Welcome to the August Van Meter Public Library Newsletter!

This month we share many new and exciting changes coming to the Van Meter Public Library.

Most notably, the Library Board of Trustees elected new officers in July. Rachel Backstom became President, Kate McCombs became Vice President, and Megan Warwick remains Board Secretary. The officers renewed  their discussions identifying maintenance and improvements needed to our current building. To start, visitors will notice a new dehumidifier which aims to improve air quality.

This is just the beginning as the Director, Board, and staff continue to discuss methods to increase library visitors, programming, and donations needed to build a new library.

We look forward to seeing you at the library!

CLICK IMAGES TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE VAN METER PUBLIC LIBRARY!

Moving Forward: Building Community 

There are three focus areas in the 2020-2025 VMPL Strategic Plan. Scholar and author, R. David Lankes, has said, “Bad libraries build collections. Good libraries build services. Great libraries build communities.” 

This month, I’ll be sharing the library’s plans to become a great library that builds its community.  

Recently, I was at a meeting where someone expressed the idea that what Van Meter needs is not a larger library, but a community center. I was confused. 

To me, libraries have always been community centers. I’ve never worked at a public library that did not have at least one “community room.” Most libraries offer local history resources and serve as their community’s archives. In many places libraries are not only community centers, they are the very heart of the community.  

In order to become more active in our community, the Van Meter Public Library will participate in community celebrations. We look forward to being part of events such as "Raccoon River Days" each June and "Sips and Snacks" each December. We will continue to develop partnerships with the school. We will continue to be an active member of the VMCDC. And, of course, we will be looking for new ways to engage with our community. 

As we meet benchmarks and achieve the goals set out in our plan, I will be reporting them in this newsletter.

~ Nancy Studebaker-Barringer

Van Meter Public Library Director

Have you been jealous of all the Summer Reading Program announcements for kids this summer? Do you ever think, "I wish I could get rewarded for reading books." Now you can!

What Is Beanstack?

The VMPL has purchased access to Beanstack, a great app to track the number of minutes you read to earn rewards, write and share book reviews, and challenge friends to reach their reading goals. Readers earn digital badges, raffle tickets, and prizes the more they read and intereact with the library.

Going Digital

Previously, our Reading Programs relied on everyone keeping track of their minutes using a piece of paper. Moving forward, our reading challenges will be digital, making it easier to keep track and participate all year round.

Beanstack offers a mobile app that can be downloaded to your smart phone or tablet. You can also access Beanstack from your desktop computer. Don't have access to the internet at home? Visit the VMPL to use one of our public access computers to enter your minutes and claim prizes. Many challenges allow users to backdate their reading logs.

How to Sign Up

1. Download the Beanstack Mobile App for your phone or tablet. The app will walk you through the step by step process to "Find a Site" (Van Meter Public LIbrary) and create your account.
2. Or, visit the VMPL Beanstack website to create a desktop account. 
3. Parents and guardians will want to consider creating a "Family Account." Family accounts allow one person to manage multiple readers of all ages. Family Accounts are perfect for toddlers and readers who do not have their own email address. Simply enter each family member's name, age, and grade level.
4. Once logged in, you'll be able to see VMPL challenges created for your age range. Simply click the link to participate in each challenge!

What if I Already Use Beanstack?

Multiple local libraries use Beanstack, so some of our readers may already have a Beanstack account. In these cases, Beanstack recommends downloading the app instead of using the basic desktop website.

The Beanstack App (not the website) allows readers to create accounts at different libraries and toggle between them on their phone.. App users should be able to click "Find a Site" then enter "Van Meter" to create a linked account on your phone. The app fuctions differently on each brand of smartphone, so if you have any troubles, please stop by the library for the best assistance.

Questions and Feeback

If you have questions about how to use Beanstack, trouble creating your account, can't add VMPL to your current account, prefer to track using paper, or difficulties using the app please let us know! Your feedback, positive reviews, and mindful critques will help guide us as we expand our Reading Rewards programs to all ages and readers.

Get to Know the Library (Activities)

Start Here! Learn how to use Beanstack while navigating the new VMPL website.

CONTEST ALERT! Every adult (19+) who downloads the Beanstack App and registers for the "Get to Know the VMPL" challenge by midnight on August 20th will be entered in a drawing for a $30 Amazon Gift Card!

1000 Book Challenge (Logging)

This challenege never expires and is open to all ages. Participants earn virtual badges for every 10 books they read; win a free book for every 100 books logged!

Readers are not required to disclose the name of the book, simply how many books are read each day.

With patrons celebrating the last days of summer and families preparing to go back to school, August will be a quiet month at the library as we wrap up the Summer Reading Program...and get ready for our Fall Reading Programs!

Please Note: Online Registration will be required for all activities and events moving forward.

In addition to helping our staff prepare fiscally responsible supplies, snacks and prizes, registration is the permission slip the library needs to ensure parents approve of their child's participation. By utilizing our new Calendar feature, this will also reduce paperwork and provide for accurate reporting to the State of Iowa library.

Register early for these and all upcoming events using the Calendar feature on our new website! www.vanmeter.lib.ia.us

Van Meter City Hall

310 Mill Street

PO Box 160

Phone: (515) 996-2644

www.vanmeteria.gov

Van Meter Public Safety

Director of Public Safety: (515) 202-4154

Sheriff’s Dispatch:

(515) 993-4567

Emergency: 911

VMCDC

Van Meter Community Development Corporation

 www.vanmeterlife.com

Van Meter Public Library

Phone: (515) 996-2435

505 Grant Street

PO Box 160

Van Meter, IA 50261

Website: van.meter.ia.lib.us

Email: library@vanmeteria.gov