Library Blog

Posted on Thu, June 24, 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 - "Eastern Tiger…
Category: Staff Picks
Tags: A Glimpse of Nature
Posted on Thu, June 17, 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 - "Tulip Tree" Have…
Category: Staff Picks
Tags: A Glimpse of Nature
Posted on Mon, June 14, 2021 - 08:00pm
Welcome to “Travel Tuesdays,” a resource for those whose plans have been deferred and a distraction for people who enjoy armchair travel.  Each week we’ll suggest a virtual destination for you to visit. All of these ideas are curated and brought to you by Lorraine Rubinacci! To read Lorraine's…
Category: Staff Picks, Daily Distractions
Tags: Daily Distractions, Travel Tuesdays
Posted on Mon, June 07, 2021 - 08:00pm
Welcome to “Travel Tuesdays,” a resource for those whose plans have been deferred and a distraction for people who enjoy armchair travel.  Each week we’ll suggest a virtual destination for you to visit. All of these ideas are curated and brought to you by Lorraine Rubinacci! To read Lorraine's…
Category: Staff Picks, Daily Distractions
Tags: Daily Distractions, Travel Tuesdays
Posted on Sun, June 06, 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
Tags: Book Recommendations, Adult Book Recommendations
Posted on Mon, May 31, 2021 - 08:00pm
Perfect On Paper by Sophie Gonzales Seventeen-year-old Darcy Phillips, a bisexual girl who gives anonymous love advice to her classmates, is hired by the "hot" guy at school to help him get his ex back.     In Deeper Waters by F.T. Lukens Sixteen-year-old Prince Tal is on his long-awaited coming-…
Category: Youth Services, Teen
Posted on Fri, May 28, 2021 - 08:00pm
This past week, we lost two Children's Book greats: Eric Carle (The Very Hungry Caterpillar) & Lois Ehlert (Chicka Chicka Boom Boom). Both were prolific authors & illustrators whose work will live on in the imaginations of children (& adults!) for generations to come. Here are some…
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Tags: Book Recommendations, Kids Book Recommendations
Posted on Mon, May 24, 2021 - 08:00pm
Welcome to “Travel Tuesdays,” a resource for those whose plans have been deferred and a distraction for people who enjoy armchair travel.  Each week we’ll suggest a virtual destination for you to visit. All of these ideas are curated and brought to you by Lorraine Rubinacci! To read Lorraine's…
Category: Staff Picks, Daily Distractions
Tags: Daily Distractions, Travel Tuesdays
Posted on Fri, May 21, 2021 - 08:00pm
  Welcome to the Ames Free Library Summer Reading Program for Teens! We've posted a list of your summer reading requirements from OAHS for you to start with. Interested in winning some prizes too? Have a look at our Summer Reading Program details below...   CALLING ALL TEENS 13 - 18 YEARS OLD!…
Category: Youth Services, Teen
Tags: Summer Reading
Posted on Wed, May 12, 2021 - 08:00pm
Tina Kanter, Sommelier of Happy Being Clean, features Rosés from regions across the globe. This information-packed Master Class will include how to understand Rosé, as well as its regionality, and style. We’ll learn about Tina’s favorites and some wine tasting notes, as well as how to buy, store,…
Category: AFL Videos
Tags: Master Class
Posted on Mon, May 10, 2021 - 08:00pm
Welcome to “Travel Tuesdays,” a resource for those whose plans have been deferred and a distraction for people who enjoy armchair travel.  Each week we’ll suggest a virtual destination for you to visit. All of these ideas are curated and brought to you by Lorraine Rubinacci! To read Lorraine's…
Category: Staff Picks, Daily Distractions
Tags: Daily Distractions, Travel Tuesdays
Posted on Sun, May 09, 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
Tags: Book Recommendations, Adult Book Recommendations
Posted on Tue, May 04, 2021 - 08:00pm
Welcome to “Travel Tuesdays,” a resource for those whose plans have been deferred and a distraction for people who enjoy armchair travel.  Each week we’ll suggest a virtual destination for you to visit. All of these ideas are curated and brought to you by Lorraine Rubinacci! To read Lorraine's…
Category: Staff Picks, Daily Distractions
Tags: Daily Distractions, Travel Tuesdays
Posted on Thu, April 29, 2021 - 08:00pm
