An Unexpected Tour

I had a chance to visit Chicago, the Windy City, a couple months back.  It was a short trip and I didn't get a chance to really prepare for the trip.  Once I landed, I decided to walk around and admire the architecture the city had to provide.  I came across an older building with the words "Public Library of the City of Chicago" etched into the side.

-You can barely see the etching in this picture-

I didn't want to miss this opportunity on seeing a new library in a new city and decided to hop across the street.   

 -Just waiting for the light to change so I can cross the street-

As I entered through the entrance, I was surrounded by tiled and marbled walls.  It was breathtakingly beautiful and I had to take a moment to soak it all in.

 

I noticed some quotes on the wall within the tile.  Lots of inspiring quotes etched into the walls.

Strangely enough, I started noticing that there were no books in the library I was taking pictures of.  As it turns out, I was actually not in the library!  It was actually the cultural center located within the building.  Talk about feeling embarrassed as I had not noticed until I reached the top floor.  I guess the beauty of the tile and marble had thrown me for a loop.

Ultimately, while it wasn't the library like I thought it would be, it was still a fun little unexpected tour of something I would have just walked by.  So just a little lesson, if you see something interesting, head to it, give it a shot.  If it ends up being something you were not expecting, then even better.  Take in the experience. :-)

  - James

Washington Rural Heritage Collections

The Washington Rural Heritage project provides access to images and documents that capture the culture, industry, and community life of Washington State. The collection is an ongoing project of small, rural libraries and partnering cultural institutions, guided by an initiative of the Washington State Library.

Here are several photos from the collection:

Two women stand at the public water pump in Langley during the 1920s. The pump served both people and horses, and was a popular meeting place for the community.

Logging was widespread on Whidbey Island in the 19th century. Here, a horse drawn rail cart pulls timber at the Calligan Logging Camp in 1887.

Dorothy Looney, born in Kittitas County in 1927, developed a love of horses and riding early in her life. During the 1940s, she became one of best female trick riders in the Northwest.

Lorin Catudio 
Redmond Library Board, Emeritus

So Many Libraries, So Little Time!

This is just a super quick post to remind you that I love visiting new libraries when I travel!

However, I had another planning #fail in Savannah, standing outside a very beautiful, and very closed, Carnegie Library building. Just imagine me standing there on a humid southern summer morning, in the rain, peering forlornly through the windows…that is a very accurate representation of what actually happened.  Next time, Live Oak Public Libraries, next time!

A few days later though, I did snatch a few minutes in the Central branch of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System.  I happily supported the Friends by buying a book to read on the plane ride back home since I had finished the one I had taken with me. 

Seattle Public Library – Simply Splendid

Our sister library systems continue to shine!  Congratulations to the Seattle Public Library on achieving a new world record for the longest book domino chain!

Orchestrated to launch their 2013 Summer Reading Program, the feat took 7 hours and 5 tries. It is clever, fun, and awesome and each time I watch it I pick up something new (notice the word on the first book?)

I sent this link to several of my friends and the one that is currently vacationing in Italy said she saw it on CNN International too.

If you want to own one of the books that participated (they were either donated or out of date for the library’s regular collection), be sure to check out an upcoming Friends of the Library book sale!

Happy Viewing! :-)

Seattle Public Library Shines!

And The Award Goes To…

Extra special congratulations to our neighbor, the Pierce County Library System, for their receipt of a 2013 National Medal for Museum and Library Service. Pierce County Library is the first library in the State of Washington to earn this award.

The National Medal for Museum and Library Service honors outstanding institutions that make significant and exceptional contributions to their communities. Selected institutions demonstrate extraordinary and innovative approaches to public service, exceeding the expected levels of community outreach. The National Medal is the highest honor for museums and libraries.

In a White House Ceremony on May 8, First Lady Michelle Obama (as always, looking fabulous) joined Director Susan Hildreth and the Institute of Museum and Library Services to honor ten institutions from across the country. In addition to Pierce County Library leaders, a member of the community participated in the ceremony to highlight how the library affected their life.

See video of the ceremony, read the press release, or find more information at the Pierce County Library System website.

