Welcome to the April 2022 edition of the Van Meter Public Library Newsletter!

We're excited to share all the wonderful events and services available at the Van Meter Public Library. This month, we talk about our Laugh and Learn events and take a sneak peek into our giveaway bags. We also have our new books added this month.

We look forward to seeing you at the library!

Thank you for your support!

A Word From Our Director

Many people ask me "Nancy, when are getting a new library?"

I wish it was that simple...

Last year, the City of Van Meter purchased land south of Trindle Park for a new library after a majority of surveyed respondents indicated that an attractive, new library building is important to the vitality of the community. This local finding echoes a 2013 Pew Research study that found 94% of respondents agreed that having a public library improves the quality of life in a community.

It's true that our library is under-sized for the growing population we serve throughout Dallas County. As a Class C Library, we serve about 1500 people each year. Class C libraries, on average, offer buildings of 5,000 square feet to accommodate the communities needs.

These needs include meeting rooms, dedicated space for children and teens, technology and internet access, handicap accessibility, and of course, lots of books!

Unfortunately, the current VMPL building is only 1,100 square feet.

For some years, the Van Meter Public Library Foundation has been raising funds for the construction of a new library. To date they have less than $50,000.

So, the short answer to that question is “Yes, once we raise the money."

The real question becomes, "how can I help our community build a new library?

~ Nancy Studebaker-Barringer

Van Meter Public Library Director

Have You Heard of Laugh & Learn?

If you have elementary aged children, we have a program for you. Laugh and Learn is a monthly event at the Van Meter Public Library fostering literacy, STEM, and family time.

The hour begins with Nancy reading a portion of the monthly book selection at 5:30pm. The March topic was "Going Green" and centered around spring, nature, and ecology.

The upcoming April theme is "Big Ideas", centered around inventors and their creations. Nancy will be reading Kobi Yamada's book, What Do You Do With an Idea about a brilliant notion and the child that shared it with the world.

Then, Nancy leads participants through STEM projects setup throughout the library. Previously, the group grew glow-in-the-dark crystals, conducted experiments with candy hearts, and planted milkweed plants for our friends, the butterflies. You'll have to join us on the 6th to see all the great projects planned for April!

The night concludes with the opportunity to check out books and grab your take home bag. Each Laugh and Learn bag has a STEM experiment, STEAM activity, writing challenge, family game, book of the month and surprises.

We understand every family faces unique challenges; perhaps you aren't ready to attend events at the library yet, but you don't want to miss out on the fun, either! Those who wish to social distant are welcome to stop by the library on April 6th anytime before 5:30pm to pick up your Laugh and Learn bag to take home.

As always, we ask that participants wear masks unless fully vaccinated and please do not attend if feeling sick or unwell.

There is no sign-up required, or cost to attend; this free program for elementary aged students and families is designed to help kids socialize and foster their love of reading. By interweaving science, technology, engineering, math, art and literacy together, we help children expand their world and foster independent learners.

We hope you will join us at the April Laugh and Learn! Weekly Laugh and Learn events start in June as part of our Summer Reading Program, Read Beyond the Beaten Path. Watch your email for the next edition of the Van Meter Public Library Newsletter to learn more!

Did You Know?

Your Van Meter Public Library card grants you access to E-books using the new Libby App. Simply sign in with your library card and start checking out e-books, magazines, audio books, and more on your Kindle, smartphone, or computer. Our digital collection continues to grow, with fiction and non-fiction titles. Can't log in? Give us a call or stop by the library with your device to get started!

Toddler Time

Providing children ages 2-5 with opportunities to learn pre-literacy skills, affording parents the opportunities to watch their children learn and foster a life long appreciation for the library.

Laugh and Learn

Make laughing and learning together part of your family’s routine with this fun grab bag filled with crafts, experiments, and more for Elementary aged children. Fun for the whole family!

April 6th Laugh and Learn

Wednesday, April 6th, 2022 from 5:30pm-6:30pm.

Target Audience: Elementary Kids and Families

This month's theme is Big Ideas!

Storytime Book of the Month

Kobi Yamada: What Do You Do With an Idea

This is the story of one brilliant idea and the child who helps to bring it into the world. It's a story to inspire you to welcome that idea, to give it space to grow, and to see what happens next.

April's Laugh and Learn Take Home Bag is all about inventors and their creations!

Social Distancing? Drop by the Van Meter Public Library in your mask on April 6th for a super quick pick-up!

