@ your library Volume XXIV Number Three
A NEWSLETTER OF
Summer 2017
Celebrating milestones by Sherry Leslie
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t seems fitting to acknowledge a quiet but meaningful birthday which just occurred—the Friends turned 60 this year! We have grown up so nicely, and oh! the places we are going. Thanks to strong beginnings, Friends are continuing to be of vital service to the community of libraries “Changing Lives.” We remember fondly the beginning: In May of 1957, around 100 people met in the old Central High School building. With Lillian Norberg at the reins, those Friends mulled over ideas to help the young library grow and ways in which we could be of service. A few of these first members, who chipped in a dollar as “dues” for a great financial start, are still living and reading among us. We threw a big party in 2007 on our 50th, but this year we will be emphasizing how proud we are to be supporters and helpers to our libraries all year long. It is great to be 60 and in our prime! We have learned so much, we have great ideas for the future, and we are grateful for the support of our committed volunteers.
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nother milestone worth noting is the 100th birthday of the Collinsville Library. Tulsa City-County Library is bursting with pride to invite everyone to a party for the grand old lady on Tuesday, July 18, 3 p.m. Collinsville, opened as a Carnegie library 100 years ago this year, isn't showing her age a bit. Years after the 1917 opening, Collinsville Library joined the Tulsa system in 1962. Since then it has doubled in size, has been modernized a couple of times, and has had a thriving customer base and program schedule. The Mayoral Challenge was won here during the 2016 Summer Reading Program, with 40 percent of the resident children and teens registering.
INSIDE:
Plans for the party include releasing 200 balloons (100 for the past and 100 for the future), viewing exhibits of the building’s early years, filling a time capsule to be opened in 50 years, and consuming birthday cupcakes!
President's Podium: You can quote me on that. page 2
The Collinsville Library will celebrate its 100th birthday on July 18 with a celebration and dedication of a time capsule. Library Manager Rhonda Weldon is anxious for party-goers to submit photos of themselves in front of town views that might be changed by 2067. Any photo in front of a Collinsville building, business, school, park and other civic area, or outdoor favorite spot would be meaningful for the time capsule. Print out your photos or email them to rweldon@tulsalibrary.org ahead of the event, and include names of persons shown plus name and address of the building or location. Patrons also will have an opportunity to have their photos taken standing beside the cornerstone of the library during the event.
Membership Campaign kicks off July 1 page 3
Library volunteers celebrated page 5
Summer Reading Program challenge issued page 7
president’s podium You can quote me on that.
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open each monthly FOL board meeting with a quote about books or libraries. I’d like to share with you a few of those I’ve used over the past year.
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I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library. Jorge Luis Borges
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When trouble strikes, head to the library. It will either be able to solve the problem or simply have something to read as the world crashes down around you. Lemony Snicket
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The only thing you absolutely have to know is the location of the library. Albert Einstein Dinosaurs didn’t read. Now they are extinct. Coincidence? Unknown
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Libraries remind us that truth isn’t about who yells the loudest, but who has the right information. Barack Obama
There are 70 million books in American libraries, but the one I want to read is always out. Tom Mason
2017-18 Friends officers named Serving from July 2017 to June 2018 are the following dedicated officers: Debora Riggs Grillot President
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And here’s one more quote I picked especially for this, the first newsletter of our new fiscal year.
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Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. You vote in elections once a year, but when you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in. Unknown
Glenna Anderson Past President
@ your library | Summer 2017
Library doors are a gateway to anywhere. Unknown
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Help us open more doors, enlarge the gateways and introduce a whole new crew of Tulsans to the delights and riches of the library. See you in the stacks.
Debora Riggs Grillot 2017-2018 President, Friends of the Tulsa City-County Libraries
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Sarah Davis Children’s Library Associate, Martin Regional Library
Lynn Peacher Corresponding Secretary
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e are so proud to support the continued education of TCCL staff. In fact, scholarships are our largest single budget allocation! With added support from the library we were able to distribute eight scholarships for the spring 2017 semester to staff pursuing academic degrees. In total we handed out 15 scholarships during the 2016-17 fiscal year, an effort we'd love to expand with your help!
Sherry Leslie 2nd Vice President
Mary Olzawski Recording Secretary
The people you’ll meet are fun, interesting and energizing! And best of all, you’ll make a difference.
