Newton Public Library Iowa

10/06/2026

Did you know that free tickets to upcoming performances by Ballet Des Moines are available to all Library cardholders in the state of Iowa? Tickets are limited and must be reserved in advance.

Anyone who holds a current library card from any library in the state of Iowa is eligible to receive a complimentary ticket to one of Ballet Des Moines’ mainstage performances.
Community Tickets generally become available 6-8 weeks prior to a performance.
Go to https://www.balletdesmoines.org/community-ticketing-program for more information!

10/06/2026

Did you know that select Des Moines Performing Arts shows are available on a limited basis via the Iowa Adventure Pass? The next upcoming show available is the National Geographic Live show "The Wild Wolves of Yellowstone"

The Iowa Adventure Pass is available to Newton & Lamb's Grove residents, and rural Jasper County cardholders. The cardholder must be age 18 and above, and have a card in good standing.

To reserve a pass for this show, please go to iowaadventurepass.org and select Newton Public Library, then filter your search date to November 4, 2026 and reserve the pass.

One pass admits 1 individual to the Wednesday, November 4, 2026 6:30pm performance of Wild Wolves of Yellowstone at the Des Moines Civic Center. Please only reserve the number of tickets you will be able to use (up to 8) in order to allow as many people to attend the performance as possible. Passes are limited and will go quickly, so reserve your pass as soon as possible.

To redeem this pass the confirmation (printed or digital) must be presented at the Civic Center. Pass can be redeemed up to 60 days in advance, but must be redeemed at least 45 minutes before showtime. Please go to the Ticket Office to redeem the pass. Pass holders must present the confirmation along with a photo ID that matches the name on the pass.

The pass confirmation email will have additional information about redeeming the pass. Please open the attachment when you receive your pass confirmation.

If you have questions or issues with reserving the pass, please call the Library at 641-792-4108 or stop by our Information desk.

Thank you to the Friends of the Newton Public Library, who sponsor the Library's participation in the Iowa Adventure Pass program.

10/06/2026

Congratulations to Devin Miller, age 2 1/2, who just completed the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program at the Newton Public Library! Devin received the finisher's bag of items to help him get ready for kindergarten. Devin will have a great foundation for learning with all of the books he has listened to, way to go Devin and parents!
It may sound overwhelming to read 1000 books to your child, but it isn't as hard as it sounds.
📖 Read one book a day and you’ll hit:
✔️ 365 books in 1 year
✔️ 730 books in 2 years
✔️ 1,095 books in 3 years
The 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program helps families make reading a daily routine, setting their child up for a lifetime of success. It's also a great way to bond with your child. Register your child today by stopping by the library or register online at: https://www.newtongov.org/892/1000-Books-Before-Kindergarten

10/06/2026

Trade in your gently used children's toys & pick out some new-to-you gifts!

10/06/2026

10/06/2026

October staff picks are here! Wondering what to read next? Find inspiration in our library staff's current selections. Check out our monthly staff picks list here: https://www.newtongov.org/1156/What-Were-Reading-Now

See something you like? Just click on the cover to locate the item in our catalog, or give us a call at 641-792-4108 to place a hold.

10/05/2026

This month's Kid Librarians are a brother/sister duo, Alton & Madeline DeZwarte. Alton is age 10, and Madeline is age 8.

These two are voracious readers, and Alton said he stayed up until 1:30 a.m. the other night to finish a book! Their mom said all of her kids love to stay up late reading!

Madeline said reading is fun, and she wishes that Jane O'Connor would write some more books in the Nancy Clancy series. We agree Madeline!

Madeline said her favorite books are:
The Nancy Clancy chapter books by Jane O'Connor
The American Girl books by Valerie Tripp
The Junie B. Jones books by Barbara Park
The Mermaid Tales books by Debbie Dadey
The Candy Fairies series by Helen Perelman
The Magic Tree House books by Mary Pope Osborne
The Boxcar Children series by Gertrude Chandler Warner
Ivy & Bean series by Annie Barrows
Berenstain Bears series by Stan & Jan Berenstain
Pinkalicious books by Victoria Kann

Alton recommends these books:

The 39 Clues series by various authors
The Spy School series by Stuart Gibbs
The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
The Tintin series by Herge
Unplugged by Gordan Korman
The Genius Files series by Dan Gutman
The Wings of Fire series by Tui T. Sutherland
The Investigators series by John Patrick Green
The Garfield series by Jim Davis
The Hardy Boys series by Franklin W. Dixon
Max Meow series by John Gallagher
Big Nate books by Lincoln Peirce
The Smartest Kid in the Universe by Chris Grabenstein
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein
The Island of Dr. Libris by Chris Grabenstein

10/05/2026

We will begin accepting entries for the annual Book Character Pumpkin Contest on October 15th and accept them through October 20th. Voting (in person in the library only) is October 21-27.
Pumpkins that are carved or have a lot of holes in them tend to ooze, and go bad fairly quickly when displayed indoors, so we recommend painting, decorating, gluing etc. for this contest.
We have three categories: Family (group project, pumpkins made with extensive help from adults), Classroom (group project, pumpkin made as a classroom or daycare group with adult help) and Independent category (pumpkin made and decorated without adult help, just supervision for safety) The Independent category has three age groups: Ages 4-7, Ages 8-12 and Teen (ages 13-18).
The public will vote for winners and prizes will be awarded to the top 3 in each category.
Everyone who enters a pumpkin will receive a paperback book to keep.