Parent/ Tween Book Club

April 12th from 7-8pm

Summer Reading Program

Save the Date! June 3rd, 2022

Kick Off Carnival at Racoon River Days

Picture Books

Wonder Walkers
The Missing Beach Ball
I'm a Hungry Dinosaur
Click, Clack, Splish, Splash
Patti Cake and her New Doll
Fancy Nancy
Tacky the Penguin
Swimmy
Cornelius: A Fable
Scaredy-Cat, Splat!
Alexander, who used to be rich last Sunday

Early Readers

Adventures of Transformers
Adventures of Batman
Super Heroes Collection
Message in a Bottle
The Early Adventures of Amelia Bedelia

Juvenile Non-Fiction

Space! The Universe as You've Never Seen It Before
Evolved: An Illustrated Guide to Evolution
The Book of Bees: Inside the Hives and Lives of Honeybees, Bumblebees, Cuckoo Bees, and Other Busy Buzzers
You-ology: A Puberty Guide for Every Body
Crazy Contraptions

Juvenile Biography

Dragon Bones: The Fantastic Fossil Discoveries of Mary Anning
Six Dots: A Story of Young Louis Braille
Just Like Rube Goldberg
The Poppy Lady: Moina Belle Michael and her tribute to Veterans
Sergeant Reckless: The True Story of the little horse who became a hero
Just Pretend
Sonia Sotomayor
Maria Tallchief
Oprah Winfrey

Juvenile Fiction

The School for Whatnots
Marcus Makes a Movie
Athena the Brain: Goddess Girls
Persephone the Phony: Goddess Girls
Curse of the Mystery Mutt
Dog Diaries #1
Double Dog Dare: Dog Diaries
Mission Impawsible: Dog Diaries
Big Nate: Beware the Low-flying Corn Muffins
Captain Underpants and the Sensational Saga of Sir Stinks-a-Lot
Late Lunch with Llamas
The Flames of Hope: Wings of Fire

Fiction

Shadows Reel by C.J. Box
The Match by Harlan Coben
A Relative Murder by Jude Deveraux
The Recovery Agent by Janet Evanovich
Gwendy's Final Task by Stephen King
The Club by Ellery Lloyd
The Lightening Rod by Brad Meltzer
Fear Thy Neighbor by Fern Michaels
Run, Rose, Run by Dolly Parton
What Happened to the Bennetts by Lisa Scottoline
High Stakes by Danielle Steel
French Braid by Anne Tyler
A Safe House by Stuart Wood

Non- Fiction

Find Your People: Building Deep Community in a Lonely World
Philippians: Practical Insights for Everyday Christian Living
Start with Prayer: 250 Prayers for Hope and Strength
How to Age without Getting Old

Biography

Funny Farm: My Unexpected Life with 600 Rescue Animals

Teen Fiction

Cinder & Glass
Gallant

Electronic Collection

Available with your library card by accessing Bridges/ Libby App with your smartphone, Kindle, Reader, or Computer

Audio Books

Deep into the Dark by P.J. Tracy
Killing Trail: Timber Creek K-9 Mystery by Margaret Mizushima
Lie to Me by Molly McAdams
The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley
Passion by Molly McAdams
The Recovery Agent by Janet Evanovich
Run, Rose, Run by Dolly Parton
The Second Season by Emily Adrian
Simply Scandalous by Carly Phillips
Simply Sensual by Carly Phillips
Weather Girl by Rachel Lynn Solomon
What the Fireflies Knew by Kai Harris

eBooks

Christmas in Tinsel Tree Village by Viola Shipman
Claws for Alarm: Cat Café Mystery by Cate Conte
The Divorce Party by Laura Dave
The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley
Run, Rose, Run by Dolly Parton
The Summer Getaway by Susan Mallery
Trial and Error by Robert Whitlow
Weather Girl by Rachel Lynn Solomon
What the Fireflies Knew by Kai Harris

Did You Know?

You can search for the latest titles on our website catalog. Look for the neon green "What's Hot" column underneath the running scroll of new book covers. You can search by Most Popular, and What's New this month, last month, and right now!

April Parent/ Tween Book Club

Tuesday, April 12th from 7-8pm.

Target Audience: Ages 10-13 and Guardians

The Ambrose Deception by Emily Ecton

Melissa, Wilf, and Bondi are chosen to compete for a scholarship. A mysterious “Mr. Smith” gives each of them a driver, a cellphone, a debit card, and three clues to solve about landmarks in their city. Bondi’s the first to present his solutions, but when he realizes he’s made a mistake that Mr. Smith doesn’t pick up on, he begins to suspect foul play.

Breaking the rules, he teams up with the other two kids to uncover a twisted plot. Combining their brains and talents, the three kids manage to thwart some bad guys, discover a good guy, and find their way to treasure and happiness.

Reserve and Pick Up Your Copies Today!