Friends award spring scholarships
Pursuing Master's degrees:
Linda Jenkins Assistant Treasurer
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So, how about becoming an FOL volunteer this year and rolling up your shirt sleeves in support of the 24 libraries in the Tulsa City-County Library system? We have numerous Friends committees, each focused on promoting, serving or strengthening some facet of our metropolitan library system. Time commitments are flexible.
Diane Pennington 1st Vice President
Todd Dallenbach Treasurer
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The richest person in the world—in fact all the riches in the world—couldn’t provide you with anything like the endless, incredible loot available at your local library. Malcolm Forbes
Adrienne Teague Teen Library Associate, Rudisill Regional Library Pursuing Bachelor's degrees:
Kat LeFevre Library Associate, Outreach
Krista Beth Dudley Data Analyst
Hannah Moore Youth Library Associate, Broken Arrow
Raquel Garcia Customer Service Assistant, Central
Katherine Morris Customer Service Assistant, Central
Bruce Sander Customer Care Specialist
membership matters
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ow is the time to join or to renew your membership. Annual memberships will be in effect from July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018.
We have new names for our membership levels! $250 — Library Champion (a lifetime membership) $100 — Library Lover $50 — Bibliophile $25 — Avid Reader $10 — Bookworm
We think you're going to LOVE having the opportunity to reflect your commitment to reading and libraries with your membership level choice. All membership levels receive great Friends benefits including 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.
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Staff Scholarships and Training. Your membership provides staff with scholarships for continuing education and funds staff training days.
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Literacy. Your membership champions literacy through the First Book initiative that provides books to children from low-income families at Kendall Whittier Elementary, and through the library’s Summer Reading Program.
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Programs. Your membership provides opportunities for yourself and other Tulsa County residents to participate in fun and informative programs including Books Sandwiched In and the Adult Creative Writing Contest.
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Volunteer Recognition and Thank You. Your membership says "thank you" to every library volunteer across Tulsa County by supporting the annual volunteer recognition banquet hosted by the Friends.
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Advocacy. Your membership allows us to advocate on behalf of libraries in our community and across the state.
Your generous membership support will keep these activities going over the next 12 months and beyond!
We want YOU to join the 2017-18 Membership Campaign!
Your Friends membership in action:
Win two tickets to the Helmerich Author Awards! When you RENEW your Friends membership by Sept. 1... When you become a NEW Friends member by Sept. 1... OR if you're a Lifetime Member who makes a DONATION by Sept. 1! You'll be entered into a drawing to win two free tickets to the Peggy V. Helmerich Distinguished Author Award dinner honoring Richard Ford on Friday, Dec. 1, 2017. (A $350 value!)
2017 Helmerich Distinguished Author recipient, Richard Ford
To renew your membership, to join, or to make a donation, return the enclosed envelope by mail or visit us at tulsalibrary.org/friends for a membership form. If you'd like to volunteer with the Friends, be sure to check the box on your envelope letting us know!
Summer 2017 | @ your library
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noteworthy news Creative writing winners honored
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emoirs, politics, and a Christmas story were read by our firstplace writers as part of our 40th Adult Creative Writing Contest Awards Ceremony at Central Library’s Aaronson Auditorium in May. All entry writers and their family and friends were invited. From the over 150 entries, Sara Stecher won for Poetry, Short Story winner was Morgan Holmes, Liz Merrill was first for Children’s Fiction, and Jim Patton won in the Essay category. They each received $100 in prize money. Graphic stories were drawn beautifully by Anita Boykins, Johanna Burton, Laura Ford, and Tommy Reeves.
Another highlight of the event was guest speaker Sasha Martin, author of Life from Scratch: A Memoir of Food, Family, and Forgiveness. Sasha wrote a blog called globaltableadventure.com, chronicling the recipes she would cook each week from among 195 countries. She turned her blog into a book deal for Life from Scratch. From NYC’s Culinary Institute of America to Tulsa, Oklahoma, (thanks to Bama Pie’s summer internship,) she now lives here amongst heat, hail storms, and tornadoes enjoying Tulsa’s international flavors as well as our ‘Okie Catfish.’ Sasha shared her emotional journey from difficult early years to the joys of her new
by Carol Hoffman family today, who sat proudly in the crowd as she shared so eloquently what writing means to her soul. She pointed out that authors need to have empathy for their subjects; it’s the all-powerful link between writer and reader. The dates of the 2018 Adult Creative Writing Contest will be announced in this newsletter’s fall issue, but start writing now. It’s not too soon to begin! A full list of first place, second place, and honorable mention winning entries can be found on our website, tulsalibrary.org/ friends, for your reading enjoyment.
