April is a Month for Poets

There have been many things going on at the RPL this month - branch renovations, our semi-annual book sale, and more. But April is also National Poetry month, and we won't let April give way to May before talking about and recommending poetry from our catalog!

 For those interested in keeping up-to-date with the latest publications, events and news in the poetry world, www.poets.org is a great resource. You can search for poems or poets, check out upcoming publications and even sign up to receive a poem a day. Additionally, they have pages for each state, and you can check out Virginia poets to your hearts content.

Speaking of Virginia poets. current Virginia poet laureate Claudia Emerson is the winner of the 2006 Pulizter Prize for her collection entitled Late Wife, which is available at the RPL. Emerson's poems explore one woman's disappearance from one world and arrival into another as she addresses her former husband, herself and her new husband in this series.

Looking for a great way to introduce children to poetry? Lee Bennett Hopkins received the 2009 NCTE Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children, and his book, City I Love, holds eighteen poems that take the reader on an international adventure through cities around the world.

Virginia also has a fantastic roster of poets who grew up and/or chose Virginia as home. Henri Cole is a William and Mary graduate who has received multiple accolades for his work, including the 2004 Kingsley Tufts Poetry award for his book, Middle Earth.

If you're interested in local, Richmond poetry, there are several venues that hold regular open mike readings where you can listen to local poets or read yourself:

Art 6 Gallery - Second and Fourth Sundays of each month

2-4 p.m.

Barnes and Noble at Virginia Center Commons - Second Saturday of each month

7-9 p.m.

Barnes and Noble at Short Pump - Second Thursday of each month

7:30 p.m.

National Library week - April 11- 17th

This week is all about celebrating your local library and the community connections that it can help foster. This year's theme is "Communities thrive @ your library," which we certainly agree with here at the RPL. We'll be celebrating this week with events at your local branch, so be sure to stop by and see what we have in store!

There is also a national schedule for this week, which includes:

Tuesday, April 13th  - National Library Worker's Day

Wednesday, April 14th - First annual Bookmobile Day

Wednesday, April 14th - ALA releases "Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2009."

Thursday, April 15th -  Support Teen Literature Day

This year's Honorary Chair of National Library Week is none other than Neil Gailman, winner of this year's Newbery Medal for The Graveyard Book.  Gailman is scheduled to speak via live web broadcast about his lifelong love of libraries from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 12th. You can join in on this broadcast live or RSVP for the Tuesday broadcast by clicking here. If you miss out, don't worry - the talk will be archived on the this ALA website after the event.

The American Library Assosciation first sponsored this week 1958, when research in the mid-1950's showed that Americans were spending less on books and more on radios, televisions and musical instruments. Concerned with this apparent trend, the ALA and the American Book Publishers formed a nonprofit organization called the National Book Committee in 1954, which concerned itself with promoting reading, developing a strong family life and improving incomes and health. It seemed natural that these sentiments would eventually culminate in a National Library week, as a library encapsulates all of these things. From 1959 on, this week has been observed in libraries across the nation.

How can you participate in National Library week? Stop by and see us! Use a service that you haven't tried before - try out our online language software through your account, attend a free seminar, join one of our book clubs, bring your kids to story hour at your local branch. Tell us how the library has impacted your community and what you might like to see in the future.

First Friday - April 2nd & branch closures for Good Friday

 Image: Flickr user Ivy Cole

All branches of the RPL will be closed this Good Friday, April 2nd, but the First Friday festivities WILL go on as scheduled at the Main Public Library from 7-9 p.m. And this Friday, we have a fantastic line-up of artists and lecturers.

To kick off National Poetry Month, we have the pleasure of hosting the 2010 Brodie Herndon Poetry lecture, starting at 7 p.m. in the Davenport Special Collections room on the lower level of the library.

The 2010 speaker for the lecture is Kathleen Graber, author of Correspondence, and winner of the 2005 Saturnalia Books Poetry Prize. You can read a commentary by Kathleen about her book here.

A recipient of the Hodder Fellowship at Princeton (2007) and the Amy Lowell Travelling Scholarship (2008), Ms. Graber is an assistant professor of English in the Creative Writing Program at Virginia Commonwealth University.  Her second collection of poetry, The Eternal City, is forthcoming.

