Library Blog

Posted on Fri, May 27, 2022 - 08:00pm
Bird song is among the most conspicuous natural phenomena of May.  If you have recently walked at the Ames Free Library or, for that matter, anywhere in southeastern Massachusetts, you couldn’t help but hear the chorus:  resident birds, newly-arrived migrants, and passers-through are all singing. …
Category: Staff Picks
Tags: A Glimpse of Nature
Posted on Sun, May 15, 2022 - 08:00pm
Who doesn’t love spring? Milder weather, longer days, and the return of greenery combine to lift our spirits.  Between April 29 and May 5, I made not one, but two, road trips to see spring flowers.  One excursion, a trip to the Wicked Tulips farm in Connecticut, offered a pleasant afternoon with…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Thu, May 12, 2022 - 08:00pm
Good things take time to grow:  A Glimpse of Nature will return next week with the promised post on spring ephemerals.  In the meantime, here’s this week’s challenge: Go for a walk in the woods. 2. Photograph one wildflower in bloom.  Yes, you can use your phone! 3. Email this image along with…
Category: Staff Picks
Tags: A Glimpse of Nature
Posted on Sun, May 08, 2022 - 08:00pm
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 AFL's Assistant Director, Jessica Block. Click here for Jessica's stories.
Category: Staff Picks
Tags: Staff Stories
Posted on Sun, May 08, 2022 - 08:00pm
Ever been curious what your neighbors are reading or watching? Here are just some of their suggestions! As we receive more recommendations, we'll post them here on the AFL Blog. If you would like to suggest something you've loved to your neighbors, fill out our Your Neighbors Recommend form! The…
Category: Staff Picks
Tags: Book Recommendations, Adult Book Recommendations
Posted on Thu, May 05, 2022 - 08:00pm
Which flowers have you seen lately?  Read about Lorraine’s botanical adventures in next week’s A Glimpse of Nature.            
Category: Staff Picks
Tags: A Glimpse of Nature
Posted on Wed, April 27, 2022 - 08:00pm
 “The Great Seed Experiment” is off to a vigorous start!  Hundreds of patrons have picked up seeds for their home gardens, as well as helpful factsheets and seed journals to record their observations.  This week, the library received its first photos and “Sprouting Reports” from gardeners.  Spring…
Category: Staff Picks
Tags: A Glimpse of Nature
Posted on Wed, April 27, 2022 - 08:00pm
From the aesthetically pleasing, to the historical, to the mundane, to the downright ridiculous, many of us are obsessed with picture taking. Why do I have 10,000 photos of the same sunrise?  Do I really need to share what I had for breakfast with the whole world? And is anyone’s life enriched by…
Category: Staff Picks
Tags: Book Recommendations
Posted on Tue, April 26, 2022 - 08:00pm
With April’s showers (hopefully!) behind us and May’s flowers in full bloom, Storytime is now meeting solely in the Garden! Along with our Winter coats, we’ve packed away the need to register. Since we’re outside, everyone is welcome to attend. Be sure to pack a light jacket (in case it’s breezy),…
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Thu, April 21, 2022 - 08:00pm
Yesterday, as I did a quick inspection of the library’s grounds, the movements of a gray squirrel drew my attention.  The animal was at a distance, in a tree on the opposite bank of our neighbor’s pond. I’m well accustomed to squirrel acrobatics, but something about its behavior struck me as…
Category: Staff Picks
Tags: A Glimpse of Nature
Posted on Wed, April 20, 2022 - 08:00pm
Are you interested in learning more about sustainable living or climate change? The Ames Free Library has resources for all ages! Take few minutes to browse this virtual room created by staff member California Muratore to learn more.
Category: Staff Picks
Tags: Book Recommendations
Posted on Thu, April 14, 2022 - 08:00pm
We’ve all heard the proverb, “April showers bring May flowers.”  Well, it’s mid April, and the “mayflowers” have already begun to bloom.  I am referring to a particular flower, the species Epigaea repens, commonly known as trailing arbutus or mayflower.  This early-blooming species is a lovely, but…
Category: Staff Picks
Tags: A Glimpse of Nature
Posted on Sun, April 10, 2022 - 08:00pm
Ever been curious what your neighbors are reading or watching? Here are just some of their suggestions! As we receive more recommendations, we'll post them here on the AFL Blog. If you would like to suggest something you've loved to your neighbors, fill out our Your Neighbors Recommend form!…
Category: Staff Picks
Tags: Book Recommendations, Adult Book Recommendations
Posted on Thu, April 07, 2022 - 08:00pm
This week, the Ames Free Library is launching a home gardening project for all its patrons.  We are giving away vegetable and flower seeds obtained through the University of Rhode Island and encouraging patrons to share their results with the library.  The library’s seed collection contains many…
Category: Staff Picks
Tags: A Glimpse of Nature
Posted on Tue, April 05, 2022 - 08:00pm
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 we celebrate our new AFL Director, Ian Dunbar. Click here for Ian's stories.
