Staff Picks: Up From Slavery

Up From Slavery
Booker T. Washington
1901

This book is a fascinating and compelling chronicle of a man who devoted his life to the education of African Americans. 

Booker T. Washington was a born a slave in Virginia, extremely impoverished. He credits his mother with instilling in him a sense of self-worth. 

After the Civil War, Booker's mother moved to the little town of Malden, West Virginia, near Charleston. Booker was able to get a job in the house of the family that owned the local salt mine. The mistress of the house took an interest in him and helped him improve his reading skills and occasionally gave him books. She also taught him the value of hard work and from that time forward, Booker was a perfectionist when it came to getting jobs done and done well. 

By the time he was in his late teens, Booker thought he had made enough money to enroll at Hampton Institute. He did have enough money to travel there (barely), but not enough for food or lodging, so he slept for several nights underneath a wooden sidewalk. He convinced one of the school's administrators to enroll him, even though he lacked tuition, in exchange for janitorial duties. Booker was able to fund his education with part-time jobs throughout his college career. 

After graduation, Booker returned to Malden and taught for awhile. Eventually he was approached by the Hampton Institute and two white men from Tuskegee, Alabama, who wanted him to start a school there. Booker T. Washington would establish the Tuskegee Institute and devote the rest of his life to the institution. Indeed, his administrative, fund-raising, and teaching duties almost certainly led to his early death, but he loved the school and it was his passion to work for it. Remembering his own experience of working himself through college, Booker required that all students learn a trade as well as get a college education. 

Today, his school lives on as Tuskegee University. 

Booker T. Washington was one of those rare men who was loved and admired by virtually all, even though he lived in a time of terrible racial prejudice and hatred. He was also the first African American to be invited as a dinner guest to the White House, by President Theodore Roosevelt. 

Anyone interested in biographies and history would enjoy this book as it is a fast and interesting read.

Find it on our shelves with the call number 921 W317.

Marian
Martinsburg Public Library

Need tax forms? We've got 'em!

Are you in need of tax forms? No worries!

Click here for Federal Tax Forms.
Click here for WV State Tax Forms.

As always, the library will keep paper copies of many forms in each of our four branch libraries. But please remember, it is first come, first served. We do run out!

Also, stop by MBCPL libraries for free tax preparation help at the following locations and times...

Martinsburg Public Library
Mondays | 9:30 am - 8:00 pm
Tuesdays | 9:30 am - 5:00 pm
Saturdays | 9:30 am - 1:00 pm

Musselman-South Berkeley Community Library
Thursdays | 11:00 am - 4:00 pm

North Berkeley Library
(by appointment only)
Fridays | 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Saturdays | 11:00 am - 3:00 pm

Harold the Bear Warms Up

Did you know that Harold the Library Bear lives at Naylor Memorial Library? Well, he does. And he's been cold lately!

Faced with yet another winter storm last week, Harold the Library Bear decided that there was only one way to beat the cold. Here's what he suggests...

First, put on a big, warm hat. Second, visit your public library. And third, pick out a good book to read!

A furry bear with a faux fur hat makes for an amusing spectacle, but Harold seemed not to notice. When I spoke with him, Harold was totally occupied by finding a book to read.

"I wasn't even sure the library would be open," Harold said. "There's so much snow! But they are, and so I was just able to find this great book. It even won a Caldecott Medal!" He settled into his rocking chair and began to read.

When asked which book he decided to read, Harold proudly showed off his prize.

"With all of this snow, I got really curious about it. People have always told me that every snowflake looks different, but is that really true? How do they know?" he asked. "I wanted to find out for myself, so I found a book at my library called Snowflake Bentley. This book is all about the man who proved that every snowflake is different. His name was Wilson Bentley and he proved it by taking pictures of the snow while it was still in the air!" Harold said excitedly.

"This book says that he was always curious about snow, and took pictures of it even when he was a kid! And when he grew up, he used very special cameras to take pictures of snowflakes, and he even invented a special way to take better pictures of the tiny snowflakes, called micro-photography. He was amazing!"

Asked if there was anything else he liked about his book, Harold excitedly nodded, his big hat falling off his head.

"The pictures are awesome! This book won a Caldecott Medal for its great pictures. I really like them. Everyone should read this book!" Harold added.

