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April will be a fun-filled month! We're partnering with the African American Museum of Iowa to bring in Learning Safari, a monthly preschool cultural program. We're celebrating Earth Day on the 22nd and the City of Marion's 175th Birthday on the 26th. Plus, we have all of our wonderful regular programs going on all month. come check us out!
-MPL Children's Staff
P.S. Just a reminder, The will be NO Story Times the week of April 14-18 and the library will be CLOSED on April 18th & 20th for the Easter Holiday. |
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Introducing: Learning Safari!
Wednesday, April 9th at 10:45 a.m. 
Marion Public Library and the African American Museum of Iowa are teaming up to bring you a new story time experience: Learning Safari! Learning Safari is a special story time and craft for preschoolers focused on African and African American history and culture.
In April we will be "Making Music!" Did you know that African music influenced a lot of the music we listen to today? Come out and boogie with us as we learn about what instruments are used in jazz, blues, and even on the African continent. Join us and learn how music connects us all!
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April Story Time Schedule
Baby Time
(0-18 months)
Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.*
(15 minutes of structured time followed by free play)
Baby Time is a language enrichment program just for babies. It is an enjoyable time for you and your child full of rhymes, short books, bounces, and much more!
*No Baby Time April 17th
Toddler Time
(18 months-3 years)
Tuesdays & Fridays at 10:00 a.m.* (20 minutes)
Toddler Time is a great way to build early literacy skills and a love of reading from an early age! We do lots of songs, rhymes, fingerplays, and books that will keep even the wiggliest toddlers engaged and learning!
(See themes below.)
Preschool Story Time
(3-5 years)
Tuesdays & Wednesdays at 10:45 a.m.* (30 minutes)
We have lots of great stories to share with your preschoolers! On top of the books we have fun songs, rhymes, and activities for you and your kiddos!
(See themes below.)
April Themes:
1-4 No Joke! Let's Sing!
8-11 Bear Scare (Bring a Teddy Bear!)
9 @ 10:45 a.m. Learning Safari
15-18 BREAK - NO STORY TIMES*
22-25 Love Our Earth
29-May 2 BzzzBzzz Bugs!
29 @ 10:45 a.m. Doodlebugs (Gargoyles & Girders)
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Family Time
Mondays at 6:30 p.m.
 Got the Monday blahs? Start your week off right by coming to Family Time! Each week will feature a different activity appropriate for all ages and open to everyone! We'll have crafts, movies, games, fun presenters, and seasonal activities to get the whole family geared up for the week.
April Themes:
7th Teddy Bear Sleepover and Money Smart Presentation!
14th BREAK - NO FAMILY TIME
21st Earth Day Craft
28th Movie Night: Disney's Frozen
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Earth Day Story & Craft
Tuesday, April 22nd from 3:30-4:30 p.m.
All ages are invited to celebrate our home (Earth)! Listen to a story about caring for our world and then create something beautiful out of things we would normally just throw away!
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Happy 175th Birthday, Marion!
Saturday, April 26th between 9:30 and 1:00
Spend a little time at City Square Park and in the library in honor of Marion's 175th birthday! There will be plenty of activity, including a bike rodeo, infant car seat safety check, free bike helmets, a water cannon, dress up like your favorite city employee, balloon animals, face painting, and cake served by Mayor Bouska! Several city departments, such as Fire and Public Services, will have some of their vehicles and equipment available to admire. Visit the library's booth to learn about our expansion plans, and stop over at the library where kids can create a birthday card to the City! Have your "bingo" card stamped at the various booths and activity stations, then turn it in for a chance to win a Kindle Fire!
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Bridge to Reading
Now-April 30th
Your kids have the chance to vote for their favorite Bridge to Reading Picture Book Award nominee! Bridge to Reading is a new award with the purpose of promoting early literacy and reading to children through the introduction of quality picture books nominated by a committee of librarians, teachers, preschool and early literacy leaders. The award book will be chosen based on quality and characteristics of a good "read aloud". The award will engage children in the voting process and develop a lifelong love of books and reading. Voting ends April 30th.
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Mark Your Calendars
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May
8 Lego Club
14 Learning Safari
20-30 NO STORY TIMES
25 R.E.A.D. Dogs
27 Doodlebugs
June
Our science-themed Summer Reading Program: Fizz, Boom, READ! starts June 2nd!!!
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Library Info
LIBRARY CLOSED
April 18th & 20th
Hours
Monday-Thursday
9:30 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
Friday & Saturday
9:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Sunday
2:00-5:00 p.m.
Website
Marion Public Library
319-377-3412
1095 6th Ave.
Marion, IA 52402
Facebook
Pinterest
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Calling All Volunteers!
May-July 2014
Do you want to serve your community and promote literacy this summer? We'd love for you to volunteer to help with our Summer Reading Program. We are specifically looking for people who have experience working with children and who enjoy their energetic ways!
If you're interested, contact our Children's Services coordinator, Olivia Stoner, via email ostoner@cityofmarion.org, or phone 319-377-3412.
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Money Smart Presentation
Monday, April 7th at 6:30 p.m.
Here's a chance to get kids interested in saving and investing!
Elementary-age kids, their grandparents and parents are invited to stay after the teddy bear story time to learn about using money wisely. Special Guest Craig Adamson will read Rock, Brock, and the Savings Shock and answer any financial questions you have. Everyone will get a FREE book to take home!
It's the Money Smart Kids READ at our library, sponsored by AARP Iowa.
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Lego Love
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Thursday, April 10th 3:00-5:00 p.m.
Get creative with everyone's favorite building blocks! Build with our stash of Legos once per month on the second Thursday.
Thanks to all the generous people who donated Legos! Would you like to donate? We'd be glad to take them and share the Lego love!
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R.E.A.D Dogs
Sunday, April 27th between 2:30 and 4:00 p.m.
Bring your kids to read to our Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.) to grow their skills, confidence, and love of reading!
The dogs are all registered therapy dogs who are patient, friendly, and good listeners. Dogs don't care about a reader's abilities, help kids relax, and offer a new setting for practicing reading aloud. Research and anecdotal evidence show that children can improve their reading skills and confidence by reading to a dog. And, it's fun!
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Doodlebugs: Gargoyles & Girders
Tuesday, April 29th at 10:45 a.m.
In April we'll take a tour of Paris' most famous landmarks and create a landscape with some familiar silhouettes.
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