Galveston County Library System News

Transcription

Spring 2015
Volume 13, Issue 1
Extension Services Update
Outreach efforts are the main focus for Extension Services in Fiscal Year 2014-2015. Heavy promotion in the Galveston County Daily News and on Facebook helps to maintain the visibility and
viability of this service. It’s the goal of the Adult Services department to encourage the residents of
Galveston County to take advantage of the Library System’s Extension Services available through
their local library, senior center, daycare, or delivery right to their doorstep. Marilyn LyonsLetroise with Extension Services is acutely aware of extension service patrons’ preferences regarding materials and provides feedback regularly to aid in collection development for this key
service demographic.
If you are aware of a group or an institution that could benefit from Extension Services, please
contact Marilyn Lyons-Letroise at the Rosenberg Library to discuss how we can help supplement
their holdings with a rotating selection of large type books, audio books, or DVDs: (409) 763-8854
FY 2015 Extension Services Snapshot
Page 2
County Extension Services Expenditures FY 2013—2014
Galveston County Library System
Activity Statistics FY 2013—2014
Total
Library
Library
Library
In-Library
Reference
Materials
Registered
Materials
Program
Library
Website
Internet
Question
Used
Borrowers
Circulated
Attendance
Visitors
Visits
Users
Transactions
In-House
102,591
1,828,915
111,891
1,006,343
755,486
299,811
147,693
237,406
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Rosenberg Library Extension Services FY 2013-2014
The Rosenberg Library loans selections from its broad collections of large type, audiobook, DVD and children’s materials to retirement communities, senior centers, daycares, schools and libraries throughout Galveston County as part of its Extension Services.
During FY 2012-2014, 34 organizations serving more than 3,000 county
residents were signed up to receive a rotating collection of library materials. In some cases, the materials provided by the Rosenberg Library are
the only books, DVDs or books on CD that are available to that organization; some organizations supplement their existing collections with materials borrowed from Rosenberg Library.
**In FY2013-2014, a total of 24,972 library items were delivered to
organizations throughout Galveston County.**
The library also delivers materials to homebound residents of Galveston
Island and mails books to homebound residents of Galveston County.
These materials and the regular contact with library staff enrich the lives of
these residents:
The Rosenberg library
has provided delivery
service to the mainland
since the 1940’s. The
first bookmobile was
capable of holding 2000
volumes and made it
possible for all residents
in Galveston County to
have access to quality
literature.
“Thank you for the gift of service that Marilyn Lyons is to the homebound. She is such a blessing, always smiling and so kind. She takes great care in selecting books and making sure that I
get the books that I like to read.”- Patricia LaForge
Library materials for institutional participants are delivered on a monthly basis. Participating institutions make
excellent use of borrowed library materials. By supplementing their existing holdings, the institutions can accommodate a wider, more diverse collection for their patrons at no additional expense.
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FY 2013—2014 Extension Services Institutional Patron List
1. Bacliff Community Center, 4503 11th St., Bacliff, TX 77518
ton, TX 77550
2. Meadow Glenn Personal Care Home, 4106 Meadow Glen
Dr., Dickinson, TX 77539
14. Moody House Retirement Home, 2228 Seawall Blvd, Galveston, TX 77550
3. The Bedford, 110 Dunbar Estates Dr., Friendswood, TX
77546
15. Resource and Crisis Center, 1802 Broadway, Suite 122,
Galveston, TX 77550
4. Emeritus, 1310 South Friendswood Drive, Friendswood,
TX 77546
16. Ziegler ECU Daycare/Head Start/Satellite Daycare, 5501
Avenue S , Galveston, TX 77551
5. Friendship Haven, 1500 Sunset Dr., Friendswood, TX
77546
17. High Island High School, 2113 6th Street, High Island, TX
77623
6. Village on the Park, 400 E. Parkwood Dr., Friendswood,
TX 77546
18. Genevieve Miller Public Library, 8005 Barry Avenue,
Hitchcock, TX 77563
7. Busy Body Daycare, 6904 Lasker Drive, Galveston, TX
77551
19. Lake Haven Assisted Living, 1051 Columbia Memorial
Pkwy Kemah, TX
8. Children’s Coalition Childcare, 5127 Avenue U, Galveston,
TX 77551
20. Bayou Pines Care Center, 4905 Fleming St, La Marque,
TX 77568
9. Concord House 1 (Broadway), 1616 Broadway, Galveston
TX 77550
21. Laurel House, 1109 Holly St, La Marque, TX 77568
10. Concord House 2 (Harborside), 1516 Harbor View Cir,
Galveston, TX 77550
11. Gulf Healthcare Center, 3702 Cove View Blvd, Galveston,
TX 77554
12. Libbie’s Place Adult Daycare, 5402 Avenue U, Galveston,
TX 77551
13. Meridian Care Nursing Home, 2228 Seawall Blvd, Galves-
22. Baywind Village, 411 Alabama Ave, League City, TX
77573
23. Regent Care Center, 2620 W Walker St, League City, TX
77573
24. Crenshaw Elementary & Middle School, 406 TX-87, Port
Bolivar, TX 77650
25. Ashton Parke Care Center, 210 Gulf Fwy, Texas City, TX
77591
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Friendswood Public Library
416 S. Friendswood Drive
Friendswood, TX 77546
www.friendswood.lib.tx.us
(281) 482-7135
Mon-Thurs 10 am to 9 pm
Fri, Sat 10 am to 6 pm
Closed Sunday
Rosenberg Library
2310 Sealy Street
Galveston, TX 77550-2220
www.rosenberg-library.org
(409) 763-8854
Mon—Sat 9 am to 6 pm
Closed Sunday
Galveston Texas History Center
Tues—Sat 9 am to 6 pm
Hitchcock Public Library
Genevieve Miller Library
8005 Barry Street
Hitchcock, TX 77563
www.hitchcockpubliclibrary.org
(409) 986-7814
Tue, Wed & Fri 10 am to 5 pm
Thur 10 am to 6 pm
Sat 10 am to 3 pm
Closed Sunday & Monday
Santa Fe Public Library
Mae Bruce Library
13302 6th Street
Santa Fe, TX 77510
www.maebrucelibrary.org
(409) 925-5540
Mon-Wed, Fri 10 am to 6 pm
Thur 12 to 8 pm
Sat 10 am to 1:30 pm
Closed Sunday
Dickinson Public Library
4411 Highway 3
Dickinson, TX 77539
www.dickinsonpubliclibrary.org
(281) 534-3812
Mon, Wed, Fri 10 am to 5 pm
Tue, Thur 10 am to 6 pm
Sat 10 am to 2 pm
Closed Sunday
Moore Memorial Library
1701 9th Avenue N.
Texas City, TX 77590
www.texascity-library.org
(409) 643-5979
Mon-Wed 9 am to 9 pm
Thur, Fri 9 am to 6 pm
Sat 10 am to 4 pm
Closed Sunday
La Marque Public Library
1011 Bayou Road
La Marque, TX 77568
www.lamarquelibrary.org
(409) 938-9270
Tue, Wed 10 am to 6 pm
Thurs 10 am to 7 pm
Closed Sunday & Monday
League City Public Library
Helen Hall Library
100 West Walker
League City, TX 77573
www.leaguecitylibrary.org
(281) 554-1111
Mon-Thur 10 am to 9 pm
Sun 1 pm to 5 pm
