Newton Public Library Books and News

Blues Under the Blue Roof is BACK!

2012-01-27T11:36:00.000-06:00

The library will be jumping with hot blues music when Newton Public Library partners with the South Skunk Blues Society to present Blues Under the Blue Roof VI on Monday nights in February.

On Monday, February 6, soulful guitarist Bob Pace will launch Blues Under the Blue Roof VI at 6:30 p.m. in the library meeting room. He has been revving up Iowa audiences for more than thirty years with his talent and potent songwriting. Bob was inducted into the Iowa Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame in 2008; however, his long musical career has been mostly driven by his passion for blues. He has opened for nationally known blues artists such as John Mayall, Johnny Winter, Delbert McClinton, Bernard Allison, Tower of Power, James Solberg, Tinsley Ellis, Dave Hole, Savoy Brown, and others. Never hesitating to donate his time and talent for a good cause, Bob has played benefit concerts for Katrina, the homeless, U.S. soldiers in Iraq, and Birdland flood victims. The library is proud to welcome him in 2012.

Bryce Janey will perform Monday, February 13, at 6:30 p.m. “Small town southern Iowa in the middle of the night, playing that old slide guitar blowin' out the lights” best describes Bryce's solo acoustic show. Bryce Janey started performing at the age of 13 in his hometown of Marion, Iowa, in a blues trio alongside his mother on drums, and his father on guitar. He quickly launched into a solo career, performing in nationally renowned venues and festivals across the U.S. Janey celebrates traditional blues in his dynamic performances, while showcasing his talents as a songwriter of one-of-a-kind electric and acoustic melodies; his numerous albums have achieved international attention.

Kevin “B.F.” Burt comes to town Monday, February 20, at 6:30 p.m. to perform in the library meeting room. His soul-inspired brand of blues is likened to artists like Bill Withers and B.B. King. Kevin is a self-taught musician (harmonica and guitar) with a smooth, warm vocal presentation. His combination of serious music and infectious humor appeals to audiences of all ages.

Des Moines native, singer/songwriter Rob Lumbard will share his finger-picking guitar style on Monday, February 27, at 6:30 p.m. in the final concert of the series. Lumbard joined The Wapsie River Band in 1980. Lumbard barn stormed the Midwest with them for ten years handling vocals, guitar, slide guitar, harp, and banjo. In 1990 he went solo, opening for Lyle Lovett, The Band, The Austin Lounge Lizards, Dan Hicks, Jerry Jeff Walker, Norman Blake, Steve Forbert, Leon Redbone, and countless Blues acts that came through town. He plays in a variety of venues year round and has participated in the Blues in the Schools program in Iowa.

All programs are free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided. If you are a person with a disability who requires special assistance, please call 641-792-4108 in advance.

Read with Kota!

2012-01-24T11:37:00.005-06:00

Kindergartners through 6th graders are invited to come and Read with Kota, at the Newton Public Library. Kota will visit weekly on Tuesday afternoons from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Kota, a four year old border collie/Brittany mix, is a certified therapy dog through Therapy Dogs International, and his handler is Jodie Hill. Children are invited to come and practice their reading skills by reading to Kota. Kota is a patient listener. The event will take place in the Carousel Horse Room in the children's department of the Newton Public Library. No pre-registration is necessary. If you have any questions, please call Youth Services Librarian, Phyllis Peter at 792-4108.

2011 Annual Report

2011-10-06T14:41:00.000-05:00

Director’s Presentation to Newton City Council on October 3, 2011

Thank you for allowing me to present this annual report on behalf of the Newton Public Library Board of Trustees.

The library building turns 20 years old this fiscal year. The roof repair and interior wall repairs in the circulation office have been completed. I appreciate Council’s addressing the problem with funding a roof repair last fiscal year, and thanks go out to Public Works and the building inspector for lending their expertise in making that happen and for their ongoing assistance with building issues.

As for the numbers you have in front of you, they are relatively stable and show that the community continues to utilize the various services of the library on a consistent basis. Using end of the year figures (June 30) after adding and withdrawing materials, the library has 99,314 items to circulate to readers. This includes downloadable audio and e-books that have been added to our catalog. Circulation for 2010-11 totaled 132,520 items plus 11,239 Internet computer checkouts (6 public Internet computer stations). I have included for you some additional statistics I thought you might find interesting.

Besides circulating books, movies, and CDs, and providing free Internet access and educational programming, you may not know of some of the other services that your public library provides the public free – without charge. Library staff members proctor tests for college students enrolled in online and correspondence classes. The library also provides notary public services and basic Internet instruction. Thirty-three data base subscriptions are available to library card holders from home and at the library on topics ranging from auto repair to genealogy to the World Book Encyclopedia. The library is a WiFi hotspot, and residents can bring their laptops to the library and work at any of the study carrels or tables located throughout the library.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the community for all of the extra support given to the library for materials, activities, and programs that promote reading and lifelong learning. Cash donations of $13,995 last year came from groups and individuals, including a grant from the Jasper County Community Foundation, memorials, and an estate bequest from Mrs. Beverly Eisele. While the Eisele estate bequest will be used to fund future library needs, the other donations have been used to add materials to the library collection and in support library programming.

The Friends of the Library organization provides vital support to the library. Last year the Friends provided funds for books, promotional materials, newborn books and bags, summer reading events, and transportation for 1st graders to tour the library, all totaling over $2,108. In addition, many Friends of the Library volunteers lent their time and energy to make sure library events were a success.

Since its inception in 1996, the Newton Public Library Foundation has continued to play a vital role in funding public library extraordinary requests that reach beyond budget allowance to enhance technology, building, programming, and collection needs. In 2010-11 the foundation provided $18,466 of funding for library programs and reading promotion, a replacement play cube for the Carousel Horse Room, installation of an automated door at the west entrance, and new security gates.

The library is an ongoing community project that involves many people and affects many lives. Numerous businesses and organizations in the community provided monetary or merchandise donations in conjunction with library projects and programs. All library programs are free and open to the public. Several groups and individuals gave their time, talent, and energy to provide those programs which enabled the library to offer the community a broad assortment of vital activities, discussion topics, sights, and sounds. On behalf of the library board and staff, I wholeheartedly thank all of those who have supported the library this past year. A list of these individuals, businesses, and organizations that provided support can be found on the library’s Web site along with the statistics and the text of this presentation. The library’s Web site location is www.newton.lib.ia.us. Thank you for your time, your attention, and your continued support of the Newton Public Library’s mission for Newton and Jasper County.

Sue Padilla
Library Director

Newton Public Library Annual Report to City Council 2010-2011

REVENUES

City appropriation $655,667

Utility excise tax $2,591

Special library levy $109,342

Revenue from County $57,210

State Government funding $8,675

Revenue from Contracting Cities (Kellogg, Lambs Grove, Reasnor) $8,456

Gifts, Grants & Donations received $13,995

Fines and/or fees received $21,583

Total Operating suport $877,519

EXPENDITURES

Total Staff Expenditures $603,823

Total Collection Expenditures $79,238

Total Other Operating Expenditures
(including building maintenance, heat, phone, lights, cooling, postage, data processing, equipment, and supplies) $189,017

Total Operating expenditures $872,078

LIBRARY COLLECTION

Books and Serials held at start of year 77,531

Printed Books and Serials added 4,190

E-books held at end of year 6,989

Printed Books and Serials withdrawn 5,173

Total Books and Serials held at end of year 83,537

Current serial subscriptions 145

Audio Materials held at start of year 5,079

Audio Materials added 484

Audio Materials withdrawn 991

Downloadable audio books held at end of year 5,241

Total Audio Materials held at end of year 9,813

Video Materials held at start of year 3,515

Video Materials added 409

Video Materials withdrawn 581

Video Materials held at end of year 3,343

Number of Donated items 1,097

Other Library Materials held at start of year 2,726

Other Library Materials added 257

Other Library Materials withdrawn 362

Other Library Materials held at end of year 2,621

Total physical and downloadable materials held at end of year 99,314

CIRCULATION of LIBRARY MATERIALS AND BUILDING USAGE

Adult Books 61,680

Young Adult Books 9,585

Children’s Books 33,357

Video Recordings 14,802

Audio Recordings 9,033

Periodicals 2,681

Virtual circulation 783

Other items 599

TOTAL CIRCULATION 132,520

INTERNET COMPUTER USE 11,239

Interlibrary Loan received from other libraries 748

Interlibrary Loan provided to other libraries 1,367

Current total registered borrowers 15,253 (on June 30, 2011)

Registration files last weeded June 29, 2011

Library visits 78,251

Annual Meeting Room use 141

PROGRAMMING

Total Number of Library Programs for Children 187

Total Number of People Attending Library Programs for Children 6,187

Total Number of Library Programs for Young Adults 5

Total Number of People Attending Library Programs for Young Adults 56

Total Number of Library Programs for Adults 15

Total Number of People Attending Library Programs for Adults 354

Number of Children Registered in FY2011 Summer Reading Program 510

Number of Young Adults Registered in FY2010 Summer Reading Program 31

Business & Organization Donors of Money, Services, or Merchandise in 2010-11

Advantage Credit Union

Hy-Vee

American Family Insurance, Bev Roussow agency

Jasper Community Foundation

Arts Connection, Inc.

Johnson Aviation

Blank Park Zoo

KCOB

Cardinal Lanes

Mattingly's Books and Music

Courtyard Floral

McDonald's

Culver's Restaurant

Newton Daily News

DMACC of Newton

Newton Friends of the Library

Domino's Pizza

Newton Manufacturing Co.

Eye Care Center of Newton

Newton Noon Kiwanis

Family Home Video

Newton Page Turners Book Club

First Newton National Bank

Newton Public Library Foundation

The Floor Store

Riggs Printing

The Vernon Co.

DONATED PROGRAMS

Carol Meador, Read with Raven

Mike Manno, author

Cul-de-Sac, barbershop quartet

Rick Eugene, magician

Dan Wardell, Iowa Public Television

Relay Iowa

Harmony Dulcimer Players

Shirley Damsgaard, author

Helen Rose, Saturday Storytime

Skiff Home Health

Maggie Rivers, author

Sarrah's favorite end-of-summer-into-fall poem

2011-09-26T16:59:00.001-05:00

Brother, that breathe the August air

Ten thousand years from now,
And smell --- if still your orchards bear
Tart apples on the bough ---

The early windfall under the tree,
And see the red fruit shine,
I cannot think your thoughts will be
Much different from mine.

Should at that moment the full moon
Step forth upon the hill,
And memories hard to bear,
By moonlight harder still,

Form in the shadows of the trees, ---
Things that you could not spare
And live, or so you thought, yet these
Are gone, and you still there,

A man no longer what he was,
Nor yet the thing he'd planned,
The chilly apple from the grass
Warmed by your living hand ---

I think you will have need of tears;
I think they will not flow;
Suppposing in ten thousand years
Men ache, as they do now.

Food 4 Fines - Setp 12. to Sept. 17, 2011

2011-09-13T10:24:00.000-05:00

The 2011 Food-4-Fines drive will begin at 10 a.m. Monday, September 12, and will end at 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 17. Each non-perishable food item donated to the library in lieu of fines will be given to the Jasper Community Food Pantry. One food item will equal up to $1.00 in fines. Two food items equal up to $2.00, etc. This program does not affect charges assessed for lost/damaged materials or recovery fees. Donated items must be within their “best by” or “use by” dates. You don’t have to have a fine to donate, so dig into your cupboard to help those in need!

Don't forget to renew your library books.

2011-04-22T23:43:00.000-05:00

see more Lolcats and funny pictures.

Oscar Comes to the Library

2011-02-24T19:22:00.004-06:00

It's that time of year again. You know, the time of year when you see all the movie hype and more often than not think: "Really? That movie stank," or, "I've never even heard of that." However, out of all the oddball things that get nominated for the mulitudes of awards given out by the Academy, there are a large number of things that have grown into classics and have taken huge places in our cultural history.

So, yes, the library has a lot of Oscar winners and nominees on its movie shelves. Obvious things like Gone With the Wind and To Kill a Mockingbird, naturally; as well as more recent titles: Slumdog Millionaire, Million Dollar Baby, Crash, The Departed have homes here as well. Annie Hall, The Greatest Show on Earth, In the Heat of the Night, and On the Waterfront. I could go on, but clearly you can use the internet without a problem; check the catalog.

What I don't think enough people consider when they're watching great movies like Forrest Gump or The Miracle on 34th Street is that so many of those titles originally graced the covers of books. Yep, that's right. And Winston Groom and Valentine Davies, respectively, would likely be very disappointed that you didn't know that (let's be really honest; I didn't even know about Valentine Davies until I started working here).

Probably everybody knows about Bill Shakespeare, and probably no one is surprised to find out that several of his works have been nominated, and even won, best picture (namely Henry V, Hamlet, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Romeo and Juliet--twice). People may not know specific titles, but it's probably also not going to make you fall of your horse to hear that Oscar-worthy movies are often based on great plays like Tennessee Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and A Streetcar Named Desire or Thornton Wilder's Our Town.

Also, it's no stretch of the imagination to understand that classic novels have often become Oscar-nominated movies. Titles like All Quiet on the Western Front, The Grapes of Wrath, Little Women, and Sons and Lovers are just as familiar to the book-minded as to the more movie-minded. Hemingway had a few good years out of A Farewell to Arms and Of Mice and Men; Dickens with David Copperfield and A Tale of Two Cities. Edna Ferber too: she penned Giant and Cimarron.

