Weekly Journal Review columns

12/31 | Reading program will warm you

As we reflect on 2020 — where do we begin? Let’s get the elephant in the world out of the way: first and foremost -— COVID-19. Yes, it has changed us forever. It has brought us sickness, heartache, loneliness, fear and masks. Yet, in the midst of it all, it has brought compassion, helpfulness and thankfulness.

This article is not long enough to thank all the people and organizations that donated to the library this year. If we need pizza, it’s given. If we need donuts, they’re given. If we need prizes or items for programs, they’re given. If we need masks, they’re given. We want to take this opportunity to say “thank you” to all who have donated to us this past year.

We also want to thank our patrons. We thank you for your patience and understanding during the curbside pick-up and the grab-and-go phases. We thank you for the encouragement you give us for “changing with the times.” We have great patrons at CDPL.

Now on to 2021 — where do we begin?

Let’s begin with adult activities. The Adult Winter Reading Program “Warm Winter Wishes,” began Dec. 26 and runs through Jan. 30. You may pick up a paper copy of the program or sign up online at cdpl.readsquared.com. There are weekly drawings for small prizes and a final prize. Please check our webpage (cdpl.lib.in.us), Facebook or Instagram for other live and recorded programs offered throughout the month.

The teens (ages 13-18) will have a reading challenge every month. The Teen Winter Reading Program going on now through Jan. 30 consists of a Bingo card with several small challenges in each square. You can pick up a card at the library by calling us at 765)-362-2242, ext.2, or if you prefer, email us at children@cdpl.lib.in.us and we’ll send one right out to you. There will be a new challenge each month starting in February. You can come get a challenge card each month, read and earn prizes. Don’t forget to check out our Instagram page (instagram.com/cdpl_teens).

Right now the Winter Reading Program is going on for children as well. We have a winter animal chart for children to record their time. We have charts available to pick up at the library or we can send you one via email.  Call us at 765-362-2242, ext. 2, or email at children@cdpl.lib.in.us and we’ll get a chart sent out to you. Children read an amount of time (or adults read to preschoolers) in order to earn their prizes. Starting Jan. 4 we will have a packet program for the children every month. This is geared for ages 3-12. Each month we will be recording stories and sending them out via email. There will be an activity for each story. The items for the stories will be in a packet that may be picked up anytime from the youth services desk, just give us a call or email us and we will have them ready for you. Also, there will be a take and make craft available the first and third week of each month (while supplies last); you can pick up the craft, and take it home to make.

We hope many of you will take some time to enjoy some books this January during the Winter Reading Program and you’ll join us for one of the many programs mentioned.

We know our world won’t change instantly once 2021 arrives, but we have hope that easier times are coming. We wish all of you a Happy New Year.

Karen Record is the department head in Youth Services at the Crawfordsville District Public Library.

12/17 | Winter Solstice Celebrations abound

Happy Yule! Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah! Happy Kwanza! Feliz Navidad! Joyeux Noel! Merry Midwinter! These are just a few of the names we use to refer to this time of year; a time when we celebrate the importance of the season. Whether it is a religious or spiritual holiday that celebrates the guiding star and the birth of Christ, a traditional feast honoring midwinter, or simply recognizing the beauty of the earth in all her seasons, these are all reasons to give thanks and be humbled by our blessings.

Different cultures express the season in similar ways, both historically and in our present day. In olden days, pagans heralded the changing from the dark half of the year (winter) to the light half of the year (summer) as it is reflected in the seasons and the elements influencing abundance from the land. Many celebrations still take place during the last days of December and the welcome the beginning of a new year. The Hopi Native Americans of Arizona celebrate Soyal, the coming of the light of the Peaceful Ones; Hindu practice Diwali, the Festival of Lights, a victory of light over dark; Jewish tradition celebrates the lighting of the menorah; Kwanzaa is a celebration of African American culture; and Christians celebrate Christmas.

Many people who celebrate any of these reasons for the season partake in good food and spirits, community volunteering and assistance, decorating, gift giving, caroling, sledding, snow angels or even enjoying the winter scenery on a snowshoe hike.

Crawfordsville District Public Library has a multitude of books on various holiday activities, such as cooking, ornament crafting, decorating ideas, garland and wreath making resources, homemade gift ideas, like sweaters, socks and stockings, even songbooks on caroling and playing Christmas music on the piano or guitar (check out our Christmas Collection). We’ve got you covered on winter how-to projects to help you celebrate in any and all the ways you do.

Or, if you are interested in starting a new holiday tradition, we have a plethora of reference books on winter bird identification (please visit our second floor display for all your birding needs). Birding is much easier in winter, as there are few leaves to obscure your view. You may catch a glimpse of the bald eagles along Sugar Creek, or the bright red cardinals against the winter evergreens. So, embrace a new winter solstice tradition and let’s all look forward to CDPL’s Winter Reading for all ages, starting on Dec. 26. There are so many good books to be thankful for …

Simply recognizing what we are grateful for is enough reason to celebrate this time of year. Giving thanks, rejoicing, and looking to brighter days. Happy Holidays to all of you and yours from your library family.

Stephanie Morrissette is a library assistant at the Reference and Local History Department.

12/10 | Oh hail, bravado and brawn

When my niece was seven-years-old, like many kids with older siblings, she was an unwilling participant in a fray or two. Her older sister was taller, stronger and bossier. My niece knew she could not win before the battles began, but nonetheless, she embraced her inner warrior. She would give a long, blood-curdling scream, run towards her sister and leap upon her. She would attach herself like a spider monkey and was not above biting or pulling hair to even the playing field. I greatly admire her bravado, and it reminds me of the Kentuckians entering into the River Raisin battle in the War of 1812. The Kentuckians were unimpressed by British efforts and their cannon maneuvers as they fought in the first battle at Frenchtown in Michigan Territory. As described by Ralph Naveaux in his book Invaded on all Sides, the Kentucky militia “continued their forward rush, raising a Kentucky yell. Some of them crowed like roosters, others barked like dogs, and yet others called out ‘Fire away with your mouse cannon again!’” As they fought fiercely employing their boldness and brawn, they were often described as being half horse and half alligator, and they were not above gouging and biting.

Our own Montgomery County hero William E. Bratton was one of those Kentucky soldiers fighting at Frenchtown that day. He was a private in Company B of the 1st Rifle Regiment of the Kentucky militia. He was a strong and hardy soldier, and most importantly experienced. His mettle had already been tested during the Lewis & Clark Expedition eight years before. Though William’s service was impressive, he was not the only soldier in his family. His brother Archibald Bratton, my six times great grandfather, also served as a private in the War of 1812 in Alexander Stuart’s company in the 3rd Regiment of the Kentucky militia. Likewise, their brother Adam Bratton served in George Baltzell’s company in the 10th Regiment of the Kentucky Mounted Volunteer Militia. This regiment participated in the Battle of the Thames. Finally, their brother George was in Captain Thomas Sterrett’s company in the 14th Regiment of the Kentucky militia that stood with General Andrew Jackson in the Battle of New Orleans. Additionally, although their eldest brother Robert did not serve in the War of 1812, he served previously as a private in the Kentucky militia in 1794 defending the frontier from Native American forces. Their father George Bratton and grandfather Robert Bratton also served their country in Virginia.

As a proud Bratton descendant, I will honor both Archibald and William Bratton by placing a wreath on their gravestones at the Old Pioneer Cemetery in Waynetown on December 19, 2020 as part of the Wreaths Across America program. The national movement is a coordinated effort with a three-part mission — to remember American veterans, to honor those who have served, and to educate others about the value of freedom. More information about Wreaths Across America is available at wreathsacrossamerica.org. (Feel free to join me at The Old Pioneer Cemetery in Waynetown at 10 a.m. Dec. 19, but brace yourself as William Bratton’s gravestone and monument recently tangled with a car. Yes, a car, but I will proceed undaunted).

If you are interested in discovering if any of your ancestors fought in a war or if you know they did but want more information, visit the Reference and Local History Department of the Crawfordsville District Public Library and make an appointment with our Local History Specialist, Dellie Craig. You may also call us at 765-362-2242, ext. 117 or email us at ref@cdpl.lib.in.us to make reservations or for assistance with your Reference and Local History needs. Using a library computer, you can search for your ancestor in the Fold 3 military database. The database is free to use by all library patrons. If you are lucky, you will find that you are a little bit horse and a little bit alligator … like my niece and me.

Amie Cox is a local history specialist.

12/3 | Check out CDPL’s Christmas collections

Well, we’re quickly coming up on the “most wonderful time of the year” yet again! As we begin to welcome in this year’s holiday season at the library, two of our special collections come back to the forefront in displays and circulation popularity: our Christmas collections.

Did you know that we have a specific collection of all adult Christmas materials? We do. Though it is always more popular this time of year, any and all materials from this collection are always available to check out any time, year round. The collection is kept on the second floor in its own nook of shelves, between the adult regular print fiction and the adult large print fiction areas. However, this collection is not just limited to fiction. It includes adult fiction books (of both print sizes) that follow a Christmas theme, and all adult nonfiction Christmas materials as well. This means that this collection is where you can also find all of your nonfiction resources for the holiday — from history, culture, and biographies, to holiday crafts and baking.

Our adult Christmas collection is not limited to print materials; it includes audiobooks, CDs, and DVDs — all pertaining to the spirit of the season. Many of our Christmas books are available in CD audiobook format as well as in print, for those of us who like to listen to books and physically read them. For holiday tunes, our music CDs include but are not limited to classical (celtic, symphonies), country (Lonestar, Reba McEntire), classic (Bing Crosby, Elvis Presley) and contemporary artists (Pentatonix, Michael Buble). Our Christmas DVDs in this collection include both nonfiction and fiction films, and they also range from the classics (“Miracle on 34th Street” and “It’s a Wonderful Life”) to current favorites (“Last Christmas” and “Christmas Jars”).

If you have little ones, or are young at heart yourself, our Youth Services Department has a separate Christmas collection for children. Like the adult collection, the children’s Christmas materials are also in their own area of that department on our first floor, and are available to browse and checkout year round. This collection features books for all ages and reading levels, from board books to middle grade. Along with books, this area also includes children’s Christmas DVDs, ranging from the classic traditional (“Rudolf,” “Frosty the Snowman” and “Charlie Brown Christmas”) to newer films (“Dora’s Christmas” and “Thomas & Friends: Christmas Engines”).

Whether you’re looking for some music for your holiday soundtrack, wanting to borrow those old movies your family watches every year, looking forward to reading or listening to a seasonal book, or even trying to find new recipes or traditions, CDPL’s Christmas collections is a great place to start. Check us out at www.cdpl.lib.in.us or give us a call at 765-362-2242, we’d be happy to help you find some holiday fun.

Rachel Dilts is a professional assistant in Circulation at the Crawfordsville District Public Library.

11/19 | Come Check Some YA Magic at CDPL

2020 has been a strange year that has required sacrifices in the name of social distancing and public safety. Many have curbed their restlessness and desire to participate in gatherings by engaging in outdoor activities, such as hiking. The change in season, which has brought chillier weather and shorter days, has inevitably lessened the inclination to leave the comfort offered by staying inside. Fortunately, as all booklovers know, autumn is the best season for reading. Putting on your coziest sweater, curling up under a blanket, and reading a great book is a simple pleasure that we all can relish in.

We’re halfway through November, but there is still plenty of time to visit the Crawfordsville District Public Library and check out our YA display. The decorations, books, and bookmarks (which are free) change monthly to reflect the chosen theme. This month, we are showcasing books that can bring a little bit of magic into our daily lives. Influenced by our love for Harry Potter, we’ve selected titles that have the ability to sweep you off to magical realms and realities. We’ve included classic reads like “So You Want to Be a Wizard” (YA FIC Dua v.1) by Diane Duane. It’s a 1983 fantasy novel that follows thirteen-year-old Nita Callahan who finds a book on wizardry and is catapulted into an alternate New York. Nita, with the help of another young wizard in training, must find and retrieve a magical book that has been stolen. 

The display also includes modern favorites such as, “Carry On” (YA FIC Row) by Rainbow Rowell. Of all the books we are highlighting this month, “Carry On” is the most similar to Harry Potter, at least in terms of plot. It follows Simon Snow, an orphaned magician who is also the chosen one. Simon is tasked with defeating the darkness that is plaguing the magic world. While having a front row seat to Simon’s constant missteps and clumsy heroism is un-endingly interesting, the real intrigue and draw lies in his relationship with his roommate Baz, who also happens to be his sworn enemy. 

These are just a couple of examples of the types of titles that can be found on the YA display this month. If you aren’t in the mood for a magical adventure, you can peruse the YA shelves in search of your next read. Of course, if you want to circumvent the usual dance of judging a book by its cover, which I admittedly do often, you can try out the recently added book suggestion jar (located next to the new YA books). 

Follow us on Instagram @cdpl_teens to stay up to date on our monthly displays, book highlights, reading challenges, and more!

