Other - Fondulac District Library | East Peoria, IL

Staying Home with FDL

As we all navigate this unprecedented time and do our part to stay home to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, we thought it might be fun to share what FDL staff are doing to pass the time. While most of us are still working from home, we definitely have more time on our hands for reading, creativity, hobbies, and more. So here’s what some of us have been up to this week – we hope you enjoy!

Homemade Dog Treats – “I made these doggie treats on a Saturday afternoon.”

– Deb, Circulation Assistant

Ingredients
1 Cup Whole Wheat Flour
3/4 Cup Dog Safe Creamy Peanut Butter
1 Medium Ripe Banana

Directions
Combine ingredients in a bowl and smash with fork.
Once mixed, switch to using your hands to knead dough.
Place dough ball on a flat, floured surface and roll it out to about 1/4 inch thick using a rolling pin.
Using a 3/4 inch cookie cutter, cut out as many pieces as possible with whatever shape you desire.
Place on a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper.
Heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and bake for 12 – 15 minutes or until hard.
Let cool before serving to dogs.

Runescape – “I’ve been spending my free time getting back into a game I’ve been playing on and off for years — Runescape. It’s very nostalgic for me, plus I get to explore new locations, try my hand at quests, solve puzzles, and just put all the craziness that is happening outside on the back burner. There’s a paid membership, which I finally decided to try for the first time, but it’s also free to play and there’s still plenty to do. Definitely a game that is a long-term investment!”

– Isaac, Reference Assistant

Chicken Tacos – “I’ve been experimenting with new recipes and this week I tried out crock pot chicken taco meat. It’s so simple and only three ingredients, definitely worth trying out!”

– Katie, Circulation Assistant

Ingredients
1 package boneless skinless chicken breast
1 can of Rotel (diced tomatoes and green chilies)
1 package taco seasoning

Directions
Mix the Rotel and taco seasoning in the crock pot, then add chicken.
Cook on high for 3-4 hours, or low for 6 hours.
When meat is cooked, shred and let simmer on low for 1 hour.
Enjoy!

Villainous – “At my house we have been insulating the attic in preparation to make it a bedroom, working on school work, playing Villainous, working on a WordPress website and blog, making a netted lariat necklace (hopefully I won’t run out of beads!), making tortillas from scratch, and going on walks!”

– Cassie, Youth Services Assistant

The Anthropocene Reviewed – “I’ve been listening to this podcast by author and vlogbrother John Green. In each episode, he reviews different experiences or objects from the current geological age on a five-star scale. His reviews range from air conditioning to penalty shootouts to the song “Auld Lang Syne.” You never know what he’ll review next! John Green is one of my favorite writers, and these audio essays are just as beautifully written as his books. I find each episode calming and interesting, and listening always makes me want to review everyday objects or activities on my own five-star scale. John Green also has a “dubious advice” podcast called Dear Hank and John with his brother, Hank Green, which is funny, lighthearted, and equally as enjoyable.”

– Laura, Youth Services Manager

Stardew Valley – “Besides planning for summer reading, I’ve been spending a lot of time playing Stardew Valley. I downloaded it a couple weeks ago, and it definitely lives up to the hype. I’m also video chatting with family pretty regularly, and we tried out the Houseparty app a week or so ago. The trivia questions start repeating really quickly, but it’s worth checking out. If anyone wants recommendations for TV shows, the new season of One Day at a Time has been playing in POP TV, and it’s just as good as it was when it was on Netflix.”

– Cindy, Youth Services Assistant

Morel Hunting – “I love hunting for morel mushrooms in the spring, and I’m grateful to have more time to do that this year. There are so many good spots in the Peoria area if you know where to look. I don’t find them every time, but hiking and being in the woods — seeing everything come back to life — is so relaxing and refreshing. If you’re new to foraging, make sure you look up info on what is safe to eat (be careful to avoid false morels!) and harvest them sustainably. To eat morels, soak them in salt water for at least 30 minutes and rinse them clean. Slice them up and saute in butter, or make a simple batter by dipping them in egg and panko before frying in butter. So good!”

