Renew Issue #8, Late Winter 2021

CONTENTS 1

8

Message from the Director

First Fridays

2

9

Kids

Upcoming Programming

4

10

Teens

Circulation

6

12

Adults

Reference & Local History

We are proud to announce that Abby Carpenter is now serving as the Executive Director of the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library!

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Friends of the Library

16

Memorials & Honorariums

350 N Wood Avenue Florence, AL 35630 (256) 764-6564 www.flpl.org Mon-Thurs: 10am - 7pm Fri-Sat: 10am - 5pm Sun: 1pm - 5pm

Renew is a publication of the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library.

Library Board of Directors: Vince Brewton Andy Frith Dion Johnson Evan Thornton Ann Taylor Wilson Edited by Sherhonda Allen Photography and design by Samantha Mitchem

Cover photo: Hannah Smith and her children visit FLPL to get their very own library cards!

the Director

Message from

A college freshman, I can remember riding in the car with my family one Sunday afternoon and gazing over at the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library saying, “I think I might like to work at the library.” That was sixteen years ago. Little did I know that basic statement would eventually lead to a lifelong career in libraries. It started with simply changing my major from biology to English.

Like most English majors, I would often hear the question, “What are you going to do with an English major? Teach?” “I want to be a librarian,” I would say.

Now that I’ve been a librarian for many years, I hear, “You must really like to read. Is that what you do all day?” Yes, I do like to read, but that isn’t why I wanted to be a librarian or what I do all day. I love the human connection of libraries and I love to see the role that libraries play in the success of the community. Libraries are so much more than books. In fact, several years ago, Renew celebrated the library’s 10th anniversary in the current facility by highlighting the ways in which we go beyond books by featuring local history, culture, family, community, and learning. I would love to hear the ways that the library has impacted your family. Did it go beyond books? Maybe you enjoy talking to the staff about books or you look forward to seeing one of us rushing your books out to your car through our curbside service.

I am so grateful and proud to be the director of the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library. I love to see how we go beyond books every single day by serving our community. I love to see the people, excited to learn, to gather, to share. These are people who have become our friends because of the library. The library has touched my life in so many ways and as the director, I hope to be the catalyst for it to touch and help others, too. I look forward to serving you.

Abby Carpenter1

Sincerely,

Executive Director

A Summer Full of

Fun

Tails and Tales, our SRP theme for 2021, was a hands-down favorite this summer for our youngest patrons - and the adults who attended with them! In their words...

Lisa Aguado: “My daughter has made new friends while attending programs and activities, while talking about book selections, and even while enthusiastically appreciating the prizes in the prize case with the next child in line. Her interactions with other children and adults reinforced the idea that people are more alike than they are different.”

Tiffany Wells said her 10-year-old (a junior volunteer for the library) was “extremely nervous” his first day: “But just weeks later, he was full of confidence and excitement at performing his (responsibilities). This experience showed both of my children that not only can they be a part of this community that they enjoy so much, they can actually help contribute to the experience of others in the community with confidence and joy!”

Tina Atcheson, said her 9-year-old daughter used to hate to read - until she participated in SRP: “By the end of the summer, she had read well over 100 books, listened to two 700+ page audio books, and was planning what she wanted to do next year. The incentives provided just enough motivation and incentive to keep her working.”

Thank you, dear patrons, for making the return of our Summer Reading Program so successful!

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Keep an eye on social media and FLPL.org/kids for more kids programs throughout the school year!

THANK YOU to our 2021 Summer Reading sponsors!

King Drive-In

Children's Museum of the Shoals

Cook Museum of Natural Charles and Science Mary Layman

McDonald's of Lauderdale County

Chick-Fil-A

The Family of Yummies Copeland Brown Bakery and Deli The Family of Liam Blasingame

The Family of Alessandra Aguado

Steve Richerson

Michelle Forsythe Jones and Molly Forsythe Partlow in memory of Joanne "Muana" Forsythe

Shoals Nail & Spa

John and Vicky Hovater

K I D S

Huntsville Botanical Garden

Magnolia Church

The Family of Harrison and Clara Bishop

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THANK YOU to our 2021 SRP sponsors!

