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National Library Week:
Celebrate Community
Celebrate the library and our community by taking part in contests and activities during National Library Week, April 14 - 20!
Photography Contest for all ages
In the spirit of community, take a photograph of places/people/events around Jay County and submit the printed photo, framed or mounted on paper, to the library. Entries will be on display at the library April 15-19 for visitors to vote for their favorites. The winner to be announced April 19 will receive a book on digital photography. The winning photo will remain on display in the library for the rest of April, and will appear on the library’s Facebook page.
Submit photos by April 12 at 8:00 pm. Print entry/rules form
Design a Bookmark Contest for all ages
Design a bookmark around any theme you like: sports, superheroes, books, food, animals, libraries or more. Design the bookmark using our template available at the library or on our website. The winning bookmark will be photocopied on cardstock and stocked at the Circulation Desk. The winner announced April 15 will receive a $5 gift card to a local business.
Submit bookmarks by April 12 at 8:00 pm. Print entry template
Essay Contest for adult/teen
Write an essay on what the library means to the community, or what it means to you. Two winners—one teen and one adult—announced April 18 will receive an eReader of their choice. No page limit. Entries can be handwritten or typed, though typed is preferred. Attach an entry form available at the library or on our website.
Submit essays by April 12 at 8:00 pm. Print registration form
Library Memories from adults and teens
Reminisce about all the great times you’ve had at the Jay County Public Library! Pick your favorite memory and recreate it through the written word or illustrations (some ideas are below). Memories will be bound in a notebook for the public to browse. Questions? Call the library at 260-726-7890 and ask for Molly or Linda.
Submit “memories” by April 12 at 8:00pm.
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Heard at the LibraryRemember when …?
Here are some ideas to get you started on your “ Library Memories:”
What color was your first library card? The first bookmobile you visited?
Who took you to the library for your first visit?
Are you a quiet library type, or do you like to visit when there’s plenty of action?
Which section do you visit first these days? Has that changed over the years?
Tell us what you remember best about the library!
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Get Money Smart in April
Money Smart Week April 20-27
Businesses, financial institutions, schools, libraries, not-for-profits, government agencies and the media collaborate during Money Smart Week to stress the importance of financial literacy, inform people about where they can get help and provide free educational seminars and activities throughout the week.
Lots of free programs are planned for Money Smart Week 2013!
No pre-registration required.
Come learn more about managing your money.
Money Matters for adults and teens
Learn how to build a budget, identify needs and wants, set guidelines and other strategies to keep your dreams and meet goals. Budgeting isn’t about being cheap; it’s about being smart with your money!
Monday, April 22, 6:00-7:00 pm in Community Room
Presenter: Jeanna Ford, Crossroads Credit Union
Medicare Part D for adults
How can Medicare Part D help you save money on prescription costs? Come find out at this informative session. There will be time for questions at the end of the presentation.
Wednesday, April 24, 10:00-11:00 am in Community Room
Presenter: Stephanie Gould, Walgreens Pharmacy Manager
Financial Check-Up for adults
How healthy are your finances? Bring your investment, loan, or bank statements, and the professionals at MainSource Bank will give you advice on refinancing and investing options that could help you save money!
Thursday, April 25 in Friends Study Room
Choose from two sessions, come and go as you please:
10:00am-noon OR 5:00-7:30 pm
Presenter: Nicky Blalock, MainSource Bank
ID Theft for adults and teens
How can you prevent your identity being stolen? What should you do if you are the victim of identity theft? Get straight answers from the Portland Police Department!
Friday, April 26, 10:00 -11:00 am in Community Room
Presenter: Detective Shepherd, Portland Police Department
Another Money Smart activity: Check out our monthly Coupon Club on April 1st at 6:00 pm where you can swap coupons & savings tips.
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Indiana Poet Laureate Coming in April
Indiana Poet Laureate Karen Kovacik will lead a free poetry workshop at Jay County Public Library April 12th.
Explore the enlivening creative practice of keeping an image journal. Participants will engage in a series of writing exercises tapping into rich wells of memory through all five senses and also in brief readings of other poets, whose poems present interesting possibilities for using imagery to respond to people, landscapes, nature and history.
