Cedar Falls Public Library

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Curbside only at Cedar Falls Public Library: May 17-June 11, 2021

The CFPL building will be closed to the public for new carpet installation beginning May 17, 2021, but we will be doing >curbside pickup during this time. Patrons are encouraged to check out a month’s worth of materials before May 17 to last during the installation or to place holds (online via your >library account or call our service desks, listed below) on a month’s worth of materials by Monday, May 10. Staff will not have access to the shelves during the installation, so placing your holds by May 10 will ensure that staff have enough time to gather your items before the collection is inaccessible.  Computer access, B&W printing, and Wi-Fi will be available at the Community Center next door to the library.  We look forward to this overdue upgrade and thank you for your patience.

If you need assistance with holds, please call the service desk at 319-273-8643, the youth desk at 319-859-3282, or the reference desk at 319-268-5543.

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Dear Adele,
I would like to learn how to knit. Where can I find an online class on knitting?
-Feeling Creative

Dear Feeling Creative,
Try out our new database, >Creativebug! It has has thousands of award-winning art & craft video classes taught by recognized design experts and artists. It’s the number one inspirational resource for DIY, crafters, and makers! You just need your library card number to sign up.
Sincerely,
Adele

Dear Adele,
I’m hoping to find some historical Iowa newspapers. Does the library have such a thing?
-History Buff

Dear History Buff,
We have recently added a new database called Newspapers.com. There are historical newspapers from all over the state of Iowa in this. To access you will need to visit our >Databases and click Newspapers.com, then simply use your library card for access outside of the library.
Sincerely,
Adele

Dear Adele is a weekly advice column that provides answers to your questions about Cedar Falls Public Library’s digital services.

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Dear Adele,
I’m wanting to learn more about African American history and look at some records. Do records exist for this?
-Curious

Dear Curious,
There are records available through our African American Heritage database. The records included in this are from Freedman’s Bank, the federal census, military, marriages, and various registers. Visit >databases and use your library card for access outside of the library.
Sincerely,

Adele

Dear Adele,
I want to take some practice tests before I go get my driver’s license. Where do I find these?
-Need for Speed

Dear Need for Speed,
A copy of the manual and driving tests can be found at >Iowa DOT or through our website at >databases and Driver’s Ed Program.
Sincerely,
Adele

Dear Adele is a weekly advice column that provides answers to your questions about Cedar Falls Public Library’s digital services.

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Dear Adele,
I heard that the library is collecting items for a history project. Where can I find information on this?
-Wondering

Dear Wondering,
We have recently begun collecting items from the public to document the COVID-19 pandemic. Once we receive enough items these will be available through our Biblioboard service. See our >Biblioboard page for information on submitting to the project.
Sincerely,
Adele

Dear Adele,
I checked out a book on Overdrive but it’s not working on my Kindle. What should I do?
-Avid Amazon Reader

Dear Avid Amazon Reader,
There are a few things to check when using Overdrive with Kindles. There are multiple formats when you check out a book, the Kindle format is the only one that will work on Kindles. Once you select this and check out the book it will redirect you to Amazon and you will finish the checkout process via Amazon. Amazon owns all rights to Kindle so the final step needs to go through them.
Sincerely,
Adele

Dear Adele is a weekly advice column that provides answers to your questions about Cedar Falls Public Library’s digital services.

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Dear Adele,
I heard there’s a way to get free music downloads from the library. How do I do this?
-Loves to Rock

Dear Loves to Rock,
We have a service called >Freegal. When you log in with your library card, you can download up to five songs per week to keep and have up to two hours of streaming!
Sincerely,
Adele

Dear Adele,
I want to learn another language. Do you have anything with language lessons?
-Multilingual Enthusiast

Dear Multilingual Enthusiast,
We offer Transparent Language. This resource provides lessons on over 100 languages! Whether you want to learn to speak, write, read, or listen, this one resource has it all. You will need to sign up for an account to get started. Visit our >Databases page and click on Transparent Language for access.
Sincerely,
Adele

Dear Adele is a weekly advice column that provides answers to your questions about Cedar Falls Public Library’s digital services.