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calendarOctober 2019   issueIssue  301
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It's Wichita-area Big Read time again

The Derby Public Library is pleased to partner with Wichita Public Library again this year for NEA Big Read: Wichita. The title for this year's Big Read is Lab Girl by Hope Jahren. Big Read runs Oct. 1-Nov. 15.

Lab Girl is a memoir that tells the story of a young woman who finds friendship in odd places, battles bipolar disorder, perseveres through setbacks and relishes hard-earned triumphs, and becomes a respected scientist and passionate observer of the natural world.

Pick up a free copy of the book at Derby Public Library beginning Oct. 1, courtesy of the Friends of the Derby Public Library. Read the book and make plans to attend one of the many scheduled Big Read events here in Derby, or explore the Big Read Wichita website to find events throughout the area.

 

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Friends of the Libary to host 'Kansas Legends & Folktales'

Friends of the Derby Public Library will host "Kansas Legends and Folktales," a presentation and discussion by Jim Hoy. Members of the public are invited to attend this free program. A short business meeting for the Friends organization will precede the presentation.

An authority on the folklife of ranching, Jim Hoy is a professor of English and former director of the Center for Great Plains Studies at Emporia State University.  He has lectured internationally on the folklife of ranching and is the co-author of “Plains Folk,” a syndicated newspaper column.

“Kansas Legends and Folktales” is part of Humanities Kansas's Movement of Ideas Speakers Bureau, featuring presentations and workshops designed to share stories that inspire, spark conversations that inform, and generate insights that strengthen civic engagement.

10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 12 in the Community Room

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Art reception

The public is invited to a reception honoring the artists of "Picture This," an exhibition by Derby photographers.   6-7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4 in the Gathering Space

"Woody-Pileated woodpecker," digital photography by Betty Thompson
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Art reception

The public is invited to a reception honoring Linda Slack and her exhibition titled  "Sketch in Time."   
1:30-3:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12 in the High Wall Gallery

"Cherokee Actor — Wes Studi," graphite sketch by Linda Slack
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Don't miss the Molly of Denali screening

Join us for a screening of Molly of Denali, a new PBS series created for children age 4-10. The series features an adventurous 10-year-old girl who lives in Alaska, where she uses informational text to explore the world around her, solve problems and help others in her community.

1-2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, in the
Community Room

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Looking for someplace to discuss books?
We've got you covered!

We have three active book groups here at the library that are open to everyone. If you love to read and talk about the books you read, pop in to one or more of the book groups!

Bemused Bibliophiles meets during the day and reads popular books that have been on the bestseller list. Hauntingly Good Reads meets in the evening and explores all kinds of books that have a supernatural/magical/unexplainable kind of bent—we look far beyond the traditional vampires, ghosts and witches.

Joyful Page Turners is the most enduring book club at the library—it's been meeting regularly since May 2000! Books selected for this book club include just about everything: classics, modern bestsellers, non-fiction, and more.

Click on the book titles below to see them in the library catalog. Sign in to your library account on the catalog and you can place a title on hold. 

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Congratulations to the winners of our Fall 2019 Teen Art Wall,
Teen Art is Anime-zing!! We had so many phenomenal art submissions this season, and we're so proud of these four amazing young artists in our community!

See all the art submissions on the Teen Art Wall in the teen area at the library.

 

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October book display honors national disabilities month

When you come into the library during the month of October, be sure to check out the display put together by our staff member Lynn, recognizing National Disabilities Employment Awareness Month.

NDEAM began in 1945. The 2019 theme for the month is "The Right Talent, Right Now." The Department of Labor says about National Disabilities Employment Awareness Month: "Observed each October, NDEAM celebrates the contributions of workers with disabilities and educates about the value of a workforce inclusive of their skills and talents."



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Read & Watch:
Family Edition

Come listen to Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett read aloud, then stay for a showing of the movie adaptation. Movie snacks will be served. Attendees can enter to win a drawing for an Olive Garden gift card and a copy of the movie.

1-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2,
in the Community Room

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There's a world of library technology at your fingertips

The library offers great content through its digital platforms. There are e-books, audiobooks, Hoopla, Sunflower eLibrary, digital content, reading magazines on your phone,  and RBDigital. Are you taking advantage of these services?

