Janie & Travis Royal Historical Mural Dedication and Open House

A couple weeks ago, we introduced you to Janie & Travis Royal.  The mural was installed on Friday, April 8, 2016. It was designed by Jeff Naukam of the Bubble.

On Sunday, April 10, 2016, the library opened for a special open house and dedication of the mural.  Refreshments were lovingly provided (and mostly handmade) by Bette Bronstad, Teresa Cabano, Loretta Dubois, Terri Grizzelle, Ella Patterson, Donna Peterson, and Bonnie Richards.

Over 80 people came on Sunday to honor Travis and Janie at the open house and enjoyed an exhibit of his photographs and historical objects from the Birdville Museum.

 Library Director, Lesly Smith, gave a history of the mural project.

 Betty Porter, Director of the Birdville Museum and Birdville Historical Society gave a brief history of the Birdville community and the Birdville Historical Society.

Drew Sanders was in attendance and signing his new book, The Garden of Eden (place a hold a library copy).

The mural was made possible by the generosity of the following donors: Ann Bastable, Rodney and Pamela Bland, Jesse (Pat) Brown, Mona R. Brown, Frances Burns, Dr. Norman and Mary Ruth Ellis, Michelle Emery, Don and Terri Grizzelle, Bonnie Jean Hensleigh, Betty Kurecka, Pack Optical, Bonnie Richards, Susan Roach, Ricky J. and Linda R. Roberts, Travis Royal, Lesly M. Smith and David W. Young, Pamela Sonderer, and Patsy Newton Sullivan. 

Library and Community Honors Veterans

When you come to the Haltom City Public Library this month, you will see displays in the lobby celebrating Veteran’s Day as well as along the left wall in the main body of the library.  Please take your time to enjoy and honor these tributes to the men who fought for you and your country.  The displays will remain at the library without the month of November.  Veteran’s Day is officially this Friday, November 11^th.  However, some lucky seniors from the Sterling House of Richland Hills Assisted Living will be celebrating early at the Haltom City Public Library thanks to Allison Long and the Library’s Outreach Program.  The library’s Veteran’s Honor Program will be held at the Library’s Imagination Station Thursday, 10:30 – 11:30.  Sterling House will be making a special trek to the Library for this event that is open to the public as well.  Short stories honoring Veterans will be read aloud by Allison Long and there will be sing-alongs of patriotic songs such “God Bless America”.  As a special treat, a short animated film will be shown that tells the history of the Star-Spangled Banner.

A special thanks to Patsy & Cathy & Ann for a great display.  And thanks to Fran Burns for the flags  that are installed around the nautilus for Veteran's Day .

The Senior Center is hosting a Veteran’s Day program Friday, November 11th at 11am and would like to invite everyone to join them. They have secured former Congressman Pete Geren as the keynote speaker and will have the Mayor, several Council members, and Marcia Etie from Kay Granger’s office in attendance.    

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Arts In Haltom City Are Well And Thriving

HEADLINE:  Sue Sylvester, cheerleading coach for the “Cheerios” on “Glee”, one of my favorite TV shows, is running for Congress in her home state of Ohio.  Her platform (or should I say agenda) is anti-arts in public schools.  “Arts are expensive,” she says, “and we can’t afford them anymore.”  Of course, if you have ever watched “Glee”, you know it’s a musical satire and the character of Sue Sylvester is portrayed as being more than slightly skewed. 

  

Still, as in most fiction and fantasies, there’s an ounce of truth in Coach Sylvester’s platform.  Many states and cities across the nation are struggling financially and public funds for the arts have been or are threatened to be drastically reduced, leaving the communities and libraries to fill the voids.  Thankfully, there is not a lack of arts in Haltom City, nor a lack of support for the arts here, not with two major artistic events being held at the Haltom City Public Library starting in the month of October, 2011. 

On Saturday, October 1^st, the City of Haltom City will hold its first ever Art in the City at the Haltom City Public Library!  The responses from local artists have been overwhelming, guaranteeing that all types of art media will be available for you to purchase and treasure.  (Early Christmas shopping mecca??)  The art event will be from 10:00 to 5:00 and admission is free.  Your library blog mistress plans to be there and hopes that you will be there too.

