@ your library Volume XXIV Number One
A NEWSLETTER OF
Friends of the Tulsa City•County Libraries
Winter 2016
2016 Distinguished Author is a poet!
by Wayne Hardy
T
he Peggy V. Helmerich Distinguished Author Award, given annually by the Tulsa Library Trust to internationally acclaimed authors, consists of a $40,000 prize and an engraved crystal book. The names of former winners include such literary luminaries as William Manchester, Joyce Carol Oates, Eudora Welty and Norman Cousins. For the first time in the 30-year history of the award, a poet will be added to this remarkable list. The poet is Billy Collins, dubbed by the New Y ork Times as “the most popular poet in America.” As proof, his highly entertaining public readings are usually packed with fans and his books sell in unheard of numbers for poetry. He has performed on stage with musicians Paul Simon and Sir Paul McCartney, was featured on Garrison Keillor's radio programs A Prairie Home Companion and Writer's Almanac and heard on the PBS television animated series Martha Speaks. According to Alice Quinn, executive director of the Poetry Society of America, “He's like listening to wonderful jazz—and I mean classic jazz.” In 2001 Collins was named Poet Laureate of the United States. During that time, he read his poignant and powerful poem, The Names, at a special joint session of Congress commemorating the one-year anniversary of the World Trade Center tragedy. To encourage high school students to enjoy poetry he designed Poetry 180, a list of his favorite 180 poems by many different poets, one for each day of the school year. The poems are available even today at www.loc.gov/poetry/180.
2016 Peggy V. Helmerich Distinguished Author Award December 2, 6:30 p.m. | Award Dinner $175 per person. For reservations call Diane Cariker at 918.549.7366.
INSIDE:
December 3, 10:30 a.m. | Free Public Presentation Central Library President’s letter: Central Grand Opening page 2
Billy Collins, recipient of the 2016 Peggy V. Helmerich Distinguished Author Award. Photo credit: Suzannah Gilman
Collins has been called “the people's poet” for his conversational style combining wit with artistic observations and sometimes compared to Robert Frost for acclaim and popular appeal. Collins believes in getting poetry to the people. “I'm a great believer in poetry out of the classroom, in public spaces, on subways, on trains, on cocktail napkins.” Collins has received numerous honors, including Poetry magazine's Poet of the Year and was the inaugural recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for Humor in Poetry. He was chosen by the New York Public Library to serve as “Literary Lion.” He has received fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Guggenheim Foundation and the New York Foundation for the Arts. He is the co-founder of the Mid-Atlantic Review. His work has appeared in anthologies, textbooks and periodicals, including A merican Poetry Review, Paris Review and Harper's. Collins is the author of several books of poetry including A imless Love, The Art of Drowning and The Trouble with Poetry.
Friends support Staff Development Day page 3
Library celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month page 4
Great Decisions program kickoff page 6
president’s|podium A grand opening for Central Library
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s invisible hands cut the bright red ribbon encircling our newly remodeled Central Library, confetti cannons fired their paper ammo across the plaza and a brilliant fireworks display filled the daytime skies. Instantly hundreds of Tulsans streamed through the library’s shiny metal and glass doors, confirming what we Friends already know: Americans still love books and view libraries as an essential part of the community.
And indeed, Tulsa’s libraries are dishing out far more than “novel” food. I see our library system as a People’s University of sorts. It’s a place where citizens can gather to learn new skills and access new technology of all kinds, a base for our beloved books and techno-fueled digital collections, and a space for
In his introductory remarks at the grand opening, Dr. Gary Shaffer, CEO of TCCL noted, “Libraries are not dying. There are more than 10,000 people coming into our Tulsa county libraries every day, and there are more libraries nation-wide than there are McDonalds.”
people to convene, collaborate and create. So if you haven’t yet seen this magnificent new library of the 21st century, well, you’re overdue! Come check us out and discover why our dynamic, innovative Central Library will be changing lives for generations to come. See you in the stacks.
Debora Riggs Grillot President, 2016-2017 Friends of the Tulsa City-County Libraries
Appreciation all ‘round
W
e appreciate four newcomers joining the Friends board: Norman Bryant, Cathey Harned, Katy Livingston and Dorothy Minor. All have interesting talents to add to our endeavor.
