Library Blog
Posted on Thu, September 30, 2021 - 08:00pm
Happy Fall! Thanks for stopping by the Librarian’s Lounge this month. September brought me some excellent books and tasty treats. I’m excited to share them with you today, but I want to hear from you, too! Did you read a book last month that I should add to my TBR? Did a book or resource from AFL…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Thu, September 23, 2021 - 08:00pm
Banned Books Week (September 26 - October 2, 2021) 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 Thu, September 23, 2021 - 08:00pm
A Glimpse of Nature -- Mantids
September 24, 2021
Two observers have shared photos of mantises living in Queset Garden. One was taken in late July; the other in late August. The most striking aspect of both images is the animals’ highly-effective camouflage.
Courtesy: Brian Woodward
I cropped…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Tue, September 21, 2021 - 08:00pm
It's the autumnal equinox, and the Ames Free Library staff is ready to recommend some good books! These titles are all excellent choices this season, whether you're pulling up a cozy chair, stretching out on the couch with a blanket, or plopping into a pile of leaves! Click on any book cover to…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Sun, September 19, 2021 - 08:00pm
We’ve purchased some new additions to our Graphic Novel and Manga collections! If you have any suggestions or series you’d like to see, please email teens@amesfreelibrary.org and let us know.
Fence by C.S. Pacat
Nicholas, the illegitimate son of a retired fencing champion, is a scrappy fencing…
Category: Youth Services, Teen
Posted on Thu, September 16, 2021 - 08:00pm
A Glimpse of Nature -- A New Twist
September 17, 2021
Last week I lamented the difficulty of photographing night-singing insects. Whenever I approached, they became silent and “disappeared” into the dark foliage. . . until I walked away. Well, not long after I completed the post on “Night Music…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Sun, September 12, 2021 - 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
Posted on Thu, September 09, 2021 - 08:00pm
See what’s happening on the grounds of the Ames Free Library or nearby areas with “A Glimpse of Nature.” Offered by Lorraine Rubinacci, the library's resident naturalist, this weekly photo blog is a gentle reminder to enjoy the wonders that surround us.
A Glimpse of Nature - "Night Music"…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Thu, September 02, 2021 - 08:00pm
See what’s happening on the grounds of the Ames Free Library or nearby areas with “A Glimpse of Nature.” Offered by Lorraine Rubinacci, the library's resident naturalist, this weekly photo blog is a gentle reminder to enjoy the wonders that surround us.
A Glimpse of Nature - "Listen to the…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Tue, August 31, 2021 - 08:00pm
What I'm Reading
Last Summer at the Golden Hotel by Elyssa Friedland
The golden days of the Golden Hotel are a thing of the past. Once the shining glory of the Catskills, the resort is slowly and steadily falling apart. Prompted by an offer to sell, three generations of the Goldman and Weingold…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Thu, August 26, 2021 - 08:00pm
See what’s happening on the grounds of the Ames Free Library or nearby areas with “A Glimpse of Nature.” Offered by Lorraine Rubinacci, the library's resident naturalist, this weekly photo blog is a gentle reminder to enjoy the wonders that surround us.
A Glimpse of Nature - "Jewelweed"
I am…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Fri, August 20, 2021 - 08:00pm
It's the best time of year to hit the beach with a good beach read! Smell the salt air with these titles, all of which come highly recommended by the staff at the Ames Free Library. Click on any book cover and get directed to the AFL catalog to learn more or place a hold.
Best Beach Reads
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Thu, August 19, 2021 - 08:00pm
See what’s happening on the grounds of the Ames Free Library or nearby areas with “A Glimpse of Nature.” Offered by Lorraine Rubinacci, the library's resident naturalist, this weekly photo blog is a gentle reminder to enjoy the wonders that surround us.
A Glimpse of Nature - "Cottontail"
A…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Thu, August 12, 2021 - 08:00pm
Back next Friday, August 20.
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Sun, August 08, 2021 - 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
Posted on Thu, August 05, 2021 - 08:00pm
See what’s happening on the grounds of the Ames Free Library or nearby areas with “A Glimpse of Nature.” Offered by Lorraine Rubinacci, the library's resident naturalist, this weekly photo blog is a gentle reminder to enjoy the wonders that surround us.
A Glimpse of Nature - "Chicory"
Roses…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Thu, July 29, 2021 - 08:00pm
See what’s happening on the grounds of the Ames Free Library or nearby areas with “A Glimpse of Nature.” Offered by Lorraine Rubinacci, the library's resident naturalist, this weekly photo blog is a gentle reminder to enjoy the wonders that surround us.
A Glimpse of Nature - "Field Trip"…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Thu, July 22, 2021 - 08:00pm
See what’s happening on the grounds of the Ames Free Library or nearby areas with “A Glimpse of Nature.” Offered by Lorraine Rubinacci, the library's resident naturalist, this weekly photo blog is a gentle reminder to enjoy the wonders that surround us.
A Glimpse of Nature - "Black Raspberry…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Fri, July 16, 2021 - 08:00pm
Once your assigned summer reading is done, check out our NEW YA BOOKS for some fun summer reading. There's something for everyone!
An Emotion of Great Delight by Tahereh Mafi
In the wake of 9/11, Shadi, a child of Muslim immigrants, tries to navigate her crumbling world of death, heartbreak, and…
Category: Youth Services, Teen
Posted on Sun, July 11, 2021 - 08:00pm
See what’s happening on the grounds of the Ames Free Library or nearby areas with “A Glimpse of Nature.” Offered by Lorraine Rubinacci, the library's resident naturalist, this weekly photo blog is a gentle reminder to enjoy the wonders that surround us.
A Glimpse of Nature - "Common Garter…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Sun, July 11, 2021 - 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
Posted on Thu, July 08, 2021 - 08:00pm
Experience a story in a different way, with no books or pictures! Close your eyes, listen carefully, and prepare for an adventure. What would it be like to have a highly-sensitive snout, leathery wings, feathery whiskers, or a glittering, rainbow tail? Let your imagination (& your body!) run …
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Thu, July 08, 2021 - 08:00pm
Two weeks ago, I shared an image of an eastern tiger swallowtail perched on a plant. The butterfly got the spotlight. Butterflies always get the spotlight. Today we’re going to give some attention to the extraordinary plant: common milkweed. Most of the time when I read about milkweed, people…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Wed, June 30, 2021 - 08:00pm
See what’s happening on the grounds of the Ames Free Library or nearby areas with “A Glimpse of Nature.” Offered by Lorraine Rubinacci, the library's resident naturalist, this weekly photo blog is a gentle reminder to enjoy the wonders that surround us.
A Glimpse of Nature - "Snapping Turtle…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Thu, June 24, 2021 - 08:00pm
Looking for something fresh? Check out one of these fun summer reads!
One Man Guy by Michael Barakiva
When Alek's high-achieving, Armenian-American parents send him to summer school, he thinks his summer is ruined. But then he meets Ethan, who opens his world in a series of truly unexpected ways…
Category: Youth Services, Teen