Great summer reading program wraps up

We had a great summer reading program this year thanks to many people in our community.
Thank you to United Way of the Great River Region for providing funding to help pay for performers and supplies for the summer reading program.  If you have donated to United Way, thank you for helping to provide quality summer programming for kids and adults.  Additional funding for library employees and supplies was provided by the City of Fort Madison and Lee County through property tax funds. 
We were able to provide 41 programs this summer, attended by more than 1,000 people.  Programs included crafts, puzzles, stories, magic, science and bubbles.  In addition to programs, we had about 300 people register for the reading program.  Together, they have read more than 2,000 hours as of August 1 and kids 18 and younger can still earn prizes by reading up until the first day of school.
Online Learning From the Fort Madison Public Library
Looking to learn new skills or explore new topics?  The Fort Madison Public Library has a couple of ways for you to expand your knowledge base. 
The library has a subscription to Craftsy available through the Libby App either on a device or on a desktop computer by going to LibbyApp.com.  When you go to Craftsy through the Libby app, you can get a 7-day pass that gives you access to classes in baking, drawing, sewing, knitting, crocheting and other fiber arts, woodworking, home décor and gardening.  Enjoy as many classes you want during your 7-day pass and, if you need more time, go back to Libby for another pass.
If you need help in using online resources or computer programs, or just want to build on existing skills, check out NicheAcademy.  Find this by going to FortMadisonLibrary.org and following the link for “Fort Madison Public Library Tutorials”.  You can find help for using library resources, including genealogy databases, as well as other computer programs such as google, Microsoft Office products and social media.  Looking for help with something and don’t see a tutorial for that?  Let us know and we will see if we can find, or make one, to add to the page.
Community Calendar
We have begun adding community events to the online library calendar at https://fortmadison.librarycalendar.com.  Events are added to the calendar as they are submitted by community organizations using the form found here https://tinyurl.com/547jam3h.  Does your group have an upcoming community event?  Let us know by submitting it through the form.  Most community events open to the public are eligible for inclusion in the community calendar.
This Summer’s Top Fiction at the Library
1. It starts with us: a novel by Colleen Hoover (F/PB HOO)
2. Storm watch by C. J. Box (MYS BOX)
3. Mad honey: a novel by Jodi Picoult (F PIC)
4. Desperation in death by J D. Robb (MYS ROB)
5. The it girl by Ruth Ware (MYS WAR)
6. Her deadly game by Robert Dugoni (F DUG)
7. Don't open the door by Allison Brennan (MYS BRE)
8. Distant thunder by Stuart Woods (MYS WOO)
9. Hope Creek by Janet Dailey (F DAI)
10. The boys from Biloxi: a novel by John Grisham (F GRI)

Upcoming Events at the Fort Madison Public Library –
All Booked Up! - The library's book discussion group meets on the first Thursday of the month at 1:30 p.m.  On Thursday, October 5, we will be discussing "Stories from the Tenants Downstairs” by Susanna Clarke.
Cook the Book –September 12 at 6:00 pm, we will be selecting recipes from “Feast by Firelight” by Sidik Fofana.
Other regular programs will be resuming after September 4:
Pre-School/Toddler Story Hour –Wednesday morning at 10:30.
Hang Teen – Tuesday, 3:30-5:00 for ages 12-19.
Minecraft –3:30-5:00, all ages on Mondays.
Once Upon a Wednesday –Join us from 1:30-2:30 for a variety of adventures when school gets out early on September 20 and 27.
Thursday Crafternoon –Thursday, 3:30-5:00, for ages 14 through adult.  This program is an opportunity to spend some time working on an in-depth project for the whole month.