@your library Volume XXVIII Number One
A NEWSLETTER OF
Fall 2020
TCCL introduces Express Service at Central and regional branches
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by Sherry Leslie
any things have changed in order to resume our lives in a manner that does not spread the Covid-19 virus, which medical experts say we may be carrying even if we feel well. On September 8, the doors of our five largest libraries opened for Express Service. Following the suggestions of our local and national advisors, space was increased by moving or removing furniture. Other new protocols include: •
Door greeters offering a mask and assistance
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Limiting the number of people inside at one time to maintain social distancing and reduce exposure
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Setting up plexiglass shields
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Supplying hand sanitizer
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Limiting open hours and computer time in order to clean high-traffic areas and sanitize often.
Staff offer assistance from behind a plexiglass shield at Central Library, just one of the safety measures put into place in order to open select libraries to customers. Some areas have been restricted to aid these efforts, such as classrooms, study rooms, and meeting rooms. You won't find any lounge furniture or toys. The children’s play areas are closed, although the books are available for browsing. At Central Library, access to research materials on the third floor is available by appointment. Computer time is limited to one hour per day. Think of Express Service like a trip to the grocery store — come in, grab what you need, and check out. Masks are required for everyone over the age of five entering the buildings. You'll find aisles clearly marked with directional signage and reminders about social distancing. Customers can still take advantage of the library's curbside services from the comfort of their car if they choose.
INSIDE:
Customers are welcomed to come in to browse during short visits.
President's Podium page 2
If you're inclined, come on in for Express Service! All library materials are waiting for you as usual in an intentionally designed environment to maximize safety, and librarians will welcome you.
Friends to donate $10,000 to library for PPE page 3
Marilynne Robinson named Helmerich Distinguished Author page 4
Library offers Wi-Fi hotspots to students page 6
PRESIDENT’S PODIUM Meeting challenges during uncertain times
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s I step into this leadership role as president of the Friends, I extend my sincere appreciation to the members of the board for the opportunity to serve. Past presidents Debbie Grillot
and Sherry Leslie have set the bar high for me, and I thank them for their example.
Day, and supporting Staff Development Day to say thank you to TCCL staff.
The Friends of the Library as an organization has been facing a number of challenges created by the pandemic. I am confident that we can meet those challenges head on and overcome them by promoting literacy and reading in Tulsa County and aiding the Tulsa City-County Library in its endeavors.
The Friends will continue to seek new members to continue to promote literacy. Our programs will be engaging and supportive of TCCL. I hope members will provide feedback, suggestions, and ideas to Friends over the coming year. Thank you to all those who are already members. I look forward to serving.
As we move forward with virtual programs, we are reaching out to members to attend and encouraging new Friends to join in the learning fun. We must adapt to the times in order to remain vital, and we are finding ways to do that by providing Books Sandwiched In on Zoom, offering TCCL support by contributing funds to special projects like Take Your Child to the Library
Dorothy Minor 2020-2021 President, Friends of the Tulsa City-County Libraries
Friends reward staff as customers
Summer semester scholarships awarded are welcomed back into branches
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hree staff persons were awarded scholarships from Friends of the Tulsa City-County Libraries for the summer 2020 semester: Elizabeth Corbly, Customer Service Associate, Schusterman-Benson Jennifer Parrish, Customer Service Assistant, Hardesty Regional Eric Tackett, Customer Service Associate, Central We are proud to help our great librarians reach their education goals, especially in this challenging year.
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@your library | Fall 2020
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n September 8, Central, Hardesty, Martin, Rudisill, and Zarrow libraries reopened for Express Service. These five large libraries led the way in resuming open doors and in-person use. It was an exciting day that called for celebration. We are grateful for the extra work of preparing everything for our safety after being closed since early March (except for intermittent curbside service). Members of the Friends of the Tulsa City-County Libraries took snacks and treats to the staff at each library as it reopened to say, “Welcome back!” Smiling faces and words of encouragement were supplied along with the snacks by Friends Janet Henderson, Mary and Elaine Olzawski, Sherry Leslie, Karla Tomsen, and Dorothy Minor (pictured with staff at Zarrow library). We were glad to see each other.
