Library Blog
Posted on Fri, June 16, 2023 - 07:00pm
Attention readers: Bonnie Tate created this week’s post. Our guest author describes herself as a scientist, birder, and nature photographer. You may recall her amazing image of an Eastern Screech Owl which won the grand prize of our “Picturing Winter” contest.
Massachusetts boasts seven…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Fri, June 09, 2023 - 07:00pm
When my coworker, Christie, stepped outside her front door on May 8, she saw a nest. “When did that happen?”
May 8, 2023
Fortunately, for us, she documented the birds’ development from eggs to fledglings. Let’s examine…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Fri, June 02, 2023 - 07:00pm
June is “Turtles-Crossing-the-Road” month. Let’s celebrate by driving cautiously on roads near wetlands while being alert to female turtles heading to their upland nesting sites. Notice which roads seem suitable before you encounter an “object” on the road. Slow down. If you see a turtle in the…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Fri, May 26, 2023 - 07:00pm
Sunday’s walk was splendid, a fresh green feast of loveliness savored in perfect weather. My eyes hopped from wild geraniums to jack-in-the-pulpits, from tender ferns to mature skunk cabbages, landing eventually on show-stopping lady’s slippers.
Yet my chief delight was the soundscape. …
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Fri, May 19, 2023 - 07:00pm
There is so much activity in spring! Here are two sounds you may hear if you venture beyond your neighborhood. You know the ropes: email lrubinacci@amesfreelibrary.org with your answers and check back next week.
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Fri, May 12, 2023 - 07:00pm
Congratulations to Tom Cee who correctly identified last week’s “What Is It!” on Facebook. This delicate spring flower is the lovely wood anemone, Anemone quinquefolia. Hanover, MA, April 29, 2023 Just three inches tall, this plant has a…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Fri, May 05, 2023 - 07:00pm
Now blooming in selected woodlands near you!
Submit your identification to lrubinacci@amesfreelibrary and check back next week for info on this topic.
Your photos of spring wildflowers are welcome, too.
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Fri, April 28, 2023 - 07:00pm
Remember the swimming garter snake that headlined our March 30th post? Since that time, readers have shared sightings of two more snake species.
April 5, Hanson
Courtesy: Louis Vanrenen
First, we have an image of a young snake basking on a beam above a pond. According to the observer…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Thu, April 13, 2023 - 07:00pm
I regret to say that no one correctly identified last week’s “What Is It!”. Guesses included a slug and a fossilized caterpillar. Nice try, but . . . . Let’s take a second look.
The subject of this closeup photo is a one-inch object. Here it is in the context of our reader’s backyard.…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Thu, April 13, 2023 - 07:00pm
The library catalog is getting an update! From April 17 - April 21, some behind the scenes magic will take place to improve the functionality and display of the library’s catalog.
During the update, some catalog functions you’re used to will not be available. Check out the lists below and be sure…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Wed, April 12, 2023 - 07:00pm
Did you guess correctly? Frogs were the focus of last week’s “What Is It!” game.
These gelatinous eggs contain wood frog embryos. While wood frogs may not be as well known as bullfrogs or green frogs, they are a delight to observe in the late-winter/early-spring woods. Listen for their duck-…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Fri, April 07, 2023 - 07:00pm
Somehow, I forgot to offer a “What Is It!” post for March. To make up for that oversight, April will be “What Is It!” month. Here’s one to get us started. A reader submitted this image from her yard in late March. Email your identification and any comments to Irubinacci@amesfreelibrary.org and…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Sat, April 01, 2023 - 07:00pm
As children, we learn the archetypal signs of spring: robins and tulips; nests and eggs; April showers, May flowers, and even Easter bunnies. It’s a good starting point, but there is so much more. The seasonal transition happens in a thousand steps. This week I challenge you to notice some of…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Thu, March 23, 2023 - 08:00pm
Our first week of spring brought mild temperatures, bird and frog songs, and some early blossoms. At this time of year, watch for tree and shrub flowers like those of the pussy willow. This might require adjusting your perspective because some of these flowers are quite small or located on upper…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Mon, March 20, 2023 - 08:00pm
If you’ve used the OverDrive app in the last few years, chances are you’ve been encouraged to make the switch to its sister app, Libby. Whether this encouragement came from a friend, family member, librarian, or a notification within the app itself, chances are you’ve heard about access to the…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Thu, March 16, 2023 - 08:00pm
Last Sunday, like most Sundays, I went for a walk, though I really didn’t feel up to it. Tired, sniffly, and grumpy, I couldn’t face another damp, gray day. Nevertheless, I donned my gear and set out to find river otter scat. Yes, that’s how I spend my weekends!
Once outside of my home and my…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Thu, March 16, 2023 - 08:00pm
Most days, you’ll find me sitting behind the Reference Desk here at AFL. I’m always happy to be there to help you tackle technology troubles, find just the right book for research or entertainment, or to share some details about the history of our building. But earlier this week, I temporarily…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Thu, March 09, 2023 - 07:00pm
When the library reopened after the Covid shutdown, a small table was added to an alcove adjoining the staff lunchroom, presumably to encourage social distancing. The six-foot separations ended some time ago, but the miniature table remains . . . and it is my favorite spot for meals. Some people…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Thu, March 02, 2023 - 07:00pm
Snow is forecast for tonight. As with other recent storms, temperatures will be mild and the flakes will mix with rain. If we get lucky, by Sunday morning some of the snow will survive long enough to preserve animal tracks from the previous night. Not too dry, not too warm, not too deep . . . if…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Mon, February 27, 2023 - 07:00pm
Welcome to AFL Staff Stories! Every month we'll introduce you (or REintroduce you!) to a different member of the AFL Staff and tell you a little about their favorites.
This month, meet one of AFL's Circulation Technicians, Christie Bramante. Click here for Christie's stories.
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Thu, February 23, 2023 - 07:00pm
It began with the tufted titmouse. As I crossed the library’s parking lot, the bird’s voice caught my attention, which seemed odd knowing that titmice live year-round in Massachusetts. I probably hear them every day, but this was February 2, the day when winter-weary humans pin their hopes on…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Thu, February 16, 2023 - 07:00pm
Several readers identified “What Is It! #8” as an owl pellet. I expected this, but the discovery of a pellet gives me an excuse to delve into a fascinating topic.
Last April I found this particular pellet under a large pine between Queset House and the garden. It was 1 ¾ inches long by ⅞ inches…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Thu, February 09, 2023 - 07:00pm
A dust bunny? My cat’s hairball? What is this object?
Email your ideas to lrubinacci@amesfreelibrary.org and check back next week for the story behind the image.
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Thu, February 02, 2023 - 07:00pm
“How lucky are we to have received so many amazing submissions!” exclaimed Megan Tully, Head of Reference & Adult Services at the Ames Free Library. The staff had just voted for their favorite “Picturing Winter” entries . . . and it wasn’t easy! Twenty-seven photographers submitted 108…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Mon, January 30, 2023 - 07:00pm
Welcome to AFL Staff Stories! Every month we'll introduce you (or REintroduce you!) to a different member of the AFL Staff and tell you a little about their favorites.
This month, meet one of AFL's Queset House Managers, Dana Hourigan. Click here for Dana's stories.
Category: Staff Picks