Fun For The Young @ The IPL

A lot of the kids are hitting the middle of winter break, and probably getting a little restless. The library can remedy that. The IPL has plenty of things to do for those restless moments.
We have over fifty puzzles for use in the library, simply select one from the puzzle book at the circulation desk and we'll get it checked out to you. There's also a LEGO table near the Flutterby Cove. Ask a librarian for one of the LEGO sets (Farm, Zoo, or Alphabet).
Inside the Flutterby Cove the IPL has a puppet theater and puppets. You can put on your own show! Near the Teens TV, we have a game table. If you'd like to play chess or checkers, the game pieces can be checked out at the circulation desk. And if you're not real sure what you want to play, try one of our two Early Literacy Computers. They are loaded with games that are perfect for early learners. Ask a librarian to sign you on for a 30 minute round of fun.

Family LEGO Night!

Family LEGO Night is back! Stop in at the Independence Public Library this Monday (December 29th) from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM for some creative building fun. It'll be the perfect way to relax and have fun after the hurried holiday week. We'll have the LEGOs, just bring your big ideas, and build, build, build. Family LEGO Night is free and open to all ages, and there is no registration required. See you there!

It's National Haiku Poetry Day!

Haiku is a Japanese form of poetry that has a set number of syllables or sounds known as "on." The poem is made of three lines, the first and last with five "on" and the middle with seven. Although some English Haiku may not seem to fit the 5-7-5 format, it may still actually be Haiku. The Japanese and English languages are so different that syllable and "on" don't always mean the same thing. But if you'd like to give writing Haiku a try, using syllables to measure your lines might be a good place to start. Check out some of the Haiku we made.

Come read lots of books

Here at the Independence

Public Library

Great fun can be found

 In the letters and lines of

Haiku poetry

If you want to share

Haiku poetry with friends

Comment poems below

Using The Library At A Distance

With winter finally making an appearance in Iowa, you might find it a little harder to get to the library, or maybe you just don't want to brave the cold. Either way, you can still use the library from home with NEIBORS and Zinio.
With NEIBORS you can check out digital audio books and e-books 24 hours a day from anywhere you have an internet connection. You can sign in through the IPL website, using your library card number and password (usually your phone number). There is even an app available for android and apple devices called the Overdrive Media Console. Install the app and you can have books and audio books on your phone or tablet anywhere you go.
If you would rather read magazines, give Zinio a try. This service lets you download and read digital issues from over 50 magazines. There's no limit to how many you can checkout, and there are never any due dates or late fees. Set up your account with the IPL's access key (call or visit the library to get the access key) and simply checkout the issues you want to read. Zinio also has an app for android and apple devices.
Click the links above for more information and downloadable tip sheets. And of course, if you have any questions feel free to call the library at 334-2470.

Holiday Hours

The Independence Public Library will close early at 1:00 PM on December 24th, and will be closed on December 25th for Christmas. We will also close early at 1:00 PM on December 31st, and be closed on January 1st for New Year's.
Don't forget, NEIBORS, Zinio, Learning Express, and many other of our online services are available day and night, even if we're not open. And they can all be accessed right from our website.

Flutterby Bits

 Seasons Greetings!

Flying Reindeer?  What makes Reindeer Fly?  I've been curious about that. 

The Library had our Make n’ Take with Santa program on the 13^th of December; this is where some pretty good answers to the flying question were found.  I ask several of the attendees what they thought.  There were many great suggestions like magic, dust, Santa, reindeer food and Christmas spirit.  All great thoughts. 

I also wanted to know what Santa’s favorite cookie might be, and there were many good thoughts on this question, too.  The most popular answer was good old chocolate chip, of course.  Other popular ideas included chocolate, frosted cutout cookies with sprinkles, and hot cookies.  I did get a reliable hint that Santa has a sweet tooth for all cookies but has a special spot for molasses ginger cookies.  I think this grand fellow likes a tasty snack just like the rest of us. 

We had a wonderful time Saturday and hope you were able to join the fun.  Santa and Mrs. Claus were here to chat with all.  There were three crafts to be made.  We really had a nice turn out and plenty of huge smiles! (My favorite!)

However you celebrate the Holidays, I sincerely hope that they are filled with health, family, the spirit of Christmas, and maybe a good book!

  

See you soon!

Vonnie

Children’s Services 

PS:  Remember January Children’s Programming

Story time on Wednesday Mornings @ 9:30 for the 2-5 year olds

Rhyme time on Thursday Mornings @ 9:30 for the 0-2 year olds

And “Animal Trackers” with the Extension office on Monday Jan 12^th @ 6:30

Try The 5-5-5 Reading Challenge for New Year's

2014 is coming to a close, and the new year will be here before we know it, so give yourself a reason to sit back and read after all the hassles of December are over. Sign up for the 5-5-5 Reading Challenge! Join the Independence Public Library in 2015 to branch out your reading and find some new favorite authors and books.

Here's how it's done. Pick 5 Genres (like Mystery, Western, or Fantasy), then pick 5 Books in each or those genres, start reading on January 1st, 2015, and finish all 25 books by May 5th 2015. If you complete the challenge you will have read 25 books in 125 days, and have a chance to win $25 in Chamber Bucks. You can register for the challenge by calling (334-2470) or stopping in at the IPL, or you can register online right now by clicking this link. Once you are registered,you can pick up your 5-5-5 Reading Challenge Log the next time you visit the Library.