Category: Staff Picks
Tags: Staff Stories
Posted on Mon, April 04, 2022 - 08:00pm
Happy April! As I write this I’m wrapping up a busy shift at the Reference Desk where I’ve seen a mix of new and familiar faces come by throughout the day. Anyone who thinks libraries aren’t lively places clearly hasn’t been to AFL recently! This month I’m introducing a new feature to the Librarian…
Category: Staff Picks
Tags: Book Recommendations, Adult Book Recommendations, Librarian's Lounge
Posted on Fri, April 01, 2022 - 08:00pm
Yesterday, as I was writing, I looked up to see this view: Each year, during breeding season, a flock of turkeys visits my bird feeder on its route between wetlands, clearings, and oak forest.   I thought to myself, “Here they come!” And it’s not just the turkeys.  As I review my observations over…
Category: Staff Picks
Tags: A Glimpse of Nature
Posted on Tue, March 29, 2022 - 08:00pm
Officially, Storytimes will continue to meet inside at the Queset House throughout the rainy month of April. Because Spring has officially sprung, however, we know we can count on some sunny days! This means that the location for Storytime will be weather-dependent each day. On mornings when we get…
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Mon, March 28, 2022 - 08:00pm
Are you a bibliophile or perhaps even a bibliomaniac? If you are reading this, then chances are good that you love a good book. My name is Kim and I absolutely love the fact that on most days, working at the circulation desk, I am surrounded by books. Do you love playing word games? What’s your…
Category: Staff Picks
Tags: Book Recommendations, Adult Book Recommendations
Posted on Fri, March 25, 2022 - 08:00pm
To celebrate National Poetry Month this April, the Ames Free Library is cordially inviting you to participate in #PoemsBeforePhones! #PoemsBeforePhones is a daily practice that encourages you to begin your day with a poem rather than doom-scrolling through social media. If you’re interested in…
Category: Staff Picks
Tags: Book Recommendations, Adult Book Recommendations, Teen Book Recommendations
Posted on Thu, March 24, 2022 - 08:00pm
For the past two weeks, we’ve concentrated on “firsts” – the first observation of a natural phenomena in its annual cycle.  This is only reasonable, for the appearance of something new draws attention.  More effort is required to notice “lasts” – the last cricket to sing in fall, the last…
Category: Staff Picks
Tags: A Glimpse of Nature
Posted on Mon, March 21, 2022 - 08:00pm
Hello – and Happy Spring!  I’m Alyisha, the Youth Services Specialist at the Ames Free Library. Though I’m most often found in the Children’s Room, surrounded by glitter, googly eyes, and Mo Willems books, my literary interests are (perhaps surprisingly) diverse and far-flung. I can recommend the…
Category: Staff Picks
Tags: Book Recommendations
Posted on Sun, March 20, 2022 - 08:00pm
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 we celebrate AFL's Director, Uma Hiremath. Click here for Uma's stories.
Category: Staff Picks
Tags: Book Recommendations, Staff Stories
Posted on Fri, March 18, 2022 - 08:00pm
It’s almost spring! Although I’m not usually one to wish the days away, I’m ready for weather that’s warm enough to sit outside and enjoy some time reading in the sunshine and fresh air. Until then I’ll employ a little technological wizardry to imagine myself reading by the sea or with the…
Category: Staff Picks
Tags: Book Recommendations, Adult Book Recommendations, Librarian's Lounge
Posted on Thu, March 17, 2022 - 08:00pm
March 18, 2022. Announcement! I will be offering “Trees in Early Spring” on Monday, March 21 at 2:30.  This 1-hour nature walk around the library’s property will provide guidance and practice in tree identification.  Learn some interesting facts about our local trees and develop skills to wow your…
Category: Staff Picks
Tags: A Glimpse of Nature