REGISTRATION WEEK IS HERE!

Stop by the library any time between June 8 through 12 to pick up your registration materials.

We will have programs and activities for all ages from age 18 months to adult.

Contact Amy Bates at Belmond Public Library if you have any questions.

Unfortunately, due to cuts in federal funding, the State Library of Iowa is no longer able to offer Brainfuse HelpNow, VetNow, and JobNow to Iowa libraries. In order to still offer an educational and test prep site, we are now able to offer Mometrix.

Mometrix eLibrary provides a wide range of study materials to help test-takers, including flashcards, practice tests, and guides, covering subjects from foundational education to specialized trades and advanced academic fields. This online resource is available to all Iowa residents and authorized users and is funded by an appropriation from the Iowa Legislature.

To access Mometrix, visit our link under online resources or use the link below.

MOMETRIX

myLIBRO is available at Belmond Public Library!

With myLIBRO you can:

Search the catalog
You can search the catalogs for both Belmond Public Library and BRIDGES.

Access your account
Use the app's voice-enabled "virtual assistant" text chat interface to see your checkouts and holds for both physical and digital items, due dates, and items ready for pickup.

Manage multiple cards
Add multiple cards to your profile to manage the accounts of your children, spouse, or other loved ones.

Getting started is easy.
Download the app on Apple or Android.

After downloading, open the app and press 'get started':
1. Under library, select "Belmond Public Library"
2. Enter your full library card number. Don't know your number, give us a call (641-444-4160)
3. Enter your library PIN (the last 4 digits of your card number)
4. Tap "Sign In"

Once signed in:
• Tap the three vertical lines in the top left-hand corner to see menu options such as Settings and Quick Tour
• From the menu select Profile to display your library card as a scannable barcode
• Search the catalog using Search or My Account (see your checkouts and holds in My Account only)

Need more help? Check out the myLIBRO User Guide

If you have questions about myLIBRO or want assistance adding it to your phone or tablet, feel free to stop by or contact us at 641-444-4160.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Q: Is myLIBRO the same as Libby?
A: No. myLIBRO is a separate app all together. Libby connects you to the BRIDGES library for all digital media and downloads. myLIBRO is a one stop all things your library. With myLIBRO you can manage your library account, view and renew all physical and digital checkouts, search our card catalog, put physical books on hold, view our calendar of events, receive library notifications, and more! 

Q: Will I still need Libby if I can read ebooks and listen to audiobooks on myLIBRO?
A. This is up to you. myLibro does give you access to the BRIDGES collection. You are able to listen to audiobooks and read your ebooks through the app. If you prefer the look and feel of Libby, continue to use Libby. 

Q: I can't log in. I don't know my library card number.
A: Contact the library and we can help you get set up with the app. Need some hands on help? Our staff can walk you through the app in person. Simply stop by the library and ask for assistance.

Do you have a child age under the age of 5 years old?
If so you can register them to receive a free, age-appropriate book delivered monthly to your home.

The program is completely free and available to all residents with a Belmond, Iowa address [50421 zip code].
If you don't live in our affiliate area, check to see if it's available where you live!

To register your child, visit https://imaginationlibrary.com/
On the home page, select "Can I register my child?" or "Check Availability". Once you enter your zip code and location information, you will have access to register online or print a from to fill out and return. We highly encourage you to use the online form to ensure that all information is correct. It's easy and only takes a couple of minutes.

If you choose to print and fill out a registration form, you can either scan and email your application to the library, mail it or drop it off at our library at your earliest convenience. 

For parent resources CLICK HERE.

Have questions? Contact the library at 641-444-4160

Friends of the Belmond Public Library is proud to provide Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library through sponsorship from area businesses and organizations.

            
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The Friends of the Belmond Public Library was formed in 1995.  They are an auxiliary group of the Library Foundation.  Their mission is to maintain an
association of persons interested in the library, to focus public attention on the library, to lend financial support, to coordinate volunteer efforts,
and help promote the programs and services of the Talbot Belmond Public Library. 

The Friends do so much to support the library. This includes a yearly allocation for the purchase of books, maintaining 4 little free libraries in Belmond, hosting bilingual story time during the Cinco de Mayo festival, their Books for Kindergarteners initiative, and more! They are able to provide these things through fundraising and volunteering. Perhaps you have visited the Friends annual book sale during the Fall Festival, or the table at the summer market, or maybe even an omelet breakfast thanks to the Knights ot Columbus. 

As a Friend, you will have the satisfaction of supporting one of our most important educational institutions, playing an important role in making books and other materials available to the community. 
You will also have the opportunity to volunteer for various events and programs.

