Holiday Closings
All locations of the Memphis Public Library & Information Center
will be closed Veteran’s Day, Wednesday November 11. The Library
will also be closed Thursday, November 26 and Friday, November 27 for
Thanksgiving.
Click here to view full list of closures.
National Gaming Day @ Your Library
Find board games and fun at 10 Memphis Public Library &
Information Center locations:
- Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library, 3030 Poplar
- Cherokee Branch, 3300 Sharpe
- Cordova Branch, 8457 Trinity
- Cornelia Crenshaw Branch, 531 Vance
- East Shelby Branch*, 7200 E. Shelby Drive
- Frayser Branch, 3712 Argonne
- Gaston Park Branch, 1040 S. Third
- Hollywood, 1530 N. Hollywood
- South Branch, 1929 S. Third
*Program at East Shelby Branch starts at 3 p.m. At other
locations, games available upon request.
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Friends Annual Meeting
Connect with other members and learn what’s going on. Have to
be a Friends of the Library Member to attend. Join
today.
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Poster for Memphis and the Paradox of Place book signing. Click for larger image.
University of Memphis Professor signs book at the Library
The golden arches can be found just about everywhere-and until
recently that even included Iceland. McDonald's success is a
practical example of how globalization has standardized our collective
experience. However, University of Memphis sociology professor Wanda
Rushing concludes in her new book, Memphis and the Paradox of
Place, cities retain their uniqueness and relevance despite
denationalized borders. Rushing uses Memphis as a case study.
"Culture and music have made Memphis an entrepreneurial
center," Rushing affirms.
Like an awkward pubescent teenager, many argue Memphis lacks a
certain healthy self-esteem. Rushing agrees and quickly dismisses the
City's insecurity as unwarranted. "Memphis has a lot going for
it. Sometimes it takes an outsider to point it out." Rushing, a
native of rural Charlotte, NC, suggests the Bluff City's fame as
the birthplace of major industries (FedEx) and musical icons (Elvis
Presley) is not accidental. Using narratives, Memphis and the
Paradox of Place persuades readers to reevaluate perceptions.
Rushing talks in depth about her research at a book signing,
Saturday, November 7, 3:30 p.m. at the Benjamin L. Hooks
Central Library, 3030 Poplar. The program is free an open to
the public. For more information, call 415-2700.
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Highland Branch Library temporarily closed for ADA
modifications
The Highland Branch Library, 460 South Highland, is closed
until the week of November 3 for ADA compliance
renovations. Nearby locations customers may visit during
the closure include the
Benjamin L.
Hooks Central Library, 3030 Poplar,
Poplar-White Station Branch, 5094 Poplar or
Cherokee Branch, 3300 Sharpe.
For more information, call 415-2700.
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Recycled materials turn trash to work of art at Bartlett
Library
Artist Meg Zachry points to detail in her work. Click for larger image.
“Meg-a-mache,” circulation supervisor Leann Gordy
jokingly suggests a name for the technique artist Meg Zachry has
invented for a commissioned art project set for installation at
the Bartlett Library later this month. Zachry described the
multi-step and complicated-sounding—though
nameless—technique to Gordy, library manager Gay Cain and
regional manager Norvel Adams Walker as the trio previewed the
works at Zachry’s home. Using recycled materials, plaster
molds and gauze, Zachry has created three-dimensional sculpture
relief panels that comprise “Learning is a
Safari.”
Artist Meg Zachry with Library Manager Gay Cain and Circulation Supervisor
Leann Gordy. Click for larger image.
Adams Walker saw digital pictures of the panels prior to the
viewing at Zachry’s makeshift home studio (living room,
dining room, bedrooms and even a hallway yielded to
Zachry’s creative process). As Adams Walker and staff
examine the artwork up close on the walls in the furniture-less
living room, she’s astonished. “It’s
amazing.” Nothing prepared the 25-year library veteran for
the actual texture, attention to detail and color. “The
pictures didn’t do it justice,” Adam Walker
remarked.
Crocodile with computer key scales. Click for larger image.
As the artworks’ title suggests, bears, zebras, tigers,
tropical birds and other animals are subjects depicted in their
natural habitats. “My favorite is the lion,” says
Cain. “The mane is made of old maps.” Very
thoughtfully, Zachry has incorporated recycled materials. Old
computer keyboard keys make the scales on a crocodile, videotape
cleverly mimics shiny, coarse black bear fur and sharpened
pencils are porcupine quills. “I hope the piece draws
children into the library spaces and inspires them to explore the
wonderful world they can find there in the books around
them,” Zachry says humbly.
Porcupine with sharp pencils as quills. Click for larger image.
For good measure, in addition to the sculptures, sheet music,
references to favorite books and homage to Zachry’s home
state are interspersed. A bird scene has a Baltimore
Oriole—Maryland’s state bird. No disrespect to her
present home, Tennessee’s state bird, the Mockingbird, is
in there too. Perhaps a tribute to the Friends of the Bartlett
Library that commissioned and funded the public art, a Margaret
Meade quote is nestled in the papier-mache and carefully
hue-sorted and repurposed National Geographic magazine pages: A
small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed,
it's the only thing that ever has. Cain is hopeful Zachry can
develop an art guide. “The younger children will be
fascinated with the color and realism. Older children can dig
deeper.”
