@your library Volume XXVII Number Two
A NEWSLETTER OF
Winter 2019
Tulsa hosts library directors from around the country
T
by Sherry Leslie
ulsa opened our Central Library to over 200 library directors from all across the country for three days in early November, and everyone here pitched in to be great hosts, including Friends of the Libraries. Library Journal, a magazine for library profession news, organized the Directors Summit as it does every year, and arranged speakers, vendors, small group discussions, and coordination with our staff, who provided local speakers (Kimberly Johnson, Keith Jemison, Clifton Taulbert, and Mayor G. T. Bynum), meeting rooms, refreshments, resources for hotel rooms, and tours of Tulsa’s local sights and attractions. Members of Friends of the Libraries gave tours of Central Library
Summit attendees braved the rain to take in a bus tour of Tulsa during pre-conference activities, including stops at The Gathering Place and the Greenwood District. each day, pointing out our spaces for every age and interest, and even giving special “back room” peek-ins, which gave the directors views of our workrooms, research areas, and the Customer Care Department. This was just one more perk of volunteering for the Friends—getting to meet librarians from different locations, helping answer their questions, and sharing our spectacular city with them. The directors were from large and small libraries, many of whom realized that no matter their size they faced the same challenges. Several were amazed by the facilities, supplies, and programs we have, with an eye for what they could try in their own library. A visitor from Cary Memorial Library in Lexington, Massachusetts remarked: “Thank you so much for your hospitality. I really appreciate all of the hard work that went into making this event a success. Your staff was gracious and welcoming. By the end I felt like I had joined the TCCL team and was "all in" right along with all of you. Thank you for the fantastic tour, all of the food and, of course, the fabulous content and connections."
INSIDE:
Tulsa Mayor, G. T. Bynum, addresses a packed crowd of library directors at Central Library.
President's Podium: In times of trouble, books can help page 2
Library nurtures writers page 3
Special thanks go out to our own library directors, Mayor Bynum, the tour guides (including some of our Helmerich Friends), and all the staff who were involved in the event. You all helped make the directors feel at home in our wonderful library system!
Beer and books: Books Sanwiched In hosts evening event page 4
Spotlight: Maxwell Park Library page 5