Library News & Notes

April 2018

Friends,

A colleague sent me an interesting magazine article which described the library’s role in the community as one in transition. The researchers found that public libraries everywhere have been changing “from transactional to relational.” I was so excited about that phrase, because it captures exactly what has been happening at our library, but I didn’t have the exact words to describe it…until now.

I just presented my annual report to the library board and we have been somewhat nervously watching this trend unfold. After years of increase, our circulation dipped 11% (the “transactions”) yet the number of people with library cards rose 12%, the number of programs we presented for children, teens and adults rose 11%, and the number of people attending programs rose 9% (the “relationships”). It seems a real paradigm shift.

The article further resonated with me when it described libraries having “gained more purposes” and that people today want their library to be a meeting and interaction space. That rings true to me, especially as this morning I walked by our two new study rooms and both were occupied. One seemed to be in use by a homeschooling family “doing school,” and the other by several individuals working on tax forms. Could they all have been doing their thing at home? Yes, but they chose the library, and that’s the point.

The trend also follows what we discovered in community surveys and focus groups while working on our strategic plan, where “having materials to check out” only ranked #6 in your priorities, behind programming, homework help, community resource center, comfortable physical space, and internet access! That’s a big shift from the answers you gave during the same process in 2012.

So, we’re listening and adapting. But that does NOT mean that we abandon our traditional role of having an up-to-date and appealing browsing collection of materials in all formats (supplemented with the millions of items we can retrieve for you through SearchOhio.) It just means we will layer on more meet-up kinds of opportunities along with the other services you know and love.

Last month I forgot to include my promised new “feature” in which I answer a comment from the suggestion box, so I’ll do two this month:

Suggestion: A puzzle exchange or just a shelf for puzzles to be taken out.
Response: We do have that! Check out the former dictionary stand by the fireplace. Borrow what you wish; return the same puzzle or another. [No dictionaries were harmed in developing this service. (Ha!) They are to be found on a shelf by the Reference Desk.]

Suggestion: Need more outlets for laptop and tablets and phone.
Response: We wish the builder had thought of this in 1937, that’s for sure! Please be aware that you’re not limited just to the table in the Reading Room. There are also tables and chairs with accessible outlets in the Adkins/Local History Room, and in both study rooms.

Director, Massillon Public Library

Who didn’t love Jeannette Walls' The Glass Castle? Well, do I have a recommendation for you. I went away for the weekend and finished all my books (a very unusual situation) and had to stop at a bookstore and actually spend money to buy a book for the drive home (REALLY unusual!) Plus, this bookstore sells chocolate bars with wrappers that say “Eat, Sleep, Read”, so there’s that. At any rate, I was browsing the nonfiction bestsellers and stumbled onto Tara Westover’s Educated, a memoir with a similar tone. Westover now has her PhD from Cambridge, but when she started college at 17 she had to ask a professor the meaning of “Holocaust,” because she was never exposed to the word growing up in a survivalist group in the mountains of Idaho. She suffered terrible abuse at the hands of an older brother, but even as an educated adult woman found it hard to break the ties to her upbringing. I was deeply moved by the thirst for knowledge that drove Westover and several of her siblings, including a brother who read an old encyclopedia set in the basement so he wouldn’t be ridiculed, or beaten. The bookstore clerk told me they can’t keep it on the shelf because of word-of-mouth. Our copy is in processing, so look for it soon!

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April Story Times

Family Story Time
Mondays: April 2, 9, 16, 23
7:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
For all ages, accompanied by an adult.

Little Listeners Story Time
Wednesdays: April 4, 11, 18, 25
10:15 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
For children ages 2-5, accompanied by an adult.

Tyke Tales
Thursdays: April 5, 12, 19, 26
10:15 a.m. - 10:35 a.m.
For children ages 0-2 ½, accompanied by an adult.

Shake-It-Up Story Time
Thursdays: April 5, 12, 19, 26
1:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
For children ages 2-5, accompanied by an adult.

Simply Stories
Fridays: April 6, 13, 20, 27
10:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
For all ages, accompanied by an adult.

No registration is required for story times. For more information, contact the Children's Department at 330-832-5037.

