Friday, November 10, 2017
Thursday, November 9, 2017
Wednesday, November 1, 2017
50-50 Raffle for Window Treatments!
Tuesday, October 24, 2017
Friends' Open House
The Friends' Annual Open House was on Saturday, October 21 at Maxwell Memorial Library. Special guest, Rose Burdick talked about feeding birds in winter. The group presented retiring director Katy B with a gift of a ... book!The Hill: An Illustrated Biography of Syracuse University, 1870-Present, by John Greene. It was a lovely afternoon with good friends and good conversation.
L-R: Rose, Betty, Katy
L-R: Rose, Betty, Katy
Tuesday, October 17, 2017
National Friends of Libraries Week October 15-21, 2017
It's National Friends of Libraries Week!
From ALA:
"Friends of Libraries groups have their very own national week of celebration! United for Libraries will coordinate the 12th annual National Friends of Libraries Week Oct. 15-21, 2017. The celebration offers a two-fold opportunity to celebrate Friends. Use the time to creatively promote your group in the community, to raise awareness, and to promote membership. This is also an excellent opportunity for your library and Board of Trustees to recognize the Friends for their help and support of the library."
The Friends of Maxwell celebrates the week this year with several events:Annual Open House on Saturday, October 21 at Maxwell from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. The Open House is a great way to learn about what the Friends of Maxwell do. Rose Burdick will be on hand at the Open House to answer your questions on "Feeding Birds in Winter'.
Refreshments will be served, and the public is invited to attend.
Art Exhibit: October 3-28 The Friends of Maxwell Memorial Library are pleased to host the October art exhibit at the library. This year's exhibit will be a photography exhibit titled, 'Around Town', by Jennifer Groth, Susan Morgan, and Mary L. Rohner. All three are former Maxwell employees, and have supported the Friends group for many years.
A 50-50 Raffle - October 16- 31. One winner will receive half of ticket sales money. The other half will go towards funding window treatments for the Children and Teen room at Maxwell. Tickets are 1 for $2.00 and 5 for $5.00. Get yours at the Main Desk. Drawing will be held on Halloween.
From ALA:
"Friends of Libraries groups have their very own national week of celebration! United for Libraries will coordinate the 12th annual National Friends of Libraries Week Oct. 15-21, 2017. The celebration offers a two-fold opportunity to celebrate Friends. Use the time to creatively promote your group in the community, to raise awareness, and to promote membership. This is also an excellent opportunity for your library and Board of Trustees to recognize the Friends for their help and support of the library."
The Friends of Maxwell celebrates the week this year with several events:Annual Open House on Saturday, October 21 at Maxwell from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. The Open House is a great way to learn about what the Friends of Maxwell do. Rose Burdick will be on hand at the Open House to answer your questions on "Feeding Birds in Winter'.
Refreshments will be served, and the public is invited to attend.
Art Exhibit: October 3-28 The Friends of Maxwell Memorial Library are pleased to host the October art exhibit at the library. This year's exhibit will be a photography exhibit titled, 'Around Town', by Jennifer Groth, Susan Morgan, and Mary L. Rohner. All three are former Maxwell employees, and have supported the Friends group for many years.
A 50-50 Raffle - October 16- 31. One winner will receive half of ticket sales money. The other half will go towards funding window treatments for the Children and Teen room at Maxwell. Tickets are 1 for $2.00 and 5 for $5.00. Get yours at the Main Desk. Drawing will be held on Halloween.
Wednesday, October 4, 2017
Disbursements to Maxwell through October 3, 2017
Disbursements to Maxwell through October 3, 2017
$1200.00 - Summer Reading Program for Children events, and Children's Computer Chair ($146.99)
630.00 - Portion of Walker Hanging System 324.00 - BookPage magazine
1919.00 - Furniture for Alcove, now the Friends' Corner
75.00 - DVD player for the library
100.00 - Holiday decorating at the library (anticipated)
$4248.00 - Total
Thank you to everyone who has supported the Friends of Maxwell Memorial Library this year. Without you, we wouldn't have been able to give the library over $4,000.00 this year!
$1200.00 - Summer Reading Program for Children events, and Children's Computer Chair ($146.99)
630.00 - Portion of Walker Hanging System 324.00 - BookPage magazine
1919.00 - Furniture for Alcove, now the Friends' Corner
75.00 - DVD player for the library
100.00 - Holiday decorating at the library (anticipated)
$4248.00 - Total
Thank you to everyone who has supported the Friends of Maxwell Memorial Library this year. Without you, we wouldn't have been able to give the library over $4,000.00 this year!
Friday, September 15, 2017
Friends of Maxwell Host October Art Exhibit
The Friends of Maxwell Memorial Library are pleased to host the October art exhibit at the library. This year's exhibit will be a photography exhibit titled, 'Around Town', by Jennifer, Susan, and Mary L. All three are former Maxwell employees, and have supported the Friends group for many years. The exhibit runs from October 3 - 28.
Friday, August 18, 2017
Summer Reading Program for Adults
The idea for a summer program for adults was initiated by one of our members, with Director Katy Benson's approval.
Over 250 entries were submitted throughout the summer.
Participants came to a delightful Dessert Party on Thursday, August 17 at 6:30p.m. to celebrate, and find out who won one of the eight pretty great prizes. Four of the eight winners were at the party!
Thank you to these special establishments for their generous support and donations!
