Friends of TCCL Newsletter - Spring 2021 by Friends of the Tulsa City-County Libraries

@your library Volume XXVIII Number Three

A NEWSLETTER OF

Spring 2021

Library meets shifting material demand by Rachel Organist

t a recent meeting of the Friends Board, one topic of discussion was how the Covid-19 pandemic has affected circulation of library items and how patrons use the library. For example, we wondered whether less frequent library visits and the inability to browse have resulted in users hanging on to individual items for a longer period of time. I reached out to Sarah Peterson, the library’s Systemwide Products Director, to find out more about what’s been happening with items in the library’s collection over the past year. While the library doesn’t have a way to capture data on how long users are keeping items, there are numerous other metrics tracked throughout the year that paint a picture of library use during the pandemic and ways the library collection has pivoted to keep up with our changing times. Peterson explained that when it first became clear that normal operations couldn’t safely continue, an ordering freeze was placed on new physical items for the collection. Instead, spending was shifted to digital items, with an emphasis on children’s collections items to help families learn and have fun together. The library resumed ordering physical items when curbside service started up again. According to the library’s 2020 Fast Facts publication, the collection currently includes more than a million owned items. 52% of these are adult physical items, 38% are children’s physical items, and 10% are digital items, including eBooks and eAudiobooks. This represents an additional 20,000 owned digital items in the library’s collection compared to 2019! In addition, the library offers users access to many subscription eMaterials, including more than 650,000 eBooks and eAudiobooks. It’s not surprising that digital circulation in 2020 increased 16% over the previous year, as our library use has shifted online just like many other aspects of our lives.

INSIDE:

The library was also able to take advantage of special pandemic

President's Podium: Spring: Sunshine on the horizon page 2

Rain, sleet or snow: Physical materials get delivered around the library system daily, all while use of digital materials like eBooks and eAudiobooks are on the rise during the pandemic. offers from various electronic resource providers. As a sometime amateur genealogist myself, I was particularly excited to hear the library now offers access to Ancestry.com’s genealogical databases from users’ home computers, and share Peterson’s hopes that this perk will be continued in the future. For the link to log in to this remote database, visit www.tulsalibrary.org/ ancestry-library-edition-0. For those who continue to prefer curbside pickup of physical items to eBooks, staff have created book bundles on various topics to better serve patrons who can’t browse. I can personally vouch for the selections staff have made for me based on my other holds—they do a great job! Craft kits are another fun library offering for families to do together. To see which craft kits are available this month, visit events.tulsalibrary.org/events and use the Event Type filter to show “DIY Make or Crafts” events. With curbside circulation of over 700,000 and total digital circulation of over 1.7 million in 2020, it’s clear the library continues to fulfill its mission of serving as many users as possible even through the challenging circumstances of the coronavirus pandemic. There are many exciting ways Friends can enjoy library resources, even as a return to browsing the stacks remains in our future. 

First Book program resumes page 3

Annual Report: 2020 at our libraries page 5

Summer Reading Program kicks off June 1 page 6

PRESIDENT’S PODIUM Spring: Sunshine on the horizon

im Johnson, TCCL CEO, met with the Friends Board in February, 2021, to provide an update on library activities, usage, and plans. Here's some of what we learned: TCCL implemented a temporary hiring freeze early in the pandemic; that helped avoid any furloughs or layoffs of library staff. That freeze has been lifted and new employees are being hired to help with the activities and curbside deliveries.

amenities also include sending faxes, making copies, and picking up pre-made paper bags of books and activity kits. The Friends continue to offer virtual events such as Travels with Tulsans and Books Sandwiched In via Zoom. The events are recorded and housed on TCCL’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/TulsaLibrary. Other virtual opportunities are found here: events.tulsalibrary.org/events. The events are varied to meet a number of interests and for all age levels.

