Library News
There are lots of small steps you can take to ensure you and your family is eating healthy amounts of the right foods. (brought to you by foodreference.com)
• Be Creative. Try something different, like washing and clipping grapes into small bunches and putting them in the freezer. Try with bananas too!
•Cut Down on Fat. Try low-fat dairy products, poultry without skin and lean meats to get flavor without a lot of calories.
• Serve healthy snacks and have smaller meals. Stock your kitchen with healthy lunch and snack foods, such as raisins, popcorn, sliced vegetables and fruit.
•Don't use food as punishment or reward.
• Keep Track. Let your kids "eat the rainbow." Keep a chart on the fridge so your kids can record each color fruit or vegetable they have each day. You can also have then plan, shop for and prepare meals – they are likely to make better choices when they are involved in the process.
• Get Moving. Encourage informal play virtually everyday. If you can't participate with your kids during the week, plan on being active during the weekend. Go skating, walk your dog, clean the house…
• Turn off the TV. Never eat in front of the TV and encourage your children to do something active instead of watching TV.
Here are some delicious recipes to get you started and guaranteed your whole family will love!
FOR BREAKFAST TRY:
Sunrise Sunday
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 3
Ingredients
• 1-1/2 cups low-fat granola or other dry cereal
• 1 cup low-fat plain or vanilla yogurt
• 1 can (15.25 oz.) Del Monte Lite Fruit Cocktail, drained
Directions
In tall glasses, spoon alternating layers of granola or any other dry cereal, yogurt and fruit cocktail.
For easy variety use any 6 pack of single serving assorted dry cereals and Fruits.
FOR LUNCH TRY:
Corn and Chicken Tostada
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 0 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
• 4 tostada shells or tortilla chips
• 6 or 1-1/4 oz or cups chicken strips, cooked
• 2/3 cup salsa or taco sauce
• 1 or 11 can or oz Del Monte Golden Sweet Corn, drained
• Lettuce, Shredded
• Cheddar Cheese, Shredded
Directions:
Warm tostada shells according to package directions. Meanwhile, combine chicken, salsa and corn in medium saucepan. Heat through. Layer lettuce, cheese and corn mixture on tostada shells or over tortilla chips. Serve with sour cream, if desired.
FOR DINNER TRY:
Beef Macaroni and Cheese
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 can (14 ½ oz) Del Monte Diced Tomatoes with Basil, Garlic & Oregano
• 1 cup elbow macaroni
• 1-1/2 cups shredded Cheddar Cheese
Directions
Brown meat and onion over medium-high heat in skillet; drain. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.
Add tomatoes and 1 cup water; bring to boil.
Stir in macaroni. Cover and simmer 10 minutes or until cooked.
Stir in cheese. Garnish with sour cream, if desired.
FOR DESERT TRY:
Caramelized Pineapple with Ice Cream
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Cooking Time: 7 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
• 1 can (15-1/2 oz.) Del Monte® Pineapple Chunks in Syrup
• 2 Tbsp. firmly packed brown sugar
• 1 Tbsp. melted butter
Directions
Spread pineapple with 2 tablespoons syrup in 2-quart baking dish. Top with sugar and drizzle with butter. Bake at 450°F 7 minutes or until lightly browned. Spoon hot pineapple over ice cream. Serve immediately.
Our library has many resources available on nutrition, diet, and exercise for males, females and kids. We have workout videos, cookbooks, and many books on diet and nutrition for all ages. If you’re interested in something that we don’t have in our collection we can also borrow for you through Interlibrary Loan. Just let us know what you need, we’re here to help you get the information and resources that you need. Until next time, Happy Reading!
Add a comment (0 comments) | posted by Tina Marie |
Categories: FYI, Library Info
Get to know the wonderful women who’ve changed our world:
She was the first child of English colonists to be born in America.It's not known how old Virginia Dare (1587- unknown) lived to be after her birth in America. She and over 90 other colonists of Roanoke's "Lost Colony" mysteriously disappeared from their settlement and were never heard from again.
A mysterious fever left Helen Keller (1880-1968) blind, deaf, and unable to speak before her second birthday. After overcoming many challenges throughout her life, she attended Radcliffe College and is recognized for becoming the first deaf-blind person to earn a college degree.