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Friends Meeting
Monday, April 2 --- 6:30 p.m.
New members always welcome! 330-832-9831, ext. 301

Successful Container Gardening
Pam S. Belloni Branch Library
12000 Navarre Road SW Navarre, OH 44662-9486
Tuesday, April 3 — 6:00 p.m.
Master Gardener Connie Greathouse will offer tips on gardening in containers. Registration is required. For more information or to register, contact the Belloni branch at 330-767-9939.

Meditation
Tuesday, April 3 --- 6:30 p.m.
Led by guest presenter Gwen Miller. As a prelude to each session, the group will discuss two chapters from the book Empowering Your Soul Through Meditation. The group will meet again on Tuesday, April 17. Registration is required for each session. For more information or to register, contact the Reference Desk at 330-832-9831, ext. 312.

YA: Stranger Things Party
Saturday, April 7 --- 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Teens in grades 7-12 are invited to join us as we watch favorite Stranger Things episodes, eat Eleven’s Eggos, drink Demogorgan Punch, take pictures in the 1980s Photo Booth, and enter to win an 11 Funko Pop Figurine! No registration is required for this free program held in the library’s auditorium. For more information, contact Susan Baker, Young Adult Specialist, at 330-832-9831, ext. 321.

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From April 7 - June 14, special licensing arrangements with the publisher will enable us to allow multiple borrowers to access eBook or audiobook copies of this year's Big Read title, The Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin. This means everyone may borrow digital copies at the same time, without waiting for others' library loans to expire.

Be sure to borrow a copy and join in some of the many Big Read programs happening at the library and other community locations!

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Junior Friends Meeting
Saturday, April 7 --- 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Membership is open to students in grades 7 through 12. Ask how you can join! 330-832-9831, ext. 321

Book Discussion
Monday, April 9 --- 6:00 p.m.
Crema Espresso Bar & Cafe
4469 Hills & Dales Rd NW Canton, Ohio 44708
Sherie Brown will lead a discussion of this year's Big Read selection, A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin. No registration required. For more information, contact the library at 330-832-9831.

Raised Beds and Square Foot Gardening
Pam S. Belloni Branch Library
12000 Navarre Road SW Navarre, OH 44662-9486
Tuesday, April 10 — 5:30 p.m.
Master Gardener John Niebel will offer gardening tips. Registration is required. For more information or to register, contact the Belloni branch at 330-767-9939.

PAWS To Read
Tuesday, April 10 --- 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Boys and girls are invited to read to the gentle and well-behaved therapy dogs that participate in the program. Collectible trading cards about each dog will be available and light refreshments will be served. No registration is necessary. For more information, contact the Children's Department at 330-832-5037.

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Local Author Fair
Saturday, April 14
11:00 a.m – 2:00 p.m.

Meet featured authors Don Ake, Jane Biehl, Marcus Calvert, Ikeshia Capre, Glenn Dettman, Faryl, Roger Gordon, S.T. Hoover, Cat Russell & Literary Cleveland, and Ke’Aunte Tynette.

This free Local Author Fair is an exciting event for readers to explore new authors, talk with them, and peruse their books, which will be available for sale. It also provides a platform for local writers to showcase their work, connect with interested readers, and network with other area authors.

For more information, contact Laura Klein at 330-832-9831, ext. 319.

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Runes and Codes
A Massillon 2nd Saturday Program
Saturday, April 14 --- 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Featuring guest presenter Kathy Jevec. All ages are invited to stop in any time between 2:00 and 4:00 to solve runes and codes using a code breaking table. Children under age 10 must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, contact the Children’s Department at 330-832-5037.

Askren Branch Book Club
Barry Askren Memorial Branch Library
1200 Market Street NE Navarre, OH 44662
Tuesday, April 17 — 9:00 a.m.
Still Alice by Lisa Genova
No registration required. For more information, contact the Askren branch at 330-879-2113.

Board of Trustees Meeting
Tuesday, April 17 --- 4:00 p.m.
The public is invited to attend board meetings.

Family Movie Night
Tuesday, April 17--- 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Auditorium doors open at 5:15 p.m. Limited seating offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Free popcorn! 330-832-5037

Pinterest Craft Series: Fairy Garden Accessories
Wednesday, April 18 --- 5:30 p.m.
Join us as we try our hand at popular crafts being shared on Pinterest! Space is limited to 15 participants. For ages 12 and up, unless accompanied by an adult. Registration required. 330-832-9831, ext. 312

DIY Fairy Gardens
Thursday, April 19 --- 6:30 p.m.
Master gardener Rita Mullet will teach participants to create beautiful miniature Fairy Gardens using plants and small decorative accents. This program costs $18 for the needed supplies and registration is required. Registration and payment must be made by April 14th. Children under age 12 must be accompanied by an adult. For more information or to register, contact the library at 330-832-9831, ext. 312.

