Today’s resource of the day is for small business owners. It is the Illinois Department of Commerce’s Emergency Small Business Grants and Loans Assistance page.https://www2.illinois.gov/…/Pag…/EmergencySBAIntiatives.aspx. This page details grant and loan programs available through the state of Illinois for businesses impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak.
Today’s resource of the day is one that might prove intriguing to our adult non-fiction readers out there. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, many academic and publishers of scholarly works have opened up access to thousands of e-books and articles for FREE through Project MUSE. You can find a list of publishers and begin browsing here: https://about.muse.jhu.edu/resources/freeresourcescovid19/
Today’s resource of the day is Illinois Ag in the Classroom’s blog, Beyond the Barn Door: https://beyondthebarndoor.wordpress.com/ There are lots of fun activities and videos you can view if you scroll down the list of blog posts. Yesterday was National Ag Day and Beyond the Barn Door is celebrating all week!
Because this is just too good not to share today, we’re having 2 resources of the day today! I know parents and kiddos alike are looking for more books to read, so here’s some more FREE e-book access from MidAmerica Books! There’s the K-8 Digital Bookshelf: https://abdodigital.com/?tk=414F33301B8E136DEE3F0A93BF1795E1; the Secondary Digital Bookshelf for 5th through 12th grade: https://abdodigital.com/?tk=840BC558E6676AB1F4C9FA29D8EC6D69; and also the ABDO Zoom Research Database: https://www.abdozoom.com/zoomchoice/…. Thank you to MidAmerica Books for opening up access to these fantastic e-books!
Today’s online resource is another e-book resource for kids up to teens! Junior Library Guild has opened up access to their e-book collections. They have very nice free collections which offer unlimited simultaneous readings. There are even some audios in there and there is no login or password required: https://www.juniorlibraryguild.com/at-home…
After the Sunday break, I’m back and ready to provide you with new online resources! Today’s resource is super fun for everyone! It’s the Aquarium of the Pacific’s webcams! Check out the various animal habitats with these live video streams! (I really enjoyed the penguins): http://www.aquariumofpacific.org/exhibits/webcams
Today’s online resource of the day is Biblioboard! This is a FREE ebook and other digital resource project that allows unlimited simultaneous access to anyone who is physically in the state of Illinois! NO LIBRARY CARD REQUIRED. There are currently 3 “libraries” you can use, Inkie.org, RAILS for Schools which includes some great resources for kids, and Biblioboard Open Access. Check it out: https://library.biblioboard.com/modules
Today’s online resource is the online learning site, Scholastic Learn at Home: https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/…/learnathome.html.
You can find daily learning activities for kids in pre-K through 9th grade for FREE! And they’re fun too!
In order to encourage all of our young patrons to keep reading during their time off from school, Miss Gwen has created this super fun reading challenge! This challenge is for kids 0 to 5th Grade. Parents, if your kids aren’t reading on their own yet, read to them to complete the challenges. You’ll have fun too!
You can print this form or simply copy down the categories if you don’t have a printer. Complete the challenges and return it to the Library after we re-open for a special prize! NO LIBRARY CARD REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE!!!!
Today’s online resource is for people interested in Illinois history. Parents and teachers, this is also a great resource for history projects for your students. It’s the Illinois Digital Archives, a digital repository for archival collections related to Illinois history. Check it out!: http://idaillinois.org/
Today’s resource of the day is a super fun one for the kiddos! NASA has videos of astronauts reading stories…from SPACE!!!! Bet you didn’t think you’d be listening to a story from space today, did you! Here’s one of the latest videos: https://youtu.be/7JG6p6mSgdM
I’m going to try to update our website followers regularly and share online resources with you to get you through all these closures and self-isolation. Today’s resource is: eRead Illinois! eRead Illinois is a shared collection of tens of thousands of e-books and e-audiobooks to which your Schmaling Library Card gives you access! You can visit our custom collection at https://fulg.axis360.baker-taylor.com/. If you do not already have an account and need the information to set one up, please email fulpublib@mchsi.com. Include your name and complete 14-digit library card barcode number in the body of your email and I will give you the information you need to set up your account!
All library programs are cancelled until further notice due to the COVID-19 outbreak. We will be OPEN today, Monday, March 16 from 2-7pm. Due dates will be extended to 4 weeks for all items from this point forward and DVD limits will be raised from 2 to 5 per card. Fines will be waived on all overdue items until further notice. There will be an emergency board meeting tonight at the library at 5pm to discuss plans moving forward. Thank you for your understanding in this matter. We want EVERYONE to stay safe and healthy!
This Valentine’s Season, take a chance at falling in love…
with a good book!
Try one of our Blind Date with a Book selections.
