Previous Stories From What's New

 By: Marcey Evans

Books aren’t the only things library customers can check out. Now, the “smartest” card in your wallet offers access to laptops which can be checked out for internal use at any library branch system wide.

No line. No waiting. Customers needing to use computers no longer have to wait on the next desktop computer. They can use these printer-ready laptops equipped with current software such as Microsoft Office 2010.

“Come, check them out, and use them,” advised JobLINC Services Manager Robyn Stone, who helped to secure the mobile computers for public use. “We are expanding access with these laptops. While we have hundreds of computers, they were not enough. We have WiFi access at each (library) location, and we have the resources to satisfy our customers’ need to know.”

More than 170 laptops were purchased for Memphis public libraries through the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP), a federal grant meant to increase access to health information, workforce development training, financial literacy resources, and job search assistance in urban areas. After state government secured federal dollars, the City of Memphis also contributed to the fund, which totaled more than $200,000. This gift was given to the Library system to “bridge the gap between Tennessee’s impoverished and unemployed,” as outlined in the grant’s overall objective.

To reach this ambitious goal, each laptop has icons that are connected to websites on the aforementioned topics, along with a hyperlink to the JobLINC web page (http://www.memphislibrary.org/joblinc). Connecting people to employers and other resources, this web page offers job readiness information, career planning and assessment, classes and workshops, facts for small businesses, test preparation and practice, computer tutorials, and connections to several other opportunities.

To check out a laptop, customers must be 18 years of age with a Library card and valid Tennessee driver’s license or government-issued picture identification. Users must complete a one-page laptop registration form and review the checkout policy with a librarian.

“We’re here to help you,” Stone said. “We just want customers to take advantage of this opportunity to become familiar with this technology.”

For more information on how to check out a laptop, call your local library branch or visit any circulation desk. At Central Library, laptops are available on the third floor in the Business/Sciences Department.

“We only ask that you bring a flash drive, if you’re working on your resume,” Stone added.

By: Marcey Evans

Today’s nerds and geeks are tomorrow’s professionals, and the Memphis Public Library and Information Center is committed to supporting this metamorphosis through programs like Teen Tech Week: From Geeks to Nerds. The event, held March 14, 2013 at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library, allowed teen techies a chance to exercise their mental muscles by creating 3-D models.

Using art program Wings 3-D, teens could have fun learning skills that architectures, computer and game animators, and some medical professionals use daily. Central librarian John Lloyd helped to facilitate the event. He said these skills go a long way. “If teens want to pursue a career in this (field), programs like Teen Tech Week would give them a head start in learning how to make 3-D models. It’s something they (generally) don’t have access to in schools.”

Eyes glued to their computer screens, teens took basic skills offered in the course and added to them. “Creative minds go so fast,” Lloyd said. “We (librarians) just open the door. We get them started, and they go much farther.”

Lloyd said classes such as Teen Tech Week: From Nerds to Geeks offer a basic understanding of what it takes to pursue a gaming career. “It (Creating 3-D models) is not easy but, if you’re interested in art, it’s fun to learn.”

For more information on upcoming events for teens, visit www.memphislibrary.org or call (901) 415-2700.

Citizens of Memphis can get back into the game of education on Friday, April 12, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library (3030 Poplar Avenue).

Annual college fair, College Collage, will offer non-traditional students a chance to get information on returning to school and completing their degrees, despite how long they’ve been out of the classroom.

Offering something for everyone, representatives from several colleges, universities, and other agencies will be on-hand to answer questions, provide admissions information, and discuss financial aid. Recent high school graduates will benefit from attending College Collage also.

The following colleges, universities, or organizations are slated to attend:

1. College Resource Center
2. Cambridge College
3. Webster University
4. Southwest Tennessee Community College
5. Remington College
6. Bethel University (Masters)
7. University of Arkansas (serving the Greater Memphis area)
8. Park University
9. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
10. Mid-South Christian College
11. University of Memphis
12. Union University
13. Math Made Simple
14. Baptist College of Health Sciences
15. Special Little Hearts Childcare
16. Christian Brothers University
17. Memphis Public Library and Information Center
18. JobLINC
19. Memphis Center for Urban Theological Studies
20. Strayer University
21. LeMoyne-Owen College
22. Bethel University (Undergraduate)
23. Memphis Police Department
24. Shelby County Sheriff’s Office
25. Phoenix University
26. Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation
27. Victory University

This event is presented by The Memphis Public Library and Information Center and Leadership Memphis. It is free and open to the public. No registration is required.

For more information on College Collage, call Public Relations Supervisor Marcey Evans at (901) 463-3055 or email marcey.evans@memphistn.gov.

Teens Gather at Whitehaven Library to Learn 'How to Find a Job'

By: Marcey Evans

Landing a job just got easier for teens at the Whitehaven Branch Library on March 12, 2013. The crowd of young adults gathered for the audience-specific seminar on “How to Find a Job,” led by librarian Jason Sharp.

Sharp offered teens a word of advice on the importance of proper presentation, resume writing and interview tips, along with a list of which companies hire teens.

