At the Library 1/22/26

Noon Concert Series continue in 2026 on WPL's 1888 Piano

John Flannery & Jessica Faselt at Noon Concert

by Alison Greiner

If I were asked what my favorite parts of the Washington Public Library are, I know without a doubt that our piano and Noon Concert Series would be right at the top of that list.  Music has always been one of the most important parts of my life.  I truly can’t imagine a world without music.  It brings me great joy to work in a library that celebrates the arts and actually owns one of the most beautiful grand pianos I have ever had the opportunity to play.

These concerts and our piano are special parts of our library because one person had a dream of having a piano in our previous location.  Susan See had a vision of what is now reality.  Here is an excerpt from an email Susan sent a few years ago describing how the piano idea came about.

“When we lived in Washington, and years before the new library was built, I approached Patrick Finney, the head librarian at the time, with the crazy idea of putting a piano on the second floor and having free concerts.  

Instead of rolling his eyes or laughing at the idea, he told me that a new library might be in the works and to hold on to that "piano idea."  When the right time came, I got permission from the board to see who might be interested in paying for a grand piano.  Within twenty-four hours, we had the money we needed.  Jean Potratz generously offered to pay for the piano, and Margaret Wolf paid for the duet bench and the cost of having two handcrafted music stands designed and made.  What a thrill!”

Thankfully, Susan See had an idea and acted on it.  The piano and the concerts have become a staple in our library and community.  

As we continue our tradition of the Noon Concert Series, this year we have decided to change the schedule.  Our concerts will now be the first Thursday of each month at noon.  Make sure you are on the lookout for bonus concerts that may occur at other times of the year.  We are hoping this new schedule will allow those with conflicts with our previous schedule to attend and also give performers new opportunities to share their talent.

The trio “My Romance” will perform at our next concert on Thursday, February 5th.  Make sure you come and enjoy some great music and the opportunity to hear our piano in action.  Invite others you know, as it is sure to be a perfect way to start out our 2026 Noon Concert Series.

At the Library 1/15/26

 Swapping and Sowing Seeds this Winter!

by LeAnn Kunz

It is time to think about gardening! Wait, you are saying, it is winter in Iowa. Yes, it is winter in Iowa and we want the community to swap some seeds to build your inventory for spring and teach you some winter sowing techniques. The library and P.L.A.N.T. (People Learning and Nurturing Together) are sponsoring a Seed Swap event on National Seed Swap Day, Saturday, January 31, from 9 am to 12:30 pm at the Washington Public Library.  P.L.A.N.T. is a non-profit that brings together volunteers, rental gardeners and visitors, creating opportunities for hands-on learning and relationship building. The organization’s emphasis on accessibility and education helps remove barriers to gardening and encourages participation from people with a wide range of backgrounds and abilities. Besides the community garden, P.L.A.N.T. also offers gardening events, including this one with your Washington Public Library. Your and your entire family are invited to come-and-go as you please to swap seeds, share seed stories, color and create plantable seed art, and take a winter sowing workshop. 

The main event is the swap and if you have seeds to share, bring them in a labeled container with crop type, variety, and year grown. Also bring extra ziplock bags or seed envelopes for sharing. If you do not have seeds to share, but would like to try or plan to do some gardening, stop in! You are still allowed to pick up some seeds from those available from P.L.A.N.T. and learn about the community garden in Washington and/or find some seeds in the WPL's seed library. 

As part of this day we will also offer two Winter Sowing Workshops with Emily Hughes, one at 9:30 am and one at 11 am. Winter sowing combines a low-effort, nature-propelled germination method with an opportunity to recycle common household waste items as mini-greenhouses. This is suitable for beginners and established gardeners alike. In the workshop you will learn how to winter sow seeds. Bring a milkjug. Seeds and soil will be provided. 

Register for the Winter Sowing Workshops @ https://washington-ia.whofi.com/calendar/event/5619870?method=embed

In addition, adults and children (those under 12 must be accompanied by an adult) can come and create plantable seed art! Stop in between 9 am and 12:30 pm. You will be coloring then  gluing seeds to your piece to create a miniature masterpiece. These are great to display on refrigerators until spring. Then, simply rip up your art, put in the ground, water, and see your masterpiece come to a second life in a few weeks! All supplies provided for this fun activity.

Mark your calendar for this free event sponsored by the Washington Public Library and P.L.A.N.T.

At the Library 1/8/26

National Sci-Fi Day Display @ Your WPL

by Marissa Reisen

Set your blasters to stun in honor of National Sci-Fi Day, celebrated annually on January 2 (renowned sci-fi author Isaac Asimov’s birthday). WPL is poised and ready to fuel your sci-fi journey this month with our first level display devoted to the genre! 