Clockwise: Sara Stecher reads her first place poem; Event chair Carol Hoffman addresses the crowd; Children's Fiction winner Liz Merrill; Author Sasha Martin (right) presents second place winner Melinda Brannan with her certificate; Martin signs books for attendees following the ceremony. Winners were each recognized with a certificate, with first and second place in each category receiving a monetary award.
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@ your library | Summer 2017
Library volunteers rock!
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by Sherry Leslie
ultitudes of people volunteer their time and talent with our libraries. And some even bring their dog “listeners” for children's programs. Over 150 people attended a lively party to thank and reward them on Sunday, April 23, which is the kickoff to National Volunteer Appreciation Week. Central’s beautiful Pocahontas Greadington Learning and Creativity Center shone among tables laden with food, flowers, and gift bags. The room’s unique layout encouraged volunteers to sit together and be honored for their hours and years of service. Pianist Don Ryan added music to the fun. Over the past year 794 volunteers gave 33,137 hours in total, equivalent to almost $781,000 in wages had they been paid. The top volunteer designation went to Dee McBride, who has given 20 years and over 12,000 hours in that time to the Herman and Kate Kaiser and Nathan Hale libraries. Chris Books and Alice Costas have given over 3,500 hours of service, and Ros Elder, Shirley Gidley, and Lu Patton have been volunteering for 15 years. Ruth Nelson was honored as the 2017 Marcus R. Tower Service Award winner. Ruth has worked tirelessly with the Library Trust and on the Central Library Renewed capital campaign. Around 30 other people and 10 4-legged friends were called to the front to take a bow and shake hands with CEO Kim Johnson and president of the Library Commission Bill Peacher. We deeply admire and love our volunteers—they are essential.
Meet the library's new volunteer office staff Volunteer Services Supervisor, Tara Harris, joined TCCL in July 2016 "I was born and raised in Ardmore, Oklahoma, and studied organizational development at the University of North Texas. My husband, Daniel, and I moved to Tulsa in 2006. "The Volunteer Services Office focus is to centralize and streamline procedures for the library system’s many volunteers. We are also excited to coordinate the Volunteer Recognition event and Volunteer Appreciation Week activities. "I am in the Volunteer Services Office in the Community Outreach and Literacy Services building, 2901 South Harvard, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. I can be reached by email at tara.harris@tulsalibrary.org or by phone at 918.549.7408 or 7405."
Top to Bottom: CEO Kim Johnson and Commissioner Bill Peacher deliver certificates to volunteers Peggy Tinsley and Catherine Gatchell; Library Trust board members came out in support of Marcus R. Tower honoree Ruth Nelson (left); Pratt Library site manager Chris Lair (right) visits with a volunteer and his family before the ceremony; Guests always enjoy the one-on-one time with PAWS for Reading 4-legged volunteers; Friends board members enjoy the celebration; Pianist Don Ryan entertains the crowd. FOL hosted the event, providing the food, decor and music.
Summer 2017 | @ your library
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HAPPENINGS
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n March 2, members of the Friends donned their red and white striped hats and visited pre-k students at Kendall Whittier Elementary to celebrate the birthday of author Ted Guisel (Dr. Seuss.) Guisel's birthday marks the annual Read Across America Day. And yes! There was excitement in the air as we read Green Eggs and Ham with a little help from our new friends. Why celebrate Dr. Seuss you may ask?
by Carol Hoffman The Cat in the Hat was published in 1957 with 200 hundred basic vocabulary words making it an immediate hit with parents, educators and most importantly, kids. (Not to mention the bounce in hat sales.) In 1960, Green Eggs and Ham was published and has sold over 8 million copies. One young student announced that he had received that very book to take home. The books are given to the Kendall Whittier early childhood program by the Friends
of the Tulsa City-County Libraries. The day was marked with other activities as well: Lunch at Kendall Whittier that day was not in a box or with a fox, but it was green eggs and ham, of course.
On April 19, Friends board members Debbie Grillot and Virginia Richard joined library leadership, including CEO Kim Johnson, at the state capitol for our regional library Legislative Day, hosting a breakfast for legislators and introducing them to the exemplary work of TCCL. The Friends held their annual membership meeting on May 4, where Debbie Grillot and Todd Dallenbach were honored as Distinguished Service Award recipients, an annual designation marking a history of notable contributions to Friends.
