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Between the Lines

News about our libraries and our communities.

old-fashioned book card reading Happy Holidays

Holidays are a great time to rely on the library

I am a huge fan of the internet.  I love to “Google” that.  Facebook and I have an almost daily tryst.  Pintrest is the place to “be” and “do.”  However, I haven’t lost my first love of printed material. 

Posted: Friday, December 4, 2015 - 1:00am
Exterior shot of modern preserved one-room school house.

Where did your grandparents go to school?

Did you ever wonder how your great-grandparents, grandparents and parents learned to read and write when they were young?

In the 1800s, one-room schools dotted Jasper County.  The schools were built by neighborhoods, and the teachers who taught in the schools were often boarded by area families.

Posted: Friday, November 13, 2015 - 9:43am
Jim Bulanda posing in tux with microphone

Vegas-style crooner Jim Bulanda to perform at DeMotte Library in October

A tuxedo, swagger and a golden voice once was the hallmark of what was known as a 'man's man.' For some time now, guests at some of the region's casinos have been enjoying a tribute to this bygone era in the form of singer Jim Bulanda.

Posted: Friday, October 16, 2015 - 12:00am
red autumn tree on a hill with other autumn trees and blue skies

Autumn's beauty is a great reason to plan a road trip

Living in Indiana, one becomes familiar with nature's knack for being frivolous. Just when summer seems to have come to an end, temperatures climb.

There are, however, clear indicators that autumn follows on the heels of summer. Certainly the emerging colors of the sumac and sassafras in the woods are a portent of cooler days.

Posted: Monday, September 14, 2015 - 9:42am
Charlie Halleck is presented with a street sign bearing his name.

Happy Birthday Charlie Halleck

DeMotte statesman was born 115 years ago Saturday

Charles A. Halleck was one of DeMotte’s renowned sons.  He was born August 22, 1900 in a small house near the railroad tracks to Abraham and Lura Halleck.  His parents moved to Rensselaer when he was a small child.

Posted: Friday, August 21, 2015 - 12:00am
Visually Impaired Person Button

Yes, we serve VIP’S

Do you check out LARGE PRINT books or know someone who isn’t able to read regular print books and magazines due to a visual or physical disability?

Posted: Thursday, July 9, 2015 - 2:00pm
man parting dress shirt to reveal t-shirt that reads "you're my hero"

How do you define a hero?

Webster’s Dictionary defines a hero as: A person who is admired for great or brave acts or fine qualities. A person who is greatly admired.

Posted: Sunday, June 28, 2015 - 4:47pm
Library presentation

State gives consumers tips to combat identity theft

Identity theft and fraud is a concern for many Americans but Melissa Miller of the Indiana Attorney General's office says there are safeguards that can help ease troubled minds.

Miller spoke at the Rensselaer Library on June 2, sharing tips and information with patrons.

Posted: Monday, June 8, 2015 - 12:00am

Local author Charles Kerlin to speak at Rensselaer Library in June

Charles Kerlin began writing his novel, ‘Fishing’s No Good Without You’ when he was enrolled in the Iowa Writer’s Workshop graduate program.

Posted: Wednesday, June 3, 2015 - 5:10pm
Photo of Col. Mark L. DeMotte

What's in a name? DeMotte

Have you ever wondered where some of our small towns got their names? The Town of DeMotte's name dates back to just after the Civil War, and was named after a man from the region who was well known and respected in Jasper County.

Posted: Monday, May 11, 2015 - 12:00am