Drake Public Library

Seeking Excellence

LIbrary Services

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What’s Happening at the Library?

I often get asked, “So, what ‘s happening at the library?”  It’s always an interesting question.  My answer for the last year and a half has been centered around altered hours of operations and alternative services due to COVID.  We were finally able to start the summer reading program in June and this past month we scheduled weekly programming!  Not only have we started children’s programs, but we have also begun some fun events for adults.  We are so thankful that we are at a point where we feel “just about back to normal” while maintaining a safe environment for patrons and staff.  

You see, a library is full of books (and computers, magazines, newspapers, DVDs and audiobooks) but we thrive when we are full of people!  A few year ago, a group of board members and community stakeholders created our current mission statement, “Drake Public Library will be a welcoming center for lifelong learning. We celebrate the freedom to read, discover and discuss.”  We welcome every person through the door in hopes of helping them find exactly what they are looking for and to keep them coming back! 

ONLINE RESOURCES 

There is something going on almost every day of the week. There is an abundance of information and resources available to anyone with a library card.  Starting with online resources, you will see some very important links on our website: Follett Destiny, Bidges, Brainfuse Job Now/Vet Now and Brainfuse Help Now. Follett is our online card catalog system to allow patrons to search for materials and reserve them to their account from the comfort of their own home. Find out what your username and password are by contacting a staff member.  Bridges is the online Ebook consortium that we belong to.  It is a statewide catalog of ebooks, audiobooks and video streaming that patrons can check out through their personal username and pin issued by the library.  The Brainfuse links include help for job seekers, veterans and students looking for tutoring services. These links require library patrons to create personal accounts to track their progress and personal information.  All have general, easy to follow directions and video tutorials to help you along.  

 

IN PERSON PROGRAMMING

Our in person programming schedule includes:

Mondays– Little Listeners Story Time for babies, toddlers and preschoolers at

10:30am and Wii Play after school for school-age children. 

Tuesdays– STEAM Club for 4th grade and up at 4pm. 

Wednesdays (the last Wednesday of each month)– Book Chat! at 12:15pm and 5:15pm for adults. We start this Wednesday, September 29!

Thursdays– Adult Coloring at 1:30pm and STEAM Club for K-3rd grade at 4pm. 

Fridays– LEGO Day after school for school-age children. 

 

 

 

We are looking at future guest speakers and experts on topics like job searches, Medicare coverage/enrollment, genealogy research and one on one computer help. 

A little something for everyone!

We welcome you to come by the library and see what programs and resources are best for you. Drake Public Library is here to support the community by being a resource for knowledge, entertainment and communication.  We welcome you! 

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Dial a Story at Drake Public Library!

Dial a Story is a new service at Drake Public Library. This fun service provides story time over the phone for children, families, and groups of all ages.  We provide quality stories read by library staff and special guests from the community. Special guests have included Kathy Criddlebaugh (Library Board Member), Centerville Mayor Mike O’Connor and Pancake Day Queen Haddie Hurley. Our first set of children’s stories went over very well and we are excited to add chapters from longer books starting with chapter one from Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder. 

This is a free service provided by memorial funds given in memory of Dorothy O’Connor, former resident of Centerville. It was her wish that children and families be able to enjoy the library as she did when she was a child.  This service adds more accessibility to our patrons because it doesn’t require internet or a computer. You can simply call the number and hear a variety of great stories. This service can provide individual or group story time for a family, congregate living situation or nursing home.  Or, let kids call the number during a “snow day” to keep them engaged at home.  Play the stories through your speaker phone option for groups. It really is a lot of fun!  We are proud to provide such a fun program during such difficult times when many are home bound due to COVID restrictions and the weather.  

So, give Dial a Story a call at 641-898-4800 the next time you are in the mood to hear a good story! 

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Current Library Services September 2020

“Is the library open again?”  Of course we are!  We have been for a while now.  We have updated the current services that are available as of September 2020 in relation to social distancing guidelines during COVID 19 and the Flu season. We are currently still providing Stage 2 services like curbside pickup and online or over the phone reference and we have been providing Stage 3 services since earlier this summer. There have been some updates and clarifications, so please review them and call or email us with questions. 

Appointments for curbside pickup, browsing, computers or other services can be done over the phone or through our email, drakepubliclibrary@gmail.com and the link on our website.  The last hour of our regular operational hours are spent cleaning, maintaining the collection and other duties, so setting a time before the end of the day is important. We try to be as flexible as we can and ask that you set a time so that we can schedule the day accordingly.

Computers are available by individual appointment only. One hour for computer use for up to three people (over the age of 15) at a time in the adult area. 

One hour for computer use for two people (a child, under the age of 18 but over the age of 9, per the library’s Unattended Child Policy) at a time in the children’s area. Ipads are currently unavailable.  

Browsing can be scheduled by individual appointment. 1 hour of browsing can be scheduled for up to three people (in both the adult area and the children’s area). 

