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

May 2011 be a great year for everyone. The library is committed to providing you with great programming, books, movies, and audio books. If we don’t have what you want, we will find it for you on SILO – our inter-library loan system.

Let’s begin with upcoming programming options for children, teens, families and adults.

Naturalists Cindy Blobaum and Laura Zaugg of Dallas Co. Conservation will present a 30 to 45 minute program to preschoolers on Wednesday, Jan. 19 at 10:30 a.m. entitled “Oh My Stars.”

The last Preschool Music Time will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 12 at 10:30 a.m. Preschool Story Times and Toddler Time resume the week of Jan. 17.

A program entitled “Civil War @ the Adel Public Library” will be given by Alex James on Tuesday, Jan. 18 at 4 p.m.

All school age children are invited to attend. Learn what is was like to be a Civil War soldier.

Jan Price of the Adel Historical Museum will be on hand with Civil War items from the museum. Snacks will be provided.

Teens are invited to the library on Monday, Jan. 24 at 4 p.m. for a craft session.

The Annual Soup Luncheon and Program, fifth in a series of adult programs for 2010-11, will be held on Saturday, Jan. 22 at 12 noon in the library community room.

Featured speaker will be Rod Stanley, assistant at the Perry Museum, who will give the program on the Singing Wheels of Minburn, an annual major musical production that took place on roller skates from 1950 until 1963 in Minburn, IA, attracting crowds of nearly 10,000 for a three-day run. Singing Wheels memorabilia will also be on display.

A free will donation for the luncheon will be accepted with proceeds used to fund future adult programs. Reservations are a must and can be made in person at the library or by calling 993-3512.

Two reading programs will begin in January and will run through February.

• Moms and dads are urged to round up the kids and bring them to the library on Tuesday, Jan. 11 for “Stage Coach Stop Storytime” at 6:30 p.m. This is the kick-off to the Family Reading Program “Saddle Up and Read Bookaroo.” Come and sit around the “campfire”, hear tales of the West and enjoy cowboy snacks. Don’t forget to wear your cowboy gear. Sign up for a chance to win great prizes anytime during the program.

• Adults will have their own Winter reading program called “What’s on the Menu? Carry out a Good Book!” This program begins Monday, Jan. 3 and ends Friday, Feb. 25. Pick up your reading menu at the front desk and choose at least one book from our four course menu. Participants who have read a “balanced diet” will receive a prize and chances for a drawing of a food and restaurant gift basket. See a staff member for more details.

Other adult programs:

• Brown Bag Book Club, Tuesday, Jan. 25 at noon to discuss “The Magician’s Assistant” by Ann Patchett
• Coffee & Current Events, Wednesday, Jan. 26 at 10 a.m.
• Evening Book Club, Thursday, Jan. 27 at 7 p.m. to discuss “Half Broke Horses” by Jeannette Walls.

The Adel Public Library now offers downloadable e-books via the WILBOR website. Library card holders may check out up to three titles at a time to be read on your computer or transferred to a portable e-reader device such as a Nook Sony Reader, or Kobo.

Please call the library at 993-3512 for more information about this service. The library also offers downloadable audiobooks through WILBOR.

Library hours are:

Mondays and Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesdays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.