Speed Friending, Take Three
by Clelia Sweeney
Speed Friending is the library program I find myself bringing up in conversation the most. I think any busy adult can relate to difficulty in making new friends, and finding social situations to make it happen. We have had great turnout to the two Speed Friending events we have held at the library so far. Come participate in our third on Saturday, September 28th, from 2-4:30pm in the library’s Auditorium!
This month, we have a display on the second floor of the library highlighting friendship stories and non-fiction help for making social connections. S... Read Full Blog
S.T.E.M. Reading
by Emma BravardLooking for something to do this fall? Starting September 13th, every Friday at 10:30am the library runs our Storybook S.T.E.M. program in the Farwell T. Brown Auditorium! Enjoy a range of activities as the weeks go by all focused on an area or subject in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. We’ve had dance parties to make butter, LEGO challenges to create your own zipline car, and a slime lab where we made ooblek! Come sing and dance with us, read a book, and join us in creating!
Here are some fun books to check out from the library so that you can ... Read Full Blog
12 to Try
by Anessa OlsonWe’re so busy all the time that it is easy to get stuck in a reading rut, going back to the same authors or genres over and over again. But sometimes it is nice to stretch your legs a little bit, to try something new. Moreover, reading books a little outside of your normal comfort zone can help you consider other perspectives, and even find new favorites you may not have expected. The Ames Public Library’s second annual 12 to Try reading challenge offers you the opportunity to do just that.
Every month between September 2024 and August 2025 will feature a n... Read Full Blog
Tracy Loves Juvenile Nonfiction – Round 4: Let’s start at the very beginning
by Tracy BriseñoWhen I get an urge to learn about a specific topic, my first inclination is to check out a bunch of books on the topic and dive in. On some topics this works okay for me. But most of the time I realize that the books are starting from a level of understanding that I don’t have yet. In those cases, my next step is to head to the juvenile nonfiction section. Some may be too basic for me , but I can generally find something that meets my needs and prepares me to delve deeper.
Recently I did this with gardening books. Despite my mom’s best efforts while I was ... Read Full Blog
Back to School
by Danielle ZieglerWe can feel it in the air at Ames Public Library’s youth department. School is starting soon. You can buy all the school supplies and figure out what teacher the kids will have, but how can you feel really ready? Why not try reading some books about school?
Young readers can be really worried, especially if they are going to start school for the very first time. One of my favorite books about starting school is “Mr. S” by Monica Arnaldo. It will have you and your child giggling up a storm! Another sweet picture book that deals with feelings is “First Da... Read Full Blog
Tracy Loves Juvenile Nonfiction – Round 3: Impactful Books
by Tracy BriseñoHave you read a book that stayed with you? That you kept coming back to in your mind, and brought up in conversation with others? There are several juvenile nonfiction books that have had a long-lasting impact on me.
“Freedom Walkers” by Russell Freedman is a great place to start. I remember learning about the Civil Rights movement when I was younger but it was a very general. Reading “Freedom Walkers” opened my eyes to how long the Montgomery Bus Boycott actually lasted and how many people made it possible. Freedman does a great job telling about the impa... Read Full Blog
Book Club Picks
by Cathy CooneyIf you’re looking for something cool to do inside on hot summer days, you could always start a book club! And if you do, Ames Public Library has a Book Club Collection to help (though you don’t have to be in a book club to borrow books from it).
Our Book Club Collection highlights titles across a variety of genres that are great for discussion. For each title in the collection, we have several copies of the physical book (usually 12 or more) plus a copy of every other format that’s available—which may include audiobook, large print, e-book, and e-audiobook.... Read Full Blog
Visit a Park, Visit the Library
by Anastasia TucknessAmes is a city of parks. The convergence of Ioway Creek and the South Skunk River in South Ames results in many square feet of floodplain, not always great for commercial development but excellent green space for parks! Ames boasts 38 parks covering over 1220 acres that have been developed over many years. Brookside Park celebrates its 100th anniversary next year! And new parks and green spaces spring up often—we recently discovered the new shared use path along Ioway Creek/South 5th Street from South Grand Avenue extending to half a mile east of South Duff Ave... Read Full Blog
Fantastic Filipino Inspired Fantasy Reads
by Ben SchragI grew up loving fantasy books. Fantasy represented an escape from the ordinary. It represented the feeling that no one was too small for a big adventure. But, over time, that initial spark grew dull. Genre tropes became tired and repetitive. I almost gave up on fantasy books altogether. But, thankfully, I work at a library with lots of books at my disposal!
