Learn About Art

Published on January 25, 2012 in Library News. 0 Comments

The Arts Council of Dickinson County is in its 26th year of bringing art appreciation lessons to elementary school students in Dickinson County through the Picture Person Program.  Beginning on Monday, January 30th, at 7:00 p.m., library patrons will have the opportunity to find out first-hand how fun and educational the Picture Person presentations are.  The Arts Council, in partnership with the Abilene Public Library, will be featuring a Picture Person presentation the last Monday of each month from January through April.

The first presentation on January 30 will feature Marilyn Holt and her program, “Let’s Eat: Art at the Table”.  Marilyn will look at the ways artists have used the ordinary subject of meal time to tell stories about Sunday picnics, lunching with friends, and quietly sitting down to supper alone. The four artists featured in this program represent a range of styles—the American folk art tradition, French Impressionism, and Dutch Realism.  Refreshments will be served.

The Picture Person program is the oldest ongoing program of the organization and is operated solely by community volunteers. Volunteers choose an artist or theme to research and present to the children.  Quality fine art reproductions are brought to the classroom to introduce students to master artworks and help visualize the presentations.

The Arts Council of Dickinson County is a non-profit organization supported by its members and dedicated to promoting the arts among the families in Dickinson County.

Tech Thursdays

Published on January 18, 2012 in Library News. 0 Comments

 

The library will hold  Tech Day on Thursdays.  Anyone with a technology question is welcome to stop by the library and the staff will be more than happy to help!  The staff can assist with basic computer functions, internet, printing, facebook, e-mail, e-Books, e-Readers, and much more!  The library is open from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. on Thursdays. 

 

Brown Bag Special: What Females Want

Published on January 11, 2012 in Library News. 0 Comments

The library will host a Brown Bag Special at noon Tuesday, January 31  in the Carnegie Room.

The film is approximately fifty minutes in length.  Participants are invited to bring a sack lunch.  Drinks will be provided.  This event is free and open to the public.  This film will conclude the winter session of Brown Bag films.  The films will resume Tuesday, March 6.

2011 Tax Forms

Published on January 4, 2012 in Library News. 0 Comments

The library does not have Kansas tax forms. 

Please use the link to print or view Kansas tax forms.  2011 Kansas tax forms

For a list of free Federal tax forms available at the library, please click the link.  

2011 Federal tax forms

The federal tax forms are free, however once the forms are gone, they are gone.  If we do not have the form you are seeking, we will charge 25 cents per page to make copies of that form.  If you wish to make a copy of a form, or print a form from the library, we will charge 25 cents per page.  We will charge 25 cents per page if you wish to print a return at the library. 

We are not accountants and cannot give tax advice. 

To find forms please use the links below:  (if you are printing from the library, we will charge 25 cents per page).

IRS:  http://www.irs.gov/

Kansas Department of Revenue:  http://www.ksrevenue.org/

Social Security Administration:  http://www.ssa.gov/

The forms are free, however once the forms are gone, they are gone.  If we do not have the form you are seeking, we will charge 25 cents per page to make copies of that form.  If you wish to make a copy of a form, or print a form from the library, we will charge 25 cents per page.  We will charge 25 cents per page if you wish to print a return at the library. 

We are not accountants and cannot give tax advice. 

To find forms please use the links below:  (if you are printing from the library, we will charge 25 cents per page).

IRS:  http://www.irs.gov/

Kansas Department of Revenue:  http://www.ksrevenue.org/

Social Security Administration:  http://www.ssa.gov/

Library Reaches Milestone

Published on December 27, 2011 in Library News. 0 Comments

Circulation for the year 2011 at the Abilene Public Library has reached 100,000!  Julie Kaufman of Abilene checked out the 100,000 item shortly after the library opened Friday morning.  The 100,000 mark is an increase of 103% since 2004 when technology made circulation tracking much easier.    

Julie Kaufman of Abilene checked out the 100,000 item shortly after the library opened Friday morning.

