July Book Discussions

Decorah Public Library staff are hosting five book discussions in July. The groups are open to the public and newcomers are encouraged to attend. Anyone interested should call the library at 382-3717 to learn more or to reserve a book. Zoom links are available on the Library’s website or you can email ktorresdal@decorahlibrary.org to be added to any of the six groups’ email distribution lists. Funds for multiple copy sets were generously provided by Friends of Decorah Public Library.  

 For more information, contact Tricia Crary (Friday Book Group), Zach Row-Heyveld (Cookbook Book Group) or Kristin Torresdal (Happy Hour, History, and Speculative Fiction Book Groups) at 563-382-3717.

When Women Were Dragons

The Happy Hour Book Group will meet via Zoom Wed. July 19 at 5:15 p.m. to discuss Kelly Barnhill’s “When Women Were Dragons.” Alex Green is a young girl in a world much like ours, except for its most seminal event: the Mass Dragoning of 1955, when hundreds of thousands of ordinary wives and mothers sprouted wings, scales, and talons, and took to the skies. To speak of it is taboo. Alex nevertheless must face the consequences of this astonishing event: a mother more protective than ever; an absentee father; the upsetting insistence that her aunt never even existed; and watching her beloved cousin Bea become dangerously obsessed with the forbidden.

Inglorious Empire: What the British Did to India

The History Book Group will meet on the 2nd floor of the library Thurs. July 13 at 3:00 p.m. to discuss Shashi Tharoor’sInglorious Empire: What the British Did to India.” In the eighteenth century, India’s share of the world economy was as large as Europe’s. By 1947, after two centuries of British rule, it had decreased six-fold. Beyond conquest and deception, the Empire massacred unarmed protesters, entrenched institutionalized racism, and caused millions to die from starvation. British imperialism justified itself as enlightened despotism for the benefit of the governed, but Shashi Tharoor demolishes this position, demonstrating how every supposed imperial ‘gift’—from the railways to the rule of lawwas designed in Britain’s interests alone.  

 

Violeta

The Friday Book Group will meet via Zoom Fri. July 21 at 2:00 p.m. to discuss Isabel Allende’s “Violeta.” Violeta comes into the world on a stormy day in 1920, the first girl in a family of five boisterous sons. From the start, her life will be marked by extraordinary events, for the ripples of the Great War are still being felt, even as the Spanish flu arrives on the shores of her South American homeland almost at the moment of her birth. She tells her story in the form of a letter to someone she loves above all others, recounting devastating heartbreak and passionate affairs, times of both poverty and wealth, terrible loss and immense joy. Her life will be shaped by some of the most important events of history: the fight for womens rights, the rise and fall of tyrants, and, ultimately, not one but two pandemics. 

The Bone Shard Daughter

The Speculative Fiction Book Group will meet via Zoom Wed. July 26 at 5:15 p.m. to discuss Andrea Stewart’sThe Bone Shard Daughter.” The emperors reign has lasted for decades, his mastery of bone shard magic powering the animal-like constructs that maintain law and order. But now his rule is failing, and revolution is sweeping across the Empires many islands. Lin is the emperors daughter and spends her days trapped in a palace of locked doors and dark secrets. When her father refuses to recognize her as heir to the throne, she vows to prove her worth by mastering the forbidden art of bone shard magic. Yet such power carries a great cost, and when the revolution reaches the gates of the palace, Lin must decide how far she is willing to go to claim her birthrightand save her people. 

The Dream-Quest of Vellitt Boe

Following the Speculative Fiction Book Group, the Speculative Fiction Novella Group will meet at 6:15 p.m. via the same Zoom link to discuss Kij Johnson’s “The Dream-Quest of Vellitt Boe.” Professor Vellitt Boe teaches at the prestigious Ulthar Women’s College. When one of her most gifted students elopes with a dreamer from the waking world, Vellitt must retrieve her. But the journey sends her on a quest across the Dreamlands and into her own mysterious past, where some secrets were never meant to surface. 

