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The Memphis Public Library & Information Center is pleased to announce the arrival of its new JobLINC mobile bus. The state-of-the-art vehicle will travel to community centers, library branches, grocery stores, and other public areas throughout the city to help citizens find employment.

The new mobile unit is environmentally friendly, featuring solar panels, LED lighting, and a clean fuel engine. It is also ADA compliant and is equipped with a wheelchair lift. The vehicle houses ten computer workstations with Internet access and printers as well as a private interview area and media equipment for training purposes.

The bus will serve more than 12,000 customers a year, providing one-on-one assistance with job searches, training opportunities, resume preparation, and on-line applications. It will travel to multiple locations throughout the city five days a week to provide help. The unit will be equipped with computers, printers, Internet access, and job resource materials.

The Memphis Library Foundation received a grant from the Plough Foundation for the purchase of the new JobLINC vehicle. It replaces an out-of-service unit that has served the City of Memphis since 1990 but has not been operational since 2010.

Memphis Library Foundation Chairman Ron Coleman states, “The Library Foundation is proud to merit Plough’s support of this important project. We are fortunate to have a local foundation that recognizes the value of the services offered by the library. I am pleased to be able to partner with Plough and the Library to fulfill this important community need, and we look forward to having a new and improved JobLINC bus back on the road in the near future.”

Library Director Keenon McCloy also said, “We are extremely grateful to the Plough Foundation for supporting this important project. The support services that the Library is able to provide through JobLINC are truly essential in these difficult economic times. Thanks to the Plough Foundation, the Memphis Public Library will be able to take job and career services to all corners of Memphis and make a significant impact in our community with this mobile service vehicle.”

Visit the JobLINC Schedule page in the future for schedule information.

In light of Domestic Violence Month, the Whitehaven Branch Library is hosting a night of food, pampering, and discussion for ladies only!

The event, entitled "Girls' Night Out: On Domestic Violence", will raise awareness on domestic violence and allow women to share stories and ask questions about abuse and the effects it can have on one's life.

Twana Whitlock (AGAPE) and Joyce Parkinson (Walking Into a New Life) will conduct this enlightening event, and there will be additional speakers who will provide more information regarding the subject.

Not only will there be girl talk, but in true ladies' night fashion, time will be allotted for beauty! During the conversation, lucky winners will receive facials or manicures, and there will be a number of door prizes!

"Girls' Night Out" will be held on Thursday, October 18th, 2012 from 5:00 pm-7:00 pm. All women ages 17 and up are welcome to come free of charge! So clear your schedules for that evening, you will not want to miss this!

For more information please contact the Whitehaven Branch Library at 901.415.2781.

So you need plans for Saturday? Do those plans include eating? Maybe some music? Fun with the kids? Mind stimulation? You can find all of that in one spot - cooking demonstrations; food trucks; a live band; children, tween, AND teen activities plus great reading! View the full actvity list below.

Where could this FREE event be?! At the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library.

On Saturday, October 6 the Bookstock Festival will be held from 10:30 am - 4:30 pm. This event encourages reading for all ages and gives local and aspiring authors a platform to showcase their work. Event coordinators plan to make this year's Bookstock the most festive it has ever been! There will be children's activities, music, food, and more. Over 50 authors will participate in a showcase with various activities held all over the library. This year's keynote speaker is Kristen Iversen, author of Full Body Burden: Growing Up in the Nuclear Shadow of Rocky Flats; she will speaking at 1:00 pm.

Thanks to the support of the Friends of the Library and the Memphis Library Foundation for assistance in booking more well-known authors and providing services for those in attendance.