– Beth, Communications Specialist

Beth Weimer2020-05-01T14:02:25-05:00May 1st, 2020|

3D Printing Ear Guards

One way our library is helping local health care workers is by using our 3D printer to make ear guards! Ear guards are small, notched pieces of plastic that prevent the security straps on surgical masks from rubbing into the back of the ears and head of the one wearing it. Katie, one of our Reference Specialists, has been printing them at the library, and has made 35 ear guards this week to donate to staff at OSF HealthCare!

If you have a 3D printer at home, you can use this file to make them, too! thingiverse.com/thing:4249113

To donate, contact OSF HealthCare at SupportOSF@osfhealthcare.org or call (309) 624-5840. Their drop-off location is 5901 West War Memorial Drive, Peoria, IL 61615, and they take donations from 8AM-3PM Monday-Friday.

Beth Weimer2020-04-17T14:22:54-05:00April 17th, 2020|

Expanded Access to Ancestry

Exploring your family history just got easier! During the COVID-19 crisis, FDL cardholders have temporary remote access to Ancestry Library Edition, courtesy of ProQuest and its partner Ancestry. Ancestry Library Edition is an online genealogy collection of 200+ billion images in 7,000 unique databases and includes genealogical search, message boards, blank charts and forms, and tutorials to help you perform research.

FDL cardholders may request access by email (reference@fondulaclibrary.org) or by Live Chat during scheduled chat hours. Please provide your full name and FDL card number with your request to receive additional instructions and the password.

Remote access will be available until the end of April 2020 and will be re-evaluated monthly as needed. Ancestry Library Edition is always available on the library’s public access computers and for use with personal devices on the library’s WiFi network.

Ancestry has made other additional features available to everyone during this difficult time. Ancestry is offering support to parents by making its AncestryK12 lesson plans available for free for anyone to download while they are educating children at home. Also, in partnership with the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Ancestry is providing free access to search nearly 500 million NARA records and images on Ancestry. For those new to Ancestry, several videos are also available on Ancestry Academy, a free program offering online courses to help families get started on their family tree building. A library of educational videos can be found at: ancestry.com/academy. No library card is required to access the K12 lesson plans, NARA records or Academy at ancestry.com, but creation of a free Ancestry is required.

FDL cardholders can also access HeritageQuest Online from home, which is a database that combines digital, searchable images of U.S. federal census records with the digitized version of the popular ProQuest Genealogy & Local History collection and other valuable content, including city directories, military and immigration records, and more.

genna2020-04-08T12:58:58-05:00April 8th, 2020|

#FDL: Inspiring Stories for Women’s History Month

March is Women’s History Month. Try one of these inspiring women’s stories. Click on one of the titles to find it in our catalog and place a hold.

Taking Flight by Michaela DePrince

“The memoir of an orphan who danced her way from war-torn Sierra Leone to ballet stardom, most recently appearing in Beyonce’s Lemonade and as a principal in a major American dance company.”

My Life in France by Julia Child and Alex Prud’Homme

“The bestselling story of Julia Child’s years in France—and the basis for Julie & Julia, starring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams—in her own words.”

Wild: From lost to found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed

“At twenty-two, Cheryl Strayed thought she had lost everything. In the wake of her mother’s death, her family scattered and her own marriage was soon destroyed. Four years later, with nothing more to lose, she made the most impulsive decision of her life. With no experience or training, driven only by blind will, she would hike more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail from the Mojave Desert through California and Oregon to Washington State—and she would do it alone.”

My Beloved World by Sonia Sotomayor

“The first Hispanic and third woman appointed to the United States Supreme Court, Sonia Sotomayor has become an instant American icon. She recounts her life from a Bronx housing project to the federal bench, a journey that offers a testament to her own extraordinary determination and the power of believing in oneself.”

Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Mariane Satrapi

“In black-and-white comic strip images, Satrapi tells the story of her life in Tehran from ages six to fourteen, years that saw the overthrow of the Shah’s regime, the triumph of the Islamic Revolution, and the devastating effects of war with Iraq. The intelligent and outspoken only child of committed Marxists and the great-granddaughter of one of Iran’s last emperors, Marjane bears witness to a childhood uniquely entwined with the history of her country.”

#FDL is a weekly update on all things Fondulac District Library and East Peoria.

Susie Rivera2020-01-31T15:17:17-06:00March 26th, 2020|

Spacey Story Time with Miss Mikaela

space-y storytime We miss our story time friends!

While we may be home, we can still use our imaginations, though!

Let’s enjoy a spacey story time together by just following the easy steps below.

Step 1: Story Time from Space

Astronaut Kate Rubins shares Andrea Beaty’s Rosie Revere Engineer, “a beautifully-illustrated tale of a girl and her dream to become a great engineer. Where some people see rubbish, Rosie Revere sees inspiration. Alone in her room at night, shy Rosie constructs great inventions from odds and ends.”

Do you like to build things?

Step 2: Song Time with Miss Mikaela

FDL’s Miss Mikaela serenades you with Sesame Street’s I Don’t Want to Live on the Moon. Sing along!

Would you want to live on the moon? Under the sea?

Step 3: Craft Time

It’s time for you to be creative! Grab some cardboard, paper, tape, or anything else you might have on hand and build an awesome plane!

genna2020-04-08T13:43:05-05:00March 22nd, 2020|

UPDATE March 15, 2020 3 p.m.:

The library will offer limited library services 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, March 16, through Wednesday, March 18, at the drive-up window. No services will be available Thursday, March 19. Announcements will be made this week about services after March 19. The library building will continue to be closed to the public until further notice.

Please do not use any library services if you are sick or have been in contact with someone who is sick, and continue to follow CDC guidelines for preventive measures like social distancing and increased hygiene practices.

Due dates will be extended to May 1. Fines will not be charged until the library resumes full services. Patrons will still be responsible for lost or damaged items. Please contact the library if you have questions about your account.
Patrons may pick up holds and return materials using the drive-up window and dropboxes along Richland Street. Holds can be placed using our online catalog or the RSAcat Mobile app. Games, equipment, puzzles, or kits will not be available to check out but should be returned directly to staff at the drive-up window.
The drive-up window and dropboxes are limited to patrons in vehicles. Patrons without access to a vehicle may contact the library for details about how to receive requested materials and return items.
All returned materials will be sanitized and quarantined for three days.
Staff will be available by phone, chat, and email during open hours to answer questions and take requests for materials.
Tax forms will be available in the Civic Complex Atrium while supplies last. Patrons may contact the library for printouts of other tax forms to pick up at the drive-up window.
In addition to the Little Free Library in the Reading Garden, an expanded Little Free Library will be available in the Atrium M-F 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The library’s mobile printing service can be used to print remotely from your computer or device and pick up at the drive-up window. Information on how to send print requests can be found here.
Patrons can access eBooks, audiobooks, movies, TV shows, and more from our digital collection using hoopla, Overdrive, Libby, Axis 360, Biblioboard, and Tumblebooks. Online resources like Peoria Journal Star Digital Image Edition, Mango languages, and GCF LearnFree are also available at fondulaclibraorg/research/.

We appreciate your patience during this time. All of the changes we’re making are proactive, precautionary measures to “flatten the curve” and are not due to any known COVID-19 exposure.

Please check this page and follow us on social media for additional updates. Visit cdc.gov and dph.illinois.gov for trusted information about the coronavirus outbreak.

Beth Weimer2020-03-15T13:56:25-05:00March 15th, 2020|

Census 2020

We are excited to announce that we’ve partnered with the @uscensusbureau to support the #2020Census! As a partner, we’ll be working to ensure that our community is accurately represented for Census 2020.

Watch the video below and visit 2020census.gov or fondulaclibrary.org/census-2020/ for more information!

