Library Blog
Posted on Thu, October 15, 2020 - 08:00pm
This week’s Family Fun is brought to you by Adult Services Librarian Megan. Learn more about using the free Creativebug database to get really fun craft ideas!
The weather outside may not be frightful just yet, but it is starting to get cooler. If you're already in search of some indoor family…
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Tue, October 13, 2020 - 08:00pm
Now that school is back in session it’s time to bring back TAB!
Our first meeting will be Wednesday, October 21st at 4pm. Join us on Zoom here: https://zoom.us/j/98314449561?pwd=S0crTUp6SlVkREZKandPYzQzS0didz09
By joining the AFL Teen Advisory Board, teens can:
Help plan events and programs at the…
Category: Youth Services, Teen
Posted on Sun, October 11, 2020 - 08:00pm
If you haven’t caught an episode of S’more Stories with Miss Alyisha yet – tune in today! There’s a new episode every Friday, but you can catch them any day online under the Storytimes & Events column at https://amesfreelibrary.org/kids-homepage.
These gently creepy fall stories are perfect…
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Thu, October 08, 2020 - 08:00pm
Fall is my favorite season! The colors are still a bit spotty around town, but trees are starting to display their showy leaves! Take a walk in Easton's natural areas (check out Borderland State Park, the Sheep Pasture, and the Governor Ames Estate) - or in your own neighborhood – and observe,…
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Tue, October 06, 2020 - 08:00pm
Andrea Nicole Livingstone (born July 10, 1985), known as Nic Stone, is an American New York Times best-selling author of young adult fiction, best known for her debut novel Dear Martin.
Boston Public Library is holding a Zoom event for teens only with Ms. Stone on Monday October 19th at 12pm. If…
Category: Youth Services, Teen
Posted on Sun, October 04, 2020 - 08:00pm
Many of us are still deciding what Halloween might look like for our families this year, but one thing never changes: kids love to dress up! Without the multitude of parties, parades, and celebrations this year, we want to give your kids a place to show off their costumes.
This October, our Fall…
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Thu, October 01, 2020 - 08:00pm
It’s getting dark earlier… perfect for stories and snuggles under a blanket, or if you’re feeling brave… slight scares around a campfire! Starting tonight, throughout the month of October, check our website for new storytimes with Miss Alyisha! These gently creepy fall stories are perfect for…
Category: Youth Services, Kids, Story Times Online
Posted on Tue, September 29, 2020 - 08:00pm
Banned Books Week (September 27 - October 3, 2020) is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. It spotlights current and historical attempts to censor books in libraries and schools. It brings together the entire book community — librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers,…
Category: Youth Services, Teen
Posted on Sun, September 27, 2020 - 08:00pm
School has finally started – congratulations and good luck to all our brand new Kindergartners!
For those of you whose little ones haven’t yet started Kindergarten, there’s still time to read 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten! It sounds like a challenge, but reading 1,000 books is easier than you…
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Thu, September 24, 2020 - 08:00pm
As described on their website, Alex Gino “loves glitter, ice cream, gardening, awe-ful puns, and stories that reflect the diversity and complexity of being alive.” Check out Alex’s website to learn more about them and their books.
Alex’s stories give middle school readers a gentle look at the life…
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Tue, September 22, 2020 - 08:00pm
Teen (YA) nonfiction books can be found shelved in the Barrel Vault Room at the Ames Free Library along with general adult nonfiction. This collection is currently open for browsing.
Body Talk: 37 Voices Explore Our Radical Anatomy Edited by Kelly Jensen
Thirty-seven contributors-including…
Category: Youth Services, Teen
Posted on Sun, September 20, 2020 - 08:00pm
School is back in session, leaves are changing, pumpkins are showing up on everyone’s doorsteps… what else is new?
Books kept being published even as we quarantined safely at home throughout the spring and summer, so now that we’re open for browsing, there’s plenty of good stuff for you to check…
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Thu, September 17, 2020 - 08:00pm
Many homeschool families have started their learning journey already, and hopefully you have an idea of what your first few months will look like, but it’s always nice to have support!
