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With Earth Day right around the corner (next Tuesday, April 22), there’s no better time to pick up a book that blends magic, nature, and environmental awareness in the most enchanting way. This week’s Page Turner Tuesday book is “The Nature of Witches” by Rachel Griffin. This stunning debut not only captivates with its elemental magic but also delivers a timely message about our connection to the natural world.

In Griffin’s beautifully imagined world, witches draw their powers from the seasons, each with unique strengths and vulnerabilities tied to nature’s rhythm. Clara, the only Everwitch, can wield magic across all seasons, a gift that may be the key to healing a climate spiraling out of control. As climate disasters grow more frequent, Clara is forced to face not only the power she possesses but the consequences of using it.

You can find “The Nature of Witches” in e-book and audiobook format in the IDEA by ICfL collection via the Libby or Sora app.

This book is a heartfelt tribute to the earth and a quiet, powerful call to protect it. Through Clara’s journey, Griffin explores themes of environmental responsibility and personal growth. It’s the kind of story that doesn’t just entertain—it inspires reflection, empathy, and maybe even action.

So, if you’re looking to celebrate Earth Day with a book that weaves the beauty and fury of nature into every page, “The Nature of Witches” is the perfect pick.

This book is recommended for ages 14 and older.

Many have been asking how the Idaho Commission for Libraries (ICfL) is fairing following recent state and federal budget challenges, and I wanted to provide a brief update.

Since 1965, all states have received continuously appropriated federal funds to support library development. These funds currently account for 28% of the ICfL’s ongoing budget. (Here is a fact sheet for ICfL’s current federal funding.) Following a recent presidential executive order, three states were notified last week that their agreements with the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) have been terminated.

Accessing federal funds has become increasingly delayed for Idaho and other states as most IMLS staff were laid off and disbursements can only be requested in 30-day increments. Given the growing uncertainty surrounding this vital funding source, ICfL has implemented the following changes:

• Suspended Continuing Education grants.
• Ended a program supplementing e-book platform costs for libraries serving populations under 2,000.
• Cancelled the 2025 Summer Summit, an annual professional development event for Idaho school library staff.
• Pausing all other expenditures until more information is forthcoming.

In addition, the ICfL did not receive full spending authority from the Idaho Legislature for the federally funded Digital Access for All Idahoans Plan in the upcoming fiscal year. As a result, the agency must eliminate a position that supported digital navigator projects in June. ICfL will also not be allowed to open another round of monetary subgrants as initially planned for fiscal year 2026.

Separately, due to the Idaho Humanities Council’s loss of federal funding, the Let’s Talk About It program will be paused indefinitely. Development of a new America250 theme that would have rolled out soon will be halted.

The ICfL did hear late this afternoon that a federal draw that was requested came through. The ICfL Board also granted authority to utilize Library Services Improvement Funds to help cover personnel expenses should they be delayed.

A lawsuit filed by 20 state attorney generals to stop the executive order is scheduled to be heard in court on Friday, April 18, 2025.

A second lawsuit has been filed by Democracy Forward on behalf of the American Library Association.

Thank you for your patience and support as we navigate these challenging times and process changing news on a daily basis. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

The Idaho Board of Library Commissioners will convene for a special meeting on Friday, April 11, at 10 a.m. MDT / 9 a.m. PDT.

The commissioners will meet on Zoom:  

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89771667152?pwd=AcN3QLQPcdcnN2aFidDYdUgQvMYm59.1 

Meeting ID: 897 7166 7152 

Passcode: 2150  

Join by phone: 1-206-337-9723 

This is an entirely virtual meeting. Members of the public may watch the livestream from the Idaho Commission for Libraries office, 325 W. State Street in Boise.

Copies of the agenda and board documents are available from the office of the State Librarian or on the Board Documents webpage.

This week’s Page Turner Tuesday pick is “No More School, April Fools!” by Dan Gutman, a hilarious and heartwarming My Weird School Special. In this installment, A.J. and his 4th grade classmates at Ella Mentry School are gearing up for April Fools’ Day, and you can bet that things are about to get weird! The chaos that unfolds as the students prepare for the ultimate prank showdown is a non-stop rollercoaster of laughs and unexpected twists.