 

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Children’s and Young Adult Librarian Position

The Decorah Public Library is seeking an energetic leader to fill a full-time Children’s and Young Adult Librarian position. Ideal candidate will be a dynamic, creative individual who has a passion for serving children, young adults, and families and providing transformative library experiences. 

Duties include, but will not be limited to: creating, promoting, and overseeing all services, collections, and programs for children and young adults; assisting with the development and implementation of the library’s goals, objectives, and policies; researching and coordinating library services for children and young adults; developing and implementing new and revised programs for children and young adults; and overseeing expenditure of the materials budget for the children’s and young adult department. Position receives direction from the Library Director and collaborates with other library staff. This full-time role requires a varied work schedule that fluctuates day to day and week to week including some evening and weekend hours based on the needs of the Children’s and Young Adult department. PTO requests generally need to be arranged around critical program times including June and July.  

Qualifications 

Exemplary customer service skills; excellent oral and written communication skills; a passion for working with children, young adults, and their families; extensive knowledge of child and adolescent development, children’s and young adult literature, and library materials for youth in various formats; the ability to model best practices in public library work with children and young adults; the ability to form effective collaborative relationships with schools, committees, and other community organizations and departments who serve children; a vision for and the desire to reach underserved youth populations; the ability to quickly respond to and solve problems; a high degree of empathy, diplomacy, and patience; superior listening skills; a friendly, approachable style that children and teens gravitate to; and curiosity, creativity, and innovative thinking.  

Special Requirements 

Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred) from an accredited college or university in Education or Library Science required. Previous work experience that has demonstrated ability to relate to children individually or in groups and to provide stimulating activities which interest them also required. Consideration may be given for an appropriate combination of a related degree, coursework, experience, and/or abilities. Lifelong learners with a willingness to continuously re-evaluate best practices and a passion for serving diverse populations are encouraged to apply. 

Position subject to post-offer physical examination including drug testing, background check and motor vehicle records check. 

For more information email ktorresdal@decorahlibrary.org or call 563-382-3717.

Send application, resume, cover letter and a minimum of three professional, work-related references to:

Kristin Torresdal, Director, Decorah Public Library
202 Winnebago St.
Decorah IA 52101

or ktorresdal@decorahlibrary.org

Position open until filled; first review of applications will be July 17. Desired start date Sept 12. Starting wage $19.35/hr. Competitive benefit package offered. M/F Disabled and Veteran EEO/AA Employer.  

CYA Librarian Job Description

Employment Application Library

*Important note regarding submitting a PDF version of your application – Download and save the Application PDF to your computer. Use Adobe or a similar PDF reader to fill out the downloaded application and save it to your computer. Attach the completed application to your email along with your resume and references. Using Chrome or other web browsers to fill out the PDF may result in a blank PDF being submitted.

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Coffee and Creativity June Events

Decorah Public Library is continuing the Coffee and Creativity program series designed to help build community while being creative. Participants can make simple craft projects while chatting over coffee from 10-11:30 AM on the first and third Tuesdays of the month.   

The sessions will be led by Lea Lovelace, an arts educator with years of experience facilitating programs and activities in museums and arts organizations. Everyone is welcome to come make something, regardless of previous experience or artistic ability.

June 6 -Buddha Boards: 

Practice mindfulness and impermanence by painting on Buddha Boards with water and watching your creation disappear. 

June 20 – Flower Power! 

With summer solstice upon us, let the beautiful colors of nature inspire your creativity! Join us to paint your own flower pot inspired by the season and then plant something you can enjoy for the rest of the summer! All materials are provided. 

These programs are free to the public and all materials are provided. For more information, please contact Zach Row-Heyveld at Decorah Public Library – zrow-heyveld@decorahlibrary.org or by calling 563.382.3717. 

See our Calendar of Events for details on this and other programs at Decorah Public Library

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Family Performances: Summer 2023

Chad Elliot Family Concert
Wednesday, 6/7, 11 am

International award-winning songwriter, Chad Elliott, will bring art to life in this interactive, heartwarming, giggle-worthy concert for all ages. Wilderman’s Treetop Tales is a collection of whimsical lyrics Chad wrote and illustrated to inspire readers and audiences to embrace their wildest imagination through art, music, and storytelling.

