June 2020

Week 9: “Tell Us Your Story”

Tell Your Story / By /

Today begins the ninth week of “Tell Us Your Story”.  You are encouraged to select any of the prompts below (or from any of the prompts previously posted in HCPL’s blog) that inspires you and share your story with us here. Feel free to include drawings, artwork, photos and poems.

Writing prompts for the week of June 29:

Adult

1. Have you or anyone you know contracted COVID-19? If you feel comfortable, elaborate on what that experience was like.

2. Does change scare you, or do you embrace it?

Teens

1. Are you nervous about a second wave of COVID-19 occurring later this summer or in the fall? If so, how do you cope with those feelings of fear?

2. Do you have a favorite piece of African American art (music, book, movie, etc.)?

Kids

1. What has been your least favorite part about this pandemic?

2. What does being different mean to you?

“So You Want to Talk About Race” now available in BLM: Community Reads 

eBooks and audio books / By /

OverDrive’s Black Lives Matter: Community Reads is a digital book program created to provide simultaneous access permissions to important titles on social justice and anti-racism. The titles included in the program are focused on #ownvoices and are intended to help us to read, listen, learn and grow as we expand our knowledge of race relations.

Beginning today, So You Want to Talk about Race by Ijeoma Oluo, will be available as an audio book from through July 26, 2020. Editor-at-Large of The Establishment Ijeoma Oluo offers a contemporary, accessible take on the racial landscape in America, addressing head-on such issues as privilege, police brutality, intersectionality, micro-aggressions, the Black Lives Matter movement, and the “N” word. Perfectly positioned to bridge the gap between people of color and white Americans struggling with race complexities, Oluo answers the questions readers don’t dare ask, and explains the concepts that continue to elude everyday Americans.

Me and White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World, and Become a Good Ancestor by Layla F. Saad is available as an OverDrive eBook through July 12. This title is immediately available to read with no wait list.

The book is based on the viral Instagram challenge that captivated participants worldwide, Me and White Supremacy takes readers on a 28-day journey of how to dismantle the privilege within themselves so that they can stop (often unconsciously) inflicting damage on people of color, and in turn, help other white people do better, too.

Listen to an interview with Layla F. Saad on the Professional Book Nerds podcast:

 

Following the initial publication of this blog post, OverDrive announced that The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas was added to the Black Lives Matter: Community Reads digital collection as an eBook. This title will be available until July 19.

This title is the recipient of several awards and accolades, including: 8 starred reviews ∙ Goodreads Choice Awards Best of the Best ∙ William C. Morris Award Winner ∙ National Book Award Longlist ∙ Printz Honor Book ∙ Coretta Scott King Honor Book ∙ #1 New York Times Bestseller

The audio book The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander is available from OverDrive with no wait list through July 15.

Since it was first published in 2010, this book has been cited in judicial decisions and has been adopted in campus-wide and community-wide reads; it helped inspire the creation of the Marshall Project and the new $100 million Art for Justice Fund; it has been the winner of numerous prizes, including the prestigious NAACP Image Award; and it has spent nearly 250 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Most important of all, it has spawned a whole generation of criminal justice reform activists and organizations motivated by Michelle Alexanders unforgettable argument that we have not ended racial caste in America; we have merely redesigned it.

Week 8 of “Tell Us Your Story”

Tell Your Story / By /

Today we begin the eighth week of “Tell Us Your Story”! Please feel free to select any of the prompts below that inspires you and share your story with us here. Be as creative as you would like, and you can also include drawings, artwork, photos and poems.

Elementary students, download your own “Tell Your Story” booklet to print, fill out and submit to HCPL. All students’ booklets will be scanned and compiled into a book.

Adults

  1. We’ve had some shortages of items.  What do you think will be the next thing that is hard to find in stores?
  2. Best Friends’ Day was June 8th.  Who was your best friend in high school?  Are they still your “bestie”?  How has your relationship changed?

Teens

  1. Do you feel it’s better to wash your hands with soap and water or to use hand sanitizer?
  2. Do you like manga?  What’s your favorite series?  If not, why?

Kids

  1. What changes do you think there will be in your classroom this fall?
  2. What qualities make a good teacher?

New eBook available in Black Lives Matter: Community Reads 

eBooks and audio books / By /

OverDrive’s Black Lives Matter: Community Reads is a digital book program created to provide simultaneous access permissions to important titles on social justice and anti-racism. The titles included in the program are focused on #ownvoices and are intended to help us to read, listen, learn and grow as we expand our knowledge of race relations.

Beginning today, Me and White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World, and Become a Good Ancestor by Layla F. Saad is available as an OverDrive eBook. This title is immediately available to read with no wait list.

The book is based on the viral Instagram challenge that captivated participants worldwide, Me and White Supremacy takes readers on a 28-day journey of how to dismantle the privilege within themselves so that they can stop (often unconsciously) inflicting damage on people of color, and in turn, help other white people do better, too.

Listen to an interview with Layla F. Saad on the Professional Book Nerds podcast:

Following the initial publication of this blog post, OverDrive announced that The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas was added to the Black Lives Matter: Community Reads digital collection as an eBook.

This title is the recipient of several awards and accolades, including: 8 starred reviews ∙ Goodreads Choice Awards Best of the Best ∙ William C. Morris Award Winner ∙ National Book Award Longlist ∙ Printz Honor Book ∙ Coretta Scott King Honor Book ∙ #1 New York Times Bestseller

The audio book The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander is also available from OverDrive with no wait list.

Since it was first published in 2010, this book has been cited in judicial decisions and has been adopted in campus-wide and community-wide reads; it helped inspire the creation of the Marshall Project and the new $100 million Art for Justice Fund; it has been the winner of numerous prizes, including the prestigious NAACP Image Award; and it has spent nearly 250 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Most important of all, it has spawned a whole generation of criminal justice reform activists and organizations motivated by Michelle Alexanders unforgettable argument that we have not ended racial caste in America; we have merely redesigned it.