What makes this book so much fun is its fast-paced, lighthearted nature. From the very first page, you’ll be pulled into the antics of A.J. and his friends as they plan and execute increasingly ridiculous pranks. Whether it’s a whoopee cushion in the teacher’s chair or a harmless joke that goes too far, the book captures the excitement and chaos of April Fools’ Day.

Beyond the laughs, “No More School, April Fools!” also delivers valuable lessons about friendship, responsibility, and the importance of knowing when a joke has gone too far.

You can find “No More School, April Fool’s!” in e-book and audiobook format in the IDEA by ICfL collection via the Libby or Sora app.

While the pranks are funny, they also lead to moments of growth for the characters, reminding readers that fun should always come with a little consideration for others.

Perfect for dedicated fans and newcomers alike, “No More School, April Fools!” is a must-read for anyone looking for a fun, quick escape into a world of laughter and lighthearted mischief. Whether you’re a seasoned prankster or just looking for a good laugh, this book will keep you turning pages from start to finish!

How will you celebrate April Fool’s Day?

☘️St. Patrick’s Day is next Monday! Will you be celebrating in any of the traditional ways – wearing green, eating corned beef and cabbage, or…?

Consider a colorful celebration with the Crayons! The Green Crayon will be the star of the show, seeing as how green is the color of St. Patrick’s Day, right? Hmmm… the other Crayons may have something to say about that!

In Happy St. Patrick’s Day from the Crayons, the Crayons are having a heated discussion about who the real star of the day should be:

• Yellow and Orange argue over who should color the gold at the end of the rainbow.
• Red insists that hearts and leprechaun beards need some attention, too!
• Blue wants to paint the sky for a perfect St. Paddy’s parade.
• And poor White? Well, he’s feeling a bit invisible again…

You can find Happy St. Patrick’s Day from the Crayons in e-book format in the IDEA by ICfL collection via the Libby or Sora app.

This delightful mix of colorful chaos is one of many books about the Crayons, including “The Day the Crayons Quit” by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers.

So, as you plan your St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, grab your crayons, draw a lucky four-leaf clover (or rainbow, pot of gold, etc.), and pick up a book that makes you smile! And don’t forget – while Green may be the official color of the day, every crayon in the box has a role to play in telling a great story. 🌈

Idaho public and school libraries are encouraged to celebrate “Two Lights for Tomorrow” on April 18-19, 2025. Two Lights for Tomorrow is a nationwide initiative to start the celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States of America. The famous ride of Paul Revere occurred overnight on April 18 – 19, 1775. Two Lights for Tomorrow commemorates that famous ride and uses the imagery of that shining light today as a uniting call to action for our citizens to celebrate and serve.

A toolkit of activities and ideas to participate in this nationwide campaign, including ideas for how you can light your library, can be found at https://america250.idaho.gov/events-calendar/two-lights-for-tomorrow/. If your library is planning a commemoration, please let ICfL Public Information Officer Donna Eggers know and send a photo if you can!

April is Strengthening Families Month (formerly Child Abuse Prevention Month) and is a time when libraries can highlight resources for their communities that strengthen families and help prevent child abuse. The Idaho Commission for Libraries (ICfL) has several resources to help Idaho libraries strengthen families and prevent child abuse and neglect:

• Check out this handout on concrete ways libraries can strengthen families.
• Use these storytime plans (or create your own!) that focus on the five protective factors that help mitigate the effects of ACEs.
• Display pinwheels in front of your library during the month of April to represent what we want for every child: a healthy, happy, and carefree childhood. Order your free pinwheels here. Orders must be placed by March 17, 2025.
• Learn more about Strengthening Families Month and get resources from our partners at the Idaho Children’s Trust Fund.
• Find more about how libraries can get involved on our website: https://libraries.idaho.gov/rtm/read-to-me-resources/libraries-strengthen-families/

The past few years have been difficult for many Idaho families. Libraries have a unique role to play in strengthening families in their communities, especially during times of crisis. By providing access to resources and information, libraries can help families build protective factors that mitigate the effect of Adverse Childhood Experiences, or ACEs. Strong families lead to better outcomes for children and reduced instances of child abuse and neglect. Thank you for all that you do to serve families in your community.

