@Your Library Newsletter Fall 2014 by City of Norfolk

@YOUR In This Issue

Saturday Just Got Better!

Culture Abounds @ Your Library

Sargeant Memorial Collection to Close Temporarily

Library September October November 2014

A quarterly publication containing news and events from the Norfolk Public Library and the Friends of the Norfolk Public Library.

www.npl.lib.va.us Librarian Cared for Books, Dogs, Community— Everything by Bill Ruehlmann

John Parker with Noah, his snowball bichon frise, and his cat Eugene. (Photo courtesy of Ray Gregory)

I first met John A. Parker Jr. more than three decades back at the Kirn Memorial Main Library in Norfolk during lunch hour. He was a bespectacled, frowning sort who stood in the hallway between the open stacks and the business section, brandishing a book. He groused: “Why aren’t there any comfortable chairs around here to sit down and read in?” An incensed patron, I guessed. But the book was a volume of Cervantes in Spanish, and the grumpy guy turned out to be Head of General Reference. John always wanted matters to improve for folks at the library, including the staff. He loved books and sought continued on page 2

Winners of the 2014 Book Review Contest

Norfolk students have once again outdone themselves by submitting more than 1,400 entries for the 2014 Friends of the Norfolk Public Library (FNPL) Annual Book Review Contest. The contest, which ended in March, was open to all Norfolk public, private and homeschool students in grades four through 12. Critical thinking and creative writing were shown by all students, and with so many outstanding reviews received, judging was difficult at best. First, second and third place winners were selected from each grade level. One review stood out from all the others— Amelia Dobbs, an 11th-grade student at

Maury High School, received Best Overall. Dobbs wrote a prolific review of “The Virgin Suicides,” by Jeffrey Eugenides. Her review was featured and read aloud at the awards ceremony on Thursday, May 15, 2014, at the MacArthur Memorial. At the ceremony, contest winners were honored amid family, friends, library staff and FNPL volunteers. Keynote speaker Tony Winn addressed the guests with an inspiring message about the importance of reading. The FNPL would like to thank all who participated in 2014. For those who did not, it is never too early to start thinking about a book to review for 2015!

Creating a City of Readers  Published by the Friends of the Norfolk Winners listed Library on page 2

