Literary Elements: Summer Reading for Adults

We have summer reading programs for all ages at the library, including adults! Don't let kids have all the fun. We have a super program lined up for you this summer. Registration begins June 2: come into the library to register and get your Summer Reading Log, or register online. Our summer theme is Literary Elements. You'll use our version of a Periodic Table of Elements to read, explore, and participate your way through our books, services, and programs. Complete at least three activities each week to qualify for a grand prize drawing slip. Grand prizes this summer include a star registered in your name with the International Star Registry, a Magellan eXplorist GPS unit, and a Nook HD tablet. We'll draw for winners at our Celebrate Summer Literary Elements party on August 1 - join us there for wine, beer and other beverages, live music, light appetizers, and door prizes! Register early to assure your spot.

You Out Loud! Broadcast Your Fandom

If you LOVE our Out Loud! authors (and we're sure you do), show your love by entering our You Out Loud! contest! Submit your video and tell us why YOU should be the one to introduce one of our Out Loud! authors this summer: Sarah Vowell, Wally Lamb, or Elizabeth Berg. Make

a compelling case in three minutes or less; staff from the Metro Library Network will choose the best videos from among those submitted and post them on our Facebook page, where everyone can vote for their favorite. The winner for each author will be invited to introduce

their selected author at the Out Loud! Author Series this summer. Learn contest and submission details at

http://tinyurl.com/YouOutLoud. The contest is sponsored by Hills Bank & Trust.

Registration Requested for Out Loud! Author Programs

Program: Out Loud! The Metro Library Network Author Series

Dates: June 27, July 11, July 18

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Out Loud! The Metro Library Network Author Series is thrilled to present three of the nations' most well-known authors this summer. The collaborative program of the Cedar Rapids, Hiawatha, and Marion Public Libraries will present Sarah Vowell (June 27), Wally Lamb (July 11), and Elizabeth Berg (July 18) in free events at the Hotel at Kirkwood Center; all programs begin at 7 p.m. While no tickets are required, series organizers are requesting preregistration. To register, visit http://bit.ly/OutLoud and navigate to the event dates. Alternately, patrons may contact any of the Metro Libraries or send an email to events@crlibrary.org. All Out Loud! authors will take questions from the audience and sign books following their presentations. More information about the Out Loud! Author Series is available at www.metrolibrarynetwork.org/outloud. Out Loud! The Metro Library Network Author Series is supported by the Giacoletto Foundation with media support from The Gazette and event book sales provided by Barnes & Noble Booksellers.

Got a Hankerin' for Fresh Eggs?

Program: Backyard Chicken

Certification Workshop

Date: Tuesday, June 10

Time: 6:30-8:00

Learn the basics required to safely and successfully raise hens in urban and suburban areas. Participants will receive a certificate of completion enabling them to get a permit to keep chickens legally in Marion, Cedar Rapids, and other local communities requiring permits. Bring your questions! Register online at http://marionpubliclibrary.org/chickens. Instructor will be Rebecca Mumaw, from the Indian Creek Nature Center.

First ReStore RePurpose Club in Marion

Program: Chalk It Up to RePurpose!

Date: Tuesday, June 24

Time: 6:00-8:00

Our brand new RePurpose Club, Marion Branch, will be offered for the first time in Marion by Habitat for Humanity's ReStore. This program is going to be a kick; you must come join us! The Habitat for Humanity ReStore's RePurpose Club is bringing their fun and creativity to the Marion Library. What's more, if you love this program and it goes well, we hope to do it every month. Help us make it successful! Joe, Eva, and Deb and the Habitat crew will bring all the stuff you need to repurpose leftovers, bits, and pieces into cool and unique things that you can really use -- we'll start with repurposing fan blades into chalk boards, and painting glass jars or other glass items. Please pre-register so we have an idea of how many supplies we'll need.

Check out eBooks or Audio Books for your Reader Device from the Library

Need help downloading library books to your eReader? Come to our free help sessions; bring your eReader device (and cords) and your questions - we'll do our best to get you up and reading! Throughout the summer (June-August), Tuesday evenings we'll have a staff person available to help you with our downloadable books. No appointment necessary, come anytime between 6:00 and 9:00 p.m.

Grown-Up Treasure Hunting

Program: Geocaching

Date: Saturday, June 28

Time: 10:30-12:30

High tech, outdoors, family fun, adventure and a treasure hunt! Join us for a morning adventure to find hidden geocaches using Global Positioning System units - or GPS, for short. Units will be provided. No experience needed. Learn how the system works, how to program a handheld GPS unit and find a waypoint. Dress for the weather. This program starts with an indoor introduction, and then moves outside where you'll actually be searching for caches. Jan Aiels, Education Facilitator at Indian Creek Nature Center, will be our instructor.

Medicare Monday

Program: Medicare Monday -

Basics of Medicare

Date: Monday, June 16

Time: 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Confused by Medicare? Join us for Medicare Mondays! Retirement Insurance Specialist (RIS) representative Jill deLaubenfels presents an educational program on Medicare Parts A, B, C, D and supplements, and describes how the health care landscape is changing. There is no obligation for attending, and light refreshments will be served. RIS is not affiliated with Medicare or with any government program.

Take Best Advantage of Benefits

Program: Getting the Most From

Social Security

Date: Tuesday, June 17

Time: 6:30-7:30

A few key decisions can make a big difference in the amount of your Social Security benefit. Know your benefit and understand your options. Social Security is a critical component of retirement planning -- and one that can be overwhelming and potentially costly if you are uninformed. 75% of retired Americans are collecting reduced Social Security benefits, likely because they are unaware of options that may increase their benefit payments. Come to this informative free program and learn how your benefits are calculated, options for taking your benefits, and strategies to maximize your benefits.

Foundation's Golf Outing Fundraiser

Summer at last! And that means it's time again for the annual Marion Public Library Foundation Golf Outing! This is your chance to help raise funds for the library and have a legitimate reason to spend a day away from work. It's a hard-to-pass-up deal.

Last year we had a great time watching the wind blow golf balls in just about any direction besides where they were hit, but we all had fun. We'll be at Hunter's Ridge Golf Course on June 18th. Registration starts at noon, the shotgun start is at 1:00 and dinner catered by LJ's is at 5:30. And of course there's a chance to win the $10,000 hole-in-one grand prize. To sign up a team or sponsor a hole, contact the library (mplinfo@cityofmarion.org or 377-3412); we'll send you an invoice. The entry fee for teams is $500 ($125/golfer). If you can't play but can sponsor a hole, that's $150. If you can do both it's a discount at $600! Team members can buy two mulligans for $5 each ($40 for a team). Join us for a good cause and a good time.

Ready to Retire?

Program: Shifting Gears: Preparing for Retirement

Date: Tuesday, July 1

Time: 6:30-7:30

Finance professionals from Principal Financial present this workshop on transitioning to retirement. At this workshop, you'll learn more about hazards you may face, Social Security, and turning savings into income in retirement. There's no charge and no obligation.