Category: Library news

Think warm thoughts

- Bill Leave a comment

It throws one for a bit of a loop to write down dates like 2010 without seeing George Jetson puttering around in his airborne aquarium.

Similarly, assembling a list of fiction titles that hits shelves long after the subzero temps have left creates a warm feeling, albeit brief.  There will be a baseball game or two on the television, and, heck, I might finally be writing the correct date on my checks.  What’s crazy is you can place those holds now.

The possibilities of short-term time travel might not be that awe-inspiring, but given the bleakness of being Iowan right now, grade me on the curve.

Jodi Picoult — House Rules
Rita Mae Brown — Cat of the Century
Alexander McCall Smith — Double Comfort Safari Club
James Patterson — Worst Case
Tim LaHaye — Matthew’s Story

Davenport Library Homepage – Cool New Feature!

- Ann 1 Comment

dplThanks to requests from patrons, our Technology Wizards here at DPL have added a neat little feature to our homepage. They’ve put an easy-to-find link to “My Account” and “Renew Books” right on front page! (It’s always been available, but not on the homepage) Look for it at the top of the left hand column of links. Click here to check on how many books you have checked out, when they’re due and what you’ve got on hold. You can also renew any books that are coming up on their three-week checkout (unless, of course, someone else is waiting for it) Manage your account, all from the comfort of your computer!

Here’s another great time saver that you might not be aware of – all of the books, videos and CDs that we highlight here on the blog are linked directly to the computer catalog. Simply click on the title (or the picture of the book cover) and viola! you’re at the catalog, looking at the entry for that title. You can immediately see if the book is available or, if it’s checked out, place your hold right there. Simple! We’re happy to enable your reading/watching/listening habit!

Happy Labor Day!

- Ann Leave a comment

Labor DayJust a reminder that the Davenport Public Library will be closed today, September 7 in observance of the Labor Day holiday. Both builings will be open their regular hours tomorrow – Main will be open 9:30am-5:30pm and the Fairmount Branch will be open 12-8:00pm. Created to honor the working man (and woman), Labor Day is often considered the traditional end of the summer season (although we’ve barely had any real summer weather here this year!) Today is the perfect chance to spend time with the family and enjoy one more lazy weekend before our energy turns to fall and the change in seasons.

Have a safe and happy holiday!

We Have a Winner!

- Ann 1 Comment

staycation3Congratulations to KarenW, the winner of our first ever Davenport Library Info Cafe blog contest! Karen’s excellent comment recommended not one but several wonderful places to visit, all arranged in a handy driving tour and includes great places to stop for a meal along the way. Her tour will appeal to many interests including families, and really showcases the beauty and history of eastern Iowa. Be sure to check out her comment!

Need some more ideas for your next Staycation? Here are some thoughts from a couple of our blogging librarians:

Lynn: I, for one, can’t wait to get on the road and try out Karen’s ideas. (it’s very useful to know how to gauge your coffee consumption when you’re in (relatively) unknown territory).

One of my favorite staycations follows the river on the Illinois side. It starts with an early morning  hike at Mississippi Palisades State Park in Savanna (fortified by a thermos full of good strong coffee). Trails along the cliffs and ravines provide just enough challenge to make ice cream, popcorn and/or an elegant Italian meal in Galena seem totally justifed.  To me, it’s a great combination of natural beauty, physical exercise and (sort of) sophisticated indulgence.

Ann: Don’t pass up a visit to the Neil Smith National Wildlife Refuge near Grinnell (about a 2 hour drive west of the Quad Cities, just off Interstate 80) where you can experience Iowa the way it was when the pioneers arrived. Less than one tenth of one percent of the tall grass prairie that once covered Iowa remains; at Neil Smith they are hard at work preserving and restoring authentic prairie. They have an excellent visitor’s center with educational displays and a introductory film, walking paths of various lengths (some are perfect for children) and a driving tour where you will have a very good chance of spotting the buffalo or elk herds. The Refuge is free but you’ll want to pack a picnic lunch. Don’t miss visiting this rare and beautiful land.

Congratulations again Karen and thanks for the great Staycation ideas! Your IMAX tickets are in the mail!

Come Celebrate with Us!

- Ann Leave a comment

EasternYour public library is growing to serve you better! Join us today, July 31, at the site of the new branch library located at 6000 Eastern Avenue (just past 53rd Street) for the Ground Breaking and Ceremonial Tree Planting! We’re super-excited about this new chapter in our story and look forward to opening the Eastern Branch library in summer 2010. Be sure to follow our progress on the Eastern Avenue Branch blog.

Please note, both the Main Library and the Fairmount Branch will be CLOSED on today, Friday July 31, until 1:00pm so that the staff can attend the ceremony. Both buildings will be open on Friday 1:00-5:30pm.

Big Weekend in Davenport!

- Ann Leave a comment

Bix 7Just in case you’re new to the Quad Cities, here’s a heads up – this is a big weekend for events in Davenport! The Bix 7 road race, featuring world-class runners and ordinary-Joes alike, gets started at 8am today. And then the celebration of all things Bix Beiderbecke gets going with the Bix Biederbecke Memorial Jazz Festival, filling the Davenport riverfront and various locations with the sounds of jazz.

Because of the crowds and congestion, the Davenport Main Library will not be open today, Saturday July 25. However, the Fairmount Branch library will be open their usual hours, 9:30am to 5:30pm. Both buildings will be open their regular hours on Monday.

Now get out there and soak up some jazz! Have a great weekend!