I am excited to have this Civil War exhibit available to the residents of Dallas County.

It is from the Department of the Cultural Affairs and the exhibit is called “The Fiery Trail: Iowa and the Civil War”.

The exhibit includes a visual timeline of Iowa’s participation in the Civil War, panels about Iowans and their Civil War experiences and the impact of the Civil War on Iowa.

Hope to see you there!

It is soft and furry and that’s all I’m going to say about it!

I am reading the cutest book for storytime. It is called The perfect nest by Catherine Friend.

It is a story about Jack the cat. He makes a nest so he can gather eggs to make an omelet!

I won’t tell you any more about it because I want you to hear the whole story next week!

Hope I see you at the Adel Public Library!

Paula

The Adel Public Library and the Adel Historical Museum will host “The Fiery Trial: Iowa and the Civil War” – a traveling exhibit from the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs on Thursday, May 17 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The exhibit will be set up on the south side of the Dallas County Court House. Watch for the semi-truck! The exhibit is free to everyone.

Hospice Bereavement Counselor Char Gustafson will hold a grieving workshop on Wednesday, May 9 at 3 p.m. in the library board room.

The workshop is entitled “Loss and Change.” Char will discuss the healing process following a death and will lead the group in special activities. Call the library at 993-3512 for more information.

Other Adult Activities:

• Thursday, May 10 – Brown Bag Book Club, noon “The Day the Falls Stood Still” by Cathy Marie Buchanan
• Thursday, May 24 – Evening Book Club, 7 p.m. “House Rules” by Jodi Picoult
• Friday, June 1, 6 p.m. – Scrapbooking

Our Garage Sales will resume on Friday, May 25 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, May 26 from 10 a.m. until noon. The sales will be held in the library community room instead of upstairs.

Donations are being accepted during library hours. All proceeds will be used for library projects.

Summer is almost here! At the Adel Public Library that means the annual Summer Reading Program and with it comes a summer of fun for everyone!

This year’s theme is “Dream Big: Read!” Sign up for babies through adult begins Tuesday, May 29.

Besides activities, reading is a big part of the Summer Reading Program. Read for fun and prizes.

Here are two special children’s programs set for early June. Please note that registration is needed for one program.

• Dan Wardell of Iowa Public Television will give two programs for children on Wednesday, June 6 at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Because of his popularity, Dan will repeat his 1 p.m. program at 2 p.m. All children are invited to attend this free program.
• A Star Lab provided by Dallas County Conservation will be held at the Adel Fire Station on Thursday, June 7 at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. There is a limit of 25 children per session so please sign up at the library or call 993-3512 to register.

More details of the Summer Reading Program will be in the June newsletter. Don’t forget to register on beginning May 29.

The library will be closed on Monday, May 28 for Memorial Day.

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.

The program will follow the Annual Friends of the Library Luncheon which will begin at noon.

The doors will open at 11:30 a.m. Reservations can be made at the front desk or by calling the library at 993-3512. Deadline is Thursday, April 5.

The event is open to all Friends members and potential Friends members.

Hospice Bereavement Counselor Char Gustafson will give a program on Thursday, April 5 at 6:30 p.m. in the library community room. Char will discuss the healing process following a death and will lead the group in special activities. Call the library for more information.

The library staff is now accepting donations of books for the Annual Used Book Sale in August and items for the Next Garage Sale set for Friday and Saturday, May 25-26.

Other adult activities:

• Scrapbooking, Friday, April 6 at 6 p.m. Bring a project to work on and a snack to share.
• Brown Bag Book Club, Thursday, April 12 at noon. Read “Wish Club” by Kim Strickland.
• Evening Book Club, Thursday, April 26 at 7 p.m. Read “The Lace Reader” by Brumonia Barry.
• Exercise three mornings a week from 9 to 9:30 a.m. FREE! Pick up a schedule of days at the front desk. Heart healthy aerobic exercise! Come and get fit for Spring!

Preschool Story Time (Mondays) and Toddler Time (Tuesdays) will continue at 10:30 a.m.

Music time on Thursdays has been temporarily discontinued but will be held every other week during Monday and Tuesday story times.

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.

Friday, March 2nd:
Scrapbooking – 6:00pm
Bring your scrapbook supplies and a snack to share!

Tuesday, March 6th:
China Painting – 6:30pm
Kathy Lewis of Adel, will introduce the basics of China. 
Sign-up at the library.