All branches now provide WiFi to the parking lots and students can check out hotspots to help with distance learning. Ms. Johnson meets weekly with the Tulsa City-County Health Department to keep up-to-date on news about the pandemic. Since our meeting, TCCL has now opened select branches for Express Service. Library patrons can continue to request holds on materials and pick them up curbside at any library of their choosing. Curbside

We can find ways to support TCCL through these difficult times and enrich our own lives at the same time. Become a member of the Friends of the Library. Check out books and resources using the curbside delivery. Participate in the many virtual events that are designed for all ages and those events include book clubs. Advocate for the library by writing your legislators. If you are active on social media, promote TCCL and the Friends of the Library there.

Friends' 2021-22 election moves online

ith library meeting spaces remaining closed and social distancing measures still in place, the Friends board has decided not to hold an Annual Meeting of the membership that would typically take place in May. Instead, election of a new slate of directors will take place electronically by email. Returning members will recall the 2020 election was conducted similarly! We want to remain safe while also meeting our obligations as a 501(c)3 nonprofit. Be on the lookout for an email about the election. An incredible number of you participated in the 2020 election and we look forward to seeing the same this year. If you're unsure we have your email address, reach out to Friends@tulsalibrary.org. 

@your library | Spring 2021

Thank you for your continued support of the Friends of the Library and TCCL and your continued joy of reading. Together, we will find our way through the pandemic and into the sunshine of 2021. 

Dorothy Minor 2020-2021 President, Friends of the Tulsa City-County Libraries

We say thanks to staff on National Library Workers Day

pril 6 marked National Library Workers Day, part of the National Library Week celebration that falls in April each year. To recognize and reward the incredible work our library staff have done during the past year, the Friends sent freshly baked cookies from Tulsa's Antoinette Bakery to the nearly 400 staff around the system. They included an assortment of traditional, vegan and gluten-free selections for all of the staff to enjoy. Staff reported back an abundance of thanks for the special treat. Have you said thanks to staff at your branch lately? We encourage you to take a moment to tell them how much you appreciate them and how they've handled all of the challenges of the past year. 

Shelly Wimberley at Owasso Library enjoys a cookie from Antoinette Bakery.

NOTEWORTHY NEWS Jason Reynolds to receive Anne V. Zarrow Award for Young Readers' Literature

by Sherry Leslie

ason Reynolds will accept the Anne V. Zarrow award on Thursday, May 6, 2021, at 7 p.m., during a live virtual presentation on TCCL's YouTube channel: www.youtube. com/TulsaLibrary. This event is always a big one for students, teachers and parents, who are celebrating the winners of the 2021 Young People’s Creative Writing Contest at the same time. The Anne V. Zarrow Award for Young Readers’ Literature honors a nationally acclaimed author who has made a significant contribution to the field of literature for young adults. The award, presented by the Tulsa Library Trust, consists of a $10,000 cash prize and an engraved crystal book.

Jason Reynolds is The New York Times bestselling author of All American Boys, Long Way Down, For Every One, Miles Morales: Spider-Man, and the Track series including Ghosts, Patina, Sunny, and Lu. Ghosts was a National Book Award Finalist for Young People’s Literature. The Anne V. Zarrow Award for Young Readers’ Literature was inaugurated in 1991 and is given annually by the Tulsa Library

First Book program resumes

e received an update from Louan Torres, who coordinates donor-driven programs for the library, including First Book, on the program's status: "The 2019/2020 school year was cut short due to Covid-19. In April and May 2020, Friends' First Books were not distributed as students were remote learning from midMarch through the end of the school year and libraries were closed with library staff working from home. However, the First Book materials for April and May 2020 were already purchased and being stored at the library’s Support Services Center awaiting distribution to preschoolers in the 2020/2021 school year.

Author Jason Reynolds visits TCCL virtually on May 6. Trust. In 1992, it was permanently named in honor of Anne V. Zarrow. Its purpose is to give formal recognition, on behalf of the Tulsa County community, to nationally acclaimed authors who have made a significant contribution to the field of literature for children and young adults. Adults and young readers and writers alike will benefit from meeting Reynolds, who's making a mark on the field of young readers' lit with his aim to "not write boring books." Don’t miss the chance hear from this celebrated author at home. 