Sold as a child slave to the Wheatley family of Boston, Phyllis Wheatley (1753?-1784) grew up to become the first African American to ever be published.
Sybil Ludington (1761-1839) became a young heroine of the American Revolutionary War when she bravely rode horseback during the night to warn that the British were attacking Connecticut.
Betsy Ross (1752-1836) is said to have helped design and sew the first official flag of the United States of America.
There are many many more… If this has peeked your interest in learning about the many women that have made history, why not check out the many wonderful books that we have available at the library? Or search online for the particular women that you’re interested in learning about (just Google their name). Or if your curious about different women, try this link to Gale Cengage Learning http://www.gale.cengage.com/free_resources/whm/and for the younger audience check out Time for Kids at http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/whm. Why not get the kids or grandkids excited about the men or women that have made history? Quiz them on the ones that they have already learned about and see how much they still remember. Take a trip to the library to get them interested in learning about new people, people that did great things. We would be more than happy to help you get the books or materials that you need. Stop by anytime, give us a call (641)482-3115 or send us an email at tina-marie@melbourne.lib.ia.us. Until next time, Happy Reading!
Add a comment (0 comments) | posted by Tina Marie |
Category: FYI
January is National Eye Care Month. So celebrate! This month has been dedicated by eye care professionals nationwide to the promotion of healthy vision. Optometrists and ophthalmologists suggest strongly that you get your eyes checked every year, and what better time to do so than in January when we are celebrating all things new? It doesn’t matter whether or not you wear corrective lenses, or even if you think your eyes are in perfect condition. Getting regular eye exams is an important part of your overall health care, and vital to ensure your continued healthy vision.
We here at the library understand the needs of our patrons in the different stages that we go through with our vision. So many of you may be at the stage where you may need to choose something larger to read than regular print- we've got that for you- Large Print books. And some of you may have trouble even reading this large print, but would still enjoy reading the books. So for you we have books on cassette or on CD. Whatever your need, we are here to help you get what you need. If we don't have it here in our collection, we can borrow through Interlibrary Loan for you at no charge. (We then have access to much more than our library's walls.) Depending on where the item is coming from, this service may take 2 or 3 days, so you may need to plan accordingly if it's for a project or something.
The library hours are as follows:
Sunday | CLOSED | ||
Monday | 11:00-5:00 | ||
Tuesday | 9:00-11:00 | 3:30-7:00 | |
Wednesday | 11:00-5:00 | ||
Thursday | 3:30-7:00 | ||
Friday | 1:00-5:00 | ||
Saturday | 9:00-12:00 | |
Please let us know if we can help you find that book, audio, or movie that you need. Remember that we do provide a Homebound Delivery Service. A homebound person is someone at any age who is unable to visit the library due to a long or short-term illness, condition or disability. This most certainly includes senior citizens who don't drive. Just give us a call or email us what you are looking for and we will try to get that out to you later that same day. When you are finished with the items, then give us a call back and we will then pick the items up from you. It's like bringing the library to your home. You can reach us at (641)482-3115 or by email at tina-marie@melbourne.lib.ia.us or marcey-smith@melbourne.lib.ia.us. Stay warm and until next time, Happy Reading!
Celebrate Eye Care Month with the kids by creating these fun Eyeball Cupcakes:
First gather the ingredients for your eyeball cupcakes. You will need:
- White icing
- Vanilla or chocolate cupcakes
- Green gel icing
- One Junior Mint or black gumdrop
- Red gel icing
Add a comment (0 comments) | posted by Tina Marie |
Categories: FYI, Library Hours, Library Info
National Oatmeal Month
Known for the significant health benefits, oatmeal, for some, is a staple in the daily dietary program. Whether eaten for breakfast, lunch, dinner or as a snack, oatmeal provides a warming, soft, nutritious meal for children and adults alike. In January of each year, our country recognizes oatmeal for its nutritional value in what is known as National Oatmeal Month.
January is the month in which we buy more oatmeal than any other month of the year. In January 2001, we stocked our pantries with 34.6 million pounds of Quaker Oats; enough to make 346 million bowls of oatmeal. The most popular oatmeal topping is milk. Other popular toppings are: sugar, fruit (raisins, bananas) and butter/margarine. Among the most unusual are: eggnog, peanut butter, cottage cheese and brewer's yeast.