  Confession: I’m a Millennial who’s addicted to her phone. I knew it would happen. I put up a good fight. I held on to my flip phone for as long as humanly possible. I held on for so long, in fact, that my friends all mocked me for being a Luddite. But I knew that once I got a Smartphone, it…
Category: Staff Picks
Tags: Book Recommendations
Posted on Tue, April 27, 2021 - 08:00pm
You may have read that AFL is observing Screen-Free Week, but what does that mean for you?  Screen-Free Week is an annual event during the first week of May that encourages families to find activities to do - preferably together! - that don't involve screens. This year, it's May 3 through May 9. …
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Mon, April 26, 2021 - 08:00pm
Welcome to “Travel Tuesdays,” a resource for those whose plans have been deferred and a distraction for people who enjoy armchair travel.  Each week we’ll suggest a virtual destination for you to visit. All of these ideas are curated and brought to you by Lorraine Rubinacci! To read Lorraine's…
Category: Staff Picks, Daily Distractions
Tags: Daily Distractions, Travel Tuesdays
Posted on Sun, April 25, 2021 - 08:00pm
We've all spent so many hours in front of screens in the past year - let's cut the cord and break free! Screen-Free Week is observed during the first week of May; this year it's May 3 through 9. Obviously you can't quit school or work for a week, but outside of necessary working hours, take…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Tue, April 20, 2021 - 08:00pm
Welcome to “Travel Tuesdays,” a resource for those whose plans have been deferred and a distraction for people who enjoy armchair travel.  Each week we’ll suggest a virtual destination for you to visit. All of these ideas are curated and brought to you by Lorraine Rubinacci! To read Lorraine's…
Category: Staff Picks, Daily Distractions
Tags: Daily Distractions, Travel Tuesdays
Posted on Wed, April 14, 2021 - 08:00pm
Spring is in the air! New buds on the trees, new flowers in the yard... new teen books in the library!   The Cost of Knowing by Brittney Morris  Sixteen-year-old Alex Rufus's curse of seeing the future distracts him from being and doing his best, but when he sees his little brother Isaiah's…
Category: Youth Services, Teen
Posted on Mon, April 12, 2021 - 08:00pm
Welcome to “Travel Tuesdays,” a resource for those whose plans have been deferred and a distraction for people who enjoy armchair travel.  Each week we’ll suggest a virtual destination for you to visit. All of these ideas are curated and brought to you by Lorraine Rubinacci! To read Lorraine's…
Category: Staff Picks, Daily Distractions
Tags: Daily Distractions, Travel Tuesdays
Posted on Sun, April 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! I Am…
Category: Staff Picks
Tags: Book Recommendations, Adult Book Recommendations
Posted on Mon, April 05, 2021 - 08:00pm
Welcome to “Travel Tuesdays,” a resource for those whose plans have been deferred and a distraction for people who enjoy armchair travel.  Each week we’ll suggest a virtual destination for you to visit. All of these ideas are curated and brought to you by Lorraine Rubinacci! To read Lorraine's…
Category: Staff Picks, Daily Distractions
Tags: Daily Distractions, Travel Tuesdays
Posted on Sun, April 04, 2021 - 08:00pm
Becky Albertalli is an American author of young adult fiction, known for Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, which was adapted into the 2018 film Love, Simon and inspired the spin-off television series Love, Victor.   We have many of her books available for checkout in the Teen Den, or you can…
Category: Youth Services, Teen
Tags: Book Recommendations, Teen Book Recommendations
Posted on Sun, April 04, 2021 - 08:00pm
A Tisket, A Tasket, Poetry in a Basket April is National Poetry Month! Celebrate this all-ages event by picking up a goodie bag at the Circulation Desk beginning on Monday, April 5th. Inside, you'll find a plastic egg (with a hidden surprise!), a piece of chalk, and a basic instruction sheet. You'…
Category: Staff Picks, Youth Services
Posted on Thu, April 01, 2021 - 08:00pm
Teens! Do you know... *How do you apply for financial aid?*What types of financial aid are available?*What is the FAFSA?*What is the deadline for the FAFSA?*Who qualifies for the FAFSA?   If these are some questions you or your parents have please join the FREE Zoom College Financing Program hosted…
Category: Youth Services, Teen