NOTEWORTHY NEWS Friends to donate $10,000 to library for PPE
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by Dorothy Minor
nnual budgets! They are not scintillating reading, except for accountants. This year, however, the Friends have several exciting announcements about our 2020–2021 budget allocations. The highlight of the budget is the $10,000 Friends is giving to TCCL to purchase much needed personal protective equipment (PPE) for library staff. This donation will be a tremendous help to TCCL in keeping the staff and patrons safe during a difficult time with unexpected costs. "The year 2020 has brought challenges, and opportunities, to library service that many of us never imagined. Yet, support from the Friends of the Tulsa City-County Libraries continues to be there in powerful ways. Their generous donation toward PPE for staff will help us keep our employees and customers safe and healthy, and will help TCCL continue to serve our community," said library CEO, Kim Johnson. Members of Friends make these budget appropriations possible. To those who are already members, many thanks! Please consider giving gift memberships to family and friends and encouraging family and friends to join Friends so this vital work of supporting TCCL and literacy in Tulsa County can continue.
Books Sandwiched In continues through November 23 by Glad Platner
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ooks Sandwiched In can be put on your calendar once again! These Monday lunchtime book talks will be available to you online this fall.
With the duration of the pandemic unknown, the library looked to Friends to fill one of their greatest needs - personal protective gear. Also, the budget designates a large contribution to Take Your Child to the Library Day so that each branch can participate in that special day. Scholarships to TCCL staff to further their education is also a top priority with the Friends. Keeping teens involved in TCCL activities during the summer, providing funds for Grandparents Day, the yearly Staff Development Day, and the Volunteer Recognition Celebration, are among other needs covered by the Friends this year.
NOVEMBER 9
Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate and Before and After by Judy Christie and Lisa Wingate Presented by Diane Potts.
NOVEMBER 16
Inheritance: A Memoir of Genealogy, Paternity & Love by Dani Shapiro
It’s easy to sign up for the Zoom programs. Simply email Friends@TulsaLibrary.org and tell us which dates you want to attend. Each Zoom presentation has its own unique link. If you want to receive links to all of the presentations, just let us know.
Presented by Arlene Chemers.
Remember: Mondays at 12:10 to 12:50 p.m. Hope to “see” you there! (You won't actually need a webcam or microphone to participate - programs are presented "webinar-style.")
Save Me the Plums: My Gourmet Memoir by Ruth Reichl
The presentations will also be available after the live connection on the library’s YouTube page, www.youtube.com/TulsaLibrary from the comfort of your home.
Presented by Hilary Kitz.
NOVEMBER 23
Fall 2020 | @your library
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Marilynne Robinson named 2020 Distinguished Author
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by Karen Smith
he Peggy V. Helmerich Distinguished Author Award is an annual award given given by the Tulsa Library Trust and Tulsa City-County Library to internationally acclaimed authors who have made a major contribution to the field of literature and letters. The award is a $40,000 cash prize and an engraved crystal book. Marilynne Robinson, novelist and essayist, has received or been nominated for 20 awards including the award of the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2005 for Gilead, the National Humanities Medal in 2012 from President Obama, and the 2016 Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction. In 2016 she was named in Time magazine’s list of 100 most influential people. The large gatherings to meet, hear from, and honor Marilynne Robinson will not be taking place in December as normal. Both the dinner and the public interviews have been bookmarked for next year, December 3-4,2021. Robinson is best known to readers for
Win a copy of Marilynne Robinson's latest title, Jack
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hanks to the generosity of the Helmerich Award committee, we have copies of Marilynne Robinson's newest book, Jack, to give away to two lucky Friends! Join, renew your membership, or make a gift of any amount by December 31, 2020 to be entered to win! The winners will be drawn at random. Thank you for your support of Friends and our libraries! Good luck!
