Author Archive for Kara Logsden



Can I recycle my Christmas Lights?

by Kara Logsden on December 12th, 2016

Just in time for the holidays, the City of Iowa City sent a media release today (below) with information about recycling holiday lights. Recycling is available through January 9th. I don’t know about you, but holiday lights are something I find beautiful … and frustrating. I’m glad to know there’s an option when the lights don’t work. Happy Holidays!

Read the rest of this entry »

Fredrik Backman Books

by Kara Logsden on November 28th, 2016
Fredrik Backman Books Cover Image

Swedish writer Fredrik Backman is my new favorite author. A friend recommended A Man Called Ove and I really enjoyed it. It was a feel-good heartwarming story that I couldn’t put down.

Recently an ICPL Friends Foundation Board Member recommended another of Backman’s books in a spread in an upcoming Library newsletter (you can see a preview here – look on page 6). The book, My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry, is a heartwarming story about a seven year old girl who goes on a journey of discovery after the death of her beloved grandmother. I don’t want to give too much away, but it’s a compelling story that shows there are many good people in the world. Read the rest of this entry »

Music on Wed-Thanksgiving Gifts

by Kara Logsden on November 14th, 2016

This 2016 02 Preucil Logoweek’s Music on Wednesday program from students at Preucil School of Music features of cornucopia of “Thanksgiving Gifts.” Performances include a Cello Choir and Violin Quartet as well as harp, piano, violin and cello solo performances. Performers range from 5 to 18 years old.

It’s a NO SCHOOL day in Iowa City on Wednesday, so head to the Library for some wonderful noontime music. You’ll be thankful you did! Below is the program for the event. See you Wednesday 🙂 Read the rest of this entry »

The Light of Paris by Eleanor Brown

by Kara Logsden on October 28th, 2016
The Light of Paris by Eleanor Brown Cover Image

Weird Sisters author, Eleanor Brown’s Light of Paris is a tale of two women who are bound by the expectations of family, society, and their own personal fears.

Madeleine is in her thirties, stuck in a loveless marriage, and volunteering as a docent at an art museum in Chicago. Youthful dreams of living as an artist are too painful to remember.

Margie is in her twenties and is dispatched to Paris in 1924 to chaperone her cousin. Upon her arrival she is abandoned by her cousin and left to fend for herself. With dreams of becoming a writer and living independently, she gets a job in a library in Paris and falls in love.

The story evolves as the reader switches between characters, decades and cities. Will the women find self actualization or will they conform to the conventions of expectations?

I listened to the book and Cassandra Campbell’s narration is excellent.

Lois Lowry in Iowa City November 16th

by Kara Logsden on October 25th, 2016

2016 10 Lois LowryThe UI Lecture Committee is hosting Lois Lowry at The Englert Theatre on Wednesday November 16th at 7:30 PM. The program is FREE and open to the public. Seating is first come, first seated. More information is available HERE.

Lois Lowry is the author of two of my favorite books: The Giver and Number the Stars. Both are Newbery Award winners. She’s also the author of over forty books and many are perennial favorites of Library readers. Iowa City Public Library hosted Ms. Lowry in 2012 and she presented a wonderful program, which is available to view online HERE via the Library’s Video Stream (video.icpl.org).

Some of my favorite memories growing up in Iowa City include visiting authors and the experience of hearing a beloved author reading from their book. My most memorable experience was hearing Madeline L’Engle read at Old Brick when I was in junior high. L’Engle’s words came alive in my mind as I listened to her read.

Mark your calendars for Wednesday November 16th at 7:30 at The Englert. I’m sure it will be a wonderful program!

 

Crystal City-Music on Wednesday

by Kara Logsden on October 15th, 2016

2016 05 06 Crystal City

Last spring Crystal City performed a Music on Wednesday program in our Lobby and I was blown away by their music. It is harmonious, celebratory, and joyful. Plus Sam’s whistling ability is … AMAZING! Join us Wednesday October 19th at Noon as we welcome Crystal City back to Iowa City Public Library.

Dave Helmer and Sam Drella are Crystal City. Their music is described as “Heartland rock band with blue-collar roots” with “themes of love and loss, being good to each other, and celebrating life.” Since discovering this band I’ve enjoyed listening to their music online (listen here) and getting to know their music a bit better. If you live in our service area (Iowa City, rural Johnson County, Hills, University Heights or Lone Tree), you can download their album for free with your ICPL card and password via our Local Music Project.

I’ll see you at the Library on Wednesday October 19 at Noon in the Lobby for the sweet tunes of Crystal City.

New Janet Evanovich Series

by Kara Logsden on October 11th, 2016
New Janet Evanovich Series Cover Image

Confession time: When I heard there was a new Janet Evanovich series starting I might have groaned a bit. I enjoy the Stephanie Plum series and thought the Barnaby series was laugh-out-loud funny, but I haven’t really enjoyed the Fox and O’Hare series Evanovich has been writing with Lee Goldberg. I’m happy to report I think the new series, Knight and Moon, written with Phoef Sutton, has a lot of potential. Phoef Sutton was a co-writer on Evanovich’s Wicked Charms, part of the entertaining series featuring the character Diesel. Read the rest of this entry »

When can I VOTE EARLY?

by Kara Logsden on October 6th, 2016

Iowa C2016 Early Votingity Public Library hosted early voting on September 29, 2016 – the first day voters could cast their ballot early for the November 8th Presidential Election. On that day, 585 people voted early at the Library. Since then, we’ve had droves of people coming in hoping to vote. The official early voting schedule is posted HERE at the Johnson County Auditor’s webpage.

Early Voting at the Iowa City Public Library begins again on Saturday October 29 at 10:00 AM. A complete schedule is below. If you can’t wait until October 29th, the Early Voting hours at the Johnson County Auditor’s Office are also listed below.

Iowa City Public Library Early Voting Schedule:

Saturday, October 29, 10 AM – 5 PM
Sunday, October 30, Noon-5 PM
Monday, October 31 through Friday, November 4, 11 AM – 4 PM
Saturday, November 5, 10 AM – 5 PM Read the rest of this entry »

Three Cheers for ICPL!

by Kara Logsden on September 29th, 2016

To2016 09 Book Cart Drill Teammorrow the Iowa City Public Library’s Book Cart Drill Team will hit the streets as a part of the 2016 University of Iowa Homecoming Parade. The fun starts at 5:45 and we’re entry #25.

Every year Library staff have a lot of fun at the parade – it’s an awesome experience to feel the love for the Library from the crowd. We also have a lot of fun entertaining the crowd with the Book Cart Drill Team with various maneuvers such as the “Pinwheel” and “Snake.” Watch closely because there may also be a special appearance from our Super Hero, Book Man! Read the rest of this entry »

Music on Wednesdays 9.21.16: Muckrockers

by Kara Logsden on September 17th, 2016

2016 09 Muckrockers

Music on Wednesdays kicks off on September 21 at Noon in the Lobby with the local Americana band, Muckrockers. Muckrockers was an active band a few years back and is recently reconstituted and appearing in local venues. Current band members include Scott Cochran, Jamie Kearney, Matt Kearney and Stacy Webster. For a preview of their music navigate to www.reverbnation.com/muckrockers

Muckrockers is self-described as “a group of working class musician-citizens aiming to illuminate and eliminate the corporate stranglehold on our government and our lives.”

We look forward to hosting Muckrockers and kicking off the new Music on Wednesdays season!
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