Oatmeal Clay
Make oatmeal clay for rainy day child play. Mix 1 cup oatmeal, 1/2 cup flour and 1/2 cup water. Children can mold and form the knobby clay into shapes. Use a blender to grind oatmeal into powder for smoother clay. Make colored clay by adding food coloring to the water. For another day of play, let the artworks dry. The hardened oatmeal clay can then be decorated with non-toxic paint. This oatmeal clay is fun but not edible.
Easy Oatmeal Muffins
Makes 12 muffins
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup quick-cooking oat or old fashioned oats
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil or canola oil
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Add a comment (0 comments) | posted by Tina Marie |
Category: FYI
January is Hot Tea Month (from K-State Edu)
silk.
changes that occur during processing of the tea leaves. They are all made
from the same type of tea leaves.
a time, and then heated to stop the fermentation process.
Heat milk and sugar together in a saucepan, almost to boiling. Remove from heat and add tea bags. Steep for 5 minutes. Remove tea bags and serve. Serves 2.
Frostbite : A Werewolf Tale. Wellington, Dav
Until next time, Happy Reading!
Add a comment (0 comments) | posted by Tina Marie |
Categories: Adult Programs, FYI, Social Event
Season’s Readings!
That opens up our eyes
To the unexpected gifts in life—
Each day a sweet surprise.
For the people whom we know;
Like festive Christmas candles,
Each one has a special glow.
A dash of Christmas food,
(Amazing how a piece of pie
Improves our attitude!)
Wrap it up in love and peace,
Decorate with optimism, and
Our joy will never cease.
We know we will remember
To be in the Christmas spirit,
Even when it's not December.
Spirt of Christmas
It's the feeling of home,
even if it's only a memory
that takes you there.
It's the quiet places
of the heart
you return to
year after year.
It's the comfort
of tradition
in an ever-widening
circle of friends
and family…
We’re wishing you everything beautiful this Christmas.
Add a comment (0 comments) | posted by Tina Marie |
Categories: FYI, Library Info
The Best Gift you can Give is to be a Friend
December is Write to a Friend Month
Spice up your letter writing by using greeting cards. Better yet write your note with different colored pens to show off your creative side. If you can't keep track of all your friends, use an address-book in order to find them more easily.
December is also Safe Toys and Gifts Month. So to help you keep the Holidays Merry and Bright by giving safe toys and gifts to children this Year preventblindness.org suggests the following:
- Make recommendations to family members and friends about gifts that you feel are appropriate for your child.
- Inspect all toys as much as possible before taking them out of the box. Once opened, go through each part of the toy to make sure there are no small parts that could be choking hazards or sharp edges.
- Avoid toys that shoot or include parts that fly off. BB guns and air guns should not even be considered toys. Flying toys caused 9,600 injuries in 2008.
- Gifts of sports equipment should always be accompanied by protective gear (such as a basketball along with eye goggles, a baseball with a batting helmet with a face shield). In fact, 90 percent of all sports-related eye injuries can be prevented by using the appropriate eye protection.
- Educate yourself on what products have been recalled. Contact the CPSC at (800) 638-2772 or go to www.cpsc.gov.
- Keep toys meant for older children away from younger ones. Closely monitor all activities to make sure smaller children do not have access to toys that are not at their age-appropriate level.
- Inspect toys for sturdiness. Your child’s toys should be durable, with no sharp edges or points. The toys should also withstand impact. Dispose of plastic wrapping material immediately on toys as they may have sharp edges.
- Never give toys with small parts to young children. If a part of a toy can fit inside a toilet paper roll, the toy is considered a choking hazard and is not appropriate for children under the age of 3.
Teen Scene- Wednesday, December 16 from 7-8 p.m. “Christmas Party”
Story Hour- Tuesday, December 15 from 11:30-12:30 p.m. “Christmas”
Kids’ First- Tuesday, December 15 from 4:15-5:15 p.m. “Christmas”
For this and all other library happenings be sure to check out our website at www.melbourne.lib.ia.us Library closings and cancellations are posted on our website or on the library door. The library will be shutdown from Thursday, December 24th – Sunday, January 3rd, 2010. We will reopen on Monday, January 4, 2010. We are sorry for the inconvenience this may cause. Please feel free to stock up before the shutdown. We will extend all due dates. Until next time, Happy Reading- and stay warm!
