Meet & greet with ICPL’s new Library Director on May 16
The Iowa City Public Library Friends Foundation invites the public to meet the Library’s new director, Elsworth Carman, on Thursday, May 16, from 4 to 6 p.m. in the first floor gallery near the entrance to the Children’s Room.
Carman, who assumed his new role in January, received his master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Information Studies. Prior to joining ICPL, Carman spent two-and-a-half years working in Marion, first as director of the Marion Public Library, then as a city administrator. He previously was a manager at the Oak Park Public Library in Illinois.
The community is welcome to stop by for cookies and conversation anytime during the two-hour window, though brief formal remarks will be made at 4:15 p.m.
Dine out to support the ICPL Friends Foundation
Here’s a novel idea: take a break from the kitchen and go out to eat. Better yet, enjoy a meal and support the Iowa City Public Library Friends Foundation at the same time.
The Foundation has partnered with local restaurants for a fun fundraising program: Eat Out to Read.
On Wednesday, May 1, enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner at Goosetown Café, 203 N. Linn St. Mention ICPL and a percentage of food sales will be donated to the Iowa City Public Library Friends Foundation.
Lobby Stops bring the Library to patrons
"What do you have for us today?"
That question was asked by a Walden Place resident. It was directed to Librarian Assistant Heidi Kuchta during a recent Lobby Stop.
Lobby Stops are the newest addition to the Library's Outreach Services.
“The Bookmobile is doing a great job reaching community members away from the Downtown Library, but we learned from Bookmobile stops at retirement residences that there are people unable to use the Bookmobile because of mobility issues,” Community and Access Services Coordinator Kara Logsden said.
A Lobby Stop includes materials for checkout, holds placed for future delivery, and assistance from Library staff members. Kuchta visits Walden Place, Bickford Senior Living, Emerson Point and Legacy Assisted Living every other week, with west side stops occurring the first and third Mondays of the month, and the east side stops taking place the second and fourth Mondays. The visits not only provide access to books and information, they give residents the opportunity to socialize as they browse.
"The Lobby Stops create a fun atmosphere of community that is greatly appreciated by residents and staff,” Kuchta said.
Tickets available for Looking Forward fundraiser on May 3
Join the Iowa City Public Library Friends Foundation on Friday, May 3, for a conversation between writer and journalist Connie Schultz and Sarah Smarsh, author of Heartland: A Memoir of Working Hard and Being Broke in the Richest Country in the World.
The book was a finalist for the 2018 National Book Awards and has received other prestigious honors. The conversation will begin at 7 p.m. at the Englert Theatre, 221 E Washington St. Prairie Lights will be on hand to sell copies of Heartland.
Looking Forward is a fundraiser for ICPL. In an effort to make this fundraising event financially accessible to all, we will offer three options for participating and supporting the Iowa City Public Library. The options range from a free will donation to $125 per person tickets to meet and talk with the featured speakers. Purchase tickets here.
