Recycled Art Creations

This Saturday from 2 to 5pm you can drop in at the Main Library to create a piece of recycled art. We will have a lot of great "trash" available for you to use. The art pictured here was made from an old white tablecloth & VHS tape.

Check out photos from other recycled art programs for ideas.

The Allen County Solid Waste Management District is sponsoring a Trash to Treasure Art Contest at the Main Library on April 17th. Plan to come back that day and enter your work. To register, visit the ACSWMD website.

ACRES Land Trust

Are you looking for a fun outdoor activity to do with your kids? Check out the ACRES Land Trust website for a list of Nature Preserves in our area. Plan a trip to hike, birdwatch & look for signs of spring.

My family enjoyed a hike yesterday in the sunshine. We saw a pileated woodpecker, a cardinal, and several robins. We spotted a nest up high in a tree, but couldn't figure out who it belonged to. We noticed a lot of leaf buds on the trees. It isn't very green out there yet, but we plan to watch the season change.

Find a nature preserve near your home and check it out!

Artlink Postcard Mail Art Show

If you enjoyed the Art Out of the Box: Mail Art program, you will probably want to know about Artlink's upcoming Postcard Mail Art Show.

Click here for more info on the call for entry. Artlink is looking for postcards of an original drawing, painting, photograph, collage or mixed media piece. They would like postcards from all over the world, so please share this information with your friends.

The opening reception for the postcard show will be Friday, April 9th from 6 to 9pm.

Spotz at the Library for Story Time!

St. Joseph Regional Burn Center and the Fort Wayne Fire Department came to our Smart Start Storytime last Wednesday. The nice nurses talked to the children about fire safety and a Fort Wayne Firefighter taught us to "stay away from hot stuff!". It was a great surprise when Spotz came and showed us how to "Stop, Drop and Roll"! A great time was had by all!

Let's Go Skating!

Fort Wayne's very own outdoor skating rink is open!
Headwaters Park Ice Rink is a great place for families during the long winter months and downtown is a great place to be!
Stop by the library before or after to warm up!
We love our city!

Do you have visitors?

Bring them to the Library!

Since the new building at 900 Library Plaza opened in 2007 we have noticed a new local tradition...Fort Wayne families LOVE to show off their new library to out of town visitors during the weekend after Thanksgiving.

So if you are looking for something fun and warm to do this weekend, bring your friends and family in to meet us.

Need a tutor?

Looking for a fun educational field trip for your students or children? Does your fifth grader need a little extra math help?

Check out the resources on our Local Learning and Literacy Resources page.

Your Library is a STAR!

Library Journal identified 258 star libraries in the United States and the Allen County Public Library is one of them! ACPL was rated a 4 star library - hooray!

America Recycles Day!

Visit the Children's Services booth to celebrate America Recycles Day at Science Central today between 10am and 2pm. Admission to Science Central is FREE, but you need to visit this site to print out an admission flyer.

Food for the Fort

In these bad economic times, help us feed our hungry! Bring in items to donate to ACPL's Food for the Fort Food Drive. Non-perishable items will be accepted through Saturday, October 31st at all locations of the ACPL.

Food donations will be divided between Charis House and the Community Harvest Food Bank.

EcoKids: Clean Green

On Monday, Kira Blacketor from the Allen County Solid Waste District visited the library to present her Clean Green program for the EcoKids club.

Kira explained why we should think about the chemicals that we use to clean around the house and then taught the kids this simple recipe for All Purpose Cleaner.

All Purpose Cleaner
3/4 cup warm water
1/4 teaspoon liquid soap
1/4 teaspoon borax or baking soda
1 tablespoon white vinegar

Cleans countertops, floors, walls and carpet.

For more Green Cleaner recipes click here.

The ACSWD is hosting America Recycles Day at Science Central on November 14th from 10am to 2pm. Admission is FREE for the event. Don't miss this chance to learn about reducing, reusing and recycling while enjoying all that Science Central has to offer.

Valerie Tutson - Storyteller Extraordinaire!

We are thrilled to present internationally renowned storyteller, Valerie Tutson!
Valerie will be performing Tales from Around the World Thursday, October 22.
The first performance will be at 10:30 am.
The second performance will be at 1:00 pm.
Do not miss this one of a kind opportunity!
Registration is required for this FREE event - contact Children's Services 421-1220.
Seating is limited - Call today!

Family Storytime Today!

Don't miss family storytime at the Main Library at 11 a.m! Today we will be reading about Library Land.

You can also visit the Children's Services department at Barr Street Market from 8am to 12pm to create some pasta jewelry. We will also have a booth at the Lutheran Children's Hospital 10th birthday party at Foellinger theater from 10am to 3pm today where you can play the Very Hungry Caterpillar game and pick up a gift.

Barr Street Market: Underwater Adventure

Barr Street Farmer's Market is open today from 8am to 12pm. The market is located at the corner of Barr Street & Wayne Street in downtown Fort Wayne. The market runs through Saturday, September 12th.

Visit the ACPL Children's Services booth to go on an underwater adventure. See you there!

Barr Street Market: Cool Off with an ACPL Fan

Barr Street Farmer's Market is open today from 8am to 12pm. The market is located at the corner of Barr Street & Wayne Street in downtown Fort Wayne. The market runs through Saturday, September 12th.

Visit the ACPL Children's Services booth to cool off with an ACPL fan. See you there!

Barr Street Market: Make Tracks with Indiana Animals

Barr Street Farmer's Market is open today from 8am to 12pm. The market is located at the corner of Barr Street & Wayne Street in downtown Fort Wayne. The market runs through Saturday, September 12th.

Visit the ACPL Children's Services booth to make tracks with Indiana animals. See you there!

Barr Street Market: Fly Away with Butterflies

Barr Street Farmer's Market is open today from 8am to 12pm. The market is located at the corner of Barr Street & Wayne Street in downtown Fort Wayne. The market runs through Saturday, September 12th.

Visit the ACPL Children's Services booth to fly away with butterflies. See you there!

Barr Street Market: Grow a Paper Flower Garden

Barr Street Farmer's Market is open today from 8am to 12pm. The market is located at the corner of Barr Street & Wayne Street in downtown Fort Wayne. The market runs through Saturday, September 12th.

Visit the ACPL Children's Services booth to grow a paper flower garden. See you there!

Barr Street Market 2009

Barr Street Farmer's Market is open today from 8am to 12pm. The market is located at the corner of Barr Street & Wayne Street in downtown Fort Wayne. The market runs through Saturday, September 12th.

Visit the ACPL Children's Services booth to make your very own ACPL bookmark after you pick up some fresh produce. See you there!

African Journey Opens Today!

The new African Journey exhibit at the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo opens today!

Before you visit the zoo to meet the lions, zebras, hyenas, vultures and giraffes, stop by the library to pick up some non-fiction books about these animals. Read books to discover why zebras have stripes, what a group of hyenas is called, what vultures like to have for dinner and more!