Add a comment (0 comments) | posted by Tina Marie |
Categories: Adult Programs, Children's Programs, Library Shutdowns
(from www.parentingwithoutpressure.com)
Great Expectations
The holiday season is a special time for enjoying our family and friends and celebrating traditions. However, it can also be a time for unrelenting stress.
A common mistake made by many is trying the recreate the perfect Norman Rockwell holiday. The house is beautifully decorated with outdoor lights and an exquisitely trimmed Christmas tree; numerous presents, all carefully chosen and meticulously wrapped are displayed under the tree; the holiday meal, fit for a king, includes all the old-time favorites; and everyone is in a festive mood. Picture perfect, maybe, but is it realistic? Is this scene applicable or even relevant to your family today? If you and your family create stress by trying to meet unrealistic expectations, make a firm commitment to do things differently this year.
Simplify Please
with goodies from your favorite bakery.
7. Celebrate the true meaning of the season!
Priorities
With the current trend toward slick commercialism it is easy for children to be lured into GETTING rather than GIVING. You can help by taking time BEFORE the holiday to discuss realistic expectations about gifts. Save catalogs sent from local stores and have children cut out or circle the items they want. After specifying the number of gifts they may have, allow them to choose from their list. Help your children shift their focus outward by encouraging them to choose a gift to be donated to charity. Or make crafts or gift baskets to be delivered to a nursing home. Older children can volunteer to baby sit or help an elderly neighbor.
Stress Busters
- Recognize the signs of stress. These include ineffective coping, such as becoming depressed, irritable, anxious or inability to concentrate. Stress related illnesses include headaches, high blood pressure, neck and back pain and stomach aches. Eliminate the threat of stress by putting yourself in control, rather than letting things just happen.
- Keep family expectations realistic. Don’t allow your family’s holiday expectations to be determined by extended family, friends, or the media. Instead, focus on your family’s strengths and be realistic about what works for your family as a whole.
- Give yourself permission to say, “No.” Be realistic about what you can and cannot accomplish. Say “I’m sorry, but this won’t work for me right now.”
- Watch your diet. Eat lightly, more often, and include complex carbohydrates for energy. A diet high in carbohydrates increases the body’s supply of serotonin, a brain chemical known for its calming effect. Additionally, drink plenty of water and avoid overloading on the sweets, and snacks filled with empty calories. Also, cut back on stimulants such as caffeine and nicotine.
- Exercise. Exercise can rid the body of excess tension, help promote relaxation, improve cardiovascular function, and increase energy and stamina.
- Recognize the signs of stress. These include crankiness, irritability and a change in appetite or sleep habits.
- Provide structure. Kids thrive on routines, predictability. Therefore, structure is important for children especially during the holidays. Also, make sure kids get their sleep and take a nap or have a “quiet time” each day.
- Set Clear Guidelines. Gently remind children of your expectations before going to grandma’s or the mall. Then, remember to praise, appreciate, encourage and acknowledge the good behavior.
- Give attention freely. Love is spelled TIME. Laugh, cuddle and play with your kids. Let them choose their favorite games, activities or book to share with you and have fun.
- Encourage physical exercise. Exercise releases tension for children as well as burns excess energy! Plan daily for a minimum of 30 minutes of outside activities and play.
- Watch your children’s diet. Limit foods that may affect behavior, such as refined sweets, caffeine (found in chocolate and soft drinks), artificial preservatives and chemical coloring. Keep plenty of fresh fruit and raw veggies on hand for snacking.
Add a comment (0 comments) | posted by Tina Marie |
Category: FYI
It originated in Ireland and has roots in the Celtic pagan festival of Samhain and the Christian holy day of All Saints. It is largely a secular celebration, but some have expressed strong feelings about perceived religious overtones. Irish immigrants carried versions of the tradition to North America during Ireland's Great Famine of the 1840s.