Making Life Easy With IPL Services

It's that time of year again. We're all traveling in the not-so-nice weather, and any excuse to spend less time in the cold turns into a good idea. Let the IPL give you a few good ideas. Specifically, Inter-Library Loan (ILL) and Open Access.
Inter-Library Loan is perfect for that book your friend says you just have to read, but you can't find at the IPL. Rather than drive to get the book from another library, let the book drive to you (so to speak.) Stop in at the IPL or give us a call and we'll have that book headed your way in no time.
If you already have the book from the IPL and can't make it back to Independence by the due date, Open Access is the service for you. Just drop off that book at the nearest Open Access Library (in Iowa, please,) and they'll send it back to us. (For a full list of Open Access Libraries, stop in or call the IPL at 334-2470)

Santa's Workshop for Teens!

Wish there was a place for teens to make gifts for friends and family. Well, wish no more.Teens in grades 6-12 can come to the IPL on December 18th from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM for Santa's Workshop for Teens. It's free for all teens, and there's no need to register. Just come ready to create.

Reindeer Games for No School Monday!

Kids of all ages can stop in on their day off from school (December 15th) and join in of the fun of Reindeer Games. Race the clock in a series of short holiday games that even Rudolph wouldn't dare miss.

K-2     10:00 AM to 11:30 AM

3-5      2:00 PM to 3:30 PM

6-12    4:00 PM to 5:30 PM

TIPLINE: The Dewey Decimal System

The Independence Public Library's Interesting Nuggets of Exploration: The Dewey Decimal System

Today is the 163rd Birthday of Melvil Dewey! If his last name sounds familiar don't be surprised. You might have a hard time finding a library that doesn't use his system. The IPL uses the Dewey Decimal System to organize all our nonfiction books.
Why sort books by numbers? Because it's easy to find. Need meal ideas for the up coming holidays, head to 641.5 for a cookbook. How about decorating, you can find ideas in 745 or 747. Maybe you have a history buff in the family? Send them to the 900's section, they'll be sure to find something interesting there. If you like true crime stories 364 is where you'll want to be.

400's for Languages

800's for Literature

There are plenty of great books to find on the nonfiction shelves. Take a stroll through our stacks or ask us what number will send you to what interests you most.

Artist Showcase: David Foix

This Month's Artist Showcase will feature David Foix. His nature photography will be on display Friday through Sunday in the Community Room at the Independence Public Library. An Artist reception will be held on Sunday when the artist will be available for questions and comments. Come support a local photographer and view his beautiful work.

Artist Showcase Hours:
December 12th     2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
December 13th     10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
December 14th     1:00 PM to 3:00 PM     (Reception)

December is Read A New Book Month!

You might not have guessed it, but December is Read A New Book Month. And thanks to your local library, reading that new book won't cost you a dime. The IPL gets stacks of new books each month, and they can all be checked out for free. Patrons at the Independence Public Library save thousands every year by borrowing, rather than buying. You can see how much you've saved so far this year by asking for a receipt the next time you checkout or by logging in to the online catalog. (Find instructions for logging in Here)
Once you are logged in, you can see how much you have saved. (Right under your contact information.

If you're looking to boost that number by taking part in Read A New Book Month, it couldn't be any easier than with the online catalog. You can reserve books the library already has right from the catalog, or add your name to the Reserve Express list for your favorite author by clicking the "receive new books" link. (See Below)

Reserve Express allows you to automatically place your name on the reserve list for new books from over 20 of the library's most popular authors. After clicking the link, simply select the authors you want new books from by clicking their names. (Selected names will appear in bold).

You can also "request" books the library doesn't have by clicking the link below the Reserve Express in the catalog.

The IPL catalog has many ways to help you get to the books you need, take a look around for yourself. And, as always, feel free to call us with any questions at 334-2470.

December Book Discussion

The next Book Discussion will meet on December 16th at 6:30 PM. This month's book is Mom & Me & Mom by Maya Angelou. If you haven't read it yet, stop in at the library and pick up a copy from the circulation desk. No registration is required, and everyone is welcome to attend.

If you would like to get a head start on January's Discussion Book you can find a copy of This Is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper at the IPL as well.

Make'n'Take With Santa at The IPL

Join the Independence Public Library for a Make'n'Take with Santa on December 13th. From 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM.

Children of all ages will be able to meet Santa (who will be handing out treats) and create winter crafts and decorations with the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach to take home with them. Parents are welcome and encouraged to stay and join in on the fun. This program is free and open to the public, and there is no registration required.

Reading Fun For The Young

While the big kids are playing out in the snow, bring in the little ones to the Independence Public Library. Every week Vonnie holds Rhyme Time and Story Time for infants and toddlers.
Children from ages zero to two can join the IPL each Thursday at 9:30 AM for Rhyme Time. Great fun for the very first stages of learning.
Children ages two to five can join Vonnie for Story Time every Wednesday at 9:30 AM. Read books, and take part in a hands on activity afterwards.

The Themes for December Story Times Are:
Dec. 10th     Gingerbread Cookies
Dec. 17th     Read A New Book!
Dec. 24th     Santa Stories
Dec. 31st     Bits and Pieces

All are welcome to attend, and there is
no registration required.