2014 Book Review Contest Winners

There are over 12,000 books in that house, from classics to comics, all meticulously sorted Best Overall Amelia Dobbs Maury High School Mrs. Kershasky and shelved according to category. There are also hundreds of framed images of all sizes on Grade 4: the walls, from a John Singer Sargent portrait First Place: Emma Hickey Saint Patrick Catholic School Mrs. Barrineau of a mother and daughter to a formal photo Second Place: Bella Sadr Saint Patrick Catholic School Mrs. Tenney Third Place: Lucy Lex Saint Patrick Catholic School Mrs. Barrineau of John’s Aunt Vera. There are also a leggy 1949 cheesecake calendar from Brock’s Gas Grade 5: Service of Broadway, Virginia, and scores of First Place: Celia Laplace Saint Patrick Catholic School Mrs. Segerblom Second Place: Kaylee Bejarano Norfolk Collegiate School Mrs. Maus pinup portraits. Third Place: Abby McMonagle Norfolk Collegiate School Mrs. Maus Plus a wide assortment of old motion pictures, vintage TV and radio shows, and Grade 6: First Place: Skylar Tessler Norfolk Collegiate School Mrs. Hastings vigilant button-eyed stuffed bears. Second Place: Jesse Mirman Norfolk Collegiate School Mrs. Hastings His real hero remained Stan Musial of the Third Place: Perry McKay Norfolk Collegiate School Mrs. Hastings St. Louis Cards, but a big life-sized bust of Grade 7: Charles Dickens commanded the house. First Place: Solomon Duane Norfolk Academy Ms. Massey John respected the surpassing energy of that Second Place: Anne Hickey Saint Patrick Catholic School Mrs. Lynch author, who topped off his typical writing day Third Place: Arman Shekarriz Norfolk Academy Ms. Massey with a 20-mile lope down the gas-lit night runs Grade 8: of 19th-century London. John often piloted First Place: Caitie Sullivan Saint Patrick Catholic School Mrs. Gunter his ancient Chevette through predawn Ghent, Second Place: Noa Greenspan Norfolk Academy Mrs. Staub murmuring from memory the contrapuntal Third Place: Brian Gilday Norfolk Collegiate School Ms. Belle opening to “A Tale of Two Cities” (1859): Grade 9: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of First Place: Krystina Waters Maury High School Ms. Davidson-Cook times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age Second Place: Cole Dewey Maury High School Ms. Davidson-Cook of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was Third Place: Katherine Hickey Maury High School Ms. Davidson-Cook the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, Grade 10: it was the season of Darkness. … ” First Place: Lorraina Roth Maury High School Ms. Goldman Then as now. Second Place: Stephenson Heretick Norfolk Collegiate School Mrs. Dalrymple And John made a point of parading his Third Place: Jacob Leffler Maury High School Ms. Kurtz exhaust-producing heap past polling places Grade 11: during the last presidential election, bearing First Place: Emily Martell Maury High School Mrs. Kershasky a cautionary bumper sticker to inspire voter Second Place: Philip Riddick Maury High School Mrs. Kershasky prudence: “NIXON/AGNEW.” Third Place: Ashleigh Nottingham Maury High School Mrs. Stephenson He researched, wrote and self-published Grade 12: a scholarly book on the history of his First Place: Robert Lambert Maury High School Ms. Davidson-Cook surroundings titled “Thirteen Blocks: A Social Second Place: Ayla Combes Maury High School Ms. Goldman History of Early Ghent in Norfolk, Virginia” Third Place: Hussain Humadi Maury High School Ms. Goldman under the imprint of Money Pit Press. Thanks to his personal door-to-door salesmanship and Librarian Cared for Books, Dogs, the good offices of Prince Books, the press run Community—Everything sold out. Meanwhile, for years John soldiered continued from page 1 with 70 windows, five chimneys, 12 on until his final week─without the knowledge to make it easy to enjoy them. That fireplaces and an assortment of cherub- of the 35-household neighbors─to take out abrupt exterior was a disguise. headed Victorian radiators. At Halloween, their garbage and recycling weekly, rain, shine Norfolk-born, he was raised unhappily John gave trick-or-treating kids Hershey or snowstorm. in Commodore Park during Massive bars. The 7-ounce size. Many thought the city was doing it. Resistance, the only child of an alcoholic Eventually he retired from the library At the end, he figured those attracted to ammunition depot worker and an Avon system, and Rose Marie passed away. library work were really less about the books representative. John had earned a John remained in the eight-bedroom than wanting to be of help. master’s degree in library science from house with 11-foot ceilings and massy John A. Parker Jr., 70, died on May 11, after the University of North Carolina at pendant chandeliers like hovering mother a series of strokes, at Sentara Norfolk General Chapel Hill when he was drafted into the ships. Also with sundry stray felines Hospital. He left many friends. I’m grateful to Army in 1966. He served as a clerk in a and two snowball bichon frises, the late have been among them. Long Binh headquarters company. Henry and the surviving Noah. This article is reprinted with permission from The Virginian-Pilot The Vietnam veteran came back and By then the collections and the and its author Bill Ruehlmann. Bill Ruehlmann is professor lived for many years with his devoted critters were starting to make sense; emeritus of journalism and communications at Virginia Wesleyan wife, Rose Marie, also a librarian, in a he was reassembling the missing College, and a Virginian-Pilot correspondent. three-story, pillared 1897 pile in Ghent pieces of his childhood. Category:

Name:

School:

Teacher:

Creating a City of Readers  Published by the Friends of the Norfolk Library

Looking for FREE weekend fun?

Just Got Better!

In addition to terrific, drop-in play areas for families called KidZones in all branches, NPL also offers a variety of Saturday programs. From KinderReady classes and school age programs, to multicultural events and gaming— we have it all. Make NPL your budget-friendly destination for Saturday outings all year long!