Laura Bottoms
Norman Bryant is a for mer oil company employee and par t-time math instructor at TCC. Now days he likes hanging out around several Tulsa library branches and is co-leader of a Broken Arrow Great Decisions group. Cathey Harned still substitute teaches at Monte Casino (a 15-year educator) and enjoys working in different volunteer organizations, exercising, cheering on the Sooners, and reading.
Board member Catherine Gatchell conducts a tour during the Central Library opening on October 1.
Katy Livingston has been a nur se, r esear cher , chaplain, and an educator. Dorothy Minor has r ecently r etir ed fr om teaching college English, and is writing a blog about books she recommends.
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@ your library | Winter 2016
noteworthy|news Board provides food for Staff Development Day by Glad Platner
“
Full Steam Ahead” was the slogan of the day for the TCCL Staff Development Day, held in October at Central Library. And providing fuel for the energy needed was the Friends of the Library Staff Appreciation Day Committee, with a buffet breakfast for library employees. Juice, coffee, pastries from Merritt’s Bakery, and fruit, cheese and yogurt delighted all.
Keynote speaker, James LaRue, director of the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom and the Freedom to Read Foundation, spoke on the importance of public libraries in our communities as well as the importance of reading. The day was filled with staff development activities and classes led by TCCL employees and instructors from the community. A great variety of classes were available— everything from “First Aid & CPR Overview” to “Comics as Folklore.” Afternoon activities were both informational and entertaining, and even presented an opportunity to get low-cost flu shots! The information shared included such things as gardening in the city (which covered information about the library’s Seed Library), Tulsa tunnel tours, a guide to the Maker Lab at Central Library with its 3D printers and professional sound booth, and even a Pokemon GO! Challenge. There was indeed something for everyone.
Mary Olzawski, Stan Teter, Shirley Gidley, Debbie Grillot and Brenda Bradshaw set up refreshments for Staff Development Day.
Mary Olzawski and Farryl Stokes chair the Fr iends Staff Appreciation Committee. Members helping were Brenda Bradshaw, Eldon Eisenach, Shirley Gidley, Debbie Grillot, Cathey Harned, Elaine Olzawski, Jan Reese, Virginia Richard and Stan Teter. At day’s end, over 300 TCCL employees went home with a renewed enthusiasm to go “full steam ahead” to continue to make the Tulsa City-County Library system one of the best in the nation. They are helping us all to unleash the power of learning.
Attention Creative Writers! YOU HAVE A NEW DEADLINE In this 40TH YEAR of the Adult Creative Writing Contest, you have until March 3, 2017, to submit your entries. The awards ceremony will be held on May 13, 2017, at Central Library’s Aaronson Auditorium. Entry forms will be on the TCCL website and at each library location by January 2017. In addition to Short Story, Poetry, Essay and Children’s Story, there may be a new category to watch for: Graphic Story!
Committee members honor Kelli McDowell (center) with the Nita Mitchell Outstanding Service Award during Staff Development Day.
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Fiesta time! Library celebrates 2016 Hispanic Heritage Month by Glad Platner
T
here were A-to-Z activities (inspiring and educational sessions with author Zoraida Cordova, lively Zumba classes and lots of other festive things in between) during the library’s fall celebration of Hispanic Heritage month. The celebration began with Noche Mexicana at KendallWhittier Library, where friends were invited to bring lawn chairs and enjoy live mariachi music. Chips and salsa were also part of the entertaining evening.
Zumba classes were held at Martin Regional Library on four consecutive Saturdays, and had everyone moving to the beat of Latin music. What a great way to have fun, learn some new dance steps, and get fit! Young children got in on the festivities when they attended special story times at several library branches. And something for older patrons, The Milagro Beanfield War film, was shown at Nathan Hale Library. Another activity held four times during the month was the DIY Fiesta Series at Martin. Pointers were offered for planning and preparing your own fiesta, as well as handson time to learn how to make a piñata and other crafts.
Cordova (born in Ecuador, raised in Queens, New York) met with students at Tulsa School of Arts and Sciences and discussed the writing process with them. Her genre is fantasy/magic and her most recent book is Labyrinth Lost, first of a trilogy.
Laura Bottoms and Marian Sexton tour Iceland.
Author Zoraida Cordova addresses a large crowd at Hardesty Regional Library on October 6 as part of Hispanic Heritage Month.