Hooray for libraries in Washington state!

The Stern Collection of Lincolniana

The Library of Congress online contains an extensive collection of Lincolniana (historical artifacts related to Abraham Lincoln). Alfred Stern presented his outstanding collection of Lincolniana to the Library of Congress in 1953. Begun by Mr. Stern in the 1920s, the collection documents the life of Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) both through writings by and about Lincoln as well as a large body of publications concerning the issues of the times including slavery, the Civil War, Reconstruction, and related topics.

Collection Highlights
The Lincolniana collection highlights contain political cartoons, election posters, writings, as well as photos and portraits. Here’s an election poster from the 1864 presidential campaign:

The collection also contains numerous letters from Lincoln written throughout his lifetime. In a letter to James H. Hackett, Lincoln writes:

"...I have endured a great deal of ridicule without much malice; and have received a great deal of kindness, not quite free from ridicule. I am used to it. Yours truly, A. Lincoln"

Other Lincolniana in the collection includes newspaper headlines and posters, including one from Ford’s Theatre announcing the president as a special guest. It was to be a fateful night:

For those who want to learn more about this extraordinary man, the Stern Collection of Lincolniana provides a wealth of information and artifacts.

Lorin Catudio
Redmond Library Board, Emeritus

Siouxland Libraries

First, Happy New Year!  I hope that everyone has enjoyed their 2012 holiday season and is looking forward to a grand start to 2013.

As part of our holiday traditions, we visit my husband’s [large extended] family in South Dakota on even-numbered years in mid-December.  This is our 7th visit over the years, and if you can believe it, the first time I’ve visited a library in the City of Sioux Falls library system – Siouxland Libraries! The City has a wonderful historic downtown filled with sculpture and brick buildings and my destination was the main library branch building (constructed in the 70s), as well the former Carnegie library building, now the Carnegie Town Hall. 

The Carnegie building, constructed of a native stone called rose quartzite, was used from 1903 to 1972 as the library, then housed various art-related functions, and since 2001 has been the Town Hall with the City Clerk and Council chambers plus a few other City departments. Since we were visiting during a Friday afternoon the building was open and when we peeked in, we were lucky enough to receive a short tour from the super friendly City of Sioux Falls City Clerk.  She pointed out a few features of the original building and showed us the state-of-the-art council chambers – it was quite a treat for a little special attention.

Our next stop was the current main library branch, decorated festively for the holidays. My mother-in-law was with me for the afternoon field trip and since she works close by, she’s been a frequent visitor over the years.  She described to me all of the changes to the floor plan as well as reminisced about bringing the grandchildren over the years to story times on Saturday morning.  I know how popular the story times are at KCLS, so wasn’t surprised they were just as fun in her library system too!

From the main library, it was just a hop, skip, and a jump to The Old Courthouse Museum, part of the Siouxland Heritage Museums collection.  My favorite exhibit was either the cold weather clothing or the bicycles – both provided interesting views into days gone by.

As you know, visiting libraries isn’t complete for me unless it’s also accompanied by sampling the local cuisine.  Oh My Cupcakes! rounded out our leisurely downtown strolling afternoon quite nicely.

Wishing you all the best in the coming New Year!

Newcastle Library Opening!

I have a particular fondness for new library openings.

The King County Library System always does a great job with their programming, with representatives from the City, County, State, and KCLS in attendance to celebrate with the community.  Hundreds of people braved the chilly, damp weather to be among the first to enjoy their first Newcastle library.

Inside, KCLS staff were ready to help patrons with all of their questions including a kiosk for eReaders and people stationed to help with self check-in and check-out. The architect was also on hand to discuss the sustainable design including the green roof, cistern, geothermal well, and recycled materials.  The etched glass design is meant to evoke human brainwaves as they learn.

“Check it out” next time you are in Newcastle!

How Do I Love Libraries…Let Me Count The Ways…Part II

One of the things I kind of fail at when I travel is being very, very diligent about opening and closing hours and days for the attractions I want to visit.  For some reason, I forget that places I want to visit might be closed on say, Mondays.  It’s perfectly reasonable that a library might be closed on Monday or that a planetarium might close at 4 p.m., but none-the-less it rarely occurs to me to double-check when I’m arranging my trip’s Excel spreadsheet.  Thank goodness fountains generally are open dusk to dawn!