*This year's authors include:

Arnetta Abraham Miss Robbie's House
Scott Anderson The Uncommon Thread
Angela Kay Austin Give Me Everything
Marisa Baggett Sushi Secrets (cooking demonstration available)
Toya Bailey Karma
Roger Bethel Winning by Default
Steve Bradshaw Bluff City Butcher
Steve Brannon The Two Agreements
PJ Ceren Joseph
BJ Chester-Tamayo Alcenia's Healing the Soul (cooking demonstration available)
Miriam DeCosta-Willis Black Memphis Landmarks
Cynthia Elliott ABCs That Make Cent$
Shawn Eskridge A Walk with My Father
Mike Freeman Clarence Saunders and the Founding of Piggly Wiggly
Don Furr Quest for the Nail Prints
John Gibson How to Buy a Business Without Being Had
Darcie Goodwin Neti The Yeti Saves His Mountain
Annie Grays Dear Miss Annie
Helen Harper Tick-Tock No Time to Lose
Londa Hayden Date, Pray, Wait
Jae Henderson Someday Too
Jerry Hollingsworth Wings of Justice
Timothy Huebner The Southern Judicial Tradition: State Judges and Sectional Distinctiveness, 1790-1890
Kristen Iversen Full Body Burden: Growing Up in the Nuclear Shadow of Rocky Flats
Paul & Angela Knipple The World in a Skillet (cooking demonstration available)
Charlie Lambert Capturing the Reel World
Shelia Lipsey My Sister, My Momma, My Wife
Don McClure Santa Claus vs. The Aliens
Memphis Music Commission A Taste of Memphis Music: The Cookbook
Marie Moore Shore Excursion
Megan Mottley Glamour Girls: How to Get the Ultimate Makeover
Richard Murff Memphians
James Paavola They Gotta Sleep Sometime: Murder in Memphis
Laticia Ross The Cellular Effect
Sandra Russell The Nestor: The Story of Dr. John R. Frayser
Courtney Santo The Roots of the Olive Tree
A.J. Scudiere Phoenix
Lucy Shaw Be Not Anxious
Albert Simpson, Jr. The Adventures of Billy, Ras, and Al
Candace Spicer No Box: A Journey to Professional Enlightenment
Dorothy Thomas On the Outside Looking In
Timothy Thompson The Locker Room
Shuwanna White The Strength From Within

With this being a family friendly event, there will be activities for everyone. For the younger audience, there will be:

• Face Painting
• Make a Rubbing
• Make a Book
• Mural
• *Authors (Alice Faye Duncan, Barry Wolverton, Nick Toombs aka Magic Mr. Nick)
• Patty Carreras, performing artist
• An inside look at producing a national teen magazine with Justine Magazine
• Teen Writers Workshop

Are you ready for the SENSORY OVERLOAD?.... IT'S ALL FREE!

A special thank you also goes to the Junior League who will be providing volunteers.

Use your gas to make one stop that covers all of the bases on October 6th, 2012 - Bookstock, where book lovers rock!

*These great authors will not only be present to talk to and discuss their latest books, they will also have their latest work available for purchase and sign your book!

Bookstock Activities:

10:00am - 12:30pm

Teen Writing Workshop (Humanities Dept. 2nd Floor)

10:30am - 11:30am

All About Memphis (Memphis Room 4th Floor)

Want to know who is who in Memphis? Come meet our fiction and nonfiction writers whose books feature truth or tales about Memphis.

11:00am - 12:00pm

Award-winning author Alice Faye Duncan will read and lead an activity for children, in the Children's Department

Storytime Room, and will sign her newest book, The Delta Blues: A Coloring Book.

12:00pm - 1:00pm

Author Barry Wolverton will read from his book Neversink in Children's Department Storytime Room. Stay for the Q & A with this first time author whose book is receiving critical acclaim.

11:15am - 12:00pm

Need a motivational boost? Be inspired and invigorated as author Candace Spicer shares a message on how to be professionally and personally fulfilled. (Conference Room A)

12:00pm - 12:40pm

What's Love Got to Do with It? Panel discussion by Romance authors. (Conference Room A)

11:30am - 12:00am

Local cookbook authors Paul and Angela Knipple will make corn salsa and discuss the origin of other recipes from their book World in a Skillet. (L-56)

11:30am - 2:30pm

Memphis Food Trucks-Memphis Munchies and Stickem (Library parking lot)

12:00pm - 12:30pm

Sushi making demonstration with Marisa Baggett, author of Sushi Secrets. (L-56)

11:30am - 12:30pm

Live Music by Stereo Joe (Front of Library)

1:30pm - 2:30pm

12:45pm-1:00pm

Congressman Steve Cohen will speak on the importance of literacy and love of reading.