During Tulsa’s First Friday Art Crawl an Arts Fiesta was held in the Tandy Foundation Children’s Garden at Central Library. There was dancing by Ballet Folklorico Tonatiuh, and many hands-on activities for the children. They had the opportunity to make maracas, tissue paper flowers, and “sculptures” of the Mexican artist Frida Kahlo from pumpkins. Heather Stark, Hispanic Resource Center coordinator, reported that attendance was good, and hopes that people will participate in Hispanic Heritage Month in 2017. Adios, amigos! Hasta luego!
O
n Wednesday, January 18, 2017, the popular Travels With Tulsans series returns to its birthplace of 41 years ago—Aaronson Auditorium at Central Library. Bring your own lunch or grab a bite at Starbucks, BUT be in your seat by 12:10 p.m. for show time! The series concludes on February 22 with the three baseball amigos on their quest to visit every major league park. Lots of fun stories and baseball memorabilia will be on display to get you revved up for spring training. Along the way, experience whale watching in Vancouver, the power of Niagara Falls, a sunset sail in Boston Harbor, the grandeur of the Rocky Mountains and the volcanic beauty of Iceland.
Travels With Tulsans 4
@ your library | Winter 2016
This Friends program began in 1976, and was the brainchild of Eleanor and Rex Rader. They explored the world taking photographs and were in Europe so often that Rex had to get an international driver’s license. Of course now we have made the leap from slides to digital images. Gone are the days of worrying about the projector bulb burning out in the middle of the presentation! Travels With Tulsans has consistently been one of the highest attended Friends programs. Come join us and you’ll see why!!!
A garden awaits by Carol Hoffman
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bench is a place to rest, ponder and watch the world go by. It also is the 'at ready' post for athletes awaiting the coach's call. At Central Library the benches in the Children's Garden are much more. The benches feature simple and clean lines of dark wood, set off by the vibrant green grass, light walls, the unique boulders and the sleek black water feature. Each represents donations from several companies, families and groups, one of which is Friends of the Tulsa City-County Libraries. A metal nameplate on each bench designates the donor. This quiet and inviting space, sponsored by the A.R. and MaryLouise Tandy Foundation, is a wonderful venue for outdoor children’s activities
and educational programs. A huge screen is installed on the west wall for movie nights and other media presentations, and the hidden message "Libraries Change Lives" repeats along the wall in Morse code.
View from the Friends of the Tulsa City-County Libraries bench in the new A.R. and MaryLouise Tandy Foundation Children’s Garden.
So next time you happen to be at our beautiful Central Library and need a respite from the hurried, noisy metropolitan rush, stop by the Children's Garden located just outside Aaronson Auditorium. Find a bench,
enjoy a book or just reflect on the beauty of the day!
Meet our new Friends staff…in her own words by Tara Farrar
I
grew up in a little place called Coos Bay, Oregon, (bonus points if you’ve been there) and lived in several places along the West Coast before returning to Oklahoma in 2009, after attending college here in the late ‘90s. I’ve been working with nonprofits for over 10 years, and did my graduate studies in nonprofit management and arts administration. I’ve worked in a variety of capacities, from marketing to membership to special events. I’ve always been a fan of libraries, and am thrilled to be working with the library system. Case in point: In junior high, I walked to the public library nearly every day after school, just to spend time there, until one of my parents would pick me up Tara Farrar after work. I started working with the Friends on August 1, and dove right in, processing the flurry of memberships we received in response to the summer newsletter mailing. I’ve been
busy since, familiarizing myself with the organization, preparing for the Central Library grand opening in October, and tackling other projects. I work for the Friends 20 hours per week, and keep regular office hours at Central Library, currently from Monday thru Thursday. (You’ll find me on the Lower Level, in the administrative wing.) Larry Bartley, communications director for the library, continues to be the library’s Friends liaison, but you can now direct any questions about the day-to-day operations of the Friends to me. In my “off” time, you may find me out perusing estate sales and flea markets, picking up inventory for my Etsy shop, Recollect V intage, where I sell vintage housewares and collectibles. I look forward to the upcoming slate of Friends programs, and offering productive support to the organization, whether it be administrative or other. I hope to help improve processes and implement growth initiatives, and hope that my experience proves valuable to the Friends so that we can continue to be an asset to the library. And I look forward to meeting YOU! If you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to call me at 918.549.7419 or email tara.farrar@tulsalibrary.org.