Thursday, March 8th:
Brown Bag Book Club – Noon
The book club will be reading Alex Cross’s Trial by James Patterson.
Copies are available for check-out at the front desk.

Wednesday, March 14th:
Dallas County Conservation – 10:30am
Naturalists from Dallas County Conservation will be at the library to talk about the signs of spring.

Thursday, March 29th:
Evening Book Club – 7:00pm
The book club will be reading Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell.
Copies are available for check-out at the front desk.

Monday, March 5th and 26th:
Preschool Storytime – 10:30am
Children will play games, listen to stories, sing songs and make crafts.

Tuesday, March 6th and 27th:
Toddler Time – 10:30am
Join the fun as we read stories, sing songs, play games and make crafts.

Monday and Tuesday, March 12th and 13th:
Music Time – 10:30am
Join us for singing, dancing, and action songs.

Upcoming April Events:

It’s time once again for the annual Friends of the Library Spring Luncheon to be held at the Adel Public Library on Saturday, April 7.

The luncheon is free to all Friends members and to those who wish to join that day. Memberships are $5 individual, $10 family, and $50 lifetime. The doors to the community room will open at 11:30 a.m. The lunch will be served at noon with a program to follow.

Darrel Draper of Omaha, NE will give the program “Rough Rider President.” Draper will portray Theodore Roosevelt on the campaign trail in his bid for the presidency in 1912 as a Progressive “Bull Moose” party candidate.

To make reservations for the luncheon, please call the library at 993-3512 or sign up in person.
Reservations need to be made by Thursday, April 5.

Hospice Bereavement Counselor Char Gustafson will give a program on Thursday, April 5 at 6:30 p.m. in the library community room. Char will discuss the healing process following a death and will lead the group in special activities.
Call the library for more information.

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.

Two classes for those wanting to know how to use WILBOR with their Kindle and Kindle Apps will be held on Thursday, Feb. 2 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the library.

Sign up is not needed.

Janet Westberg, Adel, will give a program “Gardening with Gourds: Growing & Drying” on Saturday, Feb. 11 at 1:30 p.m.

Sign-up is a must so call the library at 993-3512 or register at the front desk.

Janet has 30 years experience with growing gourds.

Kathy Lewis, also of Adel, will hold “An Introduction to China Painting” on Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 6:30 p.m.

Depending on response to the class, Kathy will hold classes on the first three Tuesdays in March at 6:30 p.m. to complete a project.

Please sign up for this class as well by calling the library or stopping by.

The Brown Bag Book Club will meet Thursday, Feb. 9 at noon to discuss “Two Old Women” by Velma Wallis. Copies of the books for both clubs are available at the front desk. New members are always welcome.

The Evening Book Club will discuss “Strength in What Remains” by Tracy Kidder at its Feb. 23 meeting at 7 p.m. Kidder is a Pulitzer Prize winner and this novel has been chosen by the Iowa Center for the Book as the 2012 All Iowa Reads selection.

Preschool Story Time (Mondays) and Toddler Time (Tuesdays) are up and running again.

Both sessions begin at 10:30 a.m. Preschool Music Time will be held through February on Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.

Preschool Story Time will not be held on Monday, Feb. 20 since the library will be closed for Presidents’ Day. Music Time will replace Toddler Time on Feb. 21.

The Grand Finale for the Family Reading Program is set for Thursday, Feb. 23 at 6:30 p.m. This will be a family movie night so everyone can enjoy a movie on our big screen. Winners of the reading program will be announced and prizes will be awarded for the grand finale raffle. Light snacks will be provided.

“The Smurfs” will be shown to school age children on Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 1:30 p.m. This feature film is an early out from school activity.

Teens will meet at the library at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 14 to make Hersey Kiss flowers.

The library will be closed for Presidents’ Day, Monday, Feb. 20th.

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.
Closed January 1st.

www.iowa.gov/tax/

The library does have public access computers available for you to access these forms. Printing costs 10¢ a page. 

You may also request paper forms through the state by:

• Calling: 1-800-532-1531
• Emailing: IowaTaxForms@Iowa.gov
• Mailing: Iowa Department of Revenue; P.O. Box 10460; Des Moines IA 50306-0460
• Going to: Iowa Department of Revenue office: 4th floor, Hoover State Office Building, 1305 E. Walnut in Des Moines

Federal tax forms are also available online at:

 http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/index.html

Another busy year of fun activities and great reading for everyone has begun at the Adel Public Library.

If you’re not a library card holder, no problem.