Additionally, we have some wonderful artists exhibiting their work this month at the RPL:

Gellman Room

Kim Hall

"Corners of Home"

Colorful oil paintings of interiors, landscapes and still lifes by the Richmond artist.

Dooley Foyer

Thomas Dale High School Visual Arts Department

Artwork in all Media

Artwork: Thomas Dale's Ginna L.

View more artwork from the students through the Visual Arts Department Art Gallery.

Dooley Hall

 Therese McAteer

"Nature Unfurled: a Journey Toward Understanding Botanical Process"

A collection of botanical art from the local artist.

2nd Floor Gallery

Nicole Pisaniello

"Unrelated Fauna"

Strange characters in painting and sculpture by the Richmond artist.

View further work on her Facebook page here.

We hope to see you tomorrow evening!

Youth Arts Month at the RPL

This March, the Richmond Public Library is celebrating Youth Arts Month, and we're pleased to have the opportunity to take part in our vibrant local arts community.

Our regular First Friday Exhibition on March 5th will showcase original artwork from students of Richmond Public Schools, as well as artwork from students of the IQRA Academy of Richmond. The special First Friday will also feature musical performances from Richmond Public School students.

Artwork by Sebastian Wimbush / George Wythe

In addition to the usual Main First Friday exhibition, many local branches will also feature Richmond student artwork for the entire month of March, and are holding Youth Art Receptions to celebrate the young student artists. Belmont, Broad Rock, Hull Street and West End branches are all hosting receptions this Thursday, March 4th from 4-6pm.

If you're curious about art, interested in taking a class, or just wish to learn more about art to impress your friends, Richmond is the place to be. For instance, the Richmond Public Schools have a multitude of available art classes and opportunities for their students, which can be viewed here, on their website.

Additionally, Richmond has many other venues where youth art classes are available, including but not limited to:

The Visual Arts Center of Richmond Youth Classes,

Art Works holds a Children's Art Program on the first and second Saturdays of each month,

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts holds several art classes for teens - click here to find out more about the program.


And of course, the RPL has materials for furthering your own art interests. The following are a few selections leaning toward modern art that may help you get started.


Art 21: Art in the 21st Century
Thelma Golden

The companion volume to the PBS television series introduces 21 American artists, established and emerging, working in a variety of media. The series is noted as "looking forward to the future rather than back to the past," and features profiles and discussions with the artists regarding how they work and why and is structured around 4 themes: place, spirituality, identity and consumption.


If you missed the televisions series, it is available in its entirety, (season one through four), for free on the PBS website, along with an accompanying blog, slideshows of artwork and biographies of all featured artists.


I sold Andy Warhol. (too soon)
Richard Polsky

For those of us who have no idea how current art market functions or what really determines value, this "highly enjoyable insider's guide" follows Mr. Polsky's path (as an art dealer) after he sells Andy Warhol's "Fright Wig" self portrait at auction for $320,00. If he had waited a few more years, it would have captured millions. This memoir exposes the absurdities and hypocrises of the art dealer's world, and helps the reader understand economic evolution of art, and the subsequent cultural impact.




Henry Moore, sculpting the 20th century
Dorothy M. Kosinski

From the catalog:
"Edited by Dallas Museum of Art curator Dorothy Kosinski, and serving as the catalogue for an exhibition currently touring the U.S., the book covers the artist's entire career, from his early primitivism to his 1930s surrealism to his post-war public art. Photos of over 120 of Moore's suggestively abstract plasters, carvings, bronzes and drawings grace the pages of the book, along with scholarly essays from Moore proponents."

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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Monday, January 18th is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. day. To celebrate this great humanitarian, this national holiday is also known as a Day of Service, for which people can volunteer with their community to support Dr King's vision of a "Beloved Community."

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Activities are planned across the nation - many ranging from Friday, January 15th through Monday, January 18th. We've located several volunteer opportunities throughout the Richmond area, so you can participate with your own community this coming weekend. If you have a volunteer opportunity that you have organized, please feel free to leave details in the comments.

The Richmond Public Library will be closed for this holiday on Monday, January 18th, so we wish you a safe and neighborly weekend, and look forward to seeing you on Tuesday.

For more information regarding Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the idea behind "A Day of Service," click here for the official website.

City of Richmond Volunteer Opportunities:

Information from the City of Richmond about volunteering at various city organizations, including the Richmond Public Library, can be found here.

