At the Library 080725

Experiments and Conspiracies Run Wild!

by Carol Ray

MaddAddam by Margaret Atwood is the third book in a highly imaginative dystopian trilogy. Atwood is a wonderful, award winning writer who really loves words. She has created a post-corporate world where experiments and conspiracies have run wild. Various animals are gene-spliced to create such creatures as "pigoons", grown for organ-harvesting, and "wolvogs" , a cross between wolves and dogs. Within this world are places like "AnooYoo", a day spa, and "Scales and Tails", a sort of men's club where women dress as shiny, scaly reptiles, brightly colored flowers, and feathered birds. In this book, all the terrible things have already happened and a unique group of people remain after a cataclysmic pandemic, caused by a classic mad scientist. There is also a group of humanoids, called Crakers, created by this scientist, who also survive. Some of the most wonderful conversations are between the two groups as they try to communicate with each other and teach one of the Crakers to write. The Crakers learn by hearing stories which the other survivors must make up. In this world, food is scarce which forces people to learn new ways of using plants. Most of the human survivors are scientists who escaped the corporations or simply people with good sense and many skills, some of which involve great subterfuge and fortitude.

"MaddAddam " is an on-line underground group whose members take names of extinct animals. Their leader, Adam One, is a mysterious, brilliant organizer. His brother, Zeb, is a sort of master spy and enforcer. In love with Zeb is Toby, a woman who has survived by her wits and has become a leader in the group. She has learned all sorts of natural healing arts as well as how to keep bees.

There is wonderful humor as well as pathos in the book and some very scary villains who are survivors of a blood sport called "Painball". Reading this is an adventure - it becomes harder and harder to put down. ( The first book is Oryx and Crake, the second is After the Flood.)

Be sure to join us at the library for the next Sci Fi Book Club on October 4 at 10 am where we will be discussing Red Rising by Pierce Brown. If you need a copy, see Tammy during August at the WPL to request one via interlibrary loan.

At the Library 7/31/25

Making IT At The Washington Library

By Beth L Swift Technology Librarian

Pottery Owls created in the Make IT Place

We are just a bit past the one year anniversary of MakeIT Place at the Washington Public Library. It is truly hard to believe this much time has gone by so quickly. Refining procedures has been the focus for all of us here at the library in the past couple of months so we can make this incredible space accessible to Washington County. We have had many questions about what is available and how to access it. I thought now may be a good time to give a summary of how you, too, can utilize the creativity the Make IT Place has to offer.

Some of our spaces and equipment have required classes to take and some only require making an appointment to learn how to use a specific space in order to be “certified”. Being certified is what allows independent access.

The MakeIT Place is for certified adults aged 18 and up. Tween and Teen programs are offered as staff run events. You will notice an increase coming for Tween and Teen programs since we as a staff have become more comfortable in learning our specific spaces and equipment.

Requirements for ALL MakeIT Place access includes;

Adult age
A library card in good standing
Signing a user agreement which outlines procedures, policies and liability

found here;

https://www.washington.lib.ia.us/services/makeit-place

Going through the required certification for EACH of the specific equipment/spaces

Note: the use of the equipment and spaces are FREE.

Cost is for materials only except for the Pottery Studio which includes the cost of the instructor.

The following requires a specific class or classes to obtain certification:

Glowforge Laser Cutter/Engraver

1 FREE Glowforge Laser class offered twice monthly OR by appointment if needed (generally one hour)

Recording Studio

1 FREE Audio 101 class offered twice monthly OR by appointment if needed

(generally two hours)

Pottery Studio (cost varies)

Pottery Wheel - 3 wheel classes (now just $25 for each class!)

Handbuilding - 1 handbuilding class (now just $10 for each class!)

Along with the pottery class, you take 1 additional Glazing class (free)

*After certification, cost of using the studio is only $2.50 per pound of clay

Pottery created in the Pottery Studio

Class fees are payable in-person at the Washington Library.

The following only requires making an appointment to learn how to use the specific equipment:

Cricut

Beginners - classes are available, too!

Button Maker
Sewing/Quilting

Beginners - classes are available, too!