"We are using the carryover of two months’ worth of books from the prior school year and distributing books in only the spring term, now that students are returning to in-person learning. However, to provide the students with a full array of eight books for the school year, children will receive two books each in the months of March, April, and May. "Friends have book plated and packed 4,436 books for distribution to the schools. They will work in April to book plate and pack two sets of books for May, totalling 1,109 additional books. "I am so appreciative for the FOL volunteers' "happy hands" and assistance with this project. We know the kids appreciate building their own library at home!" First Book is a national early reading initiative sponsored annually in Tulsa by Friends. Pre-K students in area Title I schools receive a new book each month to add to their athome library. 2020/2021 titles include The Pigeon Wants a Puppy! by Mo Willems, Bear Wants More by Karma Wilson and One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss. 

Spring 2021 | @your library

Friends help families celebrate the important people in their lives

by Laura Raphael

hanks to the generosity of the Friends of the Tulsa CityCounty Libraries, at Thanksgiving time, all 24 branch libraries received copies of “Generations Celebrations” story kits to share with families, and six branch libraries conducted special virtual or passive programs connecting young people with the adults in their lives, including grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles. The kits included “5 Questions for Kids…to Share with Adults” (ranging from “What are some of your favorite books, video games, and foods right now?” to “What do you think adults don’t know about being a kid today?”) and “5 Questions for Adults… to Share with Kids” (questions like “What did you like to do when you were a kid?” to “What are some things every child should learn in order to become a happy and successful adult?”) and encouraged storytelling and sharing between generations. The Broken Arrow Library created “Generations Cookie Decorating Kits” for children and grandparents (or other adults) to create fanciful and fun cookies. The Suburban Acres Library offered a craft kit that included a photo frame craft and another

Fall scholarships awarded

riends of the Libraries gave scholarships totaling $2,809 to TCCL staff for the fall 2020 semester. We are so proud of the continued interest in new learning that our librarians hold, and their ability to study and achieve with the challenges of this year. Recipients are listed below with where they work within our libraries, and which college they are “attending”.

Families visiting the Broken Arrow Library enjoyed decorating cookies together during the holidays thanks to program funds from Friends. opportunity for kids to learn about their grandparents. The South Broken Arrow Library planned a "stained glass" ornament/ suncatcher kit that generations could complete together. A customer on Facebook commented: "Today's curbside pickup included new books, a hotspot and a cookie decorating kit. My library is cooler than yours." From the Broken Arrow Library children's staff: "We are so thankful for The Friends of the Library for providing funds so this program was possible! All kits were taken and all were loved! The phone calls we received were amazing. Lots of thank yous and 'this was so fun' and how well we are still managing during this pandemic." From Beverly Jemison at Suburban Acres Library: “All of our families loved these kits. They said that during this pandemic, this project let them get back to doing something normal. I would like to say a big "THANK YOU" to the Friends of the Library for providing these materials. You guys are awesome!" 

Elizabeth Corbly, Schusterman-Benson, Customer Service, RSU Clayton Fletcher, Central, IT Data Analyst, TCC Shelby Hanigan, Collinsville, Customer Service, Northeastern St. Sarah Mulhausen, Helmerich, Customer Service, Mississippi St. Jennifer Parrish, Hardesty, Circulation, Arizona St. Elizabeth Seals, Broken Arrow, Customer Service, Northeastern St. Malinda Thao, Owasso, Customer Service, OSU Tulsa Daniel Tovar, Martin, Bilingual Customer Service, TCC Our Scholarship Committee is now awarding spring 2021 college help to librarians who apply and tell us of their need. Thank you to all our Friends who make this possible. 

5 Suburban Acres families enjoyed a variety of crafts and activities, including photo frames and "All About Grandparents."

