Library Blog
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 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 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 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 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 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 Mon, December 20, 2021 - 07:00pm
Take a look at these sparkling standouts! Click to link below to learn about some of the best books AFL staff read in 2021. Click on any book cover and get directed to the AFL catalog to learn more or place a hold.
AFL 2021 Staff Favorites
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Sun, December 12, 2021 - 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 Sun, December 05, 2021 - 07:00pm
Get to know your town officials through their favorite reads! Scroll through to see their selections and click on any book cover to learn more or place a hold through our catalog.
Leaders & Readers
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Tue, November 30, 2021 - 07:00pm
Is it really December already? With the end of the year and the holiday season upon us, I didn’t spend too much time exploring different library resources in November, but I do have my eye on a few courses from LinkedIn Learning. More on those next month!
If you stop by the library during the month…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Sun, November 07, 2021 - 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 Sun, October 31, 2021 - 08:00pm
I’m what some would describe as a “mood reader” - meaning that what book I pick up next (or what book I set aside after starting it) is driven largely by my mood. And, for whatever reason, that led to a lot of mystery reading last month! It was also a month FULL of audiobooks. Keep reading to find…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Wed, October 13, 2021 - 08:00pm
These books and movies are a scream! Click on any spooky cover image to learn more or place a hold through our catalog.
Spooky Staff Picks...
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Sun, October 10, 2021 - 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!
Trail…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Thu, September 30, 2021 - 08:00pm
Happy Fall! Thanks for stopping by the Librarian’s Lounge this month. September brought me some excellent books and tasty treats. I’m excited to share them with you today, but I want to hear from you, too! Did you read a book last month that I should add to my TBR? Did a book or resource from AFL…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Tue, September 21, 2021 - 08:00pm
It's the autumnal equinox, and the Ames Free Library staff is ready to recommend some good books! These titles are all excellent choices this season, whether you're pulling up a cozy chair, stretching out on the couch with a blanket, or plopping into a pile of leaves! Click on any book cover to…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Sun, September 12, 2021 - 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 Tue, August 31, 2021 - 08:00pm
What I'm Reading
Last Summer at the Golden Hotel by Elyssa Friedland
The golden days of the Golden Hotel are a thing of the past. Once the shining glory of the Catskills, the resort is slowly and steadily falling apart. Prompted by an offer to sell, three generations of the Goldman and Weingold…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Fri, August 20, 2021 - 08:00pm
It's the best time of year to hit the beach with a good beach read! Smell the salt air with these titles, all of which come highly recommended by the staff at the Ames Free Library. Click on any book cover and get directed to the AFL catalog to learn more or place a hold.
Best Beach Reads
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Fri, July 16, 2021 - 08:00pm
Once your assigned summer reading is done, check out our NEW YA BOOKS for some fun summer reading. There's something for everyone!
An Emotion of Great Delight by Tahereh Mafi
In the wake of 9/11, Shadi, a child of Muslim immigrants, tries to navigate her crumbling world of death, heartbreak, and…
Category: Youth Services, Teen
Posted on Sun, July 11, 2021 - 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!…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Sun, June 06, 2021 - 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 Fri, May 28, 2021 - 08:00pm
This past week, we lost two Children's Book greats: Eric Carle (The Very Hungry Caterpillar) & Lois Ehlert (Chicka Chicka Boom Boom). Both were prolific authors & illustrators whose work will live on in the imaginations of children (& adults!) for generations to come.
Here are some…
Category: Youth Services, Kids