Do you have an 8-year-old who loves detective stories? Or maybe a 3-year-old obsessed with trains? Picking out the right book for a child can be challenging, especially when the library is closed for browsing. Let experienced library staff prepare a list of recommended titles or place a bundle of books on hold for you, full of items in the library collection that will fit your child’s age and interest. This is an opportunity to discover new materials without needing to perform the search yourself.
Ready to get started? Simply fill out the form and allow 3-5 days for staff to reply: Ask for a bundle if you want a stack of great finds available ASAP, or ask for a list if you don't know what to check out next and you're looking for an expert match for your tastes.
Whether you’re needing five chapter books in support of Black Lives Matter, or ten pictures books all about numbers, library staff look forward to hearing your requests through our personalized recommendation service, Staff Picks… Just for You! We hope that this service will keep your child engaged in reading and learning, fueling their imagination for years to come!
Check out https://www.icpl.org/kids/kids-resources on our webpage to find everything you need for your child while our building is closed! We want to continue supporting babies, kids, tweens, and their caregivers with educational and fun activities they can do from home. Check in regularly or subscribe to the Children's Little Window newsletter for resources, activities, and updates.
Many of these resources are accessed using your Iowa City Public Library card. Don't have one? September is Library Card signup, so what better time than now! You can apply online here. Are you an Iowa City Community School District student? Your student ID gives you the power to connect to these tools as well. More information about the AIM card can be found here.
We at ICPL are excited to announce a new, ongoing reading program, Read Woke. Provided in partnership with Beanstack and activist librarian Cicely Lewis, Read Woke is designed to challenge people to educate themselves about others through deliberate, thoughtful reading. In order to be Woke, a book must meet one of the following criteria:
Challenge a social norm
Come from the point of view of an oppressed group
Provide information about a group that has been disenfranchised
Seek to challenge the status quo
Shed light on an issue that many may not be aware of or perceive as important
Kickstart your Woke reading with Cedar Rapids Public Library’s zoom book discussions hosted every second Wednesday from September through November. Starting with Hair Love written by Matthew A. Cherry and illustrated by Vashti Harrison, Wednesday, September 9, 2020 from 6 to 6:45 p.m. Join us!
If you have questions regarding your Beanstack account or this new program please do not hesitate to contact the library at 319-356-5200 or by using the Ask Us feature at https://www.icpl.org/services/ask.
Be sure to check ICPL’s Staff Picks page for great Read Woke recommendations!
Craft Kits To-Go
Register for Sunday Fun Day Craft-To-Go Kits from our online events page. Kits can be mailed via US Mail or picked up curbside. Curbside Crafts-To-Go Kits Pickup will be offered Mondays-Fridays 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. These times may change as the service develops. Please register for pick up at least one day before your desired pickup slot and allow several days for mail delivery. Please limit you request to one kit per child in a household, ages 3-12. A new craft kit will be offered every Monday on https://www.icpl.org/events/ages/kids and be available until Saturday or as supplies last, so check out the calendar for new crafts weekly!
Family Night: September Equinox Stargazing
We are bringing back monthly family night activities with ready to-go kits that can be picked up curbside. Look for a new activity each month, and you can even request a book bundle with five items to supplement the activity to be enjoyed by the whole family! When you register, make a plan to pick up the kit the week of the event.
This month, we are recognizing the September Equinox on September 22 with a to-go kit full of stargazing activities! For this celestial event, the sun will shine directly on the equator and there will be nearly equal amounts of day and night throughout the world. This is also the first day of fall (autumnal equinox) in the Northern Hemisphere and the first day of spring (vernal equinox) in the Southern Hemisphere. Sometime this week, enjoy a stargazing night with your family. The kit will include a laminated star and planet locator with an illustrated booklet, information about the sky, constellation crafts, and more! Register at https://www.icpl.org/events/34946/family-night-september-equinox-stargazing Limit one per family.
Virtual Storytimes are one Click Away
Check out our Storytimes! Your Children’s Librarians are bringing you shortened versions of our favorite stories, rhymes and songs.
