Renew Issue #2, Spring 2014

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issue 2 • march 2014

florence-lauderdale public library magazine

Celebrating History Plus: spring gardening

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families reading together

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a love letter from the past

contents

issue 2 • march 2014

on the cover: Trinity Missionary Baptist Church Praise Team performing at Poetry & Praise, part of our Black History Month programming, February 2014

thomas mcknight 6

How the search for his family’s history led a world traveler back to his Alabama roots

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John Steinbeck

What makes The Grapes of Wrath stand the test of time?

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Family Reading

Bringing families together over books with the Prime Time Family Reading Program.

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Staff Spotlight: Hali Black

One of our Reference Department staffers shares her love of gardening.

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Friends of the Library

A tribute to a longtime Friend and beloved volunteer, Mitch Burford.

renew is a publication of the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library and is made possible by the Friends of the Library 350 North Wood Avenue, Florence, AL 35630 • 256-764-6564 • flpl.org Editor: Jennifer Butler Keeton • Designer: Falon Yates Cover photographer: Christi Britten

Library Board of Directors: Peter Paine (chairperson), Dihanne Westfield, Simpson Russell, Beverly Cheney, Andy Frith Executive Director: Nancy Sanford

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Gardening Book Recs

Got the gardening bug? Dig into these titles handpicked by the library staff.

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Local History Snapshot

A letter written in 1871 by a man missing his wife and son.

calendar

Spring 2014 Programs & Events February 28–March 9 Friends Bookstore Half-Price Sale 50% off books, movies, and music. (see the Friends section on page 12) Friends of the Library Bookstore

John Steinbeck program series April Celebrating 75 years of The Grapes of Wrath with an exhibit, lectures, and film screenings related to Steinbeck’s work and its place in history. (see article on page 4)

Get Dirty at the Library

Our popular gardening series is back this spring! Chris Becker of the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service will share tips on a variety of gardening topics in these monthly programs:

Raised Bed Gardening Blueberries Herbs Tomatoes Rain Barrels Get Dirty at the Library

Friday, February 28, 11:30 am Friday, March 28, 11:30 am Friday, April 25, 11:30 am Friday, May 30, 11:30 am Friday, June 27, 11:30 am

Book Clubs

Did you know that the library sponsors two book clubs that meet once a month? They’re open to anyone, so feel free to join us!

The Evening Book Club First Tuesday of every month, 5:30 pm The Evening Book Club, led by FLPL staff member Melissa Dial, is a long-standing general interest book club that reads a wide variety of novels and nonfiction books. The book for March is The Target by Catherine Coulter, and the book for April is Picture Me Gone by Meg Rosoff. For more information, call 256-764-6564, ext. 12.

Beer and a Book

Beer and a Book Third Tuesday of every month, 7 pm The library is excited to offer a book club focusing on food-themed memoir and literature. This club meets at Rivertown Coffee Company, and the book for March is Comfort Me with Apples: More Adventures at the Table by Ruth Reichl. Enjoy beer, wine, or coffee while discussing some great books! Beer and a Book is led by Amy Collins, who writes “The Vine” wine column for No’Ala Magazine, and about food and wine on her blog Pig&Vine. Sign-up is not required for this book club, but RSVPs are appreciated. Call 256-764-6564, ext. 27 or email classes@flpl.org.

Coming Up...

Words from the River: A Shoals Author Fair

May 17, 10am–4pm Browse for books and chat with your favorite authors from the Shoals area.

Summer Reading Program June and July Read books and earn chances to win great prizes! Registration begins May 27.

Words from the River: A Shoals Author Fair

Connect with the library on Facebook for more event updates facebook.com/flplibrary renew • 1

calendar (continued)

Teens

For more information on teen programs, contact Mrs. Jaimee at 256-764-6564, ext. 24

March 4 Caffeine Cinema

5:30–7:30 pm

6 Pinspiration

5:30–6:30 pm

11 Dumbledore’s Army

5:30–6:30 pm

13 Teens on Board

3:30–5:30 pm

The Addams Family (PG-13)

Duct tape party!

Mockingjays: The Hunger Games Board Games

Harry Potter Scene-It (Teens vs Library Staff) Play all your favorite board games

15 Minecraft

Hang out and play Minecraft. Bring your own device!

Video Game Club

Games chosen by you!

