newsletter of the Peoria Public Library www.peoriapubliclibrary.org
NOVEMBER 2014 Volume 23 n No. 11 Published monthly by the Peoria Public Library
MAIN LIBRARY 107 N.E. Monroe 309.497.2000 LAKEVIEW BRANCH 1137 W. Lake 309.497.2200 LINCOLN BRANCH 1312 W. Lincoln 309.497.2600 MCCLURE BRANCH 315 W. McClure 309.497.2700 NORTH BRANCH 3001 W. Grand Parkway 309.497.2100 BOARD OF TRUSTEES Edward J. Barry, Jr. Stephen M. Buck Margaret E. Cousin Lucy D. Gulley F. Eugene Rebholz Debbie Ritschel Sid P. Ruckriegel Barbara Van Auken Jeanne Williamson DIRECTOR Leann Johnson EDITOR Trisha Noack DESIGNER Laura Fehr
Celebrate Family Reading Night with Peoria Public Library On Thursday, November 20th, the state of Illinois celebrates Family Reading Night and asks families to spend time together reading. Reading as a family encourages the younger members of the family to enjoy reading, developing a skill they will use throughout their lives for pleasure and learning. The event, celebrated annually and sponsored by Illinois State Librarian Jesse White and the Illinois Center for the Book, is a chance to pause and enjoy a family-friendly activity. All locations of Peoria Public Library will offer a fun craft that can be made at the library or taken home and a light snack to those stopping in to choose some books for Family Reading Night. Read as a family this year on Family Reading Night!
November Events Look at Cold War With Movie and Display by Dorsey Dixon
In the archives at Peoria Public Library Main Library, there are government documents which date back over a hundred years. For Chris Farris, a staff member in the reference department, these documents contain fascinating information about events that have shaped out lives. One series of documents relates to the Cold War. “There were two tests of thermo-nuclear weapons, which were the ultimate atomic bombs. Mankind had created the ability to destroy itself,” said Farris. Although he was a child during the end of the Cold War, Farris vividly remembers the sense of peril he witnessed. On Saturday, November 8, he will host a screening of the movie Fail Safe at Main Library at 1:00 p.m. in the Auditorium. Additionally, Farris has invited a representative from Peoria County to talk about the response to a natural disaster or emergency. The 1964 film loosely depicts events surrounding the struggle between Russia and the United States. The Cold War turns hot when a mistake sends “Vindicator” bombers armed with nuclear payload towards targets in Russia. The Air Force tries to establish contact with the crew, but once the pilots have passed the “fail safe” point, they’ve been instructed to disregard any communication. The world is on the brink of a full blow nuclear exchange, and the President must decide
how to avert World War III. The movie features Walter Matthau, Larry Hagman and Henry Fonda. It is free and open to the public. “When I was ten or eleven, during Reagan’s presidency, there was a fear that we would have an atomic war. Around that time [1980-89], people were scared,” Farris recounted. “There was a movie called The Day After that was on TV so it was on my mind as a kid.” Throughout November there will be a display in the Wheeler Case on LL2 outside the Auditorium. Farris has designed a display that will give patrons a glimpse into the precautions taken during that time. “The County used to deal with civil defense, but has shifted their focus to terrorism, tornadoes, and other weather related situations. They have artifacts dating back to that time (the Cold War) like gas masks and Geiger counters. I have some personal things; a fallout shelter sign and a helmet.” He will show artifacts that will generate interest among patrons from a variety of age groups and backgrounds. “My parents were adults during the Cold War, but we never talked about their experience. So I think that people from that era would appreciate this. School aged children and teachers would find it useful in discussing that point in our history,” Farris said.