Library News: May 9th, 2024
This week, we’re highlighting a historical fiction novel and a work of non-fiction—a collection of photographs.
Miss Morgan's Book Brigade: A Novel by Janet Skeslien Charles. In January 1918, Ann Morgan, the daughter of J.P. Morgan and founder of the American Committee for Devastated France (CARD), invites Jessie Carson, a librarian for the New York Public Library (NYPL) to help establish a library for civilians living near the front lines in northern France during World War I. Jessie accepts the invitation, overcoming worries that she won't be up to the task, and devotes herself to distributing books, especially to local children. Years later in 1987, Wendy Peterson comes across a box of CARD records as she scans old documents into the NYPL’s microfiche system. Wendy is instantly intrigued by the women who volunteered for the organization and becomes determined to tell their story. Her interest is especially piqued by Jessie because it is clear from the records that Jessie did not return to the NYPL after the war. Wendy discovers that she and the elusive librarian Jessie have more in common than their work at New York's famed library, but she has no idea their paths will converge in surprising ways across time. The book's author based this novel on the extraordinary little-known history of the women who received the Croix de Guerre medal for courage under fire. Charles packs Jessie's story with emotion, particularly in scenes where the librarian shares a French copy of Jessie's beloved Anne of Green Gables with a French girl, and when she takes comfort in her own love of reading during moments of despair. This book is a tribute to the resilience of the human spirit, the power of literature, and ultimately the courage it takes to make a change.
Individuals: Portraits from the Gap Collection by Gap, Inc. Gap is famous for its advertisements featuring portraits of celebrity artists and performers by A-list photographers like Annie Leibovitz, Herb Ritts, and Michel Comte. In 2005, Trey Laird, Gap's creative director at the time, approached Melcher Media with the idea to memorialize this collection of iconic images. Gap wanted to celebrate a body of work more than twenty years in the making and filled with some of the most memorable images ever created of stars such as Sarah Jessica Parker, Scarlet Johansson, Willie Nelson, Ashton Kutcher, Brooke Shields, and Julianne Moore. Individuals is a collection of hundreds of beautiful portraits— along with celebrity essays on individuality-that serves as a powerful record of Gap's impact on the culture of our time.
Upcoming events:
Support Group for Parents of Challenging Kids, May 8 at 9:00 A.M. and then the 2nd WEDNESDAY of each month. If you are feeling overwhelmed, join others to gain valuable support coping strategies and information about community resources.
Preschool Story Hour, Wednesdays at 10:15 AM. Stories, music, movement & crafts for ages 0-5 and their parents/caregivers.
Game Night AND Movies & Popcorn, May 29th, the last Wednesday of each month at 6:00 PM. We'll have fresh popcorn and a movie during game night! All ages are welcome!
Sourdough for Beginners. Wednesday, May 29th at 6PM. Learn the art of sourdough from expert Lindsey Morehouse of The Dough and More! Paid registration of $10 is required, and space is limited. This workshop will cover the essentials and you'll leave with a starter of your own.
First Thursday Book Club 2023, June 6th, 2024, 12 NOON-1 PM. Join others to chat about what you have been reading & to receive recommendations!
Lego at the Library, Fridays 3:00-4:30 PM. Build & create with our Lego & Duplo collections! All ages are invited!
Health Q & A, June 7th, 5-7:00 P.M. Do you have health & nutrition questions? Stop in during First Friday to ask the experts: Debbie Jackson, MS, RD and Dr. Larry Jackson, MD can share insights on heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, cholesterol, and more!
Tech Time @ the Library, Saturday, May 11th & May 18th from 10 AM to 1 PM. Drop in the library to ask Justin your IT related questions and learn to navigate your device or our computers!