Stop by the Naylor Memorial Library to visit Harold and check out books about subjects you are interested in. You can also talk to the staff of the library by calling 304-754-3949 or by emailing them at hedgesville.mbcpl@martin.lib.wv.us. They'll be sure to pass your messages on to Harold!

Teens Create

itsashorethingvb.com

The Youth Services staff is excited to offer a new program for young adults called Teens Create. 

The first program will feature fiber arts.

Teens are invited to bring their own projects or start something new with the inspiration and aid of staff members. 

Knit, crochet, create!

This program will be held in the young adult section of the library on Thursday, February 27, 2014 from 6:00-8:00 pm.

Friends of the Library - February Meeting

www.barnesandnoble.com

Stop by the Martinsburg Public Library on Sunday, February 23, 2014 at 2:00 pm to learn more about how you can become a Friend of the Library and what that means!

If you have questions, please contact Kelly Tanksley at 304.267.8933 or kelly.tanksley@martin.lib.wv.us.

Hope to see you there!

Vegetable-to-Plant Garden Show

In celebration of Dr. Seuss' birthday, the Martinsburg Children's Department will host an all vegetable-to-plant garden show from March 3-10, 2014. 

Try growing a plant from pineapple top, potatoes, carrots, sweet potatoes, avocados, etc. 

Start TODAY for spectacular results!

Check out our Facebook page or stop by the Children's Department for more information!

Ways to LOVE your library!

Do you love your library? Want to know how you can show it? Here are a few ways you can help us out!

Contribute:

- Consider a tax-deductible gift to the library.
- Remember the library in your estate planning.
- Donate a book In Honor or In Memory of a friend or relative.
- Remember the library maintains a 501(c)3 status.

Be a friend:

- Join and participate in the local Friends of the Library groups.
- Use your skills to help with programs and publicity.

Volunteer:

- Volunteer your time.
- Present a program for adults.
- Read stories to children or help with a class visit.

Promote:
- Current research shows that everyone loves libraries but few people actually think about them. Talk about your library and what it does for your community.
- Support local library levies.
- Write letters of support to your local, state, and federal elected officials with emphasis on continued funding of the library.
- Write letters to the editor of your local newspapers and/or call talk radio stations to discuss library funding.

Calling all Percy Jackson fans!

The Middle Readers book group is back from a holiday break, and we now meet at two locations! We will meet on the second Thursday of the month at 4 PM in the Musselman-South Berkeley Community Library and the third Thursday of the month at 4:30 PM in the Martinsburg Public Library Children's Department.

In February, we are discussing the first of Percy Jackson's adventures in The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. We'll have lively discussion, snacks (blue, of course!), and a craft activity. You can get a copy of the book at both the Musselman and Martinsburg libraries; just tell the librarians at the desk that you want to join the Middle Readers group.

The Middle Readers group is a great time for kids in the 8-12 years of age range. Below are pictures from our November meeting, when we discussed The Diary of a Wimpy Kid. We hope to see you this February!

Teen Craft Night at Naylor

blogs.babycenter.com

Stop by Naylor Memorial Library on Monday, February 10, 2014 at 7:00 pm for Teen Craft Night. Learn to make cool valentines and candy boxes!

Special Story Times at Musselman!

www.eudorapubliclibrary.org

Come enjoy not one, but TWO special story times at Musselman-South Berkeley Community Library this month!

On Saturday, February 8, 2014 at 1:30 pm join us for a special family afternoon with the theme Under the Sea.

And on Saturday, February 22, 2014 at 1:30 pm stop by for a Wild West Story Time and round up the buckaroos!

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Blind Date with a Book at NBL

Blind Date with a Book is back for February! Choose one wrapped book from our collection based on the genre and plot summary provided. You may find a new favorite author, or fall in love all over again with a beloved book! 

Ballet at NBL

Join us at North Berkeley Library for a very special program!

www.janetworldart.com

Turning Pointe Dance Company will perform selections from their upcoming ballet "Sleeping Beauty" at North Berkeley Library on February 8, 2014 at 2:00 PM. The company will also read the book Sleeping Beauty to children at that time. 

The ballet will be performed in its entirety at Musselman High School on February 28 and March 1, 2014.

Turning Pointe Dance Company is a non-profit organization established in 2011 under IRS code 501c(3). The company was created in order to educate its dancers and members of the community in classical dance forms as a performing art. Members of the company will also learn the rehearsal process behind the performance aspect of full-length productions. The company's goals are to perform two separate, full-length productions a year--one in the fall and one in the spring, present educational outreach programs within the community and schools, as well as attend and perform at the West Virginia State Dance Festival each year.

