Author Archives: Amber

About Amber

Public Information Officer and Adult Programming Coordinator

‘Righteous Porkchop’ is 2012 selection for Linn Area Reads program

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An acclaimed investigation into the conditions and effects of factory farms has been selected as the 2012 title for the community reading program known as Linn Area Reads. “Righteous Porkchop: Finding a Life and Good Food Beyond Factory Farms” by Nicolette Hahn Niman will be the centerpiece of this year’s programming. Linn Area Reads is a program of the Metro Library Network, which is made up of the Cedar Rapids, Marion, and Hiawatha Public Libraries.

Serving as the senior attorney for Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s environmental group Waterkeeper, Hahn Niman was quickly immersed in the world of factory farms. Horrified by what she found, she began a passionate fight to reform the industry. “Righteous Porkchop” is an account of the troubling practices of industrial animal operations. Hahn Niman also offers alternatives for more sustainable livestock farming and recounts her personal love story along the way.

Hahn Niman will give a presentation on Friday, May 11, at 7 p.m. at the Hotel at Kirkwood as the finale of the Linn Area Reads program. The presentation will also be part of the 2012 edition of Out Loud! The Metro Library Network Author Series. Prior to her visit, a series of events will be held to encourage community participation.

On Thursday, March 1 at 6:30 p.m., each library in the Metro Library Network will host a collaborative book discussion kick-off party. A limited number of free copies of “Righteous Porkchop” will be available at each site. Book discussions will follow on each of the next four Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. at the Cedar Rapids Barnes & Noble.

On Saturday, April 14 at 2 p.m. at the Marion Public Library, The Gazette will host a panel discussion entitled “Beyond Factory Farms.” On Sunday, April 22 from 1 to 5 p.m., a “Farm to Market” vendor fair will be held at Westdale Mall, offering attendees the opportunity to learn more about local food production.

Seven of the Linn Area Reads organizers will be participating in an ongoing blog conversation about the book and the issues it raises. The blog can be found at http://linnareareads.blogspot.com.

Linn Area Reads is supported by Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Friends of the Cedar Rapids Public Library, Friends of the Hiawatha Public Library, Friends of the Marion Public Library, The Gazette, the Giacoletto Foundation, the University of Iowa’s Hancher, and the Metro Library Network.

More information about the Linn Area Reads program can be found at www.metrolibrarynetwork.org. More information about Nicolette Hahn Niman and “Righteous Porkchop” can be found at www.righteousporkchop.com.

CRPL Foundation Wins National Fundraising Award

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Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation receives Gale Cengage Learning Financial Development Award

CHICAGO– The Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation is the winner of the prestigious Gale Cengage Learning Financial Development Award.  The award is presented annually to a library organization for exhibiting meritorious achievement in carrying out a project to secure new funding resources for a public or academic library.

Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation developed and is leading Library 3.0, a capital campaign to raise the private funds necessary to build a vibrant, new downtown library in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, after the existing building was destroyed by the devastating flood of 2008.  The secondary goal of the campaign is to strengthen the library’s endowment by at least $1 million.

The Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation has already exceeded its goal by raising $7.1 million and fundraising continues in support of the endowment.  The Library Foundation developed and implemented a program that is a model for other libraries.  With help from consulting firm ME&V Fundraising Advisers, it carried out a feasibility study, established clear building project and fundraising goals, recruited strong volunteer leaders and implemented the campaign by starting with a successful leadership and major gifts phase, followed by a general gifts phase.  Its strategies for public engagement (kickoff and groundbreaking celebrations, use of a website and Facebook, newspaper ads and direct mail, conversations in the Downtown Market and with community groups like Rotary and Kiwanis), are to be commended.

“The volunteers deserve all the credit for the success of this historic campaign,” says Library Foundation Executive Director Katie Geiken. “As Library 3.0 fundraising continues, our entire community is looking forward to opening day (summer of 2013).”

This project is also noteworthy for the success gained through collaborations. The new library was designed as a LEED building, attracting the Cedar Rapids Garden Club, which wished to contribute to the new library’s green roof.  In addition to their direct monetary contributions, the Library Foundation and Garden Club partnered to make application to the Garden Club of America’s Founders Fund.