Family units will be asked to send one person (see Unattended Child Policy) or come as a group to choose materials.

Masks are required in the library building and we will have hand sanitizer available. 

Bathrooms are not open to the public at this time. 

All materials need to be returned to the Bookdrop found on the south side of the front yard, next to the driveway to staff parking for 48 hour quarantine. Please do not bring it into the building.

Materials that are pulled from the shelves but not checked out, should be placed on the tables that are available and not reshelved by patrons.

Photocopies/Scan/Fax with little or no staff assistance through appointment only. Full service requires materials (with contact information and instructions included) be put in the Bookdrop for 48 hour quarantine for a future appointment for payment and pickup. Regular fees apply.

Stay home if you are sick.

The library limits up to and no more than 6 people for scheduled meetings in the Maker Space, 4 people in the Conference Room. The Study Room and public seating will be off limits. See library staff for more details regarding meetings. 

Again, contact us if you have questions regarding these services. We are constantly adapting guidelines in order to provide the best service to our community while keeping our staff safe and healthy. Thank you for supporting Drake Public Library!

 

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New Services at Drake Public Library

Drake Public Library is adding more services to their reopening plan starting Monday July 13. 

Current Services

In addition to Stage 2 services that included curbside pick up, we are continuing Stage 3 computer use by individual appointment. You can schedule one hour for computer use for up to three people (over the age of 15) at a time in the Adult Area.  One hour for computer use for one person (child, under the age of 18 but over the age of 9, per the library’s Unattended Child Policy) at a time in the Children’s Area.

Starting Monday July 13

Part B of Stage 3 includes browsing by individual appointment.  You can schedule one hour of browsing for up to three people (for both the adult area and the children’s area).  Family groups will be asked to send one person (see Unattended Child Policy) to choose materials or they  have to reserve more than one appointment slot during that hour.  You must ask for assistance before browsing the non-fiction section on the top floor and you must schedule browsing appointments for each department (adult collection and children’s collection) that you want to visit. 

Part C of Stage 3 includes limited availability of our Conference Room and Maker Space. There is a limit of up to and no more than 6 people for scheduled meetings in the Maker Space and 4 people in the Conference Room. The Study Room and public seating are off limits. 

General Guidelines

Masks are required in the library and we will have hand sanitizer available.  Bathrooms will not be open to the public.  All materials need to be returned through the Bookdrop and won’t be accepted at the circulation desks. The lower level entrance/exit and elevator will be used by all patrons with appointments. Cleaning will be done during the breaks between time slots.   FAX/Scan with in-library printed paper only or put your form(s) in the bookdrop (in an envelope with contact information) for a future appointment.   

We are working hard to provide services to our community while keeping our staff and our patrons as safe as possible and we appreciate your support. Please contact library staff at 641-856-6676  to schedule your appointment.  

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Services at Drake Public Library

Drake Public Library is taking steps toward restarting services for the public after being closed during the COVID 19 pandemic. We are approaching the process of reopening the library in stages to keep in line with guidelines set forth to protect our staff and patrons during this time. 

The next stage toward reopening Drake Public Library will start by offering Curb Side Pickup for requested materials beginning Tuesday, May 19.

Patrons can begin putting materials on hold by logging into their account through the Follett Destiny Circulation System found on the library’s website at https://www.drakepubliclibrary.org, over the phone at 856-6676 or by emailing the library at drakepubliclibrary@gmail.com. 

So, how do you log into Drake Public Library’s online card catalog system (Follett)?

Go to https://www.drakepubliclibrary.org 

  1. Click on Follett Destiny

Log In

  1. Select your site (Drake Public Library), and click Log In.
  2. Enter your User Name (Your last name plus the first three letters of your first name, all lowercase, one word) and Password (Your Library Card Number, no letters).
  3. Click Log In. Your site page appears.

How Do You Place an Item on Hold?

  1. Click on Catalog (top of page)
  2. Type in an author’s name, a book/movie title and click on the appropriate category (key word, title, author, subject, series)
  3. Options will come up. You should scroll down the right side of your screen. “1 of 1 available” means that this item is available to check out. “0 of 1” means that it isn’t available yet but you can still put it on hold. Call if you have questions about this.
  4. Click on the availability status
  5. Click available under status (either “available” or a date)
  6. Choose “Add Hold” (on the right side of your screen)
  7. Choose “Save”
  8. We will be checking the system for online holds every morning and will contact you as soon as your turn comes up for the item placed on hold.
  9. Items will be due two weeks from the pick up date scheduled.
  10. Items with several holds on them will need to be picked up within one week of contact.

You will be contacted by a DPL Librarian to set up a time for you to pick up your materials and you will be given further directions during this conversation.

 

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Using the Libby App for Bridges

The library building is closed to the public. But you can still keep reading through online resources. We are very lucky to have access to the State Library of Iowa’s resource for online Ebook, Audio, Live Stream Video and Magazine Consortium through Bridges. The Friends of the Drake Public Library sponsors our participation with the Bridges online resource. You can still go directly to Bridges through our website.  But the Libby App is the newest way to access Bridges.  Here are some easy to follow directions. 