@your library | Spring 2021

Keep calm and carry on: 2020 at our libraries

by Debbie Cogan

hat a year 2020 was for everyone! How can we compare statistics with those of other years? Considering 2020 was a year like no other, this is almost like comparing apples to oranges. The Central Library closed for a short time due to a fire early in 2020—and then the pandemic hit everyone! When Covid-19 first struck in mid-March of 2020, all in-person library usage was suspended and staff worked remotely creating three information webpages. These focused on educating the public about Covid-19 while outlining the library’s response and introduced new ways of meeting customer needs as well as highlighting ways the community could assist their neighbors during these trying times. When there was a shortage of masks and sanitizer in the community, library staff stepped up, utilizing Central Library’s Maker Space to 3D print and sew face masks to donate to area hospitals while TCCL’s Research Wizard team researched and compiled information on how to make your own hand sanitizer. Central Library’s Starbucks team pitched in by donating much appreciated coffee to medical staff on the frontlines. For the sixth year, TCCL partnered with the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma to provide free nutritious lunches to children age 18 and under at four library locations. For many who have been isolated in their homes, the utilization of contact-free curbside service allowed them to access library materials. In this time of distance learning, customers without internet access utilized the library’s public WiFi accessible 24/7 in the library parking lots. In-person events such as book club meetings, story time, author talks and the Asian-American Festival went virtual. Staff responded to thousands of customer queries via chat, text, email and phone. New eMaterials were purchased and resources were added to the online collection to help young customers with their educational and entertainment needs. Temporary at-home access to resources for genealogy

Learn more about what the library was up to in 2020 by picking up a copy of the Annual Report and Calendar at any library branch, or view it online at www.tulsalibrary.org. research and investment and financial information was made available. The 2020 Summer Reading Program was simplified to a hybrid program allowing customers to participate with adjustments for their health and safety. The library moved to

a Fine Free model beginning July 1 to further reduce barriers to service. What will 2021 bring? Stay connected with your library to see the mystery unfold.

Express Service is here...again

ou may recall that we announced a handful of TCCL branches had opened for Express Service last fall, shortly before a spike in COVID cases halted the openings. If you haven't heard yet, select locations are now open again for inperson Express Service! As of our printing, locations open for in-person service include: Brookside Library, Central Library, Collinsville Library, Hardesty Regional Library, Martin Regional Library, Maxwell Park Library, Owasso Library, Peggy Helmerich Library, Pratt Library, Rudisill Regional Library, Schusterman-Benson Library, South Broken Arrow Library, and Zarrow Regional Library. More locations are opening in the coming weeks, so be sure to check tulsalibrary. org regularly to find out which locations are open for Express Service near you. Express Service allows for visits of under one hour to browse, check out books, use computers and to print, copy or fax. You can also continue to use Curbside Service. If you visit, masks are required for everyone ages 5 and up. 

Spring 2021 | @your library

SERVICE SPOTLIGHT The Summer Reading Program kicks off on June 1

by Suanne Wymer

ulsa City-County Library will celebrate the 2021 Summer Reading Program with the theme of "Tails & Tales" from Tuesday, June 1 through Saturday, July 31.

CHILDREN [K TO 5TH GRADE] •

Register and read eight books to receive a Buddy Bookworm medal, a coupon book, and be entered into a grand prize drawing.

•

Read 12 more books to be entered into a special prize drawing.

While all programs will be held virtually this summer, people of all ages can register online, via a mobile app, by mailing in their registration form, or in person at library locations open for Express Service.

TEENS & TWEENS [6TH TO 12TH GRADE]

LITTLES [BIRTH TO PRE-K]

•

Register and read eight books to receive a Buddy Bookworm medal, a coupon book, and be entered into a grand prize drawing. Read 12 more books to be entered into a special prize drawing.

ADULTS [18 AND OLDER] •

Kids up through 5th grade completing the Summer Reading Program will receieve a custom medal like the one pictured. Be sure to check out TCCL’s Summer Reading Program Events & Activity Guide online or pick up a print copy at a library location open for Express Service to enjoy summer activities and programs. 

YouTube: A treasure trove of programming

by Sherry Leslie

ince library virtual events have increased (when it became unsafe to meet in large groups), the silver lining has become that so many more programs and events are being videorecorded and made available to watch on-demand on the library's YouTube channel! It is such an advantage to watch events any time and from any place, wherever you may be. You can even share events that you love with friends and relatives that don’t live in Tulsa! You'll find the YouTube channel at www.youtube. com/TulsaLibrary. If you're like me, you may not have previously been a regular YouTube watcher. To help encourage you to explore the videos, here's a little more of what you'll find when you visit. The videos are organized under headings Home, Videos, Playlists, Channels, About, and a magnifying glass Search icon. Under “Home” are the latest videos. Under “Videos” are more of the same, but now the dates of events go further into the past. You'll even find every television news segment featuring the library from the past several years under this heading. “Playlists” are events that are repeated, so if you only want to watch Books Sandwiched In, they are bundled under that title.