This strategic fundraising effort can boast of a wide range of funding sources from individuals to organizations, corporations to foundations.  And the number of gifts continues to grow.  While the official evaluation phase planned for the campaign will not take place until later this year, the 2012 Gale Cengage Learning Financial Development Award jury applauds the Cedar Rapids Public Library for its achievement to secure new funding resources for both a new building and to strengthen its endowment, exceeding its campaign goal.

Members of the 2012 Gale Cengage Learning Financial Development Award jury were Liz Bishoff, chair, The Bishoff Group LLC; Deborah Dancik, Willamette University; Eva Poole, Denton (Texas) Public Library; Neely Tang, Cornell University; Jane Tuten, University of South Carolina Aiken.

The Gale Cengage Learning Financial Development Aware will be presented at the ALAAward Ceremony and Reception, Sunday June 24 at the ALA Annual Conference in Anaheim, Calif .

More information about the Gale Cengage Learning Financial Development Award, including how to submit a nomination, is available on the ALA website.

For more information on the Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation Library 3.0 Campaign, visit www.crlibrarycampaign.org or call (319) 739-0411.

Every Child Ready to Read

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The Cedar Rapids Public Library has always focused on children’s literacy and preparing children for school. Now they are pushing that mission even further by implementing tools from the Every Child Ready to Read program developed by the Public Library Association (PLA) and the Association for Library Service to Young Children (ALSC).

Every Child Ready to Read developed in 2000 from an early literacy program designed to engage parents and caregivers and to arm them with the tools necessary to prepare their children for reading. This second edition looks at the research of what was successful in the first version and adds to it.

There are five principles to Every Child Ready to Read*:

  • Reading is an essential life skill.
  • Learning to read begins at birth.
  • Parents and caregivers are a child’s first and best teachers.
  • Lifelong learning is a primary role of the public library; public libraries need to support parents and caregivers as they develop early literacy skills in children from birth to age five.
  • Every Child Ready to Read is a parent education initiative that provides skills and strategies parents and caregivers can use to help children get ready to read.

These principles carry over from the first edition to the second edition.

Cedar Rapids Public Library staff have been educated on the tools and techniques of Every Child Ready to Read and have begun implementing these techniques into their programming. One example of this is a special literacy bookmark given out at each story time held during the week. Every child gets a bookmark each time they attend a story time with a special prize awarded for four story time attendances.

These bookmarks are tools to educate parents or caregivers on six literacy skills each child needs to be ready to read:

  • print motivation
  • print awareness
  • letter knowledge
  • vocabulary
  • phonological awareness
  • narrative skills

These bookmarks are a fun way to remind parents and caregivers of these skills and offer ways to engage their children with each.

This is just one example of a way in which the Cedar Rapids Public Library is using this resource to get every child ready for a life of reading and learning. Visit our event calendar at www.crlibrary.org for a list of all events and programs.

*Visit http://www.everychildreadytoread.org/ for more information on this initiative.

781.65: Jazz in the Stacks at the Cedar Rapids Library

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The Cedar Rapids Public Library invites you to attend a swinging songbook of Richard

Jazz in the Stacks 2011

Rodgers and Lorenz Hart with the Dennis McPartland Quintet in 781.65: Jazz in the Stacks.

This free musical performance will be held on Friday, February 10, at the Cedar Rapids Public Library West, Seuss Room. Performances are held at 7:00 pm and 8:30 pm and space is limited. Light refreshments will be provided. Tickets will be available for pick-up at the Cedar Rapids Public Library beginning Monday, January 30, on a first-come, first-serve basis with a six ticket maximum per person.

What: 781.65: Jazz in the Stacks

When: Friday, February 10, 7:00 pm AND 8:30 pm

Where: Cedar Rapids Public Library, Westdale, Seuss Room

Tickets: FREE and available beginning January 30 at the Cedar Rapids Public Library

Sponsored by the Friends of the Cedar Rapids Library

Cedar Rapids Public Library Seeks Submissions for Public Art

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The Cedar Rapids Public Library Public Art Task Force is seeking qualifications from artists for two projects associated with the new downtown library. Opportunities exist for artists to create a sculpture for the Urban Plaza, as well as a southern exterior art installation.