1:00pm - 1:30pm

Keynote speaker Kristen Iversen (Conference Rooms A - C)

Ms. Iversen will discuss A Passion for Story: From Book Idea to Finished Manuscript and her book Full Body Burden: Growing Up In The Nuclear Shadow of Rocky Flats.

1:30pm - 2:00pm

Book signing

1:00 - 2:00pm

Art for Life's Sake (Children's Department Storytime Room) Dr. Hattie Isen will bring her young music scholars for a poetry and spoken word performance.

2:00pm- 3:00pm

Magic Mr. Nick (Children's Department Storytime Room) Magic Mr. Nick, author of Magic Tricks You Too Can Do, will astonish all with his magic , and speak to children about reading, writing, and publishing

2:00pm - 2:30pm

Cooking Demo by B.J. Chester Tamayo from Alcenia's (L-56)

2:30pm - 3:15pm

Come Experience the Ultimate Makeover! Learn practical tips on how to enhance your outer beauty with Megan Mottley. (Conference Room A)

3:15pm - 4:00pm

Join Charlie Lambert for some Oscar film trivia from his book Capturing The Reel World. (Conference Room A)

1:00pm-2:00pm

Get a behind-the-scenes look at national teen magazine, Justine

2:00pm -4:00pm

Make Your Own Teen Zine (Humanities Dept. 2nd Floor)

3:00pm - 4:00pm

Performance artist Patty Carreras (Children's Department Storytime Room) Nationally renowned performer Patty Carreras is sure to delight with her presentation of Anansi Stories. Be prepared for participatory fun as she brings the trickster to life!

Ongoing:

10:00am - 4:30pm

Author's Scavenger Hunt. Complete the questions, get authors signature and enter drawing great prizes! Purchase and have your book signed by authors.

10:00am - 2:00pm

Create a Book- Children's Department (write/ draw/ bind a book to keep!)

10:00 - 4:00pm

Make a rubbing from the public art sculpture at the library entrance

10:00am - 3:30pm

Mural Making (Children's Courtyard)

10:30am - 12:30pm

Balloon Artist (Children's Courtyard)

12:30pm - 2:30pm

Face Painting - (Children's Courtyard)

"30 Days of Opera" is still in full effect and Opera has been popping up all over the City of Memphis!

Opera Memphis, an organization that emphasizes the art of opera, started "30 Days of Opera" to show the City what they love about opera. Throughout the 30 days, there are a number of different performances that are free and open to the public.

Of those performances, the "Pop up Opera" events have proven to be very exciting! Opera Memphis performers have been making appearances at various places across the city and giving people the wonderful gift of opera! Those who wish to listen get to hear some great opera hits like "Carmen" and the "Can-Cancan".

The event started on September 15^th and will not end until October 14^th so there is still enough time for you to be entertained by the "Pop up Opera" and other events that "30 Days of Opera" has to offer!

Here is a list of the upcoming events at Memphis Public Libraries and other venues:

10/1- Pop Up Opera- 4pm @ Randolph Branch Library

Pop Up Opera- 6pm @ Bartlett Branch Library

10/3- Pop Up Opera- 10am @ Memphis Zoo

Pop Up Opera- 4:30pm @ South Branch Library

Pop Up Opera- 6pm @ Whitehaven Branch Library

10/4- Opera Doesn't Suck- 6pm @ Central Branch Library

10/5- "Global Hamlets" Symposium- 5pm @ Blount Auditorium

Meet Our New Artists- 7pm @ Clark Opera Memphis Center

10/6- The Playground King! (an original opera for kids)- 10am @ Shelby Farms Park Playground

10/8- Pop Up Opera- 3pm @ Cordova Library

Pop Up Opera- 5pm @ Poplar-White Station Library

10/10- Opera's Greatest Hits- 6:30pm @ The Parkview

10/11- Reed Woodhouse Masterclass- 3:30pm @ Harris Hall, the University of Memphis

10/12- Justin Merrick Concert- 7pm @ TBA

10/13- Shelby Farms Greenline Block Party- 2pm @ High Point Terrace

10/14- 30th Day Closing Fiesta- 2pm @ TBA

Come on! Give opera a chance or fall in love with it again!

