Libraries are not Bookstores!

Thinking Library!
Carole Stanger
December 26, 2009

New Books Upstairs @ the library!
Christmas List by Richard Evans
Honor of Spies by W.E.B. Griffin
Deeper than the Dead by Tami Hoag
Shades of Blue by Karen Kingsbury
Fired Up by Jayne Ann Krentz
Harvard Med. School Guide to Men’s Health by Harvey B. Simon
Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds by Carol D. Coile
Princeton Encyclopedia of Mammals by David MacDonald

Coming Events @ the Library!
Library Hours!
Monday – Friday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Sundays—closed.

Preschool Story Times are for all 3,4, & 5 year olds and invited to either Wednesday or Thursday session from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. No registration is necessary. Care givers are welcome to attend and are required to participate!
Jan. 20 & 22: “Snow Much to Read!”
Jan. 27 & 28: “Penguins!”
Tuesday, Dec. 29, Winter Movie Day from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Elementary children are invited.
Wednesday, Jan. 27, January Movie Day for 2-4 p.m. K-3rd graders are invited.
Iowa Hospice will present a program called “Everlasting Snowman” for elementary children on Wednesday, Dec. 30 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. here at the library.
The Library will close at noon on Dec. 24 and all day Dec. 25 and 26 for the holidays. We will reopen on Monday, Dec. 28.
The Library will close at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 31 and all day January 1 for New Year’s Day. We will reopen on Saturday, Jan. 2.
Monday evening, Jan. 18 will be the second annual “Family Fun Night: Book Some Time Together!” sponsored by the Cass Co. IA Library Association.



Did You Know… that videos and DVDs are checked out for a week from the Atlantic Public Library now? We have over 2400 different titles for upstairs and downstairs combined!

Behind My Desk… I want to mention that when the weather is truly bad, don’t worry about trying to get your library items back if they are due. We do not charge fines, so don’t risk your neck to return library materials in awful weather conditions.

This week the library board decided to make a policy regarding the public requesting library staff to order books, etc for private use. The library policy states that library staff will not purchase any materials for patrons for private use. We have to give our patrons other alternatives to find these items. Book suppliers such as Barnes and Noble, Border’s, B Dalton Books, Waldenbooks, and Amazon.com are good sources.

Along this same idea, I am always astounded at how some people feel we have purchased library items just for their personal use! It’s checked out and never comes back or, better yet, it sprouts legs and walks out. A library is for sharing—plain and simple. Sharing doesn’t mean: “Mine!” It means “Ours.”

There. I’ve preached enough. And besides, I’m probably preaching to the choir on this one!

Have a safe and Happy New Year and Keep Thinking Libraries!

December@the Atlantic Public Library!

Thinking Library!
Carole Stanger
December 12, 2009

New Books Upstairs @ the library!
U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton
I, Alex Cross by James Patterson
Deadly Deals by Fern Michaels
Snow Angels by Fern Michaels
Breathless by Dean Koontz
Paris Vendetta by Steve Berry
Phoenix Endangered by Mercedes Lackey
Going Rogue by Sarah Palin

Coming Events @ the Library!
Library Hours!
Monday – Friday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Sundays—closed.

Preschool Story Times are for all 3,4, & 5 year olds and invited to either Wednesday or Thursday session from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. No registration is necessary. Care givers are welcome to attend and are required to participate!
Dec. 16/17—Santa!
Tuesday, Dec. 29, Winter Movie Day from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Elementary children are invited.
Iowa Hospice will present a program called “Everlasting Snowman” for elementary children on Wednesday, Dec. 30 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. here at the library.
The Library will close at noon on Dec. 24 and all day Dec. 25 and 26 for the holidays. We will reopen on Monday, Dec. 28.



Did You Know… the Atlantic Public Library has free handout entitled the Book Page? This handy dandy newspaper/magazine has all sorts of gift ideas for the reader in your family. Stop by the upstairs and pick up a copy!

Behind My Desk… December at the library looked very festive. Then came the snow and then the cold. I must admit we did a pretty brisk business on Tuesday morning before we closed. Books and videos were in high demand.

Have there ever been times when you were rushed for time and just wanted to pick up a library book and go? It’s now possible to use the self-checkout upstairs at the library. All you need is your library card number! When you do have a little time, stop by the upstairs checkout desk and we’ll show you how to use this new service.

The Cass County Library Association is going to be sponsoring our second annual Family Fun Night on Monday, January 18. Take a little time to just be together. Read a book or invite some friends over!

Don’t forget! As of January 1, 2010 return postage fees for interlibrary loans will be $2 per item.

The upstairs library tried to offer free headphones for patron use at our computers, but unfortunately they sprouted legs and walked away. We just can’t keep replacing those, so we are inviting our patrons to bring their own headphones for their own enjoyment when working at the library computers.

The holidays are fast approaching. I want to wish all of you a safe and happy holiday season!

and Keep Thinking Libraries!

Weeding Time @ the Library!

Thinking Library!
Carole Stanger
November 28, 2009

New Books Upstairs @ the library!
Creating Your Dream Bedroom by Andrew Bannister
13 1/2 by Nevada Barr
Choices by Kate Buckley
Quilters Holiday by Jennifer Chiaverini
Home in Time for Christmas by Heather Graham
Under the Dome by Stephen King
Gathering Storm by Robert Jordan
Ice by Linda Howard

Coming Events @ the Library!
Library Hours!
Monday – Friday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Sundays—closed.

Preschool Story Times have started again. All 3,4, & 5 year olds are invited to either Wednesday or Thursday session from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. No registration is necessary. Care givers are welcome to attend and are required to participate!
Dec. 2/3—Monkeys!
Dec. 9/10—Pets!
Dec. 16/17—Santa!
Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2-4 p.m. Movie Afternoon @the Library! Elementary students are invited.
Tuesday, Dec. 29, Winter Movie Day from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Elementary children are invited.
Iowa Hospice will present a program called “Everlasting Snowman” for elementary children on Wednesday, Dec. 30 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. here at the library.
The Library will close at noon on Dec. 24 and all day Dec. 25 and 26 for the holidays. We will reopen on Monday, Dec. 28.



Did You Know… that when libraries do not weed regularly or consistently, customers have trouble finding interesting and relevant materials? Removing outdated or worn-out items makes the collection more visually attractive and more inviting to users. For public libraries, use, or lack there of, is the most often reason for withdrawing materials such as fiction and audiovisual items. If it is not being used, a public library cannot afford to let it take up valuable “real estate” and shelving in the library.

Behind My Desk… Julie wanted me to mention that the library will have a tree at the festival of Trees at the Catholic Parish Center, Dec. 3-6. Some of the library tween patrons are doing the decorating with the theme being “Cloudy, with a chance of meatballs!” What a cool idea! Should be interesting! After the Festival, we’ll have it here at the library.

I want to express a special thank you to our Friends group and their work on the used book sale last week. Tammy and her crew did a wonderful job. I know she also appreciated the turn out for the annual meeting.

We have a great deal to be thankful for!

And, on that note, thank you to all our faithful patrons…and Keep Thinking Libraries!

This New Fangled Stuff!

Thinking Library!
Carole Stanger
November 14, 2009

New Books Upstairs @ the library!
Merry, Merry Ghost by Carolyn Hart
Last Night in Twisted River by John Irving
Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver
Wish for Christmas by Thomas Kinkade
Kindred in Death by J. D. Robb
Southern Lights by Danielle Steel
Earthway by Aimee Thurlo
Angel Time by Anne Rice

Coming Events @ the Library!
Library Hours!
Monday – Friday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Sundays—closed.