Anime Night
Friday, April 20 --- 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Teens in grades 7-12 are invited to watch Anime and enjoy snacks! 330-832-9831, ext. 321

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Super Saturday: Magic Cats
Saturday, April 21
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Kids in grades K-6 are invited to explore magical cats in literature, including Puss In Boots, Ursula K. Le Guin's Catwings, and Katherine Applegate's Crenshaw. Snacks, activities, and an art project will also be provided.

Registration required. 330-832-5037

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Student Chess Club
Saturday, April 21 --- 1:00 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Students in grades 1-12 are invited to stop in anytime between 1:00 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. to play the game of chess. Kids in grades 3 or below must be accompanied by an adult. No registration required.

Monday Book Discussion
Mrs. Kennedy and Me: An Intimate Memoir by Clint Hill
Monday, April 23
An afternoon book discussion will take place at 12:00 p.m. in the Second Floor Meeting room. An evening discussion about the same book will be held at 6:00 p.m., also in the Second Floor Meeting room. No registration required. For more information, contact the Reference Desk at 330-832-9831, ext. 312.

Easy Drip Irrigation for Porches and Patios
Pam S. Belloni Branch Library
12000 Navarre Road SW Navarre, OH 44662-9486
Tuesday, April 24 — 5:30 p.m.
Master Gardener John Niebel will offer irrigation tips for home gardens. Registration is required. For more information or to register, contact the Belloni branch at 330-767-9939.

Poetry Read-In
Tuesday, April 24 --- 6:30 p.m.
Come recite your original or favorite classic poems, or just sit back and listen! Readers will be limited to five minutes and poems must be family-friendly. During the event, winners of the library’s annual poetry contest will be awarded their prizes and given the opportunity to read their poems.

Jazz Tuesday
Massillon Senior Center
39 Lincoln Way West Massillon, Ohio 44646
Tuesday, April 24 --- 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
The first part of the evening will feature traditional New Orleans jazz with trumpet, clarinet, trombone, drums, bass, piano, ukulele, banjo and a vocalist. The second half of the program will be open to musicians, young and old, who want to sit in and jam with the band. This popular concert series is co-sponsored by the Massillon Public Library. For more information, contact Jim Chatterton at jrchatt41@gmail.com.

Movie: Tales from Earthsea (PG-13)
Saturday, April 28 --- 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Join us for a free showing of this animated feature based on Ursula K. Le Guin's Earthsea series. Free refreshments provided. No registration required.

Tween Time: Dragon Puppet-Making Workshop
Saturday, April 28 --- 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Kids in grades 4-8 are invited to design a dragon marionette and create refreshments in the Alchemy Lab. Registration is required. 330-832-9831, ext. 312.

YA Cake Wars
Monday, April 30 --- 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Teens in grades 7-12 are invited to compete. Each participant will be given a small cake, frosting, a theme, and 60 minutes for decorating. Registration required. For more information or to register, contact Susan at 330-832-9831, ext. 321.

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Photography by Jim Walker
on display in the Computer Center
March 5 - April 28, 2018

Born and raised in Akron, Jim Walker left employment with Goodyear in 1976 to teach here in Stark County. An award-winning science teacher by 1984, Mr. Walker also has pursued photography as an amateur since the 1960's. In years past, his photos have been on display at Goodyear's corporate headquarters, Akron's Metro Parks, and E.J Thomas Performing Arts Hall. He also mounted a one-person show at North Canton's Little Art Gallery in the late '70's. More recently, his work has been on view at the Joseph Saxton Gallery in Canton and in the Stark County Artists Exhibition.

Walker's black and white photos from Kent State's gym annex/Tent City controversy are housed, along with his papers, published writings, and other photographic work, within KSU's Department of Special Collections. His 2003 memoir, Before I Go: My First Fifty-six Trips Around the Sun is available as an e-book from Amazon.

Jim Walker lives in Massillon.