Get ready to vote with some books about past elections. Learn about the stolen election of 1876, or discover how the 1968 election transformed the landscape of American politics. Then make your decisions about our current elections and get out and vote!
Think Library: Blog
A grant from the Wahl Family Charitable Trust will fund the purchase of iPad minis for dedicated use at the Ellettsville Branch, expanding access to STEAM tools for school-age children and increasing the opportunity for related programs at the Library.
Have fun teaching English as a New Language. These resources have practical activities for teaching conversational English in a group setting. Help your students learn practical phrases, vocabulary, and conversation strategies to improve their communication skills.
January 27 is International Holocaust Remembrance Day, commemorating the tragedy of the Holocaust and the millions of people killed by the Nazi regime during World War II.
Honor the stories of African Americans with one of these recent books from history to poetry to literary fiction.
Prisoner support encompasses a variety of activities aimed a providing assistance to prisoners. There are a variety of ways to support prisoners: letter writing, visitations if possible, providing financial support, and, here in Monroe County, donating books for the jail library.
At their meeting on Wednesday, January 15, the Library Board of Directors approved a policy to eliminate overdue fines, effective March 1. The policy waives all unpaid overdue fines and collection agency fees charged prior to implementation, and eliminates fines for all late returns moving forward.
By Chantal Cagle, Information Assistant
Last year, one night in December, a gentleman pulled up to the Downtown Library drive-up window to pick up his holds. I scanned his card and saw he had 13 books waiting for him.
"You have a lot to pick up!" I said.
"It's the best part of Christmas," he replied.
The Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County (CFBMC) awarded the Library a grant for equipment, appliances, and supplies to establish a 600-square foot teaching kitchen as part of the construction of the forthcoming Southwest Branch Library. Scheduled to open in 2022, the kitchen will provide free, hands-on cooking and nutrition programs for all ages, increasing food security and advancing literacy, math, and science.
When the wind howls and the snow piles up try whipping up a new comfort food recipe. This list has everything from traditional comfort food recipes to vegan comfort food to healthy comfort food. Once your food is ready curl up under your blankets, crack open your library book, and enjoy a warm cozy dish.
Learning a new language can be difficult, especially for beginners! These resources help teachers plan lessons that inspire skills and confidence for English language learners. Visit VITAL’s Volunteer Resources for more tools, tips, and training.
Pronouncing words correctly can be one of the hardest parts of learning English. The best way to learn is by listening and practicing! Gain confidence in your speaking skills—from ordering a cup of coffee to making a presentation. Check out the popular “ESL Lab” and other online resources at VITAL Online Learning.
Growing your own food can be a very satisfying endeavor. These books will help you with everything from planting seeds to harvesting your produce.
Due to the prevalence and need for mental health services, and a general lack of them in many communities, zines on mental health serve a special need. Zines can help frame mental health in both a frank and gentle way, while also providing tips and encouragement for self-care. Many mental health zines are based around an individual's personal experience, so they provide a first-hand account of the associated trauma and healing processes.