But did you know that The Hours, starring Nicole Kidman, was an award-winning novel by Michael Cunningham (and just to mention, about Virginia Woolf, whose books we also have)? How about Atonement by Ian McEwan? 2009's controversial The Reader started as a German novel by Bernhard Schlink, and Chocolat made it's yummy debut in 1999 courtesy of author Joanne Harris. The Prince of Tides, The Godfather and Lord of the Rings trilogies, The Exorcist, The Color Purple, Dances With Wolves, and One Flew Over the Cukoo's Nest all have their origins in fine literature.

Nonfiction (that's the true stories, for those of you who couldn't ever keep the fiction/nonfiction thing straight) books have also grown into movies: Seabiscuit: an American Legend by Laura Hillenbrand, A Beautiful Mind by Sylvia Nasar, Out of Africa by the woman who wrote under the name Isak Dinesen. The Diary of Anne Frank is--albeit loosely--based on The Diary of a Young Girl. This year's favorite, The King's Speech was written by Mark Logue.

To keep this as short as possible, I'll quickly mention the short stories: Rita Hawroth and the Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile, and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (the first two by Stephen King and the last by F. Scott Fitzgerald) all managed to grow from a short story to a full-length feature film.

Enough lecturing. Go rent a movie. Or, better yet, pick up its print counterpart at your local library.

1040 BOOKLETS AND FORMS ARE HERE!!!

2011-02-15T12:52:00.001-06:00

Good news for all those who want to complete their taxes! We have FINALLY received the 1040 long forms and 1040 booklets. If you have questions, call or visit the Information desk.

Tax News You Can Use!

2011-01-28T13:10:00.004-06:00

We HAVE 1040 EZ booklets and forms and 1040 A booklets and forms. The 1040 Long booklets have not yet arrived.

We received the new 1040As today!

Harmony Dulcimer Players in concert on Dec. 14

2010-12-13T05:21:00.001-06:00

The Harmony Dulcimer Players will present a holiday concert on Tuesday, December 14, at 2 p.m. The musicians will perform selected holiday music in a relaxed, fun atmosphere in the library meeting room. Refreshments will be provided. All library programs are free and open to the public. Please contact Public Services Librarian, Holly Youngquist at 641-792-4108 if you have any questions.

Cul-de-sac in Concert on Wednesday, Dec. 8

2010-12-06T13:09:00.003-06:00

Local Barbershop Quartet Cul-de-sac will perform a holiday concert at the Newton Public Library on Wednesday, December 8, at 6:30 p.m. Come enjoy barbershop favorites sung by the talented local voices of John Easley, tenor, George Wilkening, lead, Bruce Hoffmeier, baritone, and Bob Doerring, bass! All library programs are free and open to the public.

Downloadable eBooks are now available!

2010-12-02T10:52:00.002-06:00

Tired of dragging heavy hardback books with you? Want to quit juggling multiple paperbacks? Newton Public Library can help!

Through a partnership with the WILBOR consortium, the Newton Public Library is making downloadable eBooks available to readers. First, visit the library Web site at http://www.newton.lib.ia.us. On the home page, locate the icon labeled Adobe Digital Editions® and click on it. This will take you to the Adobe site so you can complete a free download of their software to your home computer.

Once that is installed, readers can download eBooks by visiting the library Web site and clicking on the download audio and eBooks icon on the library home page. Users may browse through the available eBooks and then check out up to three items at a time using a valid library card. Readers can download to PC or Mac® and then transfer their eBook to most eReaders. It isn’t possible to download the available eBooks to a Kindle eReader.

For help when you reach the WILBOR site, click on the Quick Start Guide link on the left side of the screen. If you have questions about downloading eBooks, call the library at 641-792-4108 during regular hours and ask for the librarian on duty at the information desk.

Newton Public Library Now Offers Downloads of Audiobooks

2010-11-03T17:00:00.001-05:00

Best-selling and classic titles available anytime, anywhere

(Newton, IA) – November, 2010 – Newton Public Library has expanded its services with audiobooks available to download from the library’s website. Library card holders can check out and download digital media anytime, anywhere by visiting http://wilbor.lib.overdrive.com.

Readers may browse the library’s website, check out with a valid library card, and download to PC, Mac®, and many mobile devices. Readers will need to install free software, OverDrive® Media Console™ onto their home computers. Titles can be enjoyed immediately or transferred to a variety of devices, including iPod® and others. Some audio titles can also be burned to CD to listen on-the-go. Titles will automatically expire at the end of the lending period. There are no late fees!

This new service, provided by a partnership with the WILBOR consortium and powered by OverDrive, is free for patrons with their valid library cards. To get started downloading audiobooks, visit http://wilbor.lib.overdrive.com and go to the Quick Start Guide link, which is available on the left side of the page.

About OverDrive
OverDrive is a leading full-service digital distributor of eBooks, audiobooks, music, and video. It delivers secure management, DRM protection, and download fulfillment services for hundreds of publishers and thousands of libraries, schools, and retailers serving millions of end users. OverDrive has been named to the EContent 100 as a company that matters most in the digital content industry. Founded in 1986, OverDrive is based in Cleveland, OH. www.overdrive.com .

NPL Media Contact:
Holly Youngquist
Newton Public Library
641-792-4108
newtonpl@newton.lib.ia

Happy Halloween!

2010-10-31T06:39:00.000-05:00

Classic Horror Movies @ your library

2010-10-28T06:52:00.016-05:00

The library has a great selection of classic horror available for check out.

Dracula (1931) The grandaddy of classic horror stars Bela Lugosi as the Count. No one can say, "Good Evening" like Lugosi. The movie is immediately engaging and in spite of being a bit dated, it still casts an eerie mood. I think the black and white filming enhances this aspect of the movie. Director Tod Browning shows his skill with light and shadow all the way through this film by creating memorable images of the Count and the world he inhabits.

The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945) Dorian Gray-a young, wealthy man-has his portrait painted. This portrait becomes tied to him in a supernatural way. As Dorian's innocence is corrupted, each decadent and evil act he commits shows not on his face, but in his portrait. This classic movie of Oscar Wilde's novel is chilling in the way Dorian commits heinous acts with such calm detachment. As if he's above it all. Only the portrait, hidden in his childhood playroom reveals the man as he really appears. This is a great film that has stood the test of time.

Psycho (1960) Alfred Hitchcock's classic horror film Psycho still has the power to terrify...even after fifty years. Hitchcock was a master storyteller and understood how to make camera angles and fast scene cuts set the pacing. What amazes me about this film is that in the infamous shower scene, you don't actually see the violence. Which is not to say this is anything like a cozy mystery. It isn't. But the viewer never sees the knife plunge into the body and yet he/she knows its happening and feels the intense vulnerability of the victim. The scene lasts only 45 seconds, yet it has endured as a classic scene in the horror genre. That's due to Janet Leigh's excellent acting and Alfred Hitchcock's amazing talents as a director. This movie is sure to terrify people even in fifty more years.

Rosemary's Baby (1968) This movie scared the heck out of me when I first saw it. Just the idea that the child you're carrying below your heart might be in danger or even evil is probably every woman's biggest nightmare. This movie manages to play on those fears with the skills of a virtuoso pianist. Rosemary is a sympathetic character from the beginning and the viewer wants her to triumph, at least I did. What's so horrifying is the manner in which she survives. The ending leaves you wondering what will happen in the coming years as Rosemary's baby grows up.

Check out these classic horror films and others here at the Newton Public Library and get spooked this Halloween!

Edgar Allan Poe favorites - SueP

2010-10-27T06:28:00.000-05:00

I've long been a big Edgar Allan Poe fan. He wrote some of the scariest stories ever and thank goodness they were just stories and not full novels! Imagine having your friend wall you into a basement while you were sleeping after having shared a bottle of wine. (Cask of Amontillado).

Or imagine going to a partywhere another guest intentionally infects the entire room of partygoers with the most contagious, deadliest disease known to man - and then locks all the doors and windows so no one can escape. (Masque of the Red Death).

Poe's Tell-Tale Heart, The Black Cat, and Descent into the Maelstrom all send chills down my spine every time I read them. I think that a constant theme is that there is no escaping that which haunts us, and we are often the makers of our own demons.

Halloween Movies with a Side of Humor

2010-10-26T13:52:00.014-05:00

Looking for some funny Halloween movies to celebrate this weekend? Check out the following possibilities at the Newton Public Library.

The Addams Family (1991 - PG-13) - The Addams Family originally stepped out of Charles Addams' cartoons and onto the TV screen back in the 1960s. However, director Barry Sonnenfield revived The Addams Family with Raul Julia and Anjelica Huston in the lead roles. This is a wonderful black comedy completely suited to annual viewing at Halloween (or any other time you want to enjoy macabre humor). The basic plot is that some con artists attempt to bilk the eccentric and wealthy Addams family by presenting them with their long lost Uncle Fester who is Gomez' older brother. I loved the TV series and wasn't sure I'd really like the movie adaption, but I did. Raul and Anjelica are fabulous. Christina Ricci makes a wonderfully twisted Wednesday and Christopher Lloyd fills the role of crazy Fester to a T.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975 - R) I wasn't fortunate enough to be able to see this in the movie theaters or for any of its many midnight screenings, though I wish I'd been able to. However, even seeing this campy, sexy movie on DVD makes for a great and fun evening. Tim Curry is brilliantly wicked in his role as Dr. Frank-N-Furter. Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick are perfect as Janet, the innocent ingenue and Brad, the slightly dim but handsome hero. Brad and Janet have car trouble and go in search of help, finding the castle of Dr. Frank-N-Furter in which to shelter for the night. The question is whether Brad and Janet will survive the night in this strange place they've ended up. The musical numbers are hilarious and Tim Curry absolutely steals every scene in which he appears.

Young Frankenstein (1974 - PG) This is yet another version of the Frankenstein myth, but director Mel Brooks took it in another direction entirely. This wild and rollicking film tells the tale of a noted neurosurgeon, Doctor Frankenstein (Gene Wilder) - that's pronounced fraaank-en-steen please - who has spent his life living down the dicy reputation of his grandfather. When he inherits his grandfather's castle, he's drawn back into the old man's reanimation experiments with entertaining results. A stellar cast including Gene Wilder, Marty Feldman, Peter Boyle, Madelain Kahn, Teri Garr, and Chloris Leachman illuminate this high spirited Mel Brooks film.

Visit the library to find these and other great films in our video and DVD collection.

Get Spooked @ your library

2010-10-25T09:43:00.009-05:00

I could never say I had a favorite "spooky" story. As soon as I could pick up a chapter book, I read things like The House on Hackman's Hill, The Pike River Phantom, and Ghost Cat. To this day, I grab Alvin Schwartz's series Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark when the mood suits.

Since I was twelve I've been reading Barbara Michaels. She may not put many books out these days (and those under the pseudonym Elizabeth Peters), but she will likely remain my favorite author until I'm a ghost myself. The first Barbara Michaels book I ever read was Search the Shadows, about a young woman looking for her past by tracing her dead mother's career path. Though I still love that particular title, my heart lies with the more gothic ghost stories for which Michaels has an indelible knack. These titles involve a contemporary mystery or suspense story with a backdrop of rapping in the walls and strange things seen out of the corner of the eye.

In Wait for What Will Come, a young woman travels to her ancestral home in Wales only to be possessed by one of the people who lived in it over a century before. A woman pretends to be a landscape artist to gain access to the last place anyone saw her brother--only to discover that he was not the only person to have gone missing from the house in Vanish with the Rose. The heroine in House of Many Shadows is supposed to be relaxing after a breakdown but soon discovers she's not the only occupant of her new home.

A good gothic novel is hard to come by these days, but there are a few authors who still put them out. Another favorite of mine is Kay Hooper. Although she is now known for her Bishop/Special Crimes Unit series, her earlier titles like Amanda, After Caroline, Haunting Rachel, and The Haunting of Josie all have heavy paranormal elements off-setting much of the romance. Within the last few years, my mother has raved over gothic titles such as The Spiritualist by Megan Chance and The Tale of Halcyon Crane by Wendy Webb.

You know, things like Jane Eyre, The Mysteries of Udolpho, and Rebecca are classics for a reason, and gothics to boot. As a genre, I think it's underrated--much better than a police procedural any day. So, join my campaign to keep Barbara Michaels in your library (I say that because we discarded one this year)--just because they're not very recent doesn't mean they're not good!

Banned Books Week - The Red Pony - JudyR

2010-10-01T06:00:00.005-05:00

I read The Red Pony for the first time as a teenager and have returned to it and other Steinbeck short novels many times over the years. I always marvel at the author's ability to create memorable characters within the confines of a short piece of writing. There are no wasted words.

As a child growing up on a working farm, I could instantly relate to Jody, the young main character in The Red Pony. Death and new life are givens on the farm and Jody handles both with respect. Although just a boy, Jody is responsible for the care and training of Gabilan, the red pony his father gives him. Jody learns everything needed to care for Gabilan from Billy Buck, the very capable farm hand. Jody trusts Billy. When things go wrong and Gabilan dies, Jody shows strength of character and grows, even in loss. This book has been challenged because of its violent descriptions, but I would call it true to life.

