Library Blog
Posted on Fri, March 31, 2023 - 07:00pm
From February 1st through March 15th, 2023, the Boston Bruins, Cradles to Crayons, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, and Wonderfund came together for the 16th annual Pajama Drive. Every year, the drive collects donations of new pajamas for children living in low-income and homeless…
Category: Kids, Youth Services
Posted on Thu, March 23, 2023 - 08:00pm
Our first week of spring brought mild temperatures, bird and frog songs, and some early blossoms. At this time of year, watch for tree and shrub flowers like those of the pussy willow. This might require adjusting your perspective because some of these flowers are quite small or located on upper…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Mon, March 20, 2023 - 08:00pm
If you’ve used the OverDrive app in the last few years, chances are you’ve been encouraged to make the switch to its sister app, Libby. Whether this encouragement came from a friend, family member, librarian, or a notification within the app itself, chances are you’ve heard about access to the…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Thu, March 16, 2023 - 08:00pm
Last Sunday, like most Sundays, I went for a walk, though I really didn’t feel up to it. Tired, sniffly, and grumpy, I couldn’t face another damp, gray day. Nevertheless, I donned my gear and set out to find river otter scat. Yes, that’s how I spend my weekends!
Once outside of my home and my…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Thu, March 16, 2023 - 08:00pm
Most days, you’ll find me sitting behind the Reference Desk here at AFL. I’m always happy to be there to help you tackle technology troubles, find just the right book for research or entertainment, or to share some details about the history of our building. But earlier this week, I temporarily…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Sun, March 12, 2023 - 08:00pm
As the days grow longer, crocuses bloom, and the temperature slowly climbs, your friendly Children's Librarians are thinking about spring. Specifically, we're thinking about what the new season might mean for storytime.
In recent years, we've held storytime outside in the Queset Garden during the…
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Thu, March 09, 2023 - 07:00pm
When the library reopened after the Covid shutdown, a small table was added to an alcove adjoining the staff lunchroom, presumably to encourage social distancing. The six-foot separations ended some time ago, but the miniature table remains . . . and it is my favorite spot for meals. Some people…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Tue, March 07, 2023 - 07:00pm
Easton Community Access Television, in partnership with The Ames Free Library and The Easton Shovel Town Cultural District, presents ROCK THAT CROWN; a children's book that celebrates the CROWN Act and encourages everyone to live their authentic self! The CROWN Act stands for “Create a Respectful…
Category: AFL Videos
Posted on Thu, March 02, 2023 - 07:00pm
Snow is forecast for tonight. As with other recent storms, temperatures will be mild and the flakes will mix with rain. If we get lucky, by Sunday morning some of the snow will survive long enough to preserve animal tracks from the previous night. Not too dry, not too warm, not too deep . . . if…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Mon, February 27, 2023 - 07:00pm
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 one of AFL's Circulation Technicians, Christie Bramante. Click here for Christie's stories.
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Thu, February 23, 2023 - 07:00pm
It began with the tufted titmouse. As I crossed the library’s parking lot, the bird’s voice caught my attention, which seemed odd knowing that titmice live year-round in Massachusetts. I probably hear them every day, but this was February 2, the day when winter-weary humans pin their hopes on…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Thu, February 16, 2023 - 07:00pm
Several readers identified “What Is It! #8” as an owl pellet. I expected this, but the discovery of a pellet gives me an excuse to delve into a fascinating topic.
Last April I found this particular pellet under a large pine between Queset House and the garden. It was 1 ¾ inches long by ⅞ inches…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Thu, February 09, 2023 - 07:00pm
A dust bunny? My cat’s hairball? What is this object?
Email your ideas to lrubinacci@amesfreelibrary.org and check back next week for the story behind the image.
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Thu, February 02, 2023 - 07:00pm
“How lucky are we to have received so many amazing submissions!” exclaimed Megan Tully, Head of Reference & Adult Services at the Ames Free Library. The staff had just voted for their favorite “Picturing Winter” entries . . . and it wasn’t easy! Twenty-seven photographers submitted 108…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Mon, January 30, 2023 - 07:00pm
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 one of AFL's Queset House Managers, Dana Hourigan. Click here for Dana's stories.
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Sun, January 29, 2023 - 07:00pm
Now that you’ve had some practice finding crustose, foliose, and fruticose lichens, it’s time to fine-tune your observations. Let’s begin with patterns. I urge you to spend some time during the next few weeks learning a few of the most frequently-seen lichen families and familiarizing yourself with…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Fri, January 20, 2023 - 07:00pm
What perfect timing! Snow and lichens are coordinated for maximum beauty and relevance to this blog.
Lichens on Beech, Morton Pond, Plymouth, January 16, 2023
Let this exquisite pattern prompt you to get outdoors and savor nature’s artistry. While you’re at it, take a few ice-and-snow photos…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Thu, January 12, 2023 - 07:00pm
As several readers noted, last week’s “What Is It!” was a lichen, one of those extraordinary partnerships between a fungus and an alga. I am sure many of you have seen it on the library’s Main Street wall. Yes, that yellow “paint” is alive!
Lichen on Library Wall, January 2023
Most readers,…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Thu, January 05, 2023 - 07:00pm
Have you seen the subject of this week’s “What Is It!” game? If you recognize this organism, submit your ID to A Glimpse of Nature. Where have you seen this species? Check back next week for an ID and overview of the topic.
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Soon…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Thu, December 29, 2022 - 07:00pm
Were you dreaming of a White Christmas but experienced a bitterly cold one instead? Are you dreading the snow and slush that the rest of this winter may have in store for us? Do you wish you could pick up a cloud and squish it?
Well, on December 28, 2022, Miss Hannah held a “Snow Slime” program…
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Thu, December 29, 2022 - 07:00pm
There was a time, not so very long ago, when gardening consumed most of my free time and creativity. This was especially true when I first moved to a tumbledown-but-promising homestead in Pembroke in 2010. I eagerly established shrub borders, a butterfly garden, walkways, a patio, vegetable beds,…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Mon, December 26, 2022 - 07:00pm
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 one of AFL's Queset House Managers, California Muratore. Click here for California's stories.
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Thu, December 22, 2022 - 07:00pm
Calling all nature lovers with a camera. It’s time to share what you see and, perhaps, to challenge yourselves to notice more. You’re invited to participate in “Picturing Winter,” the Ames Free Library’s winter photography contest! Photos must relate to the theme of ice and snow.
Thin Ice…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Wed, December 21, 2022 - 07:00pm
This Winter Break, put on your fuzzy socks, build a blanket fort, ask a grown-up to make you a cup of cocoa, and snuggle up with a seasonal read. All of these great books were featured during December's Chapter 1: Book Tasting program. If you missed the meeting, that's OK! Keep reading for some…
Category: Staff Picks, Kids
Posted on Thu, December 15, 2022 - 07:00pm
Snow fell last weekend – the first light storm of the season in Southeastern Massachusetts – and immediately thereafter, a small flock of dark-eyed juncos appeared in my backyard. I’m sure many of you are familiar with these gray and white “snow birds” who are winter visitors in our area.
…
Category: Staff Picks