Unhuggables with Eagle Bluff
Wednesday, 6/14, 11 am

Join year-round environmental learning center, Eagle Bluff, for Unhuggables for an interactive program featuring a live snake.  Hear the myths and realities of typical “nuisance” animals and the positive impacts they have on ecosystems.

Mad Mixtures with the Grout Museum
Wednesday, 6/21, 11 am

The Grout Museum presents an amazing mix of science experiments and demonstrations for ALL AGES! Learn about temperature and matter with liquid nitrogen. Find out about chemical reactions with fire and kitchen experiments. Join us for some mad science F-U-N!

Ocean Odyssey: Sting Rays!
Tuesday 6/27, 11 am

Breakdown some of the common misconceptions about stingrays. We will highlight adaptations these critters have to survive, their importance to the ecosystem and discover how you can help with conservation efforts. Participants will have the opportunity to get their hands wet and touch one of these amazing animals.

ISU Insect Zoo
Friday, 7/14, 1 pm

Get up close and personal with 100 species of our multi-legged friends, beetles, millipedes, walking sticks, roaches, scorpions, tarantulas and more! Learn all about why these animals are important for our environment with the help of our knowledgeable Insect Zoo staff. Families are invited to come out for a fun, hand-on, interactive display. Walk through, look, and ask questions at your own pace.

Dr. Michael Bechtel’s Animals
Wednesday, 7/19, 11 am

Meet Dr. Michael Bechtel, Associate Professor of Science Education at Wartburg College.  He has always incorporated exotic animals in his classrooms– everything from poison dart frogs to African spur thigh tortoises to Malaysian seramas (miniature chickens) to creating my own breed of mice.  He’ll be joining us at Decorah Library to share his love of ecology and introduce some of his animals during this engaging hands-on program.

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Summer Reading Challenges 2023

Summer Reading image links to summer reading page

Looking for an engaging literacy-based challenge for your family?

Decorah Public Library is offering two reading challenges an “Early Literacy” bingo card designed for children 0-5 and another challenge designed for readers of any age.

For the Early Literacy Bingo, Decorah Public Library took cues from the “Every Child Ready to Read” early literacy program and the Public Library Association. Prompts like “count things in nature” or “sing the words to one of your favorite picture books” encourage the kind of play that leads to learning and literacy.

The all ages challenge is designed to encourage readers in Decorah to diversify their reading, explore Decorah, and try new things this summer. The library welcomes children, teens, and adults who want to participate. The prompts range from “read a nonfiction book” to “write a note to someone you care about.”

Participants have between June 1 and July 15 to complete 5 of the activities on their card.

Participants can then turn in their challenge and either select a prize from the library’s treasure chest or be rewarded with a ticket that entitles them to one free visit to the Decorah Municipal Pool.

This program is free, open to the public, and sponsored by Decorah Public Library in collaboration with Decorah Parks and Recreation.

FAQs:

Which summer reading challenge should I choose?
The Early Literacy challenge emphasizes play-based components of literacy and is geared toward ages 0-5–it’s a great choice for kids building skills to get reading to read. Our Reading Challenge is for all ages and is designed to diversify reading and promote exploration of our community. If someone in your household is “between” challenges you are welcome to mix and match between the cards and make to make it appropriate to your child’s reading level and interests.

What are the prizes?
Participants can choose either toy from our treasure chest (which contains things like Play-Doh, fidget toys, bubbles, and art supplies) or a ticket for a free visit to the pool–which we’re so excited to be able to partner with Parks and Recreation to offer.

Is the pool pass for all season?
No–the pass provides one visit to the pool. If your household already has a pool pass you can use your reading prize to invite a friend to the pool for the day.

What is the goal of this program?
Our hope is to get kids and families reading, being creative, and exploring Decorah. We want to make summer fun as accessible as possible and give kids and families an incentive enjoy our library collection and our awesome community!

