Story/Rhyme Time

Join the Independence Public Library for Rhyme Time and Story Time on Thursdays this September!

Rhyme Time is a great way for babies to learn early literacy skills in an interactive lap-sit program with their parent or caregiver.

Story Time gives children ages 2-5 years old a change for fun with books and creativity, with a new theme each week.

Story Time and Rhyme Time in August!

Parents, toddlers, and babies are invited to join us at the Independence Public Library for Rhyme Time and Story Time every Thursday in August.
Rhyme Time starts when the library opens at 9:30 AM, and is followed by Story Time at 10:00 AM.

Rhyme Time is a "Lap Sit" program for babies age 0 to 2 and their parent or caregiver to teach early reading and language skills through rhyme, reading, and rhythm. It's a fun and simple way for you and your baby to participate together in the fun of learning each week.
Rhyme Time is a free program that is open to the public, with no need to register.

Story Time is a weekly reading program for children age 2 to 5. Each week there will be fun with books followed by a craft or coloring activity to encourage growing readers. Story Time is a great way to introduce structured learning in a fun and creative environment before your little one starts preschool or kindergarten
Story Time is a free program that is open to the public, with no need to register.

Friendly Competition At The IPL!

The Independence Public Library hosts Cards'n'Convo every first and third Tuesday of the month from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. It's a great chance for adults to take a break with friends for a few games and light conversation. No need to register, just come for the fun. The Next Cards'n'Convo is on July 7th, see you there!
If you're looking for something the whole family can enjoy, give Disney Movie Trivia a try. (Costumes Optional) The fun begins with host Adam Kurt at 6:30 PM on July 7th. Want to brush up on your favorites? Stop in at the IPL and checkout out from our collection.

Rhyme Time and Story Time Both on Thursdays In July!

Story Time is returning for July on Thrusdays, right after Rhyme Time!

Rhyme Time is a "Lap Sit" program for babies age 0 to 2 and their parent or caregiver to teach early reading and language skills through rhyme, reading, and rhythm. It's a fun and simple way for you and your baby to participate together in the fun of learning each week.
Rhyme Time is a free program that starts every Thursday at 9:30 AM.

Story Time is a weekly reading program for children age 2 to 5. Each week there will be fun with books followed by a craft or coloring to encourage growing readers. Story Time is a great way to introduce structured learning in a fun and creative invironment before your little one starts preschool or kindergarten
Story Time is a free program that starts every Thursday (in July) at 10:00 AM.

Rockets!

Join the Independence Public Library and the Bluedorn Science Imaginarium of the Grout Museum District on June 10th for Rockets Away. Children will learn about, and get to watch rockets being lunched. And since this program is part of the Summer Reading Program, each child will get a reward for coming, and there's no need to register. The fun starts at 9:30 AM

Geocaching Is Back!

Children in 6th through 12th grade can join the Independence Public Library for Geocaching on June 5th from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. There is no registration required, but a liability waiver does need to be signed by a parent for participation. To pick up a copy of the waiver or for any questions stop in at the IPL, or call us at 334-2470.

Story Time is Taking A Break!

With all the great programs going on for the Summer Reading Program the IPL's calendar is getting a little tight, so for the month of June Story Time will be taking a break, and will return in July on Thursdays at 10:00 AM. Those who enjoy Story Time might want to give Drama Time a try.

Drama Time is stories and fun with the Independence High School Speech and Drama Students. It will be held every Friday in June at 9:30 AM, and is open to all children from ages 2 to 12. Drama Time is free and open to the public, and there is no registration needed.

P.S. Rhyme Time will continue this summer at it's normal time every Thursday at 9:30 AM.

Train To Be A Superhero At The IPL!

Stop in at the Independence Public Library's Community Room for the Superhero Training Academy from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on May 19th, 2015. We'll bring out the hero in you, just in time for the Summer Reading Program  "Every Hero Has A Story!"

The Superhero Training Academy is free and open to the public, and there is no registration required.

No School Monday And iTAB

Join the IPL on No School Monday for LEGOs @ the Library! From 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM on March 23rd, the Community Room will have LEGOs for all ages to build and create. You don't have to register, just come ready for fun.
And if you're in grades 6-12 and would like to get more involved with the IPL, be sure to come to the iTAB Meeting at 6:30 PM when LEGOs @ the Library is done.

Flutterby Bits

Fly Like an Eagle

Two Eagles nests filled with eaglets were in the Community Room – will wonders never cease to happen!

On Monday, March 10^th, we had the pleasure of hosting 13 eaglets in two handmade nests, eagle style of course.    The ISU Extension office, with Ashley Sherrets, presented one of the ongoing monthly children’s programs as part of Adventures in Nature. This one was “Fly like an Eagle”.

   

We had loads of fun and learned a bit, too.  As a group we learned many facts about eagles, traced our wingspan, made eagle puppets, built nests, ate fish (Swedish Fish – candy) and watched the Decorah eagles on the big screen.

The Bulletin Board in the Children’s area of the library displays the results of the wingspan comparison.  It is pretty interesting to see how we measure up!

