Kari's Corner

This post is available at the new blog location. Click here to view it, or visit independenceia.org/library

Teens & Reading

This post is available at the new blog location. Click here to view it, or visit independenceia.org/library

The IPL And The Blog Are Moving!

The Independence Public Library is getting a new website and Blog with the City of Independence!
It all goes live today, October 22nd, 2015! To view future posts head here!

TIPLINE: Magic

The Independence Public Library's Interesting Nuggets of Exploration: Magic

Halloween is almost here and that means the amazingly strange and unusual is about to get a little more common. And why not start celebrating early with a little magic.

Coming Soon!

Making plans? Check out what's going on at the Independence Public Library and what's Happening Around Town; or create your own fun with Famous Birthdays and Other Holidays and Events.

TIPLINE: Time Travel

The Independence Public Library's Interesting Nuggets of Exploration: Time Travel

What's today? Well, that depends on who's calendar you're looking at. The calendar most commonly used today (The Gregorian Calendar) would tell you it is Saturday, October 25th, 2014. But if you took a look at the Julian Calendar it would be October, 12th, 2014. You just gained 13 days, and on the Julian Calendar it's still Saturday! If you would like to do your own calendar conversions, try this site, and in the meantime checkout a book on time travel. There are plenty of classics and new favorites to choose from.

Book Discussion: Defending Jacob by William Landay

Drop in on the Book Discussion at the Independence Public Library on October 28th. The group will be talking about Defending Jacob by William Landay at 6:30 PM. If you haven't read the the book yet, and don't mind spoilers, there are still copies available at the circulation desk. Just checkout a copy and come with what you've read.

You can also get a head start on next month's book: The Light Between Oceans by M. L. Stedman.

Cards'n'Convo At The IPL

Adults looking for break with a bit of fun can join us at the IPL for Cards'n'Convo. You can play a few games of cards and shoot the breeze with some refreshments every first and third Tuesday from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. There's no charge,  no registration, and no library card required. The next Cards'n'Convo is October 21st at 1:00 PM, see you there.

No School On Monday?, Head To The IPL!

Local students looking for something to do for this Monday, look no further than the Independence Public Library. October 20th, the IPL will hold Reel Time at 1:30 PM, and LEGOs @ The Library from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM. If you're a teen hoping to get involved with the library, stick around for the iTAB Meeting at 6:30 PM (Talk to Lulu for more information).
There will be free popcorn at the Reel Time movie, and both Reel Time and LEGOs @ The Library are available for all ages.
And of course, the library always has books, movies, graphic novels, and more to check out and fill the time in between. We even have chess and checkers pieces to checkout for the game board near the teen area. Just ask at the desk.

The Friends of The Library Book Sale is Coming!

It's that time of year again. The Friends of The Independence Public Library are hosting their semi-annual book sale this weekend. Grab your reading list, and be sure to leave a few spaces for those great reads you never knew you needed. Then head down to the IPL for some great finds.

The Book Sale Hours:

Saturday, October 18th, 2014

9:30 AM to 4:00 PM

Sunday, October 19th, 2014

1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

On Saturday all children's books will be $.50, all teen and adult hardcover books will be $2.00, and any teen and adult paperback books will be $.50. If you're looking for a bigger deal, stop in on Sunday too. On Sunday you only pay $4.00 for each bag of books.

If you have any questions, would like to donate books for the sale, or are interested in joining the Friends of The Independence Public Library, you can stop in at the IPL or contact us by phone (334-2470) or E-Mail. You can also click the links above for more information.

UFOs at The Independence Public Library

Get in the spirit of Halloween, and explore some of the unknown at the Independence Public Library. The IPL's Community Room will host UFOs of The Midwest on October 14th and 6:30 PM. Discuss UFO sightings,  and learn about local and regional cases and eyewitness accounts with Terry Fisk from Unexplained Research.

There is no registration required. This Program is free and open to the public. For more information call the IPL at 334-2470 or E-Mail.

Adventures in Nature!

Join Ashley Sherrets from the Buchanan County ISU Extension and Outreach Office for the Leaf and Plant Expedition Program. Children will go on an outdoor nature walk, and learn about the leaves and how they get their fantastic fall colors. The program is open to children of all ages, but is best suited for those in kindergarten through third grade. The Leaf and Plant Expedition starts at 6:00 PM on October 13th. No registration is needed, so meet us at the library and bring a friend!