You can’t judge these books by their covers! (or their titles or authors, for that matter) 🥰
***Registration is required by Wednesday, February 12***
In honor of the great Dr. Seuss’ upcoming birthday, we’re throwing him a party –A stuffed animal stuffing party! On Saturday, February 29 (LEAP DAY!) we’ll have a cuddly good time as we read Dr. Seuss’ “What Pet Should I Get?,” taste some yummy treats and then stuff some fantastic stuffed animals to take home. This program is FREE thanks to a donation from the Nancy Buikema Library Fund. ***Registration for this event is required by 7:00 pm Wednesday, February 12. At the time of registration, your child will get to choose the animal they would like to stuff. You may pick up a registration form at the Library. No late registrations will be accepted and there will be no extra animals to stuff for anyone not registered.***
Congratulations to our latest 1000 Books Before Kindergarten reader, Paul Kotman. Paul received a certificate of completion, a fun sticker, and a new book for completing the program. Way to go, Paul!
On Thursdays, February 6 and 20, from 12:00 to 2:00 pm, the Schmaling Memorial (Fulton) Public Library will be hosting a Census hiring event. A 2020 Census recruiter will be on hand to answer questions and speak to individuals about Census job opportunities. You can browse Census jobs and apply online at: 2020census.gov/jobs. Some of the available jobs are recruiting assistants, office staff, supervisors and census takers, with pay starting at $17.50/hour plus mileage. So, if you’re looking for a temporary, part-time job with flexible hours and great pay, the Census just might have the job for you!
Due to inclement weather, the library will close at 3:00 pm today, Friday, January 17, to allow our staff to safely reach their homes before the weather gets really bad. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. As always when we close unexpectedly, no fines will be charged on items due today that are not returned. You can also renew online, email us at fulpublib@mchsi.com, leave a message at 815-589-2045, or renew through the automated phone system by calling 888-542-7259.
Be safe, everyone and stay warm!
We’d like to congratulate Kiki Swanson, Walker Barnhart, and Ephraim Hartman on reaching their goal to read 1000 Books Before Kindergarten! Each child received a Certificate of completion, sticker, and a free book upon reaching his or her goal. The parents who dedicated their time to reading to their children and giving them a boost up to Kindergarten also received a special thank you gift for building up these young readers!
Any child who lives in our service area and has not yet started kindergarten is eligible to join our 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program. No child is too young! In fact, we STRONGLY encourage parents to read to their children from birth. The program is easy and self-guided. Just sign up in the Children’s Department, pick up your program materials, and start reading!
Thank you to the Kotmans for sending us their Family Reading Night photo!
Thursday, November 21 is Family Reading Night! You still have time to come in and get your family’s Family Reading Night Kit. These kits are full of great books, a DVD, coloring pages, activity sheets, treats and more! All you have to return are the books and DVD…the rest of it is yours to keep! AND if you check out a kit and email us a photo of your family reading together tonight, we’ll put the photo up on our Facebook page and website AND you’ll be entered into a drawing to win a $20 Amazon gift card!
Join us at the Library on Friday, January 24 anytime between 1:30 to 3:30 pm to speak with a Census 2020 recruiter, have your Census job questions answered, and apply online for a Census job! You may use a library computer to apply for a Census job or you can get a headstart and apply right now! Just visit: 2020census.gov/jobs
School’s back in session and the weather’s getting cooler. Sounds like it’s time to immerse yourself in a good book! So, stop on in to the library and stay awhile. We’ll put a pot of coffee on and you can get comfy in our new cozy corner! These wonderful new chairs were purchased with grant funds from the D.S. Flikkema Foundation.
Step right up, folks, it’s Showtime @ Schmaling! Summer Reading Program registration is coming up June 3-8 and the reading program runs June 10-July 6. Remember, our program is for preschoolers through adults. And, you can sign any little ones who have not yet entered Kindergarten up for 1000 Books Before Kindergarten, as well. There is truly something for everyone!
Children entering preschool through 5th Grade win prizes for each reading slip they turn in up to the 5th and then get entries into the CHILDREN’S GRAND PRIZE DRAWING for $50! Young Adults (students entering grades 6-12) are entered into the weekly prize drawing for each book they read and when they reach 6 books will be entered into the YOUNG ADULT GRAND PRIZE DRAWING for $50! Adults are entered into weekly prize drawings for each book they read and when they reach 6 books will be entered into the ADULT GRAND PRIZE DRAWING for an overnight stay at Wild Rose Casino & Resort-Clinton and a $25 gift certificate at Coach’s Corner Bar & Grill at the Casino!
To register for our free Summer Reading Program, you must have a valid Schmaling or Albany Public Library Card. No library card is necessary for 1000 Books Before Kindergarten; the child, a parent, or caregiver must reside within the boundaries of the River Bend School District.
And remember, ANY registered River Bend student is eligible to get a Schmaling Library Card at no charge, regardless of where you live. Parents must accompany any child under age 14 to get a library card. These student cards are to be used ONLY BY THE STUDENT. Parents MAY NOT use their child’s card in lieu of paying the non-resident card fee.
