Thanks for Your Support

Last year was a great year for Dubuque County Library.  Circulation (number of items checked out) rose nearly 26% across the system.  Visits to our library branches was up nearly 20%.  Program attendance was up 32%.  These are incredible numbers!!  I feel like Sally Field at the Oscars, "Gosh, you really like me."  Gosh, you really like libraries and you are using Dubuque County Library more than ever.  We had over 175 participants at our "Snakes Alive" program and at least 100 at our two "Rockin' Reptile" programs.  You turned out in droves to see the big construction machinery in the Epworth parking lot!!  

Our entire annual report is on our website so you can see the details.  I want to thank all of you for coming to programs and visiting our branches and to the DCL staff for their excellent service and dedication.  I also want to thank the those of you who have attended the library focus groups hosted by our Library.  Many more of you have filled out surveys.  There is still time to participate.

There are 3 more focus groups scheduled.  You may attend at any location.

Wednesday, October 2 at 6:30 p.m. at the Carnegie-Stout Public Library in Dubuque

Friday, October 4 at 10:00 a.m. at the Cascade Public Library in Cascade

Sunday, October 6 at 2:00 p.m. at the Carnegie-Stout Public Library in Dubuque

Light refreshments will be served at all locations.   The groups will be led by Molly Menster, former Human Relations Specialist, Human Rights Department, City of Dubuque.

Participants may register for a focus group by calling their local library or online by visiting the library website.   Visit our website at www.dubcolib.lib.ia.us to fill out an online survey or stop by and pick up a paper copy.  The focus groups and surveys end October 6th.

Last weekend my family all went to the American Players Theater in Spring Green, Wisconsin to watch their production of "Rosencrantz and Gildenstern Are Dead" by Tom Stoppard.  The play is the Hamlet story seen through the eyes of these two minor characters.  We had seen APT's "Hamlet" in late June and so we just had to see the same players do the Stoppard version. Wow!  It is a very complex, talky play.  Parts are very funny and yes, it is still a tragedy.  We all enjoyed the performance enormously.  Live theater is a totally different experience.  I highly recommend it.  

Our GAB book discussion group is reading "Half the Sky" by Nicholas Kristoff.  It is about the oppression of women and girls around the globe.  It is hard to read, but we need to know these atrocities are going on and that something can be done to reduce the torment.  Please join us for the discussion on Thursday, October 17th at 6:00 p.m. at our NICC/Peosta Branch.  

I am still slogging my way through "A Stolen Tongue" by Sheri Holman.  This is historical fiction about religious relics.  Her writing is amazing, but so far, it is slow going.  I'll let you know if it's worth it.

It is supposed to be beautiful this weekend.  Enjoy it!!!  See you at the Library, Dawn.

Help Us Plan

There is still time and opportunities for you to tell the Dubuque County Library Services Advisory Committee how you use libraries in the county and what you expect in library service.  You may pick up a paper copy of the survey, fill it out, and give it to a library staff member.  Or you may go to the library's website:  www.dubcolib.lib.ia.us and in the middle of the homepage is a link to the survey.  Or you may attend any of the remaining focus groups:

Tuesday, September 24 at 6:00 p.m. at the Holy Cross Fire Department Training Room in Holy Cross

Thursday, September 26 at 6:00 p.m. at the Dubuque County Library branch at NICC in Peosta

Wednesday, October 2 at 6:30 p.m. at the Carnegie-Stout Public Library in Dubuque

Friday, October 4 at 10:00 a.m. at the Cascade Public Library in Cascade

Sunday, October 6 at 2:00 p.m. at the Carnegie-Stout Public Library in Dubuque.

You may attend at any site.  Please pre-register so that we can plan for the number of participants.  Sandwiches, chips, cookies, and a dessert will be provided for the evening meetings.  You may pre-register at the library's website.  

We really need lots of ideas so don't miss sharing yours with us.  Please call me at 563-582-0008 or email me at dawnh@dubcolib.lib.ia.us if you have any questions or would like me to sign you up.

Congratulations and thanks to everyone who planned last week's cemetery walks.  Special thanks to Jeff Simon (tour guide) and Terrie Lenger (library programmer).  We had 40 people!! Terrie hosted a reception following the walks.  Check our calendar for the next walk scheduled in October.

Now is your chance to learn how to get more from your computer. Explore the library web page, card catalog and many of the data base offerings available through the library web site.

This class is for the beginners who want to learn more...we will also have Q&A session the last half hour. Join us at 1:00 on Monday, September 23rd at our Epworth branch.

A follow-up class will be offered October 21st at the same time & place.  You can register for both now.

There is a limit of 8 patrons for this class.  Call Terrie at 582-0008 and register TODAY!

                                                Banned Books Week is next week!!  

Did you know that classics like "Huckleberry Finn," "Of Mice and Men," and "Are You There God, It's Me Margaret?" have been removed from library shelves.  Libraries contain many titles that someone may find objectionable, but we resist censorship and let you decide what you wish to read, listen to, or view.

Stop at one of our 5 branches and pick up a Banned Book Mystery Bag. Inside will be a book that has been banned in the past by other libraries. A list of other banned books will be available for viewing at the branches.

Celebrate the freedom to read!