Madison Carnes is a Youth Services Librarian Assistant at CDPL

11/12 | Plenty of November happenings fuond at CDPL

“It was November — the month of crimson sunsets, parting birds, deep sad hymns of the sea, passionate wind-songs in the pines.” — L M Montgomery

November also brings new activities to CDPL. Be sure to join Ms. Linda for another quick art tutorial for adults on basic drawing techniques: “Oh, Yes You Can!,” is on Facebook on Nov. 14 (video recording).

Also, join us on Facebook live at 6 p.m. Nov. 17 for a quick evening class to get you started with some simple festive card-making techniques. You must register online or at the second floor reference desk to receive a take-home kit.

At 6:30 p.m. Nov 23, Emma Lashley will present “Native Americans of Indiana” as we celebrate Native American Heritage Month. Join her Facebook live to learn the history of the indigenous peoples who historically lived in the region now known as Indiana.

This month, for YarnWorks 101 we’re learning to crochet and knit scarves. Register for a take-home kit and join Megan and Cheryl on Facebook live at 6 p.m. Nov. 30 (knitting) and 7 p.m. (crochet) for some fun and create your first homemade Christmas gift.

Next, books, books and more books … Also DVDs, music CDs and other great seasonal materials for you to check out:

In preparation for the holiday season a large print book display is available on the first floor to make it easy for patrons to check out the newest books from our Christmas collection. Also available on the first floor at Circulation is the “November Staff Picks” display with items selected by your CDPL staff members, as well as a small display highlighting the newest Christmas music and paperback books. The Christmas movies have also been moved to a special location at the first floor DVD section.

Finally, I would like to highlight a few of the recent arrivals to the NEW Large Print section available on the first floor.

Mystery Writers of America presents “Deadly Anniversaries,” edited by Marcia Muller and Bill Pronzini (NEW LP FIC DEA). This collection of stories from crime fiction’s top authors includes selections from Sue Grafton, Lee Child, William Kent Krueger and many others.

The suspense thriller “The Sea of Lost Girls” by Carol Goodman (NEW LP FIC GOO) proves that not all skeletons will stay locked in the closet.

In “Migrations” by Charlotte McConaghy (NEW LP FIC MCCON) Franny Stone travels to Greenland to escape her past and track the final migration of Artic terns.

“Unyielding Hope” is the newest book from bestselling Christian author Janette Oke and her daughter Laurel Oke Logan (NEW LP FIC OKE v.1). In this novel, Lillian Walsh struggles to understand why God would allow her to lose so much after the passing of her birth parents and her adoptive mother. Then she is shocked to discover she has inherited a small estate and joins her birth sister, Grace, on an adventure that will change them both.

A novel on Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis, “And They Called It Camelot” by Stephanie Marie Thornton (NEW LP FIC THO) shows us how Jackie picked up the ruined fragments of her life and forged herself into a new identity that is all her own.

A few more items of interest in the NEW Large Print section are: “The Lost and Found Bookshop” by Susan Wiggs (NEW LP FIC WIG); “American Spy” by Lauren Wilkinson (NEW LP FIC WIL); “Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs: Big questions from tiny mortals about death” by Caitlin Doughty (NEW LP 306.9 DOU); and “The Lincoln Conspiracy” by Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch (NEW LP 973.7092 MEL). These are acclaimed books we also own on regular print.

At CDPL we are thankful for your continuous support to our services and programs. If you have questions or need assistance in deciding what to read, watch or listen to this Holiday Season, email us at ref@cdpl.lib.in.us, call us at 765-362-2242,ext. 117, or stop by at the Circulation (first floor) or Reference (second floor) desk. We will be happy to help.

10/29 | New YA books arrive at CDPL

Next time you visit the Crawfordsville District Public Library, I recommend browsing the Young Adult shelves for exciting new releases to curl up with as the weather cools. Although these books are labeled “young adult,” the stories within cover diverse genres, topics, and themes for teen and adult readers alike. Our “New YA” shelf is constantly expanding to include new titles. To get you started crafting your “to be read” list, I would love to share a few recent additions with you. I think you’ll quickly find that YA truly offers something for everyone!

October is nearly over, but we don’t have to bid “spooky season” farewell just yet. CDPL’s YA shelves are filled with thrillers to keep your heart thumping and your fingers flipping pages. For example, Astrid Scholte’s “The Vanishing Deep” (YA FIC Sch) blends the fantasy and thriller genres with a bone-chilling murder mystery set in a world of water.

If you would rather brighten these chilly evenings with humor and adventure, you might try Rick Riordan’s “The Trials of Apollo” series, a companion to the wildly popular “Percy Jackson and the Olympians.” The newest installment, “The Tower of Nero” (YA FIC Rio v. 5), recently arrived at CDPL. Another new arrival, Iva-Marie Palmer’s “Gimme Everything You Got” (YA FIC Pal), will transport you back in time to the 70s for a hilarious, lighthearted romance. Sandhya Menon’s “Of Curses and Kisses” (YA FIC Men) will appeal to fans of fairy tales with a modern twist on “Beauty and the Beast” set in a boarding school.

YA also covers more serious, topical issues that could spark a lively book club discussion. In Carrie S. Allen’s “Michigan vs. the Boys” (YA FIC All), a female hockey player must endure the hazing and harassment that comes with joining an all-boys team at her high school. “Dig,” a Printz Award winner by A.S. King (YA FIC Kin), follows a group of cousins dealing with poverty, grief, and prejudice.

Our YA graphic novel shelf is brimming with new additions as well. Anime fans might enjoy delving into “Ouran High School Host Club” (YA FIC Hat) and “My Hero Academia: School Briefs” (YA FIC Hor). “This Place: 150 Years Retold” (YA FIC Thi) is an anthology of stories by a group of Indigenous creators, featuring a breathtaking variety of artwork.

You can find these new arrivals and many more in the YA section in the Youth Services department at CDPL. While there, please browse our monthly YA display for even more recommendations (and free bookmarks). YA book highlights, updates on teen programming, reading challenges and more are posted regularly on Instagram @cdpl_teens. You are always welcome to stop by the Youth Services Desk and let us know which books you or your teen are enjoying — we would love to hear from you!

Noel Marquis is a Youth Services Librarian Assistant at CDPL.

10/22 | Death can be a little scary

It’s starting to be that season. Scary decorations have appeared all over town, children (and adults) are preparing their costumes, and ghost stories are being swapped, as we prepare to celebrate what is, in my opinion, one of the greatest holidays of the year. To help you get into the spirit of the Halloween season, I would like to suggest three books about death. Now, don’t stop reading. I know it sounds morbid, but death can actually be a fascinating and funny thing to read about, and when better to curl up with a few books about dead bodies than in October?

The three books I would like to suggest to you today are written by Caitlin Doughty. She is a New York Times best-selling author, blogger, YouTube personality, and happens to be a mortician who owns her own funeral home. She has written three fantastic books and all focus on death and dying from a unique perspective and described in a surprisingly humorous way.

Doughty’s first book is called “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes and Other Lessons from the Crematory” (921 Doughty, C). It is part memoir, explaining how a young woman started working in the funeral industry, and part behind-the-scenes look at how the American funeral industry works. It is a genuinely funny book, and you’ll learn an incredible amount from it.

Doughty’s second book is “From Here to Eternity: Traveling the World to Find the Good Death” (363.75 Dou). In this book she recounts her travels all over the planet, during which she looked at how different cultures deal with death and care for their dead. Every page teaches you something new and fascinating about life and death around the world. For example, in Japan there are now high-tech cemetery buildings where family members can swipe a card to light up the specific compartment where the ashes of their loved one are contained, and in Indonesia, the bodies of the deceased are kept in their family’s house for many months after they pass away and treated as if they are a present member of the family. Fascinating customs like these and many others are described in this book in a way that is both detailed and reverent without being morbid. From Here to Eternity was a New York Times best seller and one of my favorite books; you won’t regret picking it up during this spooky season.

The most recent of Doughty’s books is “Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs? Big Questions from Tiny Mortals About Death” (306.9 Dou). After writing her first two books and producing death-related content on YouTube, she has become something of a celebrity and often gives talks about death. Over the years she has been asked many interesting questions by her audiences. Doughty claims that the best questions come from children who are “braver and often more perceptive than the adults” and not “shy about guts and gore.” So in this book she has collected and answered all the best questions children have asked her about death. So if you’ve ever wondered: What would happen to an astronaut body in space? What do dead bodies smell like? Can I be buried with my pet? Can I keep a family member’s skull after they die? Or other similar questions, this book is for you. Doughty answers the questions in a straight-forward, humorous way that makes it almost reminiscent of a children’s book, and it even includes illustrations which add to the childlike sense. In many ways this book could be a good read for a younger audience as it teaches a lot of science, explaining things like: how decomposition works, how animals became trapped in amber, and how different parts of the body work. However, just like the young audience who inspired the book, she is not “shy about guts and gore.” So it may be a book parents want to skim first before handing over to their child. This book has the potential to be an engrossing read for people of all ages who have ever had questions about death that they were too afraid to ask.

I hope as you prepare for this spooky holiday season, in addition to your usual scary stories about ghosts, zombies and skeletons, you will consider reading one of Doughty’s books which strive to make death a little less spooky.

Emma Lashley is a library assistant at the reference and local history department at the Crawfordsville
District Public Library.

10/15 | Fall Happenings at the CDPL

Fall has arrived at the Crawfordsville District Public Library and with it comes different activities to check out. Scope out the CDPL website or follow the library on social media to stay tuned and register for October online programming such as “Oh, Yes You Can — Intro to Art for Adults,” “Introduction to Mindfulness,” “DIY Apothecary Jars” and the “Indiana Owls” nature program. Register to pick up a kit for the October Yarnworks project and knit or crochet little pumpkins. Stop at the reference desk to take a look at the final product and pick up a knitting and/or crochet kit.

Also, come in and learn about our local candidates on the voting information display right when you enter the library, and while you’re here, take a look at the our monthly items displays. On the first floor you will find the large print (LP) “Fall Into a Good Book” display; the fall paperback display; a “Spooky Shows” display at the DVD section; and my personal favorite, the “Staff Picks” display. The “October Staff Picks” display has an autumn/spooky theme for Halloween, so it is a good place to stop and stock up on fall shows and reading material.

We’ve included some award winning titles in our monthly selections. Shelbi recommends a 2020 Newbery Honor recipient “Scary Stories for Young Foxes” by Christian McKay Heidicker (YA FIC Hei).

Next, we have a genre-crossing selection — Is this Young Hoosier Book Nominee a mystery? A fairy tale? A horror thriller? Checkout Rachel’s pick “Small Spaces” by Katherine Arden (j FIC Ard) to find out.

I also recommend another Young Hoosier Book Nominee “City of Ghosts” by Victoria Schwab (j FIC Schw) a spooky, action-packed tale of hauntings, history, mystery, and the bond between friends.

There are plenty of other creepy reads and shows available on the staff picks display. Christie recommends “Twelve Nights at Rotter House” by J. W. Ocker (FIC Ock). She says this isn’t your classic haunted house story and it will keep you guessing until the very end!

If, like myself, you don’t really care for the horror/ thriller genre, there are many other subject matters available on the staff picks display. Rachel recommends “Pumpkin Heads” by Rainbow Rowell (YA FIC Row). This feel good fall romance is in a very easy to read graphic novel format.

Fall cookbooks are also on display and are available for checkout. If the cooler temperature has you thinking about fall foods, Montica’s pick “Soups Stews & Chilis” (641.813 Sou) with 200 foolproof recipes won’t let you down. Plus, her second recommendation, “Pumpkin: A Super Food for All 12 Months of the Year” by DeeDee Stovel (641.6 Sto) should satisfy all your pumpkin flavored cravings.

While you are here don’t miss the annual Art League exhibit now on display in the library’s own Mary Bishop Art Gallery. Come in and view this outstanding show now through Nov. 30.

Want to know more? Visit us on Facebook and/or Instagram or go to our website at www.cdpl.lib.in.us. Questions or comments? Call us at 765-362-2242 (ext. 117 for reference) or email us at ref@cdpl.lib.in.us

Dawn Bonebrake, Assistant Manager in the Circulation Department, contributed this week’s column.

10/8 |  Library a gateway to the arts

October is National Arts and Humanities month — a celebration nearly 30 years running sponsored by Americans for the Arts. Sadly, COVIDtide hampers how I might normally celebrate this month: a visit to the Hilbert Circle Theatre to delight in the sounds of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra (whose entire classical season, which was set to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth, has been cancelled) or a play at our very own Vanity Theatre or a simulcast production from the Metropolitan Opera in New York from the comfort of Lafayette’s Eastside 10.

I would be remiss if I didn’t point out that opportunities to delight your eyes still abound locally and otherwise. The Athens Art Gallery has regular hours, and Newfields (the erstwhile Indianapolis Museum of Art) has also opened its doors again.

But happily, while many stages are dark and concert halls silent throughout much of the state and nation, your library is here to help you enjoy the fruits of humanity’s aurally artistic endeavors.

Our DVD collection contains recordings of some of the finest performances across many different genres. Consider taking in an opera. The library has recordings and film adaptations of Bizet’s Carmen (DVD 782.1 Car), Verdi’s Aida (DVD 782.1 Aid), Mozart’s The Magic Flute (DVD 782.1 Mag), and one of my personal favorites, Don Giovanni (DVD 782.1 Don) about a philandering nobleman who, when offered the chance to repent of his rakish ways, (spoiler alert) remains intransigent and is dragged down to Hell by by a cadre of demons. It is widely regarded as Mozart’s finest opera and a masterpiece in the genre.

