Lincoln History Exhibit includes a little bit of JCPL

This month the Frankfort Community Public Library in central Indiana is hosting a national touring exhibit of the history of President Abraham Lincoln. Included among the many items of Civil War memorabilia and history are several contributions from the Robert H. Milroy collection, housed at the Rensselaer Public Library.

Milroy, a Rensselaer resident, served as a Union General under Lincoln. His family bequeathed several of his war-time letters and documents to the library, including items from Lincoln. Other JCPL contributions to the display include Milroy's military uniform and a fife, as well as a hand-drawn "Valentine" card to Milroy from a southern rebel sympathizer.

Abraham Lincoln: A Man of His Time, a Man for All Times is from the Gilder Lehrman Institute for American History. The exhibition will be in the Anna & Harlan Hubbard Gallery at the Frankfort Community Public Library through August 28.

Closing for new carpet

The Rensselaer Library will be closed on Monday, August 17 and Tuesday, August 18 for carpet re-installation due to defective carpet.

The library’s book and video drops will be open for the return of materials. Late fees will not be assessed for items due on the days that the library is closed.

The library is scheduled to reopen on Wednesday, August 19. For more information, visit or call the Rensselaer Library, 866-5881.

2009 Summer Reading program a huge success at our libraries

Creativity was found in every person who participated in the Jasper County Public Library’s Summer Reading Program. The library hosted six weeks of programs for children and teens this summer. Some of the children’s programs included a bunny and her magician, a visit from Amazon John and his wild friends, the musical treat of Yurtfolk, and talking puppets at the ventriloquism show. Teens were treated to cooking lessons, crafts, stinky selections from the Food Fear Factor Program, Wii competitions, Guitar Hero, a movie on the library lawn and more.

This year’s theme for children was “Be Creative@ Your Library” and “Express Yourself @ Your Library” for teens. In all, more than 615 children and 174 teens took part in our programs this year, which would not be possible without the support of our local businesses.

JCPL would like to extend a huge thank you to those who donated cash and coupons, including the Friends of the DeMotte Library, AFC International, the Gary Railcats, Hoosier Metals, Indiana Beach, KFC, Kingma Greenhouses, Leestma Medical Clinic, Subway, Movie Madness, Pizza Hut, Wal-Mart, Save-A-Lot, The Strike Zone, Long’s Gifts, Rico’s, Friends of the Rensselaer Library, Rensselaer Parks Department, Alliance Bank, Jordan’s, Blockbuster, Pizza King, A New Beginning, Con-Agra, Friends of the Wheatfield Library, First Trust Credit Union, Novotny Insurance, Tysen’s Grocery, Bierma Hardware, Signature Homes, Boersma Funeral Home, Family Express Corporation, Schnick’s Good Eats, Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate, and Build a Bear, and thanks to our grant received from Jasper County REMC. These donors made this year’s Summer Reading Programs for both young children and teens a great success.

Another force behind our programs is our Summer Reading volunteers. JCPL would like to extend a huge thanks to Tatiana Adams, Nick Arnold, Ryan Beere, Tara Beere, Emmy Cobb, Hannah Dobson, Toni Jackson, Madi Klauer, Cari Knip, Megan Kralik, Malachi Kristoff, Kate Lott, Cassie Mestrovich, Amber Scesney, Genna Truelock, Erin Uhrhammer, Courtney Way, Felicity Way, Stephany Way, Laura-Jane Capehart, Rebecca Capehart, Cody Carter, Megan Green, Skyler Kemp, Jessy Kuiper, Sadie Rodriguez, Jose Saavedra, Samantha Salyer, Virginia Salyer, Johanna Sampson, Jessica Ybarra, Nina Maze, Melanie Loslo, Jacob Vujko, Samantha Vigliotti, Addie Cobb, Nicole Jaki, Tyler Pritt, Jordan Wilcox, Brooklyn Starr and Emily Myers for volunteering their time, energy and dedication throughout the program.

The support of each above mentioned business and individual made it possible for our area youth to enjoy a summer of reading and fun!

Five things we learned from books this month

Everyone is always surprised when they find out working in a library is not about reading books all day. In fact, because we do love books, most of us usually regret not having more time to read in our busy lives. So when we get a few minutes to sit down and relax with the written word, it's time to celebrate!

Here is a roundup of some things JCPL staff learned from books this month:

“I learned that a pigeon is in the dove family.” National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds
PW @ R

“There are lots of things to do and places to go after you think everything is closed.” Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen
EB @ D

“The drunkest city in the United States is Denver, Colorado. In fact, this book is full of crazy facts.” Don’t Go There: the Travel Detective’s Essential Guide to the Must Miss Places of the World by Peter Greenberg
JJ @ R

“Toward the end of Three Cups of Tea, by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin, Greg said that he is convinced that Osama Bin Laden is no longer living. He has seen no evidence while he has been in Pakistan and Afghanistan, to make him think that Bin Laden is still alive. This was from the 2007 edition of the book. I found that to be very interesting.”
DK @ W

“There has been a serial killer on the loose in Juarez, Mexico for 17 years.” Daughters of Juarez by Theresa Rodriguez
ED @ R

DeMotte Library to close For Town And Country Day

The DeMotte Library will be closed on Saturday, August 8 for the Town and Country Day festival in DeMotte.

The library’s lobby and restrooms will be open to the public from 8-4 that day. For more information, visit or call the DeMotte Library at 987-2221.

Movies at the Library

Did you know the Library doesn't just provide movies on DVD and VHS for you to check out, but that we also show movies throughout the year?

Wheatfield and DeMotte Library both offer monthly movie programs during the day aimed at seniors and adults.

Rensselaer offers an evening movie program on the second Tuesday of the month with titles that appeal to a variety of ages.

Other movies are offered from time to time during reading programs or just as special treats. Rensselaer Library also shows movies on the lawn, where friends and family can spread a blanket or bring chairs and have an old-time outdoor experience.

Stop in at your library and ask about upcoming titles, or check out what's going on at www.myjcpl.org/events

North End Yearbooks Wanted!

The Jasper County Public Library houses local high school yearbooks in our collection for public reference. Can you help us complete our collection?

The DeMotte Library is seeking yearbook donations of the Kankakee Valley High School years 1973, 1976, 1977, 1986, 1993, 1996, 1998 and 1999, as well as any other yearbook donations.

The Wheatfield Library is seeking Kankakee Valley High School yearbooks 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1992, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009, Keen Keener High School yearbooks prior to 1941, and the years 1942 and 1952, as well as Wheatfield High School yearbooks prior to 1951 and any yearbooks from Tefft High School with the exception of the years 1962 and 1964.

For more information, please contact the DeMotte Library, 987-2221, or the Wheatfield Library, 956-3774.