Aktuelle Aktivitäten

Aktuelle Aktivitäten der Bibliothek


American Library in Karlsruhe/ March 23, 2024

Tea Time

Another wonderful afternoon spent at the library this past Saturday - the second American Library Tea Time!

Scones, hot cross buns, cucumber sandwiches, etc., and, of course, tea!

We learned a bit about the history of traditional afternoon teas, what low tea is (as opposed to high tea) and how to properly drink tea - all the information was found in our very own library books!

For additional entertainment, poetry and short stories were read aloud. The conversations were equally good.

Thanks to Steffi, Becci and Vanessa! Looking forward to the next one, because all those present agreed there should be a next one!


American Library in Karlsruhe/ January 25, 2024

Reading:  Iryna Kupchynska

Iryna Kupchynska read from her essays and poetry dealing with her "schizophrenic" existence between war torn Kiev (and Ukraine) and the peaceful vineyards of the Pfalz, where she was a Writer in Residence in 2022 — black humor included! Insightful. Heart wrenching.


American Library in Karlsruhe/ December 1, 2023

Christmas Carol Singalong

Full house at the American Library!

We were so pleased to welcome such a great turnout at the Christmas carol singalong on December 1. The event was first held in 2015 but underwent an involuntary three-year hiatus because of the pandemic, so there was a lot of excitement about finally being able to resume a beloved holiday tradition at the Library. As ever, Michael's piano accompaniment kept the crowd in good cheer, and in between singing plenty of evergreen favorites, we enjoyed a recitation of How The Grinch Stole Christmas, a performance by a budding musician, a quiz and a holiday game. Please reach out if you'd like to contribute something to next year's singalong! We'd love to have you participate.


American Library in Karlsruhe/ November 18, 2023

Book and Bake Sale

It was great to see so many happy faces at the American Library for our famous and fabulous Book and Bake Sale!

At the Bake Sale we sold American classics like Apple Pie and Rice Krispies Treats, German classics like Käsekuchen and Apfelkuchen, and great additions such as Australian Lamingtons and Food for the Gods from the Philippines. Steve even set up a Bagel Table! Thanks to everyone for baking!

The Book Sale saw young and old finding treasures! A mother was looking for books for her daughter. The mother said: "I found the perfect book for you." The daughter saw the book and hugged it with a huge smile on her face! Absolutely heart-warming. See you again in spring!


American Library in Karlsruhe/ November 15, 2023

MovieTalk Special

MovieTalk was all about gorillas this time around! First we watched a film about Dian Fossey. As a special guest we welcomed the author Elisa Jakob, whose new novel (Die Mutter der Berggorillas) about Dian Fossey just came out. Elisa answered questions about the differences between Fossey's real life and the movie.

After a long Covid break, we hope MovieTalk will be a regular event again starting in January.


American Library in Karlsruhe/ October 27, 2023

Halloween Fun!

Halloween fun at the American Library.

Stories for Kids 6&Up with help from the TeenTimers in the afternoon.

The famous Hogwarts Library Halloween Night was held in the evening.


  • American Library in Karlsruhe/ September 22, 2023

    Among Us Game Night - in Real Life!

    On Friday, September 22nd, the American Library welcomed crew members and Impostors aboard the Library Spaceship for a real life game analogous to the online game Among Us.

    The teens take on roles in a spaceship crew and have to complete a variety of tasks on board the spaceship — in our case, in the appropriately decorated library. They have to prove their physical fitness with push-ups in the Energy Booster, produce alien slime in the Space Lab or shoot down asteroids with a Nerf gun. The task is made more difficult by the previously drawn Impostor, whose goal it is to eliminate the crew members. If the crew manages to expose the Impostor, the crew wins...otherwise the round goes to the Impostor.

    Good thing crew and Impostors could fortify themselves with galactically good astronaut food from Planet Pizza during this tricky task!

    For all the teens who unfortunately couldn't fit in the spaceship, next year there will be another Among Us Space Mission at the American Library! Stay tuned!

    Many adults wanted to sign up as well - should we do an adult version at the library?


    American Library in Karlsruhe/ July 26, 2023

    Storytime for Kids 3-5

    Another great Storytime for Kids 3-5!

    Wonderful to see the Dads reading and crafting!


    American Library in Karlsruhe/ July 21, 2023

    Stories for Kids 6 & Up AND TeenTime

    The Kids 6 & Up and the Teens both made the same craft on the last meeting before the summer break - decorating their very own book tote bags.