Interested artists should submit their qualifications by February 29, 2012 through CAFÉ™, a free online interactive system.

To view project descriptions, budgets, and details about how to apply for these opportunities, please visit www.callforentry.org, click on “Call Listings,” scroll down to “Cedar Rapids Public Library Public Art Commissions,” and select “View More Info.” Interested artists can click on “Apply for this Call” to create a free account and submit their application.

For more information on the Public Art Task Force and the two art commissions, contact Amber Mussman at (319) 739-0404 or mussmana@crlibrary.org.

Cedar Rapids Public Library Annual Report

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Each year, the Cedar Rapids Public Library presents the City Council and the community with an annual report. The goal of the annual report is to share information such as the annual Library operating budget, some valuable statistics, and highlight some of the successes from throughout the fiscal year. The Library presented the Annual Report to the City Council at last night’s meeting and is very excited to share it with the public online now. We hope you will enjoy the unique format and share it with your friends and family.

Cedar Rapids Public Library Seeks Public Input on West Side Branch

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The Cedar Rapids Public Library board is asking for the public’s input on the selection of a permanent location for the west-side library branch.

Two public forums are being held in January to gather input from the public on the two locations under consideration. The forums are January 17 and 24 at 6:00 pm at the CRPL West.

The current west side location in Westdale Mall was constructed post-flood as a temporary main library. The library technology center is located across the hall from the library, and the mall is also home to the library’s administrative offices and the Iowa Substance Abuse Information Center (ISAIC).

The options under consideration are to remain in Westdale Mall and renovate the space to accommodate the technology center and necessary improvements, or to move to the former Target location across Williams Boulevard, across the street from the mall.

The public is welcome to send their questions or input to the Library Board by email at mussmana@crlibrary.org or to leave their comments here.

For more information on the Cedar Rapids Public Library, visit www.crlibrary.org or call (319) 398-5123.

FAQs for West Side Library Changes

Q. Why is the Library Board considering moving from the current Westdale location?

A. The Library Board was fortunate to find and develop the Westdale location as our temporary, central library following the 2008 flood. To date, Westdale is operated as a temporary library using FEMA disaster funding. This will end in about 18 months with the debut of a new central library. The West side demonstrates high use. The Library Board is committed to a West-side location, but wants to make certain that any West-side facility is the best value for our customers.

Q. What are the options under consideration?

A. The Library has been able to find two locations to meet our basic needs: 1) Our current location in the Westdale Mall, and 2) A subdivided, space which was part of the former Target Store across from the Westdale Mall.

Q. How does this impact the taxpayer? Are they paying for this?

A.  The Library is seeking to consolidate its lease payments to be ready for the day when FEMA isn’t covering our operating expense.  The Library will cover the majority of any renovation or move through private fundraising dollars and grants. As in any given year, the Library Board may allocate some of its facilities budget toward any project though those dollars would be a small portion of this project.

Q. What is the timeline for the changes?

A.  The Library Board is studying this matter now with a goal of taking action this Winter. Any change following their action would be many months away.

Q. How will you plan to operate the west side branch?

A.  Cedar Rapids Public Library is operated, by and large, from an appropriation to Libraries granted by City Council. Operating a West-side library has been a part of the library’s budget for years. If the budget is cut or unable to meet our demand, the Library Board would need to set priorities and make the same hard choices that all of us have to make in our own personal or family budgets.

Q. How will the changes impact me as a customer?

A.  The Library’s goal is to provide the best, most cost effective library service possible whatever the location. All the plans under discussion involve improving the library with some level of renovation (restrooms and the like). We’ll work at minimizing the disruption, but there is bound to be some hassle moving toward something new.

Library eBooks from CRPL

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Our reference staff has created these easy to follow instructions for using your new e-Reader with the Library! Follow our easy directions below for your type of eReader. If you don’t see your eReader on the list, follow the directions for the Nook and Sony readers.