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La Marque Public Library Welcomes New Director
La Marque Public Library welcomes Amy Miller as their new director. Amy began
her duties on February 2, 2015. She comes to La Marque with 16 years of experience from San Antonio Public Library where she worked in various areas of
public library service including children and youth programming, adult services,
collection development and outreach. Most recently, she served as Assistant
Manager at one of San Antonio’s newest and highest circulating branches, the
Parman Library at Stone Oak. From 2008 to 2012, Amy was Assistant Coordinator for the Alamo Area Library System where she facilitated continuing education
workshops for area libraries and helped write grants that funded STEM-based
children’s programs and materials. Amy relocated to this area of Texas in order
to be closer to family. She came to La Marque Public Library just in time to get
on board with planning for Summer Reading 2015 and is excited about adding
some additional adult and children’s programs to the regular monthly calendar.
Amy is eager to meet people and learn more about the La Marque community as
she begins her role as director. She encourages the public to drop by the library,
Helen Hall Library Promotes New Circulation Desk Supervisor
League City’s new Circulation Desk Supervisor’s name is Kelsea Meza and she is 24 years old. Kelsea has an Associates
of Arts Degree in General Studies, and is currently enrolled at
the University of Houston at Clear Lake, pursuing a Bachelor’s
Degree in English Literature, with the ultimate goal of obtaining
her Masters in Library Science. Kelsea started out as a Library
Page in our Youth Services, and then moved to the Circulation
Department. She is excited to be in her new role and excited
to help promote the success of the Circulation Department at
Helen Hall.
3rd Annual Mystery Dinner
On May 1st, the Friends of the Mae Bruce Library
(FOL) will sponsor a ‘Mystery Dinner @ the Library’
evening. This year’s theme will be Murder at the Cinco
de Mayo Fiesta. There will be food and fun as guests
rally together to figure out whodunit as there is a
naughty murderer among them who must be caught
immediately!
Funds raised will be used to support library programs
and future library expansion efforts. Information and
tickets will be available in April at the Mae S. Bruce
Public Library in Santa Fe; call (409) 925-5540 or email
[email protected].
Mardi Gras Mayhem, 2014
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Spanish Language Reference Service
As part of an effort to better serve our diverse community, the Rosenberg Library
is taking the initiative of offering bilingual library services to its patrons. Provided
by Reference Librarian Idalia Avezuela, these services are part of a larger outreach effort that will take place throughout the year. This enterprise is directed to
provide relevant programs, to steadily improve our collections and to create
awareness of the wealth of services and the tangible resources our library already delivers to the Spanish speaking community of Galveston County.
Currently, the Rosenberg Library Reference Department offers fully bilingual reference assistance. The department also provides translation of relevant interdepartmental library documents and materials. Provision of these services has
improved accessibility to information and resources that the library has always
strived to provide to the community.
In addition, the Reference Department has increased efforts to maintain cultural
responsiveness as a meaningful aspect of our everyday work. Ms. Avezuela is
currently reaching out to local organizations, as well as student associations and
social welfare agencies. These efforts will better help the Rosenberg Library understand the needs of the public, to promote diversity and to create a more active and visible presence in our community.
If you would like more information on these initiatives, contact Idalia Avezuela at (409) 763-8854, x137.
Rosenberg Library Offers New Electronic Resource
Library card-holders in Galveston can now stream movies, TV shows, audiobooks and music on their computers and mobile devices – for free. Anyone with a Rosenberg Library account in good standing can now download the free Hoopla mobile app on their Android or iOS device or visit hoopladigital.com to begin enjoying thousands of titles available to borrow
24/7, for instant streaming or temporary downloading to their smartphones, tablets, computers and Apple TV. Hoopla is
operated by Midwest Tape, which is the same company that provides most of the library’s physical DVDs, CDs, and audiobooks.
A how-to guide is now available on the library’s website, www.rosenberg-library.org. Getting started with Hoopla is quick
and easy; all library patrons need is an active Rosenberg Library card number and an email address. One of the most appealing aspects of this service is that users do not have to wait for the most popular items in the Hoopla catalog. Patrons
also have the option of switching between devices (such as between a PC and an iPhone) and picking up exactly where
they left off in their movie or audiobook. Plus, Hoopla’s automatic return feature means there will never be fines on any
borrowed titles.
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Project: 1st Grade Visits to Rosenberg Library
“It takes a village to raise a child” and a partnership between the Rosenberg Library Board of Directors and staff, Friends of the Rosenberg Library, and Galveston Independent School District to
ensure that each 1st grade student is given the keys to the Rosenberg Library kingdom. During
each visit, students:
1. Receive a temporary library card and check out 2 items at a time. The temporary card can be
turned into a card with full borrowing privileges when the parent/guardian returns to the library.
2. Participate in an interactive skit involving a pirate who discovers that books are the true treasures.
3. Explore the Children’s Department with a guided tour following a treasure map. Each student
receives a replica of the treasure map to take home.
4. Discover treasures throughout the library with a VIP tour provided by Museum staff.
5. Investigate apps on the children’s computers.
The project was initiated by President of the Rosenberg Library Board of Directors, Jan
Coggeshall, after witnessing the enthusiasm of 1st grade students that she mentored while they
were on a class visit to the library. Ms. Coggeshall gathered support from the Friends of the Ros-
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Important Piece of Civil War History Digitized
The J.O.L.O Observatory Record Book at the Galveston &
Texas History Center has recently been digitized and is
now available for viewing through the Rosenberg Library’s
