About The Display Twenty wooden dinosaurs were originally made in 1994 for use by the students at the Iowa Braille & Sight Saving School in Vinton. There are now more than 100 dinosaurs available for check out by area libraries and schools. These dinosaurs have been viewed & handled by thousands of young Iowans, and with your help, many more will be able to enjoy them. All of the wood used in making the dinosaurs is from Iowa, except for the Redwood and Eastern Cedar. There are many different kinds of wood in these displays. The more common ones used are : Oak, Maple, Pines & Firs of all species, Walnut, Cherry, Cottonwood, Hackberry, Red Cedar, Apple, Pear, Osage Orange, Hickory, Ash, Basswood, Elm, and Birch. Guidelines For The Borrower: The borrowing library or school is responsible for picking up the dinosaurs and returning them. The Solon Library accepts liability & responsibility for them while in the Solon Library but not when checked out to others. Scheduling of the dinosaurs done through the Solon Library. There is a 2 week maximum for checking out the dinosaurs, and this is done on a first come, first served basis. The phone number for the Solon Public Library is (319)624-2678 Borrowers are expected to purchase a dinosaur book in return for the use of the dinosaurs. The borrower's name should be placed in the book along with the signatures of the students that used the dinosaurs. The book will be placed in the Solon Public Library. Borrowers are asked to come to the Solon Library prior to the pick up, or at the time of pick up, to select the dinosaurs they would like to use. Where this is not possible or practicable, other arrangements may be made. There are several men in Solon willing to use their personal vehicles to deliver the dinosaurs to the schools, depending on the distance and timing. Requests must be made for this service. Suggestions For The Use & Display Of The Dinosaurs The larger dinosaurs should be placed on the floor. The large BRACHIOSAURUS is the only one sturdy enough for the children to sit on. The bipedal ones (not placed on the floor) should be placed on a large table or shelf. A bag of tools is provided so the legs & arms can be tightened as needed. (Some schools assign this task to boys or girls who can profit from this responsibility). Encourage the children to turn in broken dinosaurs (with the pieces) so they can be repaired. Many times they can be glued with very little effort, if we have all of the pieces. Please do not make a big deal out of one being broken. We want the children to be able to feel and touch the dinosaurs. Please do not let children have more than ONE puzzle on a table at one time. When young children look at the puzzles, they seem easier than they are Start off with the easier puzzles first (fewer pieces.)If you are unable to get them back in place with the rubber band around, put all of the pieces in a plastic bag. Please ask the children not to use the Dinos to fight one another or strike each other. This only leads to disaster.