@your library | Spring 2021

Tori Hamilton, from Glenpool Library, records an interactive children's program at home to be posted to the library's YouTube channel. Story times are together, Tech Talks are together, etc. “Playlists” has some amazing topics, and is worth exploring. Videos range from a few minutes to just under an hour long. Or use the "Search" feature to find a specific video or topic. I hope you will explore these library programs and virtual events to find your favorites, whether you missed them the first time, or want to see them again. 

MEMBERSHIP MATTERS YOU did it, Friend!

OU came through and helped us reach our annual fundraising goal before March 1! We have now exceeded our campaign goal of $19,750. Thank you, Friends! Your generosity makes an impact in the lives of those in our communities by strengthening the crucial work of our libraries.

Our campaign cycle runs until June 30, so if you haven't joined or renewed your membership as a Friend yet there's still time. To join or renew simply visit tulsalibrary.org/Friends to give by credit card. You’ll receive an “I  My Library” decal with your gift of $25 or more. Libraries are a safe space in our communities, opening the doors to knowledge and making lifelong learning accessible for people of all ages and backgrounds. Now more than ever we see the great strides they take to bring people together, engage minds and provide needed resources. Thank you for helping us continue our efforts during a difficult season for so many. We look forward to seeing you back at our libraries soon. 

Your donations in action: Masks

hanks to the generous support of our Friends, we were able to gift $10,000 to the library for the purchase of muchneeded personal protective equipment. Staff have shared some heartwarming testimonials with us about what that ready access to varying types and styles of masks has meant to them and to their customers. Emily Archibald, Regional Manager "At South Broken Arrow Library, a customer came in who is hard of hearing. She is used to looking at the lips of others in order to more fully understand what they are saying, but obviously masks have prevented that for quite some time. When staff were alerted to this, they put on one of the new masks with the clear panel while they were assisting the customer. The customer was so grateful and overjoyed to be able to understand the staff member. As a result of this small courtesy, this customer was able to fully understand and communicate with staff in a way that hasn’t been possible for almost a year." Carissa Kellerby, Jenks Library Manager "The wife and mom of a new young family who began picking up their books at Jenks Library is hard of hearing. On their first visit we communicated with her husband for her to come to the staff window with her card to let us know she was there to pick up books whenever she came by herself. Her first visit went

FROM DEC. 22, 2020 - MARCH 31, 2021 WE HAVE RECEIVED GIFTS RECOGNIZING THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS: $1000, $50, $50, $50, $25, $25, $15 - In Memory of Lana Voss $100, $100 - In Memory of Amelia Woodward $100 - In Honor of Bill and Dolores Duffy $100 - In Memory of Jeanne M. LaFortune $100 - In Honor of Robert J. LaFortune, Sr. $50 - In Memory of Carol Eve Foster Gatchell $50 - in Memory of Marion Noldt $50 - In Memory of Kelly Rose $50 - In Memory of Larry Silvey $25 - In Memory of Cinda Lu McMillin $25 - In Honor of Kelly Bayles $20 - In Memory of John Palmer To honor or memorialize a loved one with a gift to Friends, simply return a donation form or envelope with your gift of any amount. Forms can be found at tulsalibrary.org/Friends. 

smoothly, but I wished she had been able to see me smile. By her second visit, we had the clear masks. When I saw her coming up to the window, I swapped my regular mask for the clear one to answer the door. I let her know I knew who she was and went to get her things. As I took out the cart with her kids' books, it felt so good to know she could see my smile and to see her smile back! She can also read lips, and we were able to have a nice little conversation. She said this was the first time she had seen anyone with a clear panel mask. I told her communicating with her is the reason we got them. She was very touched by the thoughtfulness of the gesture. I could tell she was excited to be able to talk with someone in a public place. Being able to wish her a great day brightened mine and so many others' day!" TCCL staff continue to utilize masks at all libraries. Funds from Friends provided for the purchase of various types of masks, including some with clear panels to be used with hard of hearing customers, and N95 masks for staff who need them.

