James Kennedy Public Library

Welcome to the James Kennedy Public Library! The library is your one stop source for all of your informational needs. We have a large selection of books, audiobooks, magazines (both print and digital), newspapers, DVDs, console games, and downloadable music and movies available to be checked out by our library card holders. Here you will also find electronic resources, news, information about our Creation Station and Library of Things, and a calendar of upcoming library events!

Check out these upcoming special events!

Mar 01

March Book Mania!

Mar 1, 2021 – Mar 31, 2021

Join us this month and help us determine which novel borrowed in 2020 is the local favorite! How it works: The top sixteen adult fiction books checked out by library patrons in the last twelve months have been put into Round 1. (NOTE: Only one title per author was included in this roster.) Watch the videos by library staff talking about these titles, then go to http://bit.ly/JKPLBookMania to vote for your favorite out of each pairing. The eight titles that win the first round will move on to Round 2. The four titles that win Round 2 will move on to Round 3 and the final two titles will move on to Round 4 where one book will be declared the winner. Vote each week to be sure your favorite makes it to the final! Voting begins March 1 with the winner announced on March 31. Everyone who votes will have their name entered into a drawing to win their own copy of the top two books and an “Adopt a book form” where you choose a book to be added to the JKPL collection in your name.

Mar 01

Time Management Tips

Mar 1, 2021

Looking for better ways to manage your time and be more productive? Watch this pre-recorded video where Jessica Pape, a Dyersville local involved in many organizations, can help you make the most of your day! This video will be uploaded to the library’s YouTube and Facebook pages.

Mar 02

Read Across America Downtown StoryWalk(™)

Mar 2, 2021 – Mar 9, 2021

Celebrate Read Across America by reading around Dyersville! Do some window shopping and read a story with your family at the same time with this fun and interactive StoryWalk(™)! Pages from the classic story We Are All Alike...We Are All Different by Janice Behrens will be displayed sequentially in the windows of the library and participating downtown businesses. A list of participating businesses is available on our website or at the library. Scan the QR code on the last page of the story and enter some basic contact information to be entered into a drawing for an international snack basket. If you do not have a Smartphone, you may stop by the library (by appointment or walk-in, if space allows) and enter your name into the drawing in person.

Mar 05

Building Creativity One Block at a Time: a LEGO® program

Mar 5, 2021, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Make a LEGO® creation at home, take a picture, and tag both the library AND DuTrac Community Credit Union on social media to be entered for a chance to win a LEGO® set! This month’s theme is “St Patrick’s Day Parade” Pictures of creations must be posted between 9:00am-5:00 pm on March 5. This LEGO® program is part of a monthly LEGO® building block program at the library sponsored by DuTrac Community Credit Union.

Mar 15

Ready – Set – Grow: How different seeds sprout

Mar 15, 2021

Think all seeds emerge from the ground the same? Think again! In this activity you will see two different ways seeds emerge from the soil. By understanding these emergence concepts, you can better understand which crops are more sensitive to damage when sprouting. Watch the pre-recorded video by Ray Kruse, program coordinator with the Dubuque County Extension Office and pick up your kit at the library. The video will be posted on the JKPL Facebook page and YouTube channel. The accompanying take-and-make kit will include sample cups, potting mix, along with bean, sweet corn, and pea seeds. Kits are intended for learning, but plants could be planted in your outdoor garden once weather permits - with the understanding they are unlikely to produce much as there are so few seeds in the kit. Kits available while supplies last.

Mar 15

Spring Break Teen Battle of the Brains: Statewide Smackdown

Mar 15, 2021, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

The JKPL is looking for 10 teens to join our team for the Battle of the Brains, a statewide, interlibrary, virtual trivia contest. Interested participants will need access to Zoom and must register by 8:00 pm on March 14 by signing up at http://bit.ly/3k1TKGE. Our team is limited to the first 10 to register, others will be added to a wait list. This event begins at 6:30 pm, but those participating will need to be logged on early. This event is for those ages 12-18 only.

Mar 18

A Woman of Achievement: Stories from the Life of Lou Henry Hoover

Mar 18, 2021, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM

The JKPL has partnered with the Hoover Presidential Library to present their 3rd Thursday Virtual Programs! Join us this month as author and historian Annette Dunlap shares stories from the life of First Lady Lou Henry Hoover. Before she was First Lady, Mrs. Hoover helped start a hospital for wounded British soldiers during World War I and she was instrumental in establishing sewing factories to employ women whose men had gone off to war. As First Lady, Lou worked privately to find employment opportunities for individuals and hurting communities, while at the same time raising Americans’ awareness of the historical value of the White House and the importance of the arts. Come learn about the achievements of a first lady whose legacy has been largely forgotten, but whose impact can still be felt today. Advance registration for the program is required so please register at http://bit.ly/ThirdThursdayDunlap.

Mar 19

Virtual Movie Night

Mar 19, 2021, 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Join us on Zoom each month for a fun time of watching movies together but apart! For this event we will be watching John Dies At The End (Rated R), a horror comedy about two slackers that get pulled into an interdimensional conflict. Each participant will log on to Kanopy from home to watch the chosen movie. At the same time they will log on to our Zoom room so participants can see each other and chat during the movie. Interested participants will need access to Kanopy, the free streaming service for full service patrons, and will need to download Zoom on their computer or Smart device. If interested in attending, please register at https://bit.ly/JKPLMOVIE by 4:00 pm the day of the event in order to receive the link to the Zoom room. This program is open to all ages but movie selections will most likely be PG-13 or R.

Mar 22

Saving Your Pandemic Memories

Mar 22, 2021, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM

The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic has created an unusual time in both American and World history. During the pandemic did you express your feelings or save your memories in some way? Did you write a story or poem, keep a journal, craft, draw, scrapbook, or keep newspaper clippings? We’d love to hear what you did to preserve the memories of this unusual time! Join us on Zoom to share what you’ve done and get ideas from others. Registration required, so please register at: http://bit.ly/PANDEMICMEMORY. The deadline to register is March 22 at 5:30 pm.

Dubuque County has been labeled a Red Zone for COVID-19 cases. For the safety of our staff and patrons, the Library is open to the public BY APPOINTMENT ONLY.

We are continuing to offer curbside service!

Love My Library Fundraiser January 14 thru February 28

The James Kennedy Public Library Board of Trustees is seeking one candidate to serve on the Library Board!

James Kennedy Public Library