Starting on Saturday, October 15, 2011 and continuing through November, even perhaps early December, Watercolor Painting Classes will be available at the Haltom City Public Library.  Haltom City’s very own award-winning “Artist in Residence”, Bennie Johnson Woods, will be teaching the classes.  Cost is $90 and the class is limited to 20 participants.  Please look for the outstanding article on Bennie Johnson Wood in your latest Haltom City’s newsletter, Crossroads.

These may be difficult times for the arts but your community and your library are not only keeping up with the pace, they are setting it!  So how about letting them know what a good job they’re doing?   They’d love to hear from you.  E-mail me at:  libraryblogmistress@gmail.com and I’ll forward your comments and suggestions to them.

Happy Reading from your Library Blog Mistress

Fun Escape-From-The-Heat Read

From Guest Book Reviewer, Carolyn Davidson Brewer.....

I decided this time that I wanted a light, fun read and selected Pampered to Death by Laura Levine.   This title is part of the Jaine Austen Mystery series – a modern day sleuth.  I expected a tale similar to a Murder, She Wrote TV episode.   And I was not disappointed.

Even though a murder is involved, this was a fun read.  Jaine Austen is headed to a retreat, which she believes to be a quiet time to read, nap and enjoy culinary treats.  What she gets is sweaty hikes, a hunger diet and the joy of being badgered for her muffin top.   I could really identify with this character, very aware of her flaws, but has accepted them, put on her lipstick and is heading out to skip through life. 

There are several quirky characters: Mallory Francis – a mouthy, diva movie star, studly Clint – another movie star and Cathy – who is always babbling and happy – even while starving!  And I can’t forget the cat, aptly named Prozac.  If you have ever owned a cat, you get the name. 

Pampered to Death is a quick read that is a great get-away book.  Be a sleuth, have some fun and get some snacks – the talking about food will make you head out for pizza.  A side note are the emails sent by Jaine’s parents – not part of the plot – but hysterical. 

As always, Carolyn, we love your book reviews and we really appreciate your support for this blog.  Again, folks, this is your blog so if you read a book that touches you in some way, please submit your book review to the: libraryblogmistress@gmail.com.  All ages of readers are welcome to contribute book reviews and suggestions for other subjects to include in your Haltom City Public Library blog.

Haltom City Stories Project

The year-long Haltom City Public Library’s 50^th Celebration has not only honored the library’s beginning, it has honored its future with their evening of To Kill a Mockingbird panel discussion and dramatic readings this past Thursday. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram said it best in their editorial on Saturday, August 6^th, 2011. “The Haltom City library, which began in small, cramped quarters five decades ago in a community that still practiced segregation, now has sprawling facilities offering a variety of entertaining and challenging programming. It is symbolic of the change that has occurred in America and the community that it serves over the past 50 years.” 

The library continues to stretch out to their community to embrace its history with an upcoming program on Saturday, August 20, 2011 titled “Haltom City Stories Project”.  This unique program, held by artist Christopher Blay in collaboration with the library and a grant from the Arts Council of Northeast Tarrant County, offers an opportunity for Haltom City residents to share and document their personal stories of what it was like to live in Haltom City.  Christopher Blay's inventive project will create an artistic audio/visual archive that defines the city and it residents.  Participants will be photographed and have 3-5 minutes to tell their story for this project.  The recordings will be available for check out from the library and will become part of the library’s archives. 

The standing-room-only audience last Thursday evening got to be part of a “frank, passionate exchange…on their lives, their experiences with race and class and the state of American justice.” as written in the Star-Telegram editorial.  The “Haltom City Stories Project” is now an opportunity to record your personal experiences in Haltom City and its significance in your life.  I hope that you don’t miss it.  Artist Christopher Blay, the library, and the Arts Council of Northeast Tarrant County is giving you a chance of a lifetime to help define the special qualities of Haltom City that has made it a special place for you to call home.

