​​Welcome to

Hawkins Memorial Library

​CHECK OUT WHAT WE

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Hawkins Memorial Library  opened to the public regular hours beginning Monday, June 1.

Open hours, days and procedures may be changed or adjusted as needed.

In order to make this a safe experience for patrons and staff we ask that you be aware that:

• Pickup or curbside service will continue to be offered to patrons not wishing to enter the library. You can reserve library materials online for pick up including books, DVDs, magazines, and audiobooks. Go to https://www.laportecity.lib.ia.us/, open the catalog tab, login to your account, search the catalog or browse the What’s Hot section, click on titles you’re interested in and place a reserve. Make sure your contact information is correct. You can also email or call with your requests.
• The number of people allowed in the library at one time will be no more than the state recommended number for gathering. Additional patrons will be asked to wait outside until someone leaves.
• People are reminded to practice pandemic protection such as social distancing, sanitizing or washing their hands when they enter, discretionary use of face masks, and patrons are encouraged to conduct business and not gather in the library.
• Patrons will self-scan materials to be checked out.
• It is recommended that only one family member come into the library at a time if possible, and parents closely monitor children and their activity in the library.
• Two public computers will be available for use with 30 minute time limits.
• Games, puzzles and other passive activities will not be out for public use and no group programming is scheduled at this time.
• Patrons should return materials in either the exterior drop box or a tub placed by the front desk.
•   If you want to use the library’s online resources and can’t remember your patron number or password, just call or email and we will help you out. Staff is available by telephone at 319-342-3025.
• Remember, you can borrow your e-Books, audiobooks, magazines and a selection of movies from the library through the BRIDGES program.  Click the BRIDGES link (icon) on our website, www.laportecity.lib.ia.us, and browse the BRIDGES library. E-Books and audio books are loaned for two weeks. Please call if you need help with this process.

Reserve library materials online for pick up the next work day. Go to  https://www.laportecity.lib.ia.us/, open the catalog tab, login to your account, search the catalog or browse the What’s Hot section, click on titles you’re interested in and place a reserve. Pick up is Monday through Friday from 11 am to 3 pm, with items placed in the library’s front entry. Make sure your contact information is correct. Please promptly return items you are finished with in the book drop.

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Check out and download ebooks, audiobooks, and videos for free with Bridges - Iowa's eLibrary! There are thousands of ebooks, audiobooks, magazines and videos available with new titles added all the time. Click on the BRIDGES icon above and start checking out titles with your library card. Items are automatically returned when the checkout period has expired, so there are never any overdue fines to worry about. Call the library if you have any questions.

Always Available Materials on BRIDGES:The Iowa State Library has added several subscriptions of Simultaneous Use licensed materials to Bridges.To make it easier for patrons to find available titles, these always available materials are being highlighted on the main page of each Bridges site - Main, Kids and Teens. Magazines have always been simultaneous use.

To help patrons feel more secure in having enough to read, checkout limits have been temporarily raised to five. Like toilet paper books should not be hoarded. Check books in when they are finished. The next person in line will appreciate it.

​You Can Search La Porte City's Local History Through Newspaper Digitization

Just click on the above "Welcome To Our Community History Archive" icon to view digitized copies of The Progress Review. Years from the 1870s through June of 2019 are available. You can search using key words or by date. Later issues of the newspaper will be added to this site when the issues are available. Click on the Community History Archive link above to try it out!

     Hawkins Memorial Library and The Progress Review have undertaken this local history project that includes converting back issues of The Progress Review, housed in the library on microfilm that date back to the 1870s, to digital content that can be searched online by anyone with an internet connection.

     The process of converting nearly 150 years of newspapers to digital format is a costly one. Each reel of microfilm, approximately 18 months of La Porte City history, costs $125 to digitize. Total cost of the project so far, which includes the creation of this searchable website to house all of The Progress Review’s archives and an up-to-date microfilm collection at the library, has cost more than $11,000. For additional information about the project, contact Library Director Jolene Kronschnabel at 319-342-3025.

Aureon Charity Grant Awarded

Check out these free sites for tracing your ancestry:

Family Search: familysearch.org

National Archives: https://www.archives.gov/research/genealogy

Iowa Historical Newspapers: http://guides.lib.uni.edu/c.php?g=668054&p=4696290

Find A Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/

STEM Backpacks from IPTV

Three educational backpacks were donated to Hawkins Memorial Library, courtesy of Iowa Public Television, in an effort to help Iowa families do more at home with their children. IPTV developed the idea of backpacks filled with STEM resources that families can check out and use at home. They believe that anytime is a good time for learning.

Learning themes for the backpacks available at the library are Coding Fun, Building Challenge and Pattern Puzzles. STEM activities, books and PBS KIDS DVDs are included in each backpack, with activities serving children between 3 and 8 years of age. Backpacks may be checked out for a one week at no charge.