McDonald's Emily Ivey

T E E N S 4

Yummies

Chick-Fil-A

Vince Brewton

Staff Spotlight Michelle Finch, Teen Library Assistant What's your reason to use the library?

Mainly to pick out books to read. Whether it be for class or my own personal readings, the library has most of the books I need.

What’s a secret about the library that you think would surprise others?

The library is in fact owned by a dragon who hoards books. He's got a weakness for the romance section.

What is your favorite part of being a librarian?

The programs! I love to see the teens get excited about whatever we are doing.

Allie

Mack

Sphero Mini

Nancy

Graphic Drawing Tablet

Beats Headphones

Teens had a blast this summer as they became sleuths in Hunt a Killer, explored their skills in climbing a rock wall, fed their muse as writers, tested their Jeopardy know-how, and created art using food, candy and other sweet treats. They also went on a Dungeons and Dragons quest, discussed books that became favorites or didn't, dressed for cosplay, found common ground with each other through anime, and got their gaming competitive spirit on. You will not want to miss our 2022 teen programs!

Keep an eye on social media and FLPL.org/teens for more teen programs throughout the school year!

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The library was grateful to host Mary Alice Monroe this summer, as she spoke about her two latest novels, The Summer of Lost and Found and The Islanders. The evening consisted of a book signing with Ms. Monroe, a lovely dinner and dessert, and a presentation and Q&A with Ms. Monroe about how the pandemic affected and propelled her writing in a unique way.

Going along with our Tails and Tales Summer Reading theme, FLPL was happy to have the Florence Police Department share how their Mounted and K9 units operate on a day-today basis. We were also visited by some sweet faces on Pet Adoption Day, and had more than 15 people who came to meet these sweet pups!

!

Winners of Adult SRP hold up their prizes- signed copies of "The Summer of Lost and Found"

by Mary Alice Monroe!

ay

A D U L T S

Pet

n A d o p ti o

D

These patrons' favorite reason to use the library is Adult Book Club!

These book clubbers have laughed, they've cried, and they even played Cornhole and Giant Jenga! All in all, Tales and Tailgating Book Club was a huge hit this summer. Keep an eye out this winter for the Adult Book Club Picks of 2022!

THANK YOU to our 2021 SRP sponsors!

306 BBQ Flobama Ricatoni's B-Electric Pie Factory Strickland Hotel Shoals Nail & Spa Mefford Jewelers Ye Ole General Store Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts

Staff Spotlight Kaitlyn Belue, Library Assistant

What is your favorite part of being a librarian?

Helping others when they have issues using Libby for e-materials, and helping people find books/information within the library.

What's your go-to book recommendation?

I always recommend The Library Book by Susan Orlean.

What's your reason to use the library?

I use the library for Newsbank, audiobooks and e-audiobooks, and printing!

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First Fridays If you've ever been to Florence during the summer and fall, you probably know just how big of a deal First Fridays is. FLPL was honored to host two First Fridays booths in the past few months, and it was nothing short of a great time! In July, we helped 15 new patrons sign up for library cards, and had more than 50 people participate in FLPL Bingo and Giant Jenga!

There were plenty of laughs, Felix pins won, and mints eaten (those mints are a particular crowd favorite at First Fridays). The day was made even better with a plane flyover and a flash mob! First Fridays in July was a huge hit!

First Fridays in October proved to be just as fun, if not more! We signed up yet another 14 patrons for library cards, and we had nearly 80 people participate in FLPL Bingo and Giant Jenga! We brought some Halloween-themed FLPL buttons for prizes, and our First Fridays friends had fun with us as we watched the Giant Pumpkin Drop on Court Street.

First Fridays in October was a treat!

We can't wait to see YOU at future First Fridays!

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2022 Events

Upcoming Events

January

Genealogy Resources Online Tuesdays in January, 1:00 - 2:30 pm Join Lee, Colby, and Jordan, our Local History and Genealogy Staff, for computer classes in the Collaboratory starting this January! Topics will include an introduction to basic genealogy, Ancestry Library Edition, Family Search, Fold3, Newspapers.com, and the FLPL Digital Archive.

Call (256) 764-6564, ext. 130 or email classes@flpl.org to register!

