Another wonderful summer reading program has come to a close. We’ve enjoyed many Storytimes, learned all about science and explosions, escaped with Dog Man, practiced our spy skills, and so much more. You earned thousands of small prizes through your reading and attending programs! Our summer reading program wouldn’t be possible without all of our amazing community sponsors, be sure to help us thank all of them for their support! And of course, it couldn’t happen without all of you, thank you for joining us!
Library Programs
Storytime will continue with two sessions each Tuesday morning through August 19. Whether you join us at 9:30 or 10:30, it’s the same great Storytime with songs, books, and games designed for preschoolers, siblings, and caregivers. While the sun is shining we’ll also enjoy one more Saturday Splash Pad Storytime Saturday, August 9, at 10:30 a.m. at the Solon Splash Pad, located in Solon Recreation and Nature Area.
Please note: Storytime will take a short break on August 26 and September 2. We’ll return Tuesday, September 9, at 10:30 a.m. with Storytime fun!
Whether you were able to try these DIY projects before or this is your first chance, register to join us for DIY Night Tuesday, August 12, at 6:30 p.m. as we enjoy “second chance crafts” like painting a birdhouse, macrame, bath bombs, and candles. Register online or at the Library, DIY Night is for adults and young adults.
Karaoke Night for teens is Friday, August 15, at 6:15 p.m. You don’t need to be a Swiftie to belt out your favorite tunes, just be ready to have a great time! Get together with your friends and recap your summer as you prepare for the start of school, we’ll have snacks & fun for incoming 6th-12th graders at Karaoke Night. No registration necessary.
It’s the perfect time to prepare for the start of the school year and join us at Cookbook Club. Saturday, August 16, at 11:00 a.m. we’re sharing the results of our back to school cooking. Check out a cookbook, give a recipe or two a try, and bring something to share. We’ll get some inspiration for the busy season, chat with other foodies, and enjoy the results!
Our Thursday early-out program, BAM POW, begins Thursday, September 11! As we get closer to the start, we’d like to take the time to remind parents and caregivers of the expectations for this program. All participating children in 1st-3rd grades MUST attend the program and be picked up by a caregiver at 2:45 p.m. Older children may enjoy the program or the rest of the Library. This is a drop-in program, no registration. There is no adult supervision outdoors at any time. We recommend parents and caregivers discuss these expectations, pick-up plans, etc. with their children. Library staff are sharing these programs for participating children but this does not provide the need for supervised childcare. A fall schedule of activities is available on our website and a printed copy is available at the Library. See you in September!
Library Access
Regular Library hours are Monday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. and Friday-Saturday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Closed Sundays. Please always refer to our website calendar or call to check hours as weather may impact our ability to be safely open.
Friday, August 22, the Library will be open 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Everyone is welcome at the Library and our programs. Please contact us with access needs.
What’s New?
Explore facts, feed your mind, and discover something new with nonfiction books at the Library. These are a few of the latest titles to hit the shelves.
Amazing Iowa by Michelle Sprout Murray. Whether you’re a native, a recent resident, or just passing through, these stories of the weird, wild, and wonderful people and places of this great state are waiting for you. Take a peek inside and you’ll find people you’ve heard about in the news … as well as those you should have heard about. Discover why: Mobsters and artists loved to hide out in Iowa, Musicians and authors seem to flourish here, Local astronauts and inventors dreamed big, Athletes and coaches put the Hawkeye State in the spotlight, If that’s not enough, check out the world record holder for hiccups; the woman whose daughter never had a Rice Krispie Treat, although her mom invented them; or some of the most haunted buildings and bridges in America! Discover the only remaining Frank Lloyd Wright-designed hotel in the world, Iowa’s Hollywood and Broadway connections, and tantalizing foods that will make your mouth water. Let Iowa author Michelle Sprout Murray be your tour guide of her home state and prepare to be amazed by the great tales and curiosities from the Hawkeye State!
The Complete Summer Cookbook by America’s Test Kitchen. This cookbook was featured for the June Cookbook Club and a huge hit. Untether yourself from the oven with make-ahead meals best served cold (or at room temp), like Poached Salmon with Cucumber and Tomato salad and Tzatziki. Fix-and-forget recipes like North Carolina-Style Pulled Pork made in the electric pressure cooker won’t steam up the kitchen. Equally easy are dinner salads; we’ve got enough to keep them interesting and varied, from Shrimp and White Bean Salad with Garlic Toasts to Grilled Caesar Salad. Barely more effort are fresh summer recipes requiring the briefest stint in a pan, such as Beet and Carrot Noodle Salad with Chicken or Braised Striped Bass with Zucchini and Tomatoes. Ready to take the party outside? You’ll find all you need for casual patio meals prepared entirely on the grill (from meat to veggies, even pizza). Throw a fantastic cookout with easy starters, frosty drinks, and picnic must-haves like Picnic Fried Chicken, Classic Potato Salad, and Buttermilk Coleslaw. Visited the farmers’ market? Find ideas for main dishes as well as sides inspired by the seasonal bounty, plus the best fruit desserts worth turning on the oven for. To end your meal on a cooler note, turn to a chapter of icebox desserts and no-bake sweets.
Spitfires by Becky Aikman. The heart-pounding true story of the daring American women who piloted the most dangerous aircraft of World War II through the treacherous skies of Britain. They were crop dusters and debutantes, college girls and performers in flying circuses-all of them trained as pilots. Because they were women, they were denied the opportunity to fly for their country when the United States entered the Second World War. But Great Britain, desperately fighting for survival, would let anyone-even Americans, even women-transport warplanes. Thus, twenty-five daring young aviators bolted for England in 1942, becoming the first American women to command military aircraft.