For young and old, Halloween is a real treat. We have many Halloween books and movies for children and adults here at the library. We have many of the scary movies that you’re looking for to create a fang-tastic night: Saw movies, the Boogey-man’s, The Haunting of Molly Hartley, The Happening, the Mirrors and many more horror movies to chill you to the bone. Borrow some free horror movies from the library, buy some soda pop and popcorn and invite some ghoul friends over to your place for a Gh’oul time. Eat, drink and be scary. You’re sure to have a Hallo-scream!
These treats are great to fix up for company and to hand out also. Just wrap each individual treat in plastic wrap. You can make these up to three days in advance.
Remember your library has the resources that you need to help you to create a bootiful Halloween. We at the library hope you all have a Spooktakular good time in whatever it is that you do for Halloween. Until next time, I witch you a safe and Happy Halloween!!
Add a comment (0 comments) | posted by Tina Marie |
Category: FYI
You can check out the latest news on the H1N1 on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu/qa.htm or visit our website at www.melbourne.lib.ia.us and on our homepage click on the H1N1 picture.
We had received a Grant from the Community Foundation in the amount of $500.00 to purchase new books to add to the Children and Young Adults’ collections in the library. We were able to purchase many popular fiction and even some great nonfiction books for these age groups. Here is a list of what we were able to add to the collection:
NEW CHILDREN’S FICTION BOOKS
Hi! Bye! Begin Smart Books
Splish-Splash Danis, Naomi
Scaredy Squirrel at the Beach Watt, Melanie
NONFICTION
YOUNG ADULT FICTION:
Thank you to Marshall County Community Foundation for making it possible to add new wonderful books into the library’s collection!! We hope that many of you will stop in to check out what we have available. Until next time, Happy Reading!
Add a comment (0 comments) | posted by Tina Marie |
Categories: Library Info, FYI
An Unexpected Love Tracie Peterson & Judith Miller
The Missing Beverly Lewis
Lonestar Secrets Colleen Coble
Lonestar Sanctuary Colleen Coble
The Believer Ann H. Cabhart
A Widow's Hope Mary Ellis
Take Two (Above the Line Series) Karen Kingsbury
A Surrendered Heart Tracie Peterson & Judith Miller
206 Bones Kathy Reichs
Dying for Mercy Mary Jane Clark
Storm Cycle Roy Johansen
Second Sight George D. Shuman
The Devil’s Punchbowl Greg Iles
Fear the Worst Linwood Barclay
Justice Denied J.A. Jance
Any Minute Joyce Meyer & Deborah Bedford
Twelve Sharp Janet Evanovich
Still Life Joy Fielding
The Last Song Nicholas Sparks
Blindman’s Bluff Faye Kellerman
The Knight Steven James
The Rook Steven James
Alex Cross’s Trial James Patterson
Vanished Joseph Finder
92 Pacific Boulevard Debbie Macomber
Adult Nonfiction
Come on, Dad! 75 Things for Fathers and Sons to do together
Make Job Loss Work for You : Get over It and Get Your Career Back on Track.
Best Gluten-free Family Cookbook.
Come on, Mom! 75 Things for Mothers and Daughters to Do Together
World Almanac and Book of Facts, 2009.
Paula Deen's Cookbook for the Lunch-Box Set.
Library Hours:
Monday 11:00-5:00
Tuesday 9:00-11:00 & 3:30-7:00
Wednesday 11:00-5:00
Thursday 3:30-7:00
Friday 1:00-5:00
Saturday 9:00-12:00
Until next time, Happy Reading!
Add a comment (0 comments) | posted by Tina Marie |
Categories: FYI, Library Hours
For more than 25 years, October has been celebrated as National Popcorn Poppin’ Month; however, it became "official" in 1999, when then Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman proclaimed October as National Popcorn Poppin’ Month.
While every day is a great day for celebrating popcorn, we chose the month of October because of the popcorn harvest which takes place each fall in the Midwest. Each year when the new crop is harvested, it reminds us popcorn will always be the naturally fun snack for the entire family. Popcorn Poppin' Month is the perfect time to celebrate popcorn.
Corny Facts
- Americans consume some 16 billion quarts of this whole grain, good-for-you treat. That’s 54 quarts per man, woman, and child.
- Compared to most snack foods, popcorn is low in calories. Air-popped popcorn has only 31 calories per cup. Oil-popped is only 55 per cup.
