New @ the Library

Don't you love this weather?  I wish this 70 degree stuff would last for months.  So what's new at the Library?  We have added two more online resources that I think you will want to check out. 

Want to learn a new language?  Want to brush up on your high school Spanish?    Powerspeak Languages is a proven, effective learning system that combines systematic learning processes with innovative methods in courses tailored specifically to each language and culture.  In my case, I wanted to test out my high school French.  When I went through the demonstration with the salesperson for this database, I had so much fun.  I didn't want to stop.  Each of the exercises was more fun than the last and slowly built skills.  Powerspeak Languages delivers a unique mix of progressive, proven teaching methods that truly resonoate with language learners.  From the Dubuque County Library website you may choose Spanish, French, German, Mandarin, Korean, or Ingles for English language learners.

Are you into collectibles?  Would you like to find out what Aunt Martha's flower vase is selling for?  Now you can with this new resource.  It's like "Antique Home Show!" at your fingertips.  Price It! Antiques & Collectibles is the most comprehensive antique and collectible pricing tool in the world. This simple-to-use online resource delivers 23 million realized prices on treasures nearly 30% of Americans collect, buy and trade everyday.  Price It! Antiques & Collectibles is the ultimate identification, research, and pricing tool for collectors, dealers, appraisers and anyone in between.

How do you get started?  Be sure to have a Dubuque County Library card.  (Stop by and register if you haven't yet.)  Type in the library's website:  http://www.dubcolib.lib.ia.us/.  Click on the "Resources" tab at the top of the page and then click on "Gale Electronic Access Databases" from the list on the left side of the page.  Now you can choose from:  Legal Forms (a database of Iowa legal forms for everything from adoption to real estate and more), Powerspeak Languages, or Price It!   

We are excited about offering these resources to our customers.  Please call if you have questions or need help finding what you need.  

Remember that GAB (Girls and Books-men welcome) meets next Thursday at 6:30 at NICC/Peosta Branch Library.  We will be discussing George Orwell's "1984."  There are still copies available at the branches for you to borrow for the discussion.  Our June selection is "Before I Go to Sleep" by S.J. Watson.

This weekend is Mother's Day.  It's such a bittersweet holiday for me.  My mom passed away when she was only 76 (young these days).  So while I continue to miss her, I do celebrate the fact that I have two, fantastic daughters.  There are great books for both emotions.  Anna Quindlen's "One True Thing" is the best novel I have ever read about losing your mom.  It was made into a good movie starrring Rene Zellweger, William Hurt, and Meryl Streep.  For joy, I recommend "Six of One" by Rita Mae Brown.  Before Brown struck it rich with her series of cat mysteries, she wrote wonderful stories about small towns and family in the South.  "Six of One" is about sisters, daughters, wives, and friends.  It will make you roar with laughter.  Have a Happy Mother's Day.

Gearing up for Summer

Summer Reading Program
The school year is winding down and the library is gearing up.  As teachers prepare final lessons, field trips, and end of the year parties, the library is putting the finishing touches on an exciting summer reading program.  The library has planned fun activities for all ages.  We will have bats, balloons, magic, star gazing, and much more.  Registration for our Read @ Home program begins May 29th.  The summer brochure is now available at all our locations.  Watch for additional announcements regarding programs and prizes!!

Besides being fun, which is of course important, summer reading is essential.  Students can lose as much as half a year of reading progress if they don't continue to read during the summer.  This summer the library will be offering the opportunity for children to come to the library and practice their skills.  We will have two foster grandparents who will be at the library during scheduled times to read with your student.  They are a fantastic audience.  Each of these ladies has worked in the schools for many years.  We will be posting a schedule of reading times and locations soon so you can sign up for times.

And students who meet their reading goals this summer will have receive a special prize.  Readers who complete their July calendar will receive a brand new paperback book courtesy of the Friends of Dubuque County Library.  Students will be able to select a book from several choices appropriate for their reading level.

Book Sale a Success
The Friends of the Library had a very successful used book sale last weekend.  You wouldn't believe the number of books, videos, and tapes that we had to sell.  We filled every inch of space on the tables at the Silker Pavilion in Epworth.  So many wonderful Friends volunteers hauled all the books over, sorted and displayed them, staffed the sale, and cleaned up.  Thank you Friends!!  We had lots of happy buyers who went away with bags of books.

Need a Legal Form?
The library just purchased a new online resource called "Legal Forms."  It contains Iowa legal documents for a wide range of needs; power of attorney, wills, divorce, real estate, etc.  It is easy to search for a form and you can fill it out online and print or print the form to fill out later.  The best feature is that there are sample filled out forms available so you can see what information you need to include. I could have really used this resource when I had to fill out a Power of Attorney form with my brother for my dad.  I was intimidated by the blank form and would have felt much better if I could have seen a filled out form as an example. 

All of this is free and available 24 hours a day from the library's website:  http://www.dubcolib.lib.ia.us/.  At the home page, click on the "Resources" tab at the top of the page, choose "Gale Electronic Access Databases" and click on "Legal Forms."  You will need to type in your library card number to continue. 

Libraries are a Great Resource
Did you know that Iowans checked out 29.5 million items from their public libraries last year?  If Iowans had to pay for each item they read, listened to, or watched at an average cost of $12.00 per item, it would have cost them $354 million or $118.00 per person!!  Libraries are such a bargain.

Have a great weekend.
Dawn