What We're Reading by Wayne Hardy Who better to suggest a good read to enjoy this summer than a librarian or retired librarian?
The Handmaid's Tale, Margaret Atwood “The most striking book I’ve read recently. It's cerebral and utterly gripping," says Sara. It is frightening, scathing satire, a dire warning and a literary tour de force.
Sara Thrower, youth associate, Maxwell Park Library See Me, Nicholas Sparks “This is a love story and a suspense novel. I couldn't put it down!”
Gerry Hendon, retired TCCL librarian Perfect Little World, Kevin Wilson A child psychologist arranges to study ten children being raised collectively without knowing their parents. “I love how the novel used this unusual framework of a scientific project to explore what makes a family.”
Rebecca Howard, managing librarian, Martin Regional Library The Boys in the Boat, Daniel James Brown
The Complete Cooking for Two Cookbook: 650 Recipes for Everything You'll Ever Want to Make, America's Test Kitchen “Some favorites include a porcini mushroom ragu, grilled bone-in chicken breast with cherry tomatoes and braised Brussels sprouts.”
Jesse Weitenhagen, site manager, Glenpool Library My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry, Fredrik Backman
The story of an American rowing team from the University of Washington that defeated the elite rivals at Hitler's Olympics. “This is a non-fiction book that reads like fiction and you find yourself rooting for the underdog team, even though you know they win.”
Told with the same comic flare and heart as Backman's monster bestseller, A Man Called Ove. “Wonderful and full of quirky characters.”
Cheryl Newman, managing librarian, Jenks Library
Barbara Barnes, retired librarian and host of Books With Barbara
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@ your library | Summer 2017
service spotlight Summer Reading Program challenge issued by Sherry Leslie
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his year’s Tulsa City-County Library Summer Reading Program has a terrific theme: Building a Better World. All over the area, from pre-schoolers to adults, there are “better worlds” being read about and momentum is building. City Councilor for District 1 Vanessa Hall-Harper issued this press release: “To encourage local children to participate in Tulsa CityCounty Library’s summer reading program, I have challenged children to increase summer reading program participation by 5 percent or more over last year. “If young readers in Tulsa’s District 1 meet the challenge at Rudisill Regional and Suburban Acres Libraries, they will earn an end-of-summer party with hamburgers, hotdogs, chips, and drinks. And, for dessert, the children who read the most books will get to throw a pie in my face all in good fun! I am truly excited about this year’s Summer Reading Program.”
Tulsa City Councilor Vanessa Hall-Harper (center) joins Rudisill staff to kick off a special Summer Reading Program challenge. Statistics for summer 2016 show that overall registration was 50,563 readers: 33,634 were children and 7,196 were teens. One in five children in Tulsa county were participants in the Summer Reading contest. Total books read during the program – children, teen, and adult - was a staggering 323,534 books, ebooks, or audio books. Can we top this? If “pie in the face” is added to the mix, we should be able to do it! We hope you are registered by now. If not, any public librarian will help it happen. There is also help by phoning the library or going to the website. Deadline to finish summer reading is Aug. 5, and the rewards are plenty. Get registered, get reading!
Adult Summer Reading Program highlights for July Adults can participate in Summer Reading too! Just read or listen to four books by Aug. 5 to receive a coupon pack full of freebies from program sponsors. Be sure to register in advance at your nearest branch.
GETTING PERSONAL WITH RILLA ASKEW Monday, July 10, 7-8:30 p.m. at Central Library. In her first nonfiction collection, award-winning novelist Rilla Askew casts an unflinching eye on American history, both past and present. Meet Askew and learn more about her career and works. In partnership with Booksmart Tulsa and Magic City Books.
MUSIC SANDWICHED IN Monday, July 17, noon-12:45 p.m. at Central Library. Lyric soprano Lawana Newell and baritone Douglas Newell, best known in performance circles as “The Maestro and the Missus,” are a gifted husband and wife duo whose blend of musicality proves that the whole can be much, much more than the sum of its parts.
