The Library has glasses to distribute … but there’s a catch.

The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation partnered with the National Center for Interactive Learning and StarNet to provide a limited number of solar eclipse glasses for the Library to distribute as part of their mission to help Americans engage with science. Grant requirements mean we are limited to distributing the glasses at Library programs and there is very high demand. We have designated three times you may get a pair of glasses at the Library.

1. 200 pairs of glasses will be distributed, one per person, at the Help Desk on Saturday, August 19, beginning at 10 a.m.. As noted, the quantity is limited and glasses will be distributed on a “while supplies last” basis.

2. Solar Glasses will also be distributed, one per person, during the August 20 Sunday Fun Day program from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Storytime Room to people who participate in the program. Again they will be distributed on a “while supplies last” basis.

3. The Solar Glasses will also be distributed on a “while supplies last” basis at our Solar-bration of the Solar Eclipse from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Monday, August 21, in Meeting Room A.

The Bookmobile won’t be in service August 21 through August 25 because of scheduled vehicle maintenance, collection updates, and staff training.

During the Bookmobile’s seasonal break in service, items can be returned at the downtown Library or to the Library’s remote drop boxes. Holds that arrive at the Library during this time can be found by inquiring at the Help Desk at the downtown Library or on the Bookmobile when our Fall Schedule begins.

The Fall Schedule begins Monday, August 28, and will continue through Thursday, December 21. Please visit the Bookmobile at the following locations during this time:

Monday

• Noon to 1 p.m. Hy-Vee North Dodge
• 1:30 to 2 p.m. Legacy Independent Living
• 2:30 to 3 p.m. Saddlebrook Association
• 4 to 5:30 p.m. Hy-Vee Waterfront
• 6 to 7 p.m. Grant Wood Elementary

Tuesday

• 9:30 to 10 a.m. Willow Creek Park
• 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Oaknoll Retirement Community, George St.
• 12:30 to 1 p.m. Emerson Point
• 1:30 to 2 p.m. Melrose Meadows
• 2:30 to 3 p.m. Lake Ridge Mobile Home Community
• 3:30 to 4 p.m. Cole’s Community, Riverside Dr.

Wednesday

• 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Breckenridge Estates
• 5 to 6 p.m. Iowa City Walmart

Thursday

• 9:30 to 11 a.m. Mercer Park
• 11:30 to 12:30 p.m. Iowa City Marketplace
• 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Mark Twain Elementary
• 4 to 5:30 p.m. UI Community Credit Union, Mormon Trek Blvd.

The Bookmobile won’t be in service on October 18 and November 22. Go here for more information.

Area students will soon go back to school, which means the Iowa City Public Library’s Koza Family Teen Center will have new Tech Time hours.

Beginning Wednesday, August 23, the new Tech Hours will be 4:30 to 9 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 3:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday, 4:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, and 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday.

During Tech Time, teens in grades seventh through 12th can hang out in the Teen Center, use the Internet, play video games on the big screen, or check out iPads and laptops.

The Iowa City Public Library will be present at several Iowa City School District elementary school ice cream socials on Monday, August 21.

Staff members will attend the back-to-school ice cream socials at Alexander, Hills, Hoover, Lemme, Lincoln, Longfellow, Mann, Shimek, Twain, Weber, and Wood elementary schools to help students and their families apply for a Library Card. Applicants can complete an application at the event and a Library Card will be mailed to their home address.

All ice cream socials will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. except for Longfellow's, which begins at 4:30 p.m.

“Our attendance at the elementary schools’ ice cream socials is to ensure that all students are prepared for the new school year with their own Library Card,” said Kara Logsden, ICPL’s Coordinator of Community and Access Services. “We understand that families are especially busy this time of year, so we are happy to do what we can to make the Library Card application process easier.”

People also can apply for a card online or in person at the first floor Help Desk any time the Library is open.