    The younger ones drew their own designs using markers.

    The teens used stencils and spray paint.


    Did they fill them up with books to read over the summer?

    Not yet - the bags needed time to dry.


    American Library in Karlsruhe/ July 7, 2023

    Stories for Kids 6 & Up

    After reading Noah's Seal by Layn Marlow, the kids had fun making seals and other animals. Join us for the next Stories on July 21st!


    American Library in Karlsruhe/ Baseball Workshop June 23, 2023

    Baseball Workshop

    The best coaches ever:  Berni DiMaggio and Julia Mantle!

    Another great event brought to you by the American Library in Karslruhe. Lots of happy people and smiling faces bringing a good old American tradition to Karlsruhe.


    See you next year!


    American Library in Karlsruhe/ Special Projects 2022-23

    Building Tables From Old Books

    1. Make sure all the tools are ready: drop cloths, folding rulers, gloves, silicone, glue, tongue depressors, band clamps etc.

    2. Sort out the books to find the best suited ones.

    3. The wood base with attached wheels was made at home by Angela. Thanks! To make sure the books stick to the base, use silicone lots of silicone!

    5. Silicone, silicone, silicone!

    6. Finished!

    4. More silicone! And lots of womenpower to make sure everything is as it should be.


    American Library in Karlsruhe/ A random Thursday in May

    The Library Stuffed Animals Recommend Books

    Winnie the Pooh reading Winnie the Pooh.

    Hanna and Scaredy reading together!

    Scaredy showing off his autobiographical books.

    Wild things recommend reading Where the Wild Things Are.

    Hanna reading to ALL the library animals!


    American Library in Karlsruhe/Teen Time May 26, 2023

    Teen Time:  Crayon Drip Paintings

    The Teens always find new things to do!


    Here crayons are melted and drip paintings are created.


    Please join the TeenTimers if you are in grade 5 or older!


    American Library in Karlsruhe/Reading May 12, 2023

    Reading:  Jessica J. Lee

    In her first book Turning: A Swimmer’s Memoir Jessica J. Lee, a Canadian ecological historian, describes her year-long project of swimming in 52 lakes in and around Berlin – in all seasons and all weathers. She takes us on an exploration of the science and history of the lakes, but also on a journey of emotional perception and psychological healing.


    Thank you for a very informative and entertaining talk!


    In the picture we see Jessica breaking the ice to go swimming in the winter without any special gear - just a swimsuit.


    This book as well as Jessica's memoir Two Trees Make a Forest are available at the American Library (B/LEE).


    American Library in Karlsruhe/Reading April 28, 2023

    Singalong Concert


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    Our singalong concert tradition is back after a short Corona break!


    Andy Riedinger, Tom Fischer and J.S. Schmidt, also known as Baton Rouge, played country and folk hits by John Denver, Ralph McTell, Albert Hammond and many more.

    Lyrics were provided and the crowd enjoyed singing and tapping along. During intermission a glass of Kentucky Bourbon or a non-alcoholic beverage was enjoyed.


    Let's hope the tradition continues!


    American Library in Karlsruhe/March 25, 2023

    Book and Bake Sale

    After a long dry spell of no Book and Bake Sales because of Corona, the library was full again with those wishing to buy bargain books and taste homemade cakes. As a bonus, old friends were seen again and new friends were made. The cakes were sold out and the book room has fewer books - we don't think it will ever be empty! See you again in the fall for another wonderful Book and Bake Sale.

    Before

    After. See you in the fall!


    American Library in Karlsruhe/Read ALOUD Month March 2023

    Read ALOUD Month

    March 2023 is Read ALOUD Month at the American Library. Stop by to learn about the benefits of reading aloud. It's good for all ages.

    Take our quiz and for a bonus point, read out loud to your friends, family or our eager listeners - the librarians and the library animals.

    Three prizes each will be awarded (by random drawing) to under 18s (main prize is a gift certificate to the Filmpalast am ZKM) and those 18 and older (main prize is a gift certificate for the restaurant Fünf just downstairs).

    Here are some of our readers who have already participated.


    American Library in Karlsruhe/Teen Time (10.02.2023)

    Bookfaces

    During the last TeenTime, library books were matched with our young readers - Bookfaces!


