COFFEE, TEA AND THEE:  A LITERACY EVENT

Join us for the 5th annual literacy festival, themed “Coffee, Tea and Thee,” on Saturday, May 17^th, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.  This day-long event will kick-off with free snacks, milk and juice sponsored by the Friends of the Altoona Public Library and will serve as the finish line for the Altoona Campus’ Third Annual Altoona Family Fun Run.  Children are invited to bring their teddy bear along for the Teddy Bear Tea Party and can join Heather Schonkaes for Kindermusik, a fun-filled music & movement storytime.  There will be on-going games and crafts including a chance to decorate a tea cup, play the parachute game, and win prizes at the Fish Pond, Ring Toss and Bean Bag Toss.  Sponge Bob Square Pants will be on hand, and Toma, the seeing eye dog, will be meeting with children.  Other activities include a Poetry Tea time with poetry readings from local artists, Victorian Tea and Local History with the Altoona Historical Society, and Butterfly Tea featuring information on rain gardens.  Carl Fields from the Coffee Barn will also present information on the origins of coffee and tea.  There will be eye screenings by the Lion’s Club and a book sale or swap with hundreds of gently used books for trade or purchase.  Come join us in May as we promote literacy throughout the community. 

LIBRARY FOUNDATION

The Altoona Public Library Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax deductible organization created to advocate and raise funds for the public library through campaigns, events and activities.  This includes funding for great events like the Annual Literacy Festival and the summer reading program, as well as the purchase of needed books, videos, DVD’s, CD’s, equipment and improvements in computer technology.  Please help the Altoona Public Library Foundation support the library’s future by sending your gift or donation.  If you would like to make a donation or have any questions, please contact, Foundation Board of Directors, Altoona Public Library Foundation, 700 Eighth Street SW, Altoona, Iowa 50009, Phone: 515-967-3881.

Take a Ride on the Learning Express

Need help increasing your exam scores?  Want a few pointers on how to ace your next test?  Looking for a sample practice test?  We can help!  The Altoona Public Library has recently started a new subscription to the Learning Express Library, an interactive database of online practice tests and self-paced courses.  The online tutorials help you sharpen your test-taking skills and improve your scores.  The database includes sample tests and help for ACT, ASVAB, EMS, GED, GMAT, SAT, TOEFL, EMS, Law Enforcement, Firefighter, Nursing and U.S. Citizenship plus many more.  You'll get immediate scoring, complete answer explanations and an individualized analysis of your results.  Learning Express Library can be accessed at our website, www.altoonapubliclibrary.net, under the Database tab, and is available at the library or 24/7 from the comfort of your own home.  You will need your barcode number from your library card and will be required to create your own unique user name and password the first time you visit the site.  So, take a ride on the LearningExpress and watch your test scores soar.

New Computers

Through a grant from Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino, the library has purchased six new computers to upgrade the technology in our computer lab.  These new computers are outfitted with the new VISTA software, have Microsoft Office Suite 2007 and several come equipped with Spanish language software.  There are two new scanners available as well.  If you have any questions about our new computers, please give us a call or stop by the library.     

Just Playaway: New Audiobook Format

Listening to your favorite bestselling novel may now be as simple as pressing one little button. The Altoona Public Library will be introducing a new format of audiobook, called Playaways, to the existing audiobook collection.  The Playaway is a digital self-playing audiobook that fits in the palm of your hand.  This innovative device needs no CD’s, cassettes, MP3’s or downloads and is ready to use immediately after checkout.  Each Playaway comes in a case that contains everything you need:  the Playaway, earphones and batteries.  No additional hardware is needed to run the book.  The Playaway also has a universal jack, so it can be plugged into portable speakers, used with a car stereo, or hooked up to your favorite headphones.  Using the clearly labeled buttons, listeners have the option to place digital bookmarks in key passages, control the speed of the narrator’s voice, skip to particular sections or rewind and fast forward.  If you have any questions about the Playaway audiobooks please stop by the library or give us a call at 967-3881.

Just Check It Out For Yourself

Library users who wish they could check out library materials on their own can now take advantage of the new self-check station at the Altoona Public Library located just inside the children’s room doors.  The 3M™ Self-Check™ System features step-by-step instructions on a screen that guides you through the check-out process on your own.  All you need is your library card and pin number.  It’s quick and it’s easy, so why not give it a shot and try the self-check station for yourself.  Library staff members are always available nearby if you need assistance.  Just a note: You will not be able to use the self-check system if you have overdue materials, if you have exceeded the limit of fines on your account, or if your borrowing privileges have been suspended.  If you have any questions, need to establish a pin number, or would like more information about the self-check system, please give us a call at 967-3881 or stop by the Circulation Desk at the library.