Everyone is invited to our third public design charrette focused on getting the exterior design of your new library to fit in with uptown Marion. You will get to see what the architects have designed so far, and help influence the outcome of the library plan. Doors open at 5:00.
Start your week off right by coming to Family Time! Each week will feature a different activity appropriate for all ages. We'll have crafts, movies, games, and seasonal fun to get the whole family geared up for the week.
November Events:
Nov. 2nd: Fork Painting
Join us for a messy art night where we'll be making fun paintings using only forks! Bring clothes you don't mind getting messy! For ages 2+. 30 minutes.
Nov. 9th: Minecraft
Kids in 1st-12th grade are invited to sign up to play Minecraft here at the library! We have limited space, so get registered soon!
Nov. 16th: Guessing Games
Miss Lara will be disguising some everyday objects for you to try to guess. Bring your thinking caps and try to guess all the mystery items! Ages 3+. 30 - 45 minutes.
Nov. 23rd: Turkey Scavenger Hunt
A flock of turkeys got loose in the kids area and now they're hiding! Try to find all the turkeys and guess a silly turkey riddle! All ages. 30 minutes.
Nov. 30th: Lego Night
We're bringing out the Lego and Duplo blocks to build your master creations! Use one of our Lego books to get ideas or come up with something completely unique! All creations will be displayed at the library for the next 2 weeks. All ages. 30 minutes - 1 hour.
Toddler Time
Tuesdays & Fridays*
At 10:00 a.m.
(18 months - 3 years)
*No Toddler Time
November 3rd, 24th or 27th
Each session is 20 minutes long and includes stories, music, and activities.
Preschool Story Time
Tuesdays & Wednesdays*
At 10:45 a.m.
(3 - 5 years)
*No Story Time
November 3rd, 11th or 25th
Each session is 30 minutes long and includes stories, music, and activities.
Baby Time
Thursdays* at 10:30 a.m.
(0 - 18 months)
*No Baby Time
November 26th
Each session is 15 minutes of books, music, bounces, and rhymes followed by 15 minutes of play.
Learning Safari:
Being Thankful Wednesday, November 18th at 10:45 a.m.
Learning Safari is a special story time and art class for preschoolers in partnership with the African American Museum.
Come hear Todd Parr's Thankful Book and share your thoughts through words and images. We will each place autumn leaves on a tree with a thankful message.
Doodlebugs: Jurassic Underpants
Tuesday, November 24th
at 10:45 a.m.
Doodlebugs is a hands-on art appreciation class for preschoolers and their caregivers made possible by the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art.
Did you know that the dinosaurs' extinction was due to an underpants war? We'll read the book that tells the whole story. Then we'll make some dino art.
Lego Club! Thursday, November 12th 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Get Creative with everyone's favorite building blocks! Build with our stash once each month on the second Thursday.
Have Legos that your kids aren't using anymore? Why not donate them to the library and share the Lego love?
Minecraft is back! Monday, November 9th 6:30-8:00 p.m.
This month we're trying something new: playing from home! If you want to play with other Minecraft fans on the library's server but also want to sit around in your pajamas, here's your chance.
Register for Minecraft like usual, but let us know if you're playing at home or coming to the library. Then we'll send you the login information so you're ready for game night. Need to use a library account? Just tell us if you prefer a male or female character, and we'll get you set up. Don't wait to register though; we still have a limited number of accounts.
Don't have a computer or internet at home? Or just want to play with other people in person? You can still hang out with us in Meeting Room A and use one of our laptops. Just let us know your plans when you register, so we have enough room (and wifi) for everyone.
Snowflake Craft Saturday, November 14th 2:00-4:00 p.m.
The Embroiderers' Guild of America will show us how to create a holiday ornament. For kids and teens, second grade and older. (Kids under 9 must be accompanied by a parent.)
International Games Day Saturday, November 21 drop in between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Join us at the library for International Games Day on Saturday, November 21! We'll have Meeting Room A open 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. with board games, card games, and video games ready for whenever you want to drop in. All ages welcome!
Volunteer as Tribute! Saturday, November 21st at 1:30
As part of International Games Day, we're sending two tributes to the nationwide online Minecraft Hunger Games tournament on Saturday, November 21! Could one of them be you?
If you're willing to volunteer as a tribute, sign up on our website, then come to Meeting Room A at 1:30 p.m. on the 21st for the reaping. We'll draw the names of one boy and one girl to compete with tributes all across the country starting at 2 p.m. We'll provide the computers and the Minecraft usernames, so all you have to do is show up and play. Open to ages 9 - 18.
You must be present on Saturday, November 21 at 1:30 p.m. to participate in the reaping!
Babble & Brew Wednesday, November 25 drop in between 10:00 and 11:30 a.m.
Longing for grown-up conversation? Want to reclaim your sanity, but need a place where your little ones will have fun too? Join us for high-quality coffee from Wit's End Coffeehouse for the adults, and lots of exciting and age appropriate toys for the kiddos (newborns-preschoolers).
Barnes & Noble Bookfair Saturday, November 28 from 9 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Planning on gifting books or other fun goodies from Barnes & Noble this year? Include us in your plans! All you have to do is mention us when you check out on Saturday, November 28th and we get a percentage of the sale. We use these funds to purchase Summer Reading Program Prizes and other incentives through the year.
We will be special story time guests at 11:00 a.m. and we'll have Friends members or staff at a table helping recommend our favorite titles throughout the day. We will also be doing free gift wrapping!
Interested in volunteering for this event? We'd love your help! Contact Olivia Stoner ostoner@cityofmarion.org or call 319-377-3412.
Can't make it on the 28th? No problem! We're hosting an online bookfair from Saturday, November 28th through Thursday, December 3rd. When you make a purchase, enter our Bookfair ID when you check out. Just scroll down to the bottom of the Checkout screen and enter our Bookfair ID: 11742640.
THANK YOU for supporting your library!
Book a Trip
Ongoing
All Ages!
This all-ages reading program couldn't be easier: just pick up a log and start reading. Check off each state as you read a book that either takes place in that state, is about that state, or is by an author who is from that state. You can read fiction or non-fiction. We've got suggested books for each state, or pick out your own!
As you check off each state, get a dot at the Information Desk to mark your progress on our map. When you've read a book from all 50 states, pick up a special prize! Find more information on the Book a Trip page on our website.
1000 Books Before Kindergarten!
Ongoing
Children ages 0 - Pre-K
This program is designed to help parents prepare their children for one of life's big milestones: kindergarten. Research has proven over and over that children get ready to read years before they begin their formal education. The most effective way to get your child ready to learn is to read to them. We hope to foster a love of reading and an appreciation for the library, and to provide a healthy and happy bonding time for children and their caregivers as we encourage you along the way. You can sign up online by clicking here. Then stop by the Children's Desk, and we'll get you started with a log!