Just stop at the front desk and sign up. Your first library card is free.

A world of great reading awaits you with new books added almost daily.

Reservations for the Annual Soup Luncheon and Program must be in by Thursday, Jan. 19.

The event, part of a series of adult programming for 2011-2012, will be held on Saturday, Jan. 21 in the library community room.

The luncheon begins at 12 noon and the program “Bonnie and Clyde” will follow at approximately 1 p.m.

Rod Stanley, assistant at the Perry Museum, will give the program.

A free will donation for the luncheon will be accepted with proceeds used to fund future adult programs.

Make your reservations by calling 993-3512 or stop by the library to sign up.

Kick-off for 2012’s family reading program will be Friday, Jan. 20 at 6 p.m. in the library community room.

Trooper the Dog will be the guest of honor. “Carry-Out a Good Book” is the program’s theme and families may register that night.

Families will have a month to read as many pages as possible to earn great prizes.

The second event of the “Carry-Out a Good Book” program will be Thursday, Feb. 2 at 6:30 p.m.

This will be a story time for families with pizza as the theme.

Teens will meet at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 17 for an activity.

Naturalists from Dallas County Conservation will give a program to preschoolers on Wednesday, Jan. 18 at 10:30 a.m.

Through stories, activities, and hands-on artifacts, children will learn about white-tailed deer, one of the most common animals seen in Dallas County.

Preschool activities will resume the week of Jan. 23. Preschool Story Time for ages 3-5 will be on Mondays and Toddler Times will be held on Tuesdays. Both sessions start at 10:30 a.m.

The Brown Bag Book Club will meet on Thursday, Jan. 12 at noon to discuss “Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight: an African Childhood” by Alexandra Fuller.

The Evening Book Club will discuss
“Strength in What Remains” by Tracy Kidder
at its Jan. 26 meeting at 7 p.m.

Kidder is a Pulitzer Prize winner and this novel has been chosen by the Iowa Center for the Book as the 2012 All Iowa Reads selection.

Copies of both books are available at the front desk.

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.
Closed January 1st.

The bidding has begun!

Stop by the Adel Public Library and bid on the Christmas baskets at our Holiday Silent Auction.

As of Nov. 17, eight baskets for adults and two large stockings for children have been donated.

Attached to each basket and stocking is a list of contents.

Many thanks to those who have donated the following items:

• “Things to Warm You” and “Hot and Spicy” by the Tea Girls
• “Christmas Stockings” (one for ages 3-5 and one for ages 5-8) by Penny Rittgers
• “Mystery Book Lover Basket” by Rosemary Killmer Thornley
• “Relax by the Fire on a Cold Snowy Night” by Vickie Moorhead
• “Long Winter Nights” by the tellers at the Raccoon Valley Bank
• “Cookie Gifting Basket” by Mickey Hawes
• “Bringing Baby Home Basket” by Shelley Kilker
• “Relaxation Basket” by the library staff

The bidding will end on Friday, Dec. 9 at 4 p.m.

What a great way to shop for Christmas gifts and help the library at the same time. Proceeds from the silent auction will be used to purchase audio books for the library’s collection. Check your bid often to see if it has been “upped.” Phone bids will be accepted until noon on Dec. 9.

Cari Bilyeu will hold a cookie decorating workshop on Thursday, Dec. 1 at 6:30 p.m. in the library community room.

Cari will give you some new ideas on different ways to dress up your next batch of cookies.

Please register for the class by calling the library at 993-3512 or sign up at the front desk.

Our final garage sale of the year will be held Friday, Dec. 2 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. until noon.

EVERYTHING MUST GO!

Bring canned goods for the local food pantry – we will not accept food past the expiration date – in exchange for items in our sale. Please be generous with your donations. There are many people in need and the Adel food pantry needs your help.

Mrs. Claus and a special elf will visit the library to entertain children and families from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2.

Scrapbookers will also meet that evening at the library at 6 p.m. Bring a project and a snack to share.

The Evening Book Club will have a Christmas potluck on Thursday, Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. in the library club room. Members, please note the date change. Bring a favorite book to share and a side dish. Soup will be furnished. The group would love to have new members come to this meeting.

Copies of “The Thirteenth Tale” by Diane Setterfield are available to Brown Bag Book Club members or anyone wishing to join. Brown Baggers will meet on Thursday, Dec. 8 at noon.

Do you dread wrapping Christmas gifts? Let the library staff and volunteers do it for you for a free will donation which will be used for library projects.