Additionally, a comprehensive list of volunteer opportunities with City of Richmond Departments can be found here.

Local Richmond organizations with volunteer opportunities:

Central VA Foodbank:
Sorting and packing donations - information here.
Assisting with meal prep and packing for the Community Kitchen - click here.

VCU:
Community Lab Beautification for the Carver Community - information here.

Have a volunteer project that you coordinated for this weekend? Post your effort on the official Dr. King Day site here.


Library selections for this holiday weekend:


Thank you, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.!
Eleanora E. Tate

ISBN: 0440414075
(Juvenile Fiction)

Mary Eloise is disappointed that the part she gets in the school play is that of Black History narrator--but two storytellers visit her school and change how she views her heritage.



The measure of a man
Martin Luther King, Jr., 1929-1968.

ISBN: 0800608771

Eloquent and passionate, reasoned and sensitive, this pair of meditations by the revered civil-rights leader contains the theological roots of his political and social philosophy of nonviolent activism.




I've seen the promised land : the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr
Walter Dean Myers

ISBN: 0060277033
(Children's Biography)


Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is one of the most celebrated figures of the twentieth century. A crusader for nonviolent social justice, he led African Americans in their demands for equality through peaceful protests during one of the most tumultuous times in recent history. Set against key moments in the civil rights movement, here is the story of the powerful, eloquent spiritual leader and his belief that nonviolence could be used to overcome racial discrimination.


DVD: Martin Luther King [videorecording] : "I have a dream."
ISBN: 0788605992
1 copy available at the Main Library

Resolutions, Remixed

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Resolutions are not usually my cup of tea.

Of course, I like to think about improving my life and the lives of others with each fresh year that revolves toward us continually. But usually these thoughts are along the vague lines of something like "become more organized" or "become a more active participant in my local community."

But this year, my previous ambiguous goals were trimmed, simplified and narrowed to a specific vision - thanks to the Richmond Public Library and this blog in particular. We at the library want this blog to be the best it can be and this is where my personal resolution comes in.

I want to reach even more members of our Richmond community, and really start a dialogue on what you might like to see more of on this blog or at your local library. Would you like to see more features with members of the public library and their connections to the RPL? Do you want to know more about what goes on behind the scenes? Do you crave book reviews and recommendations? Wish that we covered more local writers and events? Provided new websites to check out?

This is your chance to really help tailor this page to your needs. So throw me a comment below or email if you so choose. Ask your neighbor what they would like to see, and then direct them to this page. I cannot emphasize enough how much we would love to hear your thoughts and ideas in this new year. Maybe you have a few resolutions of your own that could benefit by your participation?

Current ideas include further tutorials about different services the RPL can provide, potential book reviews and a series of interviews with you, the patrons. Let us know what you think!

Design at Your Library

Book Harp by Hanspeter Steiger

"A tree becomes a book becomes a tree" by Shawn Soh

I recently stumbled across these gorgeous new design ideas for book shelves and it got me thinking about the iconic, mid-century modern pieces that we have at the Richmond Public Library, specifically at the Main Branch.

You most likely have sat on them or behind them. Some are stacked in the Gellman Room and others are tucked away in various corners of the library. Do you know the history behind some of these pieces? I'll give you a few hints of what we have:

George Nelson Bench

Eames Shell Chairs

The mid-century modern sensibility is still quite the force in the design world, so it's interesting to take a step back and discover how and why the movement of functional yet beautiful design emerged at such a distinct time in our nation's history.

And is there a better place to do so than at your own Richmond Public Library, perhaps after viewing a few of the designs above? I think not.

Here are a few suggestions to get you started - feel free to leave further ideas and suggestions in the comments!



Miller's Collecting Modern Design
Sally Hoban
ISBN: 1840004053

A complete, comprehensive design book that provides an in-depth look at 20th century design. You will find everything from ceramics to furniture to graphic design in this noteworthy tome, which also provides a history of modern architectural style and a list of iconic homes that are open to the public.



Design in the Fifties: When Everyone Went Modern
George H. Marcus
ISBN: 3791319396

Marcus explains why and how the domestic environment evolved into the "modern" home of the '50s. His writing style easy to read, he frequently refers to illustrations, and he also uses quotes and copies of popular advertisements to make his point.