Summertime Books, Movies, and Guest Book Reviewer

It seems that we just can’t stop talking about what a hot summer we are experiencing this year.  But hot, hot summers are the norm for Texas and you’d think we’d be used to the heat. This Texas-transplant hasn't but I’m not sure that even true Texans can really ever get used to 100+ temperatures.  So what can we do to ease the summer “too hot to step outside” blahs?  How about relaxing with a good book and  then watch a great movie?  

Of course your Library Blog Mistress has two suggestions:  To Kill a Mockingbird and The Help.  These two outstanding books have been made into outstanding movies and both are showing in August.  The movie, To Kill a Mockingbird,  will be shown at the Haltom City Public Library on August 6^th as part of the celebration of the library’s 50^th anniversary and the 50^th year anniversary of To Kill a Mockingbird being awarded the Pulitzer Prize.  On August 10^th, the movie, The Help, will be released and it promises to be as good as the book.   Haven't read it yet?  Our guest blog book reviewer, Carolyn Brewer, just finished reading it and shares her insight with us below.  

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Review by:  Carolyn Davidson Brewer

I decided to read this book before the movie hits the theaters this August.  I had already seen the publicity posters so I had preconceived notions about the characters.   Emma Stone, one of my favorite young actors, plays Skeeter and she will be perfect. 

It is the 60’s in Mississippi and racial relations are in the news.  Skeeter, a journalist wanna-be, decides to share what it is really like to be a “colored maid” raising the children of the local white families.   This is a serious subject, but Kathryn Stockett provides much humor and amazement at these turbulent times. 

Minnie and Aibileen, both long time maids to prominent families in the community, share their fears and pain as they deal with snide comments and disrespect from some, but great admiration from others.   You fast become vested in the well-being of the maids and want to jump in the pages and fight for them. 

I laughed out loud at local antics and thoughts of the white socialites who let the maids raise their children, but wouldn’t share a cup of coffee at the kitchen table with them.  I cried for the maids’ children having to share their mother’s time and facing the unfairness of Mississippi in the 60’s.  You will cheer for Skeeter as she faces doubters and antagonists blocking her dreams of publishing.  She is torn between the world of being a white socialite but also seeing the disparity among the equality of all people. 

This book isn’t just about race, it is about friendship, loyalty, facing your fears and learning to go on when times are tough, all sprinkled with humor and laughter.  It is a great combination. 

A special thanks to Carolyn Brewer for this review.  If you've read a book that has touched you (kiddos and teens included too) in some way and would like to do a book review, please e-mail it to: libraryblogmistress@gmail.com

Hard to Choose Just Three

I hope that everyone got to read Bob Ray Sanders’s column in yesterday’s Fort Worth Star-Telegram for several reasons.  One, he’s one of my favorite columnists.  Two, he’s a great supporter of libraries.  Three, this week he writes about one of his personal dilemmas: culling his list of favorite movies, books, and music down to three per category for the Fort Worth Library’s annual Summer Reading Challenge.   Judging by all of the titles that he listed as some of his favorites, he has quite a bit of work left to do to get to the three finalists. (And no, I’m not telling you what any of the titles are – you need to read his column for yourself.)   I wasn’t surprised that most of the movies he liked weren’t my favorites (it’s a guy vs. gal thing probably).  I expected our taste in books to be similar and I wasn't disappointed.  But I was totally surprised with his excellent taste in music.  He likes the same music and artists that I do!  

If you read his column, you know that he is going to be one of the four guest panelists for Haltom City Public Library’s upcoming August 4^th evening event, “The Songbird Still Sings: A Celebration of the 50^th Anniversary of the Pulitzer Prize Award for To Kill a Mockingbird".  In addition, he is going to be the panel moderator for the book discussion so it's no surprise that this book and the movie are on his ‘favorites’ list. 

I tried last tonight to compile my own list of my three most favorite books and I now understand Bob Ray Sanders’s dilemma.  Maybe if I could just raise the limit to ten or twenty, wait, maybe thirty if I counted my favorite childhood books, then maybe I could …..  Nope, can't do it. I’m either fickle or well-read.   I prefer to think I’m well-read.  I wish.  lol.  After much thought, I'd have to say my three favorite books are:  Gone with the Wind, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Atlas Shrugged.