Maybe classical music isn’t something to which you’ve had much exposure. The library can also give you the tools to understand musical traditions with which you might be unfamiliar. Check out our Great Courses offerings How to Listen to and Understand Great Music (DVD 780.9 How) or Understanding the Fundamentals of Music (DVD 781.1 Gre).

Fully acknowledging that opera isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, perhaps you’d be interested in a concert. We have offerings ranging from classical with Handel’s Messiah (DVD 782.23 Han) to modern musical theater with Les Miserables (DVD 782.1 Les) to some contemporary(ish) music with Eagles Farewell Tour (DVD 781.66 Eag). We’re also bolstering our ballet collection — so consider snapping up The Nutcracker as we pirouette towards winter.

To close, let’s not forget that the library has resources to help you produce music (and other art) as well. We have scads of sheet music. Whether you’re a vocalist (782) or strum the guitar (787.87) or tickle the ivories (786.2), come and check out shelves and shelves and shelves dedicated to helping you create music now in this artistic Lent of COVIDtide and into the future when we’ll (communally) delight in humanity’s artistry once again.

Questions or comments? You may contact us at ref@cdpl.lib.in.us or call us at 765-362-2242. We are here to assist you in finding the best materials in our collection to educate and delight our patrons.

Paul Utterback is a reference and local history library assistant at the Crawfordsville District Public Library.

10/1 | Spooky reads: Let the season begin

Throw on a fuzzy sweater, light a candle, and let us gather round and be thankful that the season of spookiness has finally arrived. If you’re at all like me (and other staff members at Crawfordsville District Public Library), then I hope the month of October and seasonal activities at the library will act as a cooling balm on your frazzled soul and provide you a brief respite from the chaos of 2020.

As always, we’ll be hosting displays throughout the building this month highlighting reads and watches to scare the jenkins out of yourself with. Come up to the second floor where you can browse our display stuffed full of a diverse selection of eerie, ghastly, and downright disturbing reads for Halloween (both chilling classics and modern nightmares) that will keep you busy reading all season long. Know a teen who loves all things horror? Encourage them to drop by the YA section to check out some seriously scary new book releases (like the new teen title “Clown in a Cornfield” by Adam Cesare). And, of course, we’ve been beefing up our selection of scary movies and tv shows all year long, so block out some time to browse our selection of horror on DVD.

Some people might theorize (“some people” being me) that the year so far has already been sufficiently traumatic and horrifying for all of us living through it, and that the phobias that might normally leave you covered with goosebumps just don’t hold the same edge of menace. If you’re nodding with me in agreement, and mourning the loss of our beloved Halloween season to the monster that is 2020, fret not — there’s still hope that you can get well and truly spooked with a good book. My remedy to this problem has been to seek out #OwnVoices horror fiction and to bask in the talented world-building of authors whose writing is rooted firmly in real-world acts of horror like violence against marginalized identities, exclusion and casting out of those who are “different,” and the many cruelties that humans perpetuate against others in day-to-day society.

If that sounds like something up your alley, and the kind of thing you’re in the appropriate mental space for, a classic that you won’t want to miss this year is “Kindred” by Octavia Butler, and you can enjoy it in both regular print (FIC But) and graphic novel format (GN FIC Kin). Content warning in this tale for depictions of violence, sexual assault and chattel slavery. Perhaps you’re already familiar with the talented Ms. Butler? For another #OwnVoices experience, try “The Only Good Indians” by Stephen Graham Jones (NEW FIC Jon); a Native American author, Jones is a genius modern horror and sci-fi writer who often incorporates elements of his Blackfeet heritage in his work, so be aware of content warnings for race-based violence and some gore in this one.

If you’re looking for something a little more removed from reality, where best to look that in the realm of Weird Fiction? Check out the summaries for “The Ballad of Black Tom” by Victor Lavalle (FIC Lav), “Hammers on Bone” by Cassandra Khaw (FIC Kha), and “Agents of Dreamland” by Caitlin Kiernan (FIC Kie) for an updated and inclusive approach to Lovecraftian horror (and then explore the works of all three authors, each of them has excellent works in a similar vein).

Finally, nonfiction readers, I see you out there. An excellent title to have on your radar this month is “Monster, She Wrote: The Women Who Pioneered Horror and Speculative” by Lisa Kröger (809.9164 Kro). In it, you’ll be introduced to a sprawling list of women writers whom you simply MUST take time to acquaint yourself with–this book is a real treasure trove of underappreciated works for horror fans.

Stop by CDPL and take advantage of these and many more items that will keep you your Halloween mood going this month of October. Questions? Contact us at ref@cdpl.lib.in.us or give us a call at 765-362-2242, ext. 117, for the reference desk.

Shelbi Hoover, reference and local history assistant, contributed this week’s Preview Shelf column.

9/24 | Learning with your child at home

My name is Megan and I am a parent of little ones (6, 4 and 2). The pandemic changed our lives in a shocking way, both good and bad, as I am sure it was with many or most other parents. Since my oldest had only been in school for six weeks I quickly had to adjust our entire daily routine to support her education and make sure she did not lose any of the ground she had gained. We started in the morning with computer work because that was her favorite and she could get excited about schoolwork that way. We did writing after lunch because she did not enjoy that, but at least she was feeling fresh and well-fed.

Maybe you have chosen to keep your children home this fall because you are not ready to send them back or perhaps you always wanted to try homeschooling and now it seemed like a prime opportunity. In either case I applaud you. Below you will find some useful resources available at the Crawfordsville District Public Library to help you communicate with your child and develop routines that support everyone’s sanity.

Remember, sunlight is important in many ways. “Chasing the Sun” by Linda Geddes (551.5 Ged) and “Sunny Weather Days” by Pam Rosenberg (j 551.5271 Ros) offer wonderful guidelines on how to get the most of natural light into your child’s life. For instance, make getting outside for at least a couple hours a top priority. Children tend to focus best in the morning, though not all of them, so pay attention to your child’s rhythms. Perhaps outdoor discovery would be best in the afternoon after a hard-hitting morning of work; that way the entire family can look forward to it. Look for bugs and animals, look at the different plants, even teach your kids good walking etiquette and safety near roads and around other people. Then come visit the library to find some books about what you discovered. This is a great way to teach your children how to use other resources besides Google. “On Beyond Bugs!” by Tish Rabe (j 595.7) Rab and “How Do Dinosaurs Stay Safe” by Jane Yolan (j E Yol) are wonderful companions for these activities.

Next, remember that what they are eating is important. Teach them why you put each food on their plate. For example: The bologna on your plate gives you protein so your muscles will grow big and you will have energy to learn and play. The fruit is so yummy and makes your body strong to fight off sicknesses. Veggies are good in many ways, they help eyes to see and hair to grow. Check out “Vegetables in Underwear” by Jared Chapman (available on hoopla and Libby) and “The Fantastic Fruit Group” by Marcie Aboff (j 641.34 Abo) for more ideas on how to make meals healthy and fun.

Finally, work mindfulness into your day. This is a buzzword and many people do not understand how well it can impact children, particularly in dealing with their emotions. I recommend the “Cosmic Kids Yoga” on YouTube. Also, read books about emotions and how to deal with them. “F is For Feelings” by Golden Melanie Millar (j 152.4 Mil) and “I am Peace” by Susan Verde (“On Order”) are good resources to read with your child. And don’t forget — read books for you as well. “How to talk so kids will Listen & Listen so kids will talk” is a great start to understand the role of communication in shaping your child’s behavior. Children are dealing with the stress of this virus too. Remember to listen and demonstrate patience and don’t be afraid to say sorry.

If you cannot find the books in our physical collection or you would rather not bring the kids to the library, check out our online “Econtent” from our website. There are children’s titles on both Libby and Hoopla. Also, stream children’s educational shows on Kanopy. If you are interested in titles we currently do not have in our collection, make a suggestion and we will take it into consideration. You may contact us by email at ref@cdpl.lib.in.us or by phone at 765-362-2242 with your questions. If you’d like to suggest materials for the collection, you may also use our online form at http://www.cdpl.lib.in.us/contact/purchase/ Hope to hear from you soon.

Megan Noggle is a reference library assistant.

9/10 | September staff picks now available at CDPL

We are ushering in fall at the library with new book displays. Take a look at the “Fall into a great book” large print book display found on the first floor as well as the banned book display at Youth Services.

September staff picks are getting checked out at a rapid rate. But you can still have a hold placed just for you on any item that is currently out. When the item has been returned, library staff will contact you by phone, email or text message. Newer items available on the September staff picks display are “Shine” by JJ and Chris Grabenstein (j FIC Gra), a new middle school j fiction book recommended by Miss Karen; “Only Mostly Devastated” by Sophie Gonzales (YA FIC Gon) is a new young adult romance recommended by Madi; and Circulation’s newest staff member, Mary, recommends the new fiction book “Sunrise on Half Moon Bay” by Robyn Carr (FIC Car), available in regular and large print format.

September is also National Library Card Sign-up Month and we have staff picks to honor our library as well. I recommend “Mr. Putter & Tabby Turn the Page” by Cynthia Rylant & Arthur Howard (j BEG Ryl); this j beginners book about story time at the library is also available on Hoopla. Another book I recommend, “The Public Library: A Photographic Essay” by Robert Dawson (027.473 Pub), is full of wonderful images is also available on Hoopla.

Shelbi’s staff pick “Waiting for the Biblioburro” By Monica Brown is a J E (j E Bro) book that reminds us of just how magical it is to get a new book to read. Shelbi also recommends “The Library at Mount Char” by Scott Hawkins (FIC Haw) also available on Hoopla, as a great read for the upcoming spooky season.

Banned book week is Sept. 27-Oct. 3 and the Reference department’s newest staff member, Emma, recommends one of her favorite classic banned books, “Their Eyes Were Watching God” by Zora Neale Hurston (FIC Hur), also found on Libby & Hoopla.

If you’re looking for a dark, thrilling mystery be sure to checkout Noel’s pick, “Monday’s Not Coming” (YA FIC Jac) by Tiffany D. Jackson. This young adult novel is an Eliot Rosewater nominee and a winner of the Coretta Scott King award.

R.I.P Chadwick Boseman, “Black Panther” (DVD FIC Bla), comes recommended by Dennis. Wakanda forever!

Marissa recommends “High Achiever” by Tiffany Jenkins (362.29 Jen), the true story of one addict’s double life, also available on Libby.

Another non-fiction title I recommend is “The Reading Promise: My Father and the Books We Shared” by Alice Ozma (028.9 Ozm), also available as an audiobook on Libby. Alice’s father read to her every night from the time she was in fourth grade until the day she entered college eight years later. This true story brings back childhood memories of my father reading to my brother and I.

This month be sure to tell us why you love your library card! Snap a pic & tag us on Facebook (cvillepl) or Instagram (crawfordsvillelibrary).

Dawn Bonebrake, assistant manager in the circulation department, contributed this week’s column.

9/3 | Makerspace Mondays: Fun way to stretch your imagination

I enjoy creating to beautiful music. Often it is simply drawing shapes and lines to express the rise and fall of a symphony. Sometimes I paint the emotion, dance or atmosphere of a Samba beat. I also get carried away in the creation of something exciting with glitter, sequins, pompoms and lots of glitter glue.

Makerspace as its name implies is a space for makers. The environment matters as much as the creation. It must be a space not only well stocked with interesting supplies but one that invites, incites and excites the eye and mind. A space that encourages curiosity and questions: How does it work? How can I create something that exists in my mind? How can I recreate something that I saw or experienced in a new and unusual way?

Then, take those ideas and test them. If I recreate a butterfly, can I make the wings work? Can I make the colors match? What else can I learn about butterflies? All of a sudden an ordinary, everyday “make a butterfly” craft turns into an educational moment.

Makerspace can be extravagant, expensive and large. But I find it more interesting when I take the ordinary, reusable and humdrum and make it extraordinary, useful and fascinating. Like bottle caps, colored lids, dental floss, facial tissue and toothpicks to create a reproduction of Lady Liberty.

Makerspace can be outdoors and messy or indoors and neat (or indoors and messy and outdoors and neat.). Take kitchen utensils outside and create a feast of grass, leaves and the ever ooey-gooey delicious mud pie. Bring in rocks and paint them, leaves and craft them, seeds and…I don’t know; do something with them.

Makerspace is as big as your imagination. Remember to ask lots of questions: How do wheels work? Will glue hold leaves together? Why do things fly? Read books that make you think about things differently. Did you know there are whole series of books that do not have words, only pictures? You make up the story as you go, you can make it up different each time. Ask new questions; ask “WHY?” a lot.

