Prost! We Found Our Sister Library in Düsseldorf, Germany
by Morgan, Marketing and Communications
I’d say a toast is in order.
Metro Library has secured a sister library partnership with the International English Library in Düsseldorf, Germany, and I for one feel like raising a glass to that. As someone who’s wanted for years to learn more about Deutschland, its people, its history and its culture, it couldn’t get much better than this.
Exhibit A: My home is filled with German language flashcards and textbooks from my German for traveling class at Francis Tuttle Technology Center...
Free Downloadable and the Benefits of Pretend Play
by Victoria, Marketing and Communications
Downloadable Designed by Reagan, Engagement Specialist at Ralph Ellison Library
Children love to pretend! My daughters are constantly mimicking the things I do. When I'm in the middle of cooking a meal, I'll sneak around the corner to get a glimpse of them in the playroom. And what are they doing? They are pretending to cook at their play kitchen of course! When they see me put on deodorant in the morning, they lift each arm and pretend to put on their own invisible deodorant.
While it’...
5 Ways to Become a Joy Harjo Superfan
by Victoria, Marketing and Communications
There is absolutely no question that Joy Harjo has captured our attention. Everything from the gracefully raw way that she leads our literary senses as the U.S. Poet Laureate to how she teaches us about real history and the historical experiences of Indigenous peoples that many of us did not learn in history class. Joy Harjo has a way of exposing our every emotion.
Maybe you’ve never read poetry and you’ve clicked on this article thinking, I can learn more about the US Poet Laureate and perhaps even start reading a little poetry....
Holy Bagumba! Flora and Ulysses Read Alikes
by Allie, Children's Librarian at Belle Isle Library
In the words of Flora, "HOLY BAGUMBA!" Flora and Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures by Kate DiCamillo will debut as a movie on Disney+ on February 19th. This laugh-out-loud story is filled with eccentric, endearing characters. The tale centers on Flora Belle Buckman, a self-described cynic, who saves a squirrel from a vacuum cleaner. In an unexpected occurrence, this squirrel (Ulysses) has been born anew, with powers of strength, flight, and misspelled poetry. These two go on an adventure to discover hope and what it ...
The Art of Quilting
by Jennifer, Adult Librarian at the Northwest Library
Most likely, ever since people realized they could make a “fabric sandwich” to keep warm, they also added personal, artistic touches to their quilted works. The earliest known written records describing quilts are nearly 1,000 years old, but scholars believe quilting in some form existed long before that. Quilting techniques have been used in garments as varied as soldiers’ armor and ladies’ petticoats, as well as in making window and bed coverings.
During Black History Month, as we take time to appre...
5 Reasons We Can’t Get Enough of Tochi Onyebuchi’s Books
When we booked our author for February 2021’s Author Visit, you’d have thought Metro Library System was about to welcome the Dalai Lama, the full cast of “Schitt’s Creek” or the teacher who created Bernie Sanders’ recycled wool mittens.
I detected reverence in our children’s services manager’s voice as she revealed who was slated to share their authoring insights in our big, monthly discussion, this time celebrating Black History Month.&nbs...
Finding a Toddler-Led Reading Rhythm
by Victoria, Marketing and CommunicationsIf you grew up reading, you probably have fond memories of a parent, caregiver, teacher or librarian who shared engaging storytime experiences with you. Or you may have developed a love of reading later in life that has become a meaningful part of your routine. Either way, avid readers who become parents are excited to begin reading to their baby or toddler.
I have vivid memories of my mom reading ...
Learn Something New
Tim, Central Information ServicesIt’s a new year. Some of us have made resolutions, and many of us have already broken them. To help you get back on track, we’re here with suggestions to learn something new this year and solutions for how we can help.
1. Learn a LanguageOur Mango Languages database has over 70 languages you can learn online and at your own pace. There are also English as a second language courses for speakers whose native language is not English and a variety of language learning courses designed j...
COVID-19 Vaccine Information
By Sarah, Downtown Library
It has been almost a year since COVID-19 hit our shores, and with it, changes have impacted us all. Since the beginning, Oklahoma has seen over 340,000 cases of the virus. To put that in perspective, that is the same number as almost the entire population of Tulsa or half the population of Oklahoma City. Nationally, there have been over 23 million positive cases, which is more than the entire population of Florida combined. While these numbers are stark, vaccines now offer us a new&...
Practice Healthier Living
By Jana, Downtown Library
It’s inevitable that after finishing off the last chocolate-covered marshmallow Santa, followed by a refreshing chaser of Dr Pepper, the average holiday reveler will glimpse him or herself in the bathroom mirror. The reflection doesn’t lie and those sweatpants only accentuate the truth. It’s time to make some New Year’s resolutions. Luckily your local library can help.
Are you ready to forgo processed sugar and pursue a healthy diet? Maybe you’re only willing to drive past the drive-thru a...
Why I Ditched Standard Resolutions This Year
By Victoria, Marketing & Communications
New Year’s resolutions can be tricky. It’s a balance between keeping them simple enough to not “fall off the wagon” after a week yet meaningful enough to appreciate and value the result.
I know the feeling of disappointment after a failed New Year’s resolution. After many failed attempts at various resolutions, I learned that in order to keep my resolutions, I need to keep them simple and realistic. ...
The Best of 2020: Metro Library Top Checkouts
If, in 2020, you were transported to the marshes of North Carolina while reading “Where the Crawdads Sing,” or if Michelle Obama walked you through how presidential pomp and circumstance affected her family …
You were in good company.
In fact, if you borrowed either of those materials from the Metropolitan Library System’s collection, you’ve joined the ranks of those who’ve contributed to our top checkouts of the year.
We compiled the top five checkouts in categories ranging from graphic novels to DVDs and adult nonfiction to see what our customers couldn’t get...
Banned Books Week 2020: Censorship is a Dead End
“Censorship is a dead end. Find your freedom to read!”September 27-October 3 we celebrate literature that pushed the envelope, including those authors who dared to address difficult topics, share real-life experiences through story and create other-worldly realms that tested our imagination.
Can you think of a book that was so powerful you felt like it was speaking to you directly? Can you think of a book that made you look at the world in a new way? Can you think of a book that immersed you in another world so deeply that for a moment you believed the impossible was possible?...
“Crip Camp” Reading List
“Crip Camp” is a newly released documentary on the history of the disability rights movement. The viewer is introduced to a captivating group of activists from all walks of life who met at a summer camp in the 70s named Camp Jened. They went on to become influential actors in the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. I finished “Crip Camp” eager to read more of their stories. I was excited to learn Judy Heumann, one of the activists profiled, released a memoir this year. This list also includes biographies, memoirs, and essays of people with disabilities, along with so...
Votes for Women
August is National Women’s Suffrage Month and this year marks the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment to the United States Constitution. While the ratification of the 19th amendment dramatically changed and expanded the electorate, it did not usher in universal voting rights for all. Even after the 19th amendment was ratified on August 18, 1920 and certified official on August 26, 1920, millions of women of color remained disenfranchised and unable to vote.
The books, films, podcasts, and websites below highlight the important, yet often overlooked, stories of...