  You can join for as little as $10.00 per year as an individual, or $25.00 as a family.
If you are already a Friend of the library, please stop by today to renew your membership. 

Please contact the library with any questions. 
The library would love to have you as a Friend!

The Best Little Motel in Texas by Lyla Lane
Genre: Cozy Mystery

Cordelia has spent most of her life avoiding Sarsaparilla Falls. The town holds nothing but bad memories of her now sober mother's past and being treated like a pariah. She spends her life simply: looking after her mother and enjoying her library job. When she discovers an unknown great aunt has left her a questionable little motel in Sarsaparilla Falls with long term guests, her life is turned upside down and all around. The motel is a destination of 'ill repute' with senior women who see to the entertainment of their older clients. When the local pastor dies in the company of one of the residents, Cordelia, newly made madam, and her 'Chicks' are on the case. 

Cozy reads have always been a bit hit or miss for me. As a result, I chose to enjoy this title as an audiobook. I'm so glad I did! The story on it's own is a wonderful little romp through small town Texas. The residents are quirkey and dynamic which adds a lot to the story. The mystery moves along at a really good pace and jumps between suspects. I wasn't able to really predict the murder, mainly because we are only given Cordelia's perceptions along the way. The book also has some great themes of finding confidence and destroying stereotypes all wrapped in a wonderful found family trope. If you are looking for something that's just fun to read, I suggest giveing The Best Little Motel in Texas a try!

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Seek the Traitor's Son by Veronica Roth
Genre: Dystopian Romance with a Scifi edge

Veronica Roth is known for her dystopian fiction. As a fan of her Divergent series, I can attest that Seek the Traitor's Son brings the same amount of drama and angst. Elegy is wrapped up in a prophetic telling that she will be the savior of her people, the Cedre. The only issue is that Rava has also been told she will be the savoir of her people, the Talusar. Elegy denies and fights her destiny. Rava is hungry for power and control. Which will rise as savior is to be determined, but the common factor is knight Theren who has his own secrets.

I really enjoyed reading Seek the Traitor's Son. The characters are dynamic and interesting. Roth has a great way of enveloping readers in their stories. There is plenty of plot twists and action as well. Very intuitive readers will find some portions of the story a bit predictable, but I don't think they make the book any less likeable. The book leans towards scifi in it's inclusion of technology and space. Of course the book ends at a pivotal moment. It makes the book feel like a part 1 rather than a book 1 in a series. I am really eager to see where this series goes and will definitely check out the next installment. 

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The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig
Genre: Fantasy / Romance

Sybil Delling, has spent nine years being drowned repeatedly in a the spring of Aisling Cathederal, reading the omens and portents for the royalty and wealthy of Traum. Six, as she is known, and her five other sister diviners live a secluded life, all chosen by the abbess as foundlings, poor, sick and without family. When the boy king and his knights arrive to have his omens read. At the taunting of his knight, Rory, she seeks out a moment of disobedience and adventure taking the others to the local Faire. Shortly after, the diviners begin to disappear. What follows is a quest for answers that will have Six questioning everything she knows and everyone she trusts.

This books surprised me. From the beginning of the story I was engaged and excited to get back every time I picked up the book. The story is pretty straight foward. The world building is interesting and unique. I will admit that portions of the story are somewhat predictable. The big reveals and twists were a little subdued for my liking; however, that did not stop my enjoyment of the story. I think the book is great for readers who want to try fantasy, like romance, but aren't committed to something that is over the top spicy or Lord of the Rings level fantasy. Overall, it was a quick fun read. I am definitely looking forward to the sequel, The Knave and the Moon. Better yet, we a copy of The Knight and the Moth available at the library. Check it out!

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The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young
Genre: Fiction, Magic Realism

June was abandoned as a baby. Her mother disappeared in the woods outside of their family flower farm. When June's aunt passes, she quickly discovers that her family is full of secrets. To make things more complicated, June is hearing voices, feeling and smelling things that are not there, and then there is the mysterious red door she's seen over the past year. When she finally opens that door, she discovers that her life and her family have had to make difficult choices and hopefully, with the help of her granmother, she can end the family curse and set things right.

This was a wonderful quick read. It is filled with romance, heartache, history, and magic. There is a bit of time travel which can be confusing at times. I suggest suspending belief just a bit and focusing on the characters and stories. I really enjoyed the overall story arch, though it did get a bit twisty at times. The characters are well developed and feel real. I was easily engaged in June's emotions and confusion. The story is well thought out. It has to be given the time travel angle. Overall, it's a really good read and one I would recommend, even to those new to magic realism.