News + Events

The Library is open! The Young Readers’ Room and Underground Teen sections are excited to invite our patrons, young and old, back inside to browse, study and read! Here is a list of five non-fiction books you will find in the New Book area of the Young Readers’ Room. Stop by soon to check them out and browse for some others while you are here!

In observance of the 100th anniversary of Nineteenth Amendment, we have the book, “Women Win the Vote” by Nancy B. Kennedy ready for checkout. Nineteen chapters are written about nineteen individuals who made a difference in the women’s movement. The final chapter mentions ten additional people who also made an impact for women in the U.S. Filled with colorful pages and information that POPS!, this book is great for learning something you may not have known before! This book makes history fun! The call number is J324.62 K384w.

How many of you enjoy working on the computer? How many of you enjoy figuring out difficult projects or playing computer games? Well, this next book will have you able to code your own computer games! “Get Coding 2! Build Five Computer Games Using HTML and JavaScript” by David Whitney contains step-by-step instructions on how to create your own computer game! Parents, you may enjoy this book as well as the kiddos! Colored drawings and easy to follow directions will have you playing a new game in no time! Please find this book under the call number J005.1 W612g on the New Book shelf.

“Be Your Best Self: Life Skills for Unstoppable Kids” by Danielle Brown and Nathan Kai will motivate your child to do their very best in order to achieve that dream or goal towards which they may be working. This book has short chapters that range from discussing what success is to how to stay motivated. Colored illustrations and easy to read text will help your child reach those goals, or maybe even set some new goals! Please find this book under the call number J158.1 B812b on the New Book shelf.

“Splendid Spiders” by Melissa Higgins has a book full of colorful, life-size photographs of spiders! An easy to read book, it may have you parents looking around more closely for these small, or LARGE insects! You’ll either find the photographs intriguing or creepy! With so much to learn about spiders, you’ll find useful information in this book. Please look for this under the call number J595.4 H535s on the New Book shelf.

Have you been wondering about outdoor science? Well, we have the perfect book for you: “Habitats” by Sonya Newland. This book is not only fun, it will teach the youngsters some great facts and let them experience science experiments too! Each double page spread has colored photographs and illustrations to help solidify the lesson. With easy to follow directions on how to complete a science experiment, this book will become a favorite! Please find this book under the call number J591.707 N461h.

We’re gearing up for our 17th Annual Family Day celebration on Saturday, October 10 from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Join us to celebrate the Young Readers’ Room 100th Birthday celebration. This year’s event will be a drive-thru celebration. Please enter the Library’s front drive along Vine Street from Cajon Street (4th Street will be closed in both directions). Everyone will drive through the front drive and exit onto Eureka Street. We have a free book for every child and a free family book for the first 200 families who drive through. We will have six stations at which vehicles can stop along the drive, so be ready for some fun and surprises to celebrate with us! See you soon!

After almost six months, Smiley Library will be resuming in-person services on Wednesday, September 9. We’re excited to welcome our patrons back into the building, and we have taken many steps to keep everyone as safe as possible.

The Library will be reopening in phases. During this first phase, we will be open to the public four hours per day, six days per week. Library guests will be asked to limit their visit to one hour, with no more than fifty people in the building at any time. Our friendly staff is here to help you find what you need, answer your questions, and get the most out of your visit.

Things will look a little bit different when you come back. Plexiglass has been installed at all service desks for everyone’s safety. Chairs have been rearranged to allow for social distancing. Library guests will check in at the new entrance in the children’s garden and exit through the Young Readers’ Room. Face coverings and social distancing are required.

We ask that you please continue to return your items in the book drops on Vine Street. There will also be a portable book drop at the new entrance. All returned items will continue to go through a three-day sterilization and quarantining process.

If you’re more comfortable with curbside service, we’ve got you covered through our Books to Go service. Just call, email, or go online to place your holds, and we will call you to schedule a pick-up time. Also, check out our eResources at www.akspl.org/elibrary to read the New York Times, watch streaming videos, read popular magazines, and much more. We’ve also started an Instagram page and a blog to help stay in touch.

Smiley’s new open hours will be Monday and Tuesday 2-6 pm, Wednesday and Thursday 1-5 pm, and Friday and Saturday 12-4 pm.

We miss our patrons and are looking forward to safely reopening. Whatever the “new normal” brings, you can be sure Smiley Library will do its best to serve you safely and effectively. Our community always comes first.

Welcome back!

Jennifer Downey

Principal Librarian, Adult Services