5:30–6:30 pm

25 Book vs. Movie

4:30–6:30 pm

27 Camp Half-Blood

5:30–6:30 pm

About a Boy (PG-13)

Mythology discussion

April

Programming details TBA—check facebook.com/flplteens for updates

1 3 8 10 15 19 Teen Tech Class

5–8 pm

18 Mockingjays

Trivia covering all three books

Pinspiration: Origami Hearts

3–5 pm

Caffeine Cinema Pinspiration Dumbledore’s Army Teens on Board Mockingjays Minecraft Video Game Club 22 Book vs. Movie 24 Camp Half-Blood

5:30–7:30 pm 5:30–6:30 pm 5:30–6:30 pm 3:30–5:30 pm 5:30–6:30 pm 3–5 pm 5–8 pm 5:30–6:30 pm 5:30–6:30 pm

Coming Up...

Summer Reading June & July (registration begins May 27) This year’s theme is “Spark a Reaction,” so get ready to do science!

Harry Potter’s Birthday

A day of activities for all ages celebrating the Boy Who Lived.

Harry Potter’s Birthday

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Connect with the Teen Program on Facebook! facebook.com/flplteens

July 31

calendar (continued)

Kids

For more information on kids’ programs, contact Youth Services at 256-764-6564, ext. 14

Monthly Programs

Dates subject to change—call Youth Services to confirm program dates

Lego Club

Book Bunch 2nd–4th grade book discussion Family Movie Night Major League Reading Sports book club Lego Club Pre-Sci Preschool science program (registration required) Family Night Mother/Daughter Book Club

1st Thursday, 5:30 pm 1st Friday, 5:30 pm 2nd Thursday, 5:30 pm 2nd Saturday, 2–3:30 pm 3rd Monday, 1:30 pm 3rd Thursday, 5:30 pm 4th Thursday, 5:30 pm

Weekly Programs ABCs Under the Trees Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 10:30 am Three and four-year-olds are invited to sing, dance, and have fun learning the alphabet with Mrs. Jessica and Mrs. Robin!

Babies Love the Library

Terrific 2s Thursdays, 10:30 am Two-year-olds and their caregivers will have a blast at our program just for them. Music, poems, stories, and crafts will be part of the fun!

Babies Love the Library

Fridays, 10:30 am A program for infants through 24-month-olds and their caregivers. This program includes music and motion, finger plays, nursery rhymes, and book exploration.

Saturday Story Time Saturdays, 10:30 am Our volunteers will present a different story and craft for all ages every week. we will take a break from regular weekly/monthly programs march 24–28 and during the month of may. summer reading programming starts in june!

Special Events Meet the Author: Tedd Arnold

Tuesday, April 15 Meet Fly Guy author Tedd Arnold at this special library event! More details coming soon.

Family Picnic

Family Picnic

Thursday, April 24, 5:30 pm Pack your picnic baskets and join us on the front lawn of the library!

Summer Reading Program

Get ready to read books and earn prizes during the 2014 Summer Reading Program! This year’s theme is “Fizz, Boom, Read!” and we’ve got some fun science programs for all age groups!

Registration begins Daily programs Last day to visit the Prize Store

Summer Reading Program registration

May 27 June 2–July 19 July 31

Connect with Youth Services on Facebook! facebook.com/flplyouthservices renew • 3

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I’ll be ever’where— Wherever they’s a fight so hungry people can up a guy, I’ll be there. If Casy knowed, why, an’—I’ll be in the way kids laugh when they’re when our folks eat the stuff they raise an’ live

What makes a novel stand the test of time? Is it universal themes, iconic characters, skilled writing?

John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath—which celebrates its 75th anniversary this April—still commands the attention of readers and scholars across the country. Its story of migrant workers struggling to find a better life has continued to resonate through the decades.

Dr. Susan Shillinglaw will present on the continuing relevance of Steinbeck’s novel.

Photo by Peter Caravalho, SJSU

This project is supported by grants from the University of North Alabama and the Alabama Humanities Foundation, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

FLPL, with the help of the University of North Alabama and the Alabama Humanities Foundation, will honor the novel’s anniversary with a programming series and exhibit. The featured speaker will be Dr. Susan Shillinglaw, one of the world’s most prominent Steinbeck scholars.

Dr. Shillinglaw, who is a Professor of English at San José State University, says that The Grapes of Wrath touches on ideas and conflicts that are always with us here in America.