Banned Books Week--Little House series

2010-09-30T17:18:00.006-05:00

My entire young life revolved around Laura, Ma, Pa, Mary, and Carrie Ingalls. In first grade, at a loss as to what to do with her three top readers, my teacher had myself and two other students read Little House on the Prairie. I'm pretty sure Mrs. Walker would still have been one of my favorite teachers, but that book and the introduction to that series and that world, secured her place in my heart. I read and re-read those books until I was old enough to sneak into our basement and smuggle out my grandmother's bodice-rippers. Nowhere else could you follow a character from the innocence of childhood to the abrupt awakening to the real world. Of course, only the first two books in the series, Little House in the Big Woods and Little House on the Prairie have been challenged, but what good is On the Banks of Plum Creek without its predecessors?As with any good book read in childhood, Laura and Mary became my buddies. I even played Little House. I haunted the general store at Living History farms, coming away with quills and bonnets, straw dolls and homemade brooms. I made up "old-fashioned" dresses out of discarded outfits of my mother's and grandmother's. Sometimes I could get my friends involved; most of the time, I had to bribe my sister into playing with me even though aprons weren't really her thing. This obsession with play-acting the past led to a (so far) lifelong interest in Civil War re-enacting and an unquenchable thirst for knowledge about history.

Clearly, I was not the only little girl (or big girl) affected by the books; they've been read for several generations. They spawned a 9-season television series that likely still has a cult following. Many of the Laura Ingalls Wilder homes are now museums; there's even a fairly local one in Burr Oak, Iowa. Trite, yes, but I wouldn't be the same person and would never have developed most of my dearest interests if I hadn't had the opportunity to read Little House on the Prairie.

Banned Books Week--The Spoon River Anthology

2010-09-30T08:59:00.003-05:00

Timelessness is a quality revered in literature. Edgar Lee Masters did not make himself popular in his hometown when he wrote The Spoon River Anthology; however, he did the literary world a great favor when he made that sacrifice. Spoon River is a collection of epitaphs delivered by the dead themselves, members of a small town that anyone who has lived in any small town will recognize. Though many of the characters are based on people Masters knew in life, their faults, foibles, and complaints transcend eras and locations. Deemed "inappropriate" and offensive, The Spoon River Anthology, in a series of poems, reveals not only the hypocrisies common in small town life, but also the passions and lies that drive the hypocrites. Readers know, when they take in the epitaph of Roger Heston or Lucinda Matlock, that there is someone in their own community with similar issues. Masters handled those issues with a care that belies the occasionally sneering tone in the book. Issues such as illegitimacy, alcoholism, and settling for less than you deserve all crop up; these are things that were just as relevant in Masters' day as they are now, and will continue to be problems for members of future generations.

I first read The Spoon River Anthology as a junior in high school, and have been unable to resist reading it once every few years since then. It's compelling and it's meaningful and the premise itself is fascinating even without the sly writing style. Human nature doesn't change; thus, The Spoon River Anthology, which is essentially a study of that very thing, will remain integral to our literary heritage. I have no doubt that anyone picking up the book for the first time will be just as drawn in as I was even at seventeen, and will derive more from it with every reading as I have done.

Banned Books Week - Sue P

2010-09-29T10:11:00.009-05:00

My mother was the only person who forbade me to read a book, and the only book she forbade me to read was Peyton Place. Considering that I was in the 7th grade when this controversy arose, looking back I can understand her qualms. I remember that she hid it, I found it, and I read it on the sly. I don’t recall thinking it was such a great book after having read it.

Gone with the Wind, Exodus, and To Kill a Mockingbird were probably the three most influential books that I read as a young adult. I remember reading them in the span when I was 10 and 13 years old. In Gone with the Wind, Melanie’s kindness and good manners and Scarlet’s determination to persevere no matter the obstacles were things I tried to emulate immediately. The book sparked my interest in history, led to my devouring historical novels for several years, and later translated to an interest in antiques and cooking. The concept that family is everything and the ravages and tragedies of war weren’t themes that I recognized immediately when I was young. After reading the book again as an adult, I gained a new perspective, and recognized the family theme and the devastation of the South during and after Civil War as being common themes prevalent in Southern literature. I wondered how Margaret Mitchell could be so descriptive of the battle scenes - even down to the weather on specific days. I learned later that she spent many hours talking with actual Civil War veterans in old soldiers’ homes as part of her research.

Exodus was part of that fever of historical novel reading I had after finishing Gone with the Wind. The movie had just come out a short time earlier as well, and although I didn’t get to see it, in band we played Ernest Gold’s powerful Theme from Exodus. After reading Exodus, I wanted to graduate from high school, go to Israel, and work in a kibbutz. That didn’t happen, but then after seeing The Sound of Music a few years later I contemplated becoming a nun, but that didn’t happen either. At any rate, both books made me think. After reading Exodus, I read everything Leon Uris wrote, and I learned much history from his works. Although I don’t think any of Uris’s books were banned, I include Exodus here because it was one which influenced me greatly.

To Kill a Mockingbird was first published in 1960, and the movie came out a couple years later. Living in rural Kansas, movie theaters were few and far between. I didn’t see the movie until several years later, but I read the book. That was the beginning of a turbulent time in America, and that social upheaval was felt even in the remote wilds of Kansas. For a young adult at that time in the 60’s, To Kill a Mockingbird was all about going against the system. It was about racial injustice, and it decried prejudice of both race and gender. It was about having the courage to stand up for what is right even though that stand is unpopular and can get you hurt or killed. It was about compassion and tolerance and acceptance of others whose lives, beliefs, and backgrounds are different from our own. It encompassed all that was good in respect to the 1960’s. I can’t say that I wanted to move to Alabama after reading To Kill a Mockingbird. Nor did I want to become a lawyer. I did, however, enjoy being a teenager in the 1960’s and finding my own ways to be rebellious, and I believe these books and the many others I read in my young adult years were highly influential in my self-education and my becoming the person I am today.

Banned Books Week - Watership Down - HollyY

2010-09-28T06:11:00.011-05:00

Watership Down was published in 1972 and written by Richard Adams. I remember reading this when I was around twelve years old. At that time, there were some classes I had to read aloud in. I don't remember why, but I know I had trouble reading aloud in class because I got nervous. I realize now that mom wanted to help me confront that fear so she talked me into reading the book with her. She'd read out loud to me...then I'd read out loud to her. It worked. My ability to read aloud was strengthened by reading this book.

Reading together did more than improve my reading skills. It became a bonding experience for mom and me. As we read, we discussed the book and what we thought would happen. In addition, Watership Down was just a great read. Fast paced. Exciting. And I totally identified with the group of misfits setting out on their own. This book will always be a favorite of mine because I read it with my mom, who has since passed away.

This book was challenged and banned in middle and high schools in Florida in the mid-1980s. The book was later reinstated. If this book had never been published or it was censored when I was a child, I would have lost the opportunity to read it with my mother, which would have stolen a truly valuable experience from me.

Even years after reading the book, if I saw a rabbit out nibbling at sunset I'd point it out to mom and we'd speculate about the rabbit who was out for his evening silflay (which is Lapine/rabbit speak for going above ground to eat). Because of Watership Down, I'll always have those memories of me and my mom reading together and I'll always treasure them.

Banned Books Week - The Diary of Anne Frank - Phyllis P.

2010-09-27T10:14:00.006-05:00

A book that has been challenged that made a profound impact on me is The Diary of Anne Frank. I read it when I was in 9th grade, and although I had heard of the Holocaust, reading it as a young 14 year old from her perspective made it real.

When I was in college I had the opportunity to visit the Soviet Union and several Eastern Bloc countries, including Poland, and I toured Auschwitz Concentration Camp. I was literally sick to my stomach by the end of the tour, and I thought of Anne Frank and all the other beautiful persons whose lives were ended in concentration camps.

I think Anne's book needs to be read because every generation needs to know the great injustice and evil that took place in the Holocaust. I believe as Anne said "Despite everything, I believe that people are really good at heart." Her story needs to be read so that the good in our hearts is not overshadowed by the evil in our world. Anne also said, "How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." I believe her book is one that continues to inspire one to improve the world.

Banned Books Week - Sept. 25 to Oct. 2

2010-09-25T06:25:00.009-05:00

Observed since 1982, the annual Banned Books Week event reminds Americans not to take a precious freedom for granted and is a nationwide effort to celebrate the Constitution’s First Amendment clause which protects the freedom of speech.

American libraries are the cornerstones of our democracy because libraries are for everyone, everywhere. Libraries provide free access to a world of information, bringing opportunites to all people to learn about diverse issues. Whether individuals agree or disagree, libraries present the information for readers to make their own choices about today’s issues.

Books usually are challenged with the best intentions—to protect others, frequently children, from difficult ideas and information. However, challenges are not simply an expression of a point of view; on the contrary, they are an attempt to remove materials from public use, which restricts the access of others. Even if the motivation to ban or challenge a book is well intentioned, the outcome is detrimental. Censorship denies our freedom as individuals to choose and think for ourselves. For children, decisions about what books to read should be made by their own parents, whereas adults are able to decide what to read for themselves.

Thinking for yourself is this year's theme for Banned Books Week. If a person chooses not to read a book, that's his/her decision and I completely support it. However, I don't support that person deciding whether or not I can read the book of which they disapprove.

Visit the library to check out the “Books at Stake” display in the lobby and also the “Think for Yourself” display near the new nonfiction collection. The displays are in recognition of Banned Books Week which honors the freedom to choose or the freedom to express one’s opinion even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox.

Banned Books Week is sponsored by the American Booksellers Association, American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression, the American Library Association, American Society of Journalists and Authors, Association of American Publishers, and the National Association of College Stores. It is also endorsed by the Center for the Book at the Library of Congress.

So readers, please share your favorite banned/challenged books with us here.

Don't know if a favorite book has been challenged? Visit these sites, to find out...

ALA Top 100 Challenged Classics
ALA Frequently Challenged books 2000-2009

ALA Frequently Challenged books 1990-1999

American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression

What, no Winnie the Pooh???

2010-09-09T18:55:00.003-05:00

It's hard to imagine a world without everyone's favorite bear. And Pooh-Bear, like many an endearing literary character, has found his way into mainstream culture. Well, believe it or not, at one point, A. A. Milne's classic children's tales were challenged books. That's right; somebody wanted to ban Christopher Robin and the gang. Or, picture this: no Harry Potter. A large chunk of the world's population fell in love with the bespectacled boy wizard and waited in line overnight to buy the latest installment or see the new movie. It's amazing to me what marvels of not only the literary world but our culture in general would be lost if some people had their way when it came to censorship. Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer would have disappeared from consciousness long ago, and Anne Frank's plight would never have been brought to our attention. Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler would never have made it out of Georgia, let alone to Hollywood. A kid hasn't had a full childhood until they've read Charlotte's Web, but she's on the list too. The lessons of the Depression-era Joads and the colorful cast of Uncle Tom's Cabin would be gone for good. So would the teachings of Mohammed. Ditto the teachings of Jesus. Cujo, pyromaniac Carrie, and a crazy car called Christine, those icons of horror, would have vanished.

Some of my personal favorites, I discovered while researching for this blog, have been challenged or banned over the years. I can't imagine a more inventive way to learn and understand the Russian Revolution than Orwell's Animal Farm. To Kill a Mockingbird's message in itself has enlightened several generations, and in Scout and Atticus Finch we have enduring symbols. The Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark series by Alvin Schwartz is, to this day, a collection of horror stories I go back to annually for their shiver-factor and originality; and I read my own children such titles as And Tango Makes Three, In the Night Kitchen, and Halloween ABC. The Pigman by Zindel and That Was Then, This is Now by Hinton are two of my all-time favorite coming-of-age stories; The Great Gatsby and All Quiet On the Western Front taught me that not all "classics" had to be boring.

It's understood that you don't want your fourteen-year-old picking up a copy of the erotica Sleeping Beauty by Anne Rice (writing as Anne Roquelaure), or that you won't be reading from the Marquis de Sade at bedtime. Does this mean the adults of the world should be barred from partaking if they so choose? Absolutely not. What it does mean and what I cannot emphasize enough to library users: parents, monitor what your kids are reading. You are the best person to decide what they should or should not be reading based on your family's value system and dynamics. Don't make a federal case out of it. Literally or figuratively.

I admit it...

2010-08-31T14:04:00.010-05:00

(Note: I first posted this on 8/31/2010 in reaction
to a post on the Dear Author blog
and I thought it might be appropriate to post here too.)

***

Librarian confession time. I HATE literary fiction.

It may be written beautifully. It may have tons of levels of meaning. But it NEVER ends well. You either get the Shakespeare tragedy truism that everyone ends up dead, or if they aren’t dead they’re unhappy. I loathe reading an unhappily-ever-after work of fiction.

Now having gotten my Masters degree in Library Science I know I should like literary fiction. It’s good writing – or so we’re told. But I don’t like it. I force myself to read it sometimes, but I rarely enjoy it. I can appreciate that it’s beautifully written but I sigh when I set it down. Literary fiction is like the medicine you take when you have the flu. It’s good for you but it leaves a bad taste in your mouth. Basically, it tastes terrible. Bleah.

I’ll take a happily ever after book in almost any commercial fiction genre EVERY time. In a romance the H/H get together and live happily ever after. In a mystery, the bad guy gets caught and ends his/her killing spree. In a western, the guy in the white had gets the girl, justice is served, and he rides off into the sunset. In SF and/or Fantasy the evil empire (medieval or technologically based) is overthrown by a ragtag band of interesting characters with right on their side. Not that’s my kind of story.

Yeah, someone you really like in the story might end up dead, all might seem lost, tragedy may strike, but genre fiction authors write through that and get you to a triumphant ending. Something uplifting that makes you feel GOOD about the characters. Good about the story. That’s what I want when I sit down to read a book.

One of the reasons readers advisory was started in libraries was to help readers find their next book. Betty Rosenberg who compiled the first edition of Genreflecting used the following quote as the centerpiece of her book, “Never apologize for your reading taste” and I wish the NYT would get with the program, but they probably won’t.