“Learning is a Safari” will be displayed in the
Children’s area of the Bartlett Library at 5884 Stage Road.
The Bartlett Library closes at 3 p.m. instead of 6 p.m. on
Saturday, October 17 while the work is installed. The public is
invited to an open house scheduled Sunday, October 18, 2 p.m.
– 4 p.m.
About the Artist
Meg Zachry is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design.
Zachry is a sculptor who works in bronze, plaster, clay and wood.
She describes her greatest loves as mask and puppet making and
creating collages using recycled materials.
About the Artwork
Commissioned by the Friends of the Bartlett Library,
“Learning is a Safari” is a 14-panel public art wall
relief depicting animals in their natural habitats. The panels
are made of papier-mache and collaged recycled materials.
Videotape, CD’s, and computer parts are examples of
salvaged items used.
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Library Offers Help to the Jobless
The threat of flash flooding and torrential rain didn’t
damper the spirits of jobseekers attending the Memphis Public
Library & Information Center’s JobLINC Career and
Education Fair held in late July. In fact, several hundred
lined-up at nine o’clock and waited patiently for the fair
to start at 10 a.m.
“The economy has gone down south a little bit,”
concedes library customer service agent Robyn Stone. With
optimism she adds, “But, there are still jobs out
there.” Stone estimates that close to a 1,000 people filed
through the Library’s meeting rooms attempting to find work
or educational opportunities available from the 35 businesses
participating. The fairs, which started in 1996, have always been
well attended. However, Stone reported this year’s numbers
were up 15%. -- more -->
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Checkout E-Audio Books for Free
The best things in life are free. Now you can download E-Audio
Books for free!!! Check out our catalog, which has selections
that are compatible with iPod and other media players.
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Friends of Cordova Book Sale
Hunting for a bargain? The Cordova Friends have a sale for you
-- a book sale that is!
Take advantage of great prices on a wide variety of books,
magazines and more Friday, September 25, 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and
Saturday, September 26, 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. For more information
about the sale, call 754-8443.
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Memphis Symphony Orchestra Family Tunes & Tales
Enjoy a wonderful Memphis Symphony Orchestra concert and a
great book. The first round of programs will be held Saturday,
September 12 at 11 a.m. You can choose the location nearest you.
Concerts underwritten by the Junior League, First Tennessee
Foundation and the Briggs Foundation.
- Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library, 3030 Poplar, Featured
Musicians: String Quartet
- Bartlett Library, 5884 Stage Road, Featured Musicians:
Woodwind Quartet
- East Shelby Branch, 7200 East Shelby Drive, Featured
Musicians: Kinder Ensemble
- Frayser Branch, 3712 Argonne, Featured Musicians: Kinder
Ensemble
- Hollywood Branch, 1530 N. Hollywood, Featured Musician:
Percussionist
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ONYXX Readers Club
This unique readers club for men meets at the Benjamin L.
Hooks Central Library and the North and Whitehaven Branches.
Focusing on the issues of African American men, the club promotes
fellowship and literacy. Call 415-2700 to find out more
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General Book Sales:
Second Editions Book Store Sales:
- June 20 -27
- Overstock clearance - 4 Books for $1
- July 11-18
- Media Sale
- August 8-22
- Education/Children’s sale
- September 12-19
- Romance Sale
- Entire Month of October
- Banned Books and More
- October 10-24
- Mystery and Sci-Fi Sale
- November 14-21
- Religion Sale
- December 26-31
- Holiday Sale
More information about Second
Editions.
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Swine-flu Information
The recent headlines about Swine-flu have caused concern and alarm. Get the
facts.
- Swine-flu
- - information from the National Library of Medicine and the National
Institute of Health
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JobLab @ the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
The Commercial Appeal recently reported that unemployment in the
Memphis area hit 8.8% in March. To help jobseekers, the library is offering
resume and online application assistance. The service is first-come,
first-served. Unlike computers on the public floors, computers are available
for the entire three-hour period.
JobLab is an open-door lab providing in-depth assistance to jobseekers,
particularly with:
- Job-Related Searches
- Resume Writing & Formatting
- Online Applications
JobLab is held twice a month on the following days:
- 2nd Monday
- 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- 4th Thursday
- 5:30 p.m. -8:30 p.m.
Participants should be prepared and bring all pertinent information, such as
job history, dates of employment, contact information, etc.
Participants are required to provide their own storage
media.
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Go Green: Recycle your books today!
Donate your books to the Friends of the Library.
Bring your gently used books to the nearest Memphis Public Library &
Information Center location. (No outdated textbooks or manuals please.)::
Your donation is tax-deductible AND
environmentally-friendly.
For information on sites and donation acceptance times, call
415-2700.
Proceeds from Friends of the Library book sales benefit the
Memphis Public Library & Information Center.
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Second Editions, located next to Java
Coast, off the Central Library's vestibule, is the place to find
library post cards or gently used books for sale at great bargain prices.
- Second Editions Hours
- Tuesday through Friday - Noon to 6:00 pm
- Saturday - Noon to 5:00 pm
- Closed Sunday and Monday
For more information about Second Editions, or to volunteer,
call 415-2836.
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Computer classes
The current Computer Classes schedule is available
here as an Adobe PDF file. The Adobe Acrobat Reader is available here for free. More
information about the classes can be found on the Computer Classes page.
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