You don't often hear of a library being a tourist attraction, but here in Memphis, the Cossitt Library is just that! Come hear the fascinating history of Cossitt Library Thursday, October 11 from 11 am - noon from its beginnings in 1893 through its expansion in the 1920's and the struggle to integrate libraries during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s. Wayne Dowdy will discuss the history.

Wayne Dowdy is the Memphis Public Library & Information Center History Department Manager. He is also the author of Mayor Crump Don't Like It: Machine Politics in Memphis; Hidden History of Memphis; Crusades for Freedom: Memphis and the Political Transformation of the American South and a Brief History of Memphis.

Cossitt is the City's oldest library and often serves as a first stop for both domestic and international tourists.

Cossitt Branch Library began its existence as the Cossitt/Goodwyn Institute.

Frederick H. Cossitt, a native of Connecticut, opened a wholesale dry goods business in Memphis.

He mentioned to Carrington Mason, a business associate, that he wanted to give a substantial gift to the City of Memphis. They both agreed that a library would be fitting.

Around that time, Mr. Cossitt went on a business trip to Europe. Unfortunately, he became ill during his visit and passed away.

Before his death, he didn't include anything in writing about his plans for the library. However, his close friends and family knew of his wish to give back to the City and decided to see it through in his honor.

His daughters wanted to honor their father's pledge and plan. Helen Cossitt Julliard, May Cossitt Dodge, and Mr. Thomas Stokes, each gave $25,000 towards the establishment of the new Public Library in Memphis.

Mr. Cossitt also left a list of Memphis businessmen of whom he wished to administer the proposed library. On March 8, 1888, the entire $75,000 was given to the businessmen and placed in a trust until plans for a public library were completed.

Under the leadership of these select businessmen, a charter was granted by the State of Tennessee on April 6, 1888, under the corporate name of Cossitt Library.

It was further decided that the entire $75,000 from the gift should be put into the library building.

The City of Memphis promised to provide working expenses for the library and provide a lot overlooking the Mississippi River.

Architects were invited to submit designs, and from these Mr. L. B. Wheeler of Atlanta was awarded the contract for the building. Four years later, on April 12, 1893, the handsome red sandstone building was dedicated.

Books that have been placed on the dark side of the literary world are about to get some light and the Memphis Public Library is celebrating in a big way.

Banned Books Week, an event that celebrates the freedom to read, highlights books that have been restricted and removed from the shelves for various reasons. The week has been observed nationally for 30 years, and one way the Memphis Public Library plans to promote awareness is by holding a read-out, providing an opportunity for people to celebrate the freedom to read!

People of all ages are encouraged to come read excerpts from there favorite banned books out loud. There will be a microphone and podium provided so these hushed literary works can be heard loud and clear!

Community leaders, teachers, and booksellers are also urged to participate to help support the idea of literary freedom.

During the read-out, the library will also be showing pre-recorded clips of other prominent people in the city reading excerpts from other banned books.

Some of the readers include:

• Jerry Hollingsworth- Author, Wings of Justice
• Steve Bradshaw- Author, The Two Agreements
• Lucy Shaw- Author, Be Not Anxious
• Courtney Santo- Author, Roots of the Olive Tree
• Miriam Decosta-Willis- Author, Black Memphis Landmarks
• Keenon McCloy - Director of Memphis Public Libraries

The Read-Out will be held on Wednesday, October 3rd from 3pm-5pm presented by the Humanities Department in the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library. Those who wish to participate have the option of bringing their own book or selecting one from the library's collection.

Select copies of banned books will be sold in Second Editions Bookstore.

And to help illustrate the point, students from Overton High School's drama department will be present on Saturday, October 6 from 11 am - 2:30 pm dressed as mimes.

Be sure to come out and support Banned Books Week by giving these books a voice! We hope to see you there.

The Memphis Public Library has teamed up with the Kellogg's Tour of Gymnastic Champions to offer Champion Readers Day. This event will be held on Saturday, September 22 from noon to 1 pm at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library.

