Library News

April is Autism Acceptance Month. In celebration of this event, we've put together a list of own-voices books available for patrons to check out and learn more about autistic individuals and their lived experiences. 

This Valentine's, why not snuggle up with a loyal companion - a good book?

Find our Blind Date with a Book display on the second floor near the new books. Each wrapped book is a mystery - choose one based on the information we've given and take it home to unwrap and meet your date.

Inside, you'll find a bookmark asking you how you enjoyed your date! Fill it out and return it to the Valentine's boxes you'll find and Accounts and Checkout and Adult Services. Turn it in by noon on February 17 for a chance to win an amazing prize basket.

The grand prize includes:

Ever wonder what the most popular books in the library are during the year? Here's the breakdown of the top 10 most circulated items in adult fiction, young adult fiction and children's fiction! 

ADULT

1. The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

As we reflect on 2022, we would like to take time to remember the authors and public figures who left us this year. Our list below just scratches the surface. View more notable deaths on comprehensive lists from The New York Times and Entertainment Weekly to look back at more iconic individuals who passed this year. 

Our library has a great selection of nonfiction! We asked staffers to share some of their outstanding reads from this year with you. Check out our nonfiction favorites, and next time you're in the building, stop by to see these books on display on the second floor.

Surrounded by great choices, it's no wonder many of the Library staff are big readers! We asked staffers to share some of their recent favorites with you. Check out the fiction list, and next time you're in the building, stop by to see these books on display on the second floor.

In December, we celebrated 175 years of Iowan statehood. Our remarkable history has been captured by many Iowans who've written works about their state. If you want to learn more about Iowa history and tradition, the Library's collection is a great place to start. Our collection features many unique works on Iowa history, in both print and ebook.

Some of you might not know that our newest Teen Services Assistant, Sarah Allen, is also an author! We're super excited that the cover for her third book, The Nightmare House, has just been released. Learn more about Sarah and the book below. 

Tell us about your role here at the library and how long you’ve been here for!

Reviewed by Claire, a Teen Advisory Board Member

Reviewed by Claire, a Teen Advisory Board Member

Reviewed by Claire, a Teen Advisory Board Member

"Can you recommend a good book?" This is a question we hear often at the Adult Services desk. Sometimes it's a tough one to answer, as everyone's tastes vary. So we decided to answer this question in the form of a display. Following up on the success of the Blind Date with a Book display we did in February, the Good Books program asks you to take a chance on a wrapped book. The twist this time is that each of the books on these shelves was considered "good" by a well-known source. 

Congratulations to the Lambda finalists of 2022! The Annual Lambda Literary Awards celebrate and recognize exceptional LGBTQ+ literature. Over 60 literary professionals selected finalists for each of the 24 total categories. Winning books will be announced June 11, 2022.

In the meantime, here are the YA finalists!

Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating by Adiba Jaigirdar

This February, take a chance on love! 

In the new book section on the second floor, you'll find shelves of books wrapped in paper. Take a book home without knowing its title, and see if you find a good match. Here's how it works:

1. Read the opening line of the book, or explore the read-a-likes, genre and hand drawn pictures to select your date. No peeking!

2. Check out the book by placing it on the self check scanner or checking out at the Circulation desk - no need to unwrap the book now! 

Congratulations to the authors and illustrators who have been recognized by the American Library Association (ALA) as Youth Media Award winners! Each year the ALA honors books, videos, and other outstanding materials for children and teens. These prestigious awards include the Newbery, Caldecott, Printz, and Coretta Scott King Book Awards. Selected by committees composed of librarians and other literature and media experts, the awards "encourage original and creative work in the field of children’s and young adult literature and media."