Looking for Volunteer Readers for the 4th of July!

Volunteer Readers Needed for Independence Day!

The Friends of the Independence Public Library is getting a group together to read the Declaration of Independence on the 4th of July! About 15 volunteers are needed...each to read a segment of the declaration. 

Volunteers will meet at the band shell in River Walk Park at 11:15 AM and begin reading at 11:20 AM. If you're interested in helping out you can contact Lois Stout at 334-6702.

The Friends of The Independence Public Library is a non-profit group of volunteers that raise money and support the IPL in various ways. Monthly meetings are held at the library on the first Thursday of each month (the next one will be August 7 at 6:00 pm). 

Looking For Something New?

If you've finished all your favorites or you're just looking to branch out on your reading list, take a look at the IPL Dispatch newsletters. They're a great way to get a look at the New Shelf before you even walk in the door. Once you sign up, each of the editions you selected will go straight to your e-mail every fourth Tuesday. Sign up for all of them, and get an update on fresh materials every week.

View The Last Grab Bag Edition
(June 10th) Here

View The Latest Kids Edition
(June 17th) Here

View the Last Teen Edition
 (May 27th) Here

  View The Last Adult Edition
(June 3rd) Here

You can also get the latest information on programs and events available at the Independence Public Library by getting the Library Link

Sign-up For Library Updates To
Get The Library Link

You can sign up for any of the IPL's Newsletters Here.

Mini-Scientists Are On The Move!

Zoom into Summer Reading with Dr. Fizz and Prof. Boom. Join them on a reading adventure, and send us the pictures. You might win a prize! Stop in at the library and checkout a Mini-Scientist.

Dr. Fizz & Prof. Boom

Take a picture with our Mini-Scientists on a reading adventure and send it to us. We'll plot out the course and map it here online. Lets see how many miles our Mini-Scientists can travel before the Summer Reading Program ends and RAGBRAI rolls into town on July 25th!
Visit or call the Independence Public Library (334-2470) for more information.

Petition for Pedestrian Safety

The Independence Public Library Board is sponsoring a petition to act in the interest of pedestrian safety. You may have already heard of it. We mentioned it on this blog earlier this month, and you may have seen it at the Summer Reading Program Registration, too.

We're hoping to bring about real action for change. Because we want you to feel safe at the Independence Public Library, and we want you to feel safe getting here too.

You can read the full wording of the petition by clicking this link. If you are at least 18 and live in the Independence city limits, you can show your support by signing the petition. If you are under 18 or don't live in Independence, you can show support by spreading the word or calling a city council member or the mayor.  

The petition will be available at the IPL until June 22nd. If you have any questions feel free to stop in or give us a call at (319)-334-2470.

Fizz, Boom, READ!, Off To An Explosive Start!

Last Monday we kicked off Fizz, Boom, READ!, and we've registered over 750 people in this year's Summer Reading Program. Check out the pictures on Facebook. If you haven't made it in, you're not too late. You can still register until June 22nd.

Today we're heading into our second week of the Summer Reading Program, so if you've got your first week of reading under your belt, stop in and get your first week prizes. And don't miss out on all the great programs going on all summer long. Tonight the Independence Public Library will have "Iowa Rocks!" in the Community Room. It's open to all ages, so be sure to stop in and explore geodes with us at 6:30 PM.

...just a reminder. If you were interested in registering for more than one art class, the waiting lists are now open.

TIPLINE!

The Independence Public Library's Interesting Nuggets of Exploration: "Anthropomorphic"

The word of the day is "Anthropomorphic" in honor of Richard Scarry's Birthday. The author, best known for his "Busy World" books would have been 95 yesterday. Below are two of Richard Scarry's books, featuring anthropomorphic characters.

  Both are available at the IPL.

If you haven't already guessed, an anthropomorphic character is a non-human character with human characteristics. A talking cat or and a worm that wears clothes and a shoe, are both examples of anthropomorphic characters. Characters like this are common in children's books, but can also be found in books for all ages. Click the word of the day above or search "anthropomorphic" in the catalog to find other great books.

What are your favorite anthropomorphic books?

Petition for Pedestrian Safety

Safety Petition

The IPL would like to invite you to join us in supporting further action to ensure the safety of all who walk and bike to our library. The library board has a petition for the intersection north of the library.

Since 2012, the City of Independence has considered recommendations for improving safety for pedestrians at this intersection; the site of several near accidents and a very serious accident on March 13, 2014. A
six-year-old boy was hit by a vehicle and suffered a skull fracture. The warning signs that have been posted do not provide the extent of protection needed in this area to keep pedestrians and bikers safe.

If you live within the city limits of Independence, Iowa and are at least 18, please consider signing the petition. It is available at the Independence Public Library.

Following is the wording for the petition:
We, the undersigned, request the City of Independence take additional action to ensure people’s safety at the intersection north of the public library at 1^st St East and 8^th Ave NE.  The City of Independence must hire a Licensed Traffic Engineer by August 15 to evaluate the intersection with the task of determining a safety solution.  Action must be taken on the engineer’s safety solution within one month from its announcement, having the goal of complete implementation within two months.

If you have questions, or would like more information; you may read more about by visiting our website, or calling us at 319-334-2470.