Making the Modern: Industry, Art and Design in America
Terry Smith
ISBN: 0226763463

In this ambitious book, Terry Smith chronicles the modernist revolution in American art and design between the world wars--from its origins in the new industrial age of mass production, automation, and corporate culture to its powerful and transforming effects on the way Americans came to see themselves and their world.



The work of Charles and Ray Eames : a legacy of invention
Donald Albrecht
ISBN: 0810917998

Of course, no in depth investigation of "modern" design would be complete without the mention of the husband and wife team of Charles and Ray Eames. This volume was published in 1997 on the occasion of a major exhibition organized by the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C., and the Vitra Design Museum, Weil am Rhein, Germany, the holders of the two richest Eames collections in the world.

The book takes a multifaceted approach to the multifaceted careers of Charles and Ray Eames and is chock full of photographs of their extensive work in design. Rather than focus on separate aspects of their work, the book examines the Eameses' projects in the contexts of science, corporate patronage, and politics as well as those of modern design, architecture, and art.



Tomorrow's house : how to plan your post-war home now
George Nelson and Henry Wright

George Nelson is another modern design icon (of many), who is usually mentioned in the same breath as Charles and Ray Eames. An architect, writer and designer, he created iconic, functional designs that are still in production today. This book reflects the modernist mantra with fantastic photos and sections such as "Manufacturing Climate," "Where Shall We Eat," "Organized Storage" and "Bathrooms Are Out Of Date."

Library Tools

In general, it's safe to say that libraries strive to meet the unique needs of their patrons to the fullest extent possible. Most are able to provide services that are created in response to a consistent or emerging need that has become apparent in the local community - not unlike the Main branch applying some of the new computers solely toward patron online job searches, or many RPL branches providing free computer courses.

But the Oakland Public Library Temescal Branch takes this concept one step further. In response to the Oakland Hills Firestorm in 1991, the library created a Home Resources section to help residents with their rebuilding and repair after the disaster. A tool-lending library was created with the help of volunteers and staff, and has seen increased funding and growth over years of service.

To borrow, all you need is your Oakland Public Library card, and proof of residence. How fantastic is that? Yet another reason to join your local public library - you never know how much we can do for you until you check us out!

The Power of Words

"Word association gives new meaning to the alphabet."

This project from Erin Hanson titled "new abc's" recently caught my eye, as the concept of words and their impact & associations reminded me of some of the works of Richmond's own Meena Khalili, whose "Ink. Paper. Print." collection is currently on display at the Main Richmond Public Library.

Hanson explores the association of common words (and letters) that are synonymous with other phrases or words in the English language - which are visually represented in a set of common alphabet flashcards. The full set, A-Z, can be found on Flickr here.




Meanwhile, Khalili's "Garbage Does Not Lie" process exploration for thesis work entailed using, "The contents of my trash can spell out a phrase that when left out for less than a day, disperse and disappear. Photographs were taken every hour between 6am and 6pm on the first day. By 6am on the second day, each article was gone."

Click here to view her exploration of the subject, and visit Dooley Hall in the Main branch to take in her print work. Artwork from the Richmond Public Library's fellow featured artist, Kevin Lee Curry, can be seen in the Second Floor Gallery.

Do you know who else has words? In the form of books? Your local Richmond Public Library branch!

Come check us out and create some word associations of your own.

Inspiration at Your Library

Tomorrow's new First Friday Artwalk exhibition at the Main Public Library is a perfect excuse to introduce an artistic series I've been itching to share. "Design by the Book" is a collaborative series created last fall by the New York Public Library and Design*Sponge - a leading design website dedicated to home and product design run by native Virginian and Brooklyn transplant Grace Bonney.

The idea is just fantastic - showcase the knowledgeable staff and absolutely infinite collections available at the New York Public Library while highlighting local design talent. The basic premise was to show how the artists were inspired by a variety of collections available at the library, and to film their creative process from beginning to end - the end being an original piece of art that was then exhibited at the New York Public Library.

The series was filmed in 4 episodes, and I've included the first below. You can view the rest via Design*Sponge here or through the New York Public Library website here.





And by the way, who says that you need to be in New York to get creative at your library? Come check out your local branch and see what they have to offer. Inspiration may be hiding there, in anything from a book jacket design to a carefully selected set of art books put together by your librarian. Take a second look!

Catch the Reading Bug