Applications Due Tomorrow!

The applications for the Brand New Teen Advisory Board for 7th-12th graders are due tomorrow (September 30). If you, or someone you know, is interested in being a member, make sure to stop in before 5:00 p.m. tomorrow and fill out an application.

Banned Books Week!

It is Banned Books Week here at the library! We have a big display of banned or challenged books right near the front of the library. Come in and celebrate your freedom to read by checking out the "Banned."

Mark Your Calendars!

The annual Halloween Party at the library is coming up fast. Mark your calendars for Thursday, October 27 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. There will be crafts, games, refreshments, and a trick-or-treat route through the library. It's a great way to give your costume a test run before the big night, or to re-use a favorite costume from last year.

New DVDs

New DVDs are arriving at the library all the time! Here are some of the ones that are currently available for checkout. If you see something you want, feel free to call the library and we will place it on hold for you. Bridesmaids Conan O'Brien Can't Stop Dark Days Disneynature: Crimson Wing The Mystery of the Flamingo Downton Abbey Everything Must Go Forks Over Knives Hanna Jumping the Broom Pom Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold Something Borrowed Third Wave Thor X-Men First Class

Iowa Workforce Access Point

The Solon Library is now an Iowa Works Access Point. With the closing of Iowa Workforce Development offices around the state, libraries have been turned into places to find information about unemployment insurance and job searching materials. At our library, two of our computer stations have been loaded with the Iowa Works software. If you are interested in using the software, make sure to come to the desk and ask for the Virtual Desktop Guide. It includes log in instructions to access the information and a user's guide to help you navigate the program.

Looking to Learn a New Language

The Solon Library recently acquired a new language program that allows you to learn a new language online. The program is called Tell Me More and is an easy to use program that allows you to practice from any computer that has an Internet connection. There are several different languages to choose from, with a variety of tools to help you learn. Tell Me More focuses on helping people learn to pronounce words like a native speaker by using speech recognition technology. To access the program, visit the page on our website and create an account with Tell Me More.

Popular Puzzles

We have had puzzles available for checkout at the library for several years now, but there has been a recent surge in popularity for our 300 piece puzzles. They are really nice because they have bigger pieces that are easier to grip (and harder to lose) and can be put together much quicker than the 1000 piece puzzles. We have purchased quite a few of these puzzles over the last few months but we will always take puzzle donations, especially if they are the ones with the larger pieces.

Storytime Is In Session!

Storytime is always in session here at the Solon Library! With the exception of a few weeks out of the year (around the holidays and right before summer reading) there will always be storytime on Tuesday mornings at 10:30. Join Miss Jennifer at the library every Tuesday for preschool storytime. Preschool storytime meets at 10:30 a.m. and is geared for ages 2-5, but siblings are always welcome. Each session consists of 20-25 minutes of stories, songs, and action rhymes followed by a craft. No registration is required.

Teen Advisory Board

The Solon Public Library is looking for 7th-12th graders to serve on the NEW Teen Advisory Board (TAB). Members of the Board will share ideas about programming and give recommendations for young adult materials (movies and books). Meetings will be held once a month. If you are interested in being a member of the Teen Advisory Board, come to the library and fill out an application. All applications are due by Friday, September 30.

Anniversary Window Display

Did you miss the anniversary festivities at the library? If you did, there is still a chance to catch Toni's beautiful window display "Black Tie Affair" in the library window. The window is in celebration of the building's 10th anniversary and represents a Gatsby-esque garden party. The display will be up until Friday, September 30, so stop by the library and check it out.

Parenting Books at the Library

We currently have a collection of parenting books on display and available for checkout at the library. Now that all the kids are back in school, why not stop by and read a book by a leading expert in the parenting field. The books are located in our display shelves right next to the main entrance.

Catch a Glimpse of a Hummingbird

The library has just added two bird feeders that are visible through the window in the children's area. They have only been in place for a few weeks and already we have seen many birds enjoying them. One of them is a hummingbird feeder, and it is so amazing to watch as they flit and hover around the feeder. The other is a goldfinch feeder, and they are beautiful to watch as they come and grab a few seeds to nibble on. Make sure to take a peek the next time you are at the library, whether you are a regular visitor to the children's section or not. There's a pretty good chance that you will catch at least one bird enjoying a snack.

Babygarten Returns September 28!

After a long break, Babygarten is back at the Solon Library!! For this round of Babygarten programs, there is no registration needed. The program will begin on Wednesday, September 28 at 9:30 a.m. and meet weekly through November 16. Babygarten is a special program for caregivers and children ages 0-24 months. We will share nursery rhymes, songs, and books that emphasize language development and pre-literacy skills followed by a period of free play.

The Library is Closed on Monday

The Solon Library will be closed on Monday, September 5th for the Labor Day holiday. Regular hours will resume on Tuesday, September 6th.

10th Anniversary Pictures

In August, the Solon Library celebrated the 10th Anniversary of our (new) building. We had a week's worth of festivities to mark the occasion. Many people came to help us celebrate, and we all had a great time. To see pictures of the celebration, visit our Flickr page.