Library News

Bookish Birdhouses Art Show

Sept. 8 - 30

Visit the Newton Public Library to view our first-ever Bookish Birdhouses Art Show! Artists of all ages decorated birdhouses in honor of their favorite book or author. The decorated birdhouses will be on display inside the library Sept. 8 - 30.

Take & Make Craft Kit: Halloween Clothespin Magnets

Pick Up Sept. 25 – 30

Pick up a free Take & Make Craft Kit and make your own Halloween clothespin magnets! Crafters will need to supply their own scissors and glue, all other materials will be included. Registration is encouraged to reserve your kit. Registration opens September 18th, kits will be available for pick up Sept. 25 – 30. One kit per person, please. Ages 18+

Dinosaur Stomp

Saturday, Sept. 30, 10 a.m.

The City of Newton’s Community Services/Parks and Recreation and the Newton Public Library are partnering for a Dinosaur Stomp at Agnes Patterson Memorial Park. Join us for a walk around the StoryWalk for a dinosaur story, meet and greet with a dinosaur, and more! This event is open for kids 2 to 8 years old, but siblings of any age are welcome. Sea Turtle Ice Cream Truck will be at this event and kids will get a free ice cream treat!

Halloween Pet Photo Booth

Oct. 6 & 7

Gather your furry ghouls and goblins and creep on down to our Halloween pet photo booth! Bring your pet and your own camera or phone and take photos in our decorated photo booth. Pets must be leashed or otherwise contained and house-trained. Pets should be accompanied by an adult, but the whole family is welcome to attend. Costumes encouraged! Freewill donations for Paws-N-Claws Iowa will be accepted. Registration is required to reserve your private photography time slot. Registration opens Sept. 25. Call 641-792-4108 to register.

We Shall All Be Monsters: Mary Shelley and the Creation of Frankenstein

Monday, Oct. 16, 5:30 p.m.

The daughter of 18th-century radicals, Mary Shelley was disowned by her family and ostracized by society when she ran off with a married man at the age of sixteen. Despite continued criticism of her morals, her husband’s philandering, and the death of loved ones, she still managed to write one of the most popular novels of all time while still a teenager. In this program, historian Kathy Wilson looks at the life of Mary Shelley to learn more about the author and understand not only what influenced her writing, but why we still are fascinated with Frankenstein today. This program is free to attend and open to the public.