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@your library | Fall 2020
The events honoring 2020 Helmerich Distinguished Author Award recipient Marilynne Robinson have been bookmarked until December 2021 due to the pandemic. the novels Housekeeping and Gilead, as well as by the later series of novels based in fictional Gilead, Iowa: Home, Lila, and Jack (September 15, 2020). Her novels are
noted for their thematic depiction of rural life, faith, and managing life and loss. The former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, has described Robinson as “one of the world’s most compelling Englishspeaking novelists.” Robinson’s essays span numerous topics, including the relationship between religion and science, United States history, nuclear pollution, and John Calvert and contemporary American politics. The National Humanities Medal was awarded by President Obama for “her grace and intelligence in writing.” A 2015 conversation about American history and the role of faith in society between Robinson and Obama is available online. Obama, giving a eulogy for a friend in 2015, quoted his friend, Marilynne, who describes the heart as “that reservoir of goodness, beyond, and of another kind, that we are able to do for each other in the ordinary course of things.” We are fortunate to have a year to read the distinguished body of Marilynne Robinson’s work before she comes to Tulsa.
Branch Spotlight: Martin Regional Library
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by Debbie Cogan
es, Martin Regional Library is open! Although occupancy is reduced and computer time is limited, this large east-side branch library is open for express services. Recently I had the opportunity to speak with Rebecca Howard, manager of Martin Regional Library. Rebecca is in her 17th year with the library system, having started at Central Library, then the Broken Arrow branch, before arriving in 2017 at Martin, where she also serves as the regional manager for five additional branches. Rebecca describes the Martin Regional Library as vibrant and diverse. There is a Business Center, which is well used by patrons, many of whom are self-employed and rely on the library for printing, faxing, and other business needs. Martin Regional is unique in offering ongoing bilingual story times. Since 1999, they have housed the Hispanic Resource Center, which has a collection for all ages printed in Spanish. Half of the staff is bilingual so patrons feel comfortable knowing that if they need help, they will be able to find someone who can easily assist them. Amairani Perez is the coordinator of the Hispanic Resource Center and is responsible for programming and procuring materials for the collection. She has organized author events, crafts, podcasts, and virtual events to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. The Martin Regional Library is a great place to experience Asian American culture also, as they host the Asian American Festival in June each year. Community members share a Japanese tea ceremony, martial arts, traditional dance and drumming presentations. Guests can view and make arts and crafts in booths featuring the foods and arts of Japan, China, Korea, and India. In 1976, the Martin Regional Library became the second regional library in the Tulsa City-County Library system. It was remodeled and expanded in 2002. It is named after a past director of the Tulsa City-County Library system, Allie Beth
Martin Regional Library is located at 2601 S. Garnett Road. It houses the Hispanic Resource Center and hosts a well-loved annual Asian American Festival in the summer. It is home to an impressive collection of Spanish language materials. Martin, who organized the county system into branches, wrote books on new and expanded library service and was also a library leader honored throughout
Oklahoma and the nation. The branch honors its namesake by serving as a vital hub in the library system.
Document your pandemic experience
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he COVID-19 pandemic has affected the life of virtually every person on the planet. In an effort to foster a sense of community and connection during a time in which social isolation has become a way of life, TCCL is inviting the public to share their personal experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic.
TCCL has opened an online submission portal where Tulsans can share their stories. Tulsa County residents will be able to submit photographs, videos, artwork, essays, works of fiction and poetry documenting their experience with the COVID-19 pandemic. Submissions will be digitized and included in TCCL’s local history collections. This collection, entitled Together Apart: COVID-19 In Green Country, will be made available to scholars, researchers, and members of the public for study. For more information about the Together Apart project, visit TulsaLibrary.org/ together-apart.
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SERVICE SPOTLIGHT Library offers Wi-Fi hotspots for students by Rachel Organist
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uring this challenging time when many students are working from home without access to Wi-Fi, the Tulsa City-County Library is helping to solve the problem. The library is extending Wi-Fi services beyond their buildings to offer connectivity through 1,000 hotspots that are available on a firstcome-first-served basis for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. They may be checked out free of charge for 14 days. Anyone can take their library card to their nearest library and use curbside service or Express Service to pick up a hotspot kit (with instructions included). Phone the Customer Care Department at 918.549.7323 to check if your local branch has one ready for use. Note: Parents/Guardians cannot check out a student hotspot for their child if that child is not present. Frequently Asked Questions: Hotspot returned late? Internet service will be disabled on the 6th day after the due date. Lost or Damaged Hotspot? A $70 fee will be assessed for a lost or damaged hotspot ($50 for the hotspot and $20 for the charger). For more information, call the Customer Care Department at 918.549.7323.
