Welcome to
Hawkins Memorial Library
CHECK OUT WHAT WE
HAVE TO OFFER...
A UNIVERSE OF STORIES
2019 SUMMER READING PROGRAM
Young readers will explore all things space this summer as Hawkins Memorial Library presents “A Universe of Stories” during their summer library program. Special programs will include: Moon Walk Viewing Party with the FFA Museum on July 9; Other Worldly Animal Adaptations with the Blank Park Zoo on July 16; Grout Museum Star Lab on July 30; and the Iowa Raptor Project on August 6.
The 2019 Summer Reading Program is open to young people, preschool through 5th grade, with programs, prizes, stories, crafts and more. Registration for “A Universe of Stories” starts June 1. Once registered, participants can begin filling out their reading log and are able to choose a prize for every two hours spent reading – all summer long! For more information stop in the library, call 319-342-3025, visit our website at www.laportecity.lib.ia.is, or check our events on Facebook. All programs are free of charge.
Free Audiobook Downloads for Teens
SYNC is a free summer audiobook literacy program that introduces the audiobook experience to the teen audience. Two free audiobooks downloads are available each week to engage summer reading programs.
Visit www.audiobooksSYNC.com from April 25 to August 1, 2019, and select available audiobooks to download as mp3s. SYNC is giving away two complete audiobook downloads a week - based on weekly themes. SYNC is sponsored by AudioFile Magazine and titles are delivered through the OverDrive app.
Sign-up to get notifications when the FREE audiobook downloads are available. You can receive alerts by text message, email newsletter, or by visiting www.audiobooksync.com. Titles change every Thursday at 7am ET when the program is running. Each SYNC audiobook will be available for download for a period of 7 days (only). Titles, once downloaded, are yours to keep. Contact Hawkins Memorial Library for assistance.
Aureon Charity Grant Awarded
These funds will be used in support of the library’s Summer Reading Program which supports and encourages children to read during the summer months. Special programs will include: Moon Walk Viewing Party with the FFA Museum on July 9; Other Worldly Animal Adaptations with the Blank Park Zoo on July 16; Grout Museum Star Lab on July 30; and the Iowa Raptor Project on August 6. The 2019 Summer Reading Program is open to young people, preschool through 5th grade, with programs, prizes, stories, crafts and more. 
The grant was presented in conjunction with LPC Connect who sponsored the grant applications. Upon reviewing an abundance of applications, the Aureon Charity Grant Committee delegated funds to projects committed to the betterment of local Iowa communities. “Aureon believes in rewarding organizations like Hawkins Memorial Library for their passion and dedication to advancing their neighborhoods. Their grant proposals reflect enthusiasm for serving their community,” said Justyn M. Miller, President, Aureon Technology.
Newspaper Digitization is Almost Complete...
The website to view digitized copies of The Progress Review is up and running. Years from 1880 to 2017 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 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, 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, costs around $11,000. For additional information about the project, contact Library Director Jolene Kronschnabel at 319-342-3025.
Guernsey Grant Received
Thanks to a generous grant from The Max & Helen Guernsey Charitable Foundation we are now $6000 closer to reaching our goal of $10,700 to complete the microfilming and digitization of The Progress Review. This grant allows us to add an additional 67 years of searchable local history to The Progress Review digitized newspaper website. We will keep you posted as this content becomes available to view on the website. If you are interested in making a contribution toward completing this project, please contact the library.
eBooks and Audiobooks
Check out and download ebooks, audiobooks, and videos for free with Bridges - Iowa's eLibrary! There are thousands of ebooks, audiobooks, and videos available with new titles added all the time. Check out up to 3 titles at a time 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 or stop in the library if you have any questions.
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.
Preschool Story Time
Join us on Thursday mornings at 10:30 AM during the school year. Children enjoy reading books, singing songs, playing games and creating crafts that follow a weekly theme.
LEGORAMA!
Our Lego building session encourages participants to build creative themed structures that we love to display for everyone to see. Check our events calendar for upcoming dates.
Do you enjoy reading a wide variety of books and discussing them with others? Our Book Club meets monthly at 1 PM. Stop in the library to pick up a copy of the current book selection and find out the next Book Club discussion date.
Book Club
Color and Connect
You are invited to our monthly coloring program for adults. Reduce stress, be creative and make friends. Check our upcoming events calendar for the next scheduled date.
Hawkins Handcrafters
This group meets twice monthly from 1:00 to 3:00 PM the second and fourth Thursdays each month. Bring any handwork or hobby you are working on and join other crafty people to chat and be creative.
Monday morning is perfect for coffee at the library with your pals. Join us at 8 AM. And no charge for the coffee.
