Things are hopping at the library!

Spring Book Swap

Monday, April 14, 5 – 6 p.m.

Clean out your bookshelves and pick up some new-to-you books at our Spring Book Swap! Drop off your gently used books at the library April 7 - 12 and pick up a book swap ticket for each book you bring in. Bring your tickets back on April 14, between 5 and 6:30 p.m. to pick out new books from the swap to take home! Books should be in good condition, clean, and gently used.

Library Book Sale

April 15 & 16, 9 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Pick up some great books while supporting your library! Cash and personal check will be accepted. Proceeds from the book sale go towards supporting library programs and projects.

FCCLA Easter Egg Hunt

Friday, April 18, noon – 1 p.m.

The Newton Public Library will be hosting an Easter Egg Hunt created and sponsored by the Newton High School FCCLA Club (Family, Career & Community Leaders of America). The Easter Egg Hunt will be Friday, April 18 at noon on the library lawn. Bring your own Easter basket! There will be a free will donation for homemade chocolate chip cookies made by the club during the event!

The People are Kind: How Religious Diversity Shaped Iowa

Tuesday, April 22, 5:30 p.m.

Join Iowa author and historian, Bill Douglas for a discussion of the diverse religious beliefs, from indigenous peoples to present day congregations, that shaped Iowa’s history and people. Following the presentation, Douglas will be selling and signing copies of his new book, The People are Kind: A Religious History of Iowa.

Prohibition & Iowa’s Bootlegging Legacy

Thursday, May 8, 5:30 p.m.

Join Iowa historical fiction writer, Ann Hanigan Kotz, as she takes you through the early 20th century in her program, Iowa’s Prohibition & Bootlegging Legacy. You’ll discover the state’s Prohibition journey along with why many families turned to bootlegging. Ann takes you through the distant past, beginning with the murder of a pastor in Sioux City, the tarring of an official by the Iowa City Beer Mafia, the rumrunning of Iowa’s infamous rye whiskey in Templeton, and ending with the current exploits of today’s underground whiskey business. This program is free to attend and open to the public.

Blues Under the Blue Roof: Cindy Grill

Thursday, May 15, 5 p.m.

Cindy Grill performs at the final Blues Under the Blue Roof of the year! This event is held in the library meeting room and is free to attend. All ages welcome. This concert series is made possible by the South Skunk Blues Society, The Arts Connection, and the Newton Public Library Foundation.