main catalog. An extremely important piece of Galveston’s
Civil War history, the log book is a record of watches kept
by the members of the J.O.L.O. Observatory from April
through December 1861. Located on the roof of the
Hendley Building, the lookout served as a Confederate
watch tower during the Civil War and closely monitored the
movements of Federal gunboats. An examination of the
volume by archivists and several historians has failed to
uncover the meaning of the initials “J.O.L.O.”
Galveston’s militia leaders officially established the observatory by Special Orders issued on June 4, 1861. The lookout had already begun observations on April 22, 1861 just
days after the firing on Fort Sumter and Abraham Lincoln’s
proclamation establishing a blockade of all southern ports.
The men organized themselves into eight watches with
each watch covering a twenty-four hour period. Each
watch commenced at 8 a.m. and continued until 8 a.m. the
following day. The men recorded their observations in the
Logbook and submitted daily dispatches to the commandant reporting on their observations. The men served as
officers of the watch and were assisted by detachments
from various Home Guard units in Galveston. The men
organized the watches so that each man worked every seventh or eighth day. Some of these men captained their
own boats and on their off days, traveled between New Orleans and Galveston bringing newspapers and supplies.
In the first few months of diligently watching the movements
in Galveston Bay, the Night’s Watch battled boredom, mosquitoes, and men who showed up unfit for duty. The Observatory even played host to several young ladies visiting
the observation tower. There are several entries of ladies
visiting and bringing pies and bouquets of flowers. All of
this changed when the men of the Night’s Watch recorded
the appearance in July 1861 of the USS South Carolina
that signaled the beginning of the Union blockade of Galveston’s harbor.
The last entry in this logbook is dated December 27, 1861
but it is believed the watch continued and other logbooks
recorded. The Record Book in the Galveston & Texas His-
tory Center is believed to be one of the few surviving accounts from this observatory.
For more information, contact Peggy Dillard at
[email protected] or (409) 763-8854, ext. 117.
Page 11
The Intersection of Art & Literature
League City Public Library Programming
Winterfest
Helen Hall Library held their 3rd annual Winterfest on Friday, January 23rd for teens in 6th to 12th grade. Teens participated
in an indoor “snowball” fight, decorated a “snowman,” and enjoyed hot chocolate and other winter treats. Winterfest took
place after the library closed, allowing teens to let loose and enjoy the “snowball” fight.
Local Authors Hour
Helen Hall Library kicked off the 5th year of Local Author Hour in January with League City City Manager, Mark Rohr. Mr.
Rohr is the author of Joplin: The Miracle of the Human Spirit, a book that chronicles his experiences as City Manager of
Joplin, Missouri when it was struck by a devastating EF5 tornado. Local Author Hour also hosted a Romance Author Panel
in February. Seven area romance authors spoke about their work and experiences with publishing their novels.
Page 12
The Endless Bummer: A History of Regulating Surfers in Galveston
It was the peak of tourist season in 1964 when attorney Jerome Jones petitioned the Galveston City Council to regulate the ‘surfniks’. His client George Odem, who owned a
gift shop on Seawall, argued that surfing was dangerous.
He had a point. The sport was still in its infancy on the Gulf
Coast and the equipment of the day, clunky 40-50 pound
boards, wielded by novices proved to be hazardous to
swimmers. Boards were not tethered to riders, so when a
rider fell they unleashed a fiberglass projectile that could
plough over bystanders. Jones speculated that “unless
some regulations are set there may be a serious injury result or a death by concussion.”
Public safety concerns aside, Odem had other reasons to
push for surf regulations: surfers were bad for business. His
gift shop was tailored to family visitors who wanted a souvenir from their vacation. His shop’s proximity to the Pleasure
Pier (originally the Galveston Municipal Pier finished in
1944) meant it relied heavily on foot traffic to bring customers through the doors. Surfers tended to congregate together, usually early in the morning, leaving few parking spaces
for ‘regular family tourists.’ Making matters worse in 1961,
Hurricane Carla damaged the pier and by 1964 construction
of what would become the Flagship Hotel added to the congestion.
Perception mattered and the surfing scene had a reputation
as a magnet for juvenile delinquency. While the image of
sandy, tanned and sculpted youths sold records and films,
surfers also had an aura of danger and rebellion. Moreover, Galveston had lingering issues with large groups of
young people on the beach. In 1961, the island’s Splash
Weekend, a celebration to kick off the summer tourist season, culminated in a riot in which hundreds of mostly young
people were arrested and some 250 officers were called to
help get the situation under control.
The Rosenberg Library's Special Collections Project Coordinator Travis Bible enjoys writing about Galveston waves
almost as much as riding them. Image courtesy of William
Hill, III.
City Manager Bill Blackwell looked west for inspiration on
how to best approach regulating surfing. Many California
cities had already established specific areas as surfing
zones, and in the summer of 1965 , the City of Galveston
followed suit. The following months saw numerous arrests
for violations of the ordinance resulting in a trip to jail for
surfers, $25 bond, a potential fine of $200 dollars, and the
confiscation of their boards as evidence until after resolution
of the case.
Surfers took issue with the harsh penalties and inflexibility of
the laws. They argued that if the purpose of the regulation
was to keep swimmers safe, then it should not be enforced
during the off-season when there were no swimmers in the
water. City Council agreed with their logic and changed the
So surfing, despite its novelty, forced city officials to deal
law in 1968. However, nobody was happy with the rules:
with longstanding questions of how the beachfront would be
parents wrote letters to the editor about having to bail their
used and who would have access. Engineering a tourist
children out of jail, hotel and fishing pier owners argued that
destination was a difficult task. Officials wanted to attract
the sport was bad for business, and surfers saw the laws as
certain groups of people to come at the right time of year,
arbitrary and unfair. From the late 1960s onward, the issue
while appeasing those who invested in the tourism industry
came up so frequently that one reporter called it “the annual
