Friends of TCCL Newsletter - Spring 2022

@your library Volume XXIX Number Three

Spring 2022

Spreading the word: Creating the library's event guide takes a team

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A NEWSLETTER OF

by Jackie Hill

roduced by the Public Relations Office (PRO), My Library is a monthly guide to events, services and resources of the Tulsa City-County Library. Events are divided by date in three sections: Adults & All Ages, Teens & Tweens, and Children.

mylibrary A monthly guide to events, services and resources

April 2022 mi biblioteca en español! página 28

The Gardening Edition STAR T YOUR G AR DEN H ER E! Learn about the TCCL Seed Library and bounty of resources and services available at the library to help you grow your garden.

I coordinate the production of My Library and each member of our department contributes to the publication each month.

The PRO staff is Judy Webb, creative director; Jackie Hill, public relations manager; John Fancher, communications specialist; Terri Woody-Weaver, graphic designer; and Alex Mullin, communications specialist.

For more than a year and a half, we produced only digital versions of these event guides, which was a safe practice during the pandemic. We just started producing the printed version again, beginning with the January 2022 issue. Currently, we have 7,400 copies printed each month and make them available at all 24 TCCL libraries and at numerous businesses and organizations throughout Tulsa County. Digital issues of My Library, past and current, are available on our website: www.tulsalibrary.org/ mylibrary.

Last summer, the PRO team met to discuss ways to improve our publications and decided to add a Spanish section to the monthly event guide to better serve our Latinx community. We kicked off the Mi Biblioteca section in our September 2021 issue of My Library. That section is written entirely in Spanish. (“Mi Biblioteca” is translated as “My Library.”)

INSIDE:

Staff and customers have praised this new addition, so we are continuing to grow the content for that section. We work with the Hispanic Resource Center, led by HRC coordinator Amairani Perez, on content for the Mi Biblioteca section. Ana Davis, customer service assistant at Martin Regional Library, writes

President's Podium: Friends spring forward page 2

Nikki Grimes to receive Zarrow award page 3

Print editions of My Library returned in January 2022. You can pick one up at any library branch. the monthly feature for the Spanish section. In addition, one member of the staff Unidos (Latinx) Affinity Group writes two book recommendations for the section each month.

The library’s Collection Management Department also contributes to the My Library event guide each month, recommending book titles for the “New and Coming Soon Titles” highlighted in the Adults & All Ages, Teens & Tweens, and Children sections. Thanks to Amanda Oyama, Terri Combs, Sally Kotarsky and Cathie Sue Andersen for this contribution.

We constantly are working on My Library. Just as soon as we finish one month, we start working on the next month. For example, we finished the March issue Feb. 16 and sent it to our printer service, and then immediately began work on the April issue, as well as on parts of the Summer Reading Program issue too.

The April issue will focus on growth, highlighting the TCCL Seed Library and other gardening resources. 

In conversation with Dr. Jennifer Airey page 4

Preserving memories in the DLL page 6

PRESIDENT’S PODIUM Friends spring forward.

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hy did I join the Friends of the Tulsa City-County Libraries? That is an easy question to answer.

I have always loved reading and sharing books and discussions about books with others. When I learned all the ways membership dues and donations promote literacy and love of learning through the Friends, I felt compelled to join. To those of you who are already members of the Friends of the Tulsa City-County Libraries, THANK YOU! Your membership dues and donations make a difference in many lives.

Despite the restrictions COVID has created, the Friends have continued to provide quality programs via Zoom. The presenters of Travels With Tulsans have taken us around the world, sharing their experiences, photos, and expertise. The Books Sandwiched In (BSI) spring 2022 series began March 7. The book talks,

we hope, will continue in person. The BSI committee has worked diligently to create fresh and exciting ways to present the book talks. The first one was held at Cain’s Ballroom where the book talk was on a history of Cain’s given by the two authors, John Wooley and Brent Bingham. The other book talks are at Central Library, COVID permitting; author Kate Quinn will join a discussion via Zoom on March 28, for another innovation in the program.