“This novel is about so many issues that we grapple with today as we did 75 years ago: the environment; people dispossessed from their homes; migration and

wherever you look.

eat, I’ll be there. Wherever they’s a cop beatin’ I’ll be in the way guys yell when they’re mad hungry an’ they know supper’s ready. An’ in the houses they build—why, I’ll be there.”

—Tom Joad to Ma in The Grapes of Wrath border tensions; workers on the margins; and Americans working together to achieve goals. The book is (also) about gender—how women cope and adapt.”

In addition to these issues, Steinbeck’s writing style is another reason why the book continues to be powerful. “The language of the book is sonorous and stately—a steady and insistent beat of change,” says Dr. Shillinglaw.

This “insistent beat of change” stems from Steinbeck’s desire for the novel to honestly portray the the lives of Depression-era farmers. He wanted the book to serve as a call to action or, at the very least, to empathy.

the

Grapes of Wrath at Check flpl.org/steinbeck for program dates

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The exhibit The Dust Bowl will be on display throughout the month of April. The Dust Bowl is an exhibition organized by the Nebraska Council for the Humanities in collaboration with Humanities Texas, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities Dr. Susan Shillinglaw of San José State University will discuss the continuing relevance of The Grapes of Wrath.

“Steinbeck asks readers to participate in the reality of lives not, perhaps, like our own. He asks readers to participate in the grim actualities of poverty and dispossession and despair. He asks readers to empathize with the powerless,” says Shillinglaw. “That’s a lesson that is vital in any era.”

Dr. Kenneth Vickers of Martin Methodist College will provide the historical context for the novel by discussing the Dust Bowl and its effects.

by Jennifer Butler Keeton Programming/Publicity Coordinator

Pillar of Fire will screen film adaptations of Steinbeck works.

Dr. Lynne Rieff of the University of North Alabama will tie the novel to local history by exploring what life was like in rural Alabama in the 1930s.

Students from the University of North Alabama will present their research from their course “Special Topics in Literature: John Steinbeck.” The presentations will cover a wide range of Steinbeck works.

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patron spotlight

Your spirit finds the right place where it’s comfortable, and you’ll find yourself there.

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Thomas McKnight’s life and work has taken him around the world, but the search for his past led him back to his Alabama roots.

By Jennifer Butler Keeton Additional reporting by Clint Alley • Photo by Christi Britten

Thomas McKnight wasn’t always passionate about his family history. Born and raised in New York, he says his older relatives weren’t eager to share information about his ancestors. They saw him as just a kid and would “cut their eyes” when he asked questions. McKnight accepted that those answers were out of his reach, and he moved on and lived his life.

And an exciting life he has lived. He started working with the United Nations in 1979, and as Management Consultant in the Humanitarian Sector, he has traveled the world to countries including Afghanistan, Sudan, and Zimbabwe, to name a few.

But the passing of his mother in 2004 brought him back to his family’s roots— Northwest Alabama—and became the catalyst for a spiritual journey to unlock his past.

Who was Grandmother?

McKnight quickly realized there would be plenty of roadblocks in his search.

“With African Americans and Native Americans, if you can go back more than a couple of generations, you’re lucky.” He explains that it’s difficult to research ancestors who had been systematically oppressed and separated from one another.

“You live your whole life not knowing who you are,” he says.

McKnight started asking his uncle, “Who was Grandmother?” Soon, he had driven nearly 15,000 miles over 86 days to search for answers about his family.

One of his most meaningful moments was finding the grave of his Grandmother Hattie. The discovery allowed him to hold a prayer service at her grave some 68 years after she had died. The service couldn’t provide full closure, but he says it made him feel he had “completed the circle.”

Nobody does it alone He attributes his move to Alabama and his success in his research to “divine intervention.”

“Your spirit finds the right place where it’s comfortable, and you’ll find yourself there,” he says. He added that once you get your hands on the right documents, other information starts falling into place.

Although his search was personal, he is quick to give credit to those who have helped him along the way. “Nobody does it or can do it alone,” he says. He credits the library’s Local History and Genealogy Department with aiding him with his research.

“The Local History Room has one of the finest collections of resources for African-

American history I’ve ever seen,” he says, and he credits the passionate staff and volunteers who have dedicated themselves to compiling research and resources for others.

“Now, you have a place where people can come and say ‘Who am I?’ And more importantly, they can walk back out the door and say, ‘Wow.’”

Looking forward McKnight’s journey has led him to realize that history is “a race against time.”