- Most U.S. popcorn is grown in the Midwest, primarily in Indiana, Nebraska, Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky and Missouri.
- Many people believe the acres of corn they see in the Midwest during growing season could be picked and eaten for dinner, or dried and popped. In fact, those acres are typically field corn, which is used largely for livestock feed, and differs from both sweet corn and popcorn.
- The peak period for popcorn sales for home consumption is in the fall.
- Most popcorn comes in two basic shapes when it's popped: snowflake and mushroom. Snowflake is used in movie theaters and ballparks because it looks and pops bigger. Mushroom is used for candy confections because it doesn't crumble.
- Popping popcorn is one of the number one uses for microwave ovens. Most microwave ovens have a “popcorn” control button.
- “Popability” is popcorn lingo that refers to the percentage of kernels that pop.
- There is no such thing as “hull-less” popcorn. All popcorn needs a hull in order to pop. Some varieties of popcorn have been bred so the hull shatters upon popping, making it appear to be hull-less.
- How high popcorn kernels can pop? Up to 3 feet in the air.
- On September 29, 2006 a new record was set for the World's Largest Popcorn Ball, as measured by the Guinness Book of World Records. Eight feet in diameter and nearly 24.5 feet in circumference, this gargantuan confectionary creation weighed in at a whopping 3,423 pounds. It took two days for employees of The Popcorn Factory to create the ball.
- If you made a trail of popcorn from New York City to Los Angeles, you would need more than 352,028,160 popped kernels!
Yet when all is said and done, popcorn is simply a great tasting food. Surprise your family and friends with a popcorn treat today in honor of National Popcorn Poppin’ Month. For tasty recipes, fun facts, popcorn trivia and more, visit www.popcorn.org.
Popcorn Fixin’s
Looking to spice up your popcorn? Here are a few topping favorites:- Garlic salt
- Parmesan cheese
- Thyme
- Cumin
- Oregano
- Dry taco seasoning mix
- Dry ranch-style seasoning mix
- Lemon pepper
- Italian herbs: oregano, basil, marjoram, thyme, and crushed rosemary.
- French herbs: marjoram, thyme, summer savory, basil, rosemary, sage, and fennel
- Cinnamon, brown sugar, nutmeg
Add a comment (0 comments) | posted by Tina Marie |
Category: FYI
The State Library of Iowa has announced that the Melbourne Public Library has met the conditions for state accreditation as outlines in "In Service to Iowa: Public Library Measures of Quality, 4th ed."
Achieving accreditation requires a significant, ongoing local commitment to high quality library services. Of Iowa's 543 public libraries, 338- including the Melbourne Public Library- are accredited. The Melbourne Library has been recognized for its efforts in all areas of library administration including governance and funding; staffing; library collection; services; public relations; and access and facilities. The accreditation is valid through June 30, 2012.
Add a comment (0 comments) | posted by Tina Marie |
Category: FYI
We have finished our "Kid's First"(Afterschool program) room in the library. This was a special project that I have been working on funded by the Martha Ellen Tye Foundation grant that we had received. I was able to update/remodel our storage room in the library basement to turn into a livable and enjoyable space. I was able to paint and refinish the cement portion of the floor, I put up curtains to cover the shelves that we use for storage in the basement. Gary Fricke cut the carpet and tacked it down for us, and my wonderful sister, Lisa painted the beautiful murals on the walls. Thank you both for your help with this much needed project!
We will start the afterschool program on Tuesdays, starting September 22. We will meet from 4:15 - 5:15 p.m. This is for Kindergartners on up. We have a snack, stories, games, crafts, and many other activities. We meet every Tuesday unless there is no school. We hope that your children will be joining us as we will be putting your "Kids' First."
Story Hour will also be held on Tuesdays, starting September 22. This is for 3, 4, and 5 year olds. They will meet from 11:30 - 12:30. We begin the program with book reading, followed by songs, games, crafts, fingerplays, puppets, a snack or other activities. The children will enjoy all the activities and of course be able to check out books and movies- keeping the 3-day movies for a whole week!- as a bonus for being in Story Hour. We have a Halloween and Christmas Party and a picnic in May. Lots of fun for your little one- let your child be the judge!