Poster Printer
Laminator
Memory Lab

Digitizing:

photos, negatives, slides, VHS, 8mm reel-to-reel, audio cassette, book scanning, CDs

*Each section of the memory lab requires its own appointment.

Call 319-653-2726 to make an appointment!

3D printing

printers are staff run only! (sorry)

Patrons send a file request on-line to be printed or bring the file in on a thumb drive.

Cost depends on the file/material size.

You can observe your print being printed by appointment but it’s not as exciting as

you may think.

Details, guidelines and videos for all this can be found at:

https://www.washington.lib.ia.us/services/makeit-place

Quick Tours are available every week!

Tuesdays at 5:30pm, Thursdays at Noon or by appointment

You can do this!

Ready.

Set.

MakeIT.

Pouch sewn in the Make IT Place

At the Library 7/24/25

Mometrix Test Preparation Launches at the WPL

by LeAnn Kunz

Are you preparing to complete the NCLEX as you work towards your nursing degree? Perhaps you are taking on a second career as a personal trainer and need to pass the CSCS exam? Or are you a high school student about to take your first round of the ACT or SAT tests? The Washington Public Library is launching a new, free test prep database to help you with that. Mometrix Test Preparation is now available on the library’s website.

The mission of Mometrix is to “educate and empower people to achieve their maximum potential, so they can serve others and provide for themselves and their families.” This database is comprehensive test preparation for 1000+ different standardized exams and the e-library includes study guides, flashcards, and interactive practice test questions. If you prefer, you can also print out the test questions. The database includes a search feature if you do not know the acronym for your test, a video library for visual learners, and a timer to simulate exam situations. In addition, this site has employment resources for those ready to take the next step and look for a job.

To set up your free account, WPL patrons should head to the database link on our website at www.washington.lib.ia.us under the Research & Learn tab and Learning Resources dropdown. You will be asked to provide an email and your own unique password. Then you are able to use this resource anywhere! Soon the links to specific study guides will also be on the library’s catalog of materials to make your discovery of these materials even easier.

The Washington Public Library hopes this new resource will make studying and learning easier for all our patrons and we are excited for you to try it and give us feedback.

At the Library 7/11/25

Upcoming Art Exhibits for July & August in Art Underground

by Tammy Valentine

Art credit: Mary Jones

The Washington Public Library is very fortunate to have wonderful art galleries for local artists to exhibit their work. The Art Underground Gallery, a new gallery on the lower level, was added when the library created the Make IT Place. The month of July the Art Underground features Mary Jones.

“I make mixed media artworks about urban walking. Images are collaged from drawings, writing, and ephemera gathered on walks taken in cities and towns of all sizes. Often works are dominated by a central figure personifying the journey taken with its mix of memories, dreams, hesitation and resolve. My quirky drawing style results from a belief that drawing is as personal as handwriting."

Originally from Pennsylvania, Mary Jones has lived in many places, including Washington, Iowa, between 1955 and 1958. She has an MFA in Printmaking from Indiana University and a BFA in Art History from the University of Illinois. She is included in the permanent collections of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia and the State Museum of Illinois. She was named a notable artist in New American Paintings, Midwest Edition #134. She currently lives and works in Indianola, Iowa.

Patrick Eldredge

In August we find photographer Patrick Eldredge in the Art Underground Gallery. His exhibit is titled “Travel in Black and White.” A Keota native, Patrick has traveled the world working and taking thousands of pictures along the way. Traveling the world, experiencing other cultures that are different from the norm, has been an inspiration to Patrick. Patrick’s artistic influence has been his travels.

“I’ve been fortunate. I travel the world and have been to countless museums in countless countries and viewed firsthand the masters/mistresses of historic photography. I view art in most forms as inspiration. The paintings before the 19th century (before photography) are the photographs of history. It’s how we know what George Washington or Marcus Aurelius or Queen Elizabeth looked like.”

He never forces his creative process, nor does he follow trends. He goes by what feels right while viewing the world with a photographer’s eye. He refers to his many photographs as practice, many times resulting in something new.

Be sure to go to our website and view the calendar so you don’t miss a thing!

Photo credit: Patrick Eldredge