Preschool Story Times have started again. All 3,4, & 5 year olds are invited to either Wednesday or Thursday session from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. No registration is necessary. Care givers are welcome to attend and are required to participate!
Nov. 18/19: Preschool Story Time—Fish!
Nov. 23/24: Preschool Story Time—Gorillas!!
The Semi-Annual Friends of the Atlantic Public Library Used Book Sale will be Friday, Nov. 20 and Saturday, Nov. 21 in the library meeting room!
The Library will be closed Thursday, Nov. 26, Friday, Nov. 27, and Saturday, Nov. 28 for the Thanksgiving holiday.



Did You Know… that reading is an active mental process? Unlike TV, books make you to use your brain. By reading, you think more and become smarter.

Behind My Desk… Well, ready or not, here come the holidays. Ok, I’m not ready. Be sure to stop by the Friends Used Book Sale next week on November 20 and 21. There will be quite a selection and even some really nice bargains!

I have started “tweeting.” For those of you who don’t quite understand, it simply means I now have an account on Twitter, an online social networking site. Now, don’t get me wrong, here. This is a way for me to get the library “word” out to a certain age group of library patrons. I must admit I haven’t figured out what makes Twitter so special, but then I never really understood my pet rock, either. The point is to tell what you are doing in 140 characters or less. I simply tweet once a day and promote something about the Atlantic Public Library. I’m slow with this stuff and I don’t have too many “following” my tweets, but I figure, that will grow.

Ever hear of “blogging?” Yep. I do one of those, too! Actually, you’re reading it! A blog is simply another way for that certain age group to write in a diary online. It’s the same premise. I just transfer my column on to my blog account when I send this in to the News Telegraph.

I also do instant messaging. Now, this could have some really cool uses for a librarian. Reference questions can be answered by chatting. So, if the telephone is too “old-fashioned” for you, you can just IM on Yahoo Instant Messaging to “travelinlibrarian”…that me!

Ok. Yes, I’m on Facebook, too. I mainly use it to keep in touch with relatives and my niece. I don’t use it for the library. But…I suppose I could, though! I’ll have to think about that.

That’s it for now! Ttyl (Talk to you later)…and Keep Thinking Libraries!

Happy Halloween!

Thinking Library!
Carole Stanger
October 31, 2009

New Books Upstairs @ the library!
Line of Duty by Terri Blackstock
Breaking the Rules by Barbara Taylor Bradford
True Blue by David Baldacci
Plum Pudding Murder by Joanne Flukey
Grave Secret by Charlaine Harris
House of Reckoning by John Saul
Comforts of a Muddy Saturday by Alexander McCall Smith
Scarpetta Factor by Patricia Cornwell

Coming Events @ the Library!
Library Hours!
Monday – Friday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Sundays—closed.

Nov. 9: Friends of the Atlantic Public Library annual meeting 7-8 p.m. Enter through the western door on south side of the building. Meeting Room A.
The Library will be closed Wednesday, November 11 in honor of Veteran’s Day.
Preschool Story Times have started again. All 3,4, & 5 year olds are invited to either Wednesday or Thursday session from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. No registration is necessary. Care givers are welcome to attend and are required to participate!
Nov. 9/10: Preschool Story Time—Crocodiles!
Nov. 18/19: Preschool Story Time—Fish!
Nov. 23/24: Preschool Story Time—Gorillas!!
The Semi-Annual Friends of the Atlantic Public Library Used Book Sale will be Friday, Nov. 20 and Saturday, Nov. 21 in the library meeting room!
The Library will be closed Thursday, Nov. 26, Friday, Nov. 27, and Saturday, Nov. 28 for the Thanksgiving holiday.



Did You Know… that it costs the library about $2.70 to send a regular sized novel through the mail one way and the library charges $1.25 to the patron to help with return postage. Do you believe that postage charges are going down? Neither do we. As of January 1, 2010, the Atlantic Public Library will be increasing the return postage fee to $2 per item.

Behind My Desk… I just got back from the Iowa Library Association Annual Conference in Des Moines. There was lots of talk about State funding cuts to the State Library and the Iowa Library Service Areas. I understand the need, but services will be cut. We’ll just wait and see what happens.

Another big interest item was using Facebook and Twitter for libraries to promote services. It would reach another group of people that don’t necessarily “think library” first thing. One of these days…the Atlantic Public Library will have another presence on the web.

A couple weeks ago I hosted a library tour for a group of women from Wiota. I thoroughly enjoy showing them what the Atlantic Public Library has to offer everyone. I think they enjoyed the time, too. If you have a group that would like a tour of the library, please give me a call at 243-5466 and ask for Carole.

Another thing about the ILA Conference…I did my presentation for one of the sessions on county-wide library collaboration. It went pretty well, and I learned a great deal from other groups. I think that’s what I like best about the conference. I found new ideas and new friends, too!

And another happy note, I want to send my best wishes to our former staff member Christin Casteel and her fiancé Christopher Blume on their wedding next Saturday. I know it will be a very special time for both of you and your families.

…Keep Thinking Libraries!

Family History Month!

Thinking Library!
Carole Stanger
October 17, 2009

New Books Upstairs @ the library!
Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood
Trial by Fire by Terry Blackstock
Lost Symbol by Dan Brown
Smash Cut by Sandra Brown
Phoenix Transformed by Mercedes Lackey
92 Pacific Boulevard by Debbie Macomber
Lost Art of Gratitude by Alexander McCall Smith
Scoop by Fern Michaels

Coming Events @ the Library!
Library Hours!
Monday – Friday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Sundays—closed.
Preschool Story Times have started again. All 3,4, & 5 year olds are invited to either Wednesday or Thursday session from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. No registration is necessary. Care givers are welcome to attend and are required to participate!
Oct. 21/22: Preschool Story Time—Firefighters!
Oct. 28/29: Preschool Story Time—Colors!
Cass County Genealogical Society will be celebrating Family History Month with a special open reception during regular library hours on Thursday, October 22. Stop by, have a snack, and learn about this organization!
Monday, October 26: Halloween BINGO! For Kindergarten & 1st Graders from 3:30- 5 p.m. Sign up by October 24!
Tuesday, October 27: Halloween Movie Day! For 2nd & 3rd Graders from 3:30- 5 p.m. Sign up by October 26!


Did You Know… Philanthropist Andrew Carnegie helped build thousands of libraries across the U.S., including the Atlantic Public Library in 1903. Carnegie granted more than $1.5 million for the construction of public libraries in 101 Iowa communities from 1892 to 1917.

Behind My Desk… The annual meeting of the Friends of the Atlantic Public Library will be held at the library on Wednesday, October 28 from 7-8 p.m. All members are urged to attend this important meeting. The Friends will also be holding their semi annual Used Book Sale on Friday and Saturday, November 20 and 21. Volunteers will be needed to help set up and work during the sale.

I want to add my two cents to this little plug for the Friends. I realize that people have many things on their schedules any more, but I know how much the Friends do for our library. Dues are minimal and there is only one meeting for the year! To those of you who are officers and have worked faithfully for so many years, I so appreciate your efforts. Thank you. Your work does make a huge difference.

Next week I will be part of a panel discussion at the Iowa Library Association Annual Conference in Des Moines. The topic is something that is near and dear to my heart—Cooperation among public libraries within a county. It should be a fun experience. We’ll see how it goes!

Speaking of county library cooperation, the Cass County Library Association is gearing up for our Second Annual Family Fun Night on January 18, 2010. I know it is still a ways off and we still have several holidays to cope with first, but be thinking of a way your family can just have a fun evening with each other. It doesn’t happen that often any more. We all are moving in fifty different directions at once. Create your memories now. Don’t wait.

Enjoy your families and…Keep Thinking Libraries!