Monday, June 3-Thursday, June 6: 4:00-7:00 PM
Friday, June 7: 11:00 AM-5:00 PM (Container Gardening Q&A 2:00-4:00 PM)
Saturday, June 8: 8:00 AM-1:00 PM
These are our hours for this week:
Window renovations are progressing nicely, but there’s a lot of work left to do. Here are our hours for the coming days:
Friday, May 24: 1-5pm
Saturday, May 25: 8am-1pm
Sunday, May 26: Closed
Monday, May 27: Closed, Memorial Day
Tuesday, May 28: 4-7pm
Wednesday, May 29: 4-7pm
Thursday, May 30: 4-7pm
Friday, May 31: 4-7 pm
Saturday, June 1: 10am-1pm
Our interior window restoration project began May 16. This is a big job, but a lot of work has been done in just 2 days. Jay Tietjens of Tietjens Painting and Carpentry has been hard at work stripping and sanding the north window of the young adult section and even managed to get it stained today! With a new coat of stain, you can still see the beautiful woodgrain of this 110-year-old yellow pine window.
Because this is smelly work, the library cannot be open while the work is in-progress. So, we will have some different hours for the rest of the month. Here are the hours for the coming week:
Saturday, May 18: 8am – 1pm
Sunday, May 19: Closed
Monday, May 20: 4pm -7pm
Tuesday, May 21: CLOSED, Staff In-Service
Wednesday, May 22: 2pm -7pm
Thursday, May 23: 11am – 7pm
Friday, May 24: 11am -5pm
Saturday, May 25: 8am -1pm
Interior Window Restoration Begins May 16
On May 16, ONLY the CHILDREN’S ROOM will be open 4:00-7:00 PM. The Upstairs will be CLOSED all day. There will be no public computer access available. Wi-Fi will still be accessible on personal devices.
We’re having some work done! Our interior window renovation work is beginning on May 16th. As this is the first day of the project, we will be getting a feel for how smelly it is. We are planning on opening the CHILDREN’S ROOM ONLY at 4 PM on the 16th. We will try our best to provide some new and popular adult and young adult materials downstairs, as well. However, there will be NO public computer access on this day! After the project gets under way, we will know more about which hours and departments can be open when. This project is estimated to last about one month. Throughout the course of the project we will do our best to be open as much as we can and due to our odd hours, we will be lenient with fines. Please visit our website, Facebook page, or give us a call to find out what our hours are going to be for the day.
This week the Library’s landscaping underwent a face lift. The Library received a 2019 FACE Gardens Grant for new mulch and plants in the library’s flower beds and around our new little free library (to be installed sometime this summer). The FACE Gardens Grant was created in memory of Gerry Kopf, the man responsible for establishing many of the roadside gardens that make Fulton so beautiful in the spring. Kyle Kopf represented the Kopf Family to present the Gardens Grant to the Library (pictured left).
Students (pictured right) and staff members from River Bend Middle School spent Wednesday morning and early afternoon at the Library raking out the beds and putting down new landscape fabric and mulch.
We’d like to thank the Kopf Family and FACE for giving the Library this wonderful grant. We’d also like to thank the River Bend Middle School students and staff members who worked so hard to bring new life to our landscaping. And, finally, we’d like to thank Ken Huizenga for hauling the mulch and helping out on Wednesday, as well. THANK YOU, ALL!
Let us be a part of your dream come true! Visit us today!
Large Print readers rejoice! Due to popular demand (and the fact that we’ve completely run out of room) we’ve expanded the Large Print Collection with this beautiful (made-to-look like our old) new shelf built by local craftsman, Mark Pruis, and stained and varnished by our very own multi-talented librarian, LeAnn Smith! We’ve got lots of new large print books to help fill it as well!
October 7-13 is Teen Read Week!
Any teen or pre-teen in 6th-12th grade who checks out a book this week will get a special thank you prize!
Schmaling’s Summer Reading Program has now drawn to a close. Every year this program is made possible by donations from area businesses and individuals who are dedicated to bringing summer reading into our community. The Library would like to heartily thank this year’s sponsors:
Agri-King
Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home
Central Bank
Citizen’s First Bank
Community State Bank
Country Orchids
First Gateway Credit Union
Fulton Dental Associates
Horizon Group
Huizenga & Wierenga Insurance
Jo-Carroll Energy
Kiwanis Club of Fulton
Lockhart & Law Insurance
McDonald’s Clinton
Merema Bros.
Parochetti Enterprises -Taco Bell of Clinton
Peterson Plumbing
Wild Rose Casino and Resort
Windmill Realty
This summer let Reading Take you Everywhere @ Schmaling. Registration for the children’s (preschool-5th grade), young adult (6th-12th grade), and adult summer reading program runs through Saturday, June 9. The Reading Program kicks off on Monday, June 11 and runs through Saturday, July 7. Check out our Events Calendar to see a listing of all our fun summer reading activities!