Think sci-fi is just outer space laser battles? It’s that and so much more! Science fiction blends science - everything we know to be fact - with fantastical elements that wonder what all it can, or even WILL be some day. Elements from classical sci-fi can be seen all over our modern world today. Not too long ago subjects like instantaneous global communication and artificial intelligence made the best sci-fi, and today it’s our reality.

Whether you’re looking for a classic or a modern day marvel, we’ve got everything from what many consider to be the original sci-fi novel - “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley, to our newest simulacrum - “When We Were Real” by Daryl Gregory, and run the gamut with everything in between. Shelley’s well-known story, published in 1818, tells of Dr. Frankenstein, who pieces together a creature from spare parts and brings it to life, only for it to grow more out of control and monster-like as it searches for a mate. This book questioned the morals and ethics of what we could and should do as human beings, which is a key component of many science fiction novels. When only our imagination limits what we can do, how far is it acceptable to take these actions? Gregory’s novel tells the story of two friends who embark on a cross-country journey shortly after a global announcement that revealed that the world they’re living in is a simulation. The bus they’re traveling on is full of quirky characters who are all having their own revelations in light of that information. Of course, if neither of those are quite what you’re looking for, we have plenty of books with outer space laser battles!

While science fiction may not seem quite so far-fetched in this day and age, you can still escape to another world with ease. If you can’t find quite the story to quench your palate here in the library, live your own sci-fi adventure and check out a book on Libby! And if you get a taste for sci-fi and want to dive in further, there is a SciFi Book club here at WPL that meets multiple times throughout the year.

At the Libray 1/1/26

 A New Year, a New Skill (or Two)

by Cary Ann Siegfried

January has a way of making us reflective. We think about what worked last year, what didn’t, and what we might want to do a little differently in the months ahead. Some people make big resolutions. Others just set quiet intentions: learn something new, take better care of myself, finally try that thing I’ve been curious about. If that sounds like you, we’d love to help you get started!

Eat a Little Healthier

Maybe your goal is to cook more meals at home, try plant-forward recipes, or finally figure out what all those nutrition labels mean. The library has cookbooks, meal-planning guides, and wellness resources that can help you build healthier habits without feeling overwhelmed. Browsing a few books can be a low-pressure way to find ideas that actually fit your life. Here’s a great new choice that was just added to our collection– find it in our New Nonfiction collection on the 1st floor: 

Skinnytaste: Everyday High Protein: 100 Healthy, Simple Recipes to Fuel Every Meal is a great choice for simple and healthy family-friendly recipes. For MORE choices, visit our cookbook section (641.5) upstairs for books like this one. Power Foods: 150 Delicious Recipes With the Healthiest ingredients.

Learn a hands-on skill or find a new creative outlet

The new year is also a perfect time to make something with your hands. Knitting, crocheting, painting, pottery, woodworking, and other creative hobbies don’t just produce something tangible — they’re also a great way to relax and recharge. Whether you’re learning from a how- to book, watching a tutorial, or trying a class or workshop, the library can help you get started (or get better). 

Have you always wanted to paint, throw clay, or record a song or podcast or write a book? Creativity doesn’t require being an “artist.” It just requires curiosity and a willingness to try. Libraries are increasingly places where people can experiment, make a mess, and learn by doing — often with tools and equipment you wouldn’t have access to at home. 

If you’re a reader (or a writer), you might want to start with: The Book of Alchemy: A Creative Practice for an Inspired Life by Suleika Jaouad. The author explores the art of journaling and shares what she’s learned about how this practice can help us tap into that mystical trait that exists in every human: creativity. Or try this new book by Sue Monk Kidd: Writing, Creativity and Soul.

                             

If you just want to jump right into hands-on activities, the MakeIT Place at the Washington Public Library is here to help you get started! Stop by for a tour or sign up for one of our classes. See our calendar for classes and tours here: https://washington- ia.whofi.com/calendar/full