and not upset local voters in the process.
summer re-run.” In 1976, the City Council established new
Page 13
guidelines for holding contests, forbade the placement of
boards on Seawall, and gave the Beach Patrol authority to
regulate the activity. The new laws also changed designated surf areas and created times in which surfing was not
allowed in certain zones. In short, the regulations were very
confusing.
rules regulating the sport or the laws currently on the books.
There are still surf zones (known as ‘multi-use areas’) from
May 15- Labor Day, the rest of the year most areas are
open to surfers, leashes (straps that tether a rider to their
board) are required, boards can’t block the sidewalk, and
surf camps and contests must be approved by the Park
Board (and abide by various restrictions). The Galveston
Dramatic change came in late 1981 when a group of surfers Island Beach Patrol does a good job keeping the peace bewere wrongly arrested by police. The incident became a
tween surfers and fishermen and swimmers, while making
rallying cry for local surfers who formed Surf Galveston, a
sure everyone is safe. Best of all for today’s surfers, if you
grass-roots political origination that promoted “the idea that are outside of a surf area or don’t have a leash, you are likesurfing is one of the great assets of Galveston Island- it is
ly to get a warning rather than a trip to the jailhouse.
both a clean, healthy sport and represents a million dollar
Travis Bible, Special Collections Project Coordinator
industry.” The group raised funds by selling tee-shirts and
Rosenberg Library
networking with larger surf-related businesses. Local surf
shops informed customers of the issues and encouraged
them to go to City Council meetings to show that surfers
could be politically engaged. Surf Galveston shifted the perception of the sport and public safety by enlisting the help of
former Beach Patrol captain Lloyd Kelly who told the City
Council that “…surfers who come to Galveston have saved
more lives than the beach patrol will ever think of saving.”
The group also received help from State Senator A.R.
“Babe” Schwartz to bridge the divide between surfers and
their opponents. In response, City Council drafted clearer,
more reasonable guidelines for surfers (which have since
been revised many times). Surf Galveston went dormant
shortly thereafter.
These days surfers are ubiquitous along Galveston’s beach- Travis Bible surfing Galveston’s waves. Image courtesy of William
es, but many are not familiar with the long struggle over the Hill, III.
“Rocking in our Reading Shoes” with Pete the Cat
In September 2014, the Hitchcock Public Library started a book club just for kids ages 3 to
13. We have twenty-three Pete the Cat club members “Rocking in their Reading Shoes”.
Children are given a prize incentive for reading 10 books or more per month. The children’s pictures are posted in the entryway of the library with Pete the Cat’s colorful tennis
shoes. Boys and girls can check out several fun to read Pete the Cat books, along with
Splat the Cat, Skippy-Jon Jones, Bad Kitty and Dr. Seuss’ Cat in the Hat books. Pete the
Cat is a cool cat who rides his skateboard and dances around in his colorful tennis shoes;
he even plays the guitar. “Rocking in our Reading Shoes” book club is a great way to get
children to have fun and enjoy reading, and it gets parents involved in reading with their
children as well. It’s a win-win for all!
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Work Begins on Rosenberg Library’s Phase VI Project
Construction work on the Rosenberg Library Phase VI project was officially started on November 24th, 2014. The library’s Phase VI project is the latest round in a continuing
series of building improvements over the past eleven years
designed to completely reconstruct the facility for its next
century of service for the community. The Galveston Island
based construction firm of Building Solutions was selected
by the library’s Board of Directors to serve as the general
contractor at risk on the Phase VI project. This is the second time that the library has worked with this construction
company. Building Solutions was the general contractor for
the library’s Phase IV building improvement project which
was completed in April 2011.
The recently started Phase VI project will include a set of
enhancements to the east entrance area of the library
building featuring new architectural exterior signage, brick
pavers at the base of the stairs, improvements to the stair
treads and new handrails. Planned Phase VI improvements will also include renovation of the two large gallery
spaces adjacent to the east entrance. The overall goal for
the gallery spaces is to create some of the best and most
elegant reading and quiet study rooms in the entire library.
The scope of the Phase VI project will also involve the replacement of the old fluorescent fixtures throughout the
public areas of the second floor with more historically appropriate, energy efficient LED lighting. New directional
signage is also planned for the second floor of the Rosenberg Wing. As part of the Phase VI project, a hurricanerated window system will be installed on a portion of the
south side of the Moody Wing’s second and third floors.
Currently there are no windows on any of the upper floors
of the Moody Wing, and the new window system is ex-
pected to completely transform the ambience of the surrounding area. Phase VI plans also call for the creation of
a new premiere seating and study space by the new windows to take full advantage of the natural lighting and views
of the library’s Mary Moody Northen plaza. Jan Coggeshall,
Rosenberg Library Association President, announced at the
annual meeting of the association on January 27, 2015 that
the new window system and adjacent reading area would
be named in honor of Dr. Edward D. and Mrs. Sally M.
Futch. Additional improvements to the second floor of the
Moody Wing will include new carpeting and wall treatments.
The Phase VI project will also encompass improvements to
the library’s 4th floor History Center. This area is scheduled
to get new ceiling and lighting systems and installation of
new carpeting. It is currently anticipated that the planned
construction work will require closing the History Center for
approximately four weeks.
Major contributors to the Rosenberg Library’s Phase VI
building improvement project include the Edward D. and
Sally M. Futch Foundation, the Moody Foundation, Hugh
and Evalyn Gibson estate, the Harris and Eliza Kempner
Fund, Mrs. Kathrine G.McGovern, John P. McGovern
Foundation, Robert K. and Marie B. Hutchings Foundation,
the Jamail Galveston Foundation, Friends of the Rosenberg Library, Jim and Dancie Ware, Levin Family Foundation, Dr. Leon Bromberg Charitable Trust Fund, and the
