Welcome to Your Library !
We invite you to spend a few moments looking at our new library Web site. With help from the State Library of Iowa and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation we are able to create a place on the Web where you, our customers, can explore, learn and get help with all your information needs.
Library Open for Business
The Blakesburg Public Library is now open to the public following the COVID-19 closure. Patrons will be required to use hand sanitizer when entering the library, and to wear a mask while in the library. Computer use will be limited to 1 hour, and to accommodate social distancing only 1/2 of the computers will be available at any given time so we can maintain an empty seat between patrons. We are also asking that we limit guests to 1 person per study table and 1 person in the lounge seating area at any given time.
All services including circulation, printing, photocopying, reference/research assistance, interlibrary loan, etc., are available. Hours are 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. Monday; 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Tuesday; 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. Wednesday; 12:00 - 5:00 p.m. Thursday; and 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Saturday. We are happy to be able to serve our patrons again. Welcome back !
Library Summer Reading Program Under Way
The Blakesburg Public Library is inviting all community residents to participate in its annual summer reading program. Since we're getting a late start, we are doing it a bit differently this year. Please print out the registration form and reading log available on this page, or pick one up at the library, check out some books or audio books and start reading. For each 15 minutes read, participants will earn one "BPL Buck" that can be redeemed for various prizes at the end of the program.
Minutes will need to be turned in on August 10th and August 24th. Prizes and awards will be presented at the close of the program. For more information, ask a librarian.
Imagine your Story Registration form.pdf — PDF document, 240 kB (246587 bytes) Imagine your Story Reading Log.pdf — PDF document, 239 kB (245060 bytes)Friends of the Library hold quarterly meeting
The Friends of the Blakesburg Public Library held its quarterly membership meeting Monday, July 27, 2020. David Talbert was elected President of the organization. Other officers elected include Judy Riedel as Vice President, Ilene Johnson as Treasurer and Miranda Danner as Secretary.
The organization voted to cancel the vendor fair that would have been held in conjunction with the Corn Carnival this September since the Corn Carnival has been cancelled.
The group received an update on the new library and voted to seek additional grant funds to help continue with the renovation project. To this point $74,500 has been obtained or pledged through grant proposals and presentations to funding organizations including the Ottumwa Regional Legacy Foundation, the Wapello County Supervisors, and the Cargill Cares Committee. The $46,000 exterior projects in Phase I of the renovation has been completed and the organization will be working with the architect and contractor to move into Phase II next. Ten volunteers worked 25 hours on Saturday, July 25th to help clean and prep the building for the next phase of the work. Please check this page and the library's Facebook page for updates.
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Would you like to see what books or movies are available at your library? Use this link to search the Blakesburg Public Library's Online card catalog. https://www.librarycat.org/lib/BlakesburgLibrary |
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Use this link to find and download free e-books, audio books, magazines and watch steaming videos. You will need your library card number to download up to three items for a 14-day loan period. https://bridges.overdrive.com/ |
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Need to do some research for a school or work project or need health, business or consumer information? Use this link to search nearly 50 full-text research databases. Program is available 24/7/365. Obtain the database password from your library staff. https://find.gale.com/menu/commonmenu.do?userGroupName=iablakesburg&prodId=MENU |
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Here is a collection of reference encyclopedias, almanacs and other resources at your fingertips. Use this link to access online reference materials on a variety of topics. Password is available from your library staff. https://search.credoreference.com/?institutionId=9418 |
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Interested in learning a new language? Use this link to learn one of 74 languages with self- paced lessons. Set up your own account to use this tool. https://library.transparent.com/blakesburgia |
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Use this link for homework help, college-prep and career practice tests, career resources and special resources for veterans. Visit with your librarian to see how to set up your own account for this wonderful program. http://main.blakesburg.p.iowastate.ia.brainfuse.com |
Friends of the Library Hire Architect
The Friends of the Blakesburg Public Library have hired Rod Curtis of Curtis Architecture & Design in Otumwa as the architect and project manager for the renovation of the Mize Building into a new home for the Library. The organization has been working on raising funds for the renovation and was awarded a $22,000 grant from the Ottumwa Regional Legacy Foundation. In addition, the Friends organization was notified that the Wapello County Supervisors will provide $12,500 toward the project. Once plans are finalized and a construction firm hired, work on the exterior will begin this fall. The Friends plans to break the project into four phases, with interior work beginning after raising funds and completing the exterior.
If you would like to contribute to the community by helping with this renovation, please send your check to Friends of the Blakesburg Public Library, PO Box 43, Blakesburg, IA 52536. The Friends of the Blakesburg Public Library is a 501(c)(3) organization formed expressly to support library programs, resources and special needs. Your donation to this organization may be tax deductible. To date, we have raised about $5,000 of our $10,000 goal of the "100 Wildcats with $100" campaign. We are still accepting donations to that cause. All donors will be recognized with a name plate on our Giving Tree inside the new facility.
You can also join the Friends organization as a member to help support this and other library programs. Again, you can mail a check to the address above. Membership fees are $20 for an individual or $25 for a family. Your support of the library, and the community is appreciated. As the National Library Week theme for 2019 states "Libraries=Strong Communities." Please do your part to help keep our community strong, by supporting the library any way you can. Every little bit helps in our efforts to raise money to renovate the building into our new library. To see library floor plans and proposed architectural renderings, click on this link: https://www.blakesburg.lib.ia.us/FriendsofBPL/revised-architectural-renderings-may-2019.pdf/view.