Kim Johnson, CEO of The Tulsa CityCounty Library, announced planning stages for expanding the Rudisill, Brookside, South Broken Arrow, and Owasso libraries.

Discover more on the website, https:// www.mylibraryourfuture.org/. Exciting plans include a drive-up window where patrons can pick up and return books. The Friends of the Tulsa City-County Libraries look forward to doing all we can to assist in these important projects.

At the same time, we continue to support Take Your Child to the Library Day, scholarships for library staff members, and volunteer recognition along with giving

Baby boom

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books to children. All of these important activities and more depend on support from our members. Please join or renew your membership!

I do hope this message finds you well and looking forward to spring. 

Dorothy Minor, President

by Sherry Leslie

ongratulations are in order. As you can imagine, many Friends volunteers tend toward those "of a certain age" (myself not excluded) so our normal cares and conversations often center around knee replacements and spousal hospitalizations. Baby news is very welcome to us!

Please rejoice with us as we plan for postpandemic coos and cuddles with little Dashiell, Max, and Madeleine. Dashiell is the son of BSI committee member Cecilia Whitehurst, Madeleine is the daughter of board member Rachel Organist, and Max is the son of board member April Schweikhard. All were born last fall. We welcomed them with a gift of...a book, of course. We suspect they are hearing lots of books by now.

Hello, world! Top: Madeleine, daughter of Rachel Organist; Bottom: Dashiell, son of Cecilia Whitehurst; Right: Max, son of April Schweikhard

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@your library | Spring 2022

We aim to recruit people of all ages to the board; we appreciate the fresh ideas, energy and leadership of our younger volunteers— and now we have the extra pleasure of admiring their future little library users! 

NOTEWORTHY NEWS Author Nikki Grimes to receive Anne V. Zarrow award on May 6

by Arlene Johnson

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ikki Grimes, NY Times best selling author, will be honored with the Tulsa Library Trust’s Anne V. Zarrow award at a free presentation Friday, May 6, 6:00 p.m. at Hardesty Regional Library, 8316 East 93rd Street, Tulsa. She is also scheduled to present awards to winners of the 2022 Young People’s Creative Writing contest that evening. The public is invited to see and hear the event.

Grimes started writing poetry at age 6 and

has since received over a dozen awards for her fiction, nonfiction and poetry books for elementary, middle-grade and young-adult readers. Her most recent awards include the 2020 ALAN Award for outstanding contributions to young-adult literature, the 2017 Children's Literature Legacy Award and the 2016 Virginia Hamilton Literary Award.

Grimes is a prolific writer whose work connects with a range of readers through a variety of genres. Whether fiction, poetry or nonfiction, there is a book or poem

by Grimes for everyone. “I write about many different kinds of characters to show readers that we are more alike than we are different,” Grimes told TCCL. “I write stories to tell my readers that, no matter what obstacles life puts in their way, they have the capacity to survive, to thrive, to triumph over adversity.”

The Anne V. Zarrow Award for Young Readers’ Literature gives formal recognition, on behalf of the Tulsa County

Scholarships provide enrichment for staff

by Glad Platner

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our Friends of the Library provides many services, events, and tangible “gifts” to our library, but did you know that the organization also provides scholarships for library employees? Since 2002, 118 different staff members have received a total of $143,875. Great news for our library and its employees and friends!

In the board’s current fiscal year (beginning July 1, 2021), $3622.10 has been awarded to employees. There are usually around eight applications submitted per semester, and the average amount rewarded is $599.

Each year since 1973, the Friends board awards reimbursements to staff members who have completed approved courses of college level study. Generally, they can take any undergraduate course that helps them reach their TCCL goals. The funds are intended to help those pursuing a degree or certification, rather than taking a course primarily for personal enrichment. All

Nikki Grimes community, to a nationally acclaimed author who has made a significant contribution to the field of literature for young adults. The award consists of a $10,000 cash prize and an engraved crystal book. 

employees are eligible. Those in specialized departments, such as human resources, IT, finance, public relations, etc. are often recipients of scholarships.