TAKE FIVE RETURNS Tuesday, July 25, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Take Five, one of the library’s most popular programs, is returning. Come to Central Library’s Pocahontas Greadington Learning and Creativity Center to enjoy some bookish activities, door prizes and snacks, plus hear about 25 books. It’s like speed dating—only with books. The theme this year is Take Five: Read to Build a Better World. Five avid readers will each review 5 books in just 5 minutes. Each presenter has selected their 5 books for how well they caused deep thinking, full engagement with life, and ability to empathize with others more freely. Researchers agree that reading builds a better world through helping us be more compassionate. The creator of this program, Rebecca Howard, manager of Martin Regional Library, hopes that Take Five will spark conversation among passionate readers who are interested in building a better world. She’s convinced that you’ll take away countless inspirational reading suggestions. Registration is encouraged but not required. Register by phone at 918.549.7323 or at events.tulsalibrary.org.
Summer 2017 | @ your library
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ď ˝Friends welcome new board members
Laurie Brumbaugh
Karla Shahan
Doris Degner-Foster
Travis Splawn
Rita Kirk
Sally Stewart
Debby is a recent transplant from Oklahoma City, where she taught English. She also volunteers as a docent at Philbrook.
Karla worked for TCCL and enjoys volunteering with schools. She has a successful Ebay business selling beaded jewelry.
Laurie is a Tulsa native and retired CPA. She joined the Books Sandwiched In committee in 2016. She's active with Junior League and the TU Alumni Association.
Editor: Sherry Leslie Contributors: Debora Riggs Grillot, Gretchen Hannefield, Wayne Hardy, Carol Hoffman 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. Its newsletter, @ your library, is published for members three times a year.
Doris has a passion for horses and is a freelance writer specializing in the sport of horse riding.
2017-18 Officers
Travis works as an inspector for the Health Dept. He has volunteered as a Central Library tour guide and is a former Creative Writing Contest honoree. Sally was secretary to TCCL Director Pat Woodrum and worked as a realtor for McGraw Davisson Stewart.
A proud New Yorker, Rita works in advertising sales for Langdon Publishing.
Debora Riggs Grillot, President Diane Pennington, 1st Vice President Sherry Leslie, 2nd Vice President Todd Dallenbach, Treasurer Linda Jenkins, Assistant Treasurer Mary Olzawski, Recording Secretary Lynn Peacher, Corresponding Secretary Glenna Anderson, Past President
Dobie Langenkamp
2017-18 Board Members
Like us on
Debby Romig
Lynda is a retired speech pathologist. She served as chair of the 2016 Helmerich Distinguished Author Award Dinner Committee.
400 Civic Center Tulsa, OK 74103 918.549.7419 tulsalibrary.org/friends
NOT PICTURED
Dobie served the U.S. Dept. of Energy and taught Energy Law at TU. He's a self-published author and has presented more BSI reviews than he can recall!
Carolyn McClure
Michael McBride
Brenda Michael-Haggard
GETTING PERSONAL WITH RILLA ASKEW Monday, July 10 7 p.m. | Central Library
SAVE THE DATE
A native of Bartlesville, Mike is an internationally recognized attorney specializing in Indian Law and Gaming.
ď ˝CALENDAR
Laura Bottoms Lynda Brownson Laurie Brumbaugh Norman Bryant Sara Carlson Doris Degner-Foster Eldon Eisenach Catherine Gatchell Donna Goodman Gretchen Hannefield Carol Hoffman Hussien Khattab Rita Kirk Dobie Langenkamp Katy Livingston Michael McBride Carolyn McClure Brenda Michael-Haggard Dorothy Minor Melanie Nelson Michael Nesser Elaine Olzawski Richard Parker Glad Platner Jan Reese Virginia Richard Debby Romig Karla Shahan Nancy Sies Travis Splawn Sally Stewart Farryl Stokes Stan Teter Su Waner
Lynda Brownson
MUSIC SANDWICHED IN Monday, July 17 noon | Central Library SUMMER READING PROGRAM ENDS Saturday, Aug. 5 Visit tulsalibrary.org for more events and holiday closures.
facebook.com/FOLTulsa
Carolyn is a retired Jenks and Tulsa Public Schools librarian.
Brenda brings her experience as the executive director of Volunteer Tulsa to the Friends board.
CHAPTERS: A BENEFIT FOR THE RUTH G. HARDMAN ADULT LITERACY SERVICE Thursday, Sept. 7 6:30 p.m. | Hardesty Regional Library Join authors Jennifer Latham, David Leite and Julia Thomas for this festive evening of "Books, Bards and Bites" benefitting TCCL's Literacy Service. Tickets: $50 Call 918.549.7494 for tickets or info.