Barnes & Noble - $25.00
Bass Pro Shop - $25.00
Colorful Inspirations Gifts - $50.00
Home Depot - $25.00
The Inn Between - $50.00
Movie Tavern - $50.00
Wegmans - $50.00 (2)
Tuesday, August 15, 2017
The Friends of Maxwell Memorial Library
The area where the new books used to be is now a sitting area. The Friends of Maxwell donated funds for the furniture and a corner table. It's a convenient and quiet little place. The new magazines are here, along with the Friends' space on the shelves.
Thursday, June 15, 2017
Maxwell's Summer Reading Program for Adults
Coming Soon!
Maxwell's Summer Reading Program for Adults
Read, Watch or Listen to books between June 26 and August 14.
For each book, fill out an entry form, and put it in the entry box located in the Friends' corner.
Entry forms will be available at the Main Desk.
Entry forms will be available at the Main Desk.
Participants are invited to a special Dessert Party on Thursday evening, August 17 at 6:30.
Drawings for fantastic prizes will be held the same evening.
No registration! Nothing to keep track of!
Just a few rules:
* One prize per person.
* One prize per person.
* Reading program is open to everyone over 18 years of age.
* Movies must be based on a book.
* Please limit your entries to those you've completed from June 26 to Aug. 14.
Sponsored and funded by the Friends of Maxwell Memorial Library
* Movies must be based on a book.
* Please limit your entries to those you've completed from June 26 to Aug. 14.
Sponsored and funded by the Friends of Maxwell Memorial Library
Wednesday, May 31, 2017
Memorial Day Parade in Camillus
For the second year, the Friends of Maxwell Memorial Library have handed out balloons, flags, pinwheels, water, and bookmarks to parade goers. This year's crowd was smaller than usual due to the weather. Thankfully, the parade was almost over before the rain settled in. After fourteen+ years of having a Garage Sale, the group decided to call it a day and change over to greeting kids and their families at the parade with some patriotic gifts to take home. Plus, those who volunteer get the best seats in town.
Monday, May 22, 2017
Geranium Sale Pickup Day
Saturday, May 20, was pickup day at the Village Hall in Camillus.
Thank you to everyone who ordered geraniums this year.
Proceeds go towards funding Maxwell Memorial Library's Summer Reading Programs.
Thursday, May 18, 2017
Focus Group Meeting for Strategic Plan 2017-2020
May 10, 2017
Focus Group Meeting for Strategic Plan 2017-2020
Black - Maxwell’s Strategic Plan, 2015 - 2017
Red - input from Focus Group Meeting
Focus Group Meeting for Strategic Plan 2017-2020
An email was sent to all active members of the Friends of Maxwell inviting them to participate in a Strategic Plan Focus Group. A group of members
of the Friends held a meeting on May 10, where we drew upon our personal experiences
and sources such as the 21st Century Library Strategic Plan Model (https://21stcenturylibrary.com) and the Britton
Report: Needs Assessment and Summary Building Program, by Britton Consultancy,
Library Counseling for Digital and Beyond (December 2013). We also studied Maxwell’s
current strategic plan. These sources helped inform and organize our process as
we brainstormed ideas that would help meet the evolving needs of Maxwell and the
community.
Our input does not represent the Friends group as a whole.
It does represent the ideas of those present, who are library patrons, and who happen to be members of the Friends of Maxwell Memorial Library.
Our input does not represent the Friends group as a whole.
It does represent the ideas of those present, who are library patrons, and who happen to be members of the Friends of Maxwell Memorial Library.
The
culmination of our ideas can be found in the enclosed document, which is the
existing Strategic Plan from 2015-2017. We added suggestions and comments (in
red, for ease of reading) for you to consider as you develop the 2017-2020
Strategic Plan. These suggestions and comments refer to the mission, vision,
goals, and strategies.
We strongly encourage the Strategic Plan Committee to consider adding outcome-based evaluations (OBEs) for each strategy in the 2017-2020 Strategic Plan. For example, Goal V strategy 3: Develop a process for evaluating programs. The OBE could be distributing a brief survey to those who attended a program.
We strongly encourage the Strategic Plan Committee to consider adding outcome-based evaluations (OBEs) for each strategy in the 2017-2020 Strategic Plan. For example, Goal V strategy 3: Develop a process for evaluating programs. The OBE could be distributing a brief survey to those who attended a program.
We
hope our input will be helpful to you and the Board of Trustees.
Input (in red) from Focus Group Meeting, May 10, 2017
Maxwell
Memorial Library Strategic Plan 2015-2017
Approved June 15, 2015
Approved June 15, 2015
MISSION STATEMENT
The Maxwell Memorial Library’s mission is
to nurture minds, empower individuals, and enrich our community. The Mission Statement reflects what the library wants to do, what will be accomplished,
why it exists and for what purpose. Some ideas to include in Maxwell’s Mission:
-Serve a larger percentage of the chartered
population.
-Active involvement in community life by
partnering with local government, cultural, educational, and business entities.
-Collaborate with Maxwell’s neighboring
library, Fairmount Library, to complement programs, services, and materials.
-Be an access point for information,
education, entertainment, resources and services, and civic engagement.
VISION STATEMENT
The vision of the Maxwell Memorial Library
Board of Trustees is to provide a library suitable in size, configuration,
amenities, and staffing to properly and fully serve its total chartered
population. The Vision Statement reflects where the organization wants to be, its impact on the
community, i.e. future-focused. Some ideas to consider including in Maxwell’s
Vision:
-To provide a library that is inclusive,
accessible to everyone, forward thinking, and at the center of the Camillus
community.
GOALS AND STRATEGIES
GOAL I. COMMUNITY: Establish and maintain
an effective presence.
Strategy 1: Continually