Childhood Classics: 100 Years of Children's Book Illustration Exhibit Partnership with Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts, on display January 2 - March 31 In partnership with the Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts, FLPL is proud to present the Childhood Classics: 100 Years of Children's Book Illustration exhibit and programs. From January 2 through March 31, these exhibits will be held at Kennedy-Douglass, and will be complemented by programs at FLPL. Get ready for these first programs in January, and keep an eye out for more programs to come!

Saturday, Jan. 8: What is Illustration? with author-illustrator Lori Nichols Saturday, Jan. 22 & Sunday, Jan. 23: Art Workshop with Jamie Lynch & Sundy Perkins (ages 8-12) More programs scheduled January - March. Stay up-to-date on programming and events at flpl.org!

Backpacks for Checkout Starting in January 2022

The library is starting an exciting new collection in 2022 through a Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant! Beginning in January, patrons will have the opportunity to check out themed backpacks. The January backpack will contain supplies and activities suitable for an introduction to music, such as hand instruments and CDs of well-known recordings. Other themed backpacks will include gardening basics, painting, architecture, baking, and Native American history. Keep checking our website for announcements as to when the backpacks are ready for checkout!

This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (Project # 22-8-3).

March

The Women of the Montgomery Bus Boycott Exhibit On display February 28 - March 25 A continuation of the Tired of Giving In: Rosa Parks & the Montgomery Bus Boycott exhibit held at FLPL in October of 2021, this exhibit examines the plight, courage, and leadership of many of the women who were essential to the success of the Montgomery Bus Boycott. This exhibit will be on display at the library from February 28 to March 25.

This exhibit is in partnership with Troy University's Rosa Parks Museum. This project is supported by The Alabama Humanities Alliance, a state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

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Top Circulating Books of 2021 Fiction

Audio

Hello Summer Mary Kay Andrews

DVD

The Lion King

eBook

The Secret Book & Scone Society Ellery Adams

The Law of Innocence Michael Connelly

A Conspiracy of Bones Kathy Reichs

Camino Winds John Grisham

Aladdin

The World at War

Rodrick Rules Jeff Kinney

Cold Mourning Brenda Chapman

Murder in the Locked Library Ellery Adams

eAudiobook

The Guardians John Grisham

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone J.K. Rowling

A Time for Mercy John Grisham

Deadly Cross James Patterson

Juvenile Fiction

The Truth About Stacey Ann M. Martin

Dog Man Dav Pilkey

Very Good Things Martha Stewart

The Clutter Remedy Marla Stone

Non-Fiction

Where I Come From Rick Bragg

Picture Book

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince J.K. Rowling

Biscuit Finds a Friend Alyssa Satin Capucilli

The Very Busy Spider Eric Carle

Biscuit Goes Camping Alyssa Satin Capucilli

Young Adult

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One of Us is Lying Karen M. McManus

Assassination Classroom Yusei Matsui

A Court of Thorns and Roses Sarah J. Maas

How do I get a library card?

You'll need to bring: - Yourself!

- Valid Photo ID with current address - if you do not currently have one, bring in a piece of mail or an official document with your current address.

- If you are younger than 16, you will need to have a parent/guardian with you in order to get a card. Parents/guardians of children younger than 16 years old will be required to get a library card along with the child they are responsible for.

et Max e M in

What can I access with my library card?

- Check out up to 30 items at a time on your account

e!

- Access the internet and/or public computers at FLPL Reference computers (located upstairs): ages 16 and older Teen computers (located in the Young Adult section): ages 11-15 Youth computers (located in Youth Services): ages 10 and younger

Maxine is one of our wonderful volunteers at FLPL who regularly helps Circulation with organizing and shelving books. We are so grateful for all of your help and hard work, Maxine!

Want to volunteer at FLPL? Visit FLPL.org/how-do-i/ and fill out our online volunteer application form!

- Check out eBooks and eAudiobooks through Libby and Overdrive

Library items may be checked out for a 2 week time period, and may be renewed once!

DVD's are limited to 5 per household, and cannot be renewed.

Items that are on hold for another patron may not be renewed.

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Online & Traditional Online Resources through FLPL

In 2020, the library was awarded a LSTA (Library Services and Technology Act) grant, and combined with library funds, established a World Languages collection.

It was added this year on the library's second floor. Languages include Chinese, Dutch, French, German, Spanish, and American Sign Language.