1-2-3 Play With Me

Jordan-Newby Branch ~ (757) 441-2843 Saturdays @ 11 AM (Sept. 6 - Dec. 27) Drop in for a 60 minute playgroup featuring free play, art, circle time, and great resources. (Toddlers)

Lafayette Branch ~ (757) 441-2842 Saturdays @ 10:30 AM (Sept. 6 - Dec. 27) Grow a happy, healthy baby one rhyme at a time! Babygarten features 60 minutes of fun songs, playful movement activities, colorful toys, board books and great resources for parents. (Babies & Toddlers)

National UMIGO Day: Math Munchies (SOL-based) Lafayette Branch ~ (757) 441-2842 Saturday, Sept. 27 @ 12:30 PM Wish math was a little easier to digest? Drop in for cool hands-on math games created out of your favorite sweets and snacks! (School Age)

KinderREAD/KinderMATH

Barron F. Black Branch ~ (757) 441-5806 Saturdays @ 11 AM (Sept. 6 - Dec. 27) • Colors • Shapes • Numbers • Letters • Patterning • Sequencing • Measuring • Writing, and more! Children learn basic concepts through group activities, books, and hands-on exploration at individual learning stations. (Preschool)

Barron F. Black Branch ~ (757) 441-5806 1st Saturdays @ 2 PM (Sept. 6; Oct. 4; Nov. 1; Dec. 6) Parents, now that school is back in session, have your child brush up on reading skills by sharing stories with book-loving therapy dogs! Registration is required. (School Age)

Go to www.npl.lib.va.us/events for a complete listing of Saturday events. Creating a City of Readers  Published by the Friends of the Norfolk Library

Creating a City of Readers  Published by the Friends of the Norfolk Library 3

Live

HOMEWORK

HELP

You’ve Been “Caught Caring!” Jim Bagby

Reference Librarian at Pretlow Anchor Branch When a coworker forgot to turn off their car headlights, Jim didn’t hesitate to pull out his jumper cables.

Is Only One Click Away!

State-certified teachers are waiting to help you with reading, writing and math for grades three through 12. Access the Homework Help link from the NPL website at www.npl.lib.va.us/HomeworkHelp Monday - Thursday: 3 PM - 9 PM Saturday: 9 AM - 3 PM Online help not available on Fridays and Sundays

Library Closings Labor Day

Sunday, August 31 & Monday, September 1

NPL Staff Training Day Monday, October 13

Veterans Day

Tuesday, November 11

Thanksgiving

Close @ 5 PM: Wednesday, November 26 Closed Thursday, November 27 & Friday, November 28

Christmas

Close @ Noon: Wednesday, December 24 Closed Thursday, December 25

New Year’s Eve/Day

Close @ 5 PM: Wednesday, December 31 Closed Thursday, January 1, 2015

Way to go Jim!

Culture Abounds

Hispanic Heritage Month September 15 – October 15, 2014

Go to www.npl.lib.va.us/HHM for a complete listing of events.

Hispanic Heritage Month Opening Celebration

Saturday, Sept. 20 @ 11 AM Pretlow Anchor Branch ~ (757) 441-1750 Activities include guest speaker Olga Torres, President of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; “Roberto the International Entertainer,” a musician and singer; book characters Maya and Miguel; Flor de Mexico, a children’s dance group; Parade of Nations; crafts; community agencies and organizations; and food! (Family)

Zumba in the Stacks

Get off the couch and exercise the Zumba way! This class combines the Latin dances of Cumbia, Salsa, Merengue and Samba! (Teens & Adults) Tuesdays @ 5:30 PM (Aug. 26; Sept. 2, 9 & 16) Barron F. Black Branch ~ (757) 441-5806 Mondays @ 5:30 PM (Sept. 8, 15, 22 & 29) Horace C. Downing Branch ~ (757) 441-1968 Saturdays @ 11 AM (Sept. 20 & 27; Oct. 4 & 11) Park Place Branch ~ (757) 664-7330 Creating CreatingaaCity CityofofReaders ReadersPublished Publishedbybythe theFriends Friendsofofthe theNorfolk NorfolkLibrary Library

Congratulations to the NPL Volunteers of the Month!

