For February's
Big Ideas Book Discussion

A new year of Big Ideas Book Discussions begins in February and the first title we’ll take up is Meet Me at the Library by Shamichael Hallman (c2024) Scheduled for February 28, 2025 (9:30-11:00AM) the subtitle speaks to the enduring attributes of America’s public libraries as places that build community connections and uphold democratic principles.

From Amazon: “How do we create spaces for people to come together—to open our minds, understand our differences, and exchange ideas? Author Shamichael Hallman argues that the public library may be our best hope for bridging divides and creating strong, inclusive communities. Increasingly, public libraries are playing an essential role in building social cohesion, promoting civic renewal, and advancing the ideals of a healthy democracy.”

Two Iowa library directors will be prominent in this discussion because of their connection to the book.  Director Jennie Garner with North Liberty Public Library will explain why a program at North Liberty PL is included in the book.  And Brittany Jacobs, Burlington Public Library Director, will talk about how the Burlington Library Board is already reading Meet Me at the Library in its own board-led book discussion.

In Big Ideas Book Discussions, State Library staff and local library partners facilitate discussions using books outside of library management, but with plenty of application to library management. Choosing books on leadership, customer service, technology’s impact, etc. we connect those ideas with public library service.

Participants are encouraged to purchase books used throughout the Big Ideas series for local collections.  Plan to meet us in ZOOM when we’ll discuss Meet Me at the Library

Register Today in WorkDay Learning

From the American
Heart Association

This grant opportunity from the American Heart Association concerns funding to rural libraries interested in promoting heart health in their communities. 2025 sets up another year of including rural libraries in AHA’s interest in building healthy communities through library programming.  2025 also opens these same grants to churches, senior centers, food banks, and other organizations.

This grant project is called “Meeting People Where They Are: Improving Health in Collaboration with the Places Where Rural Communities Gather.”  Eligible grant ideas can include

• Empowering residents to check their own blood pressure with your library’s support (must include efforts to connect to local clinics for care as needed)
• Referring residents facing food insecurity to community resources
• Referring residents with tobacco dependency to community resources
• Positioning the library as a partner in emergency response with other community responders

Tim Nikolai, Senior Rural Health Director with AHA, explains more: “We are starting with a pool of $10,000 in total to award grants—generally in the range of $500-$1000—to drive sustainable practice change around health components like blood pressure management, nutrition security, cardiac readiness, and more.  The grant overview includes information about these grants, as well as a summary of work that happened in the last grant cycle.”  

If partnering in healthy community projects is already a part of your library’s programming efforts, then consider this AHA grant.  The deadline to apply is February 7.  Note that the grant overview opens in DropBox, the application itself is linked below.  Please contact Tim Nikolai with the American Heart Association with questions tim.nikolai@heart.org

Apply For A “Heart” Grant

Turning the page to a new year is nice time to look back on fan favorites, meaning best sellers and great books from the past year.  Reviewing best seller lists can be helpful in ensuring that your readers haven’t missed out on any of the best reads from 2024.  Plus, these same sources are already announcing upcoming releases for 2025. 

Many thanks to Maryann Mori with Central District Office for compiling this summary of best-seller lists, with the reminder that you can do an online search for “best books of 2024” for even more sources. Take some time for this look back at 2024 best sellers--which ones did you and your patrons enjoy?    

New York Times  

The NYT lists the best of fiction, nonfiction, children's, YA, and more. Be sure to scroll to the bottom of this link to see the weekly bestseller lists.

Publisher's Weekly--Top Ten Best of 2024

In addition to viewing the "top ten" lists, you can also sign-up for weekly notices about PW's best picks in fiction, nonfiction, childrens, and even specific genres such as romance and sci-fi

The Well-Read Librarian--Favorite Reads of 2024

The Well-Read Librarian is a resource for librarians by librarians. Sign up for a free newsletter while you're here. 

Kirkus Reviews--Best of 2024

Use the drop-down menu to see lists of best fiction, nonfiction, YA, middle grade, picture books, and indie titles.

Book Page--The 10 Best Books of 2024

Book Page is a well-known resource for book reviews, recommendations, and even webinars about upcoming titles. View the 2024 list here, then plan to watch for 2025 highlights. Some coiunty library associations in Iowa subscribe to BookPages and distribute them to each library in the county.

Goodreads

Get the scoop from real readers right here, with lots of assorted lists.  GoodReads is a long-time favorite readers' advisory site for librarians.

All Iowa Reads 2025: Author Presentations.  Online January 14. 10:00AM-12:00PM

The 2025 All Iowa Reads program officially launches with the authors of this year's AIR   Reads selections.  Listen to authors Tim Johnston (adult title Distant Sons) Byron Graves (YA title Rex Ball) and Christina Wyman (children’s title Jawbreaker) Each author will discuss their book and answer audience questions live.  Attendees will also get a brief overview of the resources available from the State Library to support All Iowa Reads events at their library.

Register in WorkDay Learning

iREAD Resource Guide Deep Dive: Decorations,
Displays, Resource Guide Tips & Tricks.
Online January 14. 12:00-1:00PM  

Join iREAD Content and Development Manager Becca Boland for a deep dive into the 2025 iREAD: Level Up at Your Library Resource Guide. This session will focus on getting your library ready for summer with decorations and displays. Becca will also highlight helpful and often overlooked sections of the Resource Guide, giving you tips and tricks for planning for Level Up at Your Library. There will be time for questions and brainstorming at the end of the session. 

Register with iREAD

Holiday Closing 

The State Library will be closed for the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday next Monday January 20.  Look for the next MMEO on January 27.