Blog Entries
20th Annual First Amendment Days Celebration
by Anessa Olson“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” This is the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. These five freedoms are an essential part of American law and culture, and are woven into the fabric of our lives in ways both large and small. From big nation-wide protest movements to the clothes our children wear to school, the Firs... Read Full Blog
What to read next…?
by Ellen WanamakerI’ve done it again, that thing that librarians do. I’ve brought home too many books and can’t settle on which one to start. It’s a good problem to have, being surrounded by so many books that you’re paralyzed by the sheer pile of awesomeness in front of you.
One of the books in my heap is “The Falcon Thief: A True Tale of Adventure, Treachery, and the Hunt for the Perfect Bird” by Joshua Hammer. This one made it home because I’m just a sucker for books about birds. Also, how can you resist a true crime story about a man so desperate to steal rare peregri... Read Full Blog
What a Novel Idea!
by Anastasia TucknessWhat do roleplaying games, flip-flops, and magnetic cup holders have in common? Not much, you might say, except this: they all became part of Ames Public Library as a result of our Novel Ideas program! Novel Ideas fosters innovation and creative thinking among Library staff. In the four years since its inception, it has done just that, prompting some unique and interesting initiatives. Any staff member can propose an idea to be considered by the Novel Ideas team. After approval, a cross-department team works together to implement it. Funding comes from a specia... Read Full Blog
Reading Requests
by Jill Philby
We get lots of requests at Ames Public Library. Sometimes it is a simple request, like needing a study room. Other times, it’s a bit more complicated, like putting an item on hold or a purchase request. And, occasionally, it is for something that may take a bit more time and thought, such as title suggestions for advanced young readers—children who are reading quite a bit higher than their grade level.
When we have an adult talk to us here in Youth Services about their advanced reader, we get excited. It’s exciting that ... Read Full Blog
Supernatural
by Alissa Lee DorninkMy friend recently sent me a life-sized carboard cutout of the character Dean Winchester, of Supernatural fame, that she found at a vintage shop in Minneapolis. For those not familiar, Supernatural was a long running CW show that followed two brothers as they crisscrossed the country in their 1967 Chevy Impala hunting monsters and fighting evil supernatural beings.
I thought it would be in keeping with the road trip spirit of his character to bring him along as I traveled to visit family in Nebraska and Minnesota, so I folded him up and brought him al... Read Full Blog
To Make Your Day
by Max Gulden
One of the many enjoyable things about library work is making someone’s day by introducing them to something they haven’t encountered before. Be it a book they hadn’t heard of, a timely program they didn’t realize was on offer, or a community resource about which they were unaware, sharing just what is needed on any given day is enduringly rewarding.
One thing that is particularly enjoyable is introducing people to online library resources. Barely a day goes by when we aren’t able to introduce someone to online access to e-books, e-audiobooks, movies, ... Read Full Blog
Settling In
by Sheila SchoferI moved into a new old house recently. It feels good to settle further into my chosen home town of Ames in a more permanent way, after years of NYC apartment living. I bought an older home, an aesthetic that speaks to me; I was recalling to a colleague recently that I’d had a clawfoot bathtub in nearly every place I’d lived since graduating from college.
Older homes come with interesting layouts, smaller closets and storage challenges though. Plus, moving homes forces you to confront your stuff. I had parted ways with many items when I moved across ... Read Full Blog
Assistive Technology at the Library
by Rosie FrancisAccessibility is a word that is often heard at the Ames Public Library (APL). Like other public spaces, the library wants to be accessible to all patrons and visitors. This includes having special parking spaces that are reserved for visitors who may need them, having ramps that are wheelchair and walker accessible and having elevators that are designed and built so patrons who use them are able to do so with ease. At the APL you will find the active use of assistive technology to help patrons and visitors.
Assistive technology is an umbrella term that ref... Read Full Blog
Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Doors: Bringing Books into My House
by Tracy BriseñoMy three children love to read. I am overjoyed that they love to read and I love to pick items out for them that will pique their interest. There are so many great and interesting titles that I rarely have any problems picking a wide selection.
There is a neat concept in literacy that talks about giving readers mirrors, windows, and sliding doors. Emily Style introduced the concept of mirrors and windows in 1988 and it was added to in 1990 by Rudine Sims Bishop to include sliding doors. The basic concept is giving readers books that reflect their experienc... Read Full Blog
To Be Read?
by Seth WarburtonOne month of 2022 is already gone, which means this is the time of year to default on all those lofty goals that you made only a few short weeks ago. I rarely make New Year’s resolutions myself with the exception of setting the number of books I want to read in the year to come. With my goal comes a constantly-growing pile of books that I aspire to read: my TBR pile. My TBR, or To-Be-Read, list never seems to shrink, no matter how many books I read. My biggest problem is rank promiscuity. When it comes to books I’m an unrestrained phil... Read Full Blog
Library Teen Space Reopening!
by Ethan Atwell
If you have a teen and are trying to find something for them to do during these cold days, then look no further than Ames Public Library. The Library officially opened The Teen Space with limited hours in January after more than a year and a half being closed! The current hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays 3:30-6pm and Saturdays 1-6pm. As the teen librarian, I am excited to be offering such an amazing resource for our teens and the opportunity to interact with them. And the rest of the Library is equally excited!
The Teen Space is open to all 6th-12th grade... Read Full Blog
Resources for the New Year
by Jonathan Tostado-MarquezWith the New Year comes new beginnings, new adventures and, for some, new resolutions and goals. Whether you are interested in finally finishing up that small project you keep putting off or picking up a new skill or hobby, the Ames Public Library has a wide range of books, CDs and, other materials to help you along the way.
If, in this New Year, you would like to express more of your artistic side consider checking out books on topics like woodworking, painting, drawing, knitting and so much more. If woodworking seems appealing, consider the bo... Read Full Blog
It Comes Down to Empathy
by Ellen WanamakerTwo times recently I’ve had that bittersweet experience of reading a book I couldn’t bear to finish. Of course I finished both, and have been raving about them ever since.
A few years ago I read Anthony Doerr’s “All the Light You Cannot See.” That story, set in Nazi-occupied France, gave us two characters so real I felt like I’d been personally introduced. The story featured blind teenager Marie-Laure, whose father carved a replica of their walled city so she could learn the layout by feel, and Werner, forced into the Nazi army as a teen.
I eag... Read Full Blog
A Reading Habit
by Jillian Ocken“To acquire the habit of reading is to construct for yourself a refuge from almost all the miseries of life.” - W. Somerset Maugham
January is a time for starting fresh, setting goals, and building good habits. While many of us focus on starting a healthier lifestyle for our bodies, there’s a lot to be said for exercising your mind regularly!
As a child I was always reading. As an adult, not so much. Until now. Enter the Winter Reading Challenge. Okay, so it started a few weeks ago, but there’s over a month left! Just enough time to complete the ... Read Full Blog
Award-Winning Reads
by Danielle ZieglerIt’s almost one of the most exciting times of the year for a youth services librarian! That’s right, the ALA Youth Media Awards are coming up. What does that long title even mean? These awards are a chance to, according to the American Library Association, “honor books, videos, and other outstanding materials for children and teens.”
You might be familiar with some of the awards. The Caldecott medal, for example, is given to the illustrator with the best art in a picture book for children aged up to and including fourteen. Some of my favorite possible ... Read Full Blog