Summer Reading is for Adults too!


build-a-better-world

ICPL's Summer Reading Program "Build A Better World" began on June 1st and runs through August 11th.  And it's just not for kids - adults can participate too!  To get entered in the grand prize drawing, all Adults have to do is read 5 books between now and August 11th.  Or read 3 books and attend 2 of the special SRP events.  The events are listed in the ICPL calendar, found on the back of the SRP game card, and listed below.

There are two ways you can participate:  online through our SRP website or with a paperbased game card.   You can pick up a game card at any service desk in the library and you can register for the online version here too or by going to  srp.icpl.org and clicking the Register Now button.

By participating online you'll also be able to see a variety of book lists made especially for this years Adult SRP and information about the upcoming special Adult Summer Reading Program events:

The Front Porch Music Festival

Wednesday June 7, 7pm, Meeting Room A

The Longfellow neighborhood's Front Porch Music Festival is a celebration of music-making, inspired by the Water Hill Music Fest in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Now in its third year, the festival includes musicians of all ages and experiences, performing in a wide range of musical styles and traditions, including jazz, classical, folk and rock. Trevor Harvey, Ph.D., Lecturer in Ethnomusicology from the UI School of Music, and one of the co-founders of the Front Porch Music Festival will share the Front Porch story, discussing the value of music in building and sustaining communities. He will be joined by other festival organizers and neighborhood musicians to get us in the mood for the 2017 Festival happening this weekend!

 

All Iowa Reads Book Discussion: Bottomland by Michelle Hoover

Saturday, June 10  10:30am, Meeting Room B

The 2017 All Iowa Reads selection is Bottomland by Michelle Hoover. Glenn Ehrstine, UI Associate Professor of German and International Studies will be here to lead a discussion of Bottomland and Susan Craig, ICPL Director and member of the All Iowa Reads book selection committee, will tell us how the AIR books are chosen each year. Based on the real life story of the author's grandmother, Bottomland begins in Iowa in the wake of World War I. It follows the Hess family as they attempt to rid themselves of the Anti-German sentiment that left a stain on their name. When the youngest two daughters vanish in the middle of the night, the family must piece together what happened while struggling to maintain their live on the unforgiving Iowa Plains. ' In the weeks after Esther and Myrle's disappearance, their siblings desperately search for the sisters, combing the stark farmlands, their neighbors' houses, and the unfamiliar world of far-off Chicago. Have the girls run away to another farm? Have they gone to the city to seek a new life? Or were they abducted?

 

Paddling the Iowa River Water – Adventure Awaits

Wednesday, June 14  7:00pm Meeting Room A

The Iowa River Water Trail provides 72 miles of unobstructed paddling from Iowa City to the Mississippi River. Numerous sand bars, campgrounds and communities provide paddlers with opportunities for over night stops and off trail exploration. Learn about this trail and other paddling opportunities in Johnson County and the surrounding area from Brad Freidhof, Conservation Program Manager, Johnson County Conservation Board and member of the Iowa River Friends.

 

Bur Oak Land Trust - Saving our natural areas

Jun 21, 7:00pm Meeting Room A

There is a rich diversity of plant and animal species native to eastern Iowa, but they continue to be threatened by development. Bur Oak Land Trust allows for the effective protection of natural habitats and is a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation whose mission is to protect and conserve the natural areas of Johnson and surrounding counties for future generations. Tammy Wright, Executive Director of Bur Oak land Trust will be here to tell us about the organization and give us an overview of their properties, including Big Grove which we will be touring on Saturday, June 24th.

 

Tour/Hike at the Big Grove Preserve in Solon, IA

June 24, 10:00am at the Big Grove Preserve

As part of the Adult Summer Reading Program, two members of The Bur Oak Land Trust will be leading walking tour of the Big Grove Preserve, a forty-acre woodland adjacent to the Coralville Reservoir off Sugar Bottom Road. The Preserve is part of the original “Big Grove” noted by the first settlers to describe Johnson County’s landscape. The Big Grove was acquired by the Bur Oak Land Trust in 2004 .. In addition to its ownership of the Big Grove, Bur Oak Land Trust holds a conservation easement on eight and a half acres of each ten-acre lot in the Natural Woodlands development. While these easements are not open to public access, they have the effect of increasing the area of protected land and will contribute to the preservation of the area’s ecosystem. Directions: Preserve address is 3999 Starry Night Lane, Solon. Take Prairie du Chien north to Newport Road. Turn right on to Newport Road and continue north to Sugar Bottom Road. Go left onto Sugar Bottom Road, and continue to 245th St NE. Turn left on to 245th and continue onto Starry Night Road/Starry Night Court to a turn-around located at the entrance to the Preserve. (approximately 10 miles/22 minutes from downtown Iowa City) GPS: 41.747830, -91.539481

 

Replacing Ash Trees and Growing Healthy Shade Trees

Jun 28, 7:00pm Meeting Room A

The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) damage was discovered in Iowa City in 2016. Tree loss from EAB will increase greatly in the area over the next 5 to 8 years as the damage becomes more extensive. What species of trees are good replacements for Ash trees? How will increasing the diversity among our tree species help avoid this problem in the future? Mark Vitosh, Iowa DNR District Forester will lead us through this discussion and give us suggestions for promoting good health and growth of newly planted trees.

