What's New @ Your Memphis Public Library & Information Center

By: Marcey Evans

Join the club! Everyone is invited to join the Summer Reading Club 2013 at any Memphis Public Library location. From June 1 – July 28, children, teens, and adults can cash in on the benefits of reading.

“It’s free, it’s fun, and it’s easy,” said Mary Seratt, Library youth services coordinator and event organizer. “Participants can win prizes for doing something that’s free, fun, and easy!”

In addition to winning prizes, youthful readers can avoid the summer slump as they “Dig into Reading” – the children’s theme for this year’s event. “Non-readers can lose between two and three months of progress over the summer,” Seratt explained. “That means teachers have to spend time re-teaching skills students learned before the break, instead of covering new material.”

Humanities manager and teen coordinator Everna Andrews said teens can get “Beneath the Surface” during Summer Reading too. “Reading is empowering,” she said. It provides a three-in-one experience, allowing teens to be the student, the teacher, and the master by using their eyes and minds. Reading is like money in the bank and in your pockets too,” Andrews said.

The report "The City and its Libraries" is available as an Adobe Acrobat document.  The free reader is available here.

By: Marcey Evans

Across the Atlantic Ocean, a world away, lies the country of Sweden. To celebrate Memphis in May, teens (ages 12 – 16) can visit this distant country and experience its culture and customs first-hand without leaving Memphis.

SwedeFest will take place on Thursday, May 16, 2013, 3 pm, at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library (3030 Poplar Avenue) in meeting room L-56 on the first floor. From ABBA music and games to cultural food and fashion, teens will get a taste of what Sweden has to offer.

“We are going to show teens a side of Swedish culture that is both pop and contemporary,” said Humanities librarian Ashley Roach of the Central Library. “We will show several short Swedish films, images of Sweden’s famous ice hotels, and we’ll host a contest making ice hotels from sugar cubes!”

“It will be like taking a mini trip to Sweden,” added Humanities librarian Keshia Williams. “Teens can expect to learn about Sweden while having fun.”

A getaway without getting away, teens who attend SwedeFest will understand Swedish culture and the world in new ways. “We tend to get wrapped up into our own surroundings and neglect the world as a whole,” Williams said. “So, come ready to have fun!”

By: Marcey Evans

An author’s signature adds a personal touch to a book, turning it from printed words on bound pages to its owner’s treasured possession.

“People develop strong feelings for their favorite authors and having a signed book means that the author actually held it long enough to sign it,” said Sherman Dixon, Friends of the Library volunteer.

Starting in June 2013, hundreds of these valued items will be available for sale during the first week of each month throughout the remainder of the year. For a limited time, signed book lovers can take advantage of this sale at the Second Editions Bookstore, located in the lobby of the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library (3030 Poplar Avenue).

Friends of the Library volunteers say shoppers will find racks of signed books on a variety of topics ranging from fiction to politics to sports and much more. “There will really be some nice (signed) books for the first week of each month,” said Friend of the Library volunteer Herm Markell. “This is a very unique opportunity for people to own a (signed) book whose author is meaningful to them.”

After years of collecting signed book donations, Friends of the Library volunteers say Second Edition’s customers can choose from a list of familiar names. “We have now accumulated enough signed copies to offer a wide and impressive selection that will appeal to a large number of customers,” Dixon said.

By: Marcey Evans

When librarians and musicians join forces, the result is Family Tunes and Tales, a musical narrative that transforms children’s storytime into a dramatic presentation of the arts.

This free entertainment offers kids (ages 3 – 8) and their families a chance to experience storybooks read aloud, accompanied by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. Whether woodwinds, brass, percussion, strings, or a kinder trio, stories are brought to life with each musical note and turning page.

Families are invited to attend the final concerts of the season, each on Saturday, May 11, 2013 at 11 am.

          Abiyoyo by Pete Seeger              
          Kinder Trio
          Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
          3030 Poplar Avenue 
          Memphis, Tennessee 38111
          (901) 415-2700

By: Marcey Evans

Webster defines “volunteer” as someone who renders a service, but the Memphis Public Library and Information Center defines our volunteers as kind-hearted and selfless individuals who take time to give back, individuals deserving of recognition.