You can visit there Facebook page by clicking here.

Couponing at NBL

Visit the North Berkeley Library on Monday, February 10, 2014 at 11:00 AM for I GEEK COUPONING. This will be an interactive session with Cheryl Rodgers where you'll find out how to save a buck! 

Don't forget about Tuesday Nights @ the Library, from 6:00-7:00 PM! 

February 4 - Lego Freeplay
February 11 - Game Night
February 18 - Friends of NBL Meeting
February 25 - Lego Club

And remember, Preschool Story Time with a craft is on Thursdays at 10:00 AM!

Bibliographies: Patents & Creativity

www.driveforinnovation.com

Patents

DeMatteis, Bob. From patent to profit: secrets and strategies for the successful invention (2005).
608.773 D372

DeMatteis, Bob. The patent writer: how to write successful patent applications (2006).
346.7304 D372


Filler, Aaron G. The smart guide to patents (2012).
608 Fill.A

Jester, Michael H. Patents and trademarks: plain and simple (2004).
608.773 J58

Levy, Richard C. The toy and game inventor's handbook: everything you need to know to pitch, license, and cash-in on your ideas (2003).
658.8 L668

Louis, Ronald. The inventor's bible: how to market and license your brilliant ideas (2010).
R 658.8 Doci.R

Stim, Richard. Patent pending in 24 hours: step-by-step instructions for preparing and filing a provisional patent application (2003).
346.7304 S858

www.smart-decisions.net

Creativity

Cameron, Julia. The artist's way for parents; raising creative children (2013).
155.4 Came.J

Freeman-Zachery, Rice. Destination creativity: the life-altering journey of the art retreat (2011).
702.8 Free.R

Gardner, Howard. The app generation: how today's youth navigate identity, intimacy, and imagination in a digital world (2013).
004.67 Gard.H

Kelley, Tom. Creative confidence: unleashing the creative potential within us all (2013).
658.3 Kell.T

Langer, Ellen J. On becoming an artist: reinventing yourself through mindful creativity (2005).
153.35 l276

Linkner, Josh. Disciplined dreaming; a proven system to drive breakthrough creativity (2011).
650.1 Link.J

Maisel, Eric. Making your creative mark: nine keys to achieving your creative goals (2013).
153.3 Mais.E

Peot, Margaret. Inkblot: drip, splat, and squish your way to creativity (2011).
J 741.26 Peot.M

Ulrich, David. The widening stream: the seven stages of creativity (2002).
153.35 U45

February 2014: From the Director's Chair

www.newyorker.com

LIBRARY

The second letter in the acrostic poem about the word library is I. Libraries and librarians work in an environment full of imagination, ideas, information, and innovation and work hard to be inviting to a broad range of people.

To use your imagination to develop your creative side in 2014, start at the library.

If you have a creative idea or product and want information to market that item, the library has materials on patents, trademarks, and marketing. For those with strong left brains (the analytic, linear side) who want to develop their right brains (the creative and imaginative side), the library has materials to help you reach that goal as well.

Do you have an idea about how to improve library services? We welcome your suggestions. Suggestion boxes can be found in each of our libraries and suggestions are reviewed each month. Work begins on the library's annual budget in March. At that time, we will consider shared suggestions. Some suggestions, like more DVDs, updating computers, and adding more fiction and e-books, are already being implemented.

Surveys will be going out to the patrons of the Naylor Memorial Library soon to determine what hours and days of operation, as well as services, they would like to see at the new Hedgesville Library. A separate survey asking your help in determining what magazines we should continue to maintain in physical form will be distributed to patrons at all four libraries.

One of the most discussed issues in the library field today is the future of libraries. Some libraries no longer have physical books at all. They have gone to e-readers and e-books instead. Some libraries no longer use the Dewey Decimal System and have opted to go with the bookstore model of classification which is broad subject areas. Some libraries have become the creative centers in their communities with 3-D printers, recording studios, video editing equipment, discovery walls for children, etc.

In all of the above scenarios, innovation is key to maintaining a library that is inviting, interesting, and an integral part of the community. Let us know how you want us to do that in Berkeley County. Use your imagination and bring your ideas to us to improve your libraries.

Call me at 304-267-8933 (ex. 203) or email me at pam.coyle@martin.lib.wv.us.