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June Book Discussions

Decorah Public Library staff are hosting five book discussions in June. The groups are open to the public and newcomers are encouraged to attend. Anyone interested should call the library at 382-3717 to learn more or to reserve a book. Zoom links are available on the Library’s website or you can email ktorresdal@decorahlibrary.org to be added to any of the six groups’ email distribution lists. Funds for multiple copy sets were generously provided by Friends of Decorah Public Library.  

 For more information, contact Tricia Crary (Friday Book Group), Zach Row-Heyveld (Cookbook Book Group) or Kristin Torresdal (Happy Hour, History, and Speculative Fiction Book Groups) at 563-382-3717.

Elsewhere

The Happy Hour Book Group will meet via Zoom Wed. June 14 at 5:15 p.m. to discuss Alexis Schaitkin’s “Elsewhere.” Vera grows up in a small town, removed and isolated, pressed up against the mountains, cloud-covered and damp year-round. This town, fiercely protective, brutal and unforgiving in its adherence to tradition, faces a singular affliction: some mothers vanish, disappearing into the clouds. It is the exquisite pain and intrinsic beauty of their lives; it sets them apart from people elsewhere and gives them meaning. Vera, a young girl when her own mother went, is on the cusp of adulthood herself. As her peers begin to marry and become mothers, they speculate about who might be the first to go, each wondering about her own fate.  

How the South Won the Civil War: Oligarchy, Democracy, and the Continuing Fight for the Soul of America

The History Book Group will meet on the 2nd floor of the library Thurs. June 15 at 3:00 p.m. to discuss Heather Cox Richardson’s How the South Won the Civil War: Oligarchy, Democracy, and the Continuing Fight for the Soul of America.” While the North prevailed in the Civil War, Heather Cox Richardson argues that democracys blood-soaked victory was ephemeral. The system that had sustained the defeated South moved westward and there established a foothold. Settlers from the East had for decades been pushing into the West, where the seizure of Mexican lands at the end of the Mexican-American War and treatment of Native Americans cemented racial hierarchies. The South and West equally depended on extractive industries-cotton in the former and mining, cattle, and oil in the latter-giving rise a new birth of white male oligarchy, despite the guarantees provided by the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments. 

 

Horse

The Friday Book Group will meet via Zoom Fri. June 16 at 2:00 p.m. to discuss Geraldine Brooks’ “Horse.” Kentucky, 1850. An enslaved groom named Jarret and a bay foal forge a bond of understanding that will carry the horse to record-setting victories across the South. New York City, 1954. Martha Jackson, a gallery owner celebrated for taking risks on edgy contemporary painters, becomes obsessed with a nineteenth-century equestrian oil painting of mysterious provenance. Washington, DC, 2019. Jess, a Smithsonian scientist, and Theo, a Nigerian-American art historian, find themselves unexpectedly connected through their shared interest in the horseone studying the stallions bones for clues to his power and endurance, the other uncovering the lost history of the unsung Black horsemen who were critical to his racing success. 

Embassytown

The Speculative Fiction Book Group will meet via Zoom Wed. June 28 at 5:15 p.m. to discuss China Mieville’sEmbassytown.” In the far future, humans have colonized a distant planet, home to the enigmatic Ariekei, sentient beings famed for a language unique in the universe, one that only a few altered human ambassadors can speak. Avice Benner Cho, a human colonist, has returned to Embassytown after years of deep-space adventure. When distant politics deliver a new ambassador to Arieka, the fragile equilibrium between humans and aliens is violently upset. Catastrophe looms, and Avice is torn between competing loyalties—to a husband she no longer loves, to a system she no longer trusts, and to her place in a language she cannot speak 

The Paper Menagerie”: “Good Hunting,” “The Literomancer,” and “Simulacrum.”  

Following the Speculative Fiction Book Group, the Speculative Short Fiction Group will meet at 6:15 p.m. via the same Zoom link to discuss stories 4-6 from Ken Liu’s “The Paper Menagerie”: “Good Hunting,” “The Literomancer,” and “Simulacrum.”  