On Sunday, April 21, 2013 Library employees and friends recognized and thanked all volunteers Library system wide, a total of 590 individuals who volunteered more than 34,000 hours. Director of Libraries Keenon McCloy opened the program with a word of gratitude: “You come on Christmas. You come if it’s snowing. We know our volunteers will be here. Today is our day to celebrate you.”

The program, entitled “Celebrate Service,” began with the melodious tunes of Grammy-nominated producer and musician Kurt “KC” Clayton, who played the piano throughout the evening. Following Director McCloy, Memphis Mayor A C Wharton shared his sentiments about Library volunteers, stating that they help to “enlighten” society. “Volunteers are the folks who make you feel right at home,” Wharton said. “They say, ‘Ask me. There’s no such thing as a stupid question. I’m here – not because of a check – but I’m here to help,’” he added.

By: Marcey Evans

Imagine a place where there’s live music, balloons, face painting, and rows of books! No, it’s not a carnival. It’s the Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale coming to the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library (3030 Poplar Avenue) from 10 am to 4:30 pm on May 10 – 11, 2013. A pre-sale for Friends of the Library members will be held from 8 am to 10 am on Friday, May 10.

Customers can find a variety of genres for a fraction of the price. Friends of the Library President Jacque Jenkins said a little money will go a long way. “You can find any kind of book. And, you can’t beat the prices; that’s for sure,” she said.

These gently-used items, which were donated or previously a part of the Library’s collection, are now up for grabs. But, book sale customers can expect to find several other options in addition to books. “We also have vinyl records, CDs, movies, and magazines,” said Jenkins.

On Saturday, May 11 customers will enjoy live music while they shop, compliments of alternative music band “Ambient,” which consists of high school students Jordan Finney, Joseph Finney, Franklin Wallace, and Ben Whitehorn. Kids can also play with balloons or have their faces painted while their parents stock up on books. There’s something for everyone!

By: Marcey Evans

If the streets of Memphis and Alabama could talk, they might tell the story of the Civil Rights Movement, which occurred in part on that very pavement. Social injustice, marches for equality, and subsequent conflict would undoubtedly depict the tale along with the civil rights leaders who led peaceful protests.

This story, which lives in the minds of those who experienced it firsthand, is the subject of exhibit “50 Years Forward,” a traveling display from Birmingham, Alabama commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Movement there. The exhibit is on display in the Goodwyn Gallery of the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library now through April 24, 2013 for the public to enjoy.

Illustrating photos of Dr. King in a Birmingham jail and a uniform of Birmingham police to information on civil rights leader Medgar Evers, the Beckwith Conviction, and the “White press” of that day, the exhibit recaps America’s history with photos, videos, and actual items from the historical movement.

Shots rang out from smoking barrels. Soldiers fell. Their blood stained the ground on Shiloh Hill. This was the story of the Battle of Shiloh, a war fought in April 1862 between the Union and Confederate armies over the issue of slavery.

On Thursday, April 18, 2013 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., customers to the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library (3030 Poplar Avenue) can revisit Shiloh Hill during a film entitled Shiloh: A Fiery Trial. This convincing re-enactment chronicles the two-day battle in the actual location where it was fought on the Shiloh battlefield.

“Our history tells us where we have been, where we are, and where we are going,” said Library Deputy Director Fred Bannerman-Williams. “A society that doesn’t know its history is lost. This information will make us a better informed community,” he said.

The documentary complements a recent program at the Library called “Let’s Talk About It: Making Sense of the American Civil War.” (See www.memphislibrary.org/whatsnew/americancivilwar2013.) This five-part, scholar-led reading and discussion paved the way to the documentary, which will bring the series to life.

“The role of the Library is to present the past, present, and future. When people attend these programs, they are informed, empowered, and engaged in the community,” Bannerman-Williams said. “It will help our community to move forward.”

Library customers are encouraged to wear historical costumes and come prepared to travel back in time.