Library Director Judy Burgess said, “I think this is a testament to the hard work of staff and Board and the ongoing support of the City of Abilene – past and present.  Many thanks to all!”  Many factors led to the increase in circulation.  The 2009 renovation brought many new patrons as well as old patrons that had not used the library for years.  Other reasons include: growth in the Books on Wheels and Homebound programs, Interlibrary loan, expanding summer reading programs, increase in book clubs, and the variety of formats available including audio books, DVDS, Playaways, and eBooks.  Welcoming staff and a new awareness of the library’s services also play a key role.  Circulation Supervisor Jane Hight says, “The biggest change over the last ten years at the library is not only the increase in circulation and the changes in technology, but the library is more in the community than ever before.”  Children’s Librarian Sheryl Davidson agrees, “Library usage is the biggest change for the Children’s Library in the past ten years.  This year 5,276 children and teens attended the 168 programs that were held.  We had a record-breaking summer too.  Out of the 545 reading logs turned in, 5.776.75 hours were logged.” 

The library continues to strive to meet the community’s needs and hopes that the increase in circulation and awareness of the library’s services continues.  The growing statistics show that people just love to read!

Sunflower eLibrary: Download and enjoy ebooks, audiobooks, and more!

Published on December 6, 2011 in Library News. 0 Comments

The Kansas State Library’s contract with Overdrive expired December 5.  However, the Abilene Public Library will continue to offer almost the same digital services through Sunflower eLibrary. Click  to go directly to the site or type www.sunflowerelibrary.org into your browser. 

Getting Started: 

Click on the Sign In tab

Select Abilene Public Library as your library.

Enter your Abilene Public Library Card Number.

Start your search! 

Use the Getting Started box on the right hand side for help.  You may also call the library at 785-263-3802 with any questions. 

Lending Options

Check out limits – 5
Maximum cart items – 7
Cart expiration – 30 minutes
Hold pickup period – 3 days
Hold limit: 7

Lending Information

MP3 Audiobooks, available lending periods are 7, 14 days; default lending period is 7 days.
WMA Audiobooks, available lending periods are 7, 14 days; default lending period is 7 days.
Adobe EPUB eBooks, available lending periods are 7, 14 days; default lending period is 7 days.
Adobe PDF eBooks, available lending periods are 7, 14 days; default lending period is 7 days.
Music, available lending periods are 3, 5, 7 days; default lending period is 7 days.
Video, available lending periods are 3, 5, 7 days; default lending period is 7 days.

Compatible Devices

http://overdrive.com/Resources/DRC/Default.aspx

Please note, this the not the same as using your Kansas Library Card.  To access that site please use the following link or type http://www.kslib.info/digitalbooks into your browser.  Currently this site only offers audiobooks.  Digital ebooks will be available soon.  For more information about Kanas EZ library please click here.

Fall 2011 Newsletter!

Published on November 3, 2011 in Library News. 0 Comments

Fall 2011 Newsletter!

Click the link below to join Friends of the Library.  Forms are also available at the adult circulation desk! 

Friends of the Library

New Playaways at the Library

Published on August 12, 2011 in Library News. 0 Comments

The Abilene Public Library has added 100 Playaways, the first self-playing digital audio book, to its adult and children’s collection.  The library is participating in the Kansas Floating Playaway Program which is brought to the library in part by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. 

Half the size of a deck of cards, Playaway is an efficient way to listen to a book on the go.  Each Playaway holds a single book with up to eighty hours of HD Audio content on every unit.  Using clearly marked buttons, Playaway gives listeners the ability to move back and forth within or between chapters and alter the speed of the narrator’s voice.  It has an automatic bookmark feature that remembers where the listener left off.  It features a universal jack that is compatible with standard listening accessories, like headphones, speakers, and all standard car adaptors. 

Library patrons may browse the library’s new selection on display. The library also sells reusable ear buds for one dollar per pair.  Most standard ear buds work as well.  Patrons wishing to listen to Playaways in the car, may check out audio cable car adaptors.  The library will also provide a battery. 

For more information, please ask the circulation desk or call 263-3082.   

 

1908 Library Postcard

Published on March 15, 2011 in Library News. 0 Comments

 

A nice man named Lowell Joerg sent us this 1908 postcard of the library.  He found it at an antique store in Arizona!   The back is postmarked July 3, 1908 and was originally mailed to California.

Ben Franklin Bronze Sculpture

Published on October 7, 2010 in Library News. 0 Comments

Donated by Abilene residents Ron and Shirley Russell.