Work toward a professional goal

Some resolutions are practical. Maybe this is the year you pass a certification exam, change careers, learn a new language or build new job skills. Test prep books, online learning platforms, and quiet study spaces can make a big difference when you’re working toward a professional milestone. Small, consistent study sessions add up. If you’re studying for a certification exam or maybe thinking about going back to school and need to take an entrance exam, the Library offers a FREE test prep service called Momentrix eLibrary. If you’re thinking of learning a new language, the library also offers Mango Languages. Check our our Learning Resource page here to connect with Momentrix or Mango:

https://www.washington.lib.ia.us/online-resources/learning-resources

Explore your family history and/or preserve memories

The new year can also be a time to look backward. Researching your family history can help you better understand where you come from and preserve stories for the next generation. Census records, local history materials, genealogy databases, and knowledgeable volunteers can help you take those first steps — or dig deeper into a branch you’ve already started. Did you know that the Library offers Ancestry Library edition (free for users within the Library) and also Heritage Quest (can be used by library card holders from home– contains many of the same records that Ancestry does). Check out our our Genealogy and Local History page here:

https://www.washington.lib.ia.us/online-resources/genealogy-collection

If you have boxes of old photos, slides, or home movies tucked away, maybe this is the year to bring them back to life. Digitizing and organizing family memories not only protects them from damage, it also makes them easier to share with friends and family. The MakeIT Place Memory Lab can help with tools, guidance, and inspiration for preserving what matters.

Let us know how we can help!

You don’t need to change everything at once. You don’t even need a formal resolution. Sometimes the best goal is simply to stay curious. Whatever you’re hoping to learn, try, or do differently this year, your library is here to help — with books, digital resources, creative spaces, and people who love helping others discover what’s possible.

At the Library 12/25/25

 

Welcome to the WPL MakeIT Place Pottery Studio

By Beth L Swift

Technology Librarian AND Pottery Studio Supervisor

Pottery requires patience.  It takes about 3 weeks to take home your pottery.

(If everything is timely) What’s the hold-up?  

Creating, finishing, drying for 7 days, two-day bisque firing, coming in to glaze or take the initial class and then another two-days to glaze fire. 

Plus it’s all based on how full the kiln has to be to light it up.  

As our MakeIT Place Pottery Studio is getting busier, we’ve had many questions about 

independent use processes.  The pottery process is fascinating but it involves a few

steps from beginning to end.  Even after one is “certified”, if it's been a month before you come back in, the whole thing can seem overwhelming and can feel like you are starting over. Try to come in soon after certifying to feel more confident.

Pottery requires patience. 

Here is the basic process in a little more detail.   

1. PREPARE  CLAY Cut and weigh the appropriate amount of clay for your project. Fill out a payment slip completely and submit it to the upstairs desk for payment after you are done. If you need to restart a project, do not reuse clay; return the used material for proper reclaiming and cut fresh clay to maintain consistency, quality and reduce cracks and breakage from air pockets. 

2. FORMING THE PIECE — WHEEL OR HAND-BUILDING For wheel-thrown work, begin by firmly centering the clay, maintaining even moisture while pulling walls, and shaping the vessel with controlled hand pressure. For hand-building, choose the appropriate method—slab, coil, or pinch construction—and ensure joins are scored, slipped, and compressed for structural integrity. 

3. TRIMMING OR CARVING AT LEATHER-HARD STAGE Once the piece becomes leather-hard, refine its form by trimming excess clay to create a clean foot and balanced silhouette. This step enhances both aesthetics and function while ensuring the piece sits evenly after firing. Carving hand-built pieces creates texture and interest. 

(Steps 1-3 can take anywhere from 1 day to a week depending on how soon you can let your piece set to leather hard to finish it)

4. DRYING PERIOD ( 7 DAYS) Place works on boards or bats lined with newspaper to prevent sticking and allow airflow underneath. Move pieces to the correctly labeled drying shelf and attach one dated drying slip per piece. Drying gradually over a full week minimizes cracking and ensures readiness for bisque firing. (There may be a few days after your 7 days of drying before the 1st bisque fire happens)

5. BISQUE FIRING Fully dried pieces undergo their first firing, transforming fragile greenware into durable bisqueware. This step prepares the clay body to accept glaze and strengthens the piece for handling during glazing. (48 hour process)

6. GLAZING (REQUIRES ONE GLAZE CLASS FOR FIRST TIMERS) The glaze class teaches fundamental knowledge of glaze chemistry, application methods such as dipping, brushing, and pouring, and the correct procedures for placing glazed ware onto firing cart/shelves. After one class, you can make a reservation according to your schedule. 

7. GLAZE FIRING The final high-temperature firing melts glaze into a smooth, glass-like surface, completing the ceramic transformation. Pieces are allowed to cool slowly inside the kiln to avoid thermal shock. (Another 48 hour process) Glaze can be applied AND fired on the same day.  The only wait time is dried glaze which is usually 10-20 minutes.

   

8. FINISHED POTTERY PICKUP Completed works will be held at the Circulation Desk for pickup. Studio staff will notify you once your pieces are ready. Please retrieve your finished pottery promptly to keep storage areas clear and maintain workflow efficiency.