Other sources of scholarship funds for our employees include the American Library Association and the Oklahoma Library Association. In addition, TCCL also offers a tuition reimbursement program for those seeking graduate level coursework.

Give yourself a big round of applause for being a member, future member, or donor of the TCCL Friends of the Library and helping to provide opportunities for the enrichment of our library family, which then benefits the community at large. We thank you! 

FALL 2021 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS: Hector Arrazola (Central, Maker Space) Alexandria Bailey (SchustermanBenson) Clayton Fletcher (Central, IT) Shelby Hanigan (Collinsville) Sarah Mulhausen (Helmerich) Jesse Pavlik (Hardesty) Katlin Seagraves (Central, IT) Hector Arrazola, Elizabeth Seals (Broken Arrow) Maker Space Coordinator

Spring 2022 | @your library

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In conversation with Dr. Jennifer Airey

by Morgan Holmes

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n honor of Women’s Heritage Month and International Women’s Day in March, I was thrilled to get together with Jennifer Airey in order to lend some literary light to these thriving annual events. Dr. Airey is a professor of English and the interim provost at The University of Tulsa. She is also the editor in chief of Tulsa Studies in Women’s Literature (TSWL). Founded in 1982, TSWL is a scholarly journal dedicated to studying and publishing women’s literature from every historical period, nation and genre. Dr. Airey’s most recent book is Religion around Mary Shelley (Penn State UP, 2020).

Holmes. Women have been writing for centuries in societies around the world, but their access to getting published hasn’t always been equal to that of men. What are some inspiring examples of women writers who have broken through that gendered barrier?

Airey. Throughout history, some of the most popular early authors have been female: for example, Eliza Haywood, Anne Radcliffe, Mary Hays, Mary Robinson, Jane West, Delarivier Manley. Basically, as soon as we had literate women, we had popular women authors, and they were publishing at high rates and often outselling their male counterparts.

When Scarlet Letter Nathaniel Hawthorne complained about the "mob of scribbling women," he was expressing his frustration that female authors were outselling his works. It was only later, when the literary canon was formed by early century male academics, that these women’s works were forgotten.

Part of my job as a literary critic and journal editor, then, is to recover these once-popular works and reshape our understanding of literary history. I'm particularly inspired by Aphra Behn (1640-89), the first woman to make a living as a playwright for the British stage. She was also a prolific author of short stories and novellas and, at one point, was a spy for the British crown!

Holmes. The scholarly study and teaching of women writers and their works has grown exponentially since TSWL was founded.

How has the field evolved since then? What are some of the latest areas of interest in the study of women authors and literature by women?

Airey. Much of the early work of TSWL was devoted to excavation and recovery, bringing long-forgotten women’s works back into the scholarly conversation and the public consciousness.

Now, we’re interested in moving beyond recovery, and thinking more broadly about how these recovered texts change our understanding of literary history as a whole. Also, our interest in

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@your library | Spring 2022

Dr. Jennifer Airey

women’s literature has become less Euro-centric and more global.

We’re always excited to receive articles on women’s writing in languages other than English, and to consider women's writings in a transnational context.

Holmes. Your own scholarship, teaching and professional activities are deeply infused by women writers and their literature. Why is this a fascinating and rewarding area for you?

Airey. As I tell my students, in the year 1696, one third of the plays performed on the British stage were written by women. We have never come close to matching that number in the twentieth or twenty-first centuries. For me, studying, writing about, and promoting works by women is about saying that our voices matter. That we have interesting stories to tell. That we are equal intellectually, imaginatively, and creatively talented.

Holmes. Who is an “unsung” woman author and why might our readers want to learn more about her and read her works?

Airey. I highly recommend the works of Mary Robinson (17571800). After an ill-fated affair with the crown prince, she became a novelist and author of some really biting feminist criticisms of her society. She’s less well-known than Mary Wollstonecraft, her contemporary, but I find her works even more intellectually exciting. Everyone should read her Letter to the Women of England, which condemns gendered double standards and forcefully defends female intellect.