Homebound Services

Thinking Library!
Carole Stanger
October 3, 2009

New Books Upstairs @ the library!
Two Coots in a Canoe by David Morine
Last Song by Nicholas Sparks
Texas Wildflower by Susan Wiggs
Prayers for Sale by Sandra Dallas
Plum Pudding Murder by Joanne Fluke
Day After Night by Anita Diamant
Single Thread by Marie Bostwick
Silent Spirit by Margaret Coel

Coming Events @ the Library!
Library Hours!
Monday – Friday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Sundays—closed.
Preschool Story Times have started again. All 3,4, & 5 year olds are invited to either Wednesday or Thursday session from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. No registration is necessary. Care givers are welcome to attend and are required to participate!
Oct. 7/8: Preschool Story Time—Baths!
Oct. 21/22: Preschool Story Time—Firefighters!
Oct. 28/29: Preschool Story Time—Colors!
Cass County Genealogical Society will be celebrating Genealogy Month with a special open reception during regular library hours on Thursday, October 22. Stop by, have a snack, and learn about this organization!


Did You Know… Iowa has 543 public libraries (21 branches), 79 academic libraries and over 1400 school libraries? Of the 543 public libraries, 415 serve populations of less than 2500 people.

Behind My Desk… Whew! September flew by! Part of that time I took a vacation and went to Disney World in Florida. It was hot and muggy, but that’s what Florida is! The lines were much quicker and we had a good time. It’s nice to get away and just relax. As a result, I missed doing one of my columns. I’m back at it now with a new perspective…I hope! Unfortunately, my desk is still piled with papers and lists of things to do. It’s like laundry or dishes…it never entirely goes away.

Homebound deliveries were made this week again. This is an extra service that the library has for people who physically cannot come to the library. Usually just before the last Wednesday of each month the library staff or a volunteer (thank you, Gail) will make selections from our fiction, large print and audio book collections. Then two volunteers (thank you, Linda and Janice) distribute these selections to various homes in Atlantic including the nursing and care centers.

This is quite a task to accomplish each month, but it is very worthwhile for everyone. I should add that the library doesn’t own every book in large print or in audio form, so it becomes a challenge to find new selections for our patrons. If you know of someone or if you cannot come to the library and would like books to read or listen to, please call the library at 243-5466 and we will be glad to add to our list.

Also, the Iowa Department for the Blind is another source for people with visual and physical disabilities. They have a much larger collection and it is also a free service. To contact them for more information call the toll-free number 800-362-2587 any time between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Well, autumn is here! Let’s enjoy it!

and…Keep Thinking Libraries!

Taking Advantage of the Parent/Teacher Resources

Thinking Library!
Carole Stanger
September 5, 2009

New Books Upstairs @ the library!
Dying for Mercy by Mary Jane Clark
Hell’s Gate by Stephen Frey
Elephant Keeper by Christopher Nicholson
Song for the Missing by Stewart O’Nan
Watch the Skies by James Patterson
I Can See You by Karen Rose
Help by Kathryn Stockett
Spartan Gold by Clive Cussler

Coming Events @ the Library!
Library Hours!
Monday – Friday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Sundays—closed.
The library will be closed Monday, September 7 for Labor Day.
Preschool Story Times start again the end of September. All 3,4, & 5 year olds are invited to either Wednesday or Thursday session from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. No registration is necessary. Care givers are welcome to attend and are required to participate!
Sept. 23/24: Preschool Story Time—Shapes!
Sept. 30/Oct. 1: Preschool Story Time—Babies!


Did You Know… the Atlantic Public Library has wifi (wireless Internet connection)? It’s available 24/7 and some people are able to connect in our parking lot after hours! It’s just one more service we can provide to the public.

Behind My Desk…How many parents or teachers are aware that the Atlantic Public Library has a Parent/Teacher Resource section downstairs in the Children’s Room? Some things such as the World Book Encyclopedia and middle school textbooks can only be used in the public library.
On the other hand, most of the resources can be checked out for twenty-eight days. Care givers, teachers, parents, homeschool teachers, and grandparents will find some new ideas to help with the education our younger population. Included in this section are the following:
101 Surefire Ways to Start the School Year (Grades K-3)
Busy Bees: Fall Fun for Two’s and Three’s
Apples, Pumpkins and Harvest: Ready-to-go activities, games, literature selections, poetry and everything you need for a complete theme unit (Grades K-1)
Smart Discipline for the Classroom: respect and cooperation restored.
Sanity Savers for Early Childhood Teachers: 200 quick fixes for everything from big messes to small budgets

The section is just before the video/dvd section or you can ask at the checkout desk downstairs. Our library staff will be happy to show you where these books can be found.

We will only have the Career Library for another three months, so I hope you will take advantage of this online service. You should be able to use this from your home Internet computer. The link is right in the middle of the library website: www.atlantic.lib.ia.us

Have a nice Labor Day Weekend and…Keep Thinking Libraries!

School's Back In!

Thinking Library!
Carole Stanger
August 22, 2009

New Books Upstairs @ the library!
Even Money by Dick Francis
Vanishing Act by Fern Michaels
Alex Cross Trial by James Patterson
Penny Pinchers Club by Sarah Strohmeyer
Smash Cut by Sandra Brown
Bike Repair and Maintenance for Dummies by Dennis Bailey
April and Oliver by Tess Callahan
Iowa’s Railroads by H. Roger Grant

Coming Events @ the Library!
Library Hours!
Monday – Friday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Sundays—closed.
The library will be closed Monday, September 7 for Labor Day.


Did You Know… the Atlantic Public Library received from other libraries a total of 474 items from InterLibrary Loan and we sent 238 items to other libraries in the state for the past fiscal year?

Behind My Desk… Did you notice the library was closed a couple days not too long ago? Well, here’s another something that I didn’t learn in Graduate School…what to do when a section of ceiling falls down from too much moisture. Rather than have anyone hurt from falling debris, I just closed the library until we got things stabilized. I want to give my thanks to all who helped with calls, ideas, and fix-ups.

One of the tasks I do each month is to go through our patron list. I check to see who has used the library in the last 6 months to a year, and if there haven’t been any checkouts, I delete the patron from our records. I should mention that our library cards are only for three years…not forever. In this mobile society, people change addresses and phone numbers faster than anything. Most patrons do not notify us that they are moving or their telephone number is no longer accurate.

If I have deleted someone, it is no problem to give him/her a new library card number. At least I know it is accurate for a little while! Also, please don’t be offended if a staff member asks for some identification with your current address. There are people out there who use a bogus name and address to sign up for a library card and then checkout several new books, maybe a couple dvds or audios and are never seen again.

Yes, it is against the law, but when has that stopped some people? It’s one of the realities of a public library.

School has started once again. We had 312 youth registered for Summer Library Programs! That is fantastic!

Keep Thinking Libraries!

August Happenings

Thinking Library!
Carole Stanger
August 8, 2009

New Books Upstairs @ the library!
Glenn Beck’s Common Sense by Glenn Beck
Lovers by John Connolly
Fatally Flaky by Diane Mott Davidson
Prairie Tale by Melissa Gilbert
Strong Enough to Die by Jon Land
Defector by Daniel Silva
Undone by Karin Slaughter
Intervention by Robin Cook

Coming Events @ the Library!
Library Hours!
Monday – Friday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Sundays—closed.
Summer Library Programs!!!!
---Reading Program Starts June 1 and runs through August 8.
K-3rd Readers Party is August 12, 6-7 p.m.
4th-8th Readers Party is August 12. 7:30-9 p.m.
School Starts for Atlantic students Tuesday, August 18.


Did You Know… the Atlantic Public Library still has VHS cassettes to checkout—both upstairs and down? Yes, we do have DVD’s, but some people have perfectly good video players for VHS. We are about the only place in Atlantic with a nice collection to choose from…AND they can be checked out for a week now!

