Explore and Discover

Civic Lab Online: What is impeachment?

Posted on February 1, 2021 at 6:00 am

About Civic Lab Online Civic Lab Online provides information on issues facing our community for you to explore. Take a look at thought-provoking materials for teens and adults that allow us to engage in open conversation and grow together as a community. You’ll find all past topics on the Civic Lab Online web page. What is […]

Homemade apothecary: DIY beauty products

Posted on January 20, 2021 at 6:00 am

By Crystal Miller If the winter cold and extra hand washing have made your hands slightly (or very!) dry like mine, I offer you the idea of handmade lotion bars. Instead of grabbing hand lotion at the store, you can make these lotion bars with help from our digital resource Creativebug. By making your own […]

Finding comfort & resources during a pandemic

Posted on January 13, 2021 at 6:00 am

By Susan Goertz The COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to re-evaluate, reschedule, reimagine, and even relocate. This has been a time of radical transformation for many, if not all of us. While the pandemic has left few lives untouched, its effects have not been equitable. Some of us have struggled with cabin fever and online […]

What we buy (other than books)

Posted on January 6, 2021 at 6:00 am

By Dana Mannino The philosopher Erasmus once said: “When I have a little money, I buy books; and if I have any left, I buy food and clothes.” The Library District buys a lot of books for our 10 libraries (over 34,000 print books and over 10,000 eBooks in 2020 alone). With our budget for […]

Civic Lab Online: The Two-Party Political System

Posted on December 31, 2020 at 6:00 am

About Civic Lab Online Civic Lab Online provides information on issues facing our community for you to explore. Take a look at thought-provoking materials for teens and adults that allow us to engage in open conversation and grow together as a community. You’ll find all past topics on the Civic Lab Online web page. What is […]

Seriously fun things to do on cold, snowy days

Posted on December 30, 2020 at 6:00 am

By Alison Johnson I know it may be hard to believe, but there are times when a marathon of Disney movies or Doctor Who is just not appealing. Sometimes I am so tired of being inside, that even if it is cold and snowy, I just have to get outside and do something. I think […]

Let’s go outside! Wintertime play & activities for everyone

Posted on December 17, 2020 at 6:00 am

By Abra Cole Winter officially starts next week on December 21. This fall, we’ve already had below freezing temperatures and snow. And in the months ahead, we can expect even more snowy days and below freezing cold. I propose the following idea: there is no reason to shelter inside until spring! As the Norwegians say: […]

’Tis the season for streaming holiday music from hoopla

Posted on December 2, 2020 at 6:00 am

By Gwendolyn Haley It’s a contentious and potentially divisive subject: When does the Christmas and holiday music season start? Is it okay to play holiday music before Thanksgiving? Before Halloween? In July!? Personally, I find that my preference for holiday music depends upon the year. Sometimes I am fully ready to dive in as soon […]

Tags: holidays, hoopla, music

Escape screen time this winter

Posted on November 25, 2020 at 6:00 am

BY MELISSA RHOADES Several excellent virtual library programs are happening this winter, and we hope to see you at them! We also hope you’re taking breaks from screen time—especially if you’re one of the many people currently working, socializing, and playing virtually these days. Screen time is any time spent in front of a television, […]

Beyond Veterans Day: Information and resources for veterans and their families all year long

Posted on November 12, 2020 at 6:00 am

By Crystal Miller Yesterday was Veterans Day, a federal holiday to honor and pay our respects to all the people who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Veterans Day is always on November 11 and was originally called Armistice Day to honor the end of major conflicts in World War I, which happened […]