Plot Party

November is inching our way, and usually that thought would keep our brains busy with holiday plans. But this year we invite you to try something different. November 1st kicks off NaNoWriMo, a month long event that pops up every November for ambitious individuals willing to take on the challenge of writing a 50,000 word novel in 30 days. If you love to write, or just need and excuse to get started, this just may be the challenge for you.
Join other writers at the library on October 15th at 6:00 PM for the IPL's NaNoWriMo Plot Party. We'll learn writing tips to keep us motivated during the month, exchange prompts to get the creative juices flowing, and get registered for the November challenge. Don't forget to cage you Inner Editor and vanquish you Inner Critic: NaNoWriMo is coming!

P.S. If you're a young writer, and think 50,000 words sounds a bit deep. Don't sweat it. You can give the Young Writers Program a try. It's NaNoWriMo for those of us not quite ready for the 50,000 word plunge. You can set your own word goal, and connect with writers your own age. Stop in at the Plot Party to learn more.

Something Sweet at The IPL

The Independence Public Library is holding a Cake Decorating Contest!

Show off your skills and help the IPL raise money for more great programs. You can stop in at the library anytime between now and October 26th to select a CAKE PAN to enter the contest. If you want to brush up on your cake decorating skills before entering, or just want to learn for fun, we have a Cake Decorating Class on October 9th at 6pm. The class is open to adults, and the contest is open to everyone. Voting for the contest will take place on October 27th.
Entering the contest is not required to checkout a cake pan. The IPL currently has over 100 cake pans to choose from, that are available year round for birthdays, holidays, or any day you just want to have cake.

TIPLINE! (NaNoWriMo)

The Independence Public Library's Interesting Nuggets of Exploration: NaNoWriMo

Ever think about writing a book? How about writing a 50,000 word book in 30 days? Well, whether the idea thrills you, or chills you to the bone, you can still enjoy the results of the crazy writing event known as NaNoWriMo. Head to the IPL and checkout one of the books written during NaNoWriMo. And if you're interested in giving the 50,000 word challenge a try in November, let the library help you out. There are programs coming up just for the writer in you.

Dig Into The Past at The IPL

Patrons at the Independence Public Library are enjoying the fourth week of Jacquie McTaggart's Memoir Project. If you're still interested, it's not too late. There are two weeks left, and we've added an afternoon session. This week's afternoon session starts at 4:00 PM (September 22nd) Every week after will begin at 1:30 PM. It's never too late to register, just give us a call at 334-2470 or send us an e-mail.
If you're looking to dig a little farther into the past than your own history, try digging around in your family history. The IPL has some fresh tools and programs to help you out when you stop in.
First up, the Library Edition of Ancestry.com.

You'll find the link to this service on our website.

You must be in the library to access this service, but as long as you are using the IPL's computers or WiFi, Ancestry.com is available to you. You can also use EBSCO Host to search through past newspapers, magazines, and much more. (EBSCO Host can be accessed from home, stop in at the IPL for the login information.)

If you're still a little fuzzy on just how to research your family's history, try one of our up coming Genealogy Classes. (All six classes require individual registration.)

Beginning Genealogy and Using Census Records will be taught by Linda Greethurst on Sept. 27th
Genealogy Software and Internet Genealogy will be taught by Dennis Allen on Oct. 4th
Vital Records and Military Records will be taught by Theresa Liewer on Oct. 25th

Free Computer Classes at The IPL

It's time for some tech-knowledge, the Independence Public Library has multiple classes available for anyone hoping to brush up on their computer skills or pick a few new ones up.

First in September is the Windows 8 class. This class is great for someone looking to get settled into their new computer, or anyone looking to get more familiar with the library's public computers. If you have a Windows 8 laptop, we encourage you to bring it along. (September 16th and 30th)

Next up is the Computer Basics Class. This class is for anyone who just starting with a computer. You'll learn terminology and basic operations such as using the mouse, and keyboard. (September 17th and 18th)

The Formatting Basics class introduces you to making text documents. Here you'll learn how to alter fonts, text size and color, paragraphs, and much more. (September 24th and 25th)

In October we have File Management Basics, for keeping your documents organized. (October 1st and 2nd)

Then Internet Basics, for anyone looking to get moving on the world wide web. (October 8th and 9th)

There's a little bit of something for everyone. If you have questions, feel free to call us at 334-2470 or stop in at the circulation desk the next time you're in the library. All of the computer classes are free to the public, but registration is required.