At the Crawfordsville District Public Library we also have resources for you to use. Try books like “The Most Magnificent Thing” (j E Spi) by Ashley Spires and “What to Do with an Idea” (j E Yam) by Kobi Yamada located in the children’s department. If you’re an adult, read picture books, bring out the kid in you. If you are a parent grab some resources like “The Big Book of Makerspace Projects” (621.988 Gra) by Colleen Graves and “Unplugged Play” (790.1922 Con) by Bobbi Conner; both are located in the adult non-fiction collection area on the second floor. Remember the idea is to generate questions and then do makerspace to find some answers.

Join us on Facebook on second Mondays, starting Sept. 14, for CDPL’s “Makerspace Mondays.” We will be posting prompts and supply list to start a community of Makerspace Crafters, spread a little joy and creativity. Hope to see you there. Questions? Call us at 765-362-2242, ext. 117, or email us at ref@cdpl.lib.in.us.

Megan Noggle is a reference library assistant at the Crawfordsville District Public Library.

8/27 | Staff picks return

The library reopened early in July and we are glad to see some of our patrons returning to browse the stacks and utilize local history resources and the public internet. As we adjust to our new normal, monthly “staff picks” are back. This display can be found on the first floor near the circulation desk. Other new book displays are the paperback display and the furry friends large print display, both by the entrance doors.

August staff recommendations are available to check out here at the library, as well as from the comfort of your chair either on Libby or Hoopla.

Crystal recommends “The Dresden Files” by Jim Butcher. She is currently reading volume 9 of this short read series starring Harry Dresden, Chicago’s only professional wizard. Also available on Libby. Dennis highly recommends “If It Bleeds” by Stephen King. He says each of these four new short stories will keep you on the edge of your seat. Find this one on Libby. Amber’s Christmas Jars pick, comes either in book or new DVD format, as well as an ebook on Hoopla.

For all the parents considering homeschooling and distance learning for elementary age kids, Megan recommends “The Montessori Toddler” by Simone Davies, also available on Libby and Hoopla. Shelbi’s pick, “Creative Workshop” by David Sherwin is a great book for anyone who already knows the basics and is looking to develop their designer “voice.”

For Young Adults, Rachel & Christie recommend these selections: “The Raven Cycle,” a three volume set by Maggie Stiefvater and “Eon: Dragoneye Reborn” by Alison Goodman.

If you prefer large print books, Sandy recommends “Black Swan of Paris” by Karen Robards, a gripping story set during World War II and Amber’s pick “Christmas Jars” by Jason F. Wright is also available in large print.

For those who prefer a non-fiction read, Noel’s pick, “Almost American Girl” by Robin Ha, is a memoir in graphic novel format that describes how the author felt about adapting to a new school, new language and new country all at once. Mischelle’s recommendation “Quiet” by Susan Cain introduces us to successful introverts and has the power to change how we see introverts, as well as how they see themselves. Also available on Libby.

One of my recommended reads is “Unstoppable: True Stories of Amazing Bionic Animals” by Nancy Furstinger. These uplifting stories offer a glimpse into exciting technologies that are improving the lives of animals and humans alike. I also recommend “Songs of America” by Jon Meacham and Tim McGraw. This moving and insightful journey through eras in American history and the songs and performers that inspired us is a celebration of our diversity.

These books, movies, songs and more are available at your library or on your electronic device in the comfort of your own home.

Finally, I’d like to introduce to you our most recent library display — our Patron’s Art Wall. If you are feeling creative and would like to contribute to CDPL’s art wall, come in and add your fun creations to the growing collection on The Mary Bishop Memorial Art Gallery walls. Call 765-362-2242 or see the circulation desk for details.

Dawn Bonebrake is the circulation department’s assistant manager at the Crawfordsville District Public Library.

8/20 | Fine free at the CDPL

Lost in the early hubbub of the coronavirus crisis was the momentous decision made by the library board in mid-March before the library temporarily closed for the pandemic, which was to change the status of the library to fine free.

Joining more than 200 libraries across the nation, the Crawfordsville District Public Library no longer charges overdue fines if borrowed materials are returned late.

Historically, library boards and administrators have used overdue fines to cover the cost of staff time and materials needed to remind and cajole patrons to return late materials. Overdue fines also were thought to be a deterrent for returning items late or a way to teach responsibility.

Proponents of going fine free argue that it is not a library’s role to teach responsibility. In addition, libraries who were early adopters of going fine free have discovered that fines do not deter library users from returning items late, citing that patrons who previously returned items on time continue to do so, while patrons who were late before tend to continue to return items late.

Removing overdue fines does not mean that folks who borrow library materials can return them when they please. We still have loan periods and request that after you have enjoyed the story, music, or movie you have borrowed, that you return it on time, so that someone else may have the pleasure as well.

Please also note that while overdue fines no longer will be incurred, fees for replacement of lost or damaged materials will continue to be assessed.

I once had a man tell me that he didn’t mind paying overdue fines, as he considered them a type of “donation” to the library. But his place in society allowed him the luxury of paying library fines without a second thought.

Not everyone can afford this type of donation. Some people report that they do not borrow materials from their library for fear of incurring overdue fines, either because they can’t afford them or because paying them makes them feel bad. Even I feel vaguely guilty and sheepish when I have to pay such a fine, even if it’s for being late only one day.

In the three months prior to going fine free, more than 700 interactions between CDPL library patrons and staff members included payment of over $1,400 in overdue fines, some fines as small as $0.10.

Library staff report that enforcing fines creates uncomfortable and sometimes downright nasty encounters with patrons. Are the negative feelings these interactions engender on both sides worth the relatively small amount of revenue generated by these fines?

Fines represent only 0.5% of the expected budget revenue each year, and we calculated that the cost in staff time and materials used to enforce and collect the fines was nearly equivalent to the amount of money collected. This staff time can be put to better use in continuing to forge helpful, positive relationships with library patrons and provide exceptional services.

If a person or family pays for the privilege of using their library through their library taxes or rent, they should be able to enjoy the use of library materials in their home without worrying about fines that do not work as intended.

Theresa Tyner, Director of Crawfordsville District Public Library, contributed this week’s Preview Shelf column.

8/6 | Children’s, teen summer reading programs wrap up

Well, the Children’s and Teen Summer Reading Program at the Crawfordsville District Public Library has been quite different this year. We want to thank those of you who participated either online or by using the paper chart/tickets. The deadline to finish the goal was July 31. However, we are extending that date to Aug. 14.

The only mission the children and teens had this summer was to draw a picture or write a brief summary of what they want to be when they grow up. We have those pictures hung in the gallery. Anyone is welcome to take a look at those great pictures.

We would like to thank the following sponsors for donating coupons for ice cream or pizza for our program this summer: Brother’s Pizza, Dairy Queen, McDonald’s and Pizza Hut. The children really are thrilled when they earn these coupons.

We are not doing in-person programs yet. We are, however, sending out stories, crafts and art projects through email. If you would like to receive those emails, please let us know by emailing children@cdpl.lib.in.us and we’ll get you on the list.

Have you heard of The Young Hoosier Book Program? It started in 1974 and is run by the Indiana Library Federation to encourage Indiana students to read for fun. There are 20 books in the Picture Book section, 20 in the Intermediate section and 20 in the Middle Grade section. Students read the books in the section and send in a vote for their favorite one. After all the votes have been tallied in May the winners are announced for each section.

Speaking of the YHBA since we cannot get together to have books clubs, Ms. Janella is starting a book club via email for kindergarten through second graders. She will be reading the Picture Book Young Hoosier Nominees. She will be reading four books each month that you can listen to through email. There will be a packet at the library for you to pick up with a fun activity to do for each book she reads. The August packets are ready to be picked up and the stories have been sent out via our email list. You do the activities at home. Then come back the first week in September and get the new packet.

The last packet will be given out the first of December. Once you have the December packet finished, vote on your favorite book and return the slip (in the packet) to Ms. Janella. She will then send in the results for your favorites to be counted with all the other students that voted in Indiana and the winner will be announced in May. How exciting would that be if the book you liked the best was the winner?

You must register for this book club by calling 765-362-2242 ext. 2. Even though we are not doing a book club for the intermediate or middle grade section, students are encouraged to do that on their own if they want a say in what the best book should be. We have two copies of each YHB that can be checked out at this time.

The library is still in our “grab and go” phase. When you come in to grab a book to read, make sure to stop by the Youth Services desk to say hello. We’d love to see you!

Karen Record is the Youth Services Department Head at the Crawfordsville District Public Library. She contributed this week’s Preview Shelf column.

7/9 | Discover new activities and more at CDPL

These are unprecedented times we are living in and if you’re finding yourself in need of new snack, craft or activity ideas, you are not alone. And, as always, the library is here to provide you with books to fill that need.

The aptly-named “100 Screen-Free Ways to Beat Boredom!” by Kris Hirschmann (j 790.191 Hir) has lots of fun and easy ideas to engage bored youngsters, such as origami puppies, clothespin butterflies, homemade stress balls, window doodling and string art. “The Best Homemade Kids’ Snacks on the Planet” by Laura Fuentes (641.53 Fue) has more than 200 healthy homemade snacks you and your kids will love. Some of my favorites to make are drop cookies, pretzel haystacks, minty thins, avocado egg salad wraps, and peanut butter apple wraps. Yum! Check out “101 Things for Kids to Do Outside” by Dawn Isaac (796.083 Isa) for activities like cooking with energy from the sun, or making butterfly feeders, nature walk bracelets, and flower fairies to provide hours of entertainment for the entire family.

Still feeling like there’s nothing to do? Get a jumpstart on the holidays with fun craft ideas like family themed T-shirts, knitted slippers and custom cookie gift tags. Craft your way through these and more than 40 festive projects in the title “Homemade Holiday” by Sophie Pester & Catharina Bruns (745.5941 Pes).

This is just a small sampling of a few of my favorite activity books that are available and the library has many other choices, for all kinds of interests and age ranges. We recommend that you keep an eye on Wowbrary, our weekly email newsletter, so that you can be the first to know about (and place requests for) newly-purchased items!

If you’re just looking for some good reading to do, we obviously have no shortage of those here, too. A few of the newer books that I’m intrigued by include:  “National Geographic Guide to State Parks of the United States” (917.3 Nat) which lists more than 950 parks with 300 full-color photographs; “Tamales 101” by Alice Guadalupe Tapp (641.8 Tap), a beginner’s guide to making traditional tamales; “The Nature Cure” by Andreas Michalsen (615.535 Mic), a doctor’s guide to the science of natural medicine; “Noisemakers,” a graphic collection from Kazoo Magazine (j 920 Noi) highlights 25 women who raised their voices & changed the world; “The Last Unicorn” by Peter S. Beagle (FIC Bea)  comes alive when a unicorn ventures out from the enchanted forest on a quest for others of her kind; “The Kingdom of Back” by Marie Lu (YA FIC Lu) is a lyrically-told story of music, magic, and the unbreakable bond between Nannerl Mozart and her younger brother Wolfgang; and “Three Hours in Paris” by Cara Black (CDBK FIC Bla) reimagines history in a pulse-pounding spy thriller narrated by Elisabeth Rodgers on CD book.

If focusing on a book is a bit difficult right now, check out Tom Hanks’ portrayal of Mister Rogers in “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood,” (DVD FIC Bea) based on the true story of the friendship between Fred Rogers and journalist Tom Junod; and “Christmas Jars,” based on The New York Times bestseller by Jason F. Wright (DVD FIC Chr), about a family’s acts of kindness; are both new on DVD.

These and other recommendations are available to place holds and checkout at this time. We’ve missed you, and we hope you’ll come visit the library in July, browse our new book displays, and let us know how you’ve been over the past few months. On view and available for checkout on the first floor are the Christmas in July display, July Staff Picks, and My Summer is all Booked display. You can find our Myths and Classics Remixes and Pride Reads displays on the second floor. We hope to see you soon.

Dawn Bonebrake works in the circulation department at the Crawfordsville District Public Library.

7/2 | Ready to stop by? CDPL to reopen Monday

To all our patrons who have missed the library and have asked us about a reopening date, we have good news for you. Beginning Monday, the Crawfordsville District Public Library building will be open to the public for those who wish to browse the collections for items to borrow or to participate in summer reading.

Browsers are encouraged to “grab and go” materials they wish to borrow, rather than linger for long periods of time. The use of the public computers continues to be offered by appointment only, as are our Local History research services. Curbside and remote Document Printing Services will remain available, as will Wi-Fi throughout the parking lot. The meeting rooms are not open at this time, and gatherings in other areas of the library are discouraged.

The library staff and building will look a little different, but we will continue to offer our friendly and professional service. Library staff will wear masks and maintain social distancing of six feet whenever possible. Clear acrylic sneeze guards have been installed at many of the service desks, and hand sanitizer stations have been placed in several locations in both buildings.

We ask that library patrons wear masks, if medically possible, and maintain social distancing. If any patron feels ill, we ask that the person does not enter the building, but goes home and takes care of themselves. We also ask that library patrons keep the number and duration of visits to a minimum at this time. We understand you have been looking forward to be at the library again, and the practices we are implementing

The library’s open hours will return to 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The library will remain closed Sundays for the time being.

Beginning July 1, the Carnegie Museum of Montgomery County building reopened. Its hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.

Both buildings, the library and the museum, will be closed for the Independence Day holiday on Saturday.

