Library Blog
Posted on Sun, October 16, 2022 - 08:00pm
Last time, I began by asking the question, “What should I write about?” This time I ask, “What is my process?” and by that I mean, “How can I set myself up for success and write a 50,000+ word novel in 30 days?” This begs the question, “What do I need to be ready on Day One?” I know, I know, I ask…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Thu, October 13, 2022 - 08:00pm
Both species featured in last week’s “What Is It!” were observed in eastern Massachusetts during early autumn. The plant image, submitted by Karen, was photographed in the town of Harvard on September 29. Let’s look closely at her photo to gather the details that will identify it.
Entire Plant…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Mon, October 10, 2022 - 08:00pm
“I write to see the beginning and end of it all,”
Grant Faulkner, Executive Director of NaNoWriMo
What should I write about?
There are hundreds of things I could write about and none of them seem worthy of the time needed to put into it. I wanted help so I went looking for ideas, a brilliant can’…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Thu, October 06, 2022 - 08:00pm
This week we offer a doubleheader! If you recognize either the plant or the caterpillar, submit your ID to lrubinacci@amesfreelibrary.org. Where have you seen these species?
The October 14 post will provide identification and some interesting background.
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Wed, September 28, 2022 - 08:00pm
Last weekend I cleaned my goldfish pool which really needed to be refreshed. Although I felt very guilty for its neglect, the task required a chunk of time, something that has eluded me lately. The container, a converted planter, holds about 20 gallons of water, a potted pickerel weed, and three…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Tue, September 27, 2022 - 08:00pm
Are you an expert pumpkin carver? Are you a beginning carver with amazing ideas? We'll be judging your pumpkin carving skills at the Queset House on Friday, October 28.
Bring your carved pumpkin entries to the Queset House on Wednesday, October 26 between 1:00 PM and 8:00 PM, or on Thursday,…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Thu, September 22, 2022 - 08:00pm
On Monday, September 19, some enthusiastic and knowledgeable folks savored the wildflowers of the Ames Free Library campus. If you weren’t there, you missed a good time of shared curiosity, experience, discovery, and laughter. You also might have missed the peak of this season’s blossoms. After a…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Wed, September 21, 2022 - 08:00pm
Fall may be announcing itself with a dreary deluge, but all this rain can’t dampen my spirits. This month I get to share a special summer reading wrap-up edition of the Librarian’s Lounge with you! Keep reading for highlights from this year’s summer reading program, including a list of books that…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Sun, September 18, 2022 - 08:00pm
What is NaNoWriMo? An Introduction
Who, me, you say? Write a book? (NaNoWrimo-no!) You can probably come up with several reasons why you don’t want to spend the month of November writing a novel. So why do it? Participating in NaNoWriMo is an excellent way to develop discipline as a writer, an…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Thu, September 15, 2022 - 08:00pm
This week, the lovely but highly invasive porcelain berry takes center stage at the Ames Free Library. Look for its grape-like leaves and vines and its attractive multi-colored fruit. The speckled berries change color as they ripen, passing through shades of green, pink, purple, and blue. This…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Tue, September 13, 2022 - 08:00pm
Welcome to AFL Staff Stories! Every month we'll introduce you (or REintroduce you!) to a different member of the AFL Staff and tell you a little about their favorites.
This month, meet AFL's Reference & Information Services Librarian, Marina Guo. Click here for Marina's stories.
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Wed, September 07, 2022 - 08:00pm
Last week’s “What Is It!” did not occur at the Ames Free Library. This handsome trio needs more elbow room than Queset Garden offers.
Then again, the locale wasn’t the Serengeti, the Great Plains, or some other distant land. These impressive birds were grazing at a hayfield along my daily…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Thu, September 01, 2022 - 08:00pm
Three mystery birds are the stars of this week’s “What Is It!” Think you know this bird? Submit your ID to A Glimpse of Nature. If you have ever seen this species, please share your experience as well. Next week’s post will tell the story behind this photo…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Thu, August 25, 2022 - 08:00pm
Beyond Queset Garden, past the reflecting pool and hedgerows, is a “neglected” area that provides safe haven for plants and animals. This densely-vegetated thicket offers shelter to the cottontail rabbits, the woodchuck, and the garter snake. Bird songs emanate from this spot, dragonflies cruise…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Sun, August 21, 2022 - 08:00pm
Things have been busy since my last post! We made it through two heat waves and the library has been in full swing with all of our summer events and the summer reading program. If you’re reading this before August 27, there’s still time to log your reading and earn points to spend on raffle tickets…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Wed, August 17, 2022 - 08:00pm
For those of you who avoided our recent dragonfly quiz, and for those who played the game but felt uneasy, here is an observation primer. As with all new subjects, it takes time to get one’s bearings, but there are some easily observable aspects of appearance and behavior that can point you in…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Sun, August 14, 2022 - 08:00pm
Welcome to AFL Staff Stories! Every month we'll introduce you (or REintroduce you!) to a different member of the AFL Staff and tell you a little about their favorites.
This month, meet AFL's Youth Services Librarian, Hannah Paul. Click here for Hannah's stories.
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Thu, August 11, 2022 - 08:00pm
Here’s the latest news.
Part 1: The Robin.
If you recall, last Friday a dramatic thunderstorm passed through our region. It began to sprinkle as I headed to my car; soon there was a deluge. As I readied myself for the commute, I looked towards the robin’s nest and wondered how it would fare…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Sun, August 07, 2022 - 08:00pm
Ever been curious what your neighbors are reading or watching? Here are just some of their suggestions! As we receive more recommendations, we'll post them here on the AFL Blog.
If you would like to suggest something you've loved to your neighbors, fill out our Your Neighbors Recommend form!
The…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Thu, August 04, 2022 - 08:00pm
As I was watering the library’s tomatoes and fall greens, I spotted a small object just outside the entrance. It was new, and its color stood out from the gray and pink masonry.
Here’s a closer look.
“What Is It!”
A handful of Massachusetts birds lay small, unmarked blue eggs. These include…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Thu, July 28, 2022 - 08:00pm
Dragonflies have been among the library’s most conspicuous animals during July – if you’ve been outside long enough to notice them! This summer’s scorching heat sometimes leaves me immobilized, but the dragonflies, and their relatives, the damselflies, keep on going. In fact, they need warmth and…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Wed, July 20, 2022 - 08:00pm
I’ve always enjoyed wrestling with a project – asking questions, making observations, doing research, testing ideas – digging deeper. This temperament and habit informs my natural history study, my writing . . . my lesson plans, garden, home repairs, meals, and just about every creative undertaking…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Mon, July 18, 2022 - 08:00pm
Welcome to AFL Staff Stories! Every month we'll introduce you (or REintroduce you!) to a different member of the AFL Staff and tell you a little about their favorites.
This month, meet AFL's Head of Reference & Adult Services, Megan Tully. Click here for Megan's stories.
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Thu, July 14, 2022 - 08:00pm
On a quiet June afternoon, I was scouting the grounds to see what might be seen and, truth be told, hoping to get another look at the painted turtle . . . or any turtle, for that matter. I didn’t. It was about about six o’clock when I circled back towards the pergola, close to the bocce court, when…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Sun, July 10, 2022 - 08:00pm
Ever been curious what your neighbors are reading or watching? Here are just some of their suggestions! As we receive more recommendations, we'll post them here on the AFL Blog.
If you would like to suggest something you've loved to your neighbors, fill out our Your Neighbors Recommend form!
The…
Category: Staff Picks