 

Gaia's Peace Garden - Healing Happens Here

July 5, 7:00pm Meeting Room A

Blair Frank, owner and keeper of Gaia's Peace Garden will be here to tell us the story of his community garden. The one acre garden, originally created by Blair and his wife Mary Kirkpatrick, was designed form the start to be not only a community gathering place but an example of permaculture practices and chemical free gardening. The garden contains a labyrinth, prairie, butterfly garden, culinary and medicinal herbs, an orchard, and picnic areas to enjoy. It is open daily from morning through evening and is located at 2066 Bristol Drive in Iowa City.

 

Build Your Own Little World - Terrarium Workshop for Teens & Adults

July 8, 10:30am Meeting Room A

Ever wanted to build your own world? Are you fascinated by terrariums or succulents? Join ICPL staffers Beth and Mari for a terrarium workshop for adults. We'll supply the containers, the succulents, and the rest of the supplies. All you need is your imagination and the willingness to get a little dirty. Attendance at this event is limited to 25. Registration is required, so we know how many plants and containers to purchase.

 

Habitat For Humanity - Building a Better World

July 12, 7:00pm Meeting Room A

Founded in Americus, Georgia, in 1976, Habitat for Humanity today operates around the globe and has helped build, renovate and repair more than 1 million decent, affordable houses sheltering more than 3 million people worldwide. Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity was founded by a small group of committed volunteers in 1992, and serves low-income families in Johnson, Cedar, Iowa and Washington Counties. Iowa Valley Habitat built its first home in 1994, and today they have helped more than 100 families move into homes of their own. Mark Patton, Executive Director, Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity will share the Iowa Valley Habitat story and information about their current project in Hills, Iowa and their smaller one-day projects that are a great way to get involved.

 

National Advanced Driving Simulator: Driver distraction

July 19, 7:00pm Meeting Room A

As vehicle technology has become more complex and mobile devices more prevalent, the potential for driver distraction has increased. Dr. John Gaspar, Research Associate with the National Advanced Driving Simulator at the University of Iowa will explore the history and present state of driver distraction research and present a framework for considering distraction in vehicles. The National Advanced Driving Simulator (NADS) is a self-sustained transportation safety research center at the University of Iowa. Begun in 1996 by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NADS utilizes its suite of world-class driving simulators and instrumented vehicles to conduct research studies on the connections between humans and vehicles. From its inception, the mission of NADS has been to help save lives and reduce the costs of vehicle crashes by better understanding the impact of technology, pharmaceuticals and other factors on driving performance.

 

Engineers Without Borders USA At The University Of Iowa

July 26,  7:00pm Meeting Room A

In the world’s toughest places, Engineers Without Borders USA (EWB-USA) is partnering with communities to meet their basic human needs and equip leaders to solve the world's most pressing challenges. EWB-USA Student Chapter at the University of Iowa partners with communities and organizations in Nicaragua to promote sustainable water development. Craig Just, Assistant Professor, Civil & Environmental Engineering at UI is the Faculty Advisor for EWB-USA at Iowa. He'll be here to give us an overview of developing relationships in Nicaragua and the process of developing and implementing water projects there.

 

National Advanced Driving Simulator: The History And Future Of Automated Driving

Aug 2, 7:00pm Meeting Room A

Dr. Daniel McGehee, Director of the National Advanced Driving Simulator and Associate Professor in Mechanical & Industrial Engineering at the University of Iowa will discuss the history of automation in vehicles. While the Google car steals many headlines, automated systems have been in production for decades. How these technologies have matured over the years paints an interesting story - one today's drivers can learn from. The National Advanced Driving Simulator (NADS) is a self-sustained transportation safety research center at the University of Iowa. Begun in 1996 by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NADS utilizes its suite of world-class driving simulators and instrumented vehicles to conduct research studies on the connections between humans and vehicles. From its inception, the mission of NADS has been to help save lives and reduce the costs of vehicle crashes by better understanding the impact of technology, pharmaceuticals and other factors on driving performance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Comments

Love the summer reading program!!! And this is a GREAT list of programs...can't wait to come to some!

Thank you, ICPL, for this fun and informative programming.

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