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The elections are over. Can we still talk? by Gretchen Hannefield
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ussell Hanks will give the keynote address at the Great Decisions kickoff event on Sunday, Januar y 22, 2017, 2:30 p.m. in Aaronson Auditorium at Central Library. Mr. Hanks has filled leadership positions in the Foreign Service for over 25 years. His work across the interagency spectrum, including NATO facilities and US, European and African commands, involved coordinating development, security and strategic communications teams for a variety of agencies including USAID, DOT, HSA, and DOE. Think about joining one of the many Great Decisions discussion groups sponsored by the Friends of the Tulsa City-County Libraries. A list of meeting locations and times will be available and briefing booklets will be for sale at the kickoff. Groups typically cover one topic per meeting.
Reading to help us cope with politics by Wayne Hardy
Carnival Campaign Ronald G. Shafer The 1840 campaign of William Henry Harrison and John Tyler is notable for significant firsts: “image” became an issue, big money was a factor, and women could openly participate, but not vote!
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Dark Horse: The Surprise Election and Political Murder of President James A. Garfield Kenneth D. Ackerman 1880 Republicans nominated James Garfield over Ulysses S. Grant, who was seeking an unprecedented third term. Garfield won the presidency by a miniscule margin, only to be cut down by a politically ambitious and mentally disturbed assassin.
@ your library | Winter 2016
The 2017 Great Decisions program topics are: Topic 1: The Future of Europe Topic 2: Trade and Politics Topic 3: Conflict in the South China Sea Topic 4: Saudi Arabia in Transition Topic 5: U.S. Foreign Policy and Petroleum Topic 6: Latin America's Political Pendulum Topic 7: Prospects for Afghanistan and Pakistan Topic 8: Nuclear Security Great Decisions is Amer ica' s lar gest discussion program on world affairs. The name is shared by a national civic-education program, briefing book, teacher’s guide and PBS television series produced by the Foreign Policy Association. In libraries across the country, Great Decisions discussion group participants discuss the issues and complete a national opinion ballot to communicate their views to Congress and the White House. Supported by the Foreign Policy Association for over 50 years, Great Decisions involves citizens in the foreign policy-making process. Great Decisions also benefits the libr ar y by boosting library use and providing a platform for promoting our own collections and cross-promoting other relevant activities and events.
The libraries are full of books about past presidents and past elections that could help us put this year into perspective. They speak of serious events and serious people of another day that we can now read with good humor and fondness. This election will also go down in history and books will be written! Try these great true stories. They might be as crazy as the one in which we are now living.
Worst President. Ever. James Buchanan and the Legacy of the Least of the Lesser Presidents Richard Strauss And the winner is… Buchanan, for meddling in the Dred Scott Supreme Court decision, fueling the Panic of 1857, helping foment the John Brown uprisings and Bloody Kansas, and virtually inviting a halfdozen states to secede from the Union.
First Women: The Grace and Power of America’s First Ladies Kat Anderson Brower Covers the role of First Lady since 1960, exploring their political crusades, friendships with other first ladies, and their public and private relationships with their husbands.
Presidential Pets: The Weird, Wacky, Little, Big, Scary, Strange Animals That Have Lived in the White House Julia Mober This children's book combines poetry and fun facts about US presidents and also the lesserknown White House inhabitants, including an alligator, a zebra, a badger, and a snake.
membership|matters Membership drive continues through December
T
he response to our summer membership solicitation was stellar—we’re thankful for the continued support from our community. But we’re not done yet! We currently stand at 74% of our annual membership goal of $10,000. That’s 74% toward funding all of the incredible programs that the Friends of the Tulsa CityCounty Libraries support. We’re getting close, and YOU can help us meet (or exceed) our goal! Simply return your enclosed membership envelope today. Don’t let this be your last issue of @ your library. If you’d like to continue to receive our newsletter and all of the Friends program information and benefits, don’t delay— RENEW today! Remember, the deadline for 2016 charitable contributions is just around the corner. Unsure if you’ve renewed yet this year? Just call Tara Farrar at 918.549.7419.
Congratulations are in order. Congratulations to Nancy Harbaugh for renewing her Friends membership by September 1 and winning the drawing for two free tickets to the Peggy V. Helmerich Distinguished Author Award Dinner.
You could win too! When you renew your membership, become a new Friend of TCCL, or gift another person with a membership by December 31…. You or the person you designate will be entered into a drawing to win any three of the books reviewed by the fall 2016 or spring 2017 Books Sandwiched In series. The winner will be able to choose from over 20 great books! (A prize valued at over $60.)
It’s easy. Join or renew by December 31 and be entered to win.
