Library Blog
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
See what’s happening on the grounds of the Ames Free Library or nearby areas with “A Glimpse of Nature.” Offered by Lorraine Rubinacci, the library's resident naturalist, this weekly photo blog is a gentle reminder to enjoy the wonders that surround us.
A Glimpse of Nature - "Common Garter…
Category: Staff Picks
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 Thu, July 08, 2021 - 08:00pm
Experience a story in a different way, with no books or pictures! Close your eyes, listen carefully, and prepare for an adventure. What would it be like to have a highly-sensitive snout, leathery wings, feathery whiskers, or a glittering, rainbow tail? Let your imagination (& your body!) run …
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Thu, July 08, 2021 - 08:00pm
Two weeks ago, I shared an image of an eastern tiger swallowtail perched on a plant. The butterfly got the spotlight. Butterflies always get the spotlight. Today we’re going to give some attention to the extraordinary plant: common milkweed. Most of the time when I read about milkweed, people…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Wed, June 30, 2021 - 08:00pm
See what’s happening on the grounds of the Ames Free Library or nearby areas with “A Glimpse of Nature.” Offered by Lorraine Rubinacci, the library's resident naturalist, this weekly photo blog is a gentle reminder to enjoy the wonders that surround us.
A Glimpse of Nature - "Snapping Turtle…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Thu, June 24, 2021 - 08:00pm
Looking for something fresh? Check out one of these fun summer reads!
One Man Guy by Michael Barakiva
When Alek's high-achieving, Armenian-American parents send him to summer school, he thinks his summer is ruined. But then he meets Ethan, who opens his world in a series of truly unexpected ways…
Category: Youth Services, Teen
Posted on Thu, June 24, 2021 - 08:00pm
See what’s happening on the grounds of the Ames Free Library or nearby areas with “A Glimpse of Nature.” Offered by Lorraine Rubinacci, the library's resident naturalist, this weekly photo blog is a gentle reminder to enjoy the wonders that surround us.
A Glimpse of Nature - "Eastern Tiger…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Thu, June 17, 2021 - 08:00pm
See what’s happening on the grounds of the Ames Free Library or nearby areas with “A Glimpse of Nature.” Offered by Lorraine Rubinacci, the library's resident naturalist, this weekly photo blog is a gentle reminder to enjoy the wonders that surround us.
A Glimpse of Nature - "Tulip Tree"
Have…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Mon, June 14, 2021 - 08:00pm
Welcome to “Travel Tuesdays,” a resource for those whose plans have been deferred and a distraction for people who enjoy armchair travel. Each week we’ll suggest a virtual destination for you to visit.
All of these ideas are curated and brought to you by Lorraine Rubinacci!
To read Lorraine's…
Category: Staff Picks, Daily Distractions
Posted on Mon, June 07, 2021 - 08:00pm
Welcome to “Travel Tuesdays,” a resource for those whose plans have been deferred and a distraction for people who enjoy armchair travel. Each week we’ll suggest a virtual destination for you to visit.
All of these ideas are curated and brought to you by Lorraine Rubinacci!
To read Lorraine's…
Category: Staff Picks, Daily Distractions
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 Mon, May 31, 2021 - 08:00pm
Perfect On Paper by Sophie Gonzales
Seventeen-year-old Darcy Phillips, a bisexual girl who gives anonymous love advice to her classmates, is hired by the "hot" guy at school to help him get his ex back.
In Deeper Waters by F.T. Lukens
Sixteen-year-old Prince Tal is on his long-awaited coming-…
Category: Youth Services, Teen
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
Posted on Mon, May 24, 2021 - 08:00pm
Welcome to “Travel Tuesdays,” a resource for those whose plans have been deferred and a distraction for people who enjoy armchair travel. Each week we’ll suggest a virtual destination for you to visit.
All of these ideas are curated and brought to you by Lorraine Rubinacci!
To read Lorraine's…
Category: Staff Picks, Daily Distractions
Posted on Fri, May 21, 2021 - 08:00pm
Welcome to the Ames Free Library Summer Reading Program for Teens! We've posted a list of your summer reading requirements from OAHS for you to start with.
Interested in winning some prizes too? Have a look at our Summer Reading Program details below...
CALLING ALL TEENS 13 - 18 YEARS OLD!…
Category: Youth Services, Teen
Posted on Wed, May 12, 2021 - 08:00pm
Tina Kanter, Sommelier of Happy Being Clean, features Rosés from regions across the globe. This information-packed Master Class will include how to understand Rosé, as well as its regionality, and style. We’ll learn about Tina’s favorites and some wine tasting notes, as well as how to buy, store,…
Category: AFL Videos
Posted on Mon, May 10, 2021 - 08:00pm
Welcome to “Travel Tuesdays,” a resource for those whose plans have been deferred and a distraction for people who enjoy armchair travel. Each week we’ll suggest a virtual destination for you to visit.
All of these ideas are curated and brought to you by Lorraine Rubinacci!
To read Lorraine's…
Category: Staff Picks, Daily Distractions
Posted on Sun, May 09, 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, May 04, 2021 - 08:00pm
Welcome to “Travel Tuesdays,” a resource for those whose plans have been deferred and a distraction for people who enjoy armchair travel. Each week we’ll suggest a virtual destination for you to visit.
All of these ideas are curated and brought to you by Lorraine Rubinacci!
To read Lorraine's…
Category: Staff Picks, Daily Distractions
Posted on Thu, April 29, 2021 - 08:00pm
Confession: I’m a Millennial who’s addicted to her phone.
I knew it would happen. I put up a good fight. I held on to my flip phone for as long as humanly possible. I held on for so long, in fact, that my friends all mocked me for being a Luddite. But I knew that once I got a Smartphone, it…
Category: Staff Picks
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, April 26, 2021 - 08:00pm
Welcome to “Travel Tuesdays,” a resource for those whose plans have been deferred and a distraction for people who enjoy armchair travel. Each week we’ll suggest a virtual destination for you to visit.
All of these ideas are curated and brought to you by Lorraine Rubinacci!
To read Lorraine's…
Category: Staff Picks, Daily Distractions
Posted on Sun, April 25, 2021 - 08:00pm
We've all spent so many hours in front of screens in the past year - let's cut the cord and break free!
Screen-Free Week is observed during the first week of May; this year it's May 3 through 9. Obviously you can't quit school or work for a week, but outside of necessary working hours, take…
Category: Staff Picks
Posted on Tue, April 20, 2021 - 08:00pm
Welcome to “Travel Tuesdays,” a resource for those whose plans have been deferred and a distraction for people who enjoy armchair travel. Each week we’ll suggest a virtual destination for you to visit.
All of these ideas are curated and brought to you by Lorraine Rubinacci!
To read Lorraine's…
Category: Staff Picks, Daily Distractions