We are so excited to start our science-themed Summer Reading Program: Fizz, Boom, READ! on Monday, June 2nd!

You can sign up online or here at the library. We have programs for ALL AGES--Adults, Teens, Kids, and Babies


We have events for you and your kids almost every day of the week! Look below for what's happening in June.

Remember that our summer hours begin on June 1st (see side column for details).
                                                     -MPL Staff

June 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! 

 

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! 

 

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!

6/11 10:45 a.m. Learning Safari: Animals of Africa

6/24 10:45 a.m. Doodlebugs: Impressionism 

 

Introducing: Family Story Time at Lowe Park!

(All Ages)

Wednesdays at 10:45 a.m. (30 minutes) 

 

We're excited to offer a story time for all ages at Lowe Park this summer. We will incorporate stories, movement, songs, and rhymes to build literacy and have fun! Daycares and other larger groups are encouraged to come to Lowe during the summer. Depending on the weather, we may be outside. Lowe Park is located in northern Marion at 4500 N 10th Street. 

 

Family Fusion: 

Mondays at 6:30 p.m.

Family Fusion is a mix of crazy experiments, fun guests, and cool crafts. Come check out what's new every Monday at 6:30 and bring the whole family!

 

6/2 Family Fusion: Making Goop 

Ever wanted to try to make gak? Or slime? Or oobleck? Or even your own playdough? Now's your chance! Try out different concoctions, find out the science behind these crazy mixtures, and then take them home to play with.

 

6/9 Family Fusion: Science of Music

David Law will present the science of music using a variety of instruments, garden hoses and kitchen objects. Feel free to bring in anything that can create a sound. We will have an impromptu performance at the end. All ages welcome.

 

6/16 Family Fusion: Bats in the Library!

Indian Creek Nature Center presents: Beautiful Bats--bats are our friends who gobble up pesky mosquitoes around our homes. Learn about Iowa's bats as you enjoy some batty games and a craft with Naturalist Jan Aiels. Learn what you can do to help bats and what they can do for you!

 

6/23 Family Fusion: Candy Experiments 

Ever roasted a marshmallow, or put one in the microwave? Why do you think they get bigger? We'll learn the answer to this question and more when we do experiments with candy! You'll even get to eat some!

 

6/30 Family Fusion: Popcorn Party

Come learn what puts the POP in popcorn, do some fun experiments, and (most importantly) eat this yummy treat!

 

Check our Events Calendar for our July programs! 

Big Show Wednesdays

Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. 

Every Wednesday afternoon during the summer we'll have exciting shows and fun guests for one and all! 

 

6/4 Water Rocks!

Through stories, songs, and guided by the Conservation Dogs, students will learn about Iowa's natural resources and the importance of working together to protect the world around them! The Conservation Pack lesson covers natural resources, soil, water, the water cycle, and being good stewards of the Earth.

 

6/11 Miss Lara's Rock Talk

They're everywhere, they're everywhere! She's got them in her car, in her yard, in her house, and everywhere else. Miss Lara has ROCKS on the brain! She'll bring her favorites to the library and tell us why she thinks rocks are the best things around. Miss Lara studied geology in college and is using her knowledge and passion to explain the science of rocks and why we need them in our lives! 

  

6/18 Creature Feature

Join Wickiup Hill Learning Center naturalists to see, touch, and interact with amphibians and reptiles from Iowa while learning about their homes. You will also get to meet an animal that doesn't live here. What could it be? What wild fun will you have today? Come and find out!

6/25 Methane Gas with Walter the Farting Dog

Walter will introduce children to gas! Uh, that is, Methane (CH4) gas. Ms. Kristin will read Walter the Farting Dog Goes on a Cruise. Walter has a problem, a gas problem. Walter isn't alone! Landfills have gas problems too--methane gas that is. The lesson will cover how methane is created, its properties, and how your solid waste agency handles the methane produced by your waste. The program will conclude with an activity and a fizzy treat!

 

Check our Events Calendar for our July programs! 

Thursday Movies, Games, and Lego Club!

Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. 

Thursdays are fun days! We'll be showing movies, playing games, or building with Legos every Thursday afternoon.

 

6/5 Movie: Planes (PG)

A cropdusting plane with a fear of heights lives his dream of competing in a famous around-the-world aerial race.

 

6/12 Lego Club

Get creative with everyone's favorite building blocks! Build with our stash of Legos once per month on the second Thursday. 


6/19 
Movie: Catching Fire (PG-13)

Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark become targets of the Capitol after their victory in the 74th Hunger Games sparks a rebellion in the Districts of Panem.

 

6/26 Game Day

Come hang out in our air conditioned meeting room and play with the library's fantastic assortment of Wii, Xbox, PS3, and board games. We've got Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Dance Central, Guitar Hero, Twister, Apples to Apples, and more!

 

If you play Magic or Yu-Gi-Oh or another trading card game, feel free to stake out a corner of the room to play. Want to share your love for a favorite board game? Bring it along! Teens and kids welcome. Children under 9 must be accompanied by an adult.  

