Beth Weimer - Fondulac District Library

Find Your Voice! Summer Reading 2023

Our voices have power! This summer, we encourage readers of all ages to share stories, express yourselves, spark change, and get creative with FDL for the library’s 2023 Summer Reading Program: Find Your Voice! Join us June 1 through July 31 for a fantastic summer reading program offering fun and prizes for readers of all ages! Readers can register and track their progress online at fondulaclibrary.beanstack.org or on-the-go with the Beanstack app, or pick up a reading log from the library.

Engaging programs are planned throughout the summer focusing on a variety of creative activities, such as writing contests, a photography contest, comic book workshops, art projects, a musical instrument petting zoo, and more! We’ll also have family favorites like story times, movie nights, and crafts, as well as a lineup of exciting presenters to share magic, music, wildlife, science, and more! Find programs and register to attend through our online calendar.

Start Reading!
• Borrow books, audiobooks, and magazines from Fondulac District Library or download or stream eBooks and audiobooks from our digital collections.
• Whether it’s reading a graphic novel, listening to an audiobook, or reading an article, it counts! All reading must occur within the program dates.

Earn Badges
• Record your minutes in Beanstack.
• Earn 1 badge for every 50 minutes (PreK-2nd graders), 100 minutes (3rd-8th graders), or 150 minutes (high schoolers and adults).
• Earn one badge for completing an activity or attending any three Fondulac District Library programs.
• Earn 10 badges to complete the program. Kids can pick up badges at the Youth Services desk, and teens can pick up badges from the 2nd floor Information desk).

Win Prizes
• Participants receive prizes for reaching the halfway point by earning 5 badges AND for completing the program by earning 10 badges.
• Participants who complete the program will also be entered into a prize drawing!
• Halfway prizes can be picked up starting June 12, and completion prizes can be picked up starting June 26. Prizes are available while supplies last.
• The last day to pick up prizes is August 13.

Our 2023 Summer Reading programs and prizes are made possible thanks to our amazing community sponsors!

list of summer reading sponsors

Beth Weimer2023-07-31T16:03:02-05:00May 15th, 2023|

Central Illinois Reads

FDL is proud to partner with Bradley University, Chillicothe Public Library, Dunlap Public Library District, Methodist College, Morton Public Library, Neighborhood House, Pekin Public Library, and Peoria Public Library to celebrate every individual’s Freedom to Read!

With the marked increase in book challenges nationwide, Peoria Public Library invited Central Illinois libraries to come together to encourage everyone to exercise their intellectual “Freedom to Read” what they choose.

April 11 through October 7 (Banned Books Week), local libraries will host events to empower you to stand against censorship, including programs with nationally known authors whose books have been banned, screenings of films based on banned books, discussions with librarians who are pushing back against intolerance, exclusion, and censorship, and more.

Please join us in celebrating each person’s Freedom to Read. Get a library card. Read outside your comfort zone. Unite against book bans.

Learn more at peoriapubliclibrary.org/central-illinois-reads/.

Upcoming Central Illinois Reads Events:

Tuesday, September 12 — Central Illinois Reads Presents: Talking About Trauma

6 p.m. — Methodist College, 7600 N. Academic Dr.

As part of our Central Illinois Reads’ exploration of intellectual freedom, we’ve discovered that many of the books challenged and censored deal with trauma of some sort. Our keynote speaker, Laurie Halse Anderson, author of Speak, found her book near the top of censorship lists because it dealt with teen sexual assault and suicidal ideation.

Almost everyone has experienced some type of trauma. Yet, talking about trauma is often still taboo.

In order to become a more trauma informed and, hopefully, trauma engaged community, we need to normalize the discussion of trauma.

This symposium will feature several speakers who will discuss different types of traumas, such as childhood trauma and systemic trauma, from different perspectives, such as professionals in healthcare and human services and as a parent.

Please join us for this important conversation.

Free and open to all. Refreshments provided.