The hotspot will come with with basic instructions in English or Spanish. In addition to the hotspots, TCCL has expanded the Wi-Fi access at all of its branches into the parking lot (except for Central Library). Access is available 24/7.
Curbside services continue at all library branches
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by Carolyn McClure
urbside services at all library locations offer a convenient and safe way to receive library materials. Librarians are now expanding this as a safe alternative to being in large groups of people in libraries.
TCCL location to pick up your finished copies.
For books, discs, playaways, and music CDs, patrons place items “on hold” online and designate a specific branch that is convenient. When materials you want are moved there, the library will email you a notification that it’s ready for pickup. You can drive to the selected branch and call the phone number on library signage. Give the staff member your library card number, and your materials will be delivered to your vehicle. More than one item can be requested.
For copying and faxing: bring items to any TCCL location. Call the phone number on the Holds Pickup sign near the front door of all branches. A staff member will come to your vehicle and pick up your items to copy or fax. When finished, they will deliver your documents to you.
Now patrons can copy, print, and fax at all library locations using curbside delivery. Items from the Maker Space can also be delivered to the curb upon request. Costs will be conveniently applied to your library account. For printing: email your file to askus@tulsalibrary.org. Be sure to include the number of copies needed and color preference. AskUs will reply and work out a
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@your library | Fall 2020
Need more information about curbside service? Call 918.549.7323.
MEMBERSHIP MATTERS Love YOUR library— become a Friend TODAY!
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ibraries are a safe space in our communities, opening the doors to knowledge and making lifelong learning accessible for people of all ages and backgrounds. Now more than ever we see the great strides they take to bring people together, engage minds and provide needed resources. Join today, and give a little to say "thanks" for all that libraries give to us. YOUR gift will allow us to respond in this unprecedented time to meet new needs the library faces, like providing personal protective equipment to staff and supplying materials for branches to create take home activity kits for children and caregivers. YOU can be a Friend of the library for as little as $15. That's less than the cost of the one book you checked out this year! Wait, you checked out more than one? Your annual membership is good from now through June 30, 2021. Plus, as a Friend you'll receive early notice of our engaging programs and the @your library newsletter delivered to your mailbox. As always, your membership is tax deductible to the extent provided by law. Use the enclosed envelope or pay by credit card at TulsaLibrary.org/Friends.
SUPPORT FRIENDS WHEN YOU SHOP ON AMAZON Doing a lot of online shopping these days? You can do some good while you're at it! It's easy: When you shop Amazon, make sure you're shopping at smile.amazon.com. (Bookmark the site so you don't forget!) Choose Friends of the Tulsa City County Libraries Inc. as your charity of choice. Amazon will then donate a portion of your purchases to Friends! NEW! If you use the Amazon phone app, you can now link the app directly to Amazon Smile!
GET A FRIENDS WINDOW DECAL Join as an Avid Reader ($25) and above and receive a complimentary Friends of the Tulsa City-County Libraries window decal! We love our libraries and we know you do too—show off that love and let others know you're a Friend of the Tulsa City-County Libraries!
WHEN YOU GIVE, YOUR MEMBERSHIP AND DONATION DOLLARS GO FAR... $250—Allows five branches to provide take home activity kits for Take Your Child to the Library Day $100—Sends 10 adult literacy students on an educational fieldtrip $50—Provides one Books Sandwiched In session for adult learners $25—Supplies one pre-K student with a book for every month of the school year Join with your membership or gift of $25+ and you'll receive your own "I Love My Library" decal!
THROUGH OCTOBER 31, WE HAVE RECEIVED HONORARY AND MEMORIAL GIFTS RECOGNIZING THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS: $100 - In Memory of Sandra Majors $50 - In Memory of Arlin Wendell Stacy $10 - In Honor of Dorothy Minor If you'd like to honor or memorialize a loved one with a gift to Friends of the Tulsa City-County Libraries, simply return the enclosed envelope with your gift of any amount.
"I put my sticker on the back of my iPad. As I went through airport security, the TSA agent exclaimed, 'I love the library!' What a wonderful feeling!" —Rita Kirk Share photos of your decals in action with us at www.facebook. com/FOLTulsa with the hashtag #lovemylibrary, or send them to us at Friends@ TulsaLibrary.org.
