HOLIDAY CLOSINGS

The library will be closed for the Christmas and New Year's Holidays on the following dates:
Monday, Dec. 24
Tuesday, Dec. 25
Monday, Dec.31 (at 3:00 PM)
Tuesday, Jan. 1

At Spencer Public Library, There Is Always Something Happening

.....FROM PAULA'S DESK.........
2012 has been a great year at Spencer Public Library. There have been many promotions and special events that you have been a part of, so thanks for making this year a success. We're looking forward to another fun-filled year in 2013!

Caroline Kennedy Named Honorary Chair, National Library Week 2013

Caroline Kennedy has been named the 2013 honorary chair of National Library Week (April 14-20, 2013). During National Library Week and throughout the month of April, libraries of all types hold special events to highlight the unique role libraries play in American society and encourage the public to use their reesources, including computers, books, e-books, homework help, resume writing, job searches, accurate financial information, adult education, support for immigrants, and more.

As honorary chair, Kennedy will appear in public service announcements promoting National Library Week. The ads will be placed in magazines and online throughout the spring. An advocate of reading, literacy, and libraries, Kennedy has written or edited ten bestselling books on American history, politics, and poetry. **(Spencer Public Library has several of these titles and can acquire the rest through interlibrary loan.)** Her latest book, Poems to Learn by Heart--due to be published in March 2013 with original illustrations by award-winning artist Jon J Muth--is a companion to her New York Times number-one bestselling collection A Family of Poems.

In December 2011, Kennedy spoke at the Carnegie Corporation of New York/New York Times I Love My Librarian Award ceremony in New York City. In that speech, she said that many librarians she has met are "professionals who are excited about their changing role in a changing world--who are dedicated to serving others, who respect scholarship, and who understand that you are our guides on a lifelong journey of intellectual collaboration and collaborative composition...Your work is truly life changing."

Come Write In!

Join us tonight at 6:30 pm to kick off National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)! 

Check out www.nanowrimo.org for details on how YOU can write a novel this November.

National Novel Writing Month Events
You do not need to attend any events to participate in NaNoWriMo.
You are welcome to come and go during all events.

Kick-off Party
November 1st 6:30 pm

Progress Check (an excuse for fun and procrastination!)
November 13th 5:00 pm

Thank Goodness It’s Over Party
December 3rd 5:00 pm

Come Write In during all business hours!
Free coffee, laptop tables and outlets, and WiFi are available daily!
Microsoft Word is available on all patron-access computers and is also available daily.

All Spencer Reads 2013


2013 All Spencer Reads
Intergenerational Read
Ages 10 and up



Spencer Public Library proudly announces The Year of Goodbyes by Debbie Levy as the 2013 selection for All Spencer Reads. 


 The Year of Goodbyes is a true story about Jutta, the authors mother, who fills her posiealbum (autograph book) with writings and drawings from friends and relatives during her last year in 1938 Nazi Germany. The Year of Goodbyes is an inspiration for young and old and we encourage all to join us in reading and discussing the book. 

 Funded in part by Humanities Iowa and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Mystery Booklist

Here are some up-and-coming new mystery titles for fall! Please feel free to request these items or put them on hold if they are already in our catalog.

NEW! Fiction Booklist

Here it is, as promised. our new Fiction booklist for the month of September. Please feel free to call the library and place these books on hold if they are not already in our catalog. Enjoy!
New Fiction Booklist!

Online Book Reviews and Newsletters

A few days ago we promised you access to our new online book lists. These are great tools when you're looking for the next great book. If you see something you're interested in and we don't have it yet, just let us know and we'll put you on hold so that you can pick it up as soon as it arrives! To see the many newsletter options, click on "Book News" after you open the link. Check it out today: Book News Newsletter.

New Nonfiction Newsletter!

Have you seen our new Nonfiction Newsletter? Check it out here! We have several more genre-based newsletters that will be available to our patrons in the next few weeks!

Thank You!

Spencer Public Library would like to give a special thank you to all of our sponsors who made this year's Summer Reading Program one to remember!