Open to all, there is a special focus on girls age 6 - 14 years of age. There will be a special guest reader - an Olympian - who will be reading to the girls who participate. Upon arrival, audience members are asked to register in order to be eligible for yet another surprise at the end of the hour.

The 2012 Kellogg's Tour of Gymnastics Champions is a national tour that will feature Team USA's top performing gymnasts. Following the 2012 Olympic Games in London, the gymnasts will be at the FedEx Forum in Memphis on Saturday, October 20 at 7:00 pm. This impressive cast will be led by 2008 Olympic all-around champion Nastia Liukin; other members include men and women's 2011 World Champions, 2012 Olympic teams, past Olympians and U.S. medalists in men's, women's, rhythmic and acrobatic gymnastics and trampoline tumbling. Local area gymnasts will also have the chance to participate in this Tour stop's performance.

Opera Memphis presents 30 Days of Opera. Every day from September 15 to October 14, somewhere in Memphis, there will be opera. Every performance is free, every performance is open to the public, and every performance is designed to show the city we love what we love about opera.

Eight of the Memphis Public Library locations will participate in these 30 days of Opera. Seven out of the eight locations will have pop-up arias where Opera Memphis singers will show up at library branches and start performing at the library to serenade readers. Central Library will host the "Opera Does Not Suck program". Below are the dates and times of performances at Memphis Public Library locations:

• Tuesday, September 25th 4:00pm Hollywood Pop-Up Opera
• Monday, October 1st 4:00pm Randolph Pop-Up Opera
• Monday, October 1st 6:00pm Bartlett Pop-Up Opera
• Wednesday, October 3rd 4:30pm South Pop-Up Opera
• Wednesday, October 3rd 6:00pm Whitehaven Pop-Up Opera
• Thursday, October 4th 6:00pm Central "Opera Does Not Suck"
• Monday, October 8th 3:00pm Cordova Pop-Up Opera
• Monday, October 8th 5:00pm Pop-White Pop-Up Opera

Check out http://www.operamemphis.org/calendar for a complete list of 30 days of Opera events.

“Here, There, and Everywhere” is now more than just a record made famous by The Beatles. As of this year, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration launched their new science exhibit, entitled “Here, There, & Everywhere” that shows how the laws of physics can be applied to everyday occurrences.

HTE will be making various stops across the United States, and its first destination is right here in Memphis, Tennessee!

For the entire month of September visitors will be able to view the exhibit and learn how to connect their knowledge of familiar processes to the in-depth, scientific explanations behind them.

HTE’s describes its exhibit: “…consists of a series of exhibitions, posters, and supporting hands-on activities that utilize analogies in the teaching of science, engineering, and technology (STEM) to provide multi-generational and family-friendly content in both English and Spanish to small community centers, libraries, under-resourced small science centers.”

Along with detailed posters and captivating photos, there will also be exciting activities for families and students to participate in. These demonstrations will allow visitors to take a closer look into the HTE concepts first hand.

“Here, There, & Everywhere” will be hosted in the Goodwyn Gallery at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library and is open to the public during the library’s operating hours. The cost for this eye opening exhibit is absolutely free!

Cool weather does not mean you can’t do cool things. It’s that time of year again for “Teen Events for Fall 2012”! Between the months of September and December the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library will host events specifically for teenagers all across the city. From movies to poetry, there will never be a dull moment this fall season!

The upcoming events and dates are as follows:

Thursday, October 4: T-Shirt Recon @ 3 pm

Saturday, October 6: Bookstock: Memphis Area Authors’ Festival 10:30 am - 4:00 pm

Tuesday, October 16: It Came From The Library @3:00 pm

Thursday, October 18:  MOVIE: Ghostbusters @4:00 pm

November 1-December 1: Write Memphis Poetry Slam Workshop *Pre-registration Required*

Friday, November 16: The College Games (Memphis Area College Fair for High School Students)

Tuesday, November 20: MOVIE: Soul Surfer @ 4:00 pm

Thursday, December 6: Teen Zine Creation @3:00 pm

Thursday, December 20: MOVIE: Nightmare Before Christmas @4:00 pm

For more information, contact the Humanities department at 901.415.2726.