Details on the library’s current services may be obtained through the library’s website at http://www.cdpl.lib.in.us or by calling 765-362-2242 and choosing the following extensions: curbside services or library accounts (ext. 1); youth services (ext. 2) public computers or research services (ext. 3).

We are happy to be back and hope you can stop by to grab your favorite reads.

Theresa Tyner is the director of Crawfordsville District Public Library.

6/25 | The legacy of a letter, Part 2

Former Crawfordsville citizen Robert Kennedy Krout wrote his sister Jane a letter in 1908 reminiscing about their emigration to Montgomery County in 1837. He included detailed snippets of their early life and education in Ripley Township. The first school that Robert and Jane attended in 1838 was called the Humphrey school or Bunker Hill school. If some people in Ripley Township initially referred to the school as the Humphrey school, it was probably because the school instructor in 1837 was Jonathan Humphrey. He was about 20 years old and the eldest son of Robert and Hepzibah Humphrey who moved from Warren County, Ohio to Montgomery County in 1826. Jonathan’s sister, Ruth Tamar Humphrey, attended the school until she reached age 16 in 1836. She described the schoolhouse as a log cabin with seats made of split logs with pegs in them on top of puncheon floors. Puncheon floors were constructed from logs in which only one side of the log was flattened, the floor side. When the walls of the school were constructed, they left a log out of the wall for light and when the weather was cold, they would cover it with greased paper. The Stonebraker cemetery was nearby. Many of the children only attended the school during the winter months because they had to help their parents with running their farm and homestead during the spring through the fall. Robert Krout remembered Humphrey as one of “Nature’s Noblemen” but wrote that Humphrey “possessed very limited qualifications for teaching having been reared in the backwoods where no schools had yet been established.” If people referred the school as Bunker Hill school instead of the Humphrey school, it was possibly named after the Bunker family that lived in the area, instead of for the Battle of Bunker Hill.

The teacher who taught Robert and Jane next was James Gilkey. In history books, he is recognized as the first teacher. He might have been a more demanding taskmaster than Jonathan Humphrey because he was about 40 years old and with his experience as a parent of nine children, mostly all grown, he probably had greater control of the classroom and possibly higher expectations for student achievement. His youngest child, Joseph, might have been one of his pupils. While Robert thought that Gilkey was not qualified to teach anything past primary school, he wrote that Gilkey was a gifted orator. “His reading of St. Paul’s defense before King Agrippa and Cicero’s prosecution of Verres, I think could not be surpassed by any elocutionist,” he said. James’ son Daniel H. Gilkey also taught school and served Montgomery County as a teacher for over 50 years.

Krout held the highest opinion of all his teachers for William A. Wellshear. “He was well-equipped to discharge all the duties required in the schools of that day,” Robert wrote. “He possessed a bright intellect, fine social qualities and a warm friendship for his pupils.” William A. Wellshear was originally from New York, but made his way further west as a young man while working on a keelboat on the Ohio River. He made his home in Cincinnati where he married Mary Hankins Compton before the extended Compton clan migrated to Montgomery County and settled in Ripley Township. William and Mary were living there in 1840 with two children John William and Mary Jane. By 1850, William and Mary returned to Cincinnati, and William worked as a bookkeeper until his death in 1877. Their son John also worked for a time as a teacher at a local school before becoming a lawyer. Their daughter Mary Jane married Brigadier General Henry G. Kennett. After William’s death, Mary Compton Wellshear lived with her son in Missouri for a few years before she returned to Alamo in Montgomery County to live with her brother John Hyde Compton and his family until her death in 1895. She and William are buried in Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati.

Robert Krout mentioned two more teachers to his sister Jane but did not say anything about them. They were Simeon Crane and James Helverson. Krout then named some of the children that he and Jane attended school with: Frank and Mary Ann Black, David and Sebastian Watson, Susana Watson, Tom and Frank Larsh, Nettie Larsh, the Stonebrakers, the Shafers, the Titus boys, the McMeaken brothers, and Catharine Fruits and her sisters.

Students attended school in this little log schoolhouse until 1855 until a new log schoolhouse was built on the property of David and Elizabeth Black. It was in this second school, now solidly known as Bunker Hill school that Robert K. Krout’s daughter Mary Hannah Krout taught school in 1872. She along with other teachers had 43 students. This particular building was used until a new frame schoolhouse was built on the property of John and Susannah Weir. This building was used until 1915. When it was razed, workers found an attendance record ledger. The Weir’s granddaughter Phyllis Weir Dunlap kept it in her possession until she died in 1991.

If you have any pictures of Bunker Hill students or of any of the buildings, or any other documents relating to the county’s history and would like to share them, please contact the reference department at the Crawfordsville District Public Library. You may call us at 765-362-2242, ext. 117, or send us an email at ref@cdpl.lib.in.us

Amie Cox is a local history specialist at the Crawfordsville District Public Library and the district media specialist at the Crawfordsville Community Schools.

6/18 | The legacy of a letter

Two summers ago, I visited the Filson Historical Society in Louisville, Kentucky. Founded in 1884, the Society collects resources relevant to the history of Kentucky and the Ohio Valley region. Nonetheless, when I was there, I checked to see if they had anything related to Crawfordsville. Lo and behold, I was rewarded with two treasures in the form of letters written in Crawfordsville by two different people.

The earliest letter was written in 1836 by Mrs. Eliza Julia Fry. She was the daughter of William Smith and Mary Speed. She addressed her letter to her uncle Judge John Speed at Farmington, his plantation home outside Louisville. (Let me insert an aside here that reflects the focus of my geeky fascination. In a year, in 1837, this letter from Eliza would still remain in Judge Speed’s possession when his son Joshua, Eliza’s first cousin, met and became best friends with Abraham Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois. This letter would still be in the house four years later, in 1841, when Lincoln visited Farmington where he and the letter coexisted in the same building for three weeks. The letter as part of the Speed Family Papers — Farmington Collection made its way to the Filson Historical Society in 1961 after the sale of Farmington to the Historic Homes Foundation Inc. in Louisville.) Eliza with her husband Thomas Walker Fry and their younger children moved to Crawfordsville in 1836 to run a mill, leaving behind their own Kentucky plantation home called Spring House. They must have left their furnishings with the house, because Eliza wrote that when writing her letter she had no table to write on or a chair to sit on. She was especially upset she did not even have a bedstead. “I can tell you the old Speed temper was so strong in me I could not write,” she wrote to her uncle. As she described the furniture situation with her uncle, you can envision a glimpse of what is happening in Crawfordsville at the time. “The emigration to this place is so great, there is such a demand for furniture. It is improbable for it to be made as fast as it is called for,” she wrote. “We have a tolerable good house, four rooms, a kitchen, milk house and dairy, good society, much piety, and as much industry as ever you saw in one place …… we are quite well-pleased, it will be in a few years a great place.” Two of Eliza’s sons graduated from Wabash College, Dr. Thomas Walker Fry Jr. in 1839 and his brother General Speed S. Fry in 1840. Another son Frank ran the mill. Eliza died in Crawfordsville in 1848.

The other letter was written by Robert Kennedy Krout. He wrote to his sister Jane Kennedy Krout in Covington, Kentucky in 1908 but reminisced about their emigration from Covington, Ky. to Crawfordsville and Montgomery County in 1837. “Our wagon was drawn by two faithful old horses, Tom Tinker and Fanny Fletcher.” Robert’s mother, Hannah Kennedy Krout, had died about a month after his birth, so in 1837, it was he, his father Jacob Krout, and his sister traveling in the wagon. They were accompanied by his uncle Lawson Moore and Robert’s little dog Veney, both of whom traveled most of the way on foot … “Uncle Lawson to procure peaches from road-side orchards and Veney to beg a bone from kind mistresses of the houses,” he wrote. The family settled in Ripley Township. “I can see the old log houses looming up before me now, with their mud and stick chimneys crowned at their tops with lumps of clay of the size and shape of huge corn dodgers. In those houses, you and I made our home for some years.” Robert K. Krout spent the rest of his life in Montgomery County where he attended Wabash College, became a life-long druggist after deciding law was not for him, married, and had several children. (Look for a future article on his detailed reminisces of attending the Bunker Hill schoolhouse in Ripley Township, details I believe that have never been elsewhere disclosed in print before.)

Besides making their mark on our community, both Eliza and Robert left a legacy of a written account that vividly described an era that for many is long-forgotten but was the foundation for who and what we are today as a town, as a community. If you think you might have a legacy of family treasures — letters, pictures, Bibles, business papers or other paper miscellaneous items called ephemera -— that you would like to share, contact the local history librarians through the reference department at the Crawfordsville District Public Library (ref@cdpl.lib.in.us or 765-362-2242, ext. 117). We would be delighted to make a copy of them, or we can even provide a safe and accessible home for them if you worry about their care in the future. Finally, in an age in which letter writing is now expressed in digital e-mails where the delete button is consistently used, if you recognize an email thread as valuable, like a recipe or memory swap with a cousin, print these emails out and tuck them away, for they are the legacies of tomorrow.

Amie Cox is a local history specialist at the Crawfordsville District Public Library and the district media specialist at the Crawfordsville Community Schools.

6/12 | What are you reading this summer?

Warm weather and irresistible summer reads are here, and so is our Adult Summer Reading Program at the Crawfordsville District Public Library. Our theme for 2020 was chosen well before the pandemic arrived, but it seems that the book wizards whispered the perfect lines in our ears when deciding the theme: “Imagine Your Story.” Join us for an imaginative summer experience, anytime from now until July 31.

As we try to imagine how our stories will look like this summer and beyond, the library is making every effort to offer as many of our regular programs as possible — even if they look a bit different. This year for our summer reading program, we are introducing a virtual reading platform called ReadSquared. By registering through our website at cdpl.readsquared.com or downloading the ReadSquared app available for mobile devices, you will always have your reading log at your fingertips (pun intended). By using our reading platform, you will be able to recommend your favorite reads, win weekly badges, and participate in drawings for great prizes. With so little effort and so much fun, you should give yourself a well-deserved pat on the back for your reading accomplishments.

In addition to our virtual summer program, we continue to offer a paper version of the registration — same amount of fun included. For those who prefer to register using a paper format, please call us at 765-362-2242, ext. 1 (Circulation) or email us at ref@cdpl.lib.in.us with subject “Summer Reading 2020” — send us your full name, library card barcode number and your telephone, and we are happy set up your ReadSquared account. You will also receive a paper copy of the instructions and the reading log, either in print or by email — whichever you prefer. In order to participate of the weekly drawings, you can mail us or deliver your paper log at the library (currently only by appointment); email us at ref@cdpl.lib.in.us with subject “Weekly Reading Log”; or call us at the Reference Desk (765-362-2242, ext. 117) to update us on your progress. We will enter your information on your summer reading account at ReadSquared, and you will be able to participate in the weekly drawings.

To enter the drawings, you must complete your weekly goal of 210 reading-minutes (half an hour per day). Every week, we will be giving a prize to three lucky readers: a gift card a book, or a DVD. Those readers who complete all eight weeks of the program, will be entered for our grand-prize drawing to be held Aug. 3. Weekly prize winners will be announced every Monday from June 15 until Aug. 3, when we will be holding the drawing for the grand prize. If you opt for using the paper format, we must receive your reading log information every week no later than Saturday so you may be entered in the drawings.

Finally, this summer we will be introducing exciting “missions” that you may complete to earn some extra points towards your weekly reading goal. Keep an eye on our website and social media for new book displays, updates and announcements about our Adult Summer Reading, and other exciting programs we have been planning for you. We hope you join us in imagining great stories this summer.

Ivette de Assis-Wilson is the head of reference and local history department at the Crawfordsville District Public Library.

6/4 | Use CDPL resources to learn your history

If Walls Could Talk … oh, how I miss that television show! Viewers were transported to some historic home across the country and received a free home tour from their couch. It was a tour filled with the most interesting tidbits that revealed something regional or historical in nature. Historic homes have character and unique features. I have been known to swoon specifically over brick Italianate homes, and I moved to Montgomery County in 2004 to nab one because they don’t often get sold outside the family. I had no job prospects lined up at the time, but I took a leap of faith, and lucky for me, the job fairy waved her magic wand. During the first year of living in my home, I conducted a house history. Though I received some 1970s photographs, a 1970s house drawing, and a title abstract from the previous homeowner, I wanted to build upon those artifacts with research of my own. I looked online and here at the Crawfordsville District Public Library to see what I could find.

Sometimes, patrons come into the library because they too recently moved to Crawfordsville, or they moved into another house intown. They would like to know when their house was built and who lived in the house before them. They also might wonder about specific parts of their house, noticing that different parts might be built differently than other parts. So how and where does one research to answer these questions? Let me walk you through it using the McClelland-Layne house as our example. Yes, it’s brick. Yes, it’s in the Italianate family. It is of the Italian Villa style, and the only one like it in Crawfordsville.