So what are your three favorite books?  E-mail your three book titles to: libraryblogmistress@gmail.com and let’s find out what’s Haltom City’s three favorite books are.

A Bit Spoiled? You Betcha!

The Haltom City Public Library always makes me feel so special.  They spoil me a tab bit too but I’m not complaining.  I like sitting back in my comfy desk chair and using my computer to screen shop through the current NY Times Best Sellers list for Fiction, Nonfiction and Advice books when I log onto the MetrOPAC Online Services that I accessed through the Haltom City Library’s website.

MetrOPAC is the combined catalog for Haltom City, Benbrook, Burleson, Fort Worth, Keller, Richland Hills, and Watauga. Books and movies found in their catalog may be transferred, upon request, to any library in the MetrOPAC system for resident cardholders to pick up.

Once I see a book or DVD that I want, I can request it from whichever city that has it on the shelf and it’s delivered to my library of choice, the Haltom City Public Library.  If I’m put on a waiting list, it tells me how many patrons are ahead of me.  I can check daily or weekly to see where I am at on the waiting list if I want to, but I don’t really need to because, get this, I get a phone call when my book is ready to be picked up!  How easy is that?  And this is the really unbelievable part—if I’m in a hurry or have a lot of books to pick up or it’s raining, all I have to do is call the library ahead of time and they will have my order ready to pick up at the drive-thru window.  I don’t even have to get out of my car if I don’t want to!   I haven’t used the drive-thru window yet because I personally like to go into the library and roam through the book displays to see if any additional books might catch my fancy.  Plus I like the big smiles I get whenever the librarians and staff assist me.  Like I said, they make me feel special.  But then, they do their best to make sure EVERY patron feels special and gets a tab bit spoiled.  So let's all go get spoiled!

School's Out Next Week!

Ding dong, the school bell stops ringing this week.  Woo hoo!  I remember how thrilled I always felt when school was over for the summer.  To me, summer meant sleeping in, going to the pool, biking, hiking and reading away many a summer afternoon while relaxing in the hammock.  But as much as I looked forward to summer vacations from school, I also ended up getting bored.  I’d get too sunburned at the pool, it’d be too hot to ride my bike, and usually the abundance of bugs and snakes discouraged me from hiking.  Even as much as I loved reading, a few weeks after school was out for the summer, I’d start whining for something different and fun to do.

Then I grew up, had a family of my own and guess what?  Come summer, I’d get to hear the same refrain that I used as a kid, “There’s nothing to do!” 

Well, that’s not going to be a problem at the Haltom City Public Library and their 2011 Summer Reading Program. Tuesday nights, starting June 7, will be Family Movie Night at the library.  Showtime will be 6:30 p.m.  Thursdays, starting June 2, will be Teen Time with topics on writing, poetry, photography and even a poetry slam open mike session.  Creative teen time starts at 2:00 p.m. And on Fridays, starting this week at 2:00 p.m., OMG, there will be a different special guest every Friday to entertain all the young-at-hearts! Nope, no way anyone can be bored this summer.  And what’s the best of all—there will be books, books and more books to choose from for lazy summer day reading. 

Yes, it’s going to be a cool summer at the Haltom City Public Library thanks to Chesapeake Energy, Friends of the HC Public Library, N. TX. Regional Library System, Texas State Library & Archives, and the hard-working but fun loving Haltom City librarians.  Check the city’s website for details or pick up a flier the next time that you are at the library.  I might even sneak away from work myself for one or two of the fun activities but don’t tell anyone. Hope to see you there!