“The most important information on a tombstone is the dash between those dates—who these people are, how they lived their lives.” When a person dies, he says, the bulk of that information is lost.

That’s one reason why he believes it is the responsibility of older generations to teach young people to love history.

“With all the technology we have, there are so many ways to make history interesting,” he says.

McKnight plays his part in encouraging the love of history through his role as Vice President of the Tennessee Valley Historical Society, which is partnering with UNA’s Public History Program to engage students in local history.

Together, he believes we can explore the dashes between the dates and “resurrect the personalities of yesteryear.” renew • 7

staff spotlight

Hali Black From: Curry, Alabama How long have you worked at the library?

I have been with FLPL for exactly a year, though I’ve been working in libraries for much longer.

Tell us about your educational background and plans.

Beginning this fall, I will be pursuing a Master’s degree in Library Science with the University of Alabama. I have earned a Bachelor’s of Science in English from the University of North Alabama.

What do you like best about working at the library?

I enjoy participating in library events and helping patrons achieve their educational goals.

Tell us about some of your personal interests.

I have a wide variety of interests ranging from painting to video games, from soap making to comic books.

I also love crafting and DIY projects. But my favorite and most time-consuming hobby has always been gardening.

When and how did you get interested in gardening?

I think my love for gardening began at an early age, when I helped on my family’s small farm. I planted tomatoes, picked okra, shelled peas, and canned pears. I also had a bad habit of picking my Nana’s spotted tiger lily blooms, a habit she did not enjoy half as much as I did.

Tell us about the gardening accomplishment you’re most proud of.

Growing and harvesting my own produce. There isn’t anything more satisfying than getting to eat the fruit of your labor! I’m also currently working towards my certification as a Master Gardener with our local extension office. I really enjoy blogging about my discoveries and the challenges I often face as an urban gardener. You can follow my gardening journey at www.diggingthyme.com.

What’s the best gardening tip you’ve ever received?

A fellow gardener once told me, “Don’t just water your plants, talk to them.” I was skeptical at first, but now I swear by these words of wisdom. By checking in with your plants throughout the day, you can catch potential problems before they become major issues.

Prevention and early detection are vital to garden success.

Hali works in the Reference Department.

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Check out Hali’s favorite gardening books from the library collection!

Alabama & Mississippi Gardener’s Guide Felder Rushing & Jennifer Greer

635.9 RUS

The Salad Lover’s Garden Sam Bittman

635 BIT

Starter Vegetable Gardens Barbara Pleasant

635 PLE

Garden Folklore that Works Charlie Ryrie

635 RYR

Growing Roses Organically Barbara Wilde

635.9 WIL

The Landscaping Revolution Andy Wasowski

635.9 WAS

Rain Gardening in the South Helen Kraus and Anne Spafford

635.9 KRA

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Sienna Koger and mom Stella read one of the new Prime Time books

NOT YOUR USUAL

STORYTIME

BY JESSICA FENN HILL, YOUTH SERVICES LIBRARIAN

In the Youth Services Department, we’re always looking for programs that promote family literacy and create excitement about reading.

This year, we hit the jackpot with the Prime Time Family Reading Time program, a pilot program of the Alabama Humanities Foundation.

First offered in the fall of 2013, this wonderful series for families includes books, storytelling, discussion, and sit-down meals.

Second grader Sienna Koger was thrilled when she learned that the library would be hosting a second series of Prime Time events in the spring.

“I wish I would have taken a picture so you could have seen her face! She was so excited!” said Stella Hester, Sienna’s mom.

Stella and Sienna were one of the eight families from Weeden Elementary School who participated in our Prime Time program last fall.

Prime Time is much more than your usual story time. The core elements of Prime Time include humanities-focused content, quality children’s literature, open-ended questioning techniques, and collective learning.

Each week during the fall, families were given books to read together at home in preparation for the next week’s session.

Then, during our 90-minute sessions, library patron Amanda Green served as our discussion leader, and I was our storyteller. Together, we modeled techniques of reading aloud and open-ended questioning.

What really makes Prime Time come to life are the themes of love, greed, fairness, honor, courage, and community that take place in our stories and discussions. The kids loved hearing their parents discuss these ideas and the kids jumped right into the discussion, too!

Our discussions didn’t end when we left the Youth Services area. We also enjoyed a sit-down meal together thanks to donations from local churches and businesses.