(Sponsor List is in alphabetical order)

* Arrowwood Resort-Boji Splash     * Kruse, Cate, & Nelson    
* Arts on Grand     * Mae B    
* Asher Motor Co     *
*
Matt Furniture   
McDonald's

   * Midstates Builders, Inc    
* Bogenrief Studios     * Midwest Mechanical, Inc    
* Brendlee’s Hallmark     * Nelson Jewelry    
* Campbell, Higgins, & Mummert     * Northwest Iowa Counseling Associates   
* Clay County Fair Association, Inc * Oral & Maxillofacial
Surgery Asso    
* Clay County Regional Events Center * Pizza Ranch    
* Clay Mutual Insurance     * Schmidt Pediatric Dentistry    
* Community State Bank     * Solutions, Inc    
* Cotton-Grave Farm Management     * SouthPark 7 Theatres    

* Spencer Community Theater    
* Dermus Skin Care     * Spencer Family YMCA    
* Design Masters Salon & Day Spa     *
*
Spencer Hy-noon Kiwanis 
Spencer Golden K Kiwanis 
* Dollar General     * Spencer Jaycees    
* Dr. Bill Phelps, Applewhite Dental Partners     * Spencer Municipal Utilities    
* Edward Jones     * Spencer Ready Mix    


*
*
Spencer Sewing Machine Co
Staples 
* Fareway Food Stores     * State Bank    
* Farmers Trust and Savings Bank     * Steffen Furniture    
* Gaul Dermatology     * The Acre Company    
* Goal Kick Sporting Goods     * Treasure Village    
* Godfather’s Pizza     * Van Hofwegen Family Dentistry    
* Hanson Plumbing & Heating     * Wal-Mart
* Hard Tops of Iowa     * Warner Funeral Home    
* Hardee’s     * Wessels Oil    
* Hen House     * White Drug    
* Hyde Computer Systems     * White Glove Janitorial Services    
* Hy-Vee     * Wildwood    
* Insurance Associates of Spencer     * XI Delta Zeta - Beta Sigma Phi  
* Jim Ahrens   

Summer Reading Statistics for June



We’ve tallied up the numbers! Since the start of the Summer Reading Program on May 31st, we’ve had a RECORD BREAKING number of signups! 

 As of June 30th, our total number of sign ups has eclipsed 850! 

Here’s how it all runs down : 


Summer Reading Program Kicks Off!


Adult SRP Theme


Check out our new Adult Summer Reading Program by stopping in the library. It’s simple and easy to participate.




Infant/Toddler and Children's SRP Theme
Parents of young children, we also have an Infant and Toddler Summer Reading Program, created to encourage early literacy in children from infancy to age three. Parents will be given a log to track how much they read to their children when they register.



Our Children’s Summer Reading Program continues this summer as always. Children entering Kindergarten to 6th Grade will receive their reading logs after registering, and children may count minutes they read as well as when they are read to.


Teen SRP Theme


Students who have just completed grades 6 to 12 may participate in the Teen Summer Reading program.




Participants will be given rules as well as reading logs and goodies after registering. 
Check out the June edition of SPiLling Ink for more details on each program. 

All of our Summer Reading Programs start on May 31st, with a special Registration and Cookie Decorating Party, from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm!
Also new this year is online registration, which will also open on May 31st.

Our Summer Hours start today!


 Summer Hours run May 29th to September 30th.


Monday through Thursday - 9:00 am to 8:00 pm
Friday and Saturday - 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Sundays - CLOSED

We will be CLOSED on Monday, May 28th, for Memorial Day.


We will reopen as normal on Tuesday, May 29th.
 -----

Summer Hours (listed below) also start on May 29th.


Monday - Thursday:  9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Friday - Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: CLOSED

THE SPENCER PUBLIC LIBRARY RECEIVES $2,000 GRANT FROM THE DOLLAR GENERAL LITERACY FOUNDATION




Spencer, IA (May 18, 2012) – The Spencer Public Library received a $2,000 grant from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation.  The grant will be used to advance literacy and academic performance, for all reading levels and abilities, by engaging children, infant to teens, in reading and reading related activities during the summer months.

“The Dollar General Grant has allowed us to expand an already great program. We are thrilled to be able to bring our Summer Reading Program to even more children throughout the community.” Sarah Beth Beaver – Children’s Librarian Spencer Public Library

The Spencer Public Library’s Summer Reading Program is an eight week program beginning May 31. Participants receive a welcome bag with information on the program, reading logs, and a calendar of events. Each child gets a prize after they have finished each of the three levels of reading ending with a bowling party for the children and a lock-in at the library for teens. Each week, for eight weeks, the library will host a free reading and craft/program for both children and teens. Teens will get their face painted like Zombies at the Spencer Community Theater and children will have a “gross out” science center at the library, a magician, and a Clay County Conservationist to speak on Iowa wildlife. Registration kick-off party is May 31 from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm at the library.