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This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (LS-246142-OLS-20).

The library's website has many online resources, including NewsBank for access to the TimesDaily, access to the Alabama News Collection, HeritageHub, and these three databases that were added this year: Capstone Interactive - a contentcreator for digital children’s books and literacy programs for libraries, classrooms, and at home reading including the award-winning PebbleGo™ research database.

Gale Legal Forms - offers a wide selection of legal forms for the most common legal procedures, including wills.

TeachingBooks - an online resource that offers readers of all ages, including educators, the opportunity to learn directly from a book's author.

Resources at the library Genealogy research is as popular as ever, and the library has many resources to help individuals and families in their quest. There are online databases like FamilySearch.org, which offers access to family records worldwide and has collaborations with more than 10,000 archives and partners in over 100 countries. Or browse through HeritageQuest, where you can find information on people and places described in over 28,000 family and local histories. There's also fold3, which offers military records. In addition, the library offers AncestryLibraryEdition, with important census, marriage and death records. But don't overlook the hundreds of books and files in our Local History department on the second floor! There are books on every era in addition to published family histories, and volumes of obituaries of local African Americans that list family members' names and parentage- a valuable resource for the often difficult challenge of tracing African Americans pre-Reconstruction.

The library was honored in October to host a traveling exhibit that highlighted Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott. “Tired of Giving In” was presented in partnership with Troy University’s Rosa Parks Museum and the Alabama Humanities Alliance, a state affiliate of the National Endowment of the Humanities. Several speaking events enhanced the exhibit, and included historian Dr. Shari L. Williams of The Redge Macon County Archaeology Project; Jeanne Theoharis, author of The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks; Dr. Karla Zelaya, assistant professor of English at UNA; and Steve Fiffer, coauthor of a book on the "nonviolent warrior" C.T. Vivian, along with Vivian's daughter, Denise Morse. The second part and continuation of this exhibit, The Women of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, will be on display at the library from February 28 - March 25.

This project is supported by the Alabama Humanities Alliance, a state affiliate of the National Endowment of Humanities.

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The Friends of the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library is a volunteer-based organization dedicated to enhancing the library's services and programming through membership pledges, fundraising, and endowments.

The funds that the Friends raise help the library to purchase: Books and eBooks

Join the Friends and earn some awesome merchandise!

Large-print and audiobooks Magazines and newspapers Genealogy databases and microfilm

Summer reading programming for kids, teens, and adults

Become a Friend today!

Reference

$15

early access to Friends Bookstore sales Friends canvas tote

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Non-Fiction

Fiction

$25

$50+

early access to Friends Bookstore sales discounts to ticketed library events Friends canvas tote OR Friends cap

early access to Friends Bookstore sales discounts to ticketed library events Friends canvas tote Friends cap

Pay online: flplfriends.square.site Pay by check: Florence-Lauderdale Public Library Friends / PO Box 1178 / Florence, AL 35631

Friends Officers

2021-2022 Debra Dombrowski President April Adams Vice President Sarah Ware Secretary David Curott Treasurer

Message from 21 the President volunteers

Dear Patrons,

The Friends of the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library appreciates everyone who helps us improve the library’s collections, programs, and equipment.

Bookstore sales and Friends memberships are our primary means of fundraising. Without your donations of books, and your visits to our store, we cannot achieve the positive impact we make on the library each year. Over the last twelve months – despite lockdowns and social distancing – twenty-one bookstore volunteers donated over 3,100 hours of their time to sell more than 25,000 books, magazines, audio/visual materials, and bookmarks. Together they raised $35,055. Thanks to them, and to your patronage, the Friends met the majority of their annual financial commitment to the library. Not even a global pandemic could stop our little bookstore! Community commitment to the Friends is strong and that strength is embodied by our dedicated board of directors. In October, we said ‘goodbye’ to several members whose terms came to an end: Past President Betty Achorn, Past VP Caleb Banks, Nancy Gauntney, and Anne Petty. As we begin a new year, we look forward to welcoming new board members, new volunteers, new members of the Friends organization, and more customers to the bookstore.

Keep reading!