First, let’s do some armchair sleuthing. I would first check the Montgomery County Interim Report: Indiana Historic Sites and Structures Inventory. OK, what is this thing? In 1975, the Indiana Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology joined forces with the Historic Landmarks Foundation, (now known as the Indiana Landmarks and Historic Preservation) to start a program in which they surveyed historic structures across Indiana, county by county. This program was in response to the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. The federal government wanted to facilitate the preservation of cultural resources. So, during each survey, the experts took pictures of structures, filled out a report about their architecture, and often knocked on the door to see if the owner was home and could answer some questions. They then rated each structure according to its authenticity or integrity of the architectural style it belonged to. Each structure was given a rating of either O for Outstanding, N or Notable or C for Contributing. This sounds like a lot of work, and it was. It took them 20 years to get through Indiana, then they started over again. They compiled the reports from each county and with the information, published a book for each county.

The Montgomery County Interim Report is divided by townships, and Crawfordsville is divided into historic districts, like Elston Grove’s Historic District or Wabash College Historic District. I found the McClelland-Layne House in the section titled Crawfordsville Scattered Sites. For each section or district, there is a map with numbers. The numbers correlate to a house or structure, and then there is a listing for that structure. For example, the McCelland-Layne house was given the number 039, a rating of O for Outstanding, the official name of the structure which is McClelland-Layne house, the address of 602 Cherry St.; architectural style of Italianate, date when it was built of 1869, the category of significance and in this case for architecture, and then the USGS map number. The Montgomery County Interim Report is available online under the Digital Collections of IUPUI University Library or a hard copy is available for check out in the nonfiction area of the reference department, and another copy is kept in the local history area, also in the reference department. You can also find digital copies of the original inventory reports on the SHAARD website — State Historic Architectural and Archeological Research Database. There is a link on their website where you can click for access, and then it gives you the option to proceed as a guest.

Next, to the CDPL website which you can find the fastest by typing CDPL into Google. At the top of the CDPL website, under Services, click on Local History. Scroll down to CDPL Local History/Genealogy digitized resources. Here, depending when your house was built, you can find sources to help you. I found further information on the McClelland-Layne house in the 1878 Atlas of Montgomery County, the Montgomery County Township plat maps, and the 1925 Sanborn map of Crawfordsville. The Sanborn insurance maps were created to help communities fight fires more effectively. On this map, if you can locate which quadrant and its assigned number that your house lies in, you can come into the local history area and view large blown-up, laminated copies of that quadrant to see your house. Other outbuildings on the property might also be shown as it did for the McClelland-Layne house. Also, Sanborn insurance maps for Crawfordsville in 1887, 1892, and 1896 are available online through the Library of Congress. I found them through a quick Google search.

OK, just a few more sources. Once you find names of previous owners, you can use Presto, scrolling down on the CDPL homepage, to search for their names. Through Presto, I found that an article was written about the McClelland-Layne house in May 2017. Additionally, you can click the link for Hoosier Chronicles on our local history page and search online Crawfordsville newspapers for names. I found that in the Nov. 25 paper in 1869, the Crawfordsville Weekly Journal noted, “Dr. McClelland’s house, a handsome brick, in the north west part of the city, is almost completed.” There are also city directories in the local history area that can aid you with your search.

CDPL has a rich local history database where you can discover more about your history. Good luck in your quest to discover what your walls could say to you.

Amie Cox is a local history specialist at CDPL and the district media specialist at the Crawfordsville Community Schools.

5/28 | Summer reading program is on at CDPL

The Youth Services Department at the Crawfordsville District Public Library would like to invite children and teens ages 1 to 17 to join our summer reading program, “Imagine Your Story.” Due to the events happening in our society, this summer will be different than previous years. This summer, the program will be online. If you do not have access to a computer or the internet, you may still come to the library and get a reading chart by calling 765-362-2242, ext. 2.

Starting June 1, you may register to CDPL’s Summer Reading Program by going to http://cdpl.readsquared.com. You will click on the library demo and it should bring up the log in page. You will find different age groups listed. Find the appropriate age group for your child/children. The preschool program will ask for first and last name and age. The children’s program will ask for first and last name, school attended and grade last year. The teen program will ask for first and last name, grade last year and school attended. Parents may sign all their children up under their name (the parent’s account) to make it easier for you and the library staff.

The goal this summer will be to read for eight hours by July 31. For every minute read the reader will earn 1 point. To win their first prize, the reader must log 120 minutes (or points). On the computer the child will earn a digital badge. He/she may then come to the library to collect their prize. The second prize may be collected after logging 240 minutes and earning the level 2 badge. The third prize may be collected after reading 360 minutes and earning the level 3 badge. The last prizes may be collected after 480 points are recorded and the level 4 completion certificate is earned. When preschoolers complete the goal, their prize is a book and a book bag for their new book. When elementary students complete the goal, their prize is a book and a T-shirt. When tweens/teens complete the goal, their prize is a book.

Once the goal of eight hours is completed, all participants may join the drawing portion of the program. For every hour read, the participant may place an entry in the drawing for the prize of his/her choice. The drawing for each prize will be held on July 31 around 4:45 p.m. and winners will be contacted by phone. This might be done on Read Squared or it will be with paper tickets from the library. More information to come on that soon.

There will be a mission the preschoolers and elementary students can opt to follow or not. They will receive a prize at the library for completing the mission. The mission will be to draw and color yourself doing what you would like to do when you get older (your story). Bring your completed picture to the library to receive an extra prize.

You may register anytime for this program June 1 or after and log your minutes through July 31 by 4:30 p.m.

As of right now, the library is not open to the public. We are still in the curbside pick-up phase. If you need to pick-up a reading chart at the library, please call and we will make arrangements for you to pick that up. Until further notice you may call and come to pick up prizes at a specified time, or you can wait until we open then come get all your prizes at once.

Things will be different this summer, but keep watching our website and checking your emails for changes that might occur. For questions, don’t hesitate to call us at 362-2242 ext. 2.

Karen Record is the department head in Youth Services at the Crawfordsville District Public Library.

5/14 | COVID-19 and safety measures at the library

In an effort to ensure a safe environment for employees and library patrons when we re-open the library and museum buildings (date still to be determined), the following measures are being put in place to minimize the chance of spreading the COVID-19 virus:

• Employee health screening

All employees are required to perform a self-assessment before leaving for work each scheduled workday, and then again before they enter the building. They must notify their supervisor, the assistant director or the director if they have a fever of 100 degrees or more or other CDC-recognized symptoms of COVID-19. The employee will be asked to stay at home, or to go home if at work, and call in for further guidance. The director will follow CDC recommendations or local healthcare provider guidance for when to allow the employee to return to work. The employee will work remotely from home when possible and/or use appropriate leaves.

• Cleaning/disinfecting protocols for facilities

Surfaces and carpets were thoroughly cleaned while the buildings were closed to the public. HEPA filters for the HVAC system will be upgraded. Cleaning staff and library staff continue to clean high-touch surfaces multiple times a day. Keyboard and mouse covers will be used on shared computers. Appropriate cleaning solutions will be used to sanitize computers and other equipment as necessary. Wipes are available at public service desks for use as well.

• Cleaning/disinfecting protocols for collection materials

Returned materials are quarantined for 72 hours before being placed back on the shelves or used to fill holds. Some materials may receive an ozone treatment or be wiped down with cleaning solutions as necessary. Children’s play materials will be unavailable or limited.

• Hand-washing/sanitizing availability

CDPL patrons and staff will have access to multiple restrooms with hand-washing procedure guidelines posted at the sinks. Hand sanitizer also will be made available at key locations throughout the facilities.

• Protective measures

CDPL staff will wear masks when in the vicinity of other staff and at all times in public areas until at least, but possibly through, Stage 4 of the Indiana Back on Track Plan. Gloves or other protective clothing/items may be worn by staff performing certain tasks. Until at least, but possibly through, Stage 4, we will ask patrons over the age of two to wear masks in the buildings. Single-use masks will be available for patrons to use.

• Social distancing

Social (or physical) distancing of 6 feet or more will be maintained when possible. Barriers will be placed at the circulation desk and other service desks/areas to ensure social distancing and provide enhanced protection. Seating will be limited, including for public computers, and spaced at least 6 feet from other seating. Meetings, gatherings, events and programs, when allowed, will require the ability of physical distancing to be maintained. Contactless filling of holds and document delivery services also will be offered. Separate hours for library users in populations more vulnerable to the virus may be instituted.

We miss our library users, and we will return to providing our community with the traditional services of a library soon when we have measures and procedures in place to keep us all as safe as possible.

Theresa Tyner, director of Crawfordsville District Public Library, contributed this week’s Preview Shelf column.

3/19 | Electronic offerings available at the library

During this unsettling time when “social distancing” is a new phrase in our collective vocabulary and a temporary way of life, alternatives to group entertainment and visits to public spaces, including libraries are available online. With a current library account, this may be a time to discover or rediscover the library’s rich collection of online books, magazines, audiobooks, music, film and classes.

Our two most popular sources for electronic resources, are Overdrive, through the Libby app, and Hoopla. Overdrive comes to us through the Indiana Digital Download Consortium of Overdrive and offers more than 32,000 e-books, 4,800 audiobooks and 700 streaming videos in a variety of genres and subjects. Hoopla contains not only a plethora of e-books, audiobooks and videos, but also music, comic books and television shows. Both platforms have content for all age groups. Another resource we offer is RBDigital, which features a collection of magazine issues covering topics from business to crafting to politics to science to writing. It also has a collection of audiobooks.

If you prefer to spend your time at home learning a new art technique, brushing up your career-related skills or discovering a new language, we have several online resources to guide you on your path of lifelong learning. ArtistWorks provides art and music instruction. The classes are self-paced and taught by world-class artists, including Grammy Award winners. The National Network of Libraries of Medicine offers health-related classes for practitioners as well as consumers. Another resource, Universal Class, offers self-paced classes in business, computers, health and medicine, writing, spiritual studies and more. Rocket Languages provides learning modules for 13 languages, including French, Spanish, Arabic, German, American Sign Language and English for Spanish Speakers.

For those with students at home, we have a list of database offerings that includes the Indiana State Library’s INSPIRE, which is a collection of databases for the use of Indiana residents. This collection includes Consumer Reports, Rosetta Stone, Indiana history resources, biography databases and full-text research databases for all age groups. Because it is restricted to Indiana residents, the first time you use this database, an address verification postcard may be mailed to you.

As previously mentioned, Overdrive and Hoopla contain videos in their collections. Kanopy specializes in film offerings, including arthouse films, Oscar winners and nominees, world cinema, documentaries, The Criterion Collection, Great Courses, short films, independent films and much more. Kanopy Kids contain a wonderful children’s collection, including popular TV shows, picture book videos, classic tales, stories from around the world, and books about math, science, history, animals and language learning.

These collections may be accessed at http://www.cdpl.lib.in.us/econtent. If you need assistance to use any of these resources, we have “Getting Started with …” guides on the same web page for do-it-yourselfers or you may call us at 362-2242 to be connected with someone who can walk you through setup or answer your questions over the phone.

Theresa Tyner is director of the Crawfordsville District Public Library.

3/12 | March Madness can be found at the library

March is Women’s History Month and the library has several book displays and programs to cover that topic, as well as many others subjects of interest. In addition, we have an abundance of exciting programs from which to choose.

On the first floor, as you come in the door at circulation, you will find the Women’s History Month displays. To the right, all materials are fiction works, and most are in large print format. To the left is the large print biography display. In honor of Women’s History Month, the biographies selected are about women who have had a great impact in the national as well as the international stage.

Another display to consider is our new March staff picks located at the circulation desk. There, you will find magazines such as Crochet! (PER Cro) with excellent beginner and advanced patterns, as well as Vogue Knitting (PER Vog) with its out-of-the-box intermediate to advanced designs. Our ref staff, Megan, recommends both magazines as great resources for the new Yarnworks 101 club for beginners and experienced crafters. All ages, all skill levels, all yarn/thread crafts are welcome to the club. No registration required. Contact us for details.

Also from the staff display, I specially recommend two books in honor of Women’s History Month. Lady Clementine by Marie Benedict (NEW LP FIC BEN) is the story of the remarkable woman beside Winston Churchill, and it lends a different perspective on the era leading into the war. Benedict’s book is also available on Hoopla. Another great (contemporary) bio is Becoming by Michelle Obama (921 Obama, M.). In her well-written and fascinating story, the First Lady asks us to reflect upon “who we are” and “who we want to become.” This item is available in regular and large print, NEW CD book, and on Libby.

For those who prefer the video format, an exciting story is Gentleman Jack (NEW DVD FIC GEN), which comes recommended by Shelbi. This is an HBO series focusing on real-life English landowner Anne Lister and set in the changing world of 1832 during the Industrial Revolution. With a very feisty personality, Lister says in one episode, “Nature played a challenging trick on me, didn’t she? Putting a bold spirit like mine in this vessel, in which I’m obliged to wear frills and petticoats. Well, I refuse to be cowed by it!”

Other staff picks include the Mystic Cove novels by Tricia O’Malley (NEW FIC O’Ma), recommended by Amber. This exciting fantasy romance series is set on the rocky shores of Southern Ireland (also available as audiobooks on Hoopla). Recommended by Dennis is Journey’s Live in Manila (NEW DVD 789.6 Jou) -— if you’re a Journey fan this great 2009 live performance is for you. Ivette recommends Father of All by Green Day (NEW CD 781.66 Gre). In this album, the pop-punk group directs their focus towards “youthful angst and romance.” This item is also available on Hoopla.