    American Library in Karlsruhe/Library Tour (January 2023)

    Library Tour

    Library tours are a great way to find out about everything the library has to offer. They are available in English or German, and are aimed for school groups. Just call the library well ahead of time to schedule your tour. They are usually held in the mornings when the library is closed for the public.

    The photos below are students from the European School in Karlsruhe.


    American Library in Karlsruhe/Teen Time (9.12.2022)

    Weihnachtliche TeenTime

    On December 9th, the young adult section smelled a lot like Christmas, with the aromas of Glühpunch and Lebkuchen wafting through the library. The TeenTime Crew turned the very cool young adult section into a German-American Christmas bakery with the help of one fondue pot, three waffle irons, a portable speaker and a Christmas playlist.

    Who ever said you need an oven to bake? By thinking outside of the box, we used the waffle irons to bake three different flavored cookies — chocolate, sugar and gingerbread. After an hour, some singing and debating on what Christmas songs are worth listening to, the Teens had produced a good number of cookies to take home and share with their loved ones.

    As always, thanks to Julia the librarian and the rest of the Friday library staff for giving the Teens a space of their own and putting up with our sometimes outlandish ideas.

    All of us from Teen Time wish you a very merry Christmas and a healthy and happy 2023.


    American Library in Karlsruhe/Storytime in English for Kids 3-5 (November 2022)

    Storytime in Englisch for Kids 3-5

    Es ist immer wieder schön zu sehen, wie sich unsere kleinsten Gäste an einem guten Buch erfreuen!


    American Library in Karlsruhe/Kunstausstellung (08.10.2022)

    Freg Goraieb: American Southern Landscapes

    Am vergangenen Samstag drehte sich in der American Library alles um KUNST und MUSIK – die Eröffnung der Ausstellung „American Southern Landscapes“ des amerikanischen Künstlers Fred Goraieb mit musikalischen Gästen Das Bluegrass-Bibliotheksprojekt. Es war eine großartige Gelegenheit, alte Freunde zu sehen, neue Freunde zu finden, zu essen, zu plaudern, Musik zu hören und Kunst anzusehen! Falls Sie die Eröffnung verpasst haben, sind die Gemälde während der regulären Öffnungszeiten der Bibliothek bis zum 23. Dezember zu sehen.


    American Library in Karlsruhe/Stories for Kids 6 & Up (30.09.2022)

    Ziegen!

    ZIEGEN! MAAAH!

    Am 30. September gab es eine spezielle "Stories for Kids 6 & Up". Unsere Bibliotheksnachbarn besitzen Ziegen und waren so nett, uns etwas mehr über diese interessanten Tiere zu erzählen. Julia, die Superbibliothekarin, las „The Three Bill Goats Gruff“. Einige der Kinder konnten sogar mit der Ziegenkutsche fahren. Wie cool ist das?


    Amerikanische Bibliothek in Karlsruhe/Volunteers

    Vielen Dank an die Ehrenamtlichen!

    Glückliche Ehrenamtliche (und zwei Bibliothekare) nach einem Rundgang durch die Nordstadt und die ehemalige Smiley-Kaserne.


    American Library in Karlsruhe/TeenTime (08.07.2022)

    Baseball-Workshop


    Großen Spaß hatten die TeenTimer (und einige ihrer Eltern) beim „Baseball Workshop“ mit Bernard Zimmermann. Dank zweier großzügiger Mütter gab es Eis für alle! Am Ende wurden die Baseballhandschuhe zum Gesang „2 – 4 – 6 – 8 – wir schätzen die American Library!“ in die Luft geworfen.



    Friends of the American Library in Karlsruhe/Friends Annual Meeting (7.10.2021)

    25 Jahre!

    Nach der Friends-Jahrestagung am 07.10.2021 gab es eine kleine Feier: 25 Jahre Friends (2020), 25 Jahre Bibliotheksengagement von Julia (2020) und 25 Jahre American Library als Teil der Stadtbibliothek Karlsruhe ( 2021). Hier ist eine unserer beiden Lieblingsbibliothekarinnen, Julia, mit einigen Geschenken: Blumen, Wein, ein ihr und über sie gewidmetes und geschriebenes Gedicht und eine Kopie des Fotos, das von ihr aus einem kürzlich erschienenen BNN-Artikel über die Bibliothek (vom 25.09. 2021). Auf weitere 25 Jahre! Hoffentlich können wir bald mit euch allen feiern!

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