Beth Weimer2020-02-07T16:21:24-06:00February 7th, 2020|

Community Bulletin Board

FDL’s community bulletin board is an excellent way to learn about or promote upcoming community events. Located in the library’s Coffee Corner (in the foyer), the bulletin board is available for anyone to submit flyers or signs for local educational, cultural, or charitable events.

Items and content must be approved and posted by library staff. Materials must be typed and contain the name and contact information of the sponsoring organization or representative, must not be larger than 11 x 17 inches, and cannot be posted more than 30 days before the event occurs. Use of the community bulletin board is guided by FDL’s Community Information Policy.

Check out the board the next time you grab a coffee to see what’s happening around the community, or ask staff for more information if you’re interested in promoting your event!

Beth Weimer2019-10-14T11:58:00-05:00October 14th, 2019|

FDL Reads: Thrawn: Alliances

Thrawn: Alliances by Timothy Zahn

Reviewed by: Melissa Friedlund, Reference Assistant

Genre: Science Fiction

Suggested Age: Adults, Teens

What is this Book About? Before coming into the Empire, Thrawn crossed paths with General Anakin Skywalker during the Clone Wars. Anakin was searching for Padme on the planet Batuu on the edge of Wild Space. He and Thrawn decided they could help each other and agreed to work together despite neither being honest about their true missions. Several years later, the Emperor orders Thrawn and Darth Vader to go on a joint mission to Batuu to investigate a disturbance in the Force. Once again, there are lies of omission and mistrust. Can these two work together to achieve their goals, or will someone be betrayed?

My Review: I enjoyed this book for the most part. Once again, I listened to the e-audiobook on Overdrive/ Libby. I’ve decided that Thrawn is the Star Wars equivalent of a warrior-Sherlock-Holmes, and therefore, there weren’t enough of the creepy-Thrawn-thought-bubble-snippets in this book. This is Timothy Zahn’s second book in the new Star Wars cannon material that follows Thrawn’s endeavors. The two storylines are told using alternating chapters, which sometimes made the story feel disjointed. During the Imperial storyline, Vader makes several references to people and places from the animated series Star Wars Rebels. In addition, Thrawn makes several comments that are veiled attempts to get Vader to admit his previous identity. I found I enjoyed the Vader storyline better than the Anakin storyline. I think it may be because the voice actor really made me think of the actor who portrayed Anakin in two of the prequel movies…and I prefer Darth Vader.

Three Words That Describe This Book: Non-Linear, Backstory, Role Reversal

Give it a Try if You Like: Thrawn, Heir to the Empire, Star Wars Rebels

Rating: 4/5

Find it at the library!

About FDL Reads

FDL Reads is a series of weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library.

Susie Rivera2019-10-04T14:52:03-05:00October 4th, 2019|

Access World News

Did you know the library provides access to the most comprehensive collection of newspapers worldwide? Staying well-informed on local and global issues is crucial these days, and Newsbank provides reliable information and sources so users can combat the barrage of fake or misleading news. With Newsbank’s Access World News database, users can search local, state, national, and international news coverage on virtually any topic – without the need for multiple subscriptions!

Access World News contains more than 528 million current and archived articles from 172 countries and more than 5,900 reliable news sources. The database is updated daily with news content that may be included in its original published language or translated into English. The intuitive, map-based interface helps users pinpoint useful information as well as navigate quickly and efficiently through millions of articles and video clips. Users can gain valuable local perspectives by zeroing in on the sources closest to the events, compare diverse views, and track subjects geographically and over time with the deepest newspaper archives available. Students, researchers, and news junkies alike can create customized searches, find articles in different languages, or set a preference for different source types. You can even set an alert to have the latest news on an issue or topic delivered to your inbox and easily print or email articles of interest.

This amazing resource can be used by anyone who visits the library, or cardholders can access it from home by entering their card number. Access World News is available under the Online Research Resources tab at fondulaclibrary.org. Click on the Access World News icon to try it out today, or talk to a librarian for help getting started!

Beth Weimer2019-09-16T11:16:21-05:00September 16th, 2019|