Full STEAM Ahead
by Jerri Heid
Everyone’s talking about STEM and STEAM lately; what are they and why do we care?
STEAM Education is an approach to learning that uses Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics as access points for guiding student inquiry, dialogue, and critical thinking. We definitely see this approach in K-12 school classrooms, but did you know that even younger children are capable of using it in their learning through play?
You may have heard the saying that play is a child’s work, and it is true! During play, children learn to... Read Full Blog
Play Together: A New Program
by Ben Shrag
On the last day of 2020, Ames Public Library rang in the new year with our annual family-friendly Noon Year’s Eve celebration. With a countdown ending at noon instead of midnight, families can get all the fun of a New Year’s Eve countdown and still get a good night’s sleep.
Unlike previous Noon Year’s Eve celebrations, however, this year we met online. We fired up the cameras in our Storytime Room (which has been temporarily converted into a make-shift sound stage and filming studio) and greeted each other through screens.
We weren’t sure... Read Full Blog
Free Books For Students at Grab and Go Meal Sites
Ames families will again have access to free books on Fridays at four grab and go meal sites: Meeker, Mitchell, Sawyer, and the Ames Public Library. The location for Ames Public Library is at the south end of the alley behind the Library. Vehicles enter the alley from 6th Street. Pedestrians should approach from 5th Street between Douglas Avenue and Kellogg.
One book per week per student will be distributed for students in grades pre-K through 12. Scheduled dates are July 17, 24, 31 and August 7, from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm. Books were purchased by the Ames Public Library ... Read Full Blog
What's Happening During the Closure?
New York Times Online
You asked for it! Ames Public Library now offers free access to The New York Times online! Connecting you with news and information sources is more important than ever.
Book Give-Way
Did someone say free books? Kids can pick up a free book along with their Grab & Go lunch from Ames schools thanks to the Ames Public Library Friends Foundation, United Way of Story County, and Ames Community School District!
Little Free Libraries
Working with Raising Readers in Story County, the Ames Public Library Friends F...
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Behind the Scenes
As always, Library staff are hard at work behind the scenes. We're still ordering books, movies, and music and getting them ready for you to check out when we reopen. We're shelving any returned items and packing the holds shelves as new books come in. (If you don't need an item you've put on hold, please be sure to cancel it online or by calling us.)
We're also answering questions by phone and e-mail and rearranging some collections to prepare for our reopening. We can't wait to see you again!
Small Talk Builds Babies' Brains
Did you know that Ames Public Library is part of an exciting research program about brain development in babies?
Small Talk Story County is a program that not only trains parents how to help their child’s brain development through talk, but also performs research on the outcomes of the training! The program uses an innovative “talk pedometer” to give parents feedback on how much they are talking with their baby.
We’ll have a special event Thursday, August 15, at 7pm in the Library’s Auditorium to share what the research tells us educating parents to better... Read Full Blog
March Madness
It’s March Madness, book-style! We’re pitting the most popular books in our children’s section against each other in a literary showdown. Each week, vote for you favorite from each face-off by visiting www.bit.ly/APLMarch2019. (Paper ballots are also available at the Youth Services Desk.)
You can track your favorite books' progress on the bracket displayed on the south side of the Youth Services area. In the end, there can be only one!
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