Sure, there’s a place for literary fiction and those that enjoy it but it isn’t inherently better than genre fiction just because it may be “beautifully written.” Genre fiction is beautifully written too – but as we all know, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Iowa Ghosthunters Haunt the Library

2010-07-30T07:00:00.007-05:00

I ain't afraid of no ghosts!

On Saturday, August 7 at noon, The Iowa Ghost Hunters, also known as IPART—Iowa Paranormal Advanced Research Team—will present a program about ghosts and paranormal phenomena.

With several hundreds of investigations completed, IPART is one of the oldest paranormal research teams in the state of Iowa.

Find out what equipment and skills are needed to hunt ghosts! This program, intended for teens and adults, is free and open to the public.

Dantastic Dan Wardell visits NPL

2010-07-28T13:53:00.003-05:00

Yesterday super hero and IPTV host Dantastic Dan Wardell visited the Newton Public Library to entertain and encourage his fellow super heroes - and super heroines! Visit Dan's blog to see some great pics of Dan and Youth Services Librarian Phyllis Peter and many kids from Newton having a great time, despite the July heat!

Book Quote, June 23, 2010

2010-06-23T10:33:00.003-05:00

The difference between the wrath of God and the wrath of your mother is that eventually, God will forgive you.

Rhonda Pollero, Fat Chance, 2009, Pocket Books

Dorian Michael in concert - TONIGHT!

2010-06-22T12:47:00.003-05:00

Seasoned folk acoustic guitarist Dorian Michael will perform at Newton Public Library on Tuesday, June 22, at 6:30 p.m. in the library meeting room. The concert will feature music from Mr. Michael’s solo CDs and is made possible by a grant from the Arts Connection, Inc.

All programs are free and open to the public. Refreshments made possible by the Friends of the Newton Public Library.

If you are a person with a disability who requires special assistance, please call 641-792-4108 in advance.

Timeless donation

2010-06-16T11:48:00.005-05:00

The library receives donations of books, magazines, puzzles, DVDs, etc. Some of the items are added to the library collection, and some items are sent to the Friends of the Library book cart sale and annual book sale.

Recently a reader brought in a donation that included some clippings stuck bewteen pages. I found a gem among them. I don't know the origin of the clipping, but I find it to be timeless, and I'd like to share it with you.

IT IS NOT EASY.......
To apologize,
To begin over,
To be unselfish,
To take advice,
To admit error,
To face a sneer,
To be charitable,
To keep on trying,
To be considerate,
To avoid mistakes,
To endure success,
To profit by mistakes,
To forgive and forget,
To think and then act,
To keep out of the rut,
To make the best of little,
To subdue an unruly temper,
To maintain a high standard,
To shoulder a deserved blame,
To recognize the silver lining --
BUT IT ALWAYS PAYS.

You can use my catalog - Librarians do Gaga

2010-06-15T15:37:00.003-05:00

Addicted to Showtime's The Tudors? Me too!

2010-06-03T18:58:00.007-05:00

Who would have thought that an overweight womanizer born five hundred years ago could be so darned inspiring? Of course, England's King Henry VIII was much more than a husband and lover, though from watching Showtime's popular series The Tudors you probably wouldn't guess it.

What I find astounding about the series is the amount of historical accuracy that can actually be found (albeit buried, at times) in the details. And how do I find out these things? Why, at my local library, of course--and, occasionally, with the help of Wikipedia.

There are countless volumes and articles and references regarding what is arguably the most scandalous--even now--bloodline in British history. For starters at the Newton Public Library, we have, simply, a biography of the king himself. From there, the sky's the limit. Alison Weir, an important author who seems to specialize in the era has titles pertaining to Henry's wives, his children, and, specifically, Anne Boleyn. She also penned a book about Lady Jane Grey, that poor "pretender" to the throne following the death of Henry's only surviving son, Edward IV. Antonia Fraser and David Starkey also have books that are biographies of the six wives: respectively, The Wives of Henry VIII and Six Wives.

Mary and Elizabeth, the unfortunate daughters and heirs of King Henry VIII created important histories of their own despite the scandals that surrounded their legitimacy. They are two of the monarchs in Sovereign Ladies: the six reigning queens of England by Waller. Likewise, they appear in Lofts' Queens of England. Elizabeth, who, after all reigned the longest of any Tudor and has an era named just for her, features in many books, novels, and films. Her infamous feud with her cousin, Mary, Queen of Scots, is highlighted in Elizabeth and Mary by Jane Dunn. The Lady Grace mysteries in the teen fiction section are intrigues set in Elizabeth's own chambers; Grace Cavendish is one of the Queen's ladies-in-waiting.

The Tudor family can be found in the fiction section, as well as the occasional children's book. Jean Plaidy, a queen herself amongst historical fiction authors, wrote The Sixth Wife, and Margaret's George's contribution, The Autobiography of Henry VIII weighs in at over 900 pages. Philippa Gregory's The Other Boleyn Girl, about King Henry's real mistress Mary Boleyn, was even made into a movie a few years ago.

Having trouble believing that those characters are the real deal? I don't blame you, but their names are, at least. Thomas Tallis, who appeared in Season I of The Tudors, truly was a court musician early in Henry VIII's reign. In fact, the library has a CD in the Religion section that is performed by the Tallis Scholars. (a sidenote: King Henry plays "Greensleeves" at one point during Season I, and the lyrics to that song are often attributed to him; the library has variations of Greensleeves on no less than a dozen different albums) Hans Holbein, an oft-mentioned artist and an actual member of the cast later in the series, has paintings that can be found in several books on art history. Thomas Wyatt, the poor swain cast aside by Anne Boleyn, truly was infatuated with her and wrote sonnets about her; I personally requested a collection of his poems through interlibrary loan.

Novels and collections by contemporaries of Henry VIII are also available. Sir Thomas More, who has a huge role in the first season, penned Utopia; the NPL's edition contains the Latin and English translation. In a collection of important literary works of the world you can find Gargantua and Pantagruel by Rabelais, a French author of the time. Martin Luther, whose practices and preaching irritate the king so thoroughly, can also be found in our a stacks in both the Biography section as well as religion. The fates of many of the important including Wolsey and Cranmer can be located in Norman Donaldson's important reference How Did They Die?

Those of you wanting to research further may find the book on Tudor Costume by Sichel interesting or a book in the travel section about the history of the oh-so-important Tower of London. Henry's two young uncles are the root of one of history's longest-standing mysteries, and one angle of their story is told in Royal Blood: Richard III and the mystery of the princes by Bertram Fields.

Naturally, not everyone is going to want to delve so deeply on something that is supposed to be recreational, as it would be assumed a television show should be. For those of you more interesting in TV and movies, the library is also home to a number of films starring the actors and actresses features on Showtime's The Tudors. Sam Neill, who played the ill-fated Cardinal Wolsey, seems to be the biggest name, here at least. He stars in Reilly, Ace of Spies, The Hunt for Red October, Jurassic Park, The Horse Whisperer, and A Cry in the Dark. Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, who is Henry VIII had parts in Tangled, Mission: Impossible: III, and Alexander (co-star Nick Dunning who plays Lord Boleyn, was also in this one). Joely Richardson, Queen Catherine Parr, is a well-known face whose live-action 101 Dalmations we own. Peter O'Toole's guest appearance as the Pope in Season 2 is far from his first acting experience; at the library alone we have his movies A Lion in Winter (where he plays King Henry II), Lawrence of Arabia, The Man of La Mancha, Zulu Dawn, and Troy. Sarah Bolger, who is the Princess Mary, played Mallory in the Spiderwick Chronicles. Henry Cavill, Mark Hildreth, John Kavanaugh, James Frain, and Henry Czerny, who play various characters, also appear in some of the titles available at the library.

Now that it's taken you as long to read this blog as it would have to watch an episode of The Tudors, I hope you will take to heart that the show, for all of its entertainment value, is based on true occurrences and people whose lives, what we know of them at least, are a large part of history--and you can make that history available to yourself just with a short trip to your local library.

Anita Blake, Progenitor of a Sub-Genre

2010-05-28T12:30:00.006-05:00

Although Anne Rice may have picked up the Dracula baton and carried it through the 1980's and 90's with arrogant Lestat to guide her (and Chelsea Quinn Yarbro's Saint-Germaine dogging her heels), I believe it can arguably be said that Laurell K. Hamilton has won the race.

Anita Blake, Hamilton's heroine, leapt into the fiction scene in 1993's Guilty Pleasures. At that time, Anita is a state-sanctioned vampire hunter whose name drives fear into the hearts of all vampires and other supernatural creatures. Her primary form of employment involves raising the dead for legal purposes such as disputed wills and identifying murderers. By book 19 (Bullet, due out in June 2010), Anita Blake carries around a lot more titles, a lot more guilt, and a much trickier moral compass. Seventeen years in real life only amounts to about six years in Anita's world, but in that time she's become the world's only necromancer with demands much like a vampire's and abilities no one has seen in centuries. She's taken on lovers who, at the beginning of the series, she would have felt the need only to kill, not to sleep with. Suffice it to say, Anita's world is very grey now, where everything used to be simply and stubbornly black-and-white. In fact, for a lot of the books, a great amount of space was dedicated to Anita's moral struggles.

Of course, the remaining portions of the books are dedicated to violence, sex, and relationships. And what book isn't to some extent? However, Hamilton is not for the faint of heart: her works are bloody, racy, crude, and hammer at controversial subjects. Regardless, Laurell and Anita have made quite a team as they crusade into portions of the fantasy world rarely touched upon before, opening the door for an entire herd of new authors--as well as some existing ones. Even supernatural powerhouses such as Sherrilyn Kenyon, Charlaine Harris (Sookie Stackhouse series upon which the HBO series True Blood is based), and Stephenie Meyer of Twilight fame have Hamilton to thank for bringing vampires and shapeshifters into the literal and figurative limelight.

Naturally, the Newton Public Library is home to some of these less-established-yet-gaining-popularity authors as well as Hamilton, Harris, Kenyon, and Meyer. For instance, in paperbacks you can find Rachel Caine, Illona Andrews, Christine Feehan, Lynsay Sands, J.R. Ward, Jacqueline Frank, Maggie Shayne, Gena Showalter, and Caitlin Kittredge. In fiction, perhaps more notable names like Erin McCarthy (yes, she also writes chick-lit, and her humor lends itself to her Vegas Vampires series) and MaryJanice Davidson as well as Tate Hallaway and Jackie Kessler. Not surprisingly, given the popularity of the Twilight series, the teen section is also teeming with books about vampires, witches, and werewolves; such as books by Maggie Stiefvater, Amelia Atwater-Rhodes, Carrie Jones, Annette Curtis Klause, Cynthia Leitich-Smith, and L.J. Smith. Kelley Armstrong, who has written the Women of the Underworld series as well as a teen series, appears in all three of the aforementioned sections of our library (authors such as Darren Shan and P.C. cast also appear in more than one section of our library).

So, if you find yourself stuck in an Interview with the Vampire or a Twilight rut, just know that there are other options out there--and that you may very well have the overactive imagination of Laurell Hamilton to thank for that.

April was National Poetry Month

2010-05-20T18:18:00.005-05:00

So I may have missed National Poetry Month by a few weeks, but I'm guessing no one had it marked on their calendar anyway. Which is unfortunate. Though a month is not nearly enough time to cover the greats and the failures and the importance of poetry to any language or culture, it is equally unfortunate that a month had to be dedicated to poetry (as of 1996) to get anyone--maybe even including libraries--to pay attention to one of our greatest literary assets.

Another unfortunate thing is that I am not a poet, just a mere reader of poetry. I couldn't begin to dissect the necessity of poetry, explain its history, or make a statement of what it is (besides lack of prose) that makes poetry poetry. What I do know is this: poetry has been written by every kind of person in formats that stretch even the limits of vivid imaginations. Poetry, I'm certain, has covered every topic under and including the sun. I am equally certain that, if people just took the time for a little trial-and-error, everyone could find at least one poet or one poem that they love.

The list below is of books available in the library and divvied up into two categories: poetry that probably at some point everyone should at least take a look at, and personal favorites of this blogger. Sometimes the two lists do meet, though--lit students aside--people may find that hard to believe. (note: asterisk * denotes my favorites)

Collected Poems of Emily Dickinson
*Otherwise/Jane Kenyon
Sonnets from the Portuguese/Elizabeth Barrett Browning
*The Niagara River/Kay Ryan
Complete Poetical Works/Alfred, Lord Tennyson
*Waiting for My Life/Linda Pastan
Beowulf
*Alive Together/Lisel Mueller
Gwain and the Green Knight
I'm a Stranger Myself/Ogden Nash
95 Poems/e. e. cummings
*Ararat; The Triumph of Achilles/Louise Gluck
Ariel/Sylvia Plath
*Birthday Letters/Ted Hughes
*Your Own, Sylvia/Stephanie Hemphill
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner/Samuel Taylor Coleridge
*Mine the Harvest; Second April/Edna St. Vincent Millay
*100 Essential Modern Poems by Women
*Poems/Edgar Allen Poe
*News of the World/Philip Levine
The Merry Muses of Caledonia/Robert Burns
*From Sweetness/Debra Marquart
The Complete Poems/Elizabeth Bishop
*Even the Hollow My Body Made is Gone/Janice Harrington
Selected Poems/Langston Hughes
*The Collected Poems/Sara Teasdale
The Collected Poems/Dylan Thomas
Electric Light/Seamus Heaney
*The Beforelife/Franz Wright
*Passing Through/Stanley Kunitz
*It's Raining Pigs & Noodles/Jack Prelutsky
Where the Sidewalk Ends/Shel Silverstein (yes, he counts!)
*How to (un)Cage a Girl/Francesca Lia Block
*The Beauty of the Husband/Anne Carson
*After/Jane Hirshfield
*The Spoon River Anthology/Edgar Lee Masters
*War Poems
*Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair/Pablo Neruda

Nora Roberts, we love you--get over yourself

2010-04-22T17:56:00.006-05:00

Probably America's reigning queen of romance--so far, 124 books have made it to the NYT bestseller list and nine movies have been made from her books--Nora Roberts is the sort of author whose books you wait for from the moment you put the newest one down. Unfortunately for her devoted fans, she's getting pretty devious about re-titling and then reissuing previously-published novels and novellas. Earlier in 2010, for instance, the paperbacks Hot Rocks and Big Jack caused a flurry of bad reviews because people bought them for the name on the cover and were left in the dark about the actual contents of the books themselves. Most Nora Roberts fans read Remember When back in 2003 when it was released or in 2004 when it went to paperback. Remember When was written as a collaboration between Roberts and her alter-ego, J.D. Robb; Hot Rocks and Big Jack are nothing more than the two halves of Remember When, given new titles and sold separately to make even more money.