Behind My Desk… First of all, I want to thank those of you who came to the Winds of Freedom concert on Friday at the Library! We had a great group and the music and musicians were terrific! We truly had all ages and that was nice to see, too.

I just submitted the State Library annual report. Yippee!!! I had most of the information already entered, but I was able to attend a workshop last Thursday to learn more about the report. I’m glad I went! I was able to increase a few numbers that I hadn’t thought about. Check that off my “To Do” list!

That list can be truly irritating sometimes, but it is nice to write down my “goals.” Accomplishment is a good feeling…even if you turn around and have to put something back on the list again.

Speaking of the workshop I attended, I do so enjoy my time with other librarians. Those times are good not only for the learning, but for sharing and laughter. It truly is good medicine. Southwest librarians are known for their fun workshops. Learning certainly doesn’t need to be boring, and chocolate helps, too. I also enjoy my monthly breakfasts with the other Cass County librarians. They are a great group and it’s fun to work together on things.

Hey! It’s August already!… and Keep Thinking Libraries!

End of Summer Activities

Thinking Library!
Carole Stanger
July 25, 2009

New Books Upstairs @ the library!
Rain Gods by James Lee Burke
Best Friends Forever by Jennifer Weiner
Fire and Ice by J. A. Jance
Storm Cycle by Iris Johansen
Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella
Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson

Coming Events @ the Library!
Library Hours!
Monday – Friday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Sundays—closed.
Summer Library Programs!!!!
---Reading Program Starts June 1 and runs through August 8.
K-3rd Readers Party is August 13.
4th-8th Readers Party is August 12.
Friday, August 7 at 1 p.m., Free Concert by The United States Air Force Heartland of America Band’s WINDS OF FREEDOM woodwind quintet at the library!


Did You Know… you can download audiobooks on to your ipod or mp3 player for free through the library website? The Atlantic Public Library joined a consortium with other libraries in the state entitled WILBOR. Stop by the upstairs library checkout desk for details. Several of our patrons love this new service! It makes walking a lot more fun!

Behind My Desk… Lately, I’ve been working on the library annual report for the state. This year the report form was changed and quite a few questions were discarded (oh, that broke my heart). There were still enough that I was certainly glad I had worked earlier this year putting together statistics. I was a bit surprised by the numbers, but in another way, I wasn’t. It’s been a tough year for many people. Our overall checkout number was down, but our attendance through the door was up. I am really glad we have more computers plus wifi available for our patrons. This seems to be a real benefit for visitors to Atlantic, as well as, our residents.

Library summer programs are just about finished. We had a great turnout and I think everyone had a good time. To really honest, I wasn’t sure about the theme for this year (Be Creative @ Your Library!), the possibilities were endless and that gives every library a chance to do something special. It was a fun summer.

Be sure to join us at the library at 1 p.m. Friday, August 7 for the Winds of Freedom concert!

Enjoy the Cass County Fair … and Keep Thinking Libraries!

Summer Programs Continue!

Thinking Library!
Carole Stanger
July 11, 2009

New Books Upstairs @ the library!
Finger Licking Fifteen by Janet Evanovich
Borderline by Nevada Barr
Swimsuit by James Patterson
Summer House by Nancy Thayer
Scoop by Fern Michaels
Take Two by Karen Kingsbury

Coming Events @ the Library!
Library Hours!
Monday – Friday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Sundays—closed.
Summer Library Programs!!!!
---Reading Program Starts June 1 and runs through August 8.
K-3rd Readers Party is August 13.
4th-8th Readers Party is August 12.
---Tuesday, July 14: Theme of the Week! K & 1st Grades, 10-11:30 a.m.
---Wednesday, July 15: Theme of the Week!, 2nd-3rd Grades, 10-11:30 a.m.
---Thursday, July 16: ICN class for K-3rd Grades, 10-11 a.m.
---Thursday July 16: Reading Buddies 1st-5th Grades, 11 a.m. to 12 noon.
---Friday, July 17: Movie Day! K-3rd Grades, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Be sure to pick up a schedule of all the events at the downstairs checkout desk.
---Monday, July13: Tie Dye Program for signed up 4-5th Graders, 1-3 p.m.
---Tuesday, July 14: Begin signing up for “Espresso Self Program” 4-8th Graders. Limit 15!
---Monday, July 20: Postponed Tie Dye Program for signed up 6-8th Graders, 1-3 p.m.
---Wednesday, July 22: Espresso Self Program for signed up 4-8th Graders, 10-11:30 a.m.

Did You Know… the Atlantic Public Library has approximately 43,000 different items that can be checked out?

Behind My Desk… Here I go again! I’m just a little miffed about the pervading thought that it doesn’t take much thought or effort to work in a library…after all we do is sit around and read, and once in a while someone needs to check out a book. Sigh.

Recently we’ve had a couple instances when we have let people down in their expectations of the library. I’m always sorry about that. Most people are very tolerant and understanding, but when someone needs something right away and we don’t deliver, it’s frustrating for everyone. The very hot weather (or very cold weather, for that matter) doesn’t help, either!

Summers are busy times at most libraries. It’s not that we aren’t busy the rest of the year, but the “energy” is higher in the summer. Children’s programs are an extra highlight. An influx of over 200 children at one time tends to make things busier.

All during those special times, library staff still keep ordering new materials---not just books, but magazines, books on CDs and tapes, DVDs, and processing them (getting them cataloged and ready to be checked out). Others are constantly working on orders for inter-library loans. Others are shelving and re-shelving library items. And, still others are working on computers and trying to keep the technology running smoothly for everyone. Let’s not forget about assisting at the checkout desk, answering phone messages, sending faxes, laminating items, working on overdue materials, and notifying patrons about reserved materials and assisting with computer questions.

Now, you throw in vacations, family illnesses, staff illnesses, deaths of friends or family, workshops, meetings, family events and you have to have a team effort to make it all work.

Have a great July … and Keep Thinking Libraries!

Looking Back

Thinking Library!
Carole Stanger
June 27, 2009

New Books Upstairs @ the library!
Seducing an Angel by Mary Balogh
Whispers of the Dead by Simon Beckett
Knockout by Catherine Coulter
Deepest Cut by Dianne Emley
Skin Trade by Lauren Hamilton
Wii for Dummies by Kyle Orland
Wish Maker by Ali Sethi
Cemetery Dance by Douglas Preston

Coming Events @ the Library!
Library Hours!
Monday – Friday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Sundays—closed.
The library will be closed Friday and Saturday July 3 & 4 for the holiday weekend.
Summer Library Programs!!!!
---Reading Program Starts June 1 and runs through August 8.
K-3rd Readers Party is August 13.
4th-8th Readers Party is August 12.
---Tuesdays, June 30. July 7 & 14: Theme of the Week! K & 1st Grades, 10-11:30 a.m.
---Wednesdays, July 1, 8 & 15: Theme of the Week!, 2nd-3rd Grades, 10-11:30 a.m.
---Thursdays, July 2, 9, & 16: ICN class for K-3rd Grades, 10-11 a.m.
---Thursdays July 2, 9, & 16: Reading Buddies 1st-5th Grades, 11 a.m. to 12 noon.
---Fridays, July 10 & 17: Movie Day! K-3rd Grades, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Be sure to pick up a schedule of all the events at the downstairs checkout desk.

---Monday, July 6: Begin signing up 4th & 5th Graders for Tie Dye Program. Limit of 15!
---Wednesday, July 8: Movie Night for 6th-8th Graders, 7-9:30 p.m.
---Monday, July13: Tie Dye Program for signed up 4-5th Graders, 1-3 p.m.
---Tuesday, July 14: Begin signing up for “Espresso Self Program” 4-8th Graders. Limit 15!
---Monday, July 20: Postponed Tie Dye Program for signed up 6-8th Graders, 1-3 p.m.
---Wednesday, July 22: Espresso Self Program for signed up 4-8th Graders, 10-11:30 a.m.