“Have a good resume ready,” Sharp advised. “Present yourself well and dress appropriately.” He also reminded teens that presentation doesn’t just refer to one’s appearance but to dialect as well. “Remember you are talking to an esteemed adult,” he advised. “Think of speaking to your principal.”

Teenager Angel Walker said she plans to use these pointers in her upcoming interview. “I’m a little nervous,” she admitted, “but this [seminar] is something that will help me in the future, since I recently applied for a job.”

To find a paid position, Sharp suggested volunteering to show initiative and interest. “Call [companies that are hiring], but also visit them,” he added. “This is important because it’s how employers judge you. People want to work with nice people,” he said.

For more information on finding a job for teens, attend Teen Employment Week held at the Whitehaven Branch Library on Tuesday, April 9 – 11, 2013. Call (901) 415-2781 or visit www.memphislibrary.org for details.

Memphis Theatre ShoWagon Travels to Libraries with Educational Fun

By: Marcey Evans

Television is more entertaining when it comes to life. It captivates the youngest of audiences. Theatre Memphis ShoWagon brought the Cinderella story to life for an enamored group of children on Monday, March 11, 2013 at the Cornelia Crenshaw Branch Library.

A modernized version of the classic tale, the show was entitled Dandelion Wishes: A Cinderella Story. Despite variations from the original plot, the story’s effect was the same. “The kids clap. They smile. They’re into the storyline, and they are animated along with the cast,” said Keva Pounder, Youth Librarian at the Crenshaw branch. “ShoWagon always does a great job. They capture kids’ attention with up-to-date music and by localizing the story.”

Traveling from branch to branch over kids’ spring break, Theatre Memphis ShoWagon incorporates an educational component into entertainment. “They (cast) ask questions about the plot and setting at the end of the play. The kids are paying attention. The children just think they’re watching a cool story over spring break, but they’re really learning,” Pounder said.

The learning will continue at several libraries throughout Memphis. Other branches hosting ShoWagon this week are the East Shelby Library (7200 E. Shelby Drive), Randolph Library (3752 Given Avenue), and Gaston Park Library (1040 S. Third Street). For specific show dates and times, call each branch.

For more details about fun programs happening at your local library, visit www.memphislibrary.org or call (901) 415-2700.

By: Marcey Evans

When the wheels on this bus go 'round, the citizens of Memphis go places. That's because the Memphis Public Library and Information Center's JobLINC bus offers numerous career services, including job readiness skills to anyone who comes aboard.

Funded by The Plough Foundation, the eco-friendly ride is equipped with several Internet-ready laptop stations, printers, job resource material, and an interview area. Also, jobseekers can take advantage of training workshops to prepare for the workplace.

"Companies want workers who are job ready," said JobLINC Services Manager Robyn Stone. Whether a recent college graduate or a worker laid off after years on a job, Stone said all types of workers can benefit from the JobLINC bus. "We sit with you one on one and will refer you to other agencies, which offer additional assistance," she said.

Stone said jobseekers who board the JobLINC bus have an edge in their career search. They have access to helpful advice throughout their application process from beginning to end. "The way you look for jobs now is different. You have to know how to go online and how to network to find resources that are not available online. You should know which agencies are out there to help and how to find them." For all these services and more, Stone said JobLINC is there to help.

The JobLINC bus is on the road five days a week. It is routinely parked at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library (3030 Poplar Avenue) on Mondays from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

For more information on JobLINC and the JobLINC bus' schedule, visit www.memphislibrary.org and select the blue "JobLINC Career Center" icon under "Web Channels".

Library Offers Guests to Southern Women's Show Headlining Authors, Cooking Presentations at a Discount

Agricenter International will be a southern woman's paradise on Friday, March 8 through Sunday, March 10. The Memphis Public Library and Information Center will be among the vendors on hand during the Southern Women's Show, which will feature special guests, cooking presentations, shopping, health and beauty tips, fashion, and much more.

"The Southern Women's Show is a fun consumer event," said Wang-Ying Glasgow, Library Adult Services Coordinator, who headed the Library's participation in the event. "Guests will be entertained and informed by exhibits, workshops, and the latest products and trends to improve their daily lives."

The Library will be located in the West Pavilion, booth WP157, and will highlight three authors at The Balancing Act Stage and four cookbook authors, who will do special cooking presentations at The Celebrity Cooking Stage.

Guests to the show who are Library card users can enjoy the show at a discount. Instead of the $10 entry fee, Library card holders are encouraged to visit www.SouthernWomensShow.com and enter the code "MPLWM13" for $2 off the regular ticket price.