Debra Dombrowski

3,100+ hours worked

25,648+ items sold

nearly

$35,055 in net sales

President, Friends of the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library

Friends Bookstore Hours:

Mon-Fri: 10am-4pm Saturday: 10am-4pm Sunday: 1pm-4pm

(256) 764-6564 ext. 119 flpl.org/friends

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MEMORIALS Robert Beck

By Ed Gallagher

By Sara Reed

By Jessie Wilson

Peggy Steele Clay

By Mr. and Mrs. Dale Williams

William H. "Bill" Broadfoot Marie Hodge Clay Sandlin By the Neighbors in Walnut Street Historic District

Paul Enlow Betty Weems Freemon Thelma Gaskins Janice French King Mary Elizabeth McDaniel Jan Wilson Roblin Maria Wall Marlena Walace By the Alabama Renaissance Faire Roundtable

Nancy & Charles Brown

By Jane Gough Jane Mitchell Carpenter

By Judith Rausch Ray Carpenter

By Anne & James Tease Martha Holmes Clark

By Martha Griggs Wendy Clark

By Dru Gambrell

By Barbara Peck

By George and Rudi Wilson

By Mary Stout

Kay Edden

By Barbara & David Collum

Georgann Flynn Dr. Ben Barnes Mildred Smith

By Sara Reed Yerbey Geneva

By Jessica Diaz Nicki Graham Joan Martin Mildred Smith By the Florence Discussion Club

D O N A T I O N S Lisa Aguado Carol Fite Michelle Jones Paula & Ben Maharrey Kenny Neese By the Neighbors in the Walnut Street Historic District Molly Partlow

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Jean Schulman By the Alabama Renaissance Faire Roundtable Kim R. Smith Shirley Self T.S. White Barbara Wilson Wilson Dam Local Section of the American Chemical Society

MEMORIALS Madelyn Ellis Hall

By Bonnie O'Steen

Beth Ann Higgins

By Jane B. Gough

Coy Montgomery & Mary Montgomery Smith

By Dan & Mary Richardson Mary Ann Moses

By Dorothy Brewer

Turner Jones

By Bill & Carolyn Jones

Melanie Musgrove

By Jane & Thomas Frith

Charles Lawson

By Buddy & Elaine Poorman

George Petty

By Anita Cobb

By Laura M. Houff

By Sara Reed

By Beth Roth

By Floyd and Libba Sherrod

Laura Mann

By Fred & Joan Myers By the Friendship Sunday School Class of Edgemont

James Irving McClure

By Mary Paige Juban and Leslie McClure Pearl McFall

By Turner Jones Carolyn McCrary & A.M. Burford, M.D.

By Ann McGregor Mary Emily Miller

By The Perkins Family

By Buddy and Elaine Poorman

Helen Richards

By Dr. Nolan E. Richards Mary Lou Robbins

By Jane Shipper Clyde & Pauline Simmons

By Lena Morgan Margaret Taylor

By Old Hickory Homeowner's Association

Linda VanSandt

By History Preservation, Inc.

HONORARIUMS Anne Cutter Smith

By Anne S. Smith & Betty Achorn

Thank you to everyone who has donated to FLPL and the Friends in 2021. Listed on these pages are all of our generous donors, along with the people who have been honored.

This list reflects the donations, memorials, and honorariums for the year 2021.

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Coming to FLPL

in early 2022

The Florence-Lauderdale Public Library is partnering with the Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts to host the exhibit, Childhood Classics: 100 Years of Children's Book Illustration.

Programs and hands-on workshops will accompany the exhibit at both locations. The exhibit is described by Landau Traveling Exhibitions: "With over 140 original works included from over 75 books, the exhibition explores the history of children’s books from the turn of the century pen and ink Mother Goose art of Sarah Noble Ives, to the most popular works of today including the digital creations of Mo Willems. The exhibition features the original art of Dr. Seuss, the iconic Wild Things of Maurice Sendak and the perennial heroism of Garth Williams’ Stuart Little. Among the many classic illustrators featured are Rosemary Wells, Richard Scarry, Chris Van Allsburg and Hilary Knight. Fondly remembered characters of literature include Babar, Eloise, Madeline, the Cat in the Hat and Dick & Jane."

This exhibit was made possible in part by the Florence-Lauderdale Library Foundation and the Kennedy-Douglass Trust.