Holmes. Among women writing today, who’s a must-read?

Airey. I am a huge fan of genre fiction, especially the suspense and YA genres that are largely dominated by female authors.

For gripping psychological thrillers, I love the works of B.A. Paris.

For YA, I'm just finishing up the second book in Andrea Stewart's Drowning Empire series, and highly recommend it. 

Authors John Wooley and Brent Bingham sign copies of TwentiethCentury Honky-Tonk: The Amazing Unauthorized Story of the Cain's Ballrooms First 75 Years at Cain's on March 7 as part of our Books Sandwiched In series. It was our first in-person event since 2020.

Bostwick and Lian Dolan. It also includes an interactive virtual game of bingo and fun prizes. Presented in partnership with Adventures by the Book and Tulsa City-County Library. To register, visit www.tulsalibrary.org/events.

FRIENDS ANNUAL MEETING IS BACK THIS MAY!

HAPPENINGS

We invite you to join us for our general membership meeting on Thursday, May 5 at noon at Central Library Aaronson Auditorium. This will be our first time holding an annual meeting since 2019. For the last two years elections have been held electronically. TCCL CEO Kim Johnson will join us for a stateof-the-library update, we will elect new board members and officers, and honor our Distinguished Service Award winner. Light refreshments will be served. Look for an invite in your inbox soon!

BOOKS SANDWICHED IN RETURNS TO CENTRAL

AUTHOR MARY COLEY TO SPEAK AT CREATIVE WRITING CONTEST AWARDS CEREMONY

ooks Sandwiched In kicked off on March 7 with our first in-person program since 2020 with a special event at Cain's Ballroom with authors John Wooley and Brent Bingham.

The beloved book talk series continues at Central Library Aaronson Auditorium on Mondays at 12:10 p.m. through April 11.

Guests include former TCCL director Pat Woodrum. You can also join us on Zoom. Email friends@tulsalibrary.org for the Zoom link.

Mark your calendars: The annual Awards Ceremony and Reception is 2:30 p.m., Saturday, May 7, at Central Library, Aaronson Auditorium (subject to library Large Meeting Guidelines). Every entrant to the contest will be mailed invitation to this friendly and educational gathering. Local author Mary Coley will speak about the skills of writing and being published.

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FRIENDS TO HOST BOOK BINGO EVENT The Friends will co-present Book Bingo: An Evening of Author Talks on Thursday, April 21 from 6-7:00 p.m. This event features presentations by book club favorite authors, including Susan Meissner, Kristina McMorris, Janie Chang, Robin Oliveira, Marie

“I am so happy to serve as chair of the Adult Creative Writing Contest committee and proud that Friends has provided a place for Tulsa County writers to display their talents,” said Cindy McDonald. “Although creative writing itself is a solitary pursuit, for 45 years this contest has honored the effort and provided a platform for sharing.” 

Bills like SB1142 not good for Oklahoma

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Opinion, by Sherry Leslie

klahoma does not agree upon which books should be available in public schools and public libraries. That’s not unusual. From time to time through the ages, any place in the world, books have been banned, and readers have been alarmed. Libraries have been affected by politicians and/or by patron taxpayers requesting books be taken out, hidden away, put in a locked-up shelf.

Tulsa City-County Library considers all requests seriously and responds to them. A formal procedure for such requests is in place— customers may submit a "Request for Reconsideration" which is reviewed by a committee. Many schools have similar policies.

An Oklahoma legislator has put forth Senate bill 1142, which was recently passed through the Senate Education Committee. The future fate of the bill is up in the air. The bill wants books about "the study of sex, sexual lifestyles, sexual or gender identity, or sexual activity" to be unavailable to students at school unless their parent approves. A teacher or librarian may be fined, fired, and/or sued for causing harm if guilty of providing access to and not removing these books upon request.

I encourage you to read and familiarize yourself with Senate bill 1142. You can find it at www.oklegislature.gov. Type SB1142 in the "Find Legislation" search box. You can also reach out to your legislators and let them know that you don't support bans on books. 