We appreciate Christ Chapel, Greater St. Paul AME Church, Chick-fil-A, Lee Heights Baptist, Subway on Mall Road, Edgemont United Methodist, Jerry Damson Nissan, Jerry Damson Honda, and SunTrust Bank for their support of this program.

The Prime Time Family program was a great success for us, but the program did not start here at our library, or even in Alabama. In fact, we were one of the first libraries in Alabama, along with the Woodlawn Branch of the Birmingham Public Library, to implement the program.

If you or your business is interested in volunteering or donating to the program, please contact Chris Ferguson, Prime Time Coordinator, at 256-764-6564, ext. 14.

We discussed bravery, and if it was okay to be scared when you have to be brave. We discussed dealing with bad days and what our perfect days would include. We talked about our dreams, and how those dreams can change over the years.

But most importantly, parents and children talked and listened to each other while being guided through wonderful books!

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A tribute to our

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riend F

friends of the library

Mitch Burford Merriam-Webster defines a friend as “a person you like being with, a person who helps and supports something or someone, or one who is attached to another by affection or esteem.”

Dr. A. M. (Mitch) Burford is a true friend of the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library. He has been a member of the Friends for more than 20 years, serving on their Board of Directors and as President.

In recent years, he has volunteered three times a week and is a valuable asset to our efforts.

Mitch is a mainstay in the Bookstore, keeping the National Geographic section shelved and in order, packing and handling the recycling, picking up litter in the parking lot, collecting and sorting recycling, and performing many “honey-do” jobs for the lady volunteers. And he has done it all with a smile and a quick joke or two to make the day a bit brighter.

Dr. Burford is the personification of hard work, dedication, loyalty, and love of community.

Friends President Bryan Miller says, “He sets a high standard for all of us to emulate.” He will forever be a “friend” of the library.

What’s new at the

Bookstore?

It won’t be long until the trees start budding, the weather starts warming, and it will be time to get our hands dirty in our gardens (or maybe in just a few pots on our porches)!

If you need help getting started or want to further improve your knowledge and skills, stop by the Bookstore to check out our display of gardening books at great prices.

Board of Directors of the Friends of the Library, 2013–14 President: Bryan Miller • Vice President: Mary White • Secretary: Sandy Murray • Treasurer: David Curott Board Members David Curott • Kate Hicks • Cornelia McIntosh • Cellie Morgan • NeVille Stewart • Jane Williams Bruce Dillard • Nancy Gautney • Jane Gullett • Bryan Miller • Nita Thornell • Mary White Mitch Burford • Pat Butler • Sandy Murray • Beth Roth • Helen Savage • Anne Smith

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friends of the library

President’s Message

President’s Message Dear Friends,

April is approaching! Did you know that the Friends is a 501(c)3 organization?

Itemized contributions such as membership, memorials, honorariums, donations of books, etc. are tax deductible to an upper limit. Be sure to check with your tax accountant to see if you qualify.

We appreciate your continued support of the library through your Friends Membership, Bookstore patronage, and donations.

Please let us know if you have any ideas of how we can better serve you or our library.

Remember that when you visit the Bookstore, you are “among friends”!

At Your Service, Bryan Miller Friends President Bryan Miller

Treasurer’s Report Bookstore sales for the first quarter of the 2013–2014 fiscal year were $14,841.64.

Dues and income, other than book sales, totaled $7,122.37.

Expenses for postage, newsletter, and operation totaled $1,517.85.

For this fiscal quarter, $16,207.17 was donated by the Friends to the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library.

David Curott, Treasurer

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Local Historian Lee Freeman, Friends Treasurer David Curott, and Friends board member Nancy Gautney in the Bookstore

Friends Bookstore

Half-Price Sale 50% off items including books, music, and movies Does not include magazines, records, or bookmarks

Friday, February 28–Sunday, March 9

memorials & honorariums In memory of…

Alfie Crosslin AL Renaissance Faire Roundtable Trey W. and Jay T. Robertson Bobby and Rose Robertson Ward Hull Roberta Dort Nellie June McGee Mr. and Mrs. Billy Ray Warren Jennifer Ellen Koonce Virginia, Elaine, Myra & George Perkins Glenn Johnson Virginia, Elaine, Myra & George Perkins Carolyn Guthrie Virginia, Elaine, Myra & George Perkins Buford J. and Mallie E. Daily Pat Roberts and Jess & Rania Daily Lola Ayers Sandi Rosellini Hugh Riley and Margaret Plummer W. Carroll White William Gough, Sr. and William Gough, III Jane Gough Delores Rook Mr. and Mrs. Logan Trousdale

