February 2020

HCPL readers can participate in Together We Read

Book club, fiction / By /

Harrison County Public Library joins nearly 16,000 libraries and thousands of readers across the country in offering the first Together We Read digital book club selection. From February 19–March 4, HCPL patrons can enjoy and discuss award-winning author Pat Simmons’ new Lean on Me romance ebook for free with no waitlists or holds. Readers can access the ebook with a valid library card by visiting Indiana Digital Download Center or by downloading the Libby app, and then participate in an online discussion.

The Together We Read digital book club connects readers in America through public libraries with the same ebook at the same time. This two-week program only requires an HCPL card to get started. Together We Read is facilitated by Rakuten OverDrive.

Lean on Me tells the story of Tabitha Knicely, a woman overwhelmed with sorrow and exhaustion caring for her beloved great-aunt, whose dementia is getting worse. When her neighbor Marcus Whittington accuses Tabitha of elder neglect, he doesn’t realize how his threats to have Aunt Tweet taken away add to Tabitha’s pain. Then Marcus gets to know the exuberant elderly lady and sees up close how hard Tabitha is fighting to keep everything together. Tabitha finds herself leaning on Marcus more and he’s becoming more than happy to share her burdens.

Lean on Me is published by Sourcebooks. More information can be found at TogetherWeRead.com.

Let’s celebrate National Library Lover’s Month

Uncategorized / By /

As you travel through Harrison County this month, you may wonder why you are seeing “We Love Our Library” signs proudly displayed in front yards. The reason is that February is National Library Lover’s Month!  This month is dedicated to those who love the institutions that are devoted to reading, learning and loving books [in addition to the lot of other items you’ll find available at HCPL].

Likewise, we love our patrons! If you have not been to the library lately, we invite you to visit your local Harrison County Public Library branch (Corydon, Lanesville, Elizabeth, Palmyra) and the Frederick Porter Griffin Center for Local History and Genealogy to peruse all that the library has to offer. In addition to books, DVDs, magazines and newspapers, HCPL also offers public computers, wireless printing, adult and youth activities, InterLibrary loan service, eReaders, meeting space for nonprofits and much more.

If you have yet to get your library card, please stop by to sign up! If you have a question, please email hcpl@hcpl.lib.in.us, give us a call or visit the FAQ page.

Shakespeare and Elizabethan-era education

Book club / By /
A graffiti artwork of famous playwright William Shakespeare in central London, UK.

The Shakespeare Book Club met on Tuesday, January 14. During the meeting, Charles Eckart, former Assistant Professor of English at the Military Academy at West Point, addressed the group and led discussion in their continuing series on Shakespeare. Mr. Eckart spoke about typical Elizabethan schooling programs during Shakespeare’s youth. Schooling at that time would have begun at the age of 4, would have lasted through 6 days of the week, 12 hours each day. Latin grammar and literature were the only subjects studied. Friday mornings were reserved for punishing those students who were caught speaking English instead of Latin while at school. The discussion of Measure for Measure focused on why this is considered a problem play at the same time the tragedies of Hamlet, King Lear and Othello were written.

On February 11, the Shakespeare Book Club will focus on Elizabethan family and societal customs, including discussion of The Merry Wives of Windsor. Close attention will be paid to Falstaff, the character who speaks the most lines of any of Shakespeare’s creations.

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