Did You Know… the Atlantic Public Library has approximately 4000 registered library patrons?

Behind My Desk… Lots of things have transpired this past fiscal year. Within this last year the Library Board has addressed all sorts of issues.
· Repairing and replacing our older windows. That made a big difference last winter.
· 2008 was the year for the library to apply for State Accreditation again. As a result, the library worked through all our policies and by-laws.
· The library this past year changed our checkouts for most library items from 2 weeks to 4 weeks and videos went from overnight to a week checkout.
· The library at this time is not charging fines for overdue materials.
· The Cass County Library Association of Iowa organized our first annual Family Fun Night entitled “Book Some Time Together.”
· The meeting room is now just used for library meetings and ICN programs.
· The parking lot stalls were reconfigured and painted and the curbs at the west end were removed.
· A new sidewalk was poured this spring on the Poplar Street side of the library.
I guess we stayed pretty busy!
Try to keep cool and… Keep Thinking Libraries!

What a Zoo!

Thinking Library!
Carole Stanger
June 13, 2009

New Books Upstairs @ the library!
White Cascade by Gary Krist
Resilience by Elizabeth Edwards
Tea Time for the Traditionally Built by Alexander McCall Smith
Weekend Sewing by Heather Ross
Wicked Prey by John Sanford
Vision in White by Nora Roberts
Shanghai Girls by Lisa See
Summer on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber

Coming Events @ the Library!
Library Hours!
Monday – Friday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Sundays—closed.
Summer Library Programs!!!!
---Reading Program Starts June 1 and runs through August 8.
K-3rd Readers Party is August 13.
4th-8th Readers Party is August 12.
---Monday,June 15: “Name That Tune!” Game Show, 6th-8th Grade , 6-8 p.m. CANCELLED.
---Tuesdays, June 16 & 30: Theme of the Week! K & 1st Grades, 10-11:30 a.m.
---Wednesdays, June 17 & 24: Theme of the Week!, 2nd-3rd Grades, 10-11:30 a.m.
---Wednesday, June 17-June 23 Sign Up for Tie Dye Program for 6th-8th Grades.
---Thursdays, June 18 & 25, ICN class for K-3rd Grades, 10-11 a.m.
---Thursdays June 18 & 25: Reading Buddies 1st-5th Grades, 11 a.m. to 12 noon.
---Fridays, June 19 & 26: Movie Day! K-3rd Grades, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Be sure to pick up a schedule of all the events at the downstairs checkout desk.
---Monday, June 22: Movie Night for 4th & 5th Graders, 7-9 p.m.
---Tuesday, June 23: Dan Wardell-LIVE! All ages!, 9:30 a.m. show or 10:30 a.m. show
---Wednesday, June 24 Tie Dye Program for signed up 6-8th Graders, 1-3 p.m.

Did You Know… what was going on at the library last Tuesday? Well, the summer library programs started off with a real hit! We hosted a program from the Blank Park Zoo. We had 294 people in attendance and we have the pictures to prove it! Yowza!

Behind My Desk…

I’m in the process of working on the library website for the Internet. I want to add a couple more pages under the Library Services Section…one for Tweens/Teens and another for Adults. The library can be a wonderful source for help in these times and I want to give suggestions and ideas to aid adults and youth find the kind of information they need. I already have a page for Children and another for Finding Information, but there is more to add.

The library has added a new online database (in-library use only for now) called Career Library on our website. If you are looking for information on different careers, take a look at the site. If you are trying to study up for a special test such as GED or ACT or SAT, you need to take a look at this site. They have sample questions to help you hone your skills. There are other test aids in the Career Library. If you need help making a resume, there is a resume generator where you fill in the information, and print out a nice looking resume. Right now we have this database for free. Take advantage of this wonderful opportunity, stop by the library, and get online!

Be Creative and … Keep Thinking Libraries!

Summer Library Fun!

Thinking Library!
Carole Stanger
May 30, 2009

New Books Upstairs @ the library!
Royal Pain by Rhys Bowen
Gone Tomorrow by Lee Child
Razor Sharp by Fern Michaels
Mr and Miss Anonymous by Fern Michaels
Burn Out by Marcia Muller
Girls from Ames by Jeffrey Zaslow
Age is Just a Number by Dara Torres
Venetian Judgment by David Stone

Coming Events @ the Library!
Library Hours!
Monday – Friday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Sundays—closed.
Friends of the Atlantic Public Library Book Sale will be held Friday, May 29 and May 30 in the Library meeting Room!
Summer Library Programs!!!!
***Reading Program Starts June 1 and runs through August 8.
K-3rd Readers Party is August 13.
4th-8th Readers Party is August 12.
***Sign Up for 6th-8th “Name That Tune Game Show: June 5-12. Limit 30 contestants!
***All Ages!!! June 9: 10:30-11:30 a.m. Blank Park Zoo LIVE! (Ages 4 and under must be with adult or older sibling.
***June 11: Reading Buddies Starts 1st-5th Grades, 11 a.m. to 12 noon.
Be sure to pick up a schedule of all the events at the downstairs checkout desk.

Did You Know… that this June will be the 12th anniversary for the library addition? The project managed to double the space to 13,000 square feet. We’ve had some changes such as new carpet for the upstairs and downstairs, roof issues, new computers more programs, and new collections; so we have continued to grow and progress. The library staff has had no easy task at trying to maintain good service to our patrons, but on the whole, I think they have done very well.

Behind My Desk… Well, school is about through. Here comes summer…ready or not! Because times are tough for a lot of families, I’m glad the library can offer a number of free programs for our youth. What a bargain! I know that there are lots of activities throughout Atlantic for all ages, but it’s nice to know the public library offers free entertainment.

I have one more month and then we start a new fiscal year. Here come those pesky statistics again! My mantra is “Excel is my friend.” When I think of all the information I can collect and then use to help with decisions, I am very grateful I have a little bit of knowledge on spreadsheets.

Thanks to all who helped in anyway with the Friends’ Book Sale.

I would also like to thank the various families of Atlantic citizens who have passed away this past year and have given the remaining subscriptions of the Atlantic News Telegraph to the library subscription. Thank you for your generous gift. We appreciate the extensions.

This fall I have been asked to speak at one of the sessions of the Iowa Library Association annual conference. It was nice to know that word got around that the Cass County Library Association is doing some good things in cooperation with one another. I will be giving a quick overview of our Family Reading Night project and our collaborations when working on our presentations to the County Board of Supervisors. The goal is to give ideas on how to cooperate among libraries in a close vicinity of each other. In this day and age cooperation is the name of the game.

Enjoy your summer, but…Keep Thinking Libraries!

Busy Library Days

Thinking Library!
Carole Stanger
May 16, 2009

New Books Upstairs @ the library!
Facebook for Dummies by Carolyn Abram
House of Cards by William Cohan
Lessons from San Quentin by Bill Dallas
Experimental Man by David E. Duncan
Always Looking Up by Michael J. Fox
Don’t Look Twice by Andrew Gross
Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
Lost Boy by Brent W. Jeffs

Coming Events @ the Library!
Library Hours!
Monday – Friday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Sundays—closed.
May 20 and 21: One Stop Registration at Washington School Gym from 6-8 pm. (Sign up for public library summer reading, conservation camps, summer tennis, swim team, Red Cross swimming lessons, Guy Somers guitar lessons, and Prairie Fire Children’s Theatre!)
May 26: Library Tours for 1st Graders
The library will be closed Monday, May 25 for Memorial Day
Friends of the Atlantic Public Library Book Sale will be held Friday, May 29 and May 30 in the Library meeting Room!