Teen Scene is a program for 5th graders on up. We meet for activities, games, crafts, food and fun. We meet the 3rd Wednesday of the month during the school year. So we will start on the 16th of September from 7-8 p.m. We will be celebrating "Back to School" with various activities. Hope you will join us.
Calling all knitters & crocheters... Have we got a great way for you to meet others and to learn new ideas and patterns. We will be offering a class for those who want to learn knitting and crocheting. We also offer a wonderful opportunity for those who already knit/crochet to come together to share ideas and conversation with others in our group. If you would like to learn to knit or crochet have we got the right people for the job. We have 2 of the most caring & patient teachers, that are so dedicated to helping you learn. They are Kathy Kelly and Lois Wermager. Come join them starting Tuesday, September 15 from 7- 8 p.m. They will meet then after the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month.
Our Friends group was able to purchase for us a wonderful addition to the library collection from Nest Family. It is a complete learning system. For over 15 years, NEST Family has provided the best in inspirational, educational and entertaining videos, audios, books and other items for families, home educators, schools churches and libraries. As their name suggests, NEST provides an environment that fosters development and nurtures the young. Their engaging stories and music provide inspirational, entertaining, and educational tools that help loved ones share with each other their values, morals and wisdom.
We have the Animated Hero Classic Series, and with this children will learn to appreciate democratic principles, values, and people from many cultures who contributed to economic and political heritage in world history. Plus, The Animated Hero Classic Series promotes the development of higher level thinking skills such as analyzing, evaluating, sequencing, and more! We will be using this throughout the school year for the afterschool kids and this is open for anyone to use and check out especially home schoolers. We do allow the DVD videos to be checked out for a whole week and the educational workbooks are for "In Library Use Only" but we do offer you the opportunity to copy the necessary pages for $.10 a copy. Some of the heroes are Joan of Arc, Benjamin Franklin, Harriet Tubman, Helen Keller, The Wright Brothers, and many more. We hope that you will enjoy this wonderful new addition to our collection.
The library will be closed on Monday, September 7 for Labor Day. We will resume normal business hours on Tuesday, Sept. 8. We wish you a very happy and safe Labor Day weekend. Until next time, Happy Reading!
Add a comment (0 comments) | posted by Tina Marie |
Categories: Adult Programs, Children's Programs, FYI
Groundhog Day is a holiday celebrated in United States and Canada on February 2. The legend of Groundhog Day is based on an old Scottish couplet: "If Candlemas Day is bright and clear, there'll be two winters in the year." Every February 2, people gather at Gobbler's Knob, a wooded knoll just outside of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Residents contend that the groundhog has never been wrong.
The ceremony in Punxsutawney was held in secret until 1966, and only Phil's prediction was revealed to the public. Since then, Phil's fearless forecast has been a national media event. The groundhog comes out of his electrically heated burrow, looks for his shadow and utters his prediction to a Groundhog Club representative in "groundhogese." The representative then translates the prediction for the general public.
If Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, it means six more weeks of winter. If he does not see his shadow, it means spring is just around the corner. Approximately 90% o the time, Phil sees his shadow. Phil started making predictions in 1887 and has become an American institution.
The children's programs here at the library (Story Hour and Kids' First Afterschool Program) that week will be learning and having fun with Groundhog Day. They will be hearing stories on Groundhog Day, participating in activities and creating crafts that have to do with this theme.
Here's a little Groundhog poem:
Here's a little groundhog furry and brown
He's coming up to look around
If he see's his shadow, down he'll go
Then six more weeks of winter, OH NO!
Add a comment (0 comments) | posted by Tina Marie |
Categories: Children's Programs, FYI, Library Info
Chinese New Year or Spring Festival is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. This year it begins on Monday, January 26th. Chinese New Year is a holiday that celebrates the beginning of a new year according to the lunar calendar. It is considered to be one of the most important holidays for Chinese families. The holiday is celebrated with big family gatherings, gift giving, the eating of symbolic foods and display of festive decorations--all focused on bringing good luck for the new year and celebrating the coming of Spring. The children's programs here at the library (Story Hour and Kids' First Afterschool Program) this week have the the Chinese New Year theme. They will be hearing stories on the Chinese New Year, participating in activities and creating crafts that have to do with this theme also.
