Your
Library
Connection
Lifelong Learning at Your Library
Last week I went to the Iowa Library Association Conference, an annual
library conference for those in public, school, academic, and special
libraries. Conferences with others who have similar careers or hobbies are
always great for networking and catching up with others in your field. Both
networking with other librarians and structured learning sessions were very
helpful for me. I learned more about online classes for our library staff (some
of them free!), an available resource to inventory and track our technology
equipment, what some libraries are doing in the way of offering opportunities
and tournaments in gaming, etc. It is refreshing to learn about new ideas and
trends. As libraries continually evolve to meet the needs of their communities,
it is very helpful to get information from others on how they have managed,
advocated, built, and improved their libraries.
Like conferences, libraries are places to learn and grow. Some of the methods
are the same and some are different, but whether it’s a class or a DVD, a social
network or an online database, there are always opportunities for learning at
the library. The Independence Public Library is a place where lifelong learning
is possible, and these opportunities can continue to grow when the new building
is open and additional funding provides more resources and services. Some of
the current opportunities are basic computer classes; proctoring tests for
correspondence courses or online courses; parenting resources in many formats;
DVDs about mammals, history, or home improvement; and EBSCOHost – the
searchable, online database of newspaper and magazine articles on a huge variety
of topics.
Highlighting our computer classes, these are basic courses meant for beginners.
They are each stand alone classes and last one hour. The library offers Basic
Computers, Internet, E-Mail, Word, Excel, File Management, and Online Reference
Tools. This year we have offered two months of classes (4 classes per month)
and will offer two additional months of classes. Thanks to Independence Light
and Power, Telecommunications, for their sponsorship of the classes. The
classes are free to the public, though you do need to register ahead of time.
Call 334-2470, check our website,
www.indylibrary.org, or check the Bulletin Journal on a regular basis to
find out what classes are offered and when.
The library has an updated selection of parenting resources, thanks to a grant
from Building Directions for Families. Books with titles like Momfidence! :
an oreo cookie never killed anybody and other secrets of happier parenting
by Paula Spencer, Reading with babies, toddlers, and twos by
Susan Straub & K. J. Dell'Antonia, and Raising your spirited child
by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka are available. Also, several DVDs are
available, like The original Baby Signs program complete starter kit
by Linda P. Acredolo, The Happiest Toddler on the Block by Harvey
Karp, and The First Years Last Forever with Rob Reiner.
EBSCOHost, an online database of newspaper and periodical articles, is a great
resource. In one database alone, MasterFile Premier, there is full text for
more than 1,730 general reference publications with full text information dating
as far back as 1975. Covering virtually every subject area of general interest,
MasterFILE Premier also includes nearly 500 full text reference books,
84,774 biographies, 100,554 primary source documents, and an Image Collection of
235,186 photos, maps and flags. This database is updated daily via EBSCOhost.
Go to
www.indylibrary.org and click on EBSCOHost. The Username is Independence
and the Password is Library. Check it out and use it for research or digging
deeper into current events.
There are lots more opportunities to find answers to questions, learn about
something new, or attend a program that will help you at the library. Now is
the perfect time to continue your quest for lifelong learning!
Library Tidbits:
Construction Update:
Construction on the new library continues to move along. Currently the partial
basement has been completed as well as all the footings for the building. Most
of the ductwork has been installed under the floor, and approximately 75% of the
floors have been poured. If you have been by the building lately (805 1st
St East), you have also noticed that some structural support beams are rising
out of the building! Metal studs have also been installed in the children’s
circular story time area.
NEIBORS AudioBooks:
If you would like to check out an audiobook from the library while at home
or any other location where there is a computer and an Internet connection, go
to the library’s website,
www.indylibrary.org and click on NEIBORS. This will take you to a website
where you can checkout and download audio books on your computer which you could
then transfer to an MP3 player or possibly burn to a CD.
Computer Classes:
We are planning to offer free computer classes sponsored by Independence Light
and Power, Telecommunications, again in November. The classes have not been
scheduled as of yet, but if you would like to check the schedule to sign up
later this month, just call 334-2470, stop in, or visit
www.indylibrary.org.
Online Book Club:
We now offer an Online Book Club that delivers books electronically! Each
day, Monday through Friday, the library emails subscribers a portion of a book
that takes about five minutes to read. They're able to read two or three
chapters from a book during the week. If they like a book, they can check it out
from our library, either through our collection or through Interlibrary Loan.
Each week the library features new books. You can sign up for the service at
the library’s web site:
www.indylibrary.org by clicking on the logo that says Online Book Clubs -
Click & Read.
Story Times:
Story times are scheduled for Monday evenings at 7:00 pm and Wednesday
mornings at 9:30 am.
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