Other "new packages" include this year's release of the Night Tales yet again. They were published by Silhouette initially, then re-released in Roberts' Language of Love series, and have since been released at least two more times with different covers. The Quinn Brothers and The Quinn Legacy were released in 2006 containing the four Chesapeake series novels. 2003's Suspicious housed three old silhouette titles, as did 2006's Dangerous. A new favorite paperback here at the NPL is last October's release, Western Skies, in which the titles Song of the West and Boundary Lines can be found. Both were Silhouette releases a number of years ago, but Song of the West appeared as recently as 2004 as part of yet another new title, With Open Arms.

So here's the thing: reissuing Nora Roberts books has gone past the point of convenience and is just plain ridiculous. Yes, it was nice when she first hit the mainstream to be able to go out and purchase her old titles again. But really, how many copies of the same book do you need? And if it is necessary to continue to re-release these books, why must it always be under some new collection or another? Readers may start to feel we're being taken advantage of ... or that our favorite writer (or, as is generally the case, her publishers) thinks we're idiots.

A note to fans: two NEW titles will be released in the near future: Savor the Moment, the third in the Bride Quartet (Laurel the baker's and Delaney's story) on April 27 and a new single title, The Search in July.

Book Review - The Pleasures of Cooking for One by Judith Jones

2010-04-22T15:32:00.002-05:00

Finally a cookbook for the rest of us… Most cookbooks are geared toward families or entertaining for groups. But when you are cooking for one instead of many, trying to whittle those great recipes down for use can seem daunting. In one handy book, The Pleasures of Cooking for One by Judith Jones, readers can find recipes just for them. The recipes range from gourmet to comfort foods and are created for a single serving. Want to cook for two? Double the recipe.

The chapters start with Cooking through the Week featuring tasty meals including meat dishes. There are also chapters dedicated to soups, eggs, vegetables, grains and finally sweets and treats. There are nice sidebar articles within the chapters that offer special tips or tricks. While there isn’t a photo to accompany each recipe, there are enough photos of complete dishes to whet any appetite. The Pleasures of Cooking for One is available for check out in the new nonfiction collection of the library.

National Library Week - How to Write a Novel Class

2010-04-09T11:31:00.008-05:00

Newton Public Library Presents…

HOW TO WRITE A NOVEL Class

Maggie Rivers, will teach a class on “How to Write a Novel” on April 12, beginning at 6:00 p.m. as part of the activities for National Library Week.

If you’ve ever wanted to write a novel, this class is for you! Maggie Rivers teaches the basics of story dynamics including where to get story ideas, creating character archetypes, determining the central story question, and how to use a conflict diagram. The class will discuss 12 tricks for untying your plot knots and modern plot diagramming using turning points, dialogue, and scene beats. Attendees will also learn manuscript preparation and how to submit to agents and editors. Maggie will provide lots of handouts and resources to get you started. Bring your questions and let’s have fun! All programs are free and open to adults and teens.

Please call 641-792-4108 to preregister for this class.

*****

Instructor BIO

Maggie Rivers was born and raised in Northport, Alabama. Before she learned to write, she made squiggles on paper that only Maggie could understand but those squiggles were her stories. She sold her first piece of writing in her early twenties to a parents' magazine. She describes the feeling of seeing your name in print for the first time as euphoric!

After graduating from high school, she joined the U.S. Air Force to see the world but served her entire time in Texas as a nurse. She says "so much for seeing the world!" While there, she attended college, majoring in Journalism and Elementary Education. After leaving the Air Force, she eventually moved to Iowa where she again attended college, majoring in Photography and Criminal Justice.

She has a micro-mini teacup chihuahua she adores by the name of "Mouse" who sleeps on her lap as she writes. Mouse's favorite treat is green bell peppers.

Maggie strives to continue learning the art of romance writing by attending workshops around the United States as well as bringing well-known romance writers into the local area to present workshops of varying descriptions. Maggie is a member of Romance Writers of America and Two Rivers Romance Authors (the local Des Moines chapter of RWA).

In addition to writing, she is also an award-winning photographer and specializes in nature and wildlife photography. She is a field contributor to Nature Photographer magazine and a member of the North American Nature Photography Association. She has won numerous awards and was selected to participate in the "Faces of Iowa" project which was exhibited at the Des Moines Art Center before traveling around the State of Iowa.

Blue Under the Blue Roof V - Rob Lumbard

2010-02-01T12:50:00.003-06:00

Des Moines native, singer/songwriter Rob Lumbard will perform on Monday, February 1 at 6:30 p.m. in the library meeting room.

This concert is the first in the Blues series co-sponsored by the library and the South Skunk Blues Society. Rob joined The Wapsie River Band in 1980 then barn stormed the Midwest with them for ten years handling vocals, guitar, slide guitar, harp and banjo. In 1990 he went solo, opening for Lyle Lovett, The Band, The Austin Lounge Lizards, Dan Hicks, Jerry Jeff Walker, Norman Blake, Steve Forbert, Leon Redbone and countless Blues acts that came through town. He plays in a variety of venues year round and has participated in the Blues in the Schools program in Iowa.

Library programs are free and open to the public.

Book Review by SarrahK - Ice

2009-12-15T11:37:00.002-06:00

Terror changes the way a person looks at life. This is clearly illustrated in Linda Howard’s latest book, Ice. Gabriel McQueen is sent up the mountain to rescue Lolly Helton from herself. He expects a lot of things, especially a bad attitude. Based on the title, it doesn't come as a surprise that the ice storm starts early in the book, but the rest of the night is full of surprises. In fact, it’s Gabriel and Lolly’s worst nightmare. Lolly has been attacked in her own home by drug addicts, leaving Gabriel and Lolly the sole option of escaping unprepared into the weather. When Lolly's attackers realize what has happened, they go on the hunt, leaving the pair no choice but to hike through the treacherous woods. A night of horror, while it is not what one generally looks for in a holiday novel, teaches these two casual acquaintances a lot that a lifetime might never have accomplished.

Staff Lunch - closing

2009-12-11T10:08:00.003-06:00

The library will be closed from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, December 11 so the library staff and library board members may enjoy a staff luncheon.

Thanksgiving Holiday Hours.

2009-11-25T06:33:00.004-06:00

"Freedom from Want"

Painted by Norman Rockwell

Thanksgiving Holiday Hours. The library will be open on Wednesday, November 25, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The library will be closed Thursday, November 26 and Friday, November 27 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. The library will be open with normal hours - 10 p.m. to 2 p.m. - on Saturday, November 28.

Welcome Eighth Graders!

2009-11-24T06:36:00.000-06:00

The library will host tours today - Wednesday, November 24 - to introduce all of the eighth grade classes in the Newton school district in the use of the public library resources. Students will be getting library cards, taking a tour and checking out an accelerated reader book. Students will enjoy refreshments after they have picked out their book. Friends of the Library will assist with refreshments.

Book Review by Sarrah K - Street Magic

2009-11-23T10:21:00.001-06:00

A new twist in the paranormal genre, Street Magic is Caitlin Kittredge's first novel in the Black London series. Children are being kidnapped in London and found blind five days later. Mage Jack Winter provides a tip to Pete Caldecott, the detective who, a dozen years before, had witnessed Jack's death. The two obviously have unresolved issues, but those are shoved aside as they fight time—and the magic Pete has believed merely the stuff of nightmares until now--to save the latest victim. Though obviously of a supernatural nature, Street Magic may appeal to mystery fans or those who prefer ghost stories more than the current trend of vampires and werewolves.

Hungrytown in Concert - Thursday evening

2009-11-17T13:12:00.002-06:00

The Vermont singer/songwriter duo of Rebecca Hall and Ken Anderson will perform at the Newton Public Library on Thursday, November 19 at 6:30 p.m. in the library meeting room. The close harmony and traditional folk sound will please listeners of all ages. This concert is made possible by grants from Newton Public Library Foundation and the Arts Connection, Inc.

All programs are free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided by the Friends of the Newton Public Library. If you are a person with a disability who requires special assistance, please call 641-792-4108 in advance.

Veteran's Day - Library Closed

2009-11-11T05:19:00.002-06:00

The library will be closed
Wednesday,
November 11
in observance of
Veteran's Day.

“The Big Read” Audio CDs.

2009-11-04T07:14:00.000-06:00

Are you someone who listens to movies with the director’s comments running? Do you enjoy finding out the story behind the story?

Check out classic books and accompanying CDs which are part of The Big Read program. This program is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts and is designed to restore reading to the center of American culture.

Each CD features thirty to forty minutes of background material about the author, what inspired the author to write this classic, and some readings from the book by well known actors. In some cases, interviews with the author are included. Titles available include: The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck, Call of the Wild by Jack London, The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan, and Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury.

These, and other titles in the series, can help you “read more about it” at your library.

Book Review by Sarrah K - The Oxford Project

2009-11-03T06:10:00.003-06:00

In 1984, Peter Feldstein traveled to the small Iowa farming community of Oxford and set up camp. His goal: to photograph Oxford's 693 citizens. Twenty years later, he returned to Oxford, and this time he organized his photographs into a book. Quirky to say the least, The Oxford Project follows the lives of these average Iowans through Feldstein's photographs with accompanying blurbs by Stephen Bloom. The course of these lives seems normal in general, but to read each individual's accomplishments and heartaches is a poignant experience to say the least. The Oxford Project is a must-read for the Iowa-phile and sure to be intriguing to anyone who's grown up in a small town.

Teen Advisory Board Meeting Tonight

2009-11-02T11:51:00.004-06:00

The Teen Advisory Board will meet on Monday, November 2, at 6:30 p.m. in the library meeting room. The meeting will feature “make your own sundaes” so teens can enjoy treats while they make plans for programming and fun at the library. Teens in grades 9-12 are encouraged to participate in the Newton Public Library Teen Advisory Board which meets once a month to plan programs for teens and children. To join, fill out an application and return it to Youth Services Librarian, Phyllis Peter.

Peter Fletcher in concert TONIGHT!!!

2009-10-19T05:17:00.001-05:00

FREE CONCERT TONIGHT!

Award winning classical guitarist Peter Fletcher will return to the Newton Public Library for a performance on Monday, October 19, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. in the library meeting room.

This concert is made possible by a grant from the the Arts Connection, Inc. and the Newton Public Library Foundation.

Mr. Fletcher has participated in Master classes with Jose Tomas, David Leisner, David Russell, Oscar Ghiglia, and Pepe Romero. As a performer in the Christopher Parkening Master Class, he was chosen to play in the student recital two consecutive years. Newton Public Library is pleased to bring a musician of Mr. Fletcher’s caliber to the community for the enjoyment of all. Mr. Fletcher will make his CDs available for purchase immediately following the concert. To learn more about the artist visit his Web site at http://www.peterfletcher.com/.

Library programs are free and open to the public. If you are a person with a disability who requires special assistance, please call 641-792-4108 in advance.

Book Review by Holly Y - Dark Slayer

2009-10-16T06:15:00.000-05:00

Two people forged in suffering. Ivory Malinov has suffered untold horrors at the hands of vampires—Carpathian males turned to evil—but she survives and makes it her life’s work to hunt them and the evil mage, Xavier. Razvan Dragonseeker has been possessed and tortured by Xavier who has forced him to injure and use others. In spite of his constant contact with Xavier, Razvan has held to his honor, never allowing the darkness in his soul to consume him and turn him into a vampire. These two wounded individuals find each other as lifemates in Dark Slayer the 20th book in Christine Feehan’s Dark series. This is an exceptional story and with fascinating characters.

Ivory Malinov is an ancient, confident in her skills as a warrior but unsure of her appeal as a woman due to a horrible injury which left deep scars—both physical and emotional. Razvan has been labeled a traitor to the Carpathian people due to acts he’s committed while possessed by Xavier. When they meet, Razvan lies broken in the snow, ready to meet the light of dawn, intending to meet his death. Ivory recognizes him as her lifemate and takes him to her lair so he can heal and make a conscious decision about whether he wishes to live or die.

Together they forge a tender and loving relationship as they have only each other to depend upon. Razvan is one of the best and most complex heroes Feehan has ever written. He is a Zen master rather than an alpha warrior. His strongest appeal is in his calmness and serenity in the face of all the suffering he has endured. Instead of rage over his circumstances, he exhibits unconditional love and understanding for Ivory. Fans of Feehan will adore the intriguing characters of Dark Slayer and yearn for more.