So, on the list of libraries I failed to visit because I wasn’t paying attention is Chicago’s Pritzker Military Library. Sadly, I walked past it literally a dozen times on the preceding days but didn’t step inside since I was otherwise distracted with my friend’s wedding.  As Monday arrived and we were wrapping up our trip, I had hoped to make a visit on the way to catch the train to the airport.  But…no luck.

I was slightly saved from complete and abject failure of library-visiting on this trip by touring a splendid former library building.  The Chicago Cultural Center is housed in what was Chicago’s original central library when it was completed in 1897.  The Preston Bradley Hall, with the world’s largest Tiffany dome, is one of the most fabulous spaces I have ever visited, hands down.  The mosaics surrounding the 30,000ish piece glass dome literally sparkle and I’m pretty sure my jaw dropped when I stepped in and looked up. It used to be the room where collections were delivered to people so they could read through them. The photos say it best:

Wherever you are, or wherever you are going, I hope there is a library visit soon!

Road Trip! Deschutes Public Library

We didn’t visit the Bend, Oregon area just for its libraries, but as with most of my travel, sneaking in a look at as many libraries as I can is definitely on my vacation to-do list!

I drove past the Downtown Bend and East Bend branch of the Deschutes Public Library several times, but closed each time! It wasn’t until I was in nearby Sisters that I finally had a peek inside of a DPL branch. I had one more opportunity but though the Redmond branch was probably open when we saw the familiar Library Symbol Highway Sign as we drove through, we didn’t have time to stop for that visit. :-(

The Sisters library is situated just east of the majority of the downtown shopping and retail and the building, built in 2005, evokes a western feel that is consistent with the rest of the area.  Outside, their wide porch is definitely invited. Inside, the reading nook, with its large gas fireplace, is also definitely inviting.  One of my other favorite interior features are the bathroom tiles, created by elementary school students, very unique!

As I was perusing their Summer Guide, an event that I noticed was “Overnight at the Library”, what fun!  Parents and children aged 6-11 are invited to spend the night at the library on select nights…I know that I would have loved that in my younger years.  This event and others like book clubs, are consistent with the library’s “Summer Reading in the Night” theme: kids are invited to “Dream Big – Read!”, teens “Own The Night” and Adults read “Between The Covers”.

For more information, visit Deschutes Public Library online, or better yet, in person!

Take Time To Read: SeaTac Edition

Take Time To Read is the King County Library System’s multi-year initiative with the goal of increasing reading of all kinds, in all formats, all across the county. Sponsored entirely by the King County Library System Foundation, you might find Quick Reads Shelves in your area while you are waiting for your tires, your doctor, or your license!

My favorite Take Time to Read Installation is at Sea-Tac. With 3 Quick Reads Shelves, entirely recycled from old library shelving, and four chairs, travelers will be able to “borrow” items through September. I use the term “borrow” loosely because all the items are donated (no public money is used to obtain the items) and are meant to be taken…not necessarily returned if your home base isn’t Seattle! Donations have arrived from KCLS Staff, Lake Forest Park Friends, KCLS Foundation and from a bookstore in Black Diamond called Finally Found Books.

A team of five staff from Valley View Library work to keep the shelves stocked with materials. They send one person to the airport six days a week to straighten and restock. With a tote of 46 magazines, 30 adult titles and 15 kids’ books in each shipment, about 600 items per week are re-stocked.

The library reports that the shelves are a smashing success with the public and with Sea-Tac, even the screeners are into it!  I hope you are finding time wherever you are today to Take Time To Read!

How Do I Love Libraries…Let Me Count The Ways…

The title isn’t exactly what I’m going to write about, but it felt more creative than “A Visit to Chicago Public Libraries”!

As you might already know, when I travel, I love experiencing new places through their libraries.  In the next six months I hope to be able to visit libraries in Oregon, Illinois (again), New Mexico, California, and South Dakota.  I recently visited an old college friend who lives smack in the middle of The Loop in downtown Chicago.  It’s a fabulous location for a visitor to start from…especially considering how many libraries there are within a few miles walking distance!