New from OverDrive | Black Lives Matter: Community Reads 

eBooks and audio books / By /

OverDrive expressed that they stand in solidarity with the Black community and believes that we can and must find ways to do more. Black Lives Matter: Community Reads is an OverDrive digital book program created to provide simultaneous access permissions to important titles on social justice and anti-racism.

The titles included in OverDrive’s Black Lives Matter: Community Read program are focused on #ownvoices and are intended to help us to read, listen, learn and grow as we expand our knowledge of race relations.

The audio book The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander is available now from OverDrive with no wait list.

Me and White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World, and Become a Good Ancestor by Layla F. Saad will be available as an OverDrive eBook starting on Monday, June 22, 2020. This title will be immediately available to read with no wait list as well; stay tuned to HCPL Library News for the link to this eBook when it becomes available.

Listen to an interview with Layla F. Saad on the Professional Book Nerds podcast:

Week 7 of “Tell Us Your Story”

Tell Your Story / By /

As we begin week 7 of the Tell Us Your Story project, we are surprised to have received so few responses to the weekly prompts. It is our hope that if any of the prompts posted from May 5 through the present–from any age range–inspires you, that you will share that story with us. We also welcome your poems, drawings and photographs!

Click here for more details and to share your story. If you would like to review previous weeks’ writing prompts, please click here.

Writing prompts for week 7

Adults
1. Has the pandemic situation made you more grateful or appreciative of things or people in your life? Have you become aware of things you previously took for granted?
2. What charities do you donate to and why?

Teens
1. Has the pandemic altered your plans for the future (college, career, other)? Are you hopeful? What are your concerns?
2. Tell us about any community service projects or events in which you have participated.

Kids
1. Have you checked out the library’s Brain Boosters, videos, and online programs? Which ones have you liked the most and why?
2. What would you like to be when you grow up?

Library Opens Doors to the Public with Grab and Go Service

2 Comments / Notices / By /

When the Harrison County Public Library opens its doors to the public June 15, things will look a little different.  “We are very happy to welcome you back, but expect some changes,” warned Alisa Burch, director of the library.  “For the protection of our community, staff will be wearing masks and we ask the public to wear masks as well.  Plexiglas sneeze guards and barriers will be in place on public service desks and you will be asked to stand behind the barriers to interact with staff.”

The library will enforce customer occupancy limits and patrons will be asked to limit visits to 60 minutes or less.  “The thought behind Grab and Go service is that folks will come into the library, browse for materials, check out and leave.  It is the exact opposite of what we normally do,” explained Burch.  “For years we have strived to be a community gathering place where families stay and get comfortable.   But for now we are asking the public to be patient and understand that they will not be able to linger.”  Children under the age of 16 will be required to stay with their adult caregiver while in the building.  Households will be asked to stay together and all patrons must adhere to social distancing and sanitation guidelines.

Some areas of the libraries will be restricted.  Meeting rooms are closed.  Some chairs have been removed.  Some computers will be turned off to enforce social distancing.  “Patrons may wish to call ahead for a computer appointment to ensure availability,” added Burch.  Computer usage will be limited to 60 minutes unless approved by prior arrangement.

Children’s toys, games and children’s educational computers will not be available.   

In-person programming such as storytimes and book clubs will not be offered.  “However the summer reading program, Imagine Your Story, is being offered virtually.  And each branch is offering some type of Crafts to Go,” said Burch.  “The staff has been working hard since our March 17 buildings’ closure to provide wonderful virtual programming.  Be sure to check it out on our website, www.hcpl.lib.in.us.”

Book drops have remained open.  All returns are being cleaned and quarantined.  “Patrons are still advised to use common sense when handling library materials,” said Burch.  “Wash your hands before and after handling library books and DVDs, avoid touching your mouth or face and don’t eat while reading library books.”

“We ask that you do not enter the library or check out library materials if you or any member of your household are ill,” said Burch.  

All library locations will return to normal service hours June 15.  “We will continue curbside pickup of materials and curbside document services for those who may not feel comfortable entering public spaces yet.  Call your local library branch for its curbside hours,” added Burch.

Library staff are committed to finding creative ways to offer the best service possible during the COVID pandemic.  For more information call 812-738-4110.

Your story is important

Tell Your Story / By /

HCPL would like to hear your story and preserve it for future generations. Your story is important–share as much or as little as you would like, and feel free to send drawings, photos or poems in response to the prompts. Choose any of the prompts below that inspire you, and share your story any time by clicking here.


Week 6 writing prompts

Adults
1. How do you feel about the new normal now that many restaurants & places of business are back open (with modified rules, masks, etc.)?
2. How has racism touched your life? What could be done to improve our community/country?

Teens
1. Are you more nervous or less nervous now that things are opening back up?
2. What are your feelings about the other major issues in the news (protests, racial tensions, elections)?

Kids
1. Do you feel like things are slowly going back to normal?
2. Who is your best friend and why?

HCPL offers online credit and debit card payments

Notices / By /

HCPL is pleased to announce that the library now offers the option to pay online for curbside document services–such as copies, faxes and print jobs–as well as for lost and damaged items. These payments can be made through your library account in the Enterprise online catalog. Cash and check payments for document services can be made when you arrive at the library; please click here for full details regarding curbside document services.

In order to make an online payment for your documents, please notify the library in advance that you wish to pay by credit or debit card so that the copy, fax or print fee is added to your online account.

HCPL offers a PDF guide to making online payments, available here. If you have a question regarding credit and debit card payments, please email the library or call your local branch.

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