many generous donors to the library’s 2012, 2013 and
2014 Fall Fundraisers.
The Rosenberg Library’s Phase VI building improvement
project is expected to be completed by August 2015.
Left: View of exterior with new architectural signage
as seen from the southeast corner of the Rosenberg
Library (artist’s rendering, Gensler).
Below: A detailed drawing of the architectural monument style signage as seen on the corner in the picture to the left (artist’s rendering, Gensler).
Page 16
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Santa Visits Santa Fe Library
This past December, an effort by the Friends of the Mae Bruce Library to ‘get the Library’s brand out there’ was successful
in convincing the City of Santa Fe’s Parks Board members and Mayor to move the annual City Tree Lighting festivities
from the cramped location near City Hall to the Library’s more spacious grounds, where a live Christmas Tree, an 8’ Leyland Cypress, known to be 70’ tall by 40’ wide at maturity, was planted and decorated.
Santa was available for a photo opportunity in the
Children’s section of the library. The High School
marching band and choir members entertained the
crowd with music and song. Sadly, rain kept local
dance studio groups from performing. However, rain
did not keep a record 600+ citizens from visiting with
Santa and enjoying food and drink inside the library.
FOL members served drinks and sweet treats in the
Meeting Room while extolling the virtues of a library
card and membership in the FOL group. Parks Board
members handed out candy while visiting with citizens
Public Catalog— The Mae S. Bruce Public Library’s online catalog got a makeover! Users will see the same information, along with a new, improved up-to-date look. Access to individual library accounts allows for title reserves, renewals, requests, bookmarking, readers’ advisory services such as similar titles, similar authors, and author biographies, access to databases, recently added titles, and much more. There is also easy access to digital resources as well as recent-
Fire Safety for Children at League City Library
Preschool families were educated and entertained when three of League City’s volunteer firefighters, Natalie Perrone, John
Conor, and Chris Sabin, presented Fire Safety for Children. Information was given in simple terms which were easy to understand. Children practiced crawling to the fire exit and doing stop, drop, and roll in case their clothing was on fire. One
firefighter geared up completely and crawled to each child so they would not be frightened if a firefighter had to help them
in a home fire. Following the presentation, children were able to climb and explore the rehab truck. The library staff appreciated their coming and working in collaboration to provide quality programming for children.
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Rosenberg Library Teen Services
Y.A.L.L., the Rosenberg library teen volunteer group, has been very busy over the past
few months! This fall, we had a very successful Cozy Pets Project – the group donated
a large box of blankets, pillows, and toys to the Galveston Island Humane Society. During a visit to the animal shelter to deliver the goods, we learned a lot about the shelter,
what they need to operate, and what services they offer.
To “celebrate” the start of the second semester of school, the teens participated in a
ScAvengers Hunt. They had to follow the clues to find the hidden Avengers (Captain
America, Iron Man, Black Widow, and so on) all around the library. We also had a Teen
Movie Trivia game, where group members tested their knowledge of random film facts
against each other.
This spring we’ll have Teen Movie March Madness, a month-long tournament that will
determine the most popular teen-focused movies among Galveston middle and high
school students. The Chroma Key 101 program will introduce teens to basic filming
and editing techniques while we produce a short video to feature our upcoming summer
programs. The 2015 Teen Summer Reading Club theme this year is CSLP’s
“Unmask!” theme. For more information about these activities and other teen services
available at the Rosenberg Library, contact Louise Kidder at (409) 763-8854, ext. 176.
Drive by Book Drop - For those with no time to browse, a convenient weather-proof heavy gauge stainless steel cabinet with a handy chute for both walk-up or drive-up access will soon be located on the southwest corner of the Mae S.
Bruce Public Library parking lot. Funds for the purchase of the book drop were donated to the library in memory of Mrs.
Lynne Hayes, a longtime supporter of the Mae Bruce Library.
National History Day Contest
Very recently, the Mae S. Bruce Public Library staff was approached by Santa Fe ISD’s Social Studies Curriculum Specialist for PreK-12th Grade, Ryan
Cox, to partner with Junior High teachers, 6th-8th grades, in an effort to support students as they complete an in-depth historical research project using
the guidelines of the National History Day competition (nhd.org), a well established and renowned national competition. This year’s theme is Leadership
and Legacy.
Students, working individually or in small groups, choose a historical topic
related to the annual theme, and then conduct primary and secondary research at libraries, museums, historic sites, and even oral history interviews.
After analyzing and interpreting the researched information and drawing a
conclusion, students must then present their work in one of five ways: as a
paper, an exhibit, a performance, a documentary film, or a web site.
SFISD 7th grader participating in the
National History Day Contest
Participating students will not only learn life-long skills such as how to research, document, and write about specific topics, but also how to express
their opinion and viewpoint. These important skills can build confidence and
poise, which can lead to success in higher education and the workforce and,
ultimately, a better quality of life for themselves, their families, and their communities. Mae Bruce Library is glad to be a part of this very worthwhile process.
Page 20
Fall in Love With a Good Book
Looking for a Romance novel? Then we have a new section for you! Dickinson Public
Library has a Romance collection located near the new books. Director Vicki
McCallister and Librarian Caitlin Campbell have been working together to offer this
new section to patrons. The Dickinson Public Library Friends of the Library donated
funding for the new, easyto-use rounder. The Romance collection features
several different types of
romance stories, including
suspense, historical, and
Christian romance. The
books check out for three
weeks. There are old favorites and new offerings.
Stop by and check it out!
La Marque Public Library Programs
Programs for Adults