As you can see, even if all the creating, drying, bisque firing, glazing, and glaze firing lines up PERFECTLY, it is a two-three week process from start to finish. 

Yes, pottery requires patience but it is so worth it. 

Important points: 

We TYPICALLY do any firing starting on the anticipated Saturday at noon.  It takes approximately 48 hours to heat up and cool slowly.  That means, generally on the following Monday afternoon, your piece is ready for the next step whatever that may be.

Where can you check for anticipated firing dates and classes?                                                                The WPL online event calendar, the printed monthly event calendar, the posters in the pottery room and the firing shelves.     

All firing dates are ANTICIPATED and subject to change as there has to be enough to fire in order for the kiln to fire correctly and evenly.

Due to limited space, we can only hold pottery in any form for a limited amount of time. We make substantial effort to contact everyone before its disposal or sacrifice for demonstration and learning opportunities. Your communication is crucial! You can always call to make arrangements. 

We would LOVE to take you on a  tour of the Pottery Studio! (appointments appreciated)  Jenisa and I are the Pottery Studio Supervisors and we will do our best to answer questions.  We don’t have all the answers but we have the best resources to get them!

See you soon.

    

At the Library 12/18/25

 

From HOOPLA to BUBBLEVERSE:
Community Fiber Arts Projects on the Move

by LeAnn Kunz

HOOPLA, the largest piece that has ever been created by the Washington fiber art community, was installed at the Washington Public Library during Fiber Arts February 2025 and now it is "on tour"!  A portion of the HOOPLA hoops are now on exhibit for viewing at Halcyon House through the end of December.

During the summer of 2024, I distributed 15 inch plastic hoops to members of Sticks & Strings, a group of local fiber artists that gather monthly at the library to work on their projects and share them. The group has existed for over 20 years and I asked them, as well as any other interested fiber artists in the community, to create a piece of fiber art by crocheting, knitting, sewing, weaving, etc. within their hoop. During the 6 month span, 81 individual hoop art pieces by 18 fiber artists were submitted.

In early January 2025, five of the artists spent two days, over four hours total, putting the parts into one whole. We had to figure out color and style combinations, the engineering and construction aspect, and then assemble and install these in the skylight shaft area of the library. Hoops were strung on fishing line and hung in strips across the shaft. Some hoops were also hung on the shaft walls and in the second level windows. We named it HOOPLA and it was a grand and colorful exhibit that carried the spirit of Fiber Arts February.

HOOPLA brought in many visitors to the library during February and the following six months. In September the exhibit was disassembled. The artists were allowed to take their individual pieces home and several of them are repurposing their creations for the upcoming 2026 Community Fiber Art Project that was recently launched.

The concept for the newest dream fiber art exhibit is BUBBLEVERSE and I am calling for individual fiber artists to create "stiffened" bubbles, orbs, spheres, globes that will be united into one giant fiber art piece for Fiber Arts February 2026. If you would like to participate, please create your pieces by knitting, crocheting, sewing, weaving, etc. Pieces can be a variety of sizes but should hold their shape. Drop them off at the library with your name and contact information by January 15, 2026. Volunteers from Sticks & Strings will be assembling them into one giant piece in the skylight shaft for exhibition.

Help us create the next big thing for Fiber Arts February! 

At the Library 12/11/25

Learn How to Use the Computer
via Digital Learn

by Tammy Valentine

 

Recently, the library asked patrons to complete a survey to use for our new strategic plan. 

The information gathered was very interesting and helpful in letting us know what you want 

and need. The one question that jumped out to me was what 3 priorities you wanted us to 

focus on. The top 3 priorities turned out to be physical materials, downloadable media,

and lifelong adult learning. The last answer is what I am going to focus on for adults who want 

to continue learning. Every single day a patron comes in and says they know nothing 

about computers. They might be embarrassed but often they are frustrated. They may

have important documents that require them to be printed, then emailed or faxed back. That 

patron feels lost due to their lack of computer knowledge, but we can help!

You can find Digitallearn.org on our website by hovering over the Research & Learn

tab, then scrolling down to and clicking Learning Resources. What you will see is

Mango Languages, Mometrix, and Digitallearn. Just click the link to Digitallearn.org to

begin learning about computers. “If you are new to computers, haven't used them for a while, 

are a little unsure and uncomfortable, or just need a bit of a refresher, we have the tools to 

help you tackle technology at your own pace and gain the confidence you need to succeed.” --

Digitallearn.org.

This is a great resource for patrons who need help with computers. Feel free to come

into the library to help get you started on your new learning journey!