La Porte County Library Books and Beyond
Welcome to La Porte County Public Library's eNewsletter, Books and Beyond, where we share news about programs, materials, and services the Library has to offer YOU. Pass this eNewsletter along to your family, friends, and colleagues so everyone can see what's new at the Library!
Happy New Year! We hope you had a great 2013 and wish you have an even better 2014!

read! build! play! Storytimes

Bring your children ages three to five to Main every Friday at 10am for our read! build! Play! Storytimes. This fun, hands-on program will spark children's creativity, develop fine motor skills, and provide recognition of shapes/colors and lay the foundation for future readers by increasing children's early literacy.

Doorstep Delivery

Remember the Library has a Doorstep Delivery service for those who have difficulties coming to the Library due to weather, illness, disability or injury. This service is scheduled monthly and is free. All you need is your  

La Porte County Public Library card. Doorstep Delivery brings the Library to you or your loved ones!

La Porte County Public Library Speakers Bureau 

The Speakers Bureau of La Porte County Library provides organizations a free, professional presentation from Library staff at your meetings or events. There are dozens of subjects the Library can offer. Topics include Technology; Parent and Caregiver Education; History, Travel and Culture; Genealogy and Local History; Books, Movies and More. Presentations can also be tailor-made to fit your program. Contact the Library for more information or fill out the Speakers Bureau form located on the website. A staff person will contact you within two business days to make arrangements.

Quick Links...
Library Impact Survey

From January 15, 2014 to February 12, 2014 the Library will be conducting an online survey to collect information about how our patrons use public technology resources and services. This information will help the Library evaluate our current services to enable better outcomes and to communicate the value of public access technology with library stakeholders. The Impact Survey collects data across the following domains: general use of library and online resources, education, employment, entrepreneurship, health & wellness, eGovernment, civic engagement, eCommerce, and social inclusion.

 

The survey takes 10-15 minutes to complete, is completely anonymous, and is available in English and Spanish. A full list of the survey questions can be found  
here. 

 

The Impact Survey is the result of a successful research initiative from the University of Washington with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Our patrons will access the online survey through buttons on our public access computer workstations and library website. To learn more about the research behind the survey, the logistics of running the survey, and what the patron experience is like, please visit http://impactsurvey.org.

Great Programs in January at the Library

The Library has a full calendar of events planned for January that you don't want to miss. Plan to attend the new series "Local Lore". January 7 at 6:30pm at Main will be the first with the topic Genealogy Chat.

Share stories and get information with finding information for your family tree with the presenter, Sue Harmon. The popular "Talk To A Lawyer Day" is back January 20, from 9am to 5pm at Main where La Porte County attorneys volunteer to give short complimentary consultations of legal concerns in complete confidentiality. Travel with the Library's Deborah Meserve as she discusses her journey to Thailand and learn the many interesting facets of life there on January 23 at 1pm at Coolspring. There is so much more happening at all Library locations like the Technology Classes and all the programs for kids and teens. Find out what is happening in January at your Library here or go to any location and pick up a Winter Programs and Events calendar.

Zinio Has Arrived at the Library 
Zinio is a digital magazine collection service that allows patrons to check out the latest editions of magazines online by downloading them on almost any device including a web browser or on custom apps for Apple iOS, Android and Windows 8 smartphones and tablets. Zinio's unique technology digitally recreates a magazine page for page, including full color pictures, intuitive navigation, key word article search, and interactive elements such as audio and video. Patrons will have access to over 80 different magazines. This latest service offered for free by the Library will help eliminate the frustration of not being able to read your favorite magazine because it has been checked out. Now you can read it anytime and anywhere. All you need to access Zinio is a library card and PIN. Check it out now. 

The Winter Reading Program is back at the Library beginning February 1. Stop in to your nearest Library location all of February and participate. Students in kindergarten through 5th grades complete a variety of activities, games, reading, and attend programs to earn rewards. Thirty participants will win a ticket for the grand prize event: a LEGOŽ Bridge Building Workshop in  

La Porte, and a free entry into the Schaumburg, Illinois LEGOLAND! Preschool age children and parents can pick up an activity calendar, complete 14 activities, and return it to any Library location. Each child will choose a book for a prize and be entered to win a LEGO DuploŽ Read & Build activity kit. Go to our website and learn more.  

Thank you for subscribing to
Books and Beyond.
Sincerely,

La Porte County Public Library