La Marque Public Library offers drop-in workshops from 12:00-2:00 on Tuesdays and by appointment on Fridays.
These classes allow for one-on-one or small group instruction for those seeking assistance with setting up an email
account or learning how to download ebooks. Bring your laptop or tablet and staff will be happy to walk you through
the process.

Do-It-Yourself @ La Marque Public Library—Are you a fan of Pinterest and Do-It-Yourself projects? If so, then join us
at the library and learn a new skill! Classes are free and supplies are provided. Please call the library at (409) 9389270 to register.
Saturday March 14 2:00—3:30 Art of Quilling
Saturday March 28 2:00—3:30 Recycled Art: D-I-Y Magazine Art
Programs for Children

Storytime at La Marque Public Library will now be held every week. All ages are welcome but these 30-45 minute
sessions are especially geared toward children ages 3-5 years old. Daycares are always welcome! Please call and
let us know how many are in your group or if you would like us to bring storytime to you at your location. We invite you
to join us for stories, rhymes, songs, fingerplays and fun!

La Marque Public Library is hosting a series of programs for children called Art Explorers. These programs will run
Tuesday – Friday during Spring Break week. Art Explorer sessions are free and all supplies are provided. The schedule is as follows:
Tuesday March 17—Easy Origami
Wednesday March 18—Tie-Dyed Coffee Filter Butterflies
Thursday March 19—Wet Chalk Art Creations
Friday March 20—Crazy Creative Collages
Page 21
Are you ready for the GED? Find out with Galveston County Libraries!
College of the Mainland and Galveston County Libraries are
excited about a new partnership to help people earn their
GED certificate, or high school diploma equivalency. College of the Mainland’s Adult Education Director, Joshua
Hayes, M.Ed., has reached out to county libraries about a
GED pre-assessment program through Aztec Software. The
Aztec program is designed to determine a student’s readiness to take the GED. Those who score at least a 70% on
Aztec’s GED practice tests have had a high pass rate when
taking the GED tests.
Mainland’s Adult Education Department. College of the
Mainland will work with him/her to enroll in their GED program. Enrollment occurs four times a year and there is no
charge for the GED program. Some libraries may also host
an on-site assessment for entrance and enrollment into the
program. College of the Mainland further assists participants with scholarships for certificate programs and the
GED tests.
Get started at one of the libraries currently offering this program: Dickinson Public Library, Friendswood Public
Library, and the Genevieve Miller Library in Hitchcock.
People interested in earning their GED first go to a participating library and take the Aztec practice tests. You need
an email account and a picture ID. The library will give you
a key, or password, that you then use to access the practice
tests on a public computer. After taking the Aztec GED
practice tests, participants take their score to College of the
Adult Computer Classes at Dickinson Public Library
Dickinson Public Library is offering a variety of classes for
adults learning to use computers. Classes are every Tuesday at 9am for one hour. The first Tuesday of the month is a
basic computer class to introduce new users to the parts of
a computer, the Internet, and how to navigate the Internet
safely. Other courses throughout the month are chosen
based on participant request. Most recently, Librarian Caitlin
Campbell offered a two part class on Craigslist and eBay
that was well attended and received by participants. Campbell has also taught classes over Facebook, Excel, Social
Media, and using Overdrive on computers and tablets. Librarian Meghan Hollingsworth teaches the basic computers
class and a Microsoft Word introduction class once a month
as well. This spring classes will include Google Drive and
Etsy & Pinterest. Class schedules are on the library’s website (www.dickinsonpubliclibrary.org), Facebook page, and
calendars. Registration is required for classes. Please contact the library at 281-534-3812 to reserve your seat today!
Left: Librarian Caitlin Campbell
teaching the Basic PowerPoint
computer class for adults at Dickinson Public Library.
Below: Participants listen as
Librarian Caitlin Campbell gives
an overview of the computer
Page 22
Building the Future One Brick at a Time
Moore Memorial Public Library is the place to be for LEGOS! Every
month we offer LEGO Problem Solving for ages 8-12. This program encourages children to build their creativity, problem-solving, critical thinking,
teamwork, and engineering skills. Participants will be prompted with a fun
challenge and will build their solution to it. There are no wrong answers
and loads of creative solutions!
We will have LEGO programs on Saturday, February 28th at 1 PM,
Monday, March 16th at 2 PM, Saturday April 18th at 1 PM, and Saturday May 16th at 1 PM. Also, we will have LEGO Problem Solving this
summer every Monday at 10 AM from June 8th to August 3rd. Please
call (409) 643-5983 for more details.
TLA Partners with Pajama Program