Have Allison - Will Travel

       If you see a long white van on the road that has a red broad racing stripe and big blue lettering spelling LIBRARY OUTREACH SERVICES, chances are that you are going to see the smiling face of Allison Long, the Outreach Librarian for the Haltom City Public Library.  Give her a big wave and I guarantee she’ll wave back.  She’ll probably be heading to the Senior Center or to the home of one of the 30 or so people that she brings books, music CD’s, and DVD’s to as part of the library’s Homebound Services.  You might call her the “Librarian on Wheels” providing services for those who physically cannot come to the library.  She’ll even bring her laptop to assist a homebound patron with a quick research for a book or topic if requested.  If you know of an individual who is temporarily or permanently physically homebound, please give them the gift of reading by calling Allison at 817-222-0068. 
       Allison could also be traveling to the Sara Lee facility located in Haltom City where she helped set up a twig library branch which they have named Corndog Corner Library or to the Richland Hills Library and three day care centers for children’s reading sessions. 
       A couple of weeks ago I wrote that librarians are amazing folks.  I was not paid to write that.  (In fact, I’m not paid to write this blog and I’ve been meaning to talk to someone about that!)  It isn’t just the amount of education they have to obtain or their love of books and reading that make them so amazing; it’s the passion they have for their patrons and their community.  I’ve gotten to know most of the librarians at the Haltom City Public Library and I can honestly say that they are a unique bunch of folks, each contributing their own field of specialty to the library and their community.  As different as they are, (and they are!  lol) they all share the same dedication and passion.  Since I don’t want to show favoritism (I still haven’t paid that fine yet), I plan on writing about each one of them and their field of expertise before my reign of blogging is over. 
       Have a reading good week.......  your library blog mistress

Mark Twain & Your Health - Online

Samuel L. Clemens (Mark Twain) once said:   “Be careful about reading health books.  You may die of a misprint.”

Wait.   Is this quote from one of his books, or his essays, or one of his short stories?  I want to be accurate. Since I obviously can’t ask him, I decide to surf the web to find out more information about this quote.   I only get confused. One website states this is one of Mark Twain’s famous quotes; another merely attributes this quote to Mark Twain; and another claims that this quote is a total misquote.  Mark Twain never said that. What Mark Twain really said, according to this particular website, was, “A successful book is not made of what is in it, but of what is left out of it.”

Who’s right and who’s wrong? I don’t know and it really doesn't matter that much.  I can avoid the entire issue by using another quote or not use any quote at all.  But—what if this was a potential life-threatening issue like--is that mole on my leg cancerous?  Should I see a doctor about it?  This is an issue that shouldn't be avoided.

The Internet is such an important tool in our lives today and it’s easy to turn to it for answers for everything including our health questions.  It doesn’t ask for our medical insurance or make us wait for hours before a doctor can see us.  So what if we find six different answers?  How do we know which is the right one? 

This is why the Haltom City Public Library urges to you attend the free seminar Finding Reliable Health Information of the Internet being held at the library on Friday, April 8, 2011 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.  The workshop is being taught by Jessie Milligan, MLS, & Lisa Smith, MLS, both from the University of North Texas Health Science Center.  They will teach you how to evaluate the health information you find on-line as well as demonstrate how to use MedlinePlus, the National Library of Medicine’s #1 health information tool.  You will also be given information on other reliable and safe websites produced by Federal agencies.  You won’t want to miss it.  Your life could depend on it.

Time for Spring Cleaning?

Is it time to declutter? Do the shelves in your bookcase look like this?  Overflowing with books that you’ve read and no place left to keep them? 

I have the solution!  Donate your gently read books to the Haltom City Public Library.  Some books may be used to add to the library's shelves or replace existing torn or worn books; the rest will be donated to the book sale being sponsored by the Friends of the Haltom City Public Library on April 28-April 30, 2011.  (If you have empty bookshelves, you won't want to miss this sale!)

Helpful hint from your library blog mistress:  If you use your library card instead of your charge card, not only will your book shelves stay neat, you will save money and still be the best-read person in town.

And if you still have that prize-winning photo sitting on a shelf along with your books or knickknacks, you only have a few days to submit it to the 24^th Annual Images of Haltom City Photo Contest.  The contest deadline is March 29, 2011.

And if you still have that award-winning poem or short story cluttering up your mind, make time to get those words down on paper.  The deadline for the Library’s 11^th Annual Writing Contest is May 31, 2011. 

Themes and rules are on the City’s website for both the photo contest and the writing contest.