The free Libby app is the easiest way to get started with digital books, audiobooks, and magazines from your public library. Libby is available for Android, iOS, Windows 10, some Chromebooks, and in your browser at libbyapp.com.

Notes:

  • If you have a device that’s not compatible with Libby, you can use the OverDrive app to borrow and enjoy digital titles instead.
  • If you belong to a school, you may be able to use our new Sora app to borrow ebooks and audiobooks instead.

STEP 1

Install the Libby app from your device’s app store.

Or, visit libbyapp.com in your Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge browser.

STEP 2

In Libby, follow the prompts to find your library (Drake Public Library) and sign in with a valid library card number. When prompted for a username, it will be your library card number (just numbers, no P). Your password or PIN will be your last name with the first letter capitalized. 

STEP 3

Browse your library’s collection and borrow a title.

STEP 4

Borrowed titles appear under Shelf > Loans and download to the app automatically when you’re connected to Wi-Fi, so you can read them when you’re offline.

From your Loans, you can:

  • Tap Read With…to choose where you’d like to read the book (Kindle or Libby), then finish sending to Kindle (U.S. libraries only) or start reading in Libby.
  • Tap Open Audiobook or Open Magazine to start reading or listening to that title.
  • Tap Manage Loan to see options like Renew and Return.

If you need more help with Libby, please visit Libby Help or contact Drake Public Library staff at 856-6676 (Leave a message. We will call you back), email us at drakepubliclibrary@gmail.com or through a our Facebook page messenger.

Happy reading!

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Drake Public Library Closed Temporarily

Greetings from the staff at Drake Public Library. In response to Governor Reynolds’ State of Emergency Mandates, the library will be closed to the public until further notice.  This is what that means:

Staff will be reporting in for the time being but no patrons will be allowed in the building.

We will be checking our voicemail system, facebook messages and emails.

We will be checking the bookdrop for returns BUT prefer that patrons keep their current checkouts until this crisis is over.

We will not be accepting book/magazine donations.

ALL FINES WILL BE FORGIVEN for late materials during the shut down. We will be happy to extend due dates when we get your request.

We encourage our patrons to utilize our online resources listed below:

*drakepubliclibrary.org 

     Follett, our online card catalog to check your own account. You will need your login name (last name plus first three letters of your first name) and password          (your individual patron number found on your library card or by contacting us)

     Bridges, our Ebook, Audiobook and Video Streaming service that also includes online magazines.  You log in with your patron number and your last name               with the first letter capitalized.

     BrainFuse Job Now & Vet Now that includes online learning, resume and interviewing coaching with added assistance to Veterans. 

Gale Resources is found at www.galepages.com/iadrake and our password is drakepl. This is a wonderful resource for full text documents for research purposes, especially helpful to students doing research papers and looking for articles that can be cited appropriately. We will be posting other online resources that are free to the public as we find them. 

We will try to answer as many of your questions that we can and help you through taking advantage of these resources. We will also be updating you on any changes in our situation as well as tutorials on utilizing some of these online resources.  You can contact us at 641-856-6676, through Facebook at Drake Public Library and Drake Public Library Kids and through the Contact Us link on our website. The Library Email link in red will connect you to our primary email. 

We appreciate your understanding during this difficult time and we wish you all well. 

 

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Federal Funding Allows Bridges Offerings to Expand

A few months ago there was a discussion on the Library Talk conversation board about the need for more materials on personal issues on Bridges, with the hope that these might be always available for patrons in need. Well, the Bridges team listened and approached State Librarian Michael Scott with a proposal to allocate a portion of the State Library’s federal funding to make it happen. Michael accepted the proposal, and a small collection of simultaneous use eBooks and audiobooks covering several topics including mental health, addiction, abuse, and more has recently been added to Bridges. While there aren’t many titles available with the simultaneous use license, it’s a starting point that could be expanded upon in the future.

The funds have also been used to enhance the collection of graphic novels and comics. Marvel has recently partnered with OverDrive to offer 600 titles to public libraries worldwide, and the funding has made it possible to add all the Marvel titles as well as others from DC, Dark Horse & Archie. It’s exciting for us to see  this part of the Bridges collection expand!

In addition, the supplementary money has also gone to some new titles on librarianship for the library staff.  Finally, we’re excited to announce that the magazine pilot will be extended to a second year AND the State Library of Iowa has funneled a little extra money into holds list reduction and license renewals. This is wonderful for those of you who have been able to enjoy the magazine listings through Bridges!

All this would not have been possible without the State Library of Iowa’s allocation from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services. It is a great reminder of the impact of this funding- not only on the State Library- but on Iowans who love accessing eBooks and audiobooks from their local library. Remember, if you need assistance with Bridges/Overdrive, give us a call and set a time to sit down with a librarian and your device to get started.