New director among many library changes this year

The Newton Public Library might look largely the same as it did a year ago to the casual observer, but it went through some staffing changes and added some new programming within the past 12 months on both the children and adult sides.

Library director Sue Padilla retired at the start of 2016 after 10 years at NPL. She was replaced by Nicole Lindstrom, who had been the public services librarian. Rebecca Klein took over in Lindstrom’s former role in late March.

The library has more than 100,000 items to circulate to patrons. Many of these items are in digital or electronic form, but hardcover books remain the heart of the library’s collection.

The Friends of the Library and the Newton Public Library Foundation both support the library in a variety of ways.

Children’s Department

Youth Services Librarian Phyllis Peter and other staff members have helped launch some new programs this past year.

The library has a new monthly program, “Lego Day,” held on days when there is no school (check the library calendar at newton.lib.ia.us). The library purchased educational Legos and accepted donations of Legos, and has held the event three times so far, with many kids ages 5 to 12 stopping by to enjoy Lego brick building.

Another major initiative launched by the library is the new “1,000 Books Before Kindergarten” program. Parents are encouraged to register babies and toddlers for the program and keep track of books read.

Stickers are given for each 100 books read, a book is given at 500 and a bag of educational toys and prizes at 1000. The purpose of the program is to highlight how vital daily reading is to brain development.

The 1,000 Books program is based on a simple but powerful fact: children who are read to at home are better prepared for school. Reading is a great way to bond with children, and the library hopes this program will encourage more parents to make reading every day a part of their very young children’s lives.

The library partnered with IPTV to become a “Ready for School” community, with a library corner including three iPads with children’s educational apps from Iowa Public Television.  IPTV also asked the Newton Public Library with help filming an episode for a  new children’s television show featuring it’s popular kid’s host Dan Wardell. Several Newton kids will appear in one of the episodes which is due to launch this July.

The library participated in the Newton (Iowa) vs. Newton (Kansas) challenge, and Newton, Iowa won the reading challenge.

The library hosted a special storytime featuring local heroes from the police, fire and public works department, and more than 100 kids enjoyed seeing a backhoe, a police car and a firetruck up close in the library’s parking lot after the storytime.

Adult Programs

Adult Coloring

Program is held once a month and open to all adults. Enjoy coloring in mandalas, complicated scenes and shapes while listening to calming music and enjoy chatting with friends. All materials are provided.

Tech Time

This help session is offered at least once a month. Patrons are invited to bring in their tablet, mobile phone, or laptop to learn how to download eBooks and Freegal downloadable music.

Help is always offered at the information desk during normal business hours as well.

Energy Efficiency with
Hometown Rewards

Hometown Rewards has partnered with the library to offer classes on how to lower your energy costs, update your energy efficiency in your home, and learn about rebates offered. The class is taught and organized by the Hometown Rewards coordinator.

Farmers Market

The library set up a booth at the farmers’ market this last summer and will again this coming summer. The library’s booth handed out information on how to obtain a library card, what programs and services we offer, and gave away free books for kids.

Dash for the Stash and
Money Smart Week

Dash for the Stash entailed answering four financial questions at the library on a laptop. If any patron get all four questions correct, they are entered in a drawing to win a $1,000 IRA account. The library will be having this event, which debuted in 2015, again leading up to Money Smart Week (April 23-30).

Guest performers

Pippa White visited the library twice this year — to a capacity meeting room each time.

Her performances of “The Orphan Train” and “The Voices of Ellis Island” were part of her nationwide tour for one-person shows. The library will look in to having her again if it can partner with another agency for a larger space.

The Blues Under the Blue Roof music series allowed library patrons of all ages to be exposed to one of the nation’s most cherished musical genres.

Other special guest
presenters

Newton Police Department Sgt. Chris Wing’s talk about being a sniper — and the experiences and training background that led him to this point in his career — is an example of the compelling speakers who gave their time to talk to NPL patrons within the past year. The hype of the popular movie “American Sniper” led to more interest in snipers and their world; libraries attempt to bring in presenters to cover widely discussed current events.

Dietitian Jenny Thompson from the Hy-Vee grocery store visited the library three times over the summer to teach about healthy food choices and “Super Foods.” She gave presentations about healthy options and what vitamins each choice has followed by a short cooking demonstration and a tasting.

The library had numerous author visits including local authors Danny Beyer, Tom Hoover, John McNeer, Newton Alumni authors and Judy Johnson to discuss the prohibition era in Iowa.

Contact Jason W. Brooks at
641-792-3121 ext. 6532
or jbrooks@newtondailynews.com