Did You Know… one of the major fundraisers for the Friends of the Atlantic Public Library is the semi-annual Used Book Sale? It is coming up the end of this month. All donations of good or excellent condition books, tapes, cds, videos, etc are welcome. We would appreciate you waiting until the last week of May to bring in your donations. If you are interested in helping with the sale, you can give Tammy Wickman a call at 243-2777.

Behind My Desk… Doesn’t the new sidewalk on the east side of the library look great? I am hoping this will help with winter snow removal. Also, for some of us, the removal of the west curbing in the parking lot is a lot better. Many cars will be thankful for this change.

This week we added another Internet site to help people looking for new jobs, careers, colleges, etc. It’s called COIN Career Library. We have a link to it on our website. From what I can tell, this site is only available at the library, but it can help create a resume, consider other careers, practice for GED, ACT, SAT tests…just to name a few!

I am planning to add a page that will have other suggestions to help people in these times find work. The library has been busy with people trying to learn basic computer skills, looking for employment, and setting up resumes. When times get tough, the library becomes a vital source for people.

I was reading an article about the future of libraries. Of course, there will always be the ones who see no sense in supporting libraries. We are “antiquated,” “old fashioned,” “archaic,” and “on the verge of extinction.” My reply would be, “Phooey!”

I think there will always be the “haves” and the “have nots.” Somebody needs to care that everyone should have opportunities. Libraries level the differences. Will libraries continue to change and evolve? Most certainly. If we don’t, we will find ourselves extinct!

So…Keep Thinking Libraries!

Read, Read, Read!

Thinking Library!
Carole Stanger
May 2, 2009

New Books Upstairs @ the library!
Priceless Memories by Bob Barker
Boneman’s Daughter by Ted Dekker
Laura Rider’s Masterpiece by Jane Hamilton
Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man by Steve Harvey
Horse Boy by Rupert Isaacson
Etta by Gerald Kolpan
Admission by Jean Korelitz
First Family by David Baldacci

Coming Events @ the Library!
Library Hours!
Monday – Friday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Sundays—closed.
May 4 & 5: Library Tours for Jack & Jill and Little Lambs Preschools
One Stop Registration at Washington School Gym from 6-8 pm. (Sign up for public library summer reading, conservation camps, summer tennis, swim team, Red Cross swimming lessons, Guy Somers guitar lessons, and Prairie Fire Children’s Theatre!)
May 26: Library Tours for 1st Graders
The library will be closed Monday, May 25 for Memorial Day
Friends of the Atlantic Public Library Book Sale will be held Friday, May 29 and May 30 in the Library meeting Room!


Did You Know…the Atlantic Public Library subscribes to over seventy different magazines including Brides, Consumer Reports, Iowa History, Everyday with Rachel Ray, Our Iowa, “O”, Fine Gardening, and Healthy Cooking. The current magazines are not allowed to be checked out, but past issues may be checked out just like a book for 28 days! We also subscribe to an online database called EBSCOhost. More magazines are available with articles in full text. Stop by the upstairs desk to receive the user name and password to be able to access this at home.

Behind My Desk… Julie has put together another great lineup for this summer and it starts June 1st (last day of school)! Her calendar makes me tired just looking at it! If you have the chance to bring your children to some of the scheduled events, I encourage you to do so. Reading in the summer is “Fun Time.” Young people can read whatever their heart desires in the summer…whether it is a graphic novel, a magazine, or even an easy book!! The skill of reading needs to be encouraged during the summer months. It does make a difference in the fall for those who have had a chance to read in the summer.

For the adults I have had requests in the past for some sort of Adult Reading Program in the summer. So, we’ve put together a way for you to “mix up” your reading habits this summer. We all tend to read the same thing—and that’s fine, but sometimes we need something different or need to look in a new place. This will give you a chance to do just that.
We will have a special box at the upstairs checkout desk with different “suggestions.” All you have to do is pick a suggestion! See how many different suggestions you can pick throughout the summer. It may give you new ideas for your fall and winter reading!

Keep Reading and Thinking Libraries!

Information = Libraries

Thinking Library!
Carole Stanger
April 18, 2009

New Books Upstairs @ the library!
Cursed by Carol Higgins Clark
Just Take My Heart by Mary Higgins Clark
Columbine by Dave Cullen
Nightwalker by Heather Graham
Birthday Present by Barbara Vine
Perfect Poison by Amanda Quick
Geometry of Sisters by Luanne Rice
Look Again by Lisa Scottoline

Coming Events @ the Library!
Library Hours!
Monday – Friday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Sundays—closed.
The library will be closed Monday, May 25 for Memorial Day

Preschool Library Story Time—Please send a backpack with your child!
Wednesdays or Thursdays 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. – 3, 4 or 5 year olds
No registration—just show up! Parents may stay with child, but will be required to participate!
--PLEASE notice date change for the following!
Apr. 29/30 How Does Your Garden Grow? (This will be the final preschool Story Time until the Fall.)

Cass Co. Conservation Program—“Composting”: Wednesday Apr. 22 6-8 pm Library Meeting Room

Friends of the Atlantic Public Library Book Sale will be held Friday, May 29 and May 30 in the Library meeting Room!


Did You Know…the library staff offers library tours to groups for no charge? Need a program? Want something different? How about a “field trip” to your public library? We would be glad to show you around! We are accessible and that can make a world of difference for some people! You can give me (Carole) a call at 243-5466 and we can work something out!

Behind My Desk… Well, tax season is winding down. Iowa still has a little time to file (end of April). Several years ago I made sure I had a link to the Iowa Department of Revenue site on the Internet, as well as the link to the IRS on the library website. Just so you know, they are still there on the “Find Information” link.

I also have on the “Find Information” page links to other useful Internet sites. Iowa Health Info is a site produced by the State Library of Iowa and does a wonderful job of noting accurate and good information on health subjects. Need to look up a particular disease? Check that site rather than trying to “Google” for the information.

I also made a list of our elected officials and contact information from Atlantic City Council members to the President. It’s there.

One of my favorites is the “Reference Desk.” This is a good site for all sorts of information from newspapers around the world to dictionaries for foreign languages to government stats.

I try to stay informed about what sites on the Internet are really good and make them available to you. How about making www.atlantic.lib.ia.us your homepage, so you have information right at your fingertips!

Keep Thinking Libraries!

Worlds Connect @ Your Library!

Thinking Library!
Carole Stanger
April 4, 2009

New Books Upstairs @ the library!
Long Lost by Harlan Coben
Body Broken by Lynn Greenberg
Malice by Lisa Jackson
Love to Last Forever by Traci Peterson
Lavender Morning by Jude Deveraux
Still Life by Joy Fielding
Diary by Eileen Goudge
Dare to Die by Carolyn Hart

Coming Events @ the Library!
Library Hours!
Monday – Friday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Sundays—closed.
The library will be closed Monday, May 25 for Memorial Day

Preschool Library Story Time—Please send a backpack with your child!
Wednesdays or Thursdays 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. – 3, 4 or 5 year olds
No registration—just show up! Parents may stay with child, but will be required to participate!
Apr. 22/23 How Does Your Garden Grow?

National Library Week: April 12-18 “Worlds Connect@Your Library!

Cass Co. Conservation Program—“Composting”: Wednesday Apr. 22 6-8 pm Library Meeting Room

Friends of the Atlantic Public Library Book Sale will be held Friday, May 29 and May 30 in the Library meeting Room!


Did You Know…the library has a nice collection of video cassettes and dvd’s both upstairs and down for checkout? These are now checked out for a week, so you have a little longer to enjoy a night at the “movies” at home!