Spiders, Snakes and Bats: The Truth vs. The Myth.

2009-10-15T10:45:00.005-05:00

Children ages 5 and up and their families are invited to come to the library to learn about spiders, snakes, and bats and why we need them on Thursday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m. in the library meeting room. The library is pleased to welcome Ron DeArmond of the Pella Wildlife Company for a talk on creepy creatures and their roles in nature.

Children and their caregivers will have a chance to meet real live spiders and snakes at this special presentation. Preregistration is required for this program. Please call Youth Services Librarian Phyllis Peter at 641-792-4108 to sign up.

Peter Fletcher in Concert on Monday, October 19

2009-10-14T17:23:00.002-05:00

Award winning classical guitarist Peter Fletcher will return to the Newton Public Library for a performance on Monday, October 19, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. in the library meeting room.

This concert is made possible by a grant from the the Arts Connection, Inc. and the Newton Public Library Foundation.

Mr. Fletcher has participated in Master classes with Jose Tomas, David Leisner, David Russell, Oscar Ghiglia, and Pepe Romero. As a performer in the Christopher Parkening Master Class, he was chosen to play in the student recital two consecutive years. Newton Public Library is pleased to bring a musician of Mr. Fletcher’s caliber to the community for the enjoyment of all. Mr. Fletcher will make his CDs available for purchase immediately following the concert. To learn more about the artist visit his Web site at http://www.peterfletcher.com/ .

Library programs are free and open to the public. If you are a person with a disability who requires special assistance, please call 641-792-4108 in advance.

Story Time - Dinosaurs Roar on October 1!

2009-09-30T16:28:00.002-05:00

Enjoy stories about dinosaurs for story time with Youth Services Librarian Phyllis Peter in the Carousel Horse Room on Thursday,October 1, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. All story times meet weekly, except on holidays, and are free and open to all children and their caregivers.

NO Cul-de-sac concert Thursday night!

2009-09-23T09:33:00.001-05:00

Due to a scheduling conflict, the Cul-de-sac concert previously scheduled for Thursday, September 24 has been postponed. Check back here soon to learn more about the reschedule date.

Directors Presentation to City Council- 2009

2009-09-22T13:30:00.000-05:00

Director’s presentation to Newton City Council on September 21, 2009

Thank you for allowing me to present this annual report on behalf of the Newton Public Library Board of Trustees as mandated by the Code of Ordinances of the City of Newton.

The library building is in good shape, although it is beginning to show some signs of age. Last winter we dealt with ice damming which resulted in a serious leak in the director’s office on the north side of the building as well as in the circulation office on the south side of the building. The roof above the director’s office was patched, but the area above the circulation office still needs attention. The inconsistent, but persistent, leak in the ceiling of the west entrance under the flat roof was patched last year, and we only had minimal water falling to the floor after the 5” rain event this summer. The hvac’s damper mechanism lost functionality, and it had to be replaced last year for more efficient heating and cooling.

As for the numbers you have in front of you, they are relatively stable and show that the community is utilizing the various services of the library on a consistent basis. Using end of the year figures after adding and withdrawing materials, the library has 83,649 items to circulate to readers. Circulation for 2008-09 totaled 135,266 plus 11,993 Internet computer checkouts. I have included for you some additional statistics I thought you might find interesting.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the community for all of the extra support given to the library for materials, activities, and programs that promote reading and lifelong learning. Donations of $2,512 last year from groups and individuals, including memorials, have been used to add materials to the library collection and in support library programming.

The Friends of the Library organization provides vital support to the library. Last year the Friends organization donated books, promotional materials, newborn books and bags, summer reading events, and transportation for 1st graders to tour the library. In addition, many Friends of the Library volunteers lent their time and energy to make sure library events were a success.

Since its inception in 1996, the foundation has continued to play a vital role in funding public library extraordinary requests that reach beyond budget allowance to enhance technology, building, programming, and collection needs. In 2008-09 the foundation provided $5,826.57 funding for library programs and reading promotion, updating the Bifolkal Kits, and a microphone system for outside use.

The library is an ongoing community project that involves many people and affects many lives. Numerous businesses and organizations in the community provided monetary or merchandise donations in conjunction with library projects and programs. All library programs are free and open to the public.

Several groups and individuals gave their time, talent, and energy to provide those programs which enabled the library to offer the community a broad assortment of interesting activities, discussion topics, sights, and sounds. On behalf of the library board and staff, I wholeheartedly thank all of those who have supported the library this past year. A list of these individuals, businesses, and organizations that provided support this past year are listed here:

Newton Public Library 2008-09 Supporters
Individuals, Businesses, and Organizations

1st Newton National Bank

Advantage Credit Union

A&W Restaurant

Arts Connection, Inc.

Rita Baker

Bank Iowa

Jazmine Bjelland

Blank Park Zoo

Kylie Brant

Rick Bremmer

Cardinal PDC

Cul-de-sac

Culver’s Restaurant

Vicki Dischner

DMACC of Newton

Domino’s Pizza

Doyle & DeVoe Realty

Eye Care Center of Newton

Family Video

Lauren Fortune

Friends of the Newton Public Library

Deana Gast

Susan Hawk

HyVee

Iowa Public Television

Iowa Speedway

Jasper County Animal Rescue League

Jasper County Conservation Board

Jasper County Genealogical Society

Johnson Aviation

Michael Lemberger

Tracie Lindholm

Mattingly Music and Book Store

Maytag Dairy Farms

McDonald’s Restaurant

Leigh Michaels

Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge

Newton Daily News

Newton High School Spanish Class

Newton Noon Kiwanis Club

Newton Piecemakers Guild

Newton Public Library Foundation

NPL Teen Advisory Board

Samantha Nilles

Chris Noel

Katie Pletcher

Rachel Rickers

Riggs Printing

Stephanie Sanders

South Skunk Blues Society

Leigh Stevenson

Jess Stout

Kimberly Stuart

Allison Thong Vanh

Samantha Wall

Dennis Weidemann

Westwood Golf Course

Lindsey Williams

Michelle Williams

Chris Wolfe

Library Annual Report -2008-09

2009-09-22T13:19:00.005-05:00

Newton Public Library Annual Report to City Council 2008-09

Financial and statistical State of the Library.

REVENUES

City appropriation $655,006

Other governmental income $3,517

Special library levy $93,288

Revenue from County $56,475

State funding administered

by State Library $5,066

Other State of Iowa revenue $5,989

Revenue from Contracting Cities

(Kellogg, Lambs Grove, Reasnor) $7,413

Gifts & Donations received $2,512

Fines and/or fees received $24,098

Total Operating revenue $853,364

EXPENDITURES

Total Staff Expenditures $558,955

Total Collection Expenditures $72,351

Total Other Operating Expenditures

(including building maintenance,

heat, phone, lights, cooling,

postage, data processing, equipment,

and supplies) $221,192

Total Operating expenditures $852,498

LIBRARY COLLECTION

Books and Serials held at start of year 75,031

Books and Serials added 4,120

Books and Serials withdrawn 3,809

Books and Serials held at end of year 75,529

Current serial subscriptions 148

Audio Materials held at start of year 4,654

Audio Materials added 316

Audio Materials withdrawn 51

Audio Materials held at end of year 4,919

Video Materials held at start of year 2,998

Video Materials added 448

Video Materials withdrawn 245

Video Materials held at end of year 3,201

Number of Donated items 876

CIRCULATION and LIBRARY MATERIALS AND BUILDING USAGE

Adult Books 73,632

Children’s Books 36,381

Video Recordings 12,266

Audio Recordings 9,419

Periodicals 3,176

Other items 392

TOTAL CIRCULATION 135,266

INTERNET COMPUTER USE 11,993

Interlibrary Loan received from other libraries 593

Interlibrary Loan provided to other libraries 2,609

Current total registered borrowers 16,068

Year registration files last weeded 2009

Library visits 80,938

TOTAL REFERENCE TRANSACTIONS 30,631

Annual Meeting Room use 185

PROGRAMMING

Total Number of Library Programs for Children 121

Total Number of People Attending Library

Programs for Children 5,945

Total Number of Library Programs for

Young Adults 5

Total Number of People Attending Library

Programs for Young Adults 27

Total Number of Library Programs for Adults 18

Total Number of People Attending Library

Programs for Adults 597

Number of Children Participating in FY2008

Summer Reading Program 552

Cul-de-sac concert POSTPONED!

2009-09-18T16:49:00.001-05:00

Due to a scheduling conflict, the Cul-de-sac concert previously scheduled for Thursday, September 24 has been postponed. Check back here soon to learn more about the reschedule date.

Worried about the upcoming flu season?

2009-09-16T06:39:00.000-05:00

As public concern about Pandemic H1N1 and the upcoming flu season continues to grow, the medical and nursing editors from EBSCO Publishing (EBSCO) respond by offering the latest evidence-based flu-related information available for free. This free flu information resource will provide continually updated, evidence-based clinical information from DynaMed™ and Nursing Reference Center™, EBSCO’s clinical and nursing point-of-care databases, along with patient education information in 17 languages from Patient Education Reference Center™. Please visit this site often and feel free to share, post, and email this link to your colleagues, patrons, family and friends.

Click here to learn more... http://www.ebscohost.com/flu/

Calling All Cooks! Friends of the Newton Public Library cookbook NEEDS recipes!

2009-09-15T06:26:00.000-05:00

Friends are STILL accepting recipes from residents of Newton and its surrounding area. Submit one to three of your favorite recipes, one recipe to a form. Recipe forms are at the service desks in the library & on the Friends of the Library page of the Newton Public Library Web site: http://www.newton.lib.ia.us/. We are still short recipes and need some in the following categories: Pie/Dessert, Candy, Snacks, Sides, Meat/Fish/Pork, Yeast Bread, Beverages, Appetizers, Canning, Freezing, Miscellaneous. Recipes will be included at the discretion of the committee.

Cul-de-sac Barbershop Quartet to perform

2009-09-14T06:16:00.000-05:00

Local Barbershop Quartet, Cul-de-sac, comprised of members John Easley, tenor; George Wilkening, lead, Bruce Hoffmeier, baritone, and Bob Doerring, bass, will perform a fall concert at the Newton Public Library on Thursday, September 24, at 6:30 p.m. Come share barbershop favorites sung by talented local voices at your library! Refreshments provided by the Friends of the Library. All library programs are free and open to the public. If you are a person with a disability who requires special assistance, please call 641-792-4108 in advance.

Book Review by Holly Y - The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Starting a Home-Based Business

2009-09-12T06:32:00.001-05:00

Have you ever dreamed of working from home, but weren’t sure how to get started? The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Starting a Home-Based Business by Barbara Weltman can help you make your dream come true. The Complete Idiot’s Guide series as a whole is clear, simple, and thorough, and this book in the series is no exception. Part 1 explains why you might want to work from home, while Part 2 offers tips for finding the perfect business match for you and your circumstances. Once you decide what you want to do, Part 3 helps you form your business, write your business plan, and line up financing. Part 4 covers creating your business space for convenience and efficiency. Part 5 highlights how to run the business from home once you have formed your company. Tips include marketing, collection strategies, accounting, and tax rules. This is an excellent overview for individuals hoping to create a successful home business. Stop in and check it out!

Book Review by Sarrah K - Deadly Night

2009-09-11T06:38:00.004-05:00

In Deadly Night by Heather Graham, the Flynn brothers inherit a mansion outside of New Orleans that needs an overhaul and the Ghostbusters. Local lore abounds, but the key story surrounding the place is about two cousins who shot one another on the front lawn during the Civil War, both of them trying to rescue a woman being assaulted on the balcony.

Aidan, the eldest and most skeptical, wants to sell the place. A guest of his aunt's, Kendall, with her ideas of haunting, just adds to this opinion. However, he's outvoted and the brothers begin restoring the house--despite the ghosts who haunt the place and the potential murders taking place nearby.

A man who's seen a lot and lost as well, Aidan's story is the first of a trilogy. Kendall, the shy-but-flamboyant heroine, provides a good contrast in a well-crafted story that has a touch of the Gothic and will induce a few chills.

Book Review by Holly Y - Way Off the Road

2009-09-10T06:19:00.002-05:00

Bill Geist has been celebrating unusual stories and quirky Americans for twenty years as a feature reporter on CBS Sunday Morning, and his compilation of short essays, Way Off the Road, continues the tradition in book form. It features entertaining snatches of Americana with Geist’s deadpan but gentle humor. Most readers skip the author’s note because it’s a very long personal thank you. Don’t. The author’s note is laugh out loud funny, and the humor continues on every page. Some essays produce a smile, others an outright laugh, but Geist’s light touch always entertains. Readers can pick up the book and read a single essay, or mow straight through the book from beginning to end. Either way, Way Off the Road is a fun, fast read.

Bears! Bears! Bears!

2009-09-09T06:33:00.006-05:00

Enjoy stories about all kinds of bears for story time with Youth Services Librarian Phyllis Peter in the Carousel Horse Room on Thursday,September 10, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. All story times meet weekly, except on holidays, and are free and open to all children and their caregivers.

Book Review by HollyY - Lady of Milkweed Manor

2009-09-08T06:20:00.000-05:00

The historical inspirational novel, Lady of Milkweed Manor by Julie Klassen, is published by Bethany House and tells the tale of twenty year old Charlotte Lamb. When Charlotte is ruined but refuses to name the father of her unborn child, her unforgiving father casts her out.

She travels to a foundling hospital to await the birth of her child. While there she learns about the hospital, the fate of unwed mothers in Regency England, and is called upon to make a soul wounding sacrifice.

