Library Blog
Posted on Tue, April 27, 2021 - 08:00pm
You may have read that AFL is observing Screen-Free Week, but what does that mean for you?
Screen-Free Week is an annual event during the first week of May that encourages families to find activities to do - preferably together! - that don't involve screens. This year, it's May 3 through May 9. …
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Mon, November 30, 2020 - 07:00pm
Listen to Miss Jess share Hanukkah and Christmas books during these holiday storytimes!
These prerecorded storytimes can be viewed at your convenience, December 1 - 31, 2020!
To see ALL of our storytimes, visit our Storytimes playlist on our YouTube page!
Category: Youth Services, Kids, Story Times Online
Posted on Thu, November 19, 2020 - 07:00pm
Welcome to Miss Jess Suggests!
In each episode of this series, Head of Youth Services Jessica Block recommends great books for you to try (plus some bonus titles!). Different episodes will focus on one interest level or age group, so if you don't hear about something "just right" for your reader,…
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Thu, November 19, 2020 - 07:00pm
Take your remote schooling to a whole new level! AFL has a new database to support your academics.
Brainfuse HelpNow offers on-demand, personalized tutoring for K-12 students and adult learners.
Log in with your library card* to access live tutoring, asynchronous study support, skills building…
Category: Youth Services, Kids, Teen
Posted on Thu, November 12, 2020 - 07:00pm
November is flying by, but there’s still fun to be had from Youth Services!
Zoom storytimes with Miss Jess continue weekly through November. No advance registration is required. All storytimes start at 10:30 AM. Learn more about each storytime.
Tuesdays: Wiggleworms for toddlers
Wednesdays:…
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Thu, October 29, 2020 - 08:00pm
This month’s featured author is homegrown! Local author Anna Staniszewski’s books span from tween novels to picture books, with a new chapter book series in between! Visit Ms. Staniszewski’s website to find out more about all of her books, get a sneak peek at her upcoming picture book, and to learn…
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Sun, October 25, 2020 - 08:00pm
Election Day is just a week away, and we hope you’re all planning to get out to the polls (if you haven’t already voted early!). Your voice counts – be heard! Find out more about voting in Easton here.
But there’s another voting opportunity you don’t want to miss – our Fall Festivities Photo…
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Thu, October 22, 2020 - 08:00pm
Halloween is a hugely social celebration; many people participate by trick or treating in their neighborhoods, pumpkin patch hayrides, or visiting haunted houses. Whether you’re celebrating Halloween, looking forward to the winter holidays, or planning something else, the big question is: how do…
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Sun, October 18, 2020 - 08:00pm
Things feel a little like they’re getting back to normal… until you realize that it’s now “normal” to do everything on your screen! It’s been a big adjustment for everyone – including us at the library!
We’re rolling out some fresh storytimes for the fall (have you seen S’more Stories yet? And…
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Thu, October 15, 2020 - 08:00pm
This week’s Family Fun is brought to you by Adult Services Librarian Megan. Learn more about using the free Creativebug database to get really fun craft ideas!
The weather outside may not be frightful just yet, but it is starting to get cooler. If you're already in search of some indoor family…
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Sun, October 11, 2020 - 08:00pm
If you haven’t caught an episode of S’more Stories with Miss Alyisha yet – tune in today! There’s a new episode every Friday, but you can catch them any day online under the Storytimes & Events column at https://amesfreelibrary.org/kids-homepage.
These gently creepy fall stories are perfect…
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Thu, October 08, 2020 - 08:00pm
Fall is my favorite season! The colors are still a bit spotty around town, but trees are starting to display their showy leaves! Take a walk in Easton's natural areas (check out Borderland State Park, the Sheep Pasture, and the Governor Ames Estate) - or in your own neighborhood – and observe,…
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Sun, October 04, 2020 - 08:00pm
Many of us are still deciding what Halloween might look like for our families this year, but one thing never changes: kids love to dress up! Without the multitude of parties, parades, and celebrations this year, we want to give your kids a place to show off their costumes.
This October, our Fall…
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Thu, October 01, 2020 - 08:00pm
It’s getting dark earlier… perfect for stories and snuggles under a blanket, or if you’re feeling brave… slight scares around a campfire! Starting tonight, throughout the month of October, check our website for new storytimes with Miss Alyisha! These gently creepy fall stories are perfect for…
Category: Youth Services, Kids, Story Times Online
Posted on Sun, September 27, 2020 - 08:00pm
School has finally started – congratulations and good luck to all our brand new Kindergartners!
For those of you whose little ones haven’t yet started Kindergarten, there’s still time to read 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten! It sounds like a challenge, but reading 1,000 books is easier than you…
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Thu, September 24, 2020 - 08:00pm
As described on their website, Alex Gino “loves glitter, ice cream, gardening, awe-ful puns, and stories that reflect the diversity and complexity of being alive.” Check out Alex’s website to learn more about them and their books.
Alex’s stories give middle school readers a gentle look at the life…
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Sun, September 20, 2020 - 08:00pm
School is back in session, leaves are changing, pumpkins are showing up on everyone’s doorsteps… what else is new?
Books kept being published even as we quarantined safely at home throughout the spring and summer, so now that we’re open for browsing, there’s plenty of good stuff for you to check…
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Thu, September 17, 2020 - 08:00pm
Many homeschool families have started their learning journey already, and hopefully you have an idea of what your first few months will look like, but it’s always nice to have support!
Similar to remote learning families, you’ll want to be sure you have a few things in place as you get into the…
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Sun, September 13, 2020 - 08:00pm
Summer Reading is now officially over, but if you were reading right up to the end and haven’t collected your beads yet, you still have a few days! You can buy beads in the ReadSquared Prize Store through Saturday, September 19.
When you log in to ReadSquared, you will see a note that no programs…
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Thu, September 10, 2020 - 08:00pm
Whatever model of schooling you’ve chosen for this academic year, your student will be spending at least some time learning from home. While it doesn’t sound exactly like “fun,” there are some things you can do together to prepare your space for this to happen.
Outline a daily schedule. It’s easier…
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Sun, September 06, 2020 - 08:00pm
Know Before You Go! You have probably heard by now that the library is open for limited browsing – but what does that mean in the Children’s Room?
Here are our current guidelines:
One family is allowed in the Children’s Room at a time so you can have the flexibility to look around without worrying…
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Thu, September 03, 2020 - 08:00pm
The clock is ticking, and regardless of what school looks like for you this year – the unofficial End of Summer (Labor Day weekend) is upon us! So whether you’re jumping into school right away, or still have a couple of weeks, now is the time to squeeze in that last-minute family fun! The weather’s…
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Sun, August 30, 2020 - 08:00pm
In case you missed it: the library is now open for limited browsing! You’re welcome to come into the library for short visits to find and check out materials. This also means that if you’ve earned beads for your Summer Reading necklace over the summer, you can come right up to the Youth Services…
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Thu, August 27, 2020 - 08:00pm
Terri Libenson is a comic-strip cartoonist turned middle grade author. Ms. Libenson’s graphic novels are perfect back-to-school reads! Each book features a girl facing a particular challenge at school. These lighthearted books feature friendships, school and extracurricular challenges, and the…
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Tue, August 25, 2020 - 08:00pm
Due to Easton's delayed start of school this year, Read & Bead has been extended through Saturday, September 12! We all have a lot of feelings about school starting this year... so keep yourselves busy (and distracted!) with more books! Encourage your kids to continue logging their time and…
Category: Youth Services, Kids