Behind My Desk… I have this idea for National Library Week. Want to help? The theme for this week would be “Worlds Connect @ Your Library.”
The library has a great many patrons who are from and/or have visited many different locales around the world. Would you be interesting in bringing one or two pieces of something from another country or another part of this country to display? You can contact me (Carole) at 712-243-5466 with any contributions or questions. Things don’t have to be expensive, just different!

Julie is lining up programs and ideas for this summer’s library/reading programs. Stay tuned for more information. We get to “Be Creative” this summer!

It’s spring cleaning time at the library. Diane started doing our annual weeding of magazines, so starting April 6 we should have some past issues available for the taking.

Last week I made a trip to the Capitol in Des Moines to discuss with our legislators about library issues. This session is wrapping up very soon and the money outlook is not good. Libraries are one of those public services that are desperately needed in tough times and we tried to make that case. It won’t be long and we will know how things turned out. We will do the best we can with what we have.

Keep Thinking Libraries!

=SUM(N4:N33)

Thinking Library!
Carole Stanger
March 21, 2009

New Books Upstairs @ the library!
True Colors by Kristin Hannah
Max by James Patterson
Very Valentine by Adriana Trigiani
Leisure Seeker by Michael Zadoorian
Pursuit by Karen Robards
Three Weeks to Say Goodbye by C. J. Box
Take One by Karen Kingsbury

Coming Events @ the Library!
Library Hours!
Monday – Friday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Sundays—closed.

Preschool Library Story Time—Please send a backpack with your child!
Wednesdays or Thursdays 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. – 3, 4 or 5 year olds
No registration—just show up! Parents may stay with child, but will be required to participate!
Apr. 1/2 Egg-citing!
Apr. 22/23 How Does Your Garden Grow?

National Library Week: April 12-18 “Worlds Connect@Your Library!

Cass Co. Conservation Program—“Composting”: Wednesday Apr. 22 6-8 pm Library Meeting Room


Did You Know…it’s about time to be thinking about the Spring Used Book Sale that the Friends of the Atlantic Public Library sponsor? It will be in May, so start sorting through those books on the shelves! We request that they be in good to excellent condition for resale. More information will be available in April as to the exact date.

Behind My Desk… Reports are a fact of life for libraries—for just about everyone, I suspect. I need all sorts of reports. This week I needed a report for the Atlantic City Council to show what the library does for the community and the tax payers. I needed another report for the county libraries so we could combine our information for the Cass County Board of Supervisors. The library board likes to see a report for the monthly meetings. Then, there is the State annual report. It’s a good thing I have learned the basics of Excel for spreadsheets.

The reports are one thing, but the setting up is quite another. It takes time—and patience—to put together an accurate report. I am in the process of trying to set up next fiscal year’s reports. I tend to go a bit overboard on this. I would rather give more information than not enough. As a result, I do reports of reports. Does this sound a bit obsessive/compulsive to you?

I think I have reached my saturation point for a little while. I’m not done, by any means, but it’s coming along better than last year at this time. When I start dreaming spreadsheets in my sleep, it’s time to back off.

In the mean time, enjoy the sights, smells and sounds of spring and…
Keep Thinking Libraries!

A Special Gift

Thinking Library!
Carole Stanger
March 7, 2009

New Books Upstairs @ the library!
Nemesis: the Final Case of Eliot Ness by William Bernhardt
Cream Puff Murder by Joanne Fluke
Terminal Freeze by Lincoln Child
Love Mercy by Earlene Fowler
Boca Nights by Steven Forman
Handle with Care by Jodi Picoult
Dragonheart by Todd McCaffrey

Coming Events @ the Library!
Library Hours!
Monday – Friday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Sundays—closed.

Preschool Library Story Time—Please send a backpack with your child!
Wednesdays or Thursdays 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. – 3, 4 or 5 year olds
No registration—just show up! Parents may stay with child, but will be required to participate!
Mar. 11/12 Lucky Leprechauns!
Mar. 25/26 Spring is Here!
Apr. 8/9 Egg-citing!
Apr. 22/23 How Does Your Garden Grow?

Cass Co. Conserv. Program “Alaska” March 14 from 3-5 p.m.

Did You Know… the Cass County Genealogical Society has a new project? They are collecting copies of the Atlantic High School’s The Needle. They will be preserving them by having them bound together. If any of you have some copies of the Needle and would like to donate them to the Genealogical Society, they would be extremely grateful for any donations for this project.

Behind My Desk… We have just added a new service to the library webpage. It’s called NoveList. You will need to pick up the user name and password at the upstairs checkout desk so you can use this at home on the Internet...or use it on one of our public access computers here at the library. NoveList can:

Give you suggestions of similar authors
List award winner authors and books
Give information and suggestions for books discussions
List series in order
Give you reviews about new books

Take a look at it. The same user name and password that is used for EBSCOhost will be used for NoveList. I hope it will be useful for you!

Speaking of books…a book can be such a special gift. Sometimes you have no idea how special. I learned of one such gift a couple years ago. A gentleman whose wife has Alzheimer’s Disease asked me about a little children’s book. He knew I was the library director and wondered if I knew of the title. No, I wasn’t familiar with it, but that wasn’t the real purpose of the question. He proceeded to explain that he had been visiting his wife and there was a children’s book about a cow. He had tried all sorts of things to connect with his wife who had slowly lost her way in life. But that special day she noticed the book and began to read from it. She continued for a couple more days to read it over and over. He got to see (maybe one last time) a spark of her that still remained. There were tears in that gentle man’s eyes as he told me that book was worth more than money could buy. I totally agreed. You just never know…

Keep Thinking Libraries!

New Ideas for Atlantic Public Library

Thinking Library!
Carole Stanger
February 21, 2009

New Books Upstairs @ the library!
Heart and Soul by Maeve Binchy
While My Sister Sleeps by Barbara Delinsky
Night and Day by Robert Parker
Luke’s Story by Tim LaHaye
Whisper to the Blood by Dana Stabenow
Promises in Death by J. D. Robb
One Day at a Time by Danielle Steel

Coming Events @ the Library!
Library Hours!
Monday – Friday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Sundays—closed.
Preschool Library Story Time—Please send a backpack with your child!
Wednesdays or Thursdays 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. – 3, 4 or 5 year olds
No registration—just show up! Parents may stay with child, but will be required to participate!
Mar. 11/12 Lucky Leprechauns!
Mar. 25/26 Spring is Here!
Apr. 8/9 Egg-citing!
Apr. 22/23 How Does Your Garden Grow?
Winter Reading for Adults! Jan. 1- Feb. 28. “Go Anywhere With a Book!” Prizes!
Cass Co. Conserv. Program “Alaska” March 14 from 3-5 p.m.

Did You Know… the Atlantic Public Library has added more public access computers? There are now ten available upstairs and two downstairs. The downstairs also has two designated just for “Tweens” and two for the younger patrons. All we ask is that you be courteous to other patrons, stay only for an hour, and remember that others can see what you are doing and may report you to the staff. I would also request that parents be present when their child or children are using the computers. Caring about your children is being a responsible parent.

Behind My Desk… In February the library board made some changes with our meeting room policy. The library meeting rooms will now be just that—library meeting rooms. The only things scheduled (from now on) will be ICN classes/meetings and library sponsored and co-sponsored programs, classes and meetings. I don’t want to worry those of you who had already scheduled something for the room before Feb. 9. Your reservation for the room is fine. The former policy was somewhat complex and now things (I hope) are more simplified.