April 2014: Adriana Goodman

May 2014: Joseph Needham

June 2014: Annie Gao

Adriana Goodman is a 13-year-old Norfolk native who attends Lake Taylor Middle School. She volunteers after school at the Horace C. Downing Branch Library cleaning toys in the KidZone and helping with shelf reading. She also volunteers as a praise dancer and mime for St. Paul Pentecostal C.O.G.I.C. (Church of God in Christ). Adriana loves the color purple and all types of food.

Joseph Needham is a 2010 graduate from Granby High School who has volunteered at NPL since he was 15 years old. He has worked at the Kirn Memorial Main Library, the Lafayette Branch Library, and currently, the Mary D. Pretlow Anchor Branch Library. He is kind, hardworking, responsible, and always works with a smile on his face. Joseph loves reading history books, hiking, and playing lacrosse.

Annie Gao was born in Hawaii. She is a rising junior at Norfolk Collegiate School and her favorite subject is English. Annie is volunteering at the Mary D. Pretlow Anchor Branch Library for her second summer helping the Children’s Department with summer programs and assisting patrons. Annie enjoys playing volleyball, reading and traveling. Her all-time favorite vacation was to Key West.

@Your Library

Plug in to NPL’s Digital Collection

American Indian Heritage Month

• eBooks • eAudiobooks • Digital Magazines • TumbleBooks

Go to www.npl.lib.va.us/AIHM for a complete listing of events.

Access hands-free reading and download your favorite titles 24/7 at www.npl.lib.va.us/books

November 1-30, 2014

American Indian Heritage Month Opening Celebration

Saturday, Nov. 1 @ 11 AM Pretlow Anchor Branch ~ (757) 441-1750 Host: Vincent Schilling, Akwesasne Mohawk Nation Award-winning Native American, photojournalist and public speaker Vincent Schilling presents drum groups, dance performances, and wild bird demonstrations! (Family)

Black Indians in Hampton Roads: A Historical Perspective

Saturday, Nov. 15 @ 1 PM Blyden Branch ~ (757) 441-2852 The Weyanoke Association presents a historical perspective on the rich and vibrant history of Black Indians and their relationship with Native Americans in Hampton Roads and other regions of Virginia. (Adults) Creating a City of Readers  Published by the Friends of the Norfolk Library

We Need Your Gently Used LEGOS® Donations can be brought to any NPL location For details, please ask any library staff member or call (757) 664-7328 x349

Your donations are helping to build LEGO® clubs at NPL brick-by-brick! Creating a City of Readers  Published by the Friends of the Norfolk Library5

Sargeant Memorial Collection to Close Temporarily After August 30, 2014 In order to prepare for the move to Norfolk Public Library’s new main library, Slover Memorial Library, the Sargeant Memorial Local History and Genealogy Collection will close at Pretlow Anchor Branch Library after August 30, 2014. Assistance with local history and genealogy research and data retrieval will not be available until the Slover Memorial Library opens in January 2015. In the interim, please use the following locations for assistance with local history and genealogy services. Many of these locations are staffed by volunteers, so call ahead first to make sure they can assist you. Esther Murdaugh Wilson Memorial Room Portsmouth Public Library 601 Court Street Portsmouth, VA 23704 (757) 393-8501 ext. 6521 Email: localhistory@portsmouthva.gov www.portsmouth-va-public-library.com/ local-history-collection Edgar Brown Local History and Genealogy Collection Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library Virginia Beach Public Library 4100 Virginia Beach Boulevard Virginia Beach, VA 23452 (757) 385-0150 (Reference Service) Email: library@vbgov.com www.VBgov.com/localhistory

Wallace Memorial Room (Norfolk County Historical Society) Central Library Chesapeake Public Library 298 Cedar Road Chesapeake, VA 23322 (757) 410-7147 (Reference Service) infopeake.org/norfolk-county-historical-society

Harrison B. Wilson Archives Lyman Beecher Brooks Library Norfolk State University 700 Park Avenue Norfolk, VA 23504 (757) 823-2002 or 823-2003 www.nsu.edu/provost/archives/index

Special Collections & University Archives Patricia W. & J. Douglas Perry Library Old Dominion University 4427 Hampton Boulevard Norfolk, VA 23529 (757) 683-4483 www.lib.odu.edu/specialcollections

$10!

