At the Library 10/3/24

It All Started With A Library Card

By Beth L Swift 

    

“Why would you do that?” was the response I received from a (well-meaning) friend when I announced that after retiring from the school district, I would be working at the local public library.

    “Why wouldn’t I? I’ll be surrounded by books.  Who wouldn’t love that?”  

    I really couldn’t quite wrap my head around who WOULDN’T love that. My road to independence all started with a library card at age ten.  I could walk to the library ALL BY MYSELF and look at all the books. You couldn’t talk without being LOUDLY shushed. And the THOUGHT of toys in the library for little ones? Nope. That type of idea was as far fetched as watching Captain Kirk talking into his watch on Star Trek. Libraries have certainly changed since then.     

    The library was and IS a central part of the community for young and old alike.  Library programming exists for every age group. Littles have “1000 books before Kindergarten”, Wee Read and Bi-Lingual Story Hour. Tweens and Teens have Lego, STEM, Pokemon Clubs and weekly after school programming on early out Fridays. Adults have various book clubs and vintage movie viewings. Online help for just about anything you want or need.  

Want to learn a new language? Mango Languages

    Need help with homework or help with post-service life? Brainfuse

 

    Read or listen to a book online? Libby

    The bi monthly music concerts incorporate local musicians and partner with schools so the community teens can practice performing in front of smaller crowds. Libraries have indeed rolled with the times. 

 

    Washington Public Library’s new MakeIT Place for adults and specialized kids’ programming is where you can come and embrace your creativity ranging from 3D printers, to laser printing to graphic design to pottery and transferring precious memories from VHS, reel to reel and picture albums to a flash drive… for free. 

    Even though he had been to the library countless times since he was a baby, I was more than excited to show my (then) eight year old grandson all the things the library had to offer. A little ahead of himself, he couldn’t believe “all this” was free as we checked out a couple books and a movie. 

    “Really?  For free, Nana? And I just promise to bring it back…are you really, REALLY sure?” (eyeing me quizzically)

    “Yep.  You only pay if you lose or damage something you borrowed.”

    “And the library card …how much for that?” (smiling like he thought he had me)

    “Free, as well.”

    “Wow…who knew?” (as he skipped out the door with his treasures)

    And to think… It all started with a library card.

             

At the Library 9/19/24

 Celebrating Fall With New Programs at the Library

by Jenisa Harris

Foam Party

The weather isn’t cool, and the leaves aren’t changing color, but we are celebrating the fall season as we begin our fall programs at the library. We enjoyed a fun and busy Summer Reading season. With many participants! We beat our goal of reading 100,000 pages during Summer Reading! We celebrated with an epic, Foam Zone in Central Park! Our end of the Summer Reading Celebration was generously donated by Washington State Bank. 

We also kicked off our FriYAY Funday’s this week. Every early out Friday the library will host a free early out program for grades K-12^th. The program will change weekly, we will rotate between, Movie Madness, Block Party, and Tinker Lab.

Block Party at the WPL

Participants enjoying the Block Party

Pokémon Trading Card night will resume Tuesday, Sept. 10 from 4:00-4:45pm and is for grades K-12^th. No registration required. Pokémon Trading Card night will be on the 2^nd Tuesday of every month during the school year. 

Teen Advisory Board meeting will also resume this month! 6^th-12^th graders are welcome to join us Wednesday, Sept 11 from 4:00-4:45. Teens will brainstorm and plan library activities, suggest new books and movies, and earn silver cord hours. 

Teens can also join us Wednesday, Sept. 25^th from 4:00-4:45pm for Teen Button Making Hangout! Teens will get to create their own custom buttons! All materials will be provided. No registration required! 

Teens crafting at the WPL

All programs are free, and open to the public. Check us out on Facebook or stop by the front desk to see all that we will be offering this fall! Sign up for our Library’s newsletter so you can stay in the loop! https://www.washington.lib.ia.us/contact.