MPL in the News
A Sister Story
Memphis Magazine, October 2024 – “Kelis Rowe and her sister, Adriane Johnson-Williams, grew up in Whitehaven, walking distance from the Levi Public Library. When they weren’t in school or at church, they were in the library reading and dreaming. Recently, they both became published authors. “Librarians are demigods, my sister and I both agree on that,” Adriane says.”
Lovie the library dog gets kids to love literacy
News Channel 3 – September 13, 2024 “A Memphis Public Library program lets kids cuddle up with a therapy dog while reading their favorite book and for many kids, it’s their only one-on-one reading time.
Lovie is an 8-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Nobody gets too far in the Benjamin Hooks Central Library without a little love from Lovie.
“When we come in the library everyone goes, ‘Hey Lovie,’” said her mom, Juana McCoy.”
“CHEF ELI OF DOS HERMANOS KITCHEN: MEMPHIAN ON THE MOVE AT THE COSSITT LIBRARY”
Choose901 – June 5, 2024
Meet Chef Eli, the culinary genius behind Dos Hermanos Kitchen. The idea of a taco truck named Dos Hermanos sparked a journey that would eventually lead Chef Eli to the historic Cossitt Library in downtown Memphis. Dos Hermanos is Chef Eli’s culinary dream come to life. For the city of Memphis, Chef Eli envisions Dos Hermanos as a multi-dimensional culinary hub that reflects the city’s diverse culture and rich soul, bringing together people from all walks of life to enjoy unique and delicious meals.
Orange Mound Library Grand Opening
More than 40 years ago, the Historic Melrose School in Orange Mound shut its doors. After sitting boarded up and empty for decades, the Orange Mound Library and Genealogy Center is now open to the public! Hundreds of people from the community turned out for the grand opening! The new branch is open Monday – Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm. Eventually, the upper floors will also be senior apartments. The Grand Opening Celebration was held Friday April 26, 2024.
Check out all the news coverage of this event:
- ABC 24 “Melrose High graduates reflect on their years at the school as building reopens as Orange Mound Library”
- Action News 5 “A new chapter—Old Melrose High School building reopens as first-ever Orange Mound library after 4 decades”
- Daily Memphian “Orange Mound Library breathes new life into old Melrose High building”
- Fox 13 “Orange Mound celebrates opening of community’s first library at old Melrose High building”
- WREG News Channel 3 “Historic Melrose High School turned into new library”
“Intersectional Accessibility: Creating Inclusive Spaces, Examining Ebook Accessibility”
Library Journal, March 19, 2024 – “Libraries are incorporating collaboration, creativity, and a steadfast commitment to create accessible and inclusive spaces – Libraries have been leaders in accessibility for hundreds of years, producing print materials for the blind in the 1800s, pushing back against so-called “ugly laws” intended to keep people with disabilities out of community spaces in the 1900s, incorporating adaptive technology in the 1920s, and developing and promoting standards for equal access in the 1960s. Recognizing that accessibility is something that happens with and for the people served is part of what it means to create and maintain inclusive service.”
“5 Fridays of Jazz and Crosstown Arts Jazz Month return to Memphis”
Daily Memphian, February 29, 2024 – “Jazz concert series are returning in March to two Memphis institutions. Crosstown Arts will present its second annual Jazz Month, and Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library will again host 5 Fridays of Jazz. Both event series begin with concerts on Friday, March 1. The sold-out album release show for jazz musician, music educator and Memphis Jazz Workshop founder Stephen Lee is at the Green Room. Longtime jazz singer, music educator and radio host Joyce Cobb featuring the Memphis Jazz Workshop is at the Central Library. The Memphis Black Arts Alliance is the latter show’s presenter.”
“Dinner at Eight: Dos Hermanos”
Memphis Magazine, February 6, 2024 – “Chosen by our staff as one of the eight most exciting new restaurants in Memphis. – What’s for dinner? Here at Memphis Magazine, that’s a question we find ourselves asking quite frequently, with thoughts turning to food as the workday ebbs away. Lucky for us, Memphis chefs and entrepreneurs continue to embrace new ideas and adventures, blessing the city with an abundance of new restaurants and tasty dishes to satisfy our growing appetites. For the last couple of years, our dining contributors have used the annual February food issue to take a deeper dive into Memphis’ culinary world. We’ve explored it through traditional means (a top restaurants list), through a selection of our favorite dishes over the course of a year, or even 2021’s “Memphis Eats A-Z” feature.
Memphis Is My Boyfriend: Family Fun? Check!
Memphis Flyer, January 3, 2024 “The Memphis Public Library is one of the most underused resources in Memphis for tweens/teens (in my opinion). Did you know that most library branches have drones, 3D printers, sewing machines, crafts, gaming systems, and so much more available for our kids? Well, they have all of those things. They also have writing clubs, exercise groups, knitting clubs, robotics teams, movie days, D&D, trivia, gardening, chess club, cooking classes, and more. And the best thing is, everything is free. I’ll say it louder for the people in the back, everything is free! I mean, if you can name it, the Memphis Public Library probably has it.”
“Offering art, theater to seniors”
Commercial Appeal, November 28, 2023
“Creative Aging Plans to Grow in Memphis – The room at the Frayser Library bustled with activity. Seniors looked
through stacks of cookie cutters and photos of windchimes for inspiration, then started to flatten clay and cut out shapes…”