Christine Simmons Mr. and Mrs. Logan Trousdale Marian Elizabeth Sharrett Bramlett Mr. and Mrs. Logan Trousdale Roy E. Albright, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Logan Trousdale Carolyn G. Yeilding Joanna Wallace

In honor of…

Dave deWolfe Shoals Area Investment League Florence Discussion Club Thomas and Diane Van Sandt Richard and Barbara Peck Jan Pflueger Library Staff Mr. and Mrs. Wilder Cheney Peter L. Paine Mr. and Mrs. Michael T. Paine Billy Warren Les and Kendy Behrends Patrice and Pamela Butler Mr. and Mrs. MacArthur Butler Carla Putman-Maples Lisa Putman

Donations George and Marguritte McGaha Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Bobo Shoals Environmental Alliance Jewish Federated Charities of the Shoals Debra Dombrowski Mary Hazel Jones Julia D. Buffler Alamance Chapter of DAR Dr. and Mrs. Foster Eich The Mended Hearts

Donations to the Friends In memory of…

Mary Nicely Kathryn Rice Oather W. Harmon, Jr Mrs. L.C. Morgan Lou Batson Ann & Lawrence McGregor William S. Fesmire Mrs. L.C. Morgan

In honor of…

Simpson Russell Pierian Study Club

Memorials or honorariums may be made by sending a check to Friends of the Library, P.O. Box 1178, Florence, AL 35631 or to Florence-Lauderdale Public Library, 350 N Wood Ave, Florence, AL 35630 Please include the name of the person(s) being remembered or honored, the name and address of the person you would like to be notified of the donation, and the name and address of the contributor. renew • 15

Local History Snapshot The Beckwith Collection includes the family papers of the Beckwith family, who were prominent wealthy planters in Lauderdale County in the 1800s. These papers are currently being scanned and transcribed to be added to the library’s Digital Archive.

On Aug 19th, 1871, Alexander Beckwith wrote this letter to his wife, Mary, professing his deepest love for her and his son. At the time of this letter, Alexander was in Trotter’s Landing, Mississippi while Mary (whom he calls “Mugg” in the letter) and their son, “Xander” were vis-

iting relatives in Athens, Alabama. Alexander was raised on a plantation in Lauderdale County, Alabama. After the Civil War, he moved to Mississippi and then in the mid-1870s he moved to Spring Hill, Tennessee where he lived until his death in 1906.

Trotters Ladg Aug 19th 1871 My darling wife I wrote you day before yesterday, and if aunt Nannie laughs at you for recieving[sic] so many letters I cant help it.

Tell her that I differ from the majority of husbands. The longer I [live], (if possible) the better I love my family.

When I look forward to two long months before I can see my darlings, it seems a life time! Mugg you think you know how well I love you but you cant imagine how dependent I am without your presence and good council I am not at myself without you. Home is nothing without my darlings. The house is deso -lation without my angel, and time is spent thinking of my lovely wife and little Boy.

Interested in local history?

Find images, documents, and more in the FLPL Digital Archive at archive.flpl.org 16 • renew

Have you noticed that our library has become so much more than a place to pick out a book and

get questions answered? At FLPL, we are discovering every day that we are about learning, connecting, sharing, and being a big part of our community. We still check out tons of books and materials—but we are becoming so much more. The film screenings, programming, classes, exhibits, and television premiere parties are showing us that our community is diverse, and we love celebrating that.

One of the assets of our library is Bookmarks, the library coffee shop. Walk in any day and you might see moms and children sharing a cookie, friends meeting for coffee or lunch, someone enjoying a sandwich and surfing the internet, and small groups meeting to discuss work or school projects. Come in and check us out! You never know what kind of surprise awaits... you just may get to try butterbeer for a Harry Potter celebration, scones for a Downton Abbey party, or some other fun and tasty treat.

Join us this May for our local author fair! Browse for books and chat with your favorite authors from the Shoals area.

And if you’re a local author who’d like to participate, contact us at events@flpl.org or call 256-764-6564, ext. 27 to register.

Hope to see you there!

saturday, may 17 • 10am–4pm

Friends of the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library 350 N Wood Ave Florence, AL 35630