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation awards grants to organizations in communities served by Dollar General. The literacy grants support nonprofit organizations that provide literacy services such as adult basic education, GED preparation , English language acquisition or programs for youth who struggle with reading.   For more information on the Dollar General Literacy Foundation and a complete list of grant recipients, visit www.dgliteracy.org. 


About the Dollar General Literacy Foundation
The Dollar General Literacy Foundation is proud to support initiatives that help others improve their lives through literacy and education.  Since 1993, the Foundation has awarded more than $71.2 million in grants to nonprofit organizations, helping more than 4.1 million individuals take their first steps toward literacy, a general education diploma or English proficiency.  To learn more about the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, visit www.dgliteracy.org.

Anime Club!

Join us on Wednesday, May 23rd at 12:00 p.m. for our monthly Anime Club! 
Enjoy snacks, a special anime movie, and great discussion with fellow anime fans!

At 2:00 pm, stay to play in our unofficial YuGiOh! Tournament! If you're new to the game or have been playing for awhile, we'd love to have you!

Teen Board Rescheduled

Teen Board scheduled for this Saturday, May 12th, has been rescheduled to Saturday, May 26th at 12:30 pm. Sorry for any inconvenience.

Summer Reading Programs 2012

This year’s Summer Reading Programs have plenty to offer for ALL AGES!

Yes, you read that correctly. This year’s Summer Reading Program, in addition to the usual Children and Teens sections, will have two new components!

Our Baby & Toddler Summer Reading Program was created to encourage early literacy in children from infancy to age three. Also new this year is our Adult Summer Reading Program, to encourage adults to continue reading as well.

So no matter how old (or young!) you are, we’ve got a place and (fantastic!) prizes for you this summer at SPL! Join us to jump start the summer and sign up for one of our Summer Reading Programs starting May 31st!

Don’t miss our Summer Reading Program Kick-off Party on May 31st, from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm, to register and decorate delicious cookies!


Dan Wardell Visits SPL


Dan Wardell, 

will be visiting for a very special Afternoon Storytime,
Wednesday the 25
th @ 1:00pm!

National Library Week!

http://www.ala.org/conferencesevents/sites/ala.org.conferencesevents/files/content/celebrationweeks/natlibraryweek/2012_Natl_Library_Wk_website.jpg



National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association and libraries across the country each April. It is a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation’s libraries and librarians and to promote library use.


National Library Week is April 8th to April 14th this year.

During National Library Week, Spencer Public Library will be offering a few extra services to show how much we appreciate your patronage.


  • Join us for free coffee every day and free popcorn in the afternoons on April 9th to 14th!

  • Grab a bag and fill it with books off our sale table for only a dollar!

  • Guess how many bookworms the librarian ate, also at the front desk. Closest guess wins the jar of gummy worms!

  • Check out the display case for a special “Guess The Librarian” quiz, filled with baby pictures of all your favorite librarians! You can turn in your answers at the front desk to be entered in a drawing for a $10 Carroll’s Bakery gift certificate.

  • Don’t forget to join us for two special programs during National Library Week! We will be having a special PEEPSHI Teen Program on Monday, April 9th at 2:00 pm and a Star Wars Party on Saturday, April 14th at 2:00 pm!

Retirement Party for Kay Iversen

Please join us for cookies & coffee at the Retirement Reception for Kay Iversen, Library Director on Friday, March 30th, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. in the Round Room at the Spencer Public Library.

We congratulate Kay and thank her for her tireless leadership and valuable expertise throughout her career. Please join us to wish her the best in her RETIREMENT!

3rd Annual K - 12 Poetry Contest

In honor of National Poetry Month this April, Spencer Public Library is hosting the
3rd Annual K - 12 Poetry Contest!

All students in grades K - 12 are invited to send in their poems at any time before World Poetry Day on March 21st.

Winners and their families will be invited to our Poetry Award Ceremony on Sunday, April 15th and will also receive a copy of Iridescent Inkwells III, which will feature all winning poetry in the 3rd Annual Poetry Contest. Additional copies of Iridescent Inkwells III will be available at a small cost after the ceremony.

Library Director Position Open

The Library Board of Trustees is accepting resumes until March 15, 2012 for the position of Library Director. The director is a city department head but is hired by the Board. A comprehensive benefits package includes vacation, holidays, medical insurance, and IPERS retirement benefits. 

Please send resume, cover letter, and salary history to: Karen Carey, Board President, at klwcarey@live.com by March 15th. Written submissions may be sent to Spencer Public Library (21 East 3rd Street, Spencer, IA 51301) – Attn Search Committee
 

For further information, click here.
EOE