 

Check our Events Calendar for our July programs! 

Calling All Volunteers!

June-July 2014

Do you want to serve your community and promote literacy this summer? Do you know someone who'd like to work with kids? We'd love for you, a friend, or you and a friend to volunteer to help with our Summer Reading Program. 

 

We are 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 [email protected], or phone 319-377-3412.  

In This Issue
Story Time
Family Fusion
Wednesday Shows
Thursdays
Summer Volunteers
Library Info
Free Summer Meals
Sign Up Science
Family Yoga
Dulcimer Guy
Snakes Alive
Upcoming
Library Info
 

Summer Hours: 

 

Monday-Wednesday 

9:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Thursday 

9:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Friday-Saturday 

9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Sunday 

CLOSED

 

Website

 

Marion Public Library

319-377-3412

1095 6th Ave. 

Marion, IA 52402

 

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Summer Meals

Monday-Friday, 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. June 16th-August 15th 

The Marion Public Library and Horizons Family Services will offer a Free Lunch Program this summer. Any child under 18 can get a FREE lunch here at the library Monday-Friday, and grown ups can purchase a meal for only $3.50. Feed your body and feed your brain by checking out books, using our computers, or attending one of our programs. 
If you'd like to volunteer to help with this important program to keep our kids healthy this summer contact Ms. Olivia via email: 
[email protected] or phone: 319-377-3412 
Sign Up Science

Tuesdays at 1:30 p.m.  

Every Tuesday, starting June 10th, sign up your kids to participate in cooking, exercise, or art classes, solve crimes, or build a rocket! Space is limited, so make sure you get registered for one these exciting programs!

 

6/10 Sign Up Science: Kids Yoga

We're going to space camp! In this exciting introduction to yoga we'll train like an astronaut, learn Star Wars yoga moves, and blast off into the atmosphere! For ages 5-12 (kids under 9 must be accompanied by an adult).

Limit 20 kids. 

  

6/17 Sign Up Science: Kitchen Chemistry

Kids ages 7-12 are invited to join Jen, your Marion Hy-Vee dietitian and chef, to learn more about food science! We will start by learning about how to find iron in breakfast cereal (using magnets!), then we will make ice cream in a baggie and chia seed jam for each class member to take home.

Limit 15 kids (9 and under must be accompanied by an adult).

 

6/24 Sign Up Science: Bubble Hydrangeas

Blowing bubbles in your milk is fun, but what if you used paint? That's what we'll do today, and we'll turn the paint bubbles into art prints that look just like bouquets of hydrangeas! It's messy, so wear your painting clothes. For ages 5-12 (kids ages 9 and younger must be accompanied by an adult).

Limit 40 kids.

 

Check our Events Calendar for our July programs!

Family Yoga

Wednesday, June 11th, 18th, and 25th at 8:30 a.m. 

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Family Yoga is a fun way for your child to learn how to move creatively and interact with others. This class combines yoga postures with games, props and storytelling. Everyone participates! Children see the adults doing the poses, and then learn how to do it themselves. There's no forcing or trying to be perfect. It's all about getting involved at each child's level. With nurturing guidance and loving patience, every child will feel accepted and have loads of fun get to relax. For children ages 4-12. Children must be accompanied by their parent or caregiver. Wear comfy clothes and bring your own yoga mat or a towel and a water bottle.

 

Registration required must commit to attend all 3 sessions. Limit 15 kids. All children must be accompanied by a caregiver. 

 

July session will repeat lessons for another group.

The Dulcimer Guy: Mike Anderson

Saturday, June 21st 1:30 p.m.

 

Songs & Stories and that Thing that goes "Bong" -- Mike's kids' shows are legendary! Stories and 5 different musical instruments make his show something kids will talk about for quite a while. Come see jaw harps, nose flutes, bones, dulcimer, and whatever else Mike can cram into his car.

 

Snakes Alive!

Saturday, June 28th 1:30 p.m. 

 

Have you ever had your picture taken with an alligator or felt a boa constrictor breathe? SNAKES ALIVE!™ offers an exciting, hands-on, educational experience! With a wide variety of live animals, SNAKES ALIVE!™ lets you interact up close and personal to discover firsthand the fascinating world of reptiles. Learn their role in nature and about caring for them in captivity as Herpetologist Tom Kessenich lets you touch, hold and even talk to his friendly critters.

Mark Your Calendars 
July 
Mondays 
6:30 Family Fusion
Tuesdays 
10:00 Toddler Time
10:45 Preschool Story Time
1:30 Sign-up for Science
Wednesdays 
8:30 Family Yoga
10:45 Preschool Story Time
10:45 @ Lowe Park Family Story Time
1:30 The Big Show!
Thursdays
10:30 Baby Time 
1:30 Movies, Games, & Legos
Fridays
10:00 Toddler Time

August

On My Own & Ok taught by the ISU Extension will take place in four essions August 4th, 5th, 11th & 12th from 12:30-2:00 p.m.