Join us in wishing Nancy Holland a happy retirement after nearly 40 years with the Iowa City Public Library!

Miss Nancy began her ICPL career in 1978, shortly after the birth of her first child, working 20 hours per week in Technical Services. In 1984, she switched to Children’s, which became the focus of her career. 

Over the years, Miss Nancy’s job titles have changed from Library Clerk to Library Assistant III, but one thing that hasn’t changed is her dedication to providing great service to the community. Whether it's answering questions in the Children’s Room, helping patrons find materials on the Bookmobile, or enjoying storytime with energetic toddlers, Miss Nancy always has a smile on her face.

While many of our young patrons believe ICPL staff live at the Library, it isn’t true. Just ask Miss Nancy’s family. She and her husband, Joe, raised three children – Clare, Emily, and Tyler – while she worked at the Library. Miss Nancy also raises bees and chickens, and is an accomplished gardener. That might explain why so many of her storytimes have an outdoors theme!

Miss Nancy's last Toddler Storytime will take place from 10:30 to 11 a.m. on Monday, September 25. Her last day at ICPL will be Friday, September 29.

Thank you, Miss Nancy, for being such a great Librarian and a positive influence on so many patrons. We wish you all the best in your retirement!

Books are on the move in the Ellen Buchanan Children’s Room to make way for the new Tween Space!

jBooks on Disc have shifted to the front of the jFiction section, while jComics, Graphic Novels and Manga have taken their place in the corner. Staff also shifted the entire Nonfiction collection, with the collection starting on the shelves where the Comics/GN/Manga used to be.

With the books in their new space, stadium seating will be installed in the Tween Space soon. This area also will have cabinets for program supplies, including games, tech items, and craft materials. Display shelves will be added to showcase materials of interest to tweens and additional outlets will be available for device charging.

Totally Tweens is one of our most popular programs, with events and activities for students in third through sixth grades. We're so excited that in addition to their very own programming, our tweens will soon have a space to call their own!

Expecting a little bundle of joy?

Research suggests that your baby can hear you and your partner's voice as early as 23 weeks. Belly Babies is a great way to start a reading ritual before your baby is born. Families at any stage are welcome, whether its your first or later child!

Belly Babies is a six-week program. You'll learn early literacy tips, songs, and rhymes. Community guests will share helpful information. Our goal is to help you build a community of support, prepare you right from the start, at the Iowa City Public Library!

Belly Babies will be held from 3 to 4 p.m. on October 7, October 14, October 21, October 28, November 4, and November 18. All programs are open to expectant parents, as well as older siblings. Programs are free to attend and registration isn't required.

A new display celebrating the legacy of Laura Ingalls Wilder can be found in the Children's Room throughout September.

Children's Librarian Mari Redington said Little House, Mighty Legacy: 150 Years of Laura Ingalls Wilder was inspired by last month's Log Cabin Storytime with the Bookmobile at Upper City Park.

"We've done the Storytime every August for a few years now, and it’s always a really good time," Redington said. "We team up with Parks and Rec for the event, and this year they brought some fantastic activities for kids to do after storytime, like making homemade butter and playing with the wooden hoops. Miss Nancy always brings her wash basin and antique ironing board for children to pretend to hand wash and hang their laundry. I always read Mrs. McNosh Hangs up her Wash by Sarah Weeks because it’s a really silly story about all of the things you can hang on a clothesline."

This year's Storytime included a conversation about the historical significance of Upper City Park's log cabins, as well as the story Going West, a picture book adapted from the Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder.

"We talked about why a pioneer family would want to move West in a wagon," Redington said. "It was interesting for preschoolers to think about bears being a real threat, and the cold of Minnesota being dangerous for young children."

Redington's goal of the display is to continue teaching kids about life during the early frontier days and to the honor Midwestern literary legacy. This year marks the 150th year of Laura Ingalls Wilder's birth. 

"I hope that children will learn more about the games, food and chores of children on the prairie, and appreciate the luxuries we have now that weren’t available for the pioneers," she said. "I also hope to inspire young readers and even families to read and share the series and learn about the historical significance of Laura’s life."

The Library would like to thank the Johnson County Historical Society for their help in putting this display together. The hoop and stick, the Game of Graces, the chalkboard and reader, and the butter churner are on loan from their collection.