Happy New Year from the staff at the Adel Public Library!

Why not make regular exercise a part of 2010.  And your library can help.  Please join us three mornings a week at 9 a.m. for a 2-mile walk and upper body work-out.  We exercise to a variety of DVD’s by Leslie Sansone.  Pick up a schedule at the front desk because each week varies depending on what is booked in our community room.

If late afternoon is best for your, join Michele Reece for an aerobics class on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:30 p.m.  A variety of DVD’s are used that are medium to intense levels of exercise.  Both classes are free!

If you do not already have a library card, make 2010 the year to join us.  And library cards are free – you can’t beat a deal like that!.  Besides our ever-growing variety of books, you may also check out movies, books on tape or CD’s, music CD’s, and a wide range of magazines.  If we don’t have what you want, just use our free inter-library loan service.

And now for some very exciting news.  Thanks to a grant from the Dallas County Foundation, the library recently purchased the software called “Destiny” which gives our patrons access to the library catalog from the comfort of their homes.

In order to access Destiny, please follow a few simple steps:
- Go to the library website: adelpl.org
- Click on the link “Online Card Catalog” located on the right side of the webpage
- Select “Adel Public Library”
- Type in what you are looking for then click on Title, Author, Subject or Keyword

If you wish to place a book on hold or renew books one time, you must register using the barcode on your library card.  Click on “Create Account” found on the top right corner of the page.  Then enter your last name and library barcode.  You will then need to enter your date of birth and a password of your choosing.  If you have lost your card, just call the library at 993-3512 and we will give you the barcode.  Patrons may also find out what items they have checked out and when they are due.

In addition, the Friends of the Library have purchased three computers to be used as the card catalog.  They are very user friendly and show the same screen as the one you will find on-line.

Winter Activities at the library:

The Adult Winter Reading Program begins Monday, Jan. 11.  No need to sign up and everyone over 18 may participate.  Every time you read a book just enter your name, phone number, the name and author of the book you read, and your rating on a scale of 1 to 5 stars on a special form to be put into a drawing.  The program ends on March 19 and a drawing will be held that day at 5 p.m. for a gift basket which will include a $50 gift certificate to Barnes & Noble Book Store.

“Step Right Up and Read” is the theme for the Winter Family Reading Program which is set to begin Friday, Jan. 22 at 6:30 p.m.  Families are invited to the library that evening to sign up for the 5 week program, enjoy a movie, and play games.  Family members will keep track of hours read for prizes to be awarded at the grand finale on Feb. 26 at 6:30 p.m.  Other activities will be announced in February.

If you plan to attend our Annual Soup Luncheon on Saturday, Jan. 23 at noon, please call to make reservations or sign up at the front desk.  This is another is a series of adult programs – the first one in 2010.  Following the luncheon, Rob Stanley from the Perry Museum will give the program on the Orton Family Circus.  There will be a free will donation for the luncheon.  Door prizes, too!

Pre-School activities will return during the week of Jan. 25:
- Pre-School Story Time Mondays and Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. for ages 3-5
- Toddler Time Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. for ages 3 and under

Book titles have been selected for two of the library’s book clubs.  The Brown Bag Book Club will meet Tuesday, Jan. 26 at noon to discuss Lorna Landvik’s “Patty Jane’s House of Curl.”  The Evening Book Club will discuss “Snow Flower and the Secret Fan” by Lisa See on Thursday, Jan. 28 at 7 p.m.  Copies of both books are available at the front desk.

Many thanks to everyone who shopped our “Scholastic Book Fair.”  The library was able to pick $150 worth of free books from the fair.

Library hours are Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and Sunday, 1-4 p.m.