Fall 2020 | @your library
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Meet the President: Dorothy Minor
400 Civic Center Tulsa, OK 74103 918.549.7419 TulsaLibrary.org/Friends
Editors: Sherry Leslie & Cecilia Whitehurst Contributors: Debbie Cogan, Carolyn McClure, Dorothy Minor, Rachel Organist, Glad Platner, Karen Smith Layout: Tara Farrar Friends of the Tulsa City-County Libraries (FOL) is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to aid and promote the activities and goals of the Tulsa City-County Library. @ your library is published for members four times a year.
2020-21OFFICERS Dorothy Minor, President Peggy Wolfe, 1st Vice President Cecilia Whitehurst, 2nd Vice President Norman Bryant, Treasurer Rachel Organist, Assistant Treasurer Kathleen Kastelic, Recording Secretary Michael Nesser, Corresponding Secretary Sherry Leslie, Past President
2020-21 BOARD MEMBERS Barbara Bannon Laura Bottoms Robyn Bowman Chris Cole Courtney Cooper Doris Degner-Foster Rachel Ann Dennis Eldon Eisenach Mindy Galoob Catherine Gatchell Laurie Green Lillie Haddican Janet Henderson Don Hockenbury Arlene Johnson Rita Kirk Marty Laughlin Lisa Lawrence Carolyn McClure Cindy McDonald Rosemary Moran Diane Morrow-Kondos Elaine Olzawski Mary Olzawski Richard Parker Glad Platner April Schweikhard Karen Smith Janet Thomas Karla Tomsen Mack Vanderlip
Like us on
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eading has always been a big part of my life. Growing up in a small town (pop. 500), I did not have access to a library except when school was in session. Although the county library was only 19 miles away, my parents both owned and operated small businesses which kept them busy during library hours and didn’t allow trips to the library. The library did not send out a bookmobile either. Luckily, I had two older cousins who lived across the street from me and who were great readers. Mary Frances loved mysteries, so she handed down Nancy Drew, The Bobbsey Twins, and the Hardy Boys, along with others. Paula enjoyed riding horses and reading about horses. She passed along Black Beauty and other books featuring horses. When I was a teenager, Mrs. Morschheimer, a member of the community and voracious reader herself, allowed me to choose books from her personal library each summer when school was out. In college, I majored in English not so much for love of grammar, but for love of literature. I longed for ways to connect with other readers such as through a book club. After several failed attempts at starting a book club in my St. Louis neighborhood, I gave up—at least temporarily. When we moved to Broken Arrow, I made friends with other readers and began a book club with them. Then I was fortunate to begin teaching as an adjunct at Tulsa Junior College (now TCC), where I quickly discovered other book lovers. I started a book club there in 1985 which continued through my full-time teaching career and now into retirement: we
Dorothy and other volunteers at the 2019 Adult Creative Writing Contest awards. still meet/Zoom today, and a few of the original members remain along with many new ones. Being part of the Friends of the Tulsa CityCounty Libraries fits well with my love of reading and sharing that love. All of the programs the Friends support promote literacy and putting books into people’s lives. Providing books for children is probably my favorite Friends’ endeavor. The Books Sandwiched In series lured me to downtown Tulsa and continues to attract a diverse group of interested readers with a wide variety of inspiring subjects. Our challenge for the coming year will be to engage members and attract new members using mostly virtual programming. TCCL and Friends will meet the membership challenge head on! Join me for a new adventure in 2020– 2021 as we identify and meet the needs of our community.
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on't forget to check out the wide variety of library events happening on Facebook, YouTube, Zoom and even over-the-phone! There are events for all ages, nearly every day, which can be enjoyed without ever leaving the house. It's the SAFE way to socialize! Visit TulsaLibrary.org/virtual-events to find upcoming events. There's also a digital event guide released at the beginning of each month. In November you can participate in Native American Heritage Month events, book clubs, paint-alongs, financial literacy classes, trivia nights, get reading recommendations and more!
facebook.com/FOLTulsa
Special thanks to TulsaPeople Magazine for the printing of our fall 2020 issue.