Add a comment (0 comments) | posted by Tina Marie |
Categories: Children's Programs, FYI, Library Info
Calling all knitters & crocheters...
Have we got a great way for you to meet others and to learn new ideas and patterns. If you are currently a knitter/crocheter you are welcome to meet with a group that gets together every other Tuesday. They started back up on January 6th and they will have met again this month on January 20th. Next month, they will meet Tuesday, February 3rd and the 17th from 7-8 p.m. If you would like to learn to knit or crochet have we got the right people for the job. We have 2 of the most caring & patient teachers, whom are so dedicated to helping you learn. So we offer a class for those who want to learn knitting and crocheting and we also offer a wonderful opportunity for those who already knit/crochet to come together to share ideas and conversation with others in our group.
The library offers scrapbookers a place to come together to share their ideas and their hobby. We have a scrapbooking group that shares their ideas and our wonderful teacher, Mary Pothast, is there to help you get started or to help spark an idea. She also brings various paper, stamps, scissors, punches, etc. for you to use. You may purchase and complete a page for $1.00. Come to create your albums or pages and hang out with others who enjoy doing the same thing you do- capturing those special moments and finding just the right way to accentuate them. They meet every other Tuesday also. Same dates as the Knitters/Crocheters but they meet from 7-9 p.m. So they will meet Tuesday, February 3rd and the 17th. Ages 10 and up are welcome to join these groups.
Be sure to check out our website often for other Library Happenings. www.melbourne.lib.ia.us We also have a news blog that you may subscribe to on our website and post comments. This is located on our homepage. We have one for the Young Adults also. Theirs is found on the Teen Tab, just click on the Teen Scene Blog. We try to keep these updated so you know what’s going on here at the library and other things for “your information.” Until next time, Happy Reading!
Add a comment (0 comments) | posted by Tina Marie |
Categories: Adult Programs, FYI, Library Info
New Children and Young Adult Books:
The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling
Operating Codes by Nick Manns
Yubisaki: Milk Tea
Celestial Legend: Yuhi
Real Life, Here I Come
Chocolate for a Teen’s Dreams
Where do Babies Come From?
Toestomper and the Caterpillars by Sharleen Collicott
Lucia and the Light by Phillis Root
Add a comment (0 comments) | posted by Tina Marie |
Categories: FYI, Library Info
New Adult Books at the library:
Texas! Lucky by Sandra Brown
Texas! Lucky (Large Print) by Sandra Brown
Running Hot by Jayne Ann Krentz
Fire and Ice by Julie Garwood
Santa Cruise by Mary and Carol Higgins Clark
Time to Embrace by Karen Kingsbury
This is How it Happened by Jo Barrett
Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovich
A Ghostly Good Time
The Playskool Guide to Potty Training
Add a comment (0 comments) | posted by Tina Marie |
Categories: FYI, Library Info
“Lead Poisoning: How to Protect Iowa Families” is a program that will be held at the library on February 5 at 7:00 p.m. Jackie Pippen, Coordinator of East Central Iowa Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention serving Marshall, Hardin, Tama and Benton counties, will be presenting the program. You will learn about the federal law on lead based paint, lead-based paint and the hazards, how to check your home for these paint hazards, and much more. What a perfect way to educate yourself so that you can protect yourself and your loved ones. Please stop in the library, give us a call (641)482-3115, or email us at karen-antle@melbourne.lib.ia.us by Monday, January 26th. * As always, our classes and programs are FREE!!!! Please take advantage of these wonderful opportunities for you and your family.
Add a comment (0 comments) | posted by Tina Marie |
Categories: FYI, Library Info, Adult Programs
My husband and I are expecting a new baby in February of 2009. I will be having a maternity leave as soon as baby comes so there will not be any children and teen programs at the library during my leave. (As I am the one who works with this age group.) I will try to keep you aware of when the programs will stop and then again when they will start back up. Please watch for advertising and you can always check our website www.melbourne.lib.ia.us I will be leaving you in good hands- Karen and Rita will help you the best they can with your library needs while I am away. These girls are great and are ready to assist you. Please don’t hesitate to let them know what you need.
Add a comment (0 comments) | posted by Tina Marie |
Categories: FYI, Library Info, Children's Programs