Spring 2021 | @your library

400 Civic Center Tulsa, OK 74103 918.549.7419 TulsaLibrary.org/Friends

Editors: Sherry Leslie & Cecilia Whitehurst Contributors: Debbie Cogan, Carolyn McClure, Rachel Organist, Laura Raphael, Suanne Wymer 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.

Dorothy Minor, President Peggy Wolfe, 1st Vice President Cecilia Whitehurst, 2nd Vice President Norman Bryant, Treasurer Rachel Organist, Assistant Treasurer Kathleen Kastelic, Recording Secretary Michael Nesser, Corresponding Secretary Sherry Leslie, Past President

2020-21 BOARD MEMBERS

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ulsa City-County Library is commemorating the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial with events and resources to promote education, empathy and healing. Events continue through May leading up to the massacre anniversary on May 31. Events will explore the history and impact of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre on our community; build empathy through fiction and nonfiction works; and engage in meaningful conversation about challenges past and present, including racial and cultural divisions. While celebrating the growth and healing in our community, TCCL also recognizes there is much work yet to be done.

PANEL DISCUSSION: WHO WATCHES THE WATCHMEN? Thursday, April 29, 7-8:30 p.m.

2020-21 OFFICERS

Barbara Bannon Laura Bottoms Robyn Bowman Chris Cole Courtney Cooper Doris Degner-Foster Rachel Ann Dennis Eldon Eisenach Mindy Galoob Catherine Gatchell Laurie Green Lillie Haddican Janet Henderson Don Hockenbury Arlene Johnson Rita Kirk Marty Laughlin Lisa Lawrence Carolyn McClure Cindy McDonald Rosemary Moran Diane Morrow-Kondos Elaine Olzawski Mary Olzawski Richard Parker Glad Platner April Schweikhard Marian Sexton Karen Smith Janet Thomas Karla Tomsen Mack Vanderlip

Library to commemorate 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre through May

Join us for a Zoom discussion with several writers from HBO's Watchmen series, as well as the comics curator from OKPOP. The panel will discuss the show and its relation to the Tulsa Race Massacre. Email register@ tulsalibrary.org to receive a Zoom invite. Sponsored by the Tulsa Library Trust.

EXHIBIT: TCCL REMEMBERS - COMMEMORATING TULSA'S 1921 RACE MASSACRE WITH EDUCATION, EMPATHY AND HEALING

Opening May 4 at 10 a.m. • Rudisill Regional Library, 1520 N. Hartford This curated exhibit will offer a unique, immersive way for participants to learn about this tragic historical event as well as the racial and political conditions leading up to and following the Tulsa Race Massacre itself. TCCL is a proud recipient of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission Grant Program. All grants have been made possible from the generosity of WPX Energy.

MEET AUTHOR JASON REYNOLDS - 2021 ANNE V. ZARROW AWARD FOR YOUNG READERS' LITERATURE

Thursday, May 6, 7 p.m.

Meet author Jason Reynolds, winner of the Tulsa Library Trust's 2021 Anne V. Zarrow Award for Young Readers' Literature, during a live virtual presentation on YouTube at www.youtube.com/TulsaLibrary.

FRIENDSHIP MATTERED THEN! FRIENDSHIP MATTERS NOW! WITH CLIFTON TAULBERT Tuesday, May 11, 6-7:30 p.m.

Join us via Zoom for an inspiring presentation from Clifton Taulbert, author of Eight Habits of the Heart: Embracing the Values That Build Strong Communities. Email register@tulsalibrary.org to receive a Zoom invite for this event. Sponsored by the Tulsa Library Trust. 

facebook.com/FOLTulsa

Special thanks to TulsaPeople Magazine for the printing of our spring 2021 issue.