Similar to remote learning families, you’ll want to be sure you have a few things in place as you get into the…
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Tue, September 15, 2020 - 08:00pm
School starts tomorrow, even if it looks a little different that you might have been expecting even a week ago! With all these changes in the air, now’s a good time to take a few deep breaths and just relax before the school year gets started. The Brookfield Zoo near Chicago recently debuted their…
Category: Youth Services, Teen
Posted on Sun, September 13, 2020 - 08:00pm
Summer Reading is now officially over, but if you were reading right up to the end and haven’t collected your beads yet, you still have a few days! You can buy beads in the ReadSquared Prize Store through Saturday, September 19.
When you log in to ReadSquared, you will see a note that no programs…
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Thu, September 10, 2020 - 08:00pm
Whatever model of schooling you’ve chosen for this academic year, your student will be spending at least some time learning from home. While it doesn’t sound exactly like “fun,” there are some things you can do together to prepare your space for this to happen.
Outline a daily schedule. It’s easier…
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Tue, September 08, 2020 - 08:00pm
Patrick Ness is a British-American author, journalist, lecturer and screenwriter. Born in the United States, Mr. Ness moved to London and holds dual citizenship. He is best known for his books for young adults, including the Chaos Walking trilogy and A Monster Calls. Read more about Mr. Ness and…
Category: Youth Services, Teen
Posted on Sun, September 06, 2020 - 08:00pm
Know Before You Go! You have probably heard by now that the library is open for limited browsing – but what does that mean in the Children’s Room?
Here are our current guidelines:
One family is allowed in the Children’s Room at a time so you can have the flexibility to look around without worrying…
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Thu, September 03, 2020 - 08:00pm
The clock is ticking, and regardless of what school looks like for you this year – the unofficial End of Summer (Labor Day weekend) is upon us! So whether you’re jumping into school right away, or still have a couple of weeks, now is the time to squeeze in that last-minute family fun! The weather’s…
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Tue, September 01, 2020 - 08:00pm
Hey teens, have you ever wanted to compete against others in your favorite game?!
Well… on Saturday, September 5th, the Ames Free Library will host its first Fortnite Tournament! You and up to 99 other people will drop into the now flooded island and will compete for the #1 Victory Royale. There…
Category: Youth Services, Teen
Posted on Sun, August 30, 2020 - 08:00pm
In case you missed it: the library is now open for limited browsing! You’re welcome to come into the library for short visits to find and check out materials. This also means that if you’ve earned beads for your Summer Reading necklace over the summer, you can come right up to the Youth Services…
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Thu, August 27, 2020 - 08:00pm
Terri Libenson is a comic-strip cartoonist turned middle grade author. Ms. Libenson’s graphic novels are perfect back-to-school reads! Each book features a girl facing a particular challenge at school. These lighthearted books feature friendships, school and extracurricular challenges, and the…
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Tue, August 25, 2020 - 08:00pm
The Sound of Stars by Alechia Dow
Two years ago, a misunderstanding between the leaders of Earth and the invading Ilori resulted in the deaths of one-third of the world's population. Seventeen-year-old Janelle "Ellie" Baker survives in an Ilori-controlled center in New York City. With humans deemed…
Category: Youth Services, Teen
Posted on Tue, August 25, 2020 - 08:00pm
Due to Easton's delayed start of school this year, Read & Bead has been extended through Saturday, September 12! We all have a lot of feelings about school starting this year... so keep yourselves busy (and distracted!) with more books! Encourage your kids to continue logging their time and…
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Sun, August 23, 2020 - 08:00pm
Come out for a socially distant, IN-PERSON event! Find HodgePodge (he’s a friendly monster!) – he’ll be hiding in plain sight somewhere in Easton (hint: not too far from the library!). Once you spot him, you can park (somewhere legal and safe, please!) to say hello and get a photo with him. Find…
Category: Youth Services, Kids