Today I want to highlight a few that I’ve discovered that share a common thread. These fantasies are all by Filipino authors!
The first is a middle grade book, “Marikit and the Ocean of Stars” b... Read Full Blog
Get Grilling!
by Chelsie GohlmannSummer is the season of vibrant flavors, outdoor gatherings, and the irresistible allure of grilling. As the days grow longer and the sun shines brighter, it's the perfect time to explore new recipes and refine your culinary skills. Whether you're a seasoned grill master or a kitchen novice, the right cookbook can transform your summer meals into unforgettable feasts. Here’s a look at some must-have cookbooks that will inspire you to make the most of the season's bounty.
“Rodney Scott's World of BBQ: Every Day Is a Good Day” by Rodney Scott“Rod... Read Full Blog
The Books of Summer
by Seth WarburtonSchool is out and so is the sun; it’s summer! It’s time to partake in the long-standing tradition of reading something frivolous. There are books too gleefully violent for February, tomes too wantonly erotic for December, and titles so unserious that someone as discerning and successful as you just couldn’t possibly spare them the time to read. But now that it’s socially acceptable to wear white trousers, everyone gets a free pass. That’s not smut in your hand; in June, it’s a beach read.
Summer is the time for slacking and r... Read Full Blog
“I Survived” Summer Reading at the Library
by Jill Philby
June is right around the corner, and Ames Public Library has exciting news!
First, save the date of June 24. Why? Because Lauren Tarshis, author of the kid-favorite “I Survived” chapter book series, will be visiting Ames Public Library!
Each “I Survived” book tells the story of a young person who experiences, and lives through, an amazing event from history. The books tell the stories of everything from the San Francisco earthquake and the destruction of Pompei, to September 11 and the Battle of D-Day. Perfect for elementary school rea... Read Full Blog
Tracy Loves Juvenile Nonfiction – Round 2: Biographies
by Tracy BriseñoI have always loved biographies. I love learning about people and the time they live in. I think it is a really interesting glimpse into other’s thoughts and decisions within the context of place and history.
Last year, my daughter became enamored with reading about women scientists. She read through everything her teacher had and was working her way through her school library, too. We visited the public library together to pick out books and ended up taking home over 50 biographies, extending well beyond her original focus of female scientists. We read so... Read Full Blog
Tracy Loves Juvenile Nonfiction – And You Should Too
by Tracy BriseñoYears ago, I worked in youth services at the library. I was always excited when a kid would come in and announce “I don’t like to read”. I knew that they were giving me a chance. I knew they hadn’t found the right book yet. Challenge accepted!
I would often take these kids over to the juvenile nonfiction section and start pulling out titles. I’d ask them about what they liked to do, what they liked to watch, what they liked to do outside. I’d assure them that they didn’t have to like anything I picked out. But I’d sort through – do they like weapons ... Read Full Blog
Poetry: It’s for Adults Too (Even After April)
by Clelia SweeneyYou might remember this rhyme from childhood:
“Keep a poem in your pocket, and a picture in your head, and you’ll never feel lonely at night when you’re in bed.”
The catchy stanza comes from Beatrice Schenk de Regniers, a 1900s children’s book author. I remember hearing it in elementary school, when we were given printed poems to keep in our actual pockets throughout April. If you memorized and recited your poem to a librarian, you got a prize. I remember sing-songing my way through “The Turkey Shot Out of the Oven” by Jack Prelutsky over an... Read Full Blog