Kim White from Incredible Bats will be visiting ICPL for a special informative program on bats! Learn about and interact with bats and other animals from around the world.
Incredible Bats share their Egyptian Fruit Bats and African Straw-Colored Fruit Bats with kids, and it's a great opportunity to see them up close! This program is best suited for elementary ages, grades K-6th.
Thursday, Oct. 31, 10:30 a.m., Meeting Room A
Join us for a special Halloween Storytime followed by a Trick or Treat Parade through the Library! This year we will be visiting several booooooo-k carts that are ready to show off their Halloween costumes and eager to hand out some tricks and treats! After the parade, stop into the Storytime Room for more Halloween fun with crafts!
Celebrate Día de Muertos at the Library: Marigold Fiesta, Movie, and Ofrenda
Join us for a celebration of Día de Muertos at the Iowa City Public Library! On Tuesday, October 15, from 4 to 5 p.m., experience our World Club's Marigold Fiesta, where all ages are welcome to explore the traditions of Día de Muertos through stories, crafts, and activities like making colorful cempazuchitl (marigold) flowers. Then, on Friday, November 1, from 5 to 7 p.m., enjoy a special screening of Disney-Pixar's Coco as we delve into the beautiful Mexican holiday honoring ancestors.
Don’t forget to visit our children’s area throughout October to appreciate the stunning ofrenda created by our librarian Miriam, celebrating the memories of those who came before us.
Join us every Monday from 10:30 to 11 a.m. in the Storytime Room for a playful Spanish Bilingual Storytime with Children's Librarian Miriam! Every week, there will be a fun theme with plenty of repetition from previous weeks in order to enhance language learning. Get ready for a lot of movement with singing, dancing, activities, stories, and rhymes in both Spanish and English.
Miriam Khaetov is the newest member of Children’s Services; she is in charge of Spanish Bilingual Storytimes, programs and outreach on the ICPL Bookmobile. Miriam was born and raised in Mexico, and has lived here in Iowa City for the last eight years.
Let’s learn a bit more about Miriam and the work she is doing at ICPL!
What can families expect when they come to a Spanish Bilingual Storytime?
Miriam: Families will have a great time with a fun mix of stories, catchy songs, and interactive fingerplays in both Spanish and English. It’s a great way to spend time together while kids pick up Spanish in a playful and engaging way!
What is your favorite part of working at the library?
Miriam: What I love about working at the library is getting to help people discover new interests and revisit old ones. It’s wonderful to see their excitement and curiosity. And with so many fun programs and activities, there’s always something fresh and exciting to check out!
Why do you think it's beneficial for kids to learn a second language alongside the early literacy skills that are practiced at Storytime?
Miriam: I think it’s a great way to connect with different cultures and perspectives. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to explore new adventures. It’s a win-win that helps them grow in so many ways!
What is a children's book you really enjoy?
Miriam: One of my favorites is "Mix It Up!" by Hervé Tullet. It’s perfect for teaching kids about mixing colors and learning color names in Spanish. Another favorite is "Can You Make a Scary Face?" by Jan Thomas. It’s a fun, interactive book that gets kids making silly faces and laughing along!