Have a great weekend, Dawn.

A

Focus on the Library

What a gorgeous day today!  This is one of those perfect days; even though it is Friday the 13th.  I'm not overly superstitious.  But boy was I taught all those old notions!  My mother would make sure I never went under a ladder, or around the opposite side of a pole, or a sign than she did.  That was bad luck.  If a black cat were to cross our paths, heaven forbid!  She would kiss her thumbs to ward off the evil.  When I was a teen, I thought how backward, how unscientific.  Now that she is gone, I think it was endearing.  Most people don't even remember these old superstitions.  But hey, they were harmless.  She meant to keep me safe and I miss her.  

Last night, the Dubuque County Library Services Advisory Committee, held its first of eight focus groups on the future of library services.  10 people met with facilitator, Molly Menster, to talk about how they use the libraries in the county and what they would like to see happen with library service. 
Now, it is your turn.  We really need people around the county to sign up for the remaining focus groups.  Here is the schedule:

Thursday, September 12 at 6:00 p.m. at The Meadows in Asbury

Tuesday, September 17 at 6:00 p.m. at the Dubuque County Library branch at Drexler Middle School in Farley

Thursday, September 19 at 6:00 p.m. at the James Kennedy Public Library in Dyersville

Tuesday, September 24 at 6:00 p.m. at the Holy Cross Fire Department Training Room in Holy Cross

Thursday, September 26 at 6:00 p.m. at the Dubuque County Library branch at NICC in Peosta

Wednesday, October 2 at 6:30 p.m. at the Carnegie-Stout Public Library in Dubuque

Friday, October 4 at 10:00 a.m. at the Cascade Public Library in Cascade

Sunday, October 6 at 2:00 p.m. at the Carnegie-Stout Public Library in Dubuque.

Light refreshments will be served at all locations.   All residents in Dubuque County are eligible to attend any of the focus groups.  Participants may register for a focus group by calling their local library or online by visiting the library website.  Our website is www.dubcolib.lib.ia.us.

In addition to the focus groups, county residents may share their thoughts about library service by completing a brief survey.  This survey is available in paper form at each of the libraries in the county, as well as online through each of the library websites.  Surveys will be available through October 6.

The information and ideas that are gathered will be used by the Committee to evaluate library service in Dubuque County and identify ways to improve services for all residents.  

Tell us what you want from your library.  More DVDs, more book discussions, more story times, more hours?  We are listening.

Have a great weekend.  Dawn

Fall at the Library

Even though we are experiencing a heat spell, calendar-wise it really is fall.  Students are back in school and before you know it, it will be Halloween. Our family had a milestone this week.  Our grandson started kindergarten.  His mother and I can't believe it!  How can he be so big, so soon?  

The Library is getting busy with fall programs. 

Preschool and family storytimes begin again this week.  Be sure to check our website calendar for dates and times.  Sign up for the storytime nearest you.

If you are a local history buff, you need to join us for our cemetery walks next Thursday, September 12th.  Here are the details: We will gather at the Farley/Drexler Library branch by 5 pm to join a car pool. The Fairview Cemetery tour will begin at 5:15pm with our tour guide Al LaPage, representing the Fairview Cemetery Association. The second tour will visit St. Joseph's Cemetery at 6:15pm. The guides, Joe Simon, caretaker, and Jeff Simon, Farley Mayor, will explore past leaders. A reception will follow back at the Farley/Drexler Library branch from 7-7:30 p.m. with members of the Farley Historical Society available to share more about the local community.  This was a very popular program last fall, so you won't want to miss this opportunity.

Library Focus Groups Begin Next Week - Register Today

As I talked about last week, please consider registering for a focus group to discuss the future of library services in Dubuque County.  We would love representation from all the communities we serve and our rural residents.  You don't have to be a library cardholder to participate.  Everyone is welcome. It's only an hour of your time to give us the input we need to make wise decisions.  Here is the schedule for the focus groups:

•         Thursday, September 12 at 6:00 pm at The Meadows in Asbury

• ·         Tuesday, September 17 at 6:00 pm at the Farley Dubuque County Library branch in Drexler Middle School

• ·         Thursday, September 19 at 6:00 pm at the James Kennedy Public Library in Dyersville

• ·         Tuesday, September 24 at 6:00 pm at the Fire Training Room in Holy Cross

• ·         Thursday, September 26 at 6:00 pm at the Dubuque County Library branch in NICC in Peosta

• ·         Wednesday, October 2 at 6:30 pm at the Carnegie-Stout Public Library in Dubuque

• ·         Friday, October 4 at 10:00 am at the Cascade Public Library in Cascade

• ·         Sunday, October 6 at 2:00 pm at the Carnegie-Stout Public Library in Dubuque

 Please register online at www.dubcolib.lib.ia.us.  The registration information is right in the middle of our homepage.  Or you may call me at 563-582-0008 and I will register you.  Registration will help us keep track of how many seats are filled at each location.  Please call me or email me (dawnh@dubcolib.lib.ia.us ) if you have any questions.  

If you are not able to attend a focus group, please give us your thoughts by completing a library service survey.  You may stop at your local branch and pick up a paper copy or fill out the survey online through our library's webpage.  We want to hear from you.

Have a great weekend.  Dawn