As part of a literacy effort, the Texas Library Association (TLA) is partnering with Pajama Program, a 501(c)(3) founded in
2001, to provide new pajamas and new books to children in need of comfort and care.
Pajamaprogram.org serves children of all ages throughout the nation and has four chapters right here in Texas –El Paso,
Dallas-Ft. Worth, San Antonio, and Austin -sadly, none in the Houston area. Each chapter works with local shelters to provide a book with a pair of pajamas as part of a One Million Good Nights campaign to collect one million new pajamas and
the resources needed to get them into the hands of children in need by the end of 2015.
New pajamas, sizes newborn through adult XXXL, can be dropped off at Mae S. Bruce Public Library located at 13302 6th
Street in Santa Fe, or any of the other Galveston County public libraries, now through April 10 th. Donations will be taken to
TLA’s annual conference which will be held in Austin this year.
Lego Mindstorms
Every Monday at 2 PM from June 8th to July
27th, teens ages 13-17 will be building robots
at Moore Memorial Public Library! The
Friends of MMPL have generously purchased LEGO Mindstorms kits for use in
these programs. Teams of two will build a
robot, learn how to program it, and test it out
in a series of challenges.
MMPL will hold a four-part class in June to
teach teens how to construct functioning
robots with the LEGO Mindstorms kits, and
we will repeat the same four part-class in
July. We expect high interest in this brandnew program and will be able to accommodate up to 20 teens. For more information,
contact Moore Memorial Public Library at (409)
643-5983.
Page 23
Outstanding Cultural Programming Award Goes to John Gorman
The Friendswood Public Library presented UHCL
professor John Gorman with the first annual Award
for Outstanding Cultural Programming in January of
2015. This Friendswood library award was established to recognize individuals who have provided
outstanding cultural programs to the community.
Dr. John Gorman has provided numerous literary
programs and readings beginning with What Poets
Are For in 2002. His involvement with Friendswood
library programming was a catalyst in the formation
of the library’s regular Off the Page Poetry series,
featuring award-winning local and regional poets.
Featured poets David E. Cowen, Sybil Pittman Estess,
Friendswood Public Library Qualifies for Award
The Friendswood Public Library was one of thirty-nine Texas public libraries to qualify for the Texas Municipal Library Directors
Association 2014 Achievement of Library Excellence Award. To qualify for this award, the Friendswood Public Library had to
demonstrate excellence in ten service categories, including underserved populations, summer reading programs, cultural and
educational programming, and literacy support. The TMLDA award was presented to library director Mary Perroni and staff
during the March 2nd, 2015 Friendswood City Council Meeting.
Humans in Space Youth Art Competition
The Friendswood Public Library partnered with NASA’s
Jancy McPhee, Director of Humans in Space Art, to bring the
Humans in Space Youth Art Competition Exhibit to the library. Youth ages 10-18 are asked to communicate their
visions of the future of space travel and exploration through
visual, literary, video, and musical artwork. The winning entries are then displayed and performed in locations worldwide and online, allowing the creativity and ideas of the
young artists to inspire others and promote public dialogue
about the future of space. Some of these winning entries
were displayed in the Friendswood Library Activity Room
beginning in January through the end of February, 2015.
League City Debuts Expanded Public Meeting Capacity
The Helen Hall Library Theater with its new kitchenette is available to the public for special programs and events. Our expanded theater holds up to 100 attendees, and features surround sound, a new projector and screen setup, and a full kitchenette.
Patrons can reserve the theater by calling the League City Public Services Librarian at (281) 554-1106 to receive an application. Please help spread the word to area citizens!
Page 24
New Archivist at Rosenberg Library
Sean McConnell joined the Special Collections team at the
Rosenberg Library on February 24. Sean is from
Southgate, Michigan, near Detroit and attended Wayne
State University where he obtained a M.A. in History with a
Graduate Certificate in Archival Administration. Sean has
prior experience processing collections and digitizing photographs at Eastern Michigan University. He also completed
a spring break internship at the George H.W. Presidential
Library at College Station, Texas in 2014. As an archivist at
the Galveston & Texas History Center, Sean will provide
reference service, process collections, and assist with current digitization efforts. We are pleased to welcome Sean
McConnell to the Rosenberg Library.
Authors Signatures Enhance Texas History Book Collection
The Galveston and Texas History Center’s reference book
collection, which comprises approximately 14,000 volumes,
includes many works signed by authors. Their names are being recorded as a part of a comprehensive inventory of the
collection. Those authors with signed copies include:

