Rib with Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn. If you haven't seen that one, you must. Hepburn and Tracy play rival lawyers in a murder trial. The defendant is played by one of the all-time greats, Judy Holliday. Also in the must see category, especially if you love libraries, is Desk Set where Hepburn is a librarian for a broadcast network and Tracy is the efficiency expert who wants to bring in a giant computer he thinks can do her job. Guess who wins? These movies are also great for Valentine's Day showing that the battle between the sexes is timeless.
Don't forget to check the program calendar on our website. There are lots of storytimes going on across our library branches and they are a great way to save you from your child's cabin fever. And while you at visiting the library take home lots of DVDs and books to keep everyone sane during these dreary, winter weeks.
Keep warm and let me know what you are reading and watching. My email address is dawnh@dubcolib.lib.ia.us.
Next on my list is Strength in What Remains by Tracy Kidder. This is the All Iowa Reads selection for 2012. It is a nonfiction, immigrant story that takes you from Burundi to New York and back again. There is still time for you to read it and join our book discussion. Lisa and I will be facilitating a discussion of Strength in What Remains on Thursday, February 23rd at 6:30 at our NICC/Peosta branch. Copies of the book and discussion questions are available at all our branches.
As for movies, there are some good ones out right now. Last week I watched Contagion; a contemporary plague story starring; Laurence Fishburne, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, and Matt Damon. A strange virus strikes a Minneapolis woman while she is on a business trip to Hong Kong and the pandemic begins. This movie doesn't pull any punches and it does give a terrifying picture of what could happen to us in this situation. On a lighter note, I am looking forward to watching Morning Glory starring Harrison Ford, Rachel McAdams, and Diane Keaton. The backdrop for this romantic comedy is a quirky New York TV show with rival anchors Ford and Keaton. This should be good old fashioned romantic fun--kind of like watching Adam's Rib with Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn. If you haven't seen that one, you must. Hepburn and Tracy play rival lawyers in a murder trial. The defendant is played by one of the all-time greats, Judy Holliday. Also in the must see category, especially if you love libraries, is Desk Set where Hepburn is a librarian for a broadcast network and Tracy is the efficiency expert who wants to bring in a giant computer he thinks can do her job. Guess who wins? These movies are also great for Valentine's Day showing that the battle between the sexes is timeless.
Don't forget to check the program calendar on our website. There are lots of storytimes going on across our library branches and they are a great way to save you from your child's cabin fever. And while you at visiting the library take home lots of DVDs and books to keep everyone sane during these dreary, winter weeks.
Keep warm and let me know what you are reading and watching. My email address is dawnh@dubcolib.lib.ia.us.
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