Art Wednesdays at the Library

Today, Bennie Johnson Wood, artist and teacher, started the first of her three Wednesday art classes that she is holding at the library for children 8-12 years old.  It was a colorful success with 16 students creating beautiful pictures with Magic Markers.  The class was fun but the students took their artistic work seriously as the picture with Kate and Fernando shows. Melody Vasquez, Bennie Wood’s assistant, was by their side to encourage them.

If your child missed today’s class, don’t worry.  There are two more classes coming up. But please hurry and register your children as seating for the classes is limited!  We unfortunately had to turn away some children today because they hadn’t been registered and there wasn’t enough room for them.  The classes are free but there is a $5.00 registration deposit which will be refunded to you after your child has completed the class. 

The April 6^th class will be held at 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. and the painting medium to be used will be crayons but this won’t be the typical crayon coloring-within-the-lines project.  (In fact, I know a couple of grownups who want to audit this class and may be petitioning Ms. Wood to teach an adult crayon painting class!  Why should the kids get to have all the fun?)

The last of the Wednesday Art Classes will be on May 4^th at 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. and Ms. Wood will be teaching the children how to use colored tissues and Plexiglas to make a stained glass look.

These classes are made possible for your children by a grant funded by the Arts Council Northeast and the Texas Commissions on the Arts.  The library’s 50^th Birthday Committee has also made contributions to help fund the supplies for these classes.  We thank each of them and Bennie Johnson Wood for their ongoing support and efforts in helping bring the beauty and appreciation of art into our lives and the lives of our children.    

Today’s Headline!

I hope that you got a chance to read the special 4-page insert in today’s Star-Telegram.  If you didn’t get a copy, please stop by the library and pick one up.  It makes us so proud to read about where the library has been, where it is now and where it is going.  Ann Bastable’s wonderful article titled Haltom City: A look back in time takes you on a picturesque trip back to the typical small town in the 60’s.  Haltom City has grown so much since then and so has the library.

We want to thank all the local businesses, the 50^th Birthday Committee, the Friends of the Library, the Library Advisory Board, the library staff, and the Star-Telegram for helping put the Haltom City Public Library’s 50^th Celebration in the news!  (OMG – I hope I haven’t forgot anyone – is it Oscar time again?)

While it is always fun to look back and reflect on the past, the library continues to look forward for new ways to enhance its services to you, the community.   The library is in the process of building a Permanent Art Collection.  New classes and workshops are being offered such as Art Wednesday, Art Classes for children by Bennie Johnson Wood, an eBook Reader Workshop, and a Resume Writing & Job Searching Workshop.  They all start this month and others are planned for the following months. Stop by the library and pick up a flier or check the City website for more information about these classes and workshops.

From Headlines to Deadlines—the entry deadline for the Annual Images of Haltom City Photo Contest is March 29, 2011.  The entry deadline for the Library’s Annual Writing Contest is May 31, 2011.

Library Trivia Question:  Which one of your friendly library staff studied at the Oxford University in England?  Hint:  The answer is in the 4-page insert that is in the Star-Telegram on Wednesday, March 9, 2011.

Photos & Words

Words in a book can tell us a story, give us information, or make us feel a particular emotion.  A photograph can often do the same and when it does, it’s magic.  It talks to us without words. 

The deadline for entries for the 23^rd Annual “Images of Haltom City” Photo Contest is March 29, 2011.  This contest started in 1985 as part of an American Library Association contest with the City of Haltom City taking over the sponsorship of it in 1989.  The number of entries and the talent displayed has increasingly grown over the years. 

In honor of the library’s 50^th birthday, a new photo category, “A City of Readers” has been added to the contest this year.  Focusing on the importance of reading in America and in our community is a truly fitting tribute to the library's 50 years of service.  So grab your camera and help make this year’s contest the best ever!  All of the photo entries will be displayed at the library in April, 2011, so I hope to see yours there! 

You can find out more information about the “Images of Haltom City” photo contest on the City’s website as well as the rules and other contest photo categories.

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50^th Year Birthday Cake!  Just a reminder to stop in tomorrow afternoon, Thursday, February 24, 2011 at 4:30 for a cake cutting ceremony to be held by the NET Chamber.

Don’t forget that we still want to hear about your memory of the first time you went to the library.  Submit them to: libraryblogmistress@gmail.com