We have hit the month of March, which is almost unbelievable, as it seems this year is off to a fast start. March is a special month for me, personally, as it’s National Social Work Month! This specific field has a rich history of pioneers, from Jane Addams establishing the Hull House in Chicago (winning [...]
Today is the last day of Black History Month, and tomorrow is the first day of Women's History Month. There's a big overlap between the communities we lift up at these times-- Black women! Dr. Kimberlé Crenshaw coined the term "intersectionality" to describe the way identities stack-- Black women are Black and they are also [...]
Spring training starts tomorrow! If you're a baseball fan, check out one of these books about African Americans in baseball! Baseball's Leading Lady: Effa Manley and the Rise and Fall of the Negro Leagues by Andrea Williams. Ages 10-14. Here is the riveting true story of the woman at the center of the Black baseball [...]
On Tuesday, March 1, our Libby/Overdrive collection will be merging with a large consortium of libraries called the Indiana Digital Library. We are excited for the change, because it will give our patrons access to a collection of e-books, downloadable audiobooks, and digital magazines from almost 200 libraries across the state. The Indiana State Library [...]
Last January, we held our first Quilt Club meeting at the Galena Branch! The attendants showed off current projects in progress, looked at different quilt block ideas online, and exchanged ideas about how to assemble some old quilt blocks made of antique flour sack cloth that one attendee brought in. Quilt Club will be held every [...]
Upper elementary students and tweens are invited to join us once a month for our Newbery Club! The Newbery Award is one of the most prestigious awards given for children's literature each year. Our children's librarians love reading and discussing books, and in this program we will discuss criteria of the Newbery Award (characters, plot, [...]
One of the treasures that we’ve rediscovered since moving the Indiana Room to its new location on the library’s main floor is a little-known book of plays by William Greenly, a free Black man who lived in New Albany from 1841 to 1859. Greenly self-published his book, The Three Drunkards, in 1858, the same year [...]
February is the month where we take the time to learn all about Black History. We read about the history, learn from the history, and grow forward with a positive mind for all mankind. We always hear about the great things men have done throughout history, but there are some women out there that have [...]
February has always seemed like the forgotten month. Not only is it the shortest month, it follows all the hub of the holiday season, and the weather is not always the most enjoyable. It is a little too cold to enjoy the outdoors and yet we have a bit of cabin fever from staying indoors [...]
Looking for your next LGBTQ+ romance novel? I got you, boo. February is the perfect month to cozy up with one of these reads to beat the winter blues. Boyfriend Material by Alexis J. Hall. 2020. Also available on e-book and downloadable audiobook. In this super cute and funny British romcom, tangentially famous screw up [...]