4:00-5:00 pm Workshop on image journaling for beginners or experienced writers
5:00-5:30 pm The poet reads from her work and answers questions.
Register at the circulation desk or call 260-726-7890.
Karen Kovacik was born in East Chicago and grew up in Highland, in Lake County. She’s the author of four collections of poetry and her work has received numerous honors. In 2004, she was awarded a Fulbright Research Grant to Poland, and her translations of contemporary Polish poetry have appeared in many anthologies and journals. She’s professor of English at IUPUI, where she directs the creative writing program.
And more for poets & poetry fans: Poet George Bilgere visits Portland in May.
Save these dates!
Friday, May 18th, 7:30 pm Reading at Arts Place, 131 East Walnut Street in Portland
Saturday, May 19th, 9:00 am to noon Workshop at the library
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Genealogy Workshop May 18th
Join other genealogy enthusiasts for a free workshop May 18th from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. The morning session will be held at the Jay County Historical Society (903 East Main St, Portland) and the afternoon session will be held at the Jay County Public Library. Lunch is on your own.
Guest speaker will be Suzette Randall from the Family History Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. The library session will include a tour of the Indiana Room and a demonstration of the updated microfilm scanner. Laptop computers are welcome and wireless Internet access is available. Group size is limited to the first 35 people to register.
To register call the library at 260-726-7890 or the Jay County Historical Society at 260-726-7168. Questions may be referred to Shirley Dollar at the library or Jane Spencer at the historical society.
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Beginner's Internet
For adults or teens, limit 5 participants
If you think using the internet is difficult and confusing, you’re not alone. Learn how to use a mouse, navigate a webpage, surf the web, and more!
April 10th, 10:00 am to noon in the computer gallery
Call the library at 260-726-7890 to register by April 9th
Questions? Can’t make it to the class? Schedule a one-on-one session. Call the library and ask for Molly.
Regular Internet gallery users:
Please note that the computer gallery will be reserved for the class for those two hours on April 10th. Two public Internet stations outside the gallery will be available, as well as the Express stations.
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Cookbook Club: April Fools Mystery
Bring a dish with a secret ingredient that others will try to guess.
Adults and teens, bring your dish and table service to the Community Room on Monday, April 8th at 6:15 pm.
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Friends of the Library News
Did you know the library now sells used books year-round? It’s a great way to find on gently-used fiction and nonfiction for all ages. Here’s an even better deal: buy a colorful Friends of the Library tote bag for $10 and fill it up with used books for FREE on the date of purchase! What a bargain!
Free coffee and donuts courtesy of the Friends in the Community Room April 13th from 10:00 to 11:00 am. We’re there the second Saturday of every month.
New and returning Friends to greet this month:
Ralph & Sue Blackford
Clyde & Janice Bray
Diane Coldren J
Janice &Rogers Durham
Ralph & Nancy Garringer (a special thanks for their extra donation!)
Patricia Gibson
Phyllis & Melvin Gillespie
Barry & Elizabeth Hudson
Deborah & David Minnis
Rachel Nichols
Joel & Connie Roberts
Virginia Schenck
David & Joy Scotten
Helen Shawver
Susan Sommers
Joanna Stone
Jane Switzer
Jay Co Beverage
MainSource Bank
POET Biorefining
Have you renewed?
Next regular Friends of the Library meeting is Tuesday, April 16th at 6:30 p.m.
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Book Discussion Group
On Monday, April 15th, the group will discuss Home by Toni Morrison, a short but powerful book (160 pages in the paperback edition).
[Morrison] spins slender, lyrical prose around a Korean War vet named Frank Money, who retreats into violent memories to escape his fractured present; his sister, Cee, abandoned by her husband and abused by a medical experiment; and the racial, economic, and emotional oppression fostered by their era and situation.
- Amazon.com review by Mia Lipman
The group meets the third Monday of each month and discussion starts at 7:00 p.m.
The Book Reading Group welcomes new members.
Register at the library or by calling (260) 726-7890.
Past and upcoming titles
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Gifts to the Library
You can make a gift to the library in honor or in memory of someone, or perhaps just in order to share your gift with the community. Cash gifts can help support library services valuable to so many. Call 260-726-7890 for details.
Learn more about making a gift to the library.
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