‘Tis the Season to Shop MEMBERSHIP MAKES A GREAT GIFT Remember this holiday season that a membership to the Friends is a really nice gift for anyone, perhaps tucked inside a book, or a coffee mug...It offers a year of fun and education for any book lover in your life! Santa can arrange for this membership gift simply by returning the enclosed membership envelope, or by visiting the TCCL website. Click on Support TCCL to find the Friends membership form, or type in the URL www.tulsalibrary.org/friends.
The Library Gift Shop is also a great place to shop and can be found under the Support TCCL section on the website as well. There are shirts, coffee mugs and water glasses, ball caps, posters, and much more imprinted with the library motto, “Libraries Change Lives.” All sales benefit the library, which benefits the entire community. And don’t forget—those memberships of over $10 are tax deductible!
Winter 2016 | @ your library
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Friends of the Tulsa City•County Libraries 400 Civic Center Tulsa, OK 74103 918.549.7419 tulsalibrary.org/friends
Editor: Sherry Leslie Contributors: Debora Riggs Grillot, Gretchen Hannefield, Wayne Hardy, Carol Hoffman, Glad Platner 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.
Officers Debora Riggs Grillot, President Diane Pennington, 1st Vice President Lollie Burr, 2nd Vice President Todd Dallenbach, Treasurer Linda Jenkins, Assistant Treasurer Mary Olzawski, Recording Secretary Lynn Peacher, Corresponding Secretary Glenna Anderson, Past President
Laura Bottoms Norman Bryant Tom Campbell Sara Carlson Eldon Eisenach Catherine Gatchell Shirley Gidley Donna Goodman Gretchen Hannefield Wayne Hardy Cathey Harned Carol Hoffman Hussien Khattab Sherry Leslie Katy Livingston Dorothy Minor Melanie Nelson Michael Nesser Elaine Olzawski Richard Parker Glad Platner Jan Reese Virginia Richard Marian Sexton Della Sheldon Nancy Sies Farryl Stokes Stan Teter Su Waner
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Customer Care: At your service by Sherry Leslie
H
ave you wondered about the A skUs Hotline and what happens when their number, 918.549.7323 is called? On the TCCL website, this can be found on the “Have a question? AskUs” area at the top right corner. Explore it—you might be helped in a few ways. The staff of the Customer Care Department is on the other end of that phone number and/or mouse click. They work in a Central Library second floor workroom, and they are very busy. Care for library patrons is a bigger job every year due to increased phone access, texts, emails and instant messages, as well as social media messages to and from Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Instagram. All of these fall under Care; as in, we care what the public wants to ask and say. In September 2016 alone, the department handled 8,886 interactions, of which 7,816 were telephone calls. (Yes, they keep the statistics of all data which they call “The Voice of the Customer.”) This department takes incoming phone calls for Broken Arrow, Brookside, Bixby, Hardesty, Jenks, Martin East, Nathan Hale, Owasso, South Broken Arrow and Schusterman-Benson branches, and Central. They give assistance before transferring calls to the correct library. It is part of the Zone Service Model at those branches. Customer Care Department personnel, managed by Barbie Benson, also collect
CALENDAR
Board
service|spotlight suggestions, opinions, and complaints. Each library has yellow forms entitled, “How’d We Do”—also available on the website—that anyone may fill out. Once comments make their way back to Customer Care the information is organized and analyzed. This feedback is extremely valuable to the system.
Additionally, the department keeps up to date on all downloadable library resources and popular devices. This expanding technology is the reason for many calls asking for help. A hotline is available for any customer while at any branch, in the form of a red telephone under an AskUs Hotline sign. Any question you ask will be answered within minutes and during all Barbie Benson was promoted to Customer Care manager in August. library hours. Have a question? Start with this wonderful department. They’re always available. They have answers—and they care!
Peggy V. Helmerich Distinguished Author Public Presentation and Book Signing with Billy Collins December 3 10:30 a.m. Central Library Travels With Tulsans begins January 18 (Wednesdays thru February) 12:10 p.m. Central Library
facebook.com/FOLTulsa
Great Decisions Kickoff January 22 2:30 p.m. Central Library Central Library Tours Tuesdays, 4 p.m. & Thursdays, 10 a.m. thru December 22 HOLIDAY LIBRARY CLOSINGS: November 24, December 24-26 January 1-2 & 16, February 20 See tulsalibrary.org for detailed hours