My first stop was the Harold Washington Library Center downtown.  Wow.  I’m pretty sure the entryway I came in through had more square footage than the Redmond library!  The building opened in 1991 and is a whopping 756,640 square feet.  (As soon as I confirm the square footage of the Redmond library, I’ll tell you how many times bigger than Redmond that is!).  I picked up the self-guided tour brochure at the reference desk in the lobby (atrium? foyer? rotunda?  lobby doesn’t do the space any justice) and off I went to explore the nine floors.

I won’t bore you with the play by play of my visit to each floor, but will mention a few interesting spaces I saw.  Amanda, Redmond’s Teen Librarian, had recommended “The Book Thief” to me several months ago.  I read it, thought it was fabulous, and was delighted to see it was the One Book, One Chicago selection featured in The Popular Library on the first floor.

I loved the display of new library card holders in the Thomas Hughes Children’s Library on the 2nd floor! The namesake of this section of the library did a really cool thing after the 1871 Chicago Fire.

And…we’ll jump all the way up to the 9th floor into the Winter Garden.  This is a shot looking up through the 100+ foot glass ceilings and the beautiful murals on the south side of the garden. It’s a marvelous space available for private events.

But wait, there’s even more library in store for the day!  In the early evening, we headed over to The Newberry and their annual book fair.  Alas, I only have the one sad photo of the trip below…I spent too much time perusing old cookbooks at the fair so didn’t spend too much time in the other parts of the building and completely neglected to take more pictures.  I did pick up an awesome 1970s crockpot cookbook though! It’s a good thing I’ll be back in Chicago in September and might have another shot at visiting. I’m hoping to visit the Pritzker Military Library on that trip too!

A Collective Memory: American Treasures of the Library of Congress

In 1814, Francis Scott Key wrote new words for a well-known drinking song, To Anacreon in Heaven, to celebrate America's recent victory over the British. However, only on March 3, 1931 (following a twenty-year effort during which more than forty bills and joint resolutions were introduced in Congress) was a law finally signed proclaiming The Star Spangled Banner to be the national anthem of the United States. Happy 81st birthday! 

The American Treasures of the Library of Congress collection contains a copy of the first printed edition of our national anthem — one of only ten copies known to exist.

BTW, before 1931, My Country, ‘Tis of Thee, whose melody is identical to the British national anthem, served as our de facto national anthem.

American Treasures
The American Treasures of the Library of Congress online exhibition contains the rarest, most interesting, or significant items relating to America's past. This includes items, such as the Original Rough Draught of the Declaration of Independence and Lincoln’s First Draft of the Gettysburg Address.

Other exhibits in the American Treasures collection are more obscure, such as the Huexotzinco Codex. The Huexotzinco Codex is an eight-sheet document on amatl, a pre-European paper made in Mesoamerica. It is part of the testimony in a legal case against representatives of the colonial government in Mexico, ten years after the Spanish conquest in 1521.

Historic Photos
The Prints and Photographs Division of the Library of Congress contains a huge archive of photos — one of the crown jewels of the American Treasures collection. The 1930s-40s in Color exhibition is a dramatic set of color photos from the Great Depression and World War II that capture an era generally seen only in black-and-white. It’s astonishing to see how much more powerful these images are in color.

The following photo shows a family at the Vermont State Fair in Rutland (1941). Notice the girls’ homemade dresses are made from the same bolt of cloth — very common and very practical in those days.

The next photo shows a small store with live fish for sale in Natchitoches, Louisiana (1940).

The next photo shows two men on a mule-drawn wagon fertilizing an oat field in Georgia (1940). Despite the widespread introduction of farm machines throughout the country, mules and horses were still commonly used for farm labor.

And finally, the last photo shows a woman operating a hand drill on a Vengeance dive bomber in a Vultee-Nashville aircraft factory (1943). With so many men in uniform during World War II, large numbers of women worked in factories.

Photographers working for the United States Farm Security Administration (FSA) and later the Office of War Information (OWI) created these images between 1939 and 1944.