Spring 2022 | @your library

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Preserving memories in the DLL 400 Civic Center Tulsa, OK 74103 918.549.7419 TulsaLibrary.org/Friends

Editor: Sherry Leslie Contributors: Donna Hart, Jackie Hill, Morgan Holmes, Arlene Johnson, Dorothy Minor, Glad Platner Layout: Tara Farrar Friends of the Tulsa City-County Libraries (FOL) is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to aid and promote the activities and goals of the Tulsa City-County Library. @ your library is published for members four times a year.

2021-22 OFFICERS Dorothy Minor, President Diane Pennington, 1st Vice President Mindy Galoob, 2nd Vice President Norman Bryant, Treasurer Rachel Organist, Assistant Treasurer Peggy Wolfe, Recording Secretary Sherry Leslie, Past President

2021-22 BOARD MEMBERS Lin Arnett Barbara Bannon Laura Bottoms Robyn Bowman Brenda Bradshaw Nancy Carroll Chris Cole Courtney Cooper Doris Degner-Foster Ros Elder Laura Frossard Laurie Green Lillie Haddican Donna Hart Janet Henderson Barry Hensley Morgan Holmes Arlene Johnson Marty Laughlin Jim Lee Carolyn McClure Gisele McDaniel Cindy McDonald Rosemary Moran Diane Morrow-Kondos Mary Olzawski Karen Owens Glad Platner Jack Reese April Schweikhard Marian Sexton Karla Tomsen

Like us on

by Donna Hart

T

he Digital Literacy Lab (DLL) is one of my favorite parts of the Central Library.

It has a wide assortment of equipment to help Tulsans. When I retired from teaching I went to the DLL training and slowly tiptoed into using the software (with lots of help from library staff).

First, I created Google drive files. I learned how to digitize my photo album pages and framed photos (yes, still in their wooden frames). I learned how to copy and paste my aunt’s recipe collection into a document. A cousin let me digitize the “family trees” she researched about our ancestors. All can be attached to each other and sent to all our family members who live in other towns.

They are saved, without paper, in our home computers.

I had a lot of fun and received all the help I needed from the staff at the lab. I didn’t create any of the individual sections alone.

Basically, I feel like I was organizing our family’s memories and protecting them for future generations. In addition I learned skills with certain software. There are many other things I will learn for other projects, and everyone with a little time can do so also. 

UPCOMING DLL OFFERINGS Digital Art Hour: Illustrated Poetry Thursday, April 16 | 6:00 p.m.

Use the Digital Literacy Lab's equipment to create your own custom digital artwork inspired by famous poems.

Digital Art Hour: Self Portraits Thursday, May 12 | 6:00 p.m.

Use our digital media tools to make your own digital self portrait. No experience necessary!

Visit tulsalibrary.org to register for these events.

MEMBERSHIP MATTERS Thank YOU, Friend!

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OU came through and helped us reach our annual fundraising goal before March 1! We have now exceeded our campaign goal of $21,000. Thank YOU, Friend!

Your generosity makes an impact in the lives of those in our communities by strengthening the crucial work of our libraries.

There's still time! Our campaign cycle runs until June 30, so if you haven't joined or renewed your membership as a Friend yet, simply visit www.tulsalibrary.org/Friends to give by credit card. You’ll receive an “I  My Library” decal with your gift of $25 or more.

facebook.com/FOLTulsa

FROM DEC. 21, 2021 - MARCH 15, 2022 WE RECEIVED GIFTS RECOGNIZING THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS: $250 - In Memory of Jim Rosenlieb $200, 100 - In Honor of Dorothy Minor $200 - In Memory of Donnie Gayle Brady $100 - In Memory of Loretta Ribak $50 - In Memory of William Gaddis $50 - In Memory of Chris Cushenberry $25 - In Memory of Mrs. Scott $25 - In Memory of John Abernathy $25 - In Honor of Mark Carlson Thank you for your gifts in support of our libraries.

To honor or memorialize a loved one with a tribute gift to Friends, simply return a donation form with your gift of any amount. 