No plans to travel over spring break? Spend your time off from school and work at the Iowa City Public Library! In addition to our regular lineup of Library happenings, we have special programs and events planned the weekend before, during and after spring break!
Saturday, March 16
Jennifer Loeb, the first Iowa woman to summit Mt. Everest, will share stories and photos of her mountain climbing adventures from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. in Meeting Room A. This is an all-ages event for children and adults.
We all know the Internet was made for cute cat videos, which is why we’re excited to host our Second Annual Internet Cat Video Festival from 1 to 2 p.m. in the Storytime Room. In addition to enjoying a family-friendly reel of cat shenanigans, we’ll make "cat-tastic" crafts, including cat masks, cat toys, and cat origami. Popcorn will be served, too.
Sunday, March 17
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with holiday crafts during Sunday Fun Day in the Storytime Room. Families are invited to stop by anytime between 2 and 4 p.m.
Monday, March 18
For our early risers, we have Storytime from 10:30 to 11 a.m. in the Storytime Room. This interactive storytime for all ages and stages combines books, rhymes, songs, and movement.
In the afternoon, we’ll host Spring BINGO, otherwise knows as SPRINGO! The fun will take place from 1 to 2 p.m. in Meeting Room A.
All month long, Tweens will have the opportunity to learn more about online safety through our Totally Tweens: Be Internet Awesome classes. Held from 4 to 5 p.m. every Monday in the Digital Media Lab, Be Internet Awesome teaches kids the fundamentals of digital citizenship and safety so they can explore the online world with confidence. Registration is required. Register online. Tween programs are for students in third through sixth grades.
Tuesday, March 19
Get moving with Tumblin’ Tots with Iowa Gym-Nest from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. in Meeting Room A. This program is for toddlers only, as the obstacle course is made specifically for their tiny but mighty bodies!
Speaking of active, our Movie Crafternoon features a viewing of “Wreck-It Ralph 2: Ralph Breaks the Internet” from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in the Storytime Room, as well as Wreck-It Ralph and Sugar Rush crafts!
Wednesday, March 20
Parents and children, be prepared to move, shake, and sing as we take Joy in Action and Music during StoryJAM from 10:30 to 11 a.m. in the Storytime Room.
Our friends from the Grout Museum will be here for their Scales and Tales from the Imaginarium program from 1 to 2 p.m. in Meeting Room A. If reptiles and other creepy crawlies are your thing, this event is for you! An encore program for individuals on the autism spectrum and their families will be held at 2:30 p.m. in Meeting Room A.
Students in third through sixth grades are invited to get their science on during ScienTweens from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Storytime Room.
Thursday, March 21
Kaylee from Tippi Toes will host today’s preschool storytime from 10:30 to 11 a.m. in Meeting Room A, offering a unique program of dance and creative movement.
School-age kids, come meet Mike Hutchison from Iowa Parrot Rescue from 1 to 2 p.m. in Meeting Room A. As the only licensed parrot rescue in the state, Mike will discuss his program’s mission, as well as talk about the proper care and homing of birds. He’ll have a few of his feathered friends with him, so be prepared to ask questions!
Join Karen for Book Babies: Tots Yoga from 10:30 to 11 a.m. and again at 1:30 to 2 p.m. This program offers tot-centric poses that encourage and support their physical explorations. Toddlers will become more confident in their moving bodies as they practice yoga both in and out of class.
It's the last day of Spring Break, so do something creative that makes “cents” from 1 to 2 p.m. in Meeting Room A. Kids in kindergarten through sixth grades can decorate a ceramic piggy bank to take home during Free Art Friday: Piggy Banks! We will provide one piggy bank per registrant, as well as supplies to decorate. Registration is required and may be done online.
It’s been a long winter, but the sun will come out, just like Annie sings about in the musical that shares her name. We’ll screen the 2014 remake of Annie from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Storytime Room.
Saturday, March 23
We will open at 9 a.m. for individuals on the autism spectrum and their family to enjoy the Library in a neutral environment. Come and celebrate spring with stories, crafts, dancing and a belated indoor snowball fight. The Teen Center will be open for older students to play computer and video games.
In honor of Women’s History Month, join us for a Family Storytime from 10:30 to 11 a.m. celebrating one of our favorite female superheroes: Wonder Woman! We'll share some "super" books, songs, and rhymes, followed by a meet-and-greet with Wonder Woman herself!
The cats had their fun, now it’s time for the dogs to play! Our Second Annual Viral Dog Video Festival will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. in the Storytime Room. Join us for a family-friendly film fest celebrating the Internet's cutest puppy and dog antics. Kibble 'n' bits and puppy chow will be served. We'll also offer "tail-waggingly" good crafts from dog puppets to dog toys you can take home for your own furry friend. You'll even get to pet a real, live therapy dog!
Sunday, March 24
Did you know gnomes love to hide in flower pots and vegetable container gardens? Make your own gnome planters during Sunday Fun Day from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Storytime Room.
Try something new with Discovery Kits at ICPL
As more people opt for experiences over things, the Iowa City Public Library is pleased to present Discovery Kits, a collection of hands-on activities that allow patrons to “try before they buy” something new.
“When people are trying to start a new hobby, there’s an investment in the tools or materials to make it a success,” ICPL Collections Coordinator Anne Mangano says.
Sometimes the venture pays off, other times the bag of knitting supplies or gym membership go unused, with only a receipt to show for the efforts. Discovery Kits remove the initial outlay, as each kit has everything a patron needs to explore a hobby, have fun on a snowy afternoon, or try a new sport.
Thanks to the financial support of a $1,500 grant from the Community Foundation of Johnson County, the Library has 21 Discovery Kits available to checkout, with 10 specifically created for children. The children’s Discovery Kits include the following: Hiking and Nature; Ukulele; Bugs and Insects; Board Games; Astronomy; Coding and Robotics; Bocce Ball; Cookie and Cake Decorating; Flying Kites; and Rock Collecting.
Discovery Kits may be checked out for three weeks with no renewals. Patrons may only check out one kit at a time.
Read With Me Kits bring storytime to you!
Did you know you can bring the excitement of an Iowa City Public Library storytime home with our Read With Me Kits?
The Library has more than 40 kits available to check out. Each kit was built around a specific theme and contains five books, a storytime starter sheet, and an activity item that coincides with the theme. Activity items vary by kit. Themes include opposites, trains, unicorns, construction, family, cats, and shapes. Read With Me Kits are a great addition to a child’s story routine. They can also supplement a preschool or child care’s reading program.
The kits are shelved in the Storytime Kit collection in the Children’s Room. You’ll also find Read With Me Sensory Kits in the same area. Designed to make storytimes accessible and enjoyable for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, sensory disorders, or other special needs, these kits include books, props, music CDs, puppets, flannel boards, fidget toys, and information on presenting Sensory Storytimes. While the kits were created with a specific audience in mind, they are available for all patrons to check out.