Nook/Sony Directions

Kindle Directions

iPad Directions

CRPL Offers Free E-Reader Classes

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Did you get a new e-reader this holiday season? The Cedar Rapids Public Library has hundreds of ebooks available to card holders. Attend one of our upcoming Library E-Book Informational Sessions and learn how easy it is to access our titles for your new device!

Classes will be offered Thursday, January 12 at 3:00 pm and Friday, January 20 at 10:00 am. Computer experience is necessary but you do not need to bring your e-reader to participate.

Register on our website at www.crlibrary.org and clicking the EVENTS tab, or call (319) 398-5123 for more information.

Library Ebooks Quick Start Guide

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computer and booksDid you receive an ereader as a gift this year? Downloading ebooks from the Cedar Rapids Public Library is easier than ever. Follow these helpful guidelines or visit the help section of the OverDrive site for more information.

To checkout and download you need…

  • A valid library card
  • Internet access
  • A computer or device that meets the system requirements for the type(s) of materials you wish to download
  • Free software for the computer or device on which you wish to use the materials available at this site

A guided tour of this service is available…

Step 1 – Download and install free software

Download and install free software on your computer or mobile device.

To enjoy Kindle Books all you need is a Kindle device…

To download Adobe eBooks on your computer, you need Adobe® Digital Editions.
To download and install Adobe Digital Editions, click here.

To download Adobe EPUB eBooks on your Android, BlackBerry, or iPhone device, you need OverDrive Media Console v2 (or newer).
To download and install OverDrive Media Console, click here.

To download OverDrive titles, you need OverDrive Media Console™. OverDrive Media Console is available for…

  • Android v1.5 (or newer)
  • BlackBerry v4.5 (or newer)
  • iOS v4 (or newer)
  • Mac OS® v10.4.9 (or newer)
  • Windows® 98 SE (or newer)
  • Windows Phone 7

To download and install OverDrive Media Console, click here.

Step 2 – Activate the software

Next, you may need to take steps to activate the software you installed in Step 1.

Adobe Digital Editions requires activation.

Adobe Digital Editions can be activated anonymously or by using an Adobe ID. Anonymous activation allows you to download and read DRM-protected eBooks on a single computer only. Activating using an Adobe ID allows you to download and read DRM-protected eBooks on multiple computers and transfer them to supported eBook devices. For more information on activating Adobe Digital Editions, click here.

OverDrive Media Console for Android, BlackBerry, iPhone/iPad, and Windows Phone 7 may require activation.

If you want to read Adobe EPUB eBooks you need to activate your device using an Adobe ID. For more information on activating OverDrive Media Console, click here.

OverDrive Media Console for Windows requires a security upgrade.

OverDrive Media Console for Windows utilizes Windows Media® Player 9 Series (or newer) to play DRM-protected files. The first time that Windows Media Player attempts to open a DRM-protected file, it will alert you that a security upgrade must be performed before the file can be opened. The upgrade takes just a few moments.

Only OverDrive Media Console for Windows requires a security upgrade.  All other versions of OverDrive Media Console do not require security upgrades.

Step 3 – Check out, download, and enjoy

Browse or search the site for downloadable materials. When you find a title you’re interested in, add it to the Cart and check it out.

Once you have checked out a title, a download page is displayed. Click the ‘Download’ link to start the download. When the download is complete, open and enjoy the title.

You will never accrue late fees with titles you download from this website. Titles expire at the end of the loan period, and they are automatically returned to the Library. For more information on the borrowing titles, click here.

Explore your options…

There ere are a variety of devices compatible with the Cedar Rapids Public Library OverDrive ebooks, including (but not limited to) Windows or Mac computers, Barnes & Noble NOOK, Kobo eReader, Pandigital Novel, Sony Reader, Literati Reader, Amazon Kindle, Apple iPad, and Apple iPhone.

Ebooks can be found with our downloadable audiobooks on our website www.crlibrary.org. Click on the Overdrive link under eLibrary to get started.