Imagine setting off on a cross-country motorcycle trip, but instead of smooth highways and roadside diners, you’re facing dirt roads, deep mud, and … laws against women wearing pants? That’s exactly what Augusta and Adeline Van Buren deal with in The Van Buren Sisters vs. the Pants Police, a thrilling and inspiring biographical picture book by J. F. Fox. 

In 1916, the Van Buren sisters set out to prove that women were just as capable as men — especially regarding military service. Their goal? Ride their motorcycles from New York to California to show that women could handle tough terrain, long distances, and whatever obstacles came their way. But their biggest challenge wasn’t the road — it was the outdated laws and attitudes that said women shouldn’t wear pants or ride motorcycles. Along the way, they faced arrests, disbelief, and plenty of trouble. But they never backed down.

You can find The Van Buren Sisters vs. the Pants Police in e-book format in the IDEA by ICfL collection via the Libby or Sora app.

This book is perfect for young readers who love adventure, history, and stories of fearless trailblazers. With bold illustrations and a fast-paced narrative aimed at early elementary readers, The Van Buren Sisters vs. the Pants Police brings history to life while celebrating determination, courage, and the power of breaking the rules when they don’t make sense!

The Van Buren sisters were just two of many women who worked toward equality for women.

Looking for more books about tenacious women in history? Explore the IDEA by ICfL collection via the Libby or Sora app for K-12 materials. Or check out your local library’s digital collection for materials beyond K-12.

Have you ever visited a library to use their Talkbox and Shello Machine? How about borrowing a pair of Dorothy Detector shoes to test your soil? Don’t worry if you answered “No.” to both of those questions! These are items and services imagined and prototyped during a Things From Futures Libraries workshop.

Never heard of such a workshop? Only a few who participated in SPLAT’s (Special Projects Library Action Team) test workshops over the last two years have! The Things From Futures Libraries toolkit was created and tested to help libraries host their own versions of this event. The toolkit guides you through a participatory design activity where everyone is invited to imagine and prototype services, programs, and borrowable items from a library in a future of their choice. Designed and tested by library staff, the toolkit includes slides, handouts, and talking points to help you and your participants imagine potential futures and how a library in that future could support their community.

Items from the “Re-Wilding Humanitarian Library” that exists in a future that is post-catastrophic due to climate change. “The Talkbox” shares information out and the “Shello” crab claws are a two-way radio that patrons use to communicate their requests to library staff.

From the “Re-Wilding Humanitarian Library,” the “Dorothy Detector Shoes” that detect soil quality, content, and viability to see what grows best in certain areas. No need to return this item; just click the heels together three times and they’ll find their way home to the library!

From participants:

“This was a fun collaborative experience. We were able to be creative and solve interesting problems.”

“The training was very good. It went through all phases of the process of building a library of the future. The pacing of the different steps was helpful to see how each step improved on the work done before.”

“I learned to feel more comfortable about the future of libraries through exploring the possibilities. It was incredibly fun and eased my discomfort in the future.”

Who is this activity for?

The event can be run as a staff in-service day, part of a strategic planning session with your board, an event with your community, or any other group you would like to imagine with.

Why should I do this event at my library?

If you work in a library, you encounter changes all the time! What if you felt better prepared to face these changes? Being futures literate empowers our imaginations and enhances our ability to prepare, recover, and innovate as changes occur.

Re-Wilding Humanitarian Library team at Idaho Library Association 2023. Pictured from left to right are Rachel Welker, Jen Tiedtke, Irene Benvenuti, and Tina Schilling.

Is this play or is it work?

Both! Play is a powerful tool that enhances our ability to learn and incorporate what we learn into daily life, while stretching and strengthening our futures thinking muscles. Research has shown major learning benefits associated with play, and we’ve found playfulness to be an important ingredient when facilitating strategic thinking about the future. Check out the National Institute for Play for more information on this topic.
The future has not happened yet, so you can let your imagination go wild! Download the Things From Future Libraries Toolkit to run your own event and learn more about the toolkit in a special Futures Thinking issue of SPLAT’s Curiosity Report. Discover other ways you can incorporate these ideas into your work with the Futures Thinking for Libraries Toolkit.