April 13^th  at 6 pm the Adventures in Nature program will be “Earth Day”.  Thanks to the  ISU Extension for  helping to bring these opportunities to you.   This series of programs are most suitable for children in grades K-3, but all children and guardians are welcome to attend. 

I do hope you will have the opportunity to join us for future programs.  It is a grand way to start the

week.   Mark your calendar for April 13^th at 6:00 pm to have fun and learn, too.

Hope to see you soon

Vonnie

There are many great programs @ the library.  All the way from the youngest patrons (Rhyme Time) to programs for writing Memoirs. Please check out IPL’s website for further information.

Adventures in Nature: Fly Like An Eagle!

Join the Independence Public Library for another round of Adventures In Nature. Ashley Sherrets with the Buchanan County Agricultural Extension District will be here at the IPL on March 9th for Adventures In Nature: Fly Like An Eagle from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM. We'll learn all about the Bald Eagle, make a craft, and even have a snack. The program is best suited for those in kindergarten through 5th grade, but anyone is welcome to attend, and no registration is required.

Flutterby Bits

Noodles, Forts, Wii and Flying!

There is never a dull Moment! 

I had a great time Monday evening with flying noodles and the ISU Extension Office “Health Hearty Snacks” program.

The ISU Extension office has been presenting “Adventures in Nature” programming on the second Monday evening of the month in the Community Room.

The last one was on “Health Hearty Snacks”.  It involved plenty of eye opening information on portion control, snack/sugar content and the unusual activity of flinging a wet noodle!  (Food Fight!)  It was not the norm per program….but you never know. 

It has been a great experience to be teaming up with these women.  The programs are open to children of all ages, but the activities are geared to those in grades K-5.  The next program is March 9^th at 6 pm.  There won’t be any noodles, but eagles will be the topic!

Friday Feb 20, from 5-7 PM, after hours, we will have Family Fort night.  Bring the blankets, sheets, and pillows to build your own family fort.  I’ve never had the experience of having my own fort in the library!  Not many can say that they have.  Now will be your chance!

Wii Games in the Community Room are on Feb 23 from 1-4 pm.  This is on a no school Monday, and all ages are welcome.  Form teams, have mini-tournaments and bring your friends.  I had the opportunity to try Wii dancing one afternoon – what a sight!  It is great fun and demands plenty of energy.

Flying?  Sure.  The summer reading program is in the works.  “Every Hero has a Story” is the theme this summer.  We are all heroes, flying or not.   Plenty of fantastic programming is planned for Summer 2015.  (Dan Wardell will be here to see us!) Watch for further information.

I am more than a little excited! 

Noodles, games, flying & forts can all be found at the Library. 

Check it during “Love your Library month!”

See you soon

Vonnie

Wii Games For No School Monday!

Join the Independence Public Library on the next No School Monday (February 23rd) for Wii Games. The Community Room will have Wii on the big screen from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Bring your friends and form teams for a great time. No registration or library card is required. Come ready to play.

Adventures In Nature: Health Hearty Snacks!

The Buchanan County ISU Extension and Outreach will join the Independence Public Library again on February 9th, 2015 at 6:00 PM for another Adventures In Nature Program, Health Hearty Snacks! Just like other Adventures In Nature programs, there is no fee or registration required, and Health Hearty Snacks is open to all ages (but is best suited for children in kindergarten through 5th grade). Alexia Hamlett will be here to teach us about portion control and to have a food fight. See you there!

Flutterby Bits

Early Literacy

During Rhyme Time, the Itsy Bitsy Spider is a favorite finger rhyme.

Talking, singing, reading, writing and playing are fun, easy ways to build early literacy skills.  I get to practice these activities with great helpers that know all about fun (and they are approximately 3 feet tall- or less).   These are some of my favorite times!!   And I get to spend a few hours doing this every week! 

What a lucky girl I am!!

All of these activities start to build and strengthen early literacy skills in the youngest of us all.

Talking helps to build oral language, one of the most critical early literacy skills.  Singing &/or rhyming increases children’s awareness to the sounds in words.  Writing begins with scribbles and helps children to understand that print represents words.

Give your child plenty of playtime.  This is when children use their imaginations.  It encourages development of narrative skills and the understanding that stories and books have a beginning, middle, and end. 

Reading together or shared reading is probably most effective way to help your child become an accomplished reader.

These skills all build on each other! Besides being fun, they are some of the benefits of Story Time and Rhyme Time.

What better door can we help to open for our young?  This doorway will be used for entire an lifetime. 

Story Time for the 2-5 year olds is on

Wednesday mornings from 9:30 to 10AM. 

 Rhyme Time for the 0-2year olds is on

Thursday mornings from 9:30 to 10AM.

  Give your child the beginning steps for reading, writing, and learning, the foundation and skills to help boost literacy.

Always great to see all the smiles, I hope to see yours soon. 

 

  Vonnie

  Children Services

Adventures in Nature: Animal Trackers

Learn about tracking animals at the IPL. Alexia Hamlett from the Buchanan County ISU Extention and Outreach will be at the Independence Public Library on January 12th for Adventures in Nature: Animal Trackers. The program is open to children of all ages, but is best suited for those in K-3 grades. There's no registration needed, just come ready to explore.

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

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

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.