The slower paced gentle read gives the reader a glimpse into the lives of interesting characters, especially Charlotte. The heroine, though enduring great challenges in her life and to her faith, appears strong rather than a victim of her circumstances. I liked her from the first page.

Charlotte’s faith, which carries her through the harsh realities in life, is woven throughout with a subtle, deft hand. Klassen’s research about the time period is well done and integral to the plot. The conclusion of the story offers a redemptive happily-ever-after ending which should appeal both to readers of faith fiction and readers of sweet, historical fiction alike.

Library Closed for Labor Day!

2009-09-07T06:24:00.001-05:00

The Newton Public Library will be closed all day Monday, September 7 in observance of the Labor Day holiday. The library will reopen with normal hours on Tuesday, September 8.

Have a Happy Labor Day.

Holiday Closing - Labor Day

2009-09-05T06:14:00.000-05:00

Cooking everything Italian with Giada de Laurentiis

2009-09-04T06:50:00.005-05:00

Do you love The Food Network and Italian cooking? Then Giada de Laurentiis creates recipes made just for you. Giada is the popular host of Everyday Italian and Giada’s Weekend Getaways where she features great dishes for food lovers. Since starting her series, she has released four books, all of which may currently be checked out from the Newton Public Library.

Everyday Italian, her first book, features 125 recipes from her television show. Great Italian food isn’t limited to just spaghetti and pizza Giada shows readers a variety of dishes from antipasti to entrees to sweets. The book features great photos to complement the recipes.

In Giada’s second book, Giada’s Family Dinners, she feeds the family and reminisces about warm family memories of shared meals and laughter around the table. This book covers everything from soups and sandwiches to family get-togethers to holiday feasts. If you thought there were only a few pasta recipes, think again.

Her third book is called Everyday Pasta and it is dedicated to the possibilities of pasta. From salads to sides to casseroles, in this book Giada celebrates the versatility of this staple of Italian cuisine.

Her newest book, Giada’s Kitchen, was released in September 2008 and has joined the library’s collection. This book features contemporary twists on traditional Italian favorites.

Auto Repair Reference Center – database.

2009-09-03T06:27:00.004-05:00

Car troubles? Need information on how to fix your car?

The ARRC database contains information on more than 33,800 vehicles from 1945 to the present. There are nearly 800,000 drawings and step-by-step photographs, approximately 83,200 technical service bulletins & recalls issued by the original equipment vehicle manufacturer, over 99,800 enhanced wiring diagrams for easy viewing and printing, and specifications & maintenance schedules.

In addition, you can find a Labor Time Guide & Estimator, AutoIQ, Quick Tips, a complete guide to vehicle ownership & maintenance, unlimited remote access and much more.

New repair procedures and updates are continually added. All of the content in Auto Repair Reference Center has been created by ASE certified technicians. The ARRC is available in the library or from home. If you have any questions about how to access the database from home, call the information desk at 641-792-4108.

Book Review by Holly Y - Dewey

2009-08-29T06:35:00.000-05:00

Do you love cats? Even if you don’t, Dewey by Vicki Myron is likely to change your mind.

Dewey Readmore Books (named for Melvil Dewey, creator of the Dewey Decimal System) was the much beloved, world-renowned library cat of Spencer, Iowa. Author Vicki Myron was the library director when Dewey was left in the book drop one cold January morning in 1988. Myron recounts how this special animal brought her staff and a town together as they struggled through the difficult farm crisis of the late 1980s.

Dewey served as a library ambassador even though he didn’t leave the building. When he passed away in 2006, the New York Times ran an obituary for him. This heartwarming book will appeal to anyone who loves animals, but to cat lovers in particular.

Food-4-Fines ends tomorrow

2009-08-28T06:26:00.003-05:00

Food-4-Fines drive ends Saturday.

The 2009 Back to School Food-4-Fines drive will end at 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 29. Each non-perishable food item donated to the library in lieu of fines will be given to the Jasper Community Food Pantry. One food item will equal up to $1.00 in fines. Two food items equal up to $2.00, etc. This program does not affect charges assessed for lost/damaged materials or recovery fees. Donated items must be within their “best by” or “use by” dates. You don’t have to have a fine to donate, so dig into your cupboard to help those in need!

Library Column in the Newton Daily News

2009-08-27T06:08:00.000-05:00

Each week as part of my duties as Public Services Librarian, I compile library program notices, book reviews, and library news into a short column which is featured in the Friday edition of the Newton Daily News newspaper. The library has had this working relationship with the newspaper for many years and we are very grateful for the opportunity to provide the citizens of Newton, Iowa a weekly reminder of library happenings.

There's also an online edition of the newspaper. To find the library column type the word "library" into the search box on the right side of the screen. The library column should be near the top of the list of items found. Click on the link to read the column.

Story Time tomorrow - Bubbles!

2009-08-26T12:00:00.003-05:00

Bubbles!
Youth Services Librarian Phyllis Peter reads stories about bubbles in the Carousel Horse Room on Thursday, August 27 at 10:30 a.m. All story times meet weekly, except on holidays, and are free and open to all children and their caregivers.

Book Review by Sue P - For the Record: My Name Is Hammer

2009-08-25T06:07:00.000-05:00

Iowa author and former Newton resident David L. Hammer has previously written 25 books and is generally known in Iowa libraries as a Sherlock Holmes authority. His 26th book, For the Record: My Name Is Hammer, however, diverges from his fiction work and presents short, descriptive snippets of some of the legal cases which he has handled during his years as a practicing trial attorney. This short professional memoir is filled with witty anecdotes that illustrate some of the rewards and some of the pitfalls of being a lawyer. Sometimes the rewards are more of a satisfaction that justice will prevail – in or out of court as in “The Charitable Bequest” and “Who Says Plumber Don’t Seek Justice?” Sometimes the pitfalls can lead to death threats. Some of the cases Hammer describes are downright funny, like “Where a Lady Is in the Case”, and “The Surveillance”; whereas, other cases are memorable because of their importance in the legal history of Iowa and the creation of a new cause of action.

2009 Back to School Food-4-Fines Drive starts TODAY!

2009-08-24T06:46:00.000-05:00

The 2009 Back to School Food-4-Fines drive begins TODAY at 10 a.m. and will end at 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 29. Each non-perishable food item donated to the library in lieu of fines will be given to the Jasper Community Food Pantry.

This program does not affect charges assessed for lost/damaged materials or recovery fees.

One food item will equal up to $1.00 in fines. Two food items equal up to $2.00, etc. Donated items must be within their “best by” or “use by” dates. You don’t have to have a fine to donate, so dig into your cupboard to help those in need!

Get a Library Card

2009-08-22T06:14:00.003-05:00

Library cards are available free to residents of Iowa. Library cards are issued immediately if you have current photo identification and verifying proof of current Iowa residential address at the time of application. A post office box is not sufficient proof of residency.

Persons who have acceptable personal identification, but who are unable to provide verification of current residency, may have the library card mailed to them to verify residency. However, no library materials can be checked out until the Newton Public Library card is received.

Out of state residents who are temporarily residing in Newton may obtain a “Guest” library card with satisfactory proof of current residence along with current photo identification which includes permanent residency address. The library card will be issued for the period of time the patron resides in Newton (not less than one month or more than six months). The guest card will restrict checkout to two (2) items at any one time.

Acceptable forms of photo identification include the following:
Current state, international or foreign driver’s license with photograph, passport, foreign Visa, military identification , Alien Registration Card issued by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Services, local school identification card for current year (with photograph), employee identification card with photograph, out of state Identification card, Indian tribal affiliation card, non-driver’s license with photograph.

Accompanied by any of the following to verify current Iowa residency:
Current acceptable photo identification (see above), current motor vehicle registration, imprinted checks, voter registration card, mail addressed to you with current postmark*, bank statement*, lease agreement*, utility, telephone or water bill*
* must be dated within the last 30days.

Applications for all children up to age 13 must be signed by a parent or legal guardian who will then be responsible for the materials lost or damaged by the child.

Adult signers of children’s library cards must provide acceptable identification as described above. You are responsible for all library items borrowed on your library card. Notify library staff of name, address, or phone number changes. Lost or stolen cards should be reported immediately to 641-792-4108. A $1.00 replacement fee will be charged for lost or stolen cards.

Book Review by Phyllis P - Shawn Johnson, Olympic Champion

2009-08-21T05:56:00.000-05:00

We all watched the 2008 Summer Olympics as Iowa girl Shawn Johnson dazzled the world with her gymnastics talent and later watched her dazzle on Dancing with the Stars. Now, fans can learn more about the girl behind the athlete in her autobiography, Shawn Johnson, Olympic Champion: Stories Behind the Smile. The book contains a wonderful collection of personal photos of Shawn’s life in addition to her personal recollections to accompany the many images. The book doesn’t contain a flowing narrative, but rather it features anecdotes and observations about her life. The book is visually interesting and seems inspired by the MySpace and Facebook view of the world. A reader can open the book anywhere and find something that will entertain. In spite of her fame, Shawn seems to have remained a well-grounded young lady, and this book will inspire others to make their dreams a reality.

This book may be found with New biographies near the front of the library.

Book Review by Sarrah K - Wish You Were Here

2009-08-20T06:00:00.000-05:00

Fans of Crusie and Evanovich will be pleased with Lani Rich's latest, Wish You Were Here, a follow-up to 2007's Crazy in Love.

Tough-as-nails businesswoman Freya Daly has lost her edge, and her boss—her father—knows it. He sends her on a mission to prove herself: to purchase a rundown campground in Idaho. No, problem, right? Unfortunately for Freya, the owner isn't selling until he completes his father's dying wish.

When he inherited the campground from his lowlife father, Nate Brody didn't expect to be there for long. Now, he's passing up two million dollars and selling his restaurant to look for an as-yet-unnamed item.

Soon, not only are Freya's and Nate's personal lives entangled, but they are discovering disturbing parallels
between their fathers' young lives. With their own lives at stake, they are on a frantic search for the one item that can save them—a purple plate.

PreSchool Story Time - Thursday, August 20

2009-08-19T06:13:00.004-05:00

Back to School!

Youth Services Librarian Phyllis Peter reads stories about starting school in the Carousel Horse Room on Thursday, August 20, at 10:30 a.m.

All story times meet weekly, except on holidays, and are free and open to all children and their caregivers.

Book Review by Sarrah K - The Fixer Upper

2009-08-18T06:22:00.002-05:00

To say Dempsey Killebrew's hit a rough patch would be the understatement of the century in Mary Kay Andrews latest, The Fixer Upper. Dempsey lost her job as a lobbyist when she and her boss were implicated in bribing an official. Shame for being the scapegoat and poverty in general have chased her to rural Georgia, where she's hoping to regroup while rehabilitating the family home.

Birdsong, the family home, is falling in on itself however, and is home to a cantankerous cousin who refuses to leave. Despairing, Dempsey throws herself into the manual labor. In the meantime, she develops new friendships and interests. Her new life comes under fire because the FBI decides she's their best bet at getting her former boss into prison.

Though it lacks Andrews' usual charm and humor, The Fixer Upper is a flirty read that makes for good summer
entertainment.

Toddlers and Twos Story Time - Tuesday Morning

2009-08-17T06:33:00.005-05:00

The Toddlers and Twos story time meets weekly on Tuesday mornings at 10:30 a.m. in the Carousel Horse Room. This story time is especially for a parent/caregiver with a child aged 18-36 months. Toddlers and Twos story times last 15-20 minutes and feature stories, fingerplays, and music.

All story times meet weekly throughout the year, except on holidays, and are free and open to all children and their caregivers.

Library Hours and library information

2009-08-15T06:10:00.000-05:00

Library Hours.

Monday – Thursday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sunday: Closed

For more information about the Newton Public Library, visit the library’s Web site at http://www.newton.lib.ia.us/ . Use our site to find books in the online library catalog. Navigate to the library Web page and click on the tab at the top or the link on the left labeled “Catalog,” then complete your search.

Back to School Food-4-Fines Drive Coming Up

2009-08-14T05:55:00.007-05:00

The 2009 Back to School Food-4-Fines drive will begin at 10 a.m. Monday, August 24, and end at 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 29. Each non-perishable food item donated to the library in lieu of fines will be given to the Jasper Community Food Pantry.

This program does not affect charges assessed for lost/damaged materials or recovery fees.

One food item will equal up to $1.00 in fines. Two food items equal up to $2.00, etc. Donated items must be within their “best by” or “use by” dates. You don’t have to have a fine to donate, so dig into your cupboard to help those in need!

2009 Summer Reading Thank You

2009-08-13T06:41:00.000-05:00

What a great year the library had for the Summer Reading program...over 500 kids registered for the program. Children and teens may still turn in book logs and receive a coupon for a free kids' meal from Culver’s Restaurant while supplies last. The library would like to thank the local businesses who supported the program. A HUGE thank you to Scott Creech at Domino's for donating 49 pizzas for our pizza and pool party at Maytag Pool on Friday, July 31st!!!

Thanks to the Newton Hy-Vee for providing hotdogs and buns for our kick-off registration picnic. Thank you to Culver's Restaurant of Newton for donating a free kids' meal to all the children who complete the summer reading program and to McDonald's who provided certificates for a free hamburger to all children who registered for summer reading. McDonalds also sponsored a free magic show by Ronald McDonald. Finally, thank you to the Blank Park Zoo for donating 500 free children's admission tickets to the zoo.