James Frank Dobie (1888-1964), noted Texas folklorist
(John C. Duval, First Texas Man of Letters: His Life and
Some of His Unpublished Writing).

Grace Spaulding John (1890-1972), Galveston artist and
author of illustrated works of poetry (The Knotless Thread,
Drawings and Verses).

Douglas “Wrong Way” Corrigan (1907-1995), born in Galveston, an aviation mechanic and pilot who made his
name in 1938 by “accidentally” flying from New York to
Ireland when he should have flown to Long Beach, California (That’s My Story).

King Wallis Vidor (1894-1982), native of Galveston, famed
motion picture director and collaborator with David O.
Selznick (Films).

Ralph W. Yarborough (1903-1996), United States Senator
from Texas (1958-70) and liberal Texas Democrat (Frank
Dobie, Man and Friend).

Dorothy Bettencourt Elstrom (1914-1993), of Galveston,
named Poet Laureate of Texas, from Galveston
(Challenge to the Seasons).
Douglas “Wrong Way” Corrigan (1907-1995), born in Galveston, an aviation mechanic and pilot who made his
name in 1938 by “accidentally” flying from New York to
Ireland when he should have flown to Long Beach, California (That’s My Story).
Page 25
The 2016 Galveston Reads selection is The Circle, by Dave Eggers
The Circle is the exhilarating new novel from Dave Eggers, best-selling author of A Hologram
for the King, a finalist for the National Book Award. When Mae Holland is hired to work for The
Circle, the world's most powerful Internet company, she feels she's been given the opportunity
of a lifetime. The Circle, run out of a sprawling California campus, links users' personal emails,
social media, banking, and purchasing with their universal operating system, resulting in one
online identity and a new age of civility and transparency. As Mae tours the open-plan office
spaces, the towering glass dining facilities, the cozy dorms for those who spend nights at
work, she is thrilled with the company's modernity and activity. There are parties that last
through the night, there are famous musicians playing on the lawn, there are athletic activities
and clubs and brunches, and even an aquarium of rare fish retrieved from the Marianas
Trench by the CEO. Mae can't believe her luck, her great fortune to work for the most influential company in the world--even as life beyond the campus grows distant, even as a strange
encounter with a colleague leaves her shaken, even as her role at The Circle becomes increasingly public. What begins as the captivating story of one woman's ambition and idealism
soon becomes a heart-racing novel of suspense, raising questions about memory, history,
privacy, democracy, and the limits of human knowledge.
A Note About Galveston Reads
Galveston Reads, a popular volunteer-driven “One Community, One Book” program operating under the organizational umbrella of the Rosenberg Library, provides an opportunity for residents of all ages to participate in a unique communitywide
discussion by reading and sharing views about the same
book. In its 12th year, the Galveston Reads series promotes community involvement in Galveston County with a
wide range of events, activities, and thoughtful discussions.
Mainland volunteers are especially needed to host book
discussions and other programs related to the selection. If
you would like more information regarding partnership opportunities or alternative methods of volunteering, please
contact Idalia Avezuela, [email protected]
or (409) 763-8854, Ext. 137. Meeting attendance is not required to participate.
J. Frank Dobie Library Trust Award
The Dobie Awards are monetary awards given each spring to library applicants for the purchase of books only. The Award
Committee takes into consideration the degree of support that applicants receive from their communities. Therefore,
awards are made not only on the basis of need, but also on the extent to which community governments, library boards,
Friends organizations, and individuals have promoted and supported the library. Application is open to Texas public libraries which serve a population of 20,000 or less.
Mae Bruce Library staff received word on February 23rd that it was one of six libraries selected to receive a 2015 Dobie
Award. The amount of the award will be announced at the upcoming Texas Library Association (TLA) conference, being
held in Austin this April. What is the amount of the award? All staff knows is that “…the size of the award may be more than
some libraries are accustomed to spending on books in a year. Accordingly you may take up to two years to expend the
funds.”
Page 26
Thanks for Loving Your Library
In January and February Moore Memorial Public Library ran a loyalty card program called Love My Library. We wanted to celebrate the New Year by thanking all our patrons who love their library!
To participate in the program, patrons received a card
which they could get stamped for using various library
services, such as asking a reference question, using
library computers or checking out materials. Patrons
collected stamps in order to win prizes and be entered
into a drawing for a Kindle Fire. We were thrilled with
the enthusiastic response! We gave out over 130 prizes. To all the patrons who participated in the Love My
Library program, we would like to say, “Thanks, and we
love our patrons!”
Seniors Love Their Library
Moore Memorial Public Library had a special Love My Library program just for our patrons living in assisted living
facilities. Every senior program patron who filled out a Love
My Library reading log between the months of January and
February received a FREE large print book.
This program was part of our ongoing commitment to serving our patrons who can’t make it to the library. Every month
librarian Luke Alvey-Henderson and our Public Service Assistant, Kristina Garza, visit 5 senior citizen living centers
and the Nessler Center Senior Center Program. Programs
are designed to engage seniors with topics of interest, direct interaction, and short games. The goal is to provide
entertainment, information, and mental stimulation for patrons who can’t physically visit our building.
Blind Date with a Book
With Valentine's Day in mind, a staff member at Helen Hall Library in League City
curated and arranged an interactive "Blind Date with a Book" display for patrons.
Books are selected, wrapped with red paper, and include a very brief summary
on the front. Our patrons seem to really enjoy the intrigue of taking a chance on a
book without first seeing the cover! A small rectangle is cut from the paper to
show the library barcode allowing Circulation Clerks the ability to check the book
out to a patron without having to unwrap it. Once the library has fully implemented its RFID improvements, fun and interactive displays similar to this will be
much easier to put together.
Page 27
Hitchcock Public Library Programs
Fire Safety Program
Police Safety Program
Children learned about bike safety, stranger dangers and of course, enjoyed testing out the sirens on the police car.
Computer Lessons for Adults with Rose Howard
Hitchcock Public Library’s Basic Internet Instruction classes
started last November. Rose Howard, a retired teacher, volunteers her skills to help patrons learn the basics such as using a
mouse and keyboard, how to search the Internet and becoming
familiar with computer terminology. In February, Mrs. Howard
also started teaching the basics of Microsoft Word. Patrons are
learning how to set up a document, copy and paste and much
more. For class times or other information, please contact
Hitchcock Public Library at (409) 986-7814.
Left: Instructor Rose Howard, middle, is seen with several library
patrons during one of the computer instruction classes.
Fun “Frozen” Day at the Library
To kick off the New Year, Hitchcock Library hosted
a “Frozen” themed program. The characters from
“Frozen” - Ana, Elsa and Olaf - performed songs
and danced for the children. A photo prop area was
set up for the children to have their pictures taken
with Ana, Elsa and Olaf. Another area for pictures
had the ice mountain back drop with props of Christoff and Sven. For entertainment, the library had
stations set up for children to play “snowball toss”,
make a “snowflake”, and “build your own snowman”
using marshmallows, pretzels and candy. Children
and parents were served “Glacier Ice Punch”. This
fun family outing gave many parents and children,
who had never visited the library, a chance to see
just what the library has to offer.
2310 Sealy Street
Galveston, TX 77550
(409) 763-8854 x121
Online Genealogy Resources Available at Rosenberg Library
The Rosenberg Library offers a large number of free online databases covering a wide variety of interests and topics. One such database is HeritageQuest Online, which offers extensive genealogical
and historical resources for those looking to research their family history.
In addition to HeritageQuest, patrons now have access to Ancestry
Library Edition within the library. This new addition to the library’s
genealogical and historical offerings gives patrons full access to thousands of Census records, birth records, city directories, newspapers,
photos, local histories, and much more. Users can build family trees,
communicate with other members, access research guides, and save
documents for at-home access.
HeritageQuest and Ancestry can be accessed by visiting the library’s website, clicking on “All Online Databases” under the “eLibrary” tab, and selecting “HeritageQuest Online” or “Ancestry Library Edition” under the “History, Genealogy & Anthropology” tab.
With millions of records, easy to use interfaces, and in-depth learning
guides, genealogical research is easier than ever before.
For inquiries or assistance please contact the Reference Department
at (409) 763-8854 x115 or x116 or [email protected].

Galveston County Library System News

Transcription

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