Finally, if you have time between basketball games during Hoosier Hysteria and March Madness, Dennis recommends we re-visit what he considers to be the greatest sports movie ever made: “Hoosiers” (DVD FIC Hoo), starring Gene Hackman and Dennis Hopper. Scenes from this movie were shot here in Montgomery County in New Richmond. We invite you to come checkout the wide variety of interesting and entertaining material CDPL staff have selected for the monthly staff picks display.

But wait! There is more …

Our March “Book talk” will take place at 6 p.m. March 23 in the Donnelley Room. Pick up a copy of “Fighting for Equality: A Life of May Wright Sewall” at the General Lew Wallace Study and learn about this local legendary woman who was an advocate for women’s voting rights. We will be joined by the book’s author, Ray E. Boomhower.

Several other March programs you might want to consider are:

• Plant-Based Cooking -— Lucky green dishes for St. Paddy’s Day

• Mindful Living — Abundance

• Monty Python 50th anniversary celectration -— ‘Twill be silly

• “Yountsville: The Rise and Decline of an Indiana Mill Town” by Dr. Ronald Morris — Author talk and book signing

• March Morel (Mushroom) Madness — When, where, what and how to eat them

For more information about these March events, contact us by phone at 765-362-2242, by email at ask@cdpl.lib.in.us or stop by and check all the wonderful things the library has to offer.

Dawn Bonebrake works in the circulation department at the Crawfordsville District Public Library.

3/5 | Who are the women that inspire you?

The month of March marks the official celebration of Women’s History Month in honor of women’s vital role and contributions in American History. What do we know about this month-long event?

The origins of this national celebration date back to 1911 and began with a single day — March 8 — being commemorated in various countries, in some shape or form, as International Women’s Day. Finally, in 1977, the United Nations officially recognized this international celebration.

In the United States, during the 70’s, local communities informally extended the event and started celebrating Women’s History Week during the week of March 8 to correspond with International Women’s Day. The week-long festivity became popular and in 1980 President Jimmy Carter issued the first proclamation declaring the week of March 8 as National Women’s History Week.

Subsequent Presidents continued to recognize the event until the National Women’s History Project petitioned Congress that the month of March 1987 be designated as “Women’s History Month” (Pub. L. 100-9). Afterwards, from 1988 to 1994 Congress passed resolutions requesting and authorizing the President to make an annual proclamation.

Since 1995, every President — Clinton, Bush, Obama and Trump — has issued an official announcement declaring the month of March as “Women’s History Month”. Communities across the country came to realize the importance of this period as a time to celebrate women’s accomplishments, and reflect upon issues of equality, education, and opportunities for women across the country (https://womenshistorymonth.gov/about/).

By now, you are probably asking … Why March? Well, it’s a bit of a serendipitous history. Many milestones for women’s history coincidentally (or not?) have occurred during the month of March. A few examples are: the first major suffragist parade was on March 3, 1913 in Washington, D.C.; the National Woman’s Party, a group that promoted women’s suffrage, became an official entity in March 1917; Title IX, prohibiting sex discrimination in federally funded educational programs, passed the Senate on March 1, 1972; and the Equal Rights Amendment (though not yet fully ratified) passed the Senate on March 22, 1972. Although it may or not be a coincidence, one cannot deny that the month of March holds a star in women’s history (https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/01/us/womens-history-month-why-march-trnd/index.html).

Famous and ordinary women have shown their strength and resilience throughout our history. Some of them still touch our lives on a daily basis — a friend, a family member, a teacher or sometimes women we don’t even know personally. As social beings, we tend to look up to people who hold certain principles or talents we admire, and who are leaders in activities or fields with which we identify. We at CDPL would like to invite you to meet some of these women who have made history. Their biographies and memoirs provide a window into their thoughts and, sometimes, an understanding of their actions. Below are a few suggestions for your consideration:

• “First Women: The Grace and Power of America’s Modern First Ladies” by Kate Andersen Brower (920 Bro) paints an intimate picture of one of the most challenging positions in politics – the First Lady.

• “Headstrong: 52 Women who Changed Science — and the World” by Rachel Swaby (920 Swa) profiles the lives of 52 exceptional women who have worked hard (and succeeded) in advancing science around the world.

• “Amazons, Abolitionists, and Activists: A Graphic History of Women’s Fight for Their Rights” by Mikki Kendall (GN 305.4209 Ken) is a graphic novel about key figures in women’s rights history around the world.

• “Those Wonderful Women in their Flying Machines: The Unknown Heroines of World War II” by Sally Van Wagenen Keil (940.54449 Kei) is a well-researched book about an often unrecognized group of exceptional WWII pilots.

• “Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race” by Margot Lee Shetterly (510.92 Lee) is an award winning biography that tells the story of a group of black female mathematicians at the forefront of NASA accomplishments in 1950’s.

• “Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy: Four Women Undercover in the Civil War” by Karen Abbott (973.78 Abb) focuses on the untold history of ordinary women who fought in the Civil War under a variety of roles.

• “Founding Mothers: The Women Who Raised Our Nation” by Cokie Roberts (973.3 Rob) despite mixed reviews, it sheds a light on the history of women whose husbands, fathers, sons and brothers were prominent figures of their times.

• “Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive” by Stephanie Land (921 Land, S.) is the story of a journalist who worked in low-paying domestic work under wealthy employers. A staggering account about poverty in American society.

• “Educated: by Tara Westover (921 Westover, T.) born into a family of survivalists in the Idaho mountains, Westover was 17 before attending school. Her memoir tells of her quest for knowledge leading to Harvard and to Cambridge University.

These and many other wonderful titles celebrating women’s history in a variety of fields (art, politics, science, daily life …) are available at our library. Come to CDPL, check out our materials, and find more about the women who make history — you may just find another inspirational voice who will become part of your life.

Ivette de Assis-Wilson, head of reference and local history at the Crawfordsville District Public Library, contributed this week’s column.

2/27 | Springtime inspiration blooming at CDPL

The magically rejuvenating days of spring feel only a breeze away, and as February trudges toward its end and March drowsily shakes itself awake, who isn’t excitedly counting the moments until one can lounge in the sunshine? If you’re anything like some of our staff at Crawfordsville District Public Library, you may feel like you lose connection to your self and its wonderful energy during the long twilight of winter … I know I’ve certainly been less of a trusted steward of my body, and more like a fuzzy, mindless moss growing shallowly in the shadows, only able to handle thoughts of soft places and blankets, waiting for the wind to collect and spread my mossy spores across the land.

Well, I’ll be a moss no more this year. I’m feeling more like a young planting sprouting baby-leaves and beginning to grow tall once more, and I have a hunch that others are also beginning to revel in the feeling of the world coming back to life. Finding yourself nodding along? If so, you’ll definitely want to drop by the library soon to pick up books that’ll kick-start your springtime inspiration.

Two months out from the new year, how are you doing on your healthy resolutions? If your initial excitement to start a healthy form of movement has somewhat waned since January, you might be interested in picking up one of our books on physical fitness. For those looking for low-impact activities, consider “A Walking Life” by Antonia Malchik (New 613.7176 Mal) or “Prevention’s Complete Book of Walking” (613.7176 Spi), or pair movement with mindfulness and check out “Living Your Yoga: Finding the Spiritual in Everyday Life” (New 613.7046 Las) along with one of our many DVDs on the subject. Looking for a more demanding routine? Our new titles “High Intensity Interval Training for Women” (New 613.7 Bar) and “Physical Disobedience: An Unruly Guide to Health and Stamina for the Modern Feminist” (New 613.0244 Coo) cater to women looking to up their workout game. Male readers, fret not: we also have titles specific to men’s fitness, like “Bigger, Leaner Stronger” by Michael Matthews (613.713 Mat).

If you feel comfortable with where your activity level is at, there are other ways to inject fresh springtime energy into your routine — starting with your relationship with nature. We have a smörgåsbord of appealing titles on the topic, from “The Eight Master Lessons of Nature” (New 508 Fer), to “Vitamin N: The Essential Guide to a Nature-Rich Life” (New 155.91 Lou), to “The Nature Cure” (New 615.535 Mic). Cultivate a new habit with “Your Guide to Forest Bathing” (New 615.8 Cli) and “The Joy of Forest Bathing” (New 615.8515 Cho), or learn more about our relationship with and need for light in “Luminous Life: How the Science of Light Unlocks the Art of Living” (New 612.01444 Lib) and “Chasing the Sun: How the Science of Sunlight Shapes Our Bodies and Minds” (New 551.5 Ged).

While you’re at it, it’s a great time to inspect how you’re fueling your springtime growth and to consider if your diet is serving you or sapping your energy. That doesn’t mean you have to count calories! Rather, you’ll find lots of inspiration in titles like “Apple Cider Vinegar” (New 615.3 Tri), “Fire Cider! 101 Zesty Recipes for Health-Boosting Remedies Made with Apple Cider Vinegar” (641.6411 Gla) and “Turmeric for Your Health” (New 615.3 Tri) for small additions that could make big changes in how you feel. Similarly, you might find that changing WHEN you eat can make all the difference in your moods and health: learn more in “The Complete Guide to Fasting” (New 613.2 Fun) and “Eat to Sleep: What to Eat and When to Eat It for a Good Night’s Sleep” (New 613.794 Mey).

Perhaps your goals are more focused on improving motivation and mental energy? Your morning habits are a great place to start anew: try “My Morning Routine: How Successful People Start Every Day Inspired” (New 646.7 Spa) or “Good Mornings: Morning Rituals for Wellness, Peace, and Purpose” (New 158.1 Dun). How do you kick off your weeks? Consider bringing more intention into the equation and flip through “Every Monday Matters: How to Kick Your Week Off with Passion, Purpose, and Positivity” (New 303.4 Eme). Finally, the fittingly named “How to Stop Feeling Like Sh*t: 14 Habits That Are Holding You Back from Happiness” (New 158.1 Owe) might do the trick for a total overhaul of your routines and habits.

No matter how you’re hoping to celebrate and enjoy the coming warm weather, we certainly have books, DVDs, and fun programs that will complement your springtime. We’re here to serve, so drop by and let us know if there are any topics you’d like to see represented in the collection or in our programming — we look forward to it.

Shelbi Hoover is a reference and local history assistant at the Crawfordsville District Public Library.

2/20 | Lovely book displays at CDPL

Stop by the library during the month of love to check out the February staff picks display at the Circulation desk. Staff at CDPL have selected a variety of new and old items that might be of interest to you. If you are looking for new romance novels, Amber recommends “Meant to Be Yours” (NEW Fic Mal) by Susan Mallery – the book five in the Happily Inc. series is available in regular and large print. In Happily Inc., love means never having to say “I do”. Wedding coordinator Renee is an expert at averting every crisis, but is she finally ready to leap into the one thing that can never be controlled: love?

“Bringing Down the Duke” (NEW Fic Dun) by Evie Dunmore comes recommended by Dawn. This new steamy historical romance is set in 1879 England during the rising women’s suffrage movement and is told by one of the first female students at Oxford University.

Madi recommends the new graphic novel, “Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me” (NEW GN Fic Tam) by Mariko Tamaki & Rosemary Valero-O’Connell. This is a sweet and spirited tale of young love that asks us to consider what happens when we ditch the toxic relationships we crave to embrace the healthy ones we need.

Dellie’s staff pick is a new large print historical western titled “Buckskin, Bloomers, and Me” (NEW LP FIC BOG) by Johnny D. Boggs. A runaway sixteen-year-old-boy disguised as a girl joins the 1906 Kansas City National Bloomer Girls baseball team. The reluctant female impersonator deals with a budding romance, a crooked manager, bean balls, drunken teammates, bank robbers, lousy umpires, a revolution for women’s rights, and a rapidly changing Western frontier.

If you are not in love with romances, our staff recommendations also include other genres and formats to please even the pickiest reader.

Sandy recommends the new large print, Pike Logan novel, “Hunter Killer” (NEW LP FIC TAY) by Brad Taylor. In this action-packed thriller, Pike Logan tracks highly trained Russian assassins to Brazil. Also, checkout Dennis’ suggestion, “11.22.63” (NEW DVD Fic Ele), a staff pick brought to you by Stephen King and
J.J. Abrams. This is a mind-bending, emotional thrill ride film starring James Franco.

If you enjoy non-fiction, take a look at a book recommendation from Deanna: “Unfollow: A Memoir of Loving and Leaving the Westboro Baptist Church” (NEW 921 Phelps-Roper, M.) by Megan Phelps-Roper.

For those who can’t wait for spring to arrive, these book recommendations from Shelbi will put you in the right mood: “Wreaths” (NEW 745.92 Smy)  by Katie Smyth & Terri Chandler shows you how to create fresh, foraged & dried floral arrangements and, as we head into gardening season, Kelly Smith Trimble’s “Vegetable Gardening Wisdom” (NEW 635 Tri) will inspire you with tips in a Farmer’s Almanac style.

Finally, keep your eyes out for the children’s book series “Ordinary People Change the World” by Brad Meltzer. This series is coming soon to the Children’s Department and is highly recommended by Megan.