These organizations and individuals donated their time and expertise to provide free programs for Newton Public Library patrons: Chris Noel taught a beaded bracelet and beaded key chain workshop, Stephanie Sanders led a creative writing workshop, and the Jasper County Conservation Board provided a program about how animals creatively use camouflage. The Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge in Prairie City presented a program about prairie restoration. Iowa Public Television provided a free program with IPTV kid's host Dan Wardell. Author Dennis Weidemann shared his youthful experiences rafting north and signed books. Deana Gast taught a scrapbooking 101 class. Iowa author Kylie Brant offered advice to budding authors and signed her latest book.

We are grateful to the following local businesses and organizations who generously made donations for our children, teen, and adult summer reading programs: Newton Noon Kiwanis Club, Advantage Credit Union, Eye Care Center of Newton, 1st Newton National Bank, DMACC of Newton, Bank Iowa, Johnson Aviation, Westwood Golf Course, Iowa Speedway, Mattingly’s Music and Book Store, Family Video, Doyle & DeVoe Realty, Newton Public Library Foundation, and the Friends of the Newton Public Library. We also appreciate the support of the Newton Daily News for providing us a column in the paper and space on their Web site to provide the community with current library news.

The library values its volunteers who help make the summer fun possible. Volunteers throughout the summer included: Chris Wolff, Jazmine Bjelland, Samantha Wall, Jess Stout, Michelle Williams, Lindsey Williams, Samantha Nilles, Allison Thong Vanh, Lauren Fortune, Chris Noel, and Rita Baker.

Calling All Cooks! Recipes needed!

2009-08-12T06:58:00.004-05:00

Friends of the Newton Public Library Cookbook will soon be published!

Get your favorite recipes in print. Share your favorite recipes with friends and family. The ingredients of a great cookbook are your recipes. Recipes will be accepted from residents of Newton and its surrounding area. Submit one to three of your favorite recipes, one recipe to a page.

Categories:

Appetizers & Beverages Breads Soups & Salads Meats, Poultry & Fish Sides & Casseroles Cookies, Candy, & Snacks Pies, Cakes & Desserts Canning & Miscellaneous

Recipe forms are at the service desks in the library & on Friends of the Library page of Newton Public Library web site:

http://www.newton.lib.ia.us/library-support/friends/folcookbook/nplfol_cookbook/

Deadline for recipes submission is August 15, 2009.

Inclusion of recipes in the cookbook will be at the discretion of the committee.

Reserve Your Copy!

Cookbook price: $15.00. Reserve your copy and additional copies for gifts at the Special Prepublication Price of $13.00 good through August 31, 2009. Order forms available at the library or online at the link listed above.

Look for the cookbooks in late fall, 2009.

Just Like Starting Over...

2009-08-11T15:24:00.004-05:00

It's been almost two years since I last posted here. So once more into the fray. I'll try to post things to keep everyone up to date on library happenings.

The latest with the library is that we've signed up for both Facebook and Twitter in an effort to keep everyone up to date in an up-to-the-minute sort of way. So if you want to follow us on Twitter or friend us on Facebook, here's how you can.

Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/NewtonPubLib

Friend us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/

Our Facebook user name is newtonpubliclibrary

New Magazines at the Library.

2007-09-04T13:46:00.000-05:00

Calling all car enthusiasts! Newton Public Library has added Car and Driver magazine to the library’s magazine offerings. Car and Driver tests and rates automobiles, offering honest assessments of new and existing models. Test results are presented in a detailed written review. In addition, charts show detailed information about a car from its price, estimated mileage per gallon, to acceleration and braking information. This magazine is useful for people hunting for a new vehicle or those seeking information about particular makes or models.
For individuals more interested in using their vehicles for leisurely travel check out Trailer Life. This magazine concentrates on hitting the wide open road with an eye to comfort, not speed. Recent articles include suggestions for taking in the autumn leaves away from the swarms of other leaf gazers, visiting the Daniel Boone Home in Missouri, and Colorado wine country. The magazine offers readers a combination of RV reviews and journey tips for those preferring to travel the scenic route, so browse a copy today.

Book Review of the Week.

2007-08-31T16:33:00.000-05:00

Cool wheels. Some vintage cars have been maintained in pristine condition, but most are rusting hulks in salvage yards. Can these cars be saved? According to Matt Joseph, author of the Collector Car Restoration Bible, they can. Using full color photos, every step of the restoration process is illustrated for those brave individuals who take up the challenge of creating the ultimate cool ride. Since automobiles no longer operate in the same manner as they did in the “old” days, it is harder to find instructions on how to repair or fabricate old parts to get a classic engine operational. This book is designed to teach the restorer these things and more. The text is densely packed with useful information, and the photographs and illustrations are clear. Parts diagrams show where and how the engine parts fit together, while the text provides detailed descriptions on assembly. The chapters offer in depth coverage of all the main mechanical systems as well as refinishing the exterior. The Collector Car Restoration Bible is a great book for vintage car enthusiasts who want to build their dream car.

New Magazines at the Library by Youth Services Librarian Phyllis Peter.

2007-08-25T14:44:00.000-05:00

We have two new magazines available in the children's library. We now subscribe to American Girl, a magazine for girls ages 7 to 14. Each issue has nifty craft and party ideas, for example, the September/October issue shows how to use a metal Altoids tin to make a tiny tote and plan a "Super 70's party." The feature articles are very positive for girls with an emphasis on self-esteem. The current issue’s feature articles are "I Love My School" and "Real Friend Fights.". It is a very appealing magazine without any advertisements!

Kids Discover is a magazine which focuses on one topic each month. Issues focus on science, or history, or biography and give enough in-depth detail to be a great resource for a school report. Past topics include wide ranging subjects such as pyramids, the planets, the brain, and the Roman Empire. The reading level is for kids approximately 3rd to 6th grade. There are fun facts and history about each topic, and the photography included is excellent. Each issue includes an activity or experiment related to the current topic, a word search and crossword puzzle, and a list of books for further reading on the topic. Kids will love to discover Kids Discover magazine each month!

New Magazines at the Library

2007-08-17T15:35:00.000-05:00

The library has added fourteen new magazine titles, and many have begun to arrive. Look for orange tags beside the magazines labeled “New!” Only non-current issues may be checked out, but current issues are available for in-library use once they arrive and are processed. To update readers, new magazines will be reviewed in the column. This week two magazines for small farms and farmers have arrived. Hobby Farms is a magazine which caters to people who enjoy rural living and seek to make hobby farming pay for itself. Regular columns include Livestock Q&A, Farm Garden, and Farm to Table. Articles are geared toward small hobby operations featuring livestock for niche markets and unique, unusual crops. The color photographs and glossy presentation make this an entertaining read even for non-farmers. Countryside & Small Stock Journal is a newsprint magazine geared toward homestead operations. Recent article topics range from beekeeping to pickling to biodiesel operations. Do-it-yourselfers will appreciate the abundance of practical articles. Both magazines offer recipes for farmers who want to enjoy the bounty of their hard work. Stop into the library to browse these new magazine selections and see what else we’ve added for your reading pleasure. Be sure to let us know if you like the new magazines. Feedback from readers allows us to make better purchase choices in the future.

Web Site for parents by Youth Services Librarian, Phyllis Peter.

2007-08-15T11:15:00.001-05:00

Do you ever wonder what the acronyms your teen uses when text messaging mean? Do you know why you should be concerned if someone asks for your teen’s ASL? Are you concerned about MySpace and other social networking sites?

The Website http://www.teenchatdecoder.com/ is a great resource for parents of teens. You can enter an acronym in the search bar, (such as ASL, which is age, sex and location) and if it’s in the extensive acronym dictionary, its meaning is shown. Warning: some chat terms may contain objectionable language.

Parents can sign up for a free safety newsletter, and there are archived articles on topics such as: MySpace, teen chat rooms, hate Web sites, cyber stalking, and identity theft. Teens now spend more time online than watching television, according to the Pew Internet Research group. The website http://www.teenchatdecoder.com/ can help parents get a handle on the virtual world where teens are spending their time.

Fiction Review of the Week by Library Page, Amy Nilles

2007-08-14T16:53:00.000-05:00

New Moon, Stephenie Meyer’s sequel to Twilight, continues the saga of two star-crossed lovers, Edward and Bella. The book starts off in a light mood, but soon turns darker as Bella’s worst nightmare is realized. Edward, a vampire and the love of her life, leaves. In emotional turmoil, Bella turns to her friend, Jacob Black, for support and distraction. As their relationship progresses throughout the book, so does the immediate danger in which Bella finds herself every time they are together. Although a great friend, Jacob and his companions have many secrets, and Bella is determined to figure them out. Meyer’s smooth writing style whisks Bella from one sticky situation to another, finally culminating in a confrontational ending that will leave readers wanting more. Eclipse, the third book in the series, was released on August 7, so place your hold now.

Non-Fiction Book Review by Library Summer Intern, Shawn Edwards

2007-08-13T12:51:00.000-05:00

The God Delusion is by Richard Dawkins, a preeminent scientist on evolution and biology. He branches out with this 2006 book into the field of theology. In this refutation of religion, Dawkins does not condemn each religion individually for their own atrocities across time, instead he only takes on the basic belief that “there exists a super-human, supernatural intelligence who deliberately designed and created the universe and everything in it, including us (p.31)”. This is the god that Dawkins challenges for the reminder of the book. He asserts that this is the basic god of all religions, and that the differences in actual dogma are irrelevant. Dawkins divides his claim of atheism into two parts: countering the seven major proofs of god and going into a detailed explanation of evolution; he is a biologist after all. For an atheist this book can be looked to for shoring up their arguments, and for a theist there are plenty of holes to poke through as well. For those on the fence about god or religion in general, I would recommend reading this book along with a book like Mere Christianity, No God but God, Understanding Buddhism, or any other treatise on religion. Overall this is not a definitive book that will once and for all end this debate, but it is a good stop along the way.

Thanks to Summer Reading Sponsors

2007-08-03T14:15:00.000-05:00

We had a tremendous turn-out for summer reading and there was super support for it, too. The Friends of the Newton Public Library, Parents as Teachers, and the NPL Teen Advisory board provided volunteers to keep summer reading on track. The Newton Public Library Foundation provided funding to make many of the library programs enjoyed by readers possible. In addition, many businesses in the Newton community offered their support in goods and services. Domino’s Pizza donated all the pizzas for the final summer reading party, while HyVee East provided the hot dogs for the registration picnic. Special thanks, also, to the Newton Daily News for the continuing support of the library by providing space for a weekly column and excellent coverage of library activities. We also received donations or support from the following Newton businesses and organizations: DMACC, Wal-Mart, Johnson Aviation, the Iowa Speedway, Westwood Golf Course, the Eye Care Center of Newton, Uncle Nancy’s, Taco John’s, McDonalds, Fareway Grocery, A&W, KFC/Taco Bell, Perkins, Maid Rite, Pizza Hut, Subway, Culver’s, Burger King, Quiznos, Family Video, Newton Noon Kiwanis, Iowa Telecom, Diamondjake Balooning, and Mattingly Music and Book Store. If anyone who donated was not listed, it was oversight and not lack of appreciation for your contribution. Thank you to all our volunteers and sponsors. Without you, we could not provide such a fun and diverse summer reading program. Your support is greatly valued.

Summer reading ends with a splash!

2007-07-28T09:45:00.000-05:00

The summer reading program was an overwhelming success this year as participation continued to rise in all areas. This year 459 children registered for summer reading, and 275 reached their goals to complete the program. We had an increase in teen registration as 54 teens registered with 24 completing the program. Adult participation was strong with 42 adults registered and 133 entries returned for the final drawing. Congratulations to everyone who read books and made the library the place to Get a Clue this year!

Get a Clue about Arson & Police Investigation

2007-07-27T10:53:00.000-05:00

Fire Marshall Mike Knoll explains fire investigation

Huge thanks to Interim Fire Marshall Mike Knoll and Police Lieutenant Jeff Hoebelheinrich. Both gentlemen visited the library this week to provide programs. Mike presented Get a Clue about Arson Investigation on Tuesday, July 24 and Jeff presented Get a Clue about Police Investigation on Thursday, July 26. Attendees learned about how suspicious fires and crimes are investigated. Jeff offered several useful Web sites which are publically available.

Lt. Jeff Hoebelheinrich discuses crime investigation

Shirley Damsgaard Talks Writing and Signs Books

2007-07-22T16:26:00.000-05:00

We were pleased to welcome Shirley Damsgaard to the Newton Public Library today. Shirley favored us with some great stories about her life as a writer. It was so fun to hear how she got started, where she gets her stories and hints about future adventures for Ophelia and Abby.

Shirley's new book, The Witch is Dead will be released at the end of August. Stop into the library to place your hold now!

Potter Pandemonium

2007-07-21T00:39:00.000-05:00

TODAY IS THE DAY! What a fun party we had tonight as we counted down to Harry Potter's fate. We had a crowd of around 75 people in front of the library to pick up their pre-ordered and hold copies of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Phyllis filled a jar with jelly beans and many readers made their best guess as to how many beans filled the jar. The winner of the Bertie Botts' bean guessing game was Kaelyn Sanders. There were 542 beans in the jar.

Children's costume contest winners: 1st place, Kara Sanders, age 11; 2nd place, Kaelyn Sanders, age 9; 3rd place, Colin Nelson, age 10. Teen costume contest winners: 1st place Connor Bascom, age 14; 2nd place, Brady Van Sickle, age 13. Adult costume winner was James Bradley. Congratulations! Thanks to Mattingly’s for partnering us on making Harry Potter available to fans in Newton.

The first book was checked out to Troy Gooding. Enjoy!