Once inside, guests are encouraged to visit the following Library presentations:

• Marie Moore, author of Shore Excursion and Game Drive - Friday, March 8, 2013, 1:30 p.m., The Balancing Act Stage
• Steve Bradshaw, author of Bluff City Butcher - Saturday, March 9, 2013, 4 p.m., The Balancing Act Stage
• James Paavola, author of the Murder in Memphis series (The Chartreuse Envelope, They Gotta Sleep Sometime, and Which One Dies Today?) - Sunday, March 10, 2013, 3:30 p.m., The Balancing Act Stage
• Marisa Badgett, author of Sushi Secrets: Easy Recipes for the Home Cook - Friday, March 8, 2013, 11:30 a.m., The Cooking Stage
• Paul and Angela Knipple, authors of The World in a Skillet - Friday, March 8, 2013, 3:30 p.m., The Cooking Stage
• BJ Chester-Tamayo, author of Alcenia's Healing the Soul - Friday, March 8, 2013, 5:30 p.m., The Cooking Stage
• Angela Brown, author of Loving the Foods I Used to Hate - Friday, March 8, 2013, 6:30 p.m., The Cooking Stage

On Friday, March 8, the Library's JobLINC Bus will be on hand to provide career services. It will be parked outside of the Agricenter International, located at 7777 Walnut Grove Road, Memphis, Tennessee.

"Come and enjoy book readings, cooking demonstrations, and other library resources to empower your brain!" Glasgow added.

For more information about the Library's presentations at the Southern Women's Show, contact Wang-Ying Glasgow at (901) 415-2709 or Nancy Knight at (901) 415-2871.

Read Across America at MPLIC Draws a Colorful Cast of Characters
By: Marcey Evans

Children across America were reading and portraying their favorite characters on Friday, March 1, 2013. Their author of choice was Dr. Seuss, and the celebration - Read Across America - was a national observation of the renowned author's birthday.

The Memphis Education Association, with support from the Memphis Public Library and Information Center and several other organizations, held a Reading Rally at the Central Library to promote literacy, to foster children's love for reading, and to encourage heightened participation among parents.

Angela Robledo, mother of a third grader at Shelby Oaks Elementary, attended the event, which included several student performances. "Reading is knowledge," she said, while watching the Shelby Oaks Cheerleaders and Dancers, The South Park Dreamers, and the Dr. Brewster Drama Club. "Days like today encourage my daughter to read." Robledo said any program that reinforces the value of reading is a plus.

"Today enriches everyone's life," agreed Mary Seratt, coordinator of Library Youth Services at The Memphis Public Library and Information Center. "Reading helps to open children's hearts and minds."

Seratt said the value of reading is unsurpassed, even in the eyes of the program's distinguished guests, such as Memphis Mayor A C Wharton, Jr. and Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell. "To know students have support from their elected officials is great. These are people (children) who cannot vote, yet they (elected officials) came to an event like this to encourage reading and the library."

Following the program, children and their parents took their pick from several age-appropriate books, donated by the Memphis Education Association.

For more information on reading programs and youth services offered at the Library, visit www.memphislibrary.org or call (901) 415-2700.

By: Marcey Evans

Teens attending the Playwriting Palooza, a five-week series of workshops on playwriting, were able to exercise their imaginations, while creating characters and building storylines.

Each Wednesday during the month of February, a lively group gathered at the Memphis Public Library and Information Center in room L-56 to learn the craft of storytelling. Volunteer facilitators Christopher Tracy and Nathan Bishop, both of Write Memphis, taught the teens how to organize their writing and how to introduce a problem, conflict, and resolution.

"Characters need personality and life," Christopher told teen listeners. "Give actors something to grasp on to and become. Build relationships with characters and establish grounds for conflict," he further advised.

The fourth workshop of the series was held on February 27, 2013, also at the Central Library. Thirteen-year-old Ariyan Johnson has attended all sessions so far and said they have exceeded her expectations. "I thought it would be a little boring," she admitted. "But it was nothing like that. In the workshops, we're free to express ourselves. The classes have helped me to understand how to write and how to organize my writing. It has made me feel very good about myself and very confident," she added.

The plot thickened as teens read scripts and became the characters they created. Ariyan said she attributes this active involvement to everyone's "active imaginations" and the camaraderie the teens have established over time. "You don't have to be afraid to be yourself in this class," she said.

Humanities librarian Ashley Roach helped to organize the event. She said the best part has been seeing teens interact and engage in the theatre process. "It has been an excellent place for teens to find this form of expression (playwriting). In class, they have fun and find support from other teens and adults," Roach said. "We've noticed that the teens are working on their projects in their free time too," she noted, highlighting participants' increasing interest.

The saga will continue on Wednesday, March 3, 2013, the final workshop of Playwriting Palooza, but participants say they hope it's not the last. "We want the program extended with more days and more hours," Ariyan said, speaking for the group.

For more information on teen activities offered at any Library branch, visit www.memphislibrary.org and view the Calendar of Events.

Readjustment Counseling Service for all Veterans who served in a combat zone

Services provided:

• Couseling (individual, bereavement, marital, family, and employment)
• Benefits Assistance
• Substance Abuse Information and Referral
• Community Education and Referral

Monday, March 18^th, 2013 at 10:00 a.m.
Whitehaven Branch Library Parking Lot
4120 Millbranch Road, Memphis, TN 381116
3030 Poplar Avenue, Memphis TN 38111
(901) 415-2781

This event may be recorded or photographed for use by the Memphis Public Library & Information Center for media, social media, broadcast and/or purposes.