It Won’t Be Long Now! The opening of the

Give the Gift of Nostalgia: The 2015 Norfolk Historical Calendar Theme: Making a Difference The NPL Foundation’s 2015 calendar is available to purchase for just $10!

For more information or to order a calendar online, go to www.npl.lib.va.us/HistoricalCalendars

Slover Memorial Library

is just around the corner. Construction is winding down, and the new high-tech, hightouch library is expected to open its doors to the public in January 2015. Stay posted for more details to arrive soon!

Proceeds support the new Sargeant Memorial Collection in the Slover Memorial Library (opening early 2015).

Creating a City of Readers  Published by the Friends of the Norfolk Library

September is Library Card Sign-up Month

Get Yours Today!

LIBRARY INF

ORMATION 235 E. Plume Street, Norfolk, Telephone: (757) Virginia 23510 664-7323 Inter net: www.npl.l ib.va.us

Visit any library location to sign up!

Teen Read Week October 12-18, 2014

Go to www.npl.lib.va.us/TRW for a complete listing of Teen Read Week events “Turn Your Dreams into Reality” Tuesday, October 14 @ 5 PM Janaf Branch ~ (757) 441-5660 Meet an outstanding group of future leaders from Teens With a Purpose (TWP), a peer led organization serving communities across Hampton Roads. TWP tackles issues teens face in today’s world—HIV prevention, distracted driving, dating abuse, violence, and other challenges. Learn how you can become a part of the creative and inspiring energy they bring to young adults in our community. (Teens) Creating a City of Readers  Published by the Friends of the Norfolk Library

National Friends of Libraries Week October 19-25, 2014

Many NPL programs, events and services are made possible by the generous support and contributions from the Friends of the Norfolk Public Library. Would youlike like to a difference at the at NPL? Would you tomake make a difference NPL?

Consider becoming a Friend. Joining is easy!

Go online to www.npl.lib.va.us/Friends, or call (757) 664-7366. Creating a City of Readers  Published by the Friends of the Norfolk Library 7

Friends of the Norfolk Public Library P.O. Box 3234 Norfolk, VA 23514

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID NORFOLK, VA PERMIT NO. 2112

Board of Trustees:

Library Information: (757) 664-READ (7323) Coming Early 2015! Slover Memorial Library 235 E. Plume Street Barron F. Black Branch Library 6700 East Tanners Creek Dr. (757) 441-5806 Blyden Branch Library 879 E. Princess Anne Road (757) 441-2852 Horace C. Downing Branch Library 555 E. Liberty Street (757) 441-1968 Janaf Branch Library 124 Janaf Shopping Center (757) 441-5660 Jordan-Newby Branch Library 961 Park Avenue (757) 441-2843

Lafayette Branch Library 1610 Cromwell Drive (757) 441-2842 Larchmont Branch Library 6525 Hampton Boulevard (757) 441-5335 Little Creek Branch Library 7853 Tarpon Place (757) 441-1751 Mary D. Pretlow Anchor Branch Library 111 W. Ocean View Avenue (757) 441-1750 Park Place Branch Library 620 W. 29th Street (757) 664-7330

Roy B. Martin, Chairperson Ann Morgan, Vice Chair Dr. Charles H. Ford Charles E. Johnson, Jr. Dr. Linda B. McCluney Janelle M. Morris Andrew Nusbaum Daymen W.X. Robinson Bert Schmidt

Officers, Friends Board

President: Sue Doviak Vice President: Rhonda Price Membership VP: Perry Bussard Treasurer: Paula Cook Secretary: Nicole Hostutler

Library Director Sonal Rastogi

Address Service Requested

Newsletter Editors Lori Sharp Raquel Taylor Tamara Boyle Brittany McBride Kevin Kaiser Elyse Lovelace

Van Wyck Branch Library 1368 DeBree Avenue (757) 441-2844 NPL Bookmobile (757) 858-2044

Paging all booklovers! Join the Friends and support your library. The Friends provide funding for special children’s programs and Library projects, specific needs at branch libraries, hospitality for receptions, serve as volunteers and lobby to promote and support our libraries. Projects include used book sales, the annual Book Review contest, Tales to Tails, and more.

Be a friend every day!