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Hawkins Memorial Library

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Geoffrey Takes a Hike

     Ruth Anne Schneck is presenting an Author Talk & Book Reading program on Wednesday, September 11, at 6:30 PM at Hawkins Memorial Library.

     Oh the places you will see and learn about having fun all the way! You will meet some new friends and family as Geoffrey goes hiking in America. Get your map out and follow along!

     Soon to be published, this second adventure will be presented with a short reading and discussion. Come at 6 PM for a little coloring time before the presentation. You will find “the Hike” book much in the same format as in the Christmas book, with extras such as recipes, coloring pages and much information.

     Hike on over and enjoy a few refreshments, a short coloring time, a short presentation and a few sign-ups for drawings.

​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.

Aureon Charity Grant Awarded

AUREON GRANT FOR HAWKINS MEMORIAL LIBRARY - From left: Bill Meyer, Aureon account manager; Jolene Kronschnabel, Hawkins Library director; and Heidi Barz from LPC Connect.

Once again, Aureon is pleased to announce that Aureon Charity Grants have been awarded to Hawkins Memorial Library. A $400 grant has been used to purchase sets of Magformers, magnetic building toys that will allow the library to schedule monthly STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) programs at the library. The grant was presented in conjunction with LPC Connect who sponsored the grant applications.

Aureon, the new name for Iowa Network Services, created the grant program in 1993 to increase service and support to rural independent telecommunications companies and the communities they serve. The Aureon Charity Grant Program awards grants on a quarterly basis. Over the course of twenty-four years, Aureon has donated over $950,000 to local communities and their surrounding areas.

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.

Monday Coffee

​Family Friendly Movies

Did you know that we show movies at the library? Popular flicks are played Wednesday afternoons during the summer and on no school days throughout the school year. And we serve fresh popcorn. Check our upcoming events calendar for dates.