Library Blog
Posted on Tue, April 05, 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 we celebrate our new AFL Director, Ian Dunbar. Click here for Ian's stories.
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Mon, April 04, 2022 - 08:00pm
Happy April! As I write this I’m wrapping up a busy shift at the Reference Desk where I’ve seen a mix of new and familiar faces come by throughout the day. Anyone who thinks libraries aren’t lively places clearly hasn’t been to AFL recently!
This month I’m introducing a new feature to the Librarian…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Fri, April 01, 2022 - 08:00pm
Yesterday, as I was writing, I looked up to see this view:
Each year, during breeding season, a flock of turkeys visits my bird feeder on its route between wetlands, clearings, and oak forest. I thought to myself, “Here they come!” And it’s not just the turkeys. As I review my observations over…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Mon, March 28, 2022 - 08:00pm
Are you a bibliophile or perhaps even a bibliomaniac? If you are reading this, then chances are good that you love a good book. My name is Kim and I absolutely love the fact that on most days, working at the circulation desk, I am surrounded by books.
Do you love playing word games? What’s your…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Fri, March 25, 2022 - 08:00pm
To celebrate National Poetry Month this April, the Ames Free Library is cordially inviting you to participate in #PoemsBeforePhones!
#PoemsBeforePhones is a daily practice that encourages you to begin your day with a poem rather than doom-scrolling through social media. If you’re interested in…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Thu, March 24, 2022 - 08:00pm
For the past two weeks, we’ve concentrated on “firsts” – the first observation of a natural phenomena in its annual cycle. This is only reasonable, for the appearance of something new draws attention. More effort is required to notice “lasts” – the last cricket to sing in fall, the last…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Mon, March 21, 2022 - 08:00pm
Hello – and Happy Spring!
I’m Alyisha, the Youth Services Specialist at the Ames Free Library. Though I’m most often found in the Children’s Room, surrounded by glitter, googly eyes, and Mo Willems books, my literary interests are (perhaps surprisingly) diverse and far-flung. I can recommend the…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Sun, March 20, 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 we celebrate AFL's Director, Uma Hiremath. Click here for Uma's stories.
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Fri, March 18, 2022 - 08:00pm
It’s almost spring! Although I’m not usually one to wish the days away, I’m ready for weather that’s warm enough to sit outside and enjoy some time reading in the sunshine and fresh air. Until then I’ll employ a little technological wizardry to imagine myself reading by the sea or with the…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Thu, March 17, 2022 - 08:00pm
March 18, 2022.
Announcement!
I will be offering “Trees in Early Spring” on Monday, March 21 at 2:30. This 1-hour nature walk around the library’s property will provide guidance and practice in tree identification. Learn some interesting facts about our local trees and develop skills to wow your…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Wed, March 16, 2022 - 08:00pm
In late 2021, Vladimir Putin began deploying masses of Russian troops around Ukraine. However, as of Thursday, February 24, 2022, Russia attacked Ukraine along multiple points after various diplomatic entities tried to avert such a crisis. This was the formal ignition of the Russian invasion on…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Sun, March 13, 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, March 10, 2022 - 07:00pm
March 11, 2022
The first week of our “Nature’s Rhythms” activity will end at midnight. Thanks to everyone who has participated. Keep up the good work!
Between March 5th and 11th, several phenomena drew reader’s attention including the activity of raptors and the emergence of garden bulbs. …
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Thu, March 03, 2022 - 07:00pm
I look forward to long weekend walks when there is adequate daylight and no need to rush. Last Saturday’s excursion at an abandoned cranberry bog didn’t disappoint. The sun was shining, and crusty snow still covered the ground. Animal tracks were everywhere, tracks that had repeatedly melted and…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Thu, February 24, 2022 - 07:00pm
Winter in New England means short days, cold weather, dormant plants, changes in animal behavior, and snow – yes, more snow! This season also offers a distinctive and very beautiful night sky. I know winter has arrived when Orion reappears in the heavens.
Orion Over Oakes Ames Hall, February 23…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Thu, February 17, 2022 - 07:00pm
This week started out cold, with single digit mornings in my neighborhood. These low temperatures, in conjunction with some other favorable conditions, created one of my favorite winter phenomena. My first view of the world on Tuesday morning was this:
Window Frost on February 15, 2022
Elegant…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Sun, February 13, 2022 - 07:00pm
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!…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Thu, February 10, 2022 - 07:00pm
Today is a mild, sunny day, one of those days when the library patrons are smiling and the birds are singing. It’s quite a contrast to last Friday’s ice storm which challenged anyone who ventured (or lived) outdoors. The day after the storm, I was stepping gingerly through the library’s ice-…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Mon, February 07, 2022 - 07:00pm
I began my last post talking about the snowstorm that was heading our way. That storm turned out to be just an appetizer for the one that dumped over two feet of snow on the area just before we turned the calendars to February. If you don’t mind venturing out in the snow and ice (and it’s safe for…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Thu, February 03, 2022 - 07:00pm
“Trees in Winter” was a “before” quiz, an assessment of what you already know or can aim to learn. It limited the selection of trees to those living at the Ames Free Library, a manageable group growing on a small, easily-traversed property. I hope that their names and images will stay in your mind…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Thu, January 27, 2022 - 07:00pm
When the leaves fell off this young tree, they left large heart-shaped leaf scars with buds nestled above them. These scars and buds offer clues to a leafless tree’s identity, as do those little speckles called lenticels. To familiarize yourself with some of these features, try our “Trees in…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Thu, January 20, 2022 - 07:00pm
Winter is a great time to learn how to recognize trees, now that all those leaves are out of the way! Bark, buds, and the tree's shape offer helpful clues. Why not try your hand at tree identification by playing our "Trees in Winter" game? This illustrated multiple choice quiz is centered on…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Thu, January 13, 2022 - 07:00pm
If you are familiar with poison ivy, you probably think of it when it is green and leafy as in this photo from Queset Garden:
Young Poison Ivy Plant, June 25, 2020
This is to be expected since we humans spend more time outside in warm weather, when long days and summer vacations provide…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Sun, January 09, 2022 - 07:00pm
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!
A…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Thu, January 06, 2022 - 07:00pm
As I’m writing this, the first big snowstorm of the season is heading our way. I’d be lying if I said I wasn't looking forward to it. After all, a snowstorm is a perfect excuse to curl up with a cup of tea and a good book!
But it’s not all cozy winter reading over here. A new year means planning…
Category: Staff Picks