The gift wrapping service will be held in the library board room from Wednesday, Dec. 7 through Wednesday, Dec. 21.

The last Preschool and Toddler Time sessions of 2011 will be held the week of Dec. 5 and will resume Jan. 26.

However, there will be a special story time on Wednesday, Dec. 14 at 10:30 a.m. when the Dallas County Conservation will present a program entitled “Getting Ready for Winter.” Children will learn what the local wildlife is doing to get ready for winter. There will be stories and activities.

Andrea Juergens will hold a holiday card making workshop for school children on their early out day, Wednesday, Dec. 7 at 1:30 p.m. Come join the fun in the library community room.

Teens will make lip gloss on Tuesday, Dec. 13 at 4 p.m.

The library will be closed Dec. 23 – 26 and Dec. 31.

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.

To raise money for new books on CD, we are asking civic groups, church groups, groups of friends, individuals, etc. to prepare a themed basket wrapped in clear plastic for the auction.

Bidders may leave their bids over a three week period which will run from Monday, Nov. 21 through Friday, Dec. 9 at 4 p.m.

Bidders are encouraged to check back often to see if their bid has been “upped.”

Please bring your baskets between Monday, Nov. 7 and Friday, Nov. 18.

This is a great way to benefit the Adel Library and get your Christmas shopping done all at the same time! Call the library at 993-3512 if you need some theme ideas and pick up a guideline sheet at the front desk.

The library will hold a Homebrew Basics class on Thursday, Nov. 3 at 6:30 p.m. in the library community room.

Steve Rinderknecht and Laura Hanson will share with you the basics on how to brew your own wine and beer at home.

There is no charge for the class.

Iowa State University Extension will give a program “Identity Theft” on Monday, Nov. 7 at 2 p.m. in the library community room.

Learn how to protect your personal information and how to avoid excessive exposure to direct marketing. Online and over the phone scams will be discussed along with tips on how to avoid them. Also, learn how to respond to situations where fraud, identity theft and other deceptive practices are suspected.

The ISU Extension will also present a workshop entitled “Spend Smart, Eat Smart” on Wednesday, Nov. 16 at 6:30 p.m. Learn strategies to save money on food expenses and add new ideas into menu planning and food shopping.

You will also explore the Spend Smart, Eat Smart website that includes tips and strategies to reduce food expenses and how to save time and money when eating out or at home.

If you need some new ideas on how to decorate Christmas cookies, come to our Holiday Cookie Decorating workshop on Thursday, Dec. 1 at 6:30 p.m.

Carrie Bilyeu will share various ways to dress up your next batch of holiday cookies.

Mrs. Claus and a trusty elf will visit the library on Friday, Dec. 2. This is a family event in conjunction with Adel’s Holiday Open House.

Just drop in any time between 5 and 7 p.m. for face painting and balloon creations.

Our final garage sale of the year will be held Friday, Dec. 2 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. until noon. EVERYTHING MUST GO! Bring canned goods – we will not accept food past the expiration date – in exchange for items in our sale. Be generous with your donations. There are many people in need and the Adel food pantry needs your help.

On-going activities for adults:

• Brown Bag Book Club will meet on Thursday, Nov. 10 at noon to discuss “Snow Flower and the Secret Fan” by Lisa See.
• Evening Book Club will meet on Thursday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. to discuss a variety of short stories. Books for both clubs are available at the front desk and new members are always welcome.
• Scrapbooking will be held on Friday, Dec. 2 at 6 p.m. Bring projects to work on and a snack to share. There will be no scrapbooking in November.
• Exercise at 9 p.m. three times a week in the library community room. Pick up a schedule at the front desk.

Activities for teens: include a marble magnet craft session on Tuesday, Nov. 15 at 4 p.m. This activity is for grades 6-12.

• Children grades K-5 will have an early out from school craft activity on Wednesday, Nov. 9 at 1:30 p.m.
• Story times for preschoolers (Mondays) and toddlers (Tuesdays) at 10:30 a.m. will focus on the following:
  • Dinosaurs, Nov. 14 & 15
  • Thanksgiving, Nov. 21 & 22
• Preschool Music Time (Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.) is a popular way for children to learn singing, dancing and action songs. There will be no music time on Nov. 24.

For more information on any of our activities, call 993-3512 or visit our website www.adelpl.org.

The library will be closed Nov. 11 for Veterans’ Day and Nov. 24 & 25 for Thanksgiving.

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.