Because we had a policy that didn’t allow things to be sold in the library, we had some issues with perfectly legitimate requests. It was frustrating for everyone. One of the biggest problems was allowing local authors to come to the library and sell their books with a “book signing” event. The library would be willing to sponsor an event called “Our Authors Fair.” I was thinking about having it during Library Week (April 12-18), but that may be pushing things. We’ll have to see how many authors would be interested in doing something like that.

The Winter Reading Program for Adults is just about over. I’m not going to be picky, though, if any of you would like to finish out your card after February 28.

Have a good couple weeks and …

Keep Thinking Libraries!

Myths & Legends

Thinking Library!
Carole Stanger
February 7, 2009

New Books Upstairs @ the library!
Numerati by Stephen Baker
Bones of Betrayal by Jefferson Bass
Dark of Night by Suzanne Brockman
Guilty by Ann Coulter
Agency by Ally O’Brien
Blood Print by Kitty Sewell
Yankee Years by Joe Torre

Coming Events @ the Library!
Library Hours!
Monday – Friday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Sundays—closed.
The Library will be open Feb. 16 (President’s Day)

Preschool Library Story Time—Please send a backpack with your child!
Wednesdays or Thursdays 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. – 3, 4 or 5 year olds
No registration—just show up! Parents may stay with child, but will be required to participate!
Feb. 18/19 Mother Goose!
Mar. 11/12 Lucky Leprechauns!
Mar. 25/26 Spring is Here!

Half Way Through!!! Winter Reading for Adults! Jan. 1- Feb. 28. “Go Anywhere With a Book!” Prizes!

Cass Co. Conserv. Class “Snowshoeing!” Feb. 11 from 6-7p.m. (No snow day will be Feb. 18!)


Did You Know… the Atlantic Public Library has a subscription to Heritage Quest Online for our genealogy patrons? You can access this from your home Internet connection with the proper identification number. Just ask at the upstairs checkout desk or a volunteer in the Genealogy/Local History Room in the library. The library also has access to Ancestry Library on public access computer. The link is on the library website under Helpful Links—Genealogy.

Behind My Desk… Last week I happened to read series of emails dealing with myths of libraries and librarians. I had to nod my head and agree with every one that was suggested. I thought I would check with the library staff and have them vote for their favorites and post them for a Top Five Myths about Libraries and Librarians. Here they are:
#5 Librarians have no stress
#4 They pay you to read all day
#3 Librarians are little old ladies with their hair pulled back and wear glasses.
#2 Librarians have read every book in the library.
And #1 Librarians know the answer to everything.

Well, I’m glad to say that with time, some things do change. Younger folks don’t think of librarians as old ladies “shushing” people all the time. That’s nice to see. As to the number #1 myth, we never have professed to know everything, but we are taught to learn where to find everything. I’m still working on that part after 30 years! New places for information keep springing up! One other myth came in the top ten—“That’s not a real job.” It was right there with “Librarians have no stress.” Sigh.

Keep Thinking Libraries!

Book Some Time Together!

New Books Upstairs @ the library!
Plum Spook by Janet Evanovich
2666 by Roberto Boland
Final Justice by Fern Michaels
Runner by Thomas Perry
Breakneck by Erica Spindler
Siege of Heaven by Tom Harper
From Dead to Worse by Charlaine Harris

Coming Events @ the Library!
Library Hours!
Monday – Friday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Sundays—closed.
Preschool Library Story Time—Please send a backpack with your child!
Wednesdays or Thursdays 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. – 3, 4 or 5 year olds
No registration—just show up! Parents may stay with child, but will be required to participate!
Jan. 28/29 Penguins!
Winter Reading for Adults! Jan. 1- Feb. 28. “Go Anywhere With a Book!” Prizes!
Monday, Jan. 26 “Book Some Time Together!” Family reading night sponsored by all six public libraries in Cass County!


Did You Know… you can now check your own library account from your home Internet connection? You can find out what books you have on reserve, make reserves, and check to see when your library books are due! You will need to know your library patron number to access your information. Just stop by either checkout desk and request that number for you! The library website is http://www.atlantic.lib.ia.us/ and on the upper left hand corner of the homepage is a yellow box to search the library catalog and account information.

Behind My Desk… Monday, January 26, will be the Cass Co. Library Association of Iowa’s Family Fun Night “Book Some Time Together.” There is no right or wrong to this program. The six public libraries in Cass County are just asking people to take a little time together to enjoy each other’s company. Read a book. Play a game. Have dinner together!

I’ve continued to work on the Library’s website. You may have noticed that we now have a Library Events Calendar. If you get the chance, take a look at it. I’m hoping this will help people find out what’s going on at the library. I have included scheduled meetings for our meeting rooms, as well as library programs and a little information about some of those programs. I decided it wouldn’t hurt to mention what our library hours are and what holidays we are closed.

The Children’s page is up and going, too! We have included a listing of programs, a link to TumbleBooks, a collection of “kid friendly” websites, and eventually, we will have a link that will show new books for the children’s section of the library. I plan to work on a new page for our “Tweens” and also have one for the Adults! I’m not sure how soon that will happen, but I plan to.

I also would like to mention to check our display case in the entry way. Margo Magill has graciously offered to show her Blue Snow Village collection!

That’s about it for this time. Remember, “Book Some Time Together”, and…

Keep Thinking Libraries!

New Beginnings!

New Books Upstairs @ the library!
Born to Run by James Grippando
Cruel Intent by J.A. Jance
Treasure by Iris Johansen
Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling
Show No Fear by Perry O’Shaughnessy
Letter to My Daughter by Maya Angelou
Every Now and Then by Karen Kingsbury

Coming Events @ the Library!
Library Hours!
Monday – Friday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Sundays—closed.
Preschool Library Story Time—Please send a backpack with your child!
Wednesdays or Thursdays 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. – 3, 4 or 5 year olds
No registration—just show up! Parents may stay with child, but will be required to participate!
Jan. 14/15 “Snow” Better Time!
Jan. 28/29 Penguins!
Winter Reading for Adults! Jan. 1- Feb. 28. “Go Anywhere With a Book!” Prizes!
Monday, Jan. 26 “Book Some Time Together!” Family reading night sponsored by all six public libraries in Cass County!


Did You Know… the Atlantic Public Library is partnering with Cass County Naturalist Lora Schwendinger to host a class on Snowshoeing? Join us Wednesday, February 11 at 6 p.m. here at the library!

Behind My Desk… A new year and a time to start fresh. That’s what I have been doing lately with our webpage design. I like to see what other libraries are doing and checked out Shenandoah’s website. Oh, I did like the look of it! As is my nature, I was immediately jealous. Out with the old! Bring in the new! I decided to totally revamp the Atlantic Public Library website. Well, as some of you may have found out recently, I made changes, all right. I managed to really mess up the structure of the site. With a little help from some people and my own stubbornness, it has finally come together. I wasn’t sure for a while, though!

Please, please, please note that we have a new online subscription to TumbleBooks! The Friends of the Atlantic Public Library generously donated some money to purchase this service for a year. All you have to do is click on the link to TumbleBooks and enjoy children’s books on line with audio! I think young ones will enjoy this. Give it a try!

Don’t forget about our Adult Winter Reading Program which has started—“Go Anywhere with a Book!” Try playing BINGO by reading books with different settings. If you would like to find some new authors or try a different genre/type of book, this is a fun way to experiment!

Also, the Cass County Library Association of Iowa is sponsoring our first annual (we hope!) family fun night: “Book Some Time Together” on Monday, January 26! Take some time off from the television and computer and do something fun with the family at home. We hope maybe we can start a “tradition” with some families that will be wonderful memories for later. Nothing is written in stone and there are no rules to worry about. If you want to, take some pictures and send us a copy! We would love that! Need some ideas? Stop by any of the Cass County public libraries and pick up some information!

Keep Thinking Libraries!!!