 

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Part-time Library Aide Positions

Decorah Public Library is accepting applications for one seasonal (June-August 2023) part-time Library Aide position and one (non-seasonal) part time Library Aide position.

Candidates must be at least 14 years old and available to work select daytime hours, 1-2 weekday evenings 5-7 p.m., and 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturdays.

10 hours/week available at $10.50/hr, no benefits.

Job description and application available below or call 563-382-3651.

Send completed application to:

Decorah Public Library, Attn: Tricia Crary
202 Winnebago St.
Decorah IA 52101

Or tcrary@decorahlibrary.org

Applications accepted until position is filled. The first review of applications will be on Wednesday, May 31.

M/F disabled and Veteran EEO/AA Employer

Library Aide Job Description

Employment Application Library

*Important note regarding submitting a PDF version of your application – Download and save the Application PDF to your computer. Use Adobe or a similar PDF reader to fill out the downloaded application and save it to your computer. Attach the completed application to your email along with your resume and references. Using Chrome or other web browsers to fill out the PDF may result in a blank PDF being submitted.

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Coffee and Creativity May Events

Decorah Public Library is continuing the Coffee and Creativity program series designed to help build community while being creative. Participants can make simple craft projects while chatting over coffee from 10-11:30 AM on the first and third Tuesdays of the month.   

The sessions will be led by Lea Lovelace, an arts educator with years of experience facilitating programs and activities in museums and arts organizations. Everyone is welcome to come make something, regardless of previous experience or artistic ability.

May 2 -Monoprinting: 

While generally printmaking is an artistic process where multiple prints can be produced from the original image, Monoprinting is a technique resulting in one unique print.

May 16 – Origami 

Explore the Japanese art form of folding paper into interesting shapes and even animals!

This programs are free to the public and all materials are provided. For more information, please contact Zach Row-Heyveld at Decorah Public Library – zrow-heyveld@decorahlibrary.org or by calling 563.382.3717. 

See our Calendar of Events for details on this and other programs at Decorah Public Library

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May Book Discussions

Decorah Public Library staff are hosting six book discussions in May. The groups are open to the public and newcomers are encouraged to attend. Anyone interested should call the library at 382-3717 to learn more or to reserve a book. Zoom links are available on the Library’s website or you can email ktorresdal@decorahlibrary.org to be added to any of the six groups’ email distribution lists. Funds for multiple copy sets were generously provided by Friends of Decorah Public Library.  

 For more information, contact Tricia Crary (Friday Book Group), Zach Row-Heyveld (Cookbook Book Group) or Kristin Torresdal (Happy Hour, History, and Speculative Fiction Book Groups) at 563-382-3717.

Kaikeyi

The Happy Hour Book Group will meet via Zoom Wed. May 10 at 5:15 p.m. to discuss Vaishnavi Patel’s “Kaikeyi.” The only daughter of the kingdom of Kekaya, Kaikeyi watches as her father unceremoniously banishes her mother and listens as her own worth is reduced to the marriage alliance she can secure. Desperate for independence, she turns to the texts she once read with her mother and discovers a magic that is hers alone. With it, Kaikeyi transforms herself from an overlooked princess into a warrior, diplomat, and most favored queen. 

Evolutions in Bread

The Cookbook Group will meet Thurs. May 11th at 6:30 p.m in the library’s lower level meeting room for the potluck and final discussion of Ken Forkish’s “Evolutions in Bread.” If you want to craft artisan pan breads and rustic Dutch oven loaves at home with professional, consistent results, this is the book for you. Think crispy, crackly crusts and soft, airy interiors, just like from your favorite artisan bakery—except it came from your own oven. Approachable to the home baker, while still being chock-full of expert knowledge and all-new recipes, Evolutions in Bread covers same-day loaves, overnight cold-proof doughs, and classic levains. Forkish shares the secrets he has learned for making sourdough starter that’s more flour efficient while also exploring classic breads and enriched doughs, such as Japanese Milk Bread and Brioche. This is an excellent follow-up to Forkish’s James Beard Award Winning Flour, Water, Salt, Yeast. 