If you get befuddled by all that, we can help! Come to this special program to learn how to get the most out of the library's digital services with just your library card.

Please bring whatever mobile device you want to use to access these services and we'll walk you through installation, registration and how to access all the good stuff you can find there.

7-8:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 8 in the Community Room — Registration requested
Refreshments will be served. You must be 18 to attend.

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New book review:
They Called Us Enemy 
by George Takei

First LIne: : George! Henry! Get up at once.

Summary: In 1942, President Roosevelt issued an order that all persons of Japanese descent were to be sent to internment camps. George and his family were sent to Arkansas where they were held under the watch of armed guards for several years. Everything was taken from them except what they could carry.  In this firsthand account we see into the childhood of Star Trek actor, George Takei, told in a  graphic novel format.

My thoughts: I have been a fan of George Takei for many years.  I follow his Facebook and Instagram.  His story is so sad but it is one that should be told. These poor people were forced from their homes for no reason. I think the way in which he decided to depict his story was perfect. As a reader we get to see what life was like in the internment camps. I highly recommend this.

Release date: July 16, 2019

Check out our blog for more book reviews. 

Ashley's rating:

 

 

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New release book review:
Cilka's Journey
by Heather Morris

First line: Cilka stares at the soldier standing in front of her, part of the army that has entered the camp.

Summary: Sixteen-year-old Cilka Klein was sent to Auschwitz along with her family. One of the head SS officers of the camp notices her and moves her away from the other women. Over three years she is kept in Barrack 25 until the day the camp is liberated by the Russian forces. Upon their arrival she is arrested and charged with collaborating with the enemy. She is sentenced to 15 years in a Siberian gulag.

When she arrives at the prison she finds a world that she has unfortunately become very familiar with. The forced labor and brutal conditions of the camp are not new to her. She makes friends with several of her fellow inmates but when she catches the attention of the female doctor her luck begins to change. With her work in the hospital she finds a way to make amends for the guilt about her past and maybe even start to feel love again.

My thoughts: The Tattooist of Auschwitz was such a heartbreaking story.  But I was beyond shocked by the story of Cilka.  She was forced into a Russian prison after suffering for years in a concentration camp because she was raped for three years.  It makes no sense.  The poor girl is stronger than I can imagine I could ever be.  I really cared about what happened to Cilka while reading her story.  She did so much good in a terrible place.  If only there were more people like her.

I never even considered that things like this happened to some of the survivors.  It is sad that the “liberators” were nearly as cruel as the Nazis. Her time in the gulag is unbelievable. I know that the author did lots of research and she does a great job of bringing it to life. People need to know these things in order to try and stop them from happening again.

Release date: Oct. 1, 2019

Ashley's rating:
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New-release book review:
Tidelands
by Philippa Gregory

First line: The church was grey against a light grey sky, the bell tower, like a watchtower, dark against the darker clouds.

Summary: It is 1648 in England.  The country is in turmoil. Alinor is a poor woman living on Sealsea Island with two children. Her husband disappeared several months before and left his family with nothing. One night while Alinor is holding vigil at the local church she stumbles upon a man hiding in the churchyard. He asks for her help to guide him to the home of the local land owner.

For her silence about the mysterious visitor she earns the respect of the Peachey family.  As she gains favor from her landlord she also draws the suspicions of her neighbors.  In this time of witchcraft and superstition, Alinor is in danger of being accused of using spells to bewitch them to advance her ambitions.

My thoughts: I absolutely loved this book.  It is a beautiful story. The descriptions of the land are as vivid as a picture. It is easy to imagine the small island village in the south of England where life is controlled by the tides.

Alinor is a poor simple woman but she stands out from all the other people on her island. She is knowledgeable about herbs, she can read and write. Gregory does an amazing job writing about strong and interesting women.

Throughout the novel I was constantly worried for Alinor. She is a wise woman.  Many of her neighbors come to her for help in delivering babies or curing a sickness. But it is easy for people of the time to turn on women like her. I kept waiting for something to happen her. I was completely invested in her life. As I read the last few pages I was praying that it would not end. I want to know what will happen next for Alinor and her family.

Release date: Aug. 20, 2019

Ashley's rating:

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