Beth Weimer2023-08-30T16:12:28-05:00April 11th, 2023|

Strategic Planning: Focus Groups

Thanks so much to everyone who participated in the Community Survey! The next phase of our strategic planning process is to gather feedback from community members through a series of focus group sessions – and YOU are invited! The 60-minute sessions will be facilitated by our consulting team from Fast Forward Libraries.

Interested in joining a focus group? Sign up using the links!

In-person sessions at the library on March 9: calendly.com/fast-forward-libraries/fdl-focus-group-in-person?month=2023-03

Virtual sessions via Zoom on March 14: calendly.com/fast-forward-libraries/fdl-focus-group-virtual?month=2023-03

Feedback from the focus groups will be summarized in a report that Trustees and staff members will use during planning sessions in a few months. Your input will help us shape the future of the library!

Beth Weimer2023-02-28T14:26:01-06:00March 1st, 2023|

Holly Jolly Writing Contest Winners!

We’re excited to announce the winners for the Holly Jolly Writing Contest!

1^st Place – The Silver Staff by Brandon Oliger

2^nd Place – A Christmas Past by Judy Dahlman

3^rd Places – Home for the Holidays by Megan McCoy

Congratulations to each of them, and thanks to everyone who submitted an entry! Follow the links below to read the winning stories. Our judges panel had a hard time selecting from the submissions we received, so keep writing and stay tuned for another writing contest this summer!

The Silver Staff by Brandon Oliger

A Christmas Past by Judy Dahlman

Home for the Holidays by Megan McCoy

Beth Weimer2023-02-20T16:25:23-06:00February 20th, 2023|

Early Literacy – Never Too Early!

Reading to your children as early as possible is so very important to their future development! Reading to an infant may seem silly sometimes – of course they don’t understand everything that is going on – but the benefits can be long-standing. Studies show that reading to babies helps stimulate growth in communication, basic concepts, and listening skills. It’s never too early to start your child on their reading pathway! Here are some suggestions to get started:

Baby’s Black & White Books: Outdoors by Grace Habib

High-contrast pictures are great for babies’ developing eyes! They are easier for them to focus on and help their retinal growth. This book has various high-contrast images as well as some peek-a-boo spots for baby to have fun with!

Moo, Baa, La La La! by Sandra Boynton

Funny rhymes are super helpful for babies developing speech sounds and patterns. Repetitive and expected sounds help create neural pathways toward more sophisticated speech. And animal sounds are always fun!

Eyes, Nose, Fingers, and Toes by Judy Hindley

This book will help baby start associating words with their own body. This can be their first self-connection to text, which will help them better develop understanding of literature as well as make positive associations with books.

Mouse Paint by Ellen Stoll Walsh

Colors are sometimes the first basics babies learn about the world. Mouse Paint uses high-contrast images and simple text to explore the world of art and color in the world.

– Chelsea, Youth Services Assistant

Beth Weimer2023-02-07T16:44:59-06:00February 7th, 2023|

Community Survey

The library wants to hear from you! We’ve kicked off a new strategic planning process in 2023 and invite you to complete our community survey! The survey will be open February 1-28 and allows the library to learn about your experiences with our services, programs, staff, and facilities directly from you. As part of the strategic planning process, your responses will help inform the library’s future plans. The survey should only take about 8 minutes to complete online HERE or in person at the library throughout the month.

Your input is important to us even if you don’t have a library card or haven’t visited FDL recently, so please share your input and help us grow! We appreciate your time & support!

All responses are strictly confidential and no identifying information will be shared. The information collected from the survey will be used to determine how we develop the library’s collections, services, programs, and spaces in the future.

Please ask a librarian if you have questions or need assistance accessing the survey.

Beth Weimer2023-03-01T10:17:18-06:00February 1st, 2023|

Spooky Stories for Kids

October’s not the only time to enjoy spooky stories! Whether you like ghastly ghosts, creepy houses, horrifying creatures, or stories that aren’t so scary at all, the library will have a book perfect for you to take home. But be careful – you might have to sleep with the light on after reading some of these!

