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

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.

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.

By: Marcey Evans

Teens, wouldn’t it be cool if you could create and program your own video game? Now you can at Teen Tech Camp, an interactive five-day workshop at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library (3030 Poplar Avenue). From July 15 – 19, 2013, 9:30 am - 3:30 pm, twenty lucky teens – ages 13 to 15 – can learn the fundamentals of computer programming with hands-on training from field professionals.

“Teen Tech Camp is very valuable because it could open the door to a young person’s technological career,” noted teen librarian Keshia Williams. “Campers will have a lot of fun while meeting friends from all over the city and learning the basics of running a business.”

Teens will begin each day, using a specialized program called “Jumpstart,” which allows them to begin a mock business making and selling jump ropes. Following this interactive and educational play, participants will learn other computer software like “Scratch,” developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. During Teen Tech Camp, young techies will also work on individual projects to present at the program’s end.

Computer professionals from the Memphis chapter of the Society for Information Management (SIM) will teach and assist teens throughout the workshop, helping them to achieve three specific goals: 1.) to develop a better understanding of IT career choices before graduating high school, 2.) to experience fun aspects of technology, and 3.) to interact with good role models currently working in IT careers.

By: Marcey Evans

Landing a job will be a little easier for teens visiting the Whitehaven Branch Library (4120 Millbranch Road) on April 9 – 11. It’s Teen Employment Week.

Targeting the youngest members of today’s workforce, this series of seminars will help to educate youth on drafting their resumes, handling tough interview questions, and gaining work experience while still in school.

“Teens are not only competing with other teens for a limited number of jobs, but they are competing against adults who have more experience, better references, and who can work longer hours,” said Youth Services Librarian Jason Sharp. “Attending these programs will save countless hours of researching (job) material online, so teens do not have to learn through trial and error. We will provide inside information that interviewers do not typically talk about,” he said.

Programs offered during Teen Employment Week are:

       Write Your First Resume
       Tuesday, April 9, 2013, 3:30 p.m.
       Whitehaven Branch Library (4120 Millbranch Road) 
       Teens are asked to bring their resumes, if they have one.

       Job Corps Program
       Wednesday, April 10, 2013, 3:30 p.m.
       Whitehaven Branch Library (4120 Millbranch Road)

By: Marcey Evans

Regardless of which side of town one lives, Memphis Public Library locations offer customers a wealth of knowledge for the young and the young at heart. The newest additions to some Memphis libraries are early literacy stations designed for children ages 2 – 8.

“It looks like a game, but they are really learning,” said Michelle Allen, senior youth services librarian at Poplar – White Station Branch Library. “The literacy station is colorful and inviting and, when kids’ curiosities get the best of them, they come to check it out.”

When they do, children have access to 50 educational, bilingual, and easy-to-use software programs that enhance school readiness and make learning fun. Covering a range of subjects from reading and spelling to social studies and mathematics, this touch-screen technology helps to strengthen skills learned in the classroom.

“We have lots of schools in our area, plus a lot of parochial schools and a large home school population,” Allen noted. “Reading library books helps to reinforce what schools are doing, and using technology (literacy stations) teaches kids a technological way to learn also.”

By: Marcey Evans

Reading is a sign of one’s love for literacy. “Read with Me, Sign with Me” is a program that promotes literacy for children learning to read and sign.

This family event will take place on Saturday, April 6, 2013 and Saturday, May 4, 2013 in the Children’s Department of the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library (3030 Poplar Avenue).

Children ages 2 – 12 can take an adventure, while presenters read and sign stories. “Read with Me, Sign with Me” is an opportunity for all children to develop a love for reading and to learn basic sign language. All parents, including those of deaf or hard-of-hearing children, are encouraged to take advantage of Library resources, such as sign language videos and books.

The two-in-one storytime is sponsored by the Deaf Family Literacy Academy of Memphis, the Association of Library Services to Children, and Candlewick Press, in collaboration with the Memphis Public Library and Information Center.

For more information on “Read with Me, Sign with Me,” call (901) 415-2739 or visit www.memphislibrary.org.