The Adel Public Library has scheduled two computer classes for February using a new laptop system.

Each class is limited to 10 individuals and sign up is necessary. A Beginner’s E-Mail class will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 16 from 2-3 p.m. with a repeat session on Thursday, Feb. 18 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The shared laptop system was recently set up in the Central Iowa Library Service Area and our library is one of 15 libraries participating in the program. The traveling laptop system will circulate among the libraries and classes may be held without tying up the regular computers.

The Friends of the Adel Library funded Adel’s portion of the project. Several Dallas County libraries began the project and additional libraries have been recruited to make the lab more cost effective.

To register for either class, call the library at 993-3512.

Terri Groover RN will give a program on “Reflexology” in the library meeting room on Wednesday, Feb. 24 at 2 p.m. This is the eighth of 12 programs in the Adult Program Series at the library. Terri will teach workshop participants how to stimulate the reflexes of the hands and feet in order to help many health problems in a natural way.

The workshop is free and sign up is not required. Refreshments will be served after the workshop. To learn about future programs, pick up a brochure at the front desk.

Two reading programs are in full swing during February:

• For Adults: “Snow is Falling, Books are Calling” for 18 years of age and older. Read a book, fill out a form, and drop it into our special jar. There will be a drawing each Friday for a prize. A grand prize – a gift basket including a $50 Barnes & Noble gift certificate – will be given away on Friday, March 19, the last day of the program. Do you need a good book to read? Look for the poster which will list 5 star books recommended on contest entry forms.
• For Families: “Step Right Up and Read” through Friday, Feb. 26. Call 993-3512 to register or stop by the library. Families keep track of the hours they read and prizes will be given to families who read the most hours. A fun evening at the library is planned for the entire family on Tuesday, Feb. 9 at 6:30 p.m. when children may wear pajamas and bring a stuffed animal for a Teddy Bear Sleep-Over. A carnival theme atmosphere is planned for the Grand Finale to be held on Friday, Feb. 26 at 6:30 p.m.

All three book clubs will meet in February.

• Brown Bag Book Club, Tuesday, Feb. 23 at noon in library board room. Selection TBA
• Mommy Book Club, Wednesday, Feb. 24 at 10 a.m. “Driftless” by David Rhodes.
• Evening Book Club, Thursday, Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. “Driftless” by David Rhodes.

Kids’ events:

All children are invited to a “Percy Jackson Movie Release Party” on Monday, Feb. 8 at 4 p.m. in the library community room. There will be fun activities, prizes, “Nectar” punch and “Ambrosia” snacks for children to enjoy.

• Pre-School Story Time, Mondays & Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. Ages 3-5
• Toddler Time, Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. Ages 3 and under
• Teens in grades 6-12 are invited to an Anti-Valentine’s Party on Tuesday, Feb. 9 at 4 p.m. Lots of surprises here!

Just a reminder that all library materials may be checked out for two weeks with the exception of movies which are on loan for 48 hours. All items may be renewed one time in person, by phone, or logging on to our Online Card Catalog. Please let us know of any changes in address or phone number as well.

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.

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.

APS at the APL!  Watch for it!  Be a participant!  It’s educational and fun!

APS is the Adult Programming Series which kicks off at the Adel Public Library on Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 6:30 p.m.  The program entitled “Learn to Buy & Sell on eBay” will be given by Justin Alliss.  Those wishing to attend are asked to bring an easily identified item they wish to sell, a notepad, and a pencil.  Justin will teach us the ins and outs of eBay.

The workshop is free and registration is not required.

A brochure will soon be available at the front desk with an explanation of each program for the 2009-10 season.  Topics include making blue bird houses, gardening, ghosts, two visits to the Adel Historical Museum, a soup luncheon and program on the Ortonville Circus, a mystery party, reflexology, TFE (a form of acupuncture), craft sessions, open mic night, and possibly more.

A Silent Auction is currently being held at the library with many nice items up for bid.  Included are collectible dishes and pottery, hand made quilted items, jewelry, new toys, an Isabel Bloom figurine, antique books, and more.  The sale ends Friday, Sept. 11 at 5 p.m.  Place your bids in our special bid book then check back often to see if anyone has “upped” your bid.

Proceeds will go for new tables in the children’s craft room.

Pre-school Story Time and Toddler Time resume the week of Sept. 13.  Children ages 3-5 may come on Mondays or Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.  Toddlers ages 3 and under will have their class on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.  Paula and Laura have lots of fun with the children and have many special things planned for them.  Registration is not required.

Other September events include:
Scrapbooking, Friday, Sept. 11 at 6 p.m.  Bring a snack to share.
Early Out Movie, Wednesday, Sept. 16 at 1:30 p.m.  Movie TBA
Teen Advisory Board, Monday, Sept. 21 at 3:30 p.m.
Evening Book Club, Thursday, Sept. 24 at 7 p.m.
Brown Bag Book Club, Tuesday, Sept. 29 at noon

And don’t forget our monthly Garage Sale on Sept. 25 (9 to 5) and Sept. 26 (10 to noon). 
Proceeds will go for new computer catalogs for patron use.

The library will be closed on Monday, Sept. 7 for Labor Day.
Sunday hours will resume on Sept. 13 and will run during the school year from 1-4 p.m.