Young Readers

Creepy Carrots, Creepy Pair of Underwear, and Creepy Crayon by Aaron Reynolds

The Dark by Lemony Snicket

Monsters 101 by Cale Atkinson

Hardly Haunted by Jessie Sima

In a Dark, Dark Room by Alvin Schwartz

Looking for a Jumbie by Tracey Baptiste

Wolfboy by Andy Harkness

Vampire Vacation by Laura Lavoie

Jampires by Sarah McIntyre

Zombie in Love by Kelly DiPucchio

Older Readers

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz

The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud

Bone-Chilling Myths by Tim O’Shei

The Ghoul Next Door by Cullen Bunn

Spirit Hunters by Ellen Oh

The Stone Child by Dan Poblocki

Beware Vader’s Castle by Cavan Scott

Small Spaces by Katherine Arden

Stranger Things: Zombie Boys by Greg Pak

Terrifying Tales (Guys Read book 6) by Jon Scieszka

– Alice Mitchell, Youth Services Manager

Beth Weimer2023-01-25T15:28:12-06:00January 25th, 2023|

Snow! Snow! Snow! – Books for Kids

Snow is one of the best things about winter, if you’re a kid. From building a snowman, making a snow angel, sledding, snowball fights, and no school – if there’s enough snow! While you’re waiting for those frosty flakes, FDL has just the book to take kids on a snowy adventure.

A few of our favorites to get you started:

EZ Reader

Biscuit’s Snow Day Race by Alyssa Capucilli (also on hoopla)

Captain Awesome Has the Best Snow Day Ever? by Stan Kirby (also on Libby & hoopla)

Henry Heckelbeck Chills Out by Wanda Coven

I Can’t Feel My Feet by Tom Watson

Penny and Her Sled by Kevin Henkes

Sabrina Sue Loves the Snow by Priscila Burris

Snow Day by Lester Laminack

Snow Day by Mercer Mayer

Picture Books

Blizzard by John Rocco

The Mitten by Jan Brett

Once upon a Winter Day by Liza Woodruff

Snow Friends by Margery Cuyler

You can search our online catalog and our digital collections for more!

– Sharon, Youth Services Specialist

Beth Weimer2023-01-20T12:31:07-06:00January 20th, 2023|

Introducing Find It at Fondulac: A Fondulac District Library Podcast!

The library is excited to launch our new podcast: Find It at Fondulac! Hosted by our Reference Assistant Jeremy, this monthly podcast will cover library news and updates for patrons about our services, programing, and other points of interest for the East Peoria community. Jeremy will also discuss books, services, and programs with other library staff and special guests each episode – plus more surprises! In the first episode, Jeremy interviews Katie, FDL’s Teen Specialist, about Teen Tuesdays, video games, and vampires! Take a listen below!

Find It at Fondulac is currently available on Spotify, Amazon Music, and RadioPublic, so be sure to stay tuned, and follow or subscribe for future episodes! (You can also find our podcast page under the ‘At the Library’ tab and listen to it there.)

Beth Weimer2022-12-29T17:10:50-06:00December 29th, 2022|

Cozy Vibes: 2023 Winter Reading Program

Reading is the best way to brighten up a cold and snowy winter, and getting comfy with blankets, warm drinks, and a few books creates the ultimate cozy vibe! Get cozy and kick off your reading goals with our winter reading program: Cozy Vibes! Patrons ages 13+ are invited to read/listen to 4 books (or 3 books & 5 magazines) checked out from FDL (or attend a library program) January 3 through February 28 to enter the prize drawing. Pick up a reading log from the library or register and track your progress with the Beanstack app or online at fondulaclibrary.beanstack.org!

Beth Weimer2023-03-01T10:17:41-06:00December 29th, 2022|