Enslaved, Indentured, Free: Five Black Women on the Upper Mississippi, 1800-1850

The History Book Group will meet on the 2nd floor of the library on Thurs. May 18 at 3:00 p.m. to discuss Mary Elise Antoine’sEnslaved, Indentured, Free: Five Black Women on the Upper Mississippi, 1800-1850.” [note: this is a change from the Cox Richardson book we had been planning to do, because that title was backordered.] The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 made slavery illegal in the territory that would later become Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, and part of Minnesota. However, many Black individuals’ rights were denied by white enslavers who continued to hold them captive in the territory well into the nineteenth century. Set in this period of American history, Enslaved, Indentured, Free shines a light on five extraordinary Black women—Marianne, Mariah, Patsey, Rachel, and Courtney—whose lives intersected in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.

 

Life on the Mississippi

The Friday Book Group will meet via Zoom Fri. May 19 at 2:00 p.m. to discuss Rinker Buck’s “Life on the Mississippi.” “Life on the Mississippi” is a blend of history and adventure in which Buck builds a wooden flatboat from the grand “flatboat era” of the early 1800s and sails it down the Mississippi River to New Orleans. Over the course of his voyage, Buck steers his fragile craft through channels dominated by cargo barges, rescues his first mate gone overboard, sails blindly through fog, breaks his ribs not once but twice, and camps every night on sandbars, remote islands, and steep levees. As he charts his own journey, he also brings to life a lost era.

The Sword of Kaigen

The Speculative Fiction Book Group will meet via Zoom Wed. May 24 at 5:15 p.m. to discuss M.L. Wang’s “The Sword of Kaigen.” At the edge of the Kaigenese Empire live the most powerful warriors in the world, superhumans capable of raising the sea and wielding blades of ice. Born into the legendary Matsuda family, Mamoru has always known his purpose: to master his family’s fighting techniques and defend his homeland. But when an outsider pulls back the curtain on Kaigen’s alleged age of peace, Mamoru realizes that he might not have much time to become the fighter he was bred to be—and the empire may stand on a foundation of lies.

 

Remote Control

Following the Speculative Fiction Book Group, the Speculative Fiction Novella Group will meet at 6:15 p.m. via the same Zoom link to discuss Nnedi Okorafor’s “Remote Control.” The day Fatima forgot her name, Death paid a visit. From hereon in she would be known as Sankofa, a name that meant nothing to anyone but her. Her touch is death, and she walks—alone, except for her fox companion—searching for an object that came from the sky. But is there a greater purpose for Sankofa, now that Death is her constant companion? 

 

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Friends Annual Meeting with Larry Reis

Learn About Driftless Daytrips in Winneshiek County

Spring is a wonderful time to start getting outside to enjoy the natural world!  On Monday, April 24th the public is invited to a presentation by naturalist Larry Reis at the annual meeting of Friends of the Decorah Public Library at Impact Coffee.  He will highlight three places in Winneshiek County worth visiting early in the season—Lake Meyer Park, Malanaphy Springs State Preserve, and Ludwig Prairie Preserve—and will share photographs of the wildflowers, birds, butterflies, and bees to be found at those locations in late April and early May.

Larry Reis has worked for 40 years with the Winneshiek County Conservation Board (WCCB), which is celebrating its 65th anniversary in 2023. He has been at the Lake Meyer Nature Center since 1973 after earning a Biology degree from Luther College and a Masters’ degree in environmental science from the University of Northern Iowa.  As a naturalist for the Conservation Board, he helps school children and adults learn about the natural resources in the local area through indoor programs and outdoor field trips.  He also helps other conservation staff improve natural areas by planting prairie back on the landscape and enhancing existing woodlands and wetlands to benefit local flora and fauna.

The event is at Impact Coffee on West Water Street in Decorah on Monday, April 24th at 7:00 p.m. with doors opening at 6:45.  The public is invited with light appetizers provided and beverages available for purchase.  Please join us!   

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