These and other books, movies, music, and periodicals are available on Libby and Hoopla. See CDPL staff at the Circulation desk to get started.

Dawn Bonebrake works in the Circulation Department at the Crawfordsville District Public Library.

2/13 | Romantic reads for Valentine’s Day

When I was a little girl, Valentine’s Day meant chocolate, construction paper cards and heart-shaped cookies. As an adult, I’ve come to understand the holiday holds a more significant meaning (although I’m still indulging in chocolate this February). Valentine’s Day is a reminder to celebrate the love in our lives. This reminder exists year-round in our favorite stories as well. Whether you’re searching for a new romantic read or an old favorite this holiday, CDPL offers a diverse collection of books that will put you in the perfect mood to craft a construction paper Valentine.

If you’re seeking a modern fairy tale, you might enjoy “Red, White and Royal Blue” by Casey Mcquiston (FIC McQui), in which the U.S. President’s son develops feelings for his royal rival. You may also want to try “A Princess in Theory” by Alyssa Cole (FIC Col), which features a modern twist on “Cinderella.” In this reimagining, an African prince goes undercover as a commoner to win his true love over.

If you are in the mood for a love story as timeless as it is romantic, Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” (FIC Aus) is a universally beloved classic. You can even check out its film adaptation starring Keira Knightley (DVD Fic Pri). While you’re at it, you may want to try “Bridget Jones’s Diary” (FIC Fie) for a more modern and humorous twist on the “Pride and Prejudice” formula.

The Young Adult section at CDPL is filled with valuable lessons about love fit for all ages. In the “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” trilogy by Jenny Han (YA FIC Han), Lara Jean must confront each of her crushes when someone sends them her private love letters. “The Upside of Unrequited” by Becky Albertalli (YA FIC Alb) is a new addition to the YA collection and a follow-up story to Albertalli’s “Simon Vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda” (YA FIC Alb). Both books contain messages about self-acceptance, healthy friendships and first love. If you’re a fan of the popular Broadway musical “Hamilton,” you will likely fall in love with “Alex and Eliza” (YA FIC DelaC) by Melissa De La Cruz.

Flipping through a graphic novel can be a wonderful way to unwind after a busy holiday. Thankfully, CDPL’s graphic novel section provides a number of enchanting reads. “Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me” by Mariko Tamaki (GN FIC Tam) is an honest and heartfelt take on toxic relationships and the true love that exists where we sometimes forget to look. For a dash of nostalgia, you might pick up “Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon” (GN FIC Tak v. 1). This well-known manga follows a group of magical girls as they encounter evil and a romantic interest or two along the way.

For an even broader selection of romantic stories, stop by CDPL to browse our ever-expanding collection of books, DVDs, CDs and more. You can find a few of our staff’s favorite heartwarming reads on the displays on our second floor and in our Young Adult section. Even more recommendations in all genres can be found among our “Staff Picks,” located at the Circulation desk.

I hope you fall in love with a new favorite read this Valentine’s Day!

Noel Marquis is a youth library assistant at the Crawfordsville District Public Library.

1/30 | Black History Month recognized at CDPL

In “A More Beautiful and Terrible History: The Uses and Misuses of Civil Rights History” (323.1196 The), author and political scientist Jeanne Theoharis makes a distinction between the “histories we get” and “the histories we need.”

In the realm of politics, a united “we” with agreed-upon “needs” is difficult to imagine. And even if needs are reduced to an individual level, discussions about needs can be murky, in part, because needs are not easy to articulate. In the most basic relationships — parental, romantic, and friendly — we can go a lifetime without being able to express “what I need.”

Maslow’s “Hierarchy of Needs” is a psychological model of human development that can assist with some murkiness. The hierarchy is usually depicted as a triangle, with fundamental human needs at the base of the triangle and higher-level needs at the top.

Physiological needs, like food, water and shelter, are the base. They are important, if not required, for further human development. Safety needs are next; then love and belonging needs followed by esteem needs. At the top of the triangle is self-actualization needs, or the desire to become the best one can be.

In the introduction to Mary Hull’s children’s book, “Rosa Parks: Civil Rights Leader” (j 921 Parks, R.), Coretta Scott King appeals directly to the apex of the triangle. “Before you begin this book,” she writes, “I hope you will ask yourself what the word excellence means to you.” Later in the introduction she describes how her husband, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., himself consulted history to meet a pivotal need.

Dr. King needed a “method for resisting injustice without compromising his religious beliefs,” she writes, and the method of nonviolence that he adopted came from “a man of a different race, who lived in a different country, and even practiced a different religion. The man was Mahatma Gandhi, the great leader of India.”

In leading others, or as we contemplate ways we would like to feel safe, connected, or inspired to be our best selves, what personal needs could inform our contact with history?

February is Black History Month, which was first officially recognized in 1976 by President Gerald Ford, who called it an “opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans.”

Theoharis’s title, “A More Beautiful and Terrible History,” points to the possibility of looking even more deeply into these accomplishments, but it also points to the possibility of looking more deeply into histories that put us in touch with the “terrible,” the painful. A new title at CDPL approaches this duality by contrasting blinding with awakening: “Unexampled Courage: The Blinding of Sgt. Isaac Woodard and the Awakening of President Harry S. Truman and Judge J. Waties Waring” (323.1196 Ger) by Richard Gergel.

During the month of February CDPL will curate two Black History Month displays, drawing from our adult and children’s collections. Materials will span a wide range of events, people, and time periods, and all materials will be available for checkout, as are the books mentioned in this column. We hope you will come in see what we have to offer.

Deanna Burkett, a reference assistant at the Crawfordsville District Public Library, contributed this column.

1/23 | Find a perfect recipe for winter at CDPL

A toasty kitchen, an interesting radio program or podcast, and the anticipation of the first delicious, scalding bite of a new recipe straight out of the oven that you can’t wait to try: are these not the ingredients for a perfect, cozy winter morning? We take food quite seriously here at Crawfordsville District Public Library, and if you haven’t stopped by in a while to browse our newest cookbooks, you might be surprised at the variety and originality of what we have to offer.

Breakfast lovers like me know that weekend breakfasts take on a magically comfortable quality in the winter when we slow down and take the time to move beyond the basics of tossing bread in a toaster or cereal into a bowl. Two recent cookbook arrivals will give you plenty of ideas for how to brighten up your own breakfast routine and incorporate more adventurous recipes into your mornings: “Sunny-Side Up: More Than 100 Breakfast and Brunch Recipes from the Essential Egg to the Perfect Pastry” by Waylynn Lucas (New 641.52 Luc) and “Baking for Breakfast: 33 Muffin, Biscuit, Egg, and Other Sweet and Savory Dishes for a Special Morning Meal” by Cheryl Day (New 641.8157).

For those who find it hard to unravel themselves from their blanket-y nests on cold mornings, there are plenty of other titles that can add excitement to your wintertime lunches and dinners. You’ll feel warmed and nourished simply by browsing the recipes available in “Easy Soups from Scratch with Quick Breads to Match” by Ivy Manning (New 641.813 Man), and you’ll almost certainly want to look through its close relation, the America’s Test Kitchen “Soups, Stews, and Chilis” cookbook (641.813 Sou). Looking for something a little more substantial, maybe just in time for sports gatherings? Check out “Game-Day Eats: 100 Recipes for Homegating Like a Pro” by Eddie Jackson (New 641.5973 Jac). Just want to keep things simple, warm and filling? A recent favorite of mine was “The Sweet Potato Lover’s Cookbook” by Lyniece Talmadge (New 641.6 Tal).

If you’re trying to eat within a specific dietary plan this year, we’ve been stocking up on titles that go far beyond the basics of proteins and steamed veggies. Following a keto diet? Spice your meals up with “Keto Friendly Recipes: Easy Keto for Busy People” by Jennifer Marie Garza (New 641.5 Gar) and “Keto Instant Pot” by Maria Emmerich (641.56383 Emm). Moving toward a plant-based diet? Flip through “Incredible Plant-Based Desserts: Colorful Vegan Cakes, Cookies, Tarts, and other Epic Delights” by Anthea Cheng (New 641.86 Che), “One-Pot Vegetarian” by Sabrina Fauda-Role (New 641.5636 Fau) and “Love & Lemons Everyday” by Jeanine Donofrio (New 641.5636 Don). Just trying to make small, healthy adjustments to your eating habits? Experiment a little with creating your own nut butters (“Nut Butter” by Carolyn Cesario, 641.645 Ces) or explore the benefits of ingredients like turmeric (“Turmeric for Your Health” by Larry Trivieri, New 615.3 Tri) or apple cider vinegar (“Fire Cider! 101 Zesty Recipes for Health-Boosting Remedies Made with Apple Cider Vinegar” by Rosemary Gladstar, New 641.6411 Gla).

Finally, on to the most important food category of all: dessert! We’ve been drooling over recent arrivals to CDPL, including “Delish Insane Sweets” by Joanna Saltz (New 641.815 Sal), the Test Kitchen’s “The Perfect Cookie” (New 641.854 Per), and “The Cookie Collection” by Brian Hart Hoffman (641.86 Hof). Not as much of a cookie monster as me? Other dessert options are on the menu, including “The New Way to Cake” by Benjamina Ebuehi (on order and arriving soon), “American Pie” by Pascale LeDraoulec (New 641.8 LeD) and “Hello, Jell-O!” by Victoria Belanger (New 641.864 Bel).

Happy winter eatings.

Shelbi Hoover is a reference and local history assistant at Crawfordsville District Public Library.

1/16 | Talking about the soul of America

If you regularly listen in to talk of politics and current events, chances are that you’ve heard some form of lamentation over how divided and partisan the political and social landscapes have become in America over the past few years. Pessimism over ever being able to repair our widening philosophical differences is an increasingly common theme in our shared media. In fact, I’m sure that we’ve all heard more than once that this is the most divided we’ve ever been in here in the United States. If you’re at all like me, this kind of talk can spike your anxiety and inspire deep despair, especially when the issue is presented as being more severe now than ever before. However, there is a glimmer of hope; for those willing to dig deeper into our national history, we can challenge that internal despair. In fact, in “The Soul of America: The Battle for Our Better Angels,” Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jon Meacham begins by acknowledging the current state of affairs, but also firmly states that “We have been here before.”

This will be our topic of exploration as we discuss Meacham’s book at 6 p.m. Jan. 27 at Crawfordsville District Public Library. Part of a series of “4th Mondays” events commemorating the upcoming 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage in the US, we are partnering with the League of Women Voters of Montgomery County throughout 2020. Each month, we alternate between “Well-Read Citizen” book talks, and showings of “The Legend of the Legendary League” presentation, which explores the suffrage movement and ratification of the 19th Amendment.

Meacham pulls together examples of contentious moments from the entirety of our nation’s history back to its founding, but in particular focuses on the aftermath of the Civil War and the difficulties faced by those who were tasked with Reconstruction. Each chapter explores a different challenge faced during Big Moments in America such as, the birth of the KKK and its rebirth in the 1920’s and 50’s, the Red Scare and McCarthyism, and the Great Depression. The author also analyzes how the leaders at the time faced those challenges while inspiring hope in the American people and pushing for tolerance and progress. Meacham concludes his reflection with thoughts about how concerned citizens can “enlist on the side of the better angels.”

Book club copies of the title are available to pick up at the Circulation desk here at CDPL; because this is a lengthy read, we will be focusing on talking about the information regarding women’s suffrage, though readers are encouraged to enjoy the entire title if they want. It is not required to have read it at all to enjoy, learn and benefit from our discussion on the 27th. Contact our reference desk at 765-362-2242, ext. 117, with any questions.

Shelbi Hoover is a reference and local history assistant at the Crawfordsville District Public Library.

1/9 | The Golden Girls are back

Join us Jan. 17 as we celebrate the 98th birthday of the incomparable Betty White with our 3rd Annual Golden Girls Cheesecake and Coloring event. The Golden Girls is an American comedy drama television series created by Susan Harris that originally aired on NBC from Sept.14, 1985 to May 9, 1992 with a total of 180 half-hour episodes spanning seven seasons. The show stars Beatrice Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan and Estelle Getty as four older women who share friendship and a home in Miami, Florida. The Golden Girls received critical acclaim throughout most of its run and won several awards including the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series twice. Each of the four stars received an Emmy Award, making it one of only three sitcoms in the award’s history to achieve this. The series also ranked among the top-10 highest-rated programs for six of its seven seasons.

So, come in cosplay as your favorite character and play trivia to win prizes as we celebrate our love for lightening quick wit, St. Olaf stories, cheesecake and four hilarious ladies that shaped our minds with their hilarious antics. Come enjoy complimentary snacks and refreshments, Golden Girls coloring, and quote all your favorite lines. The festivities will start at 7 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Carnegie Museum of Montgomery County. Space is limited so make sure you register for your spot online at www.cdpl.lib.in.us or give us a call at 765-362-2242, ext. 117 for more information. This event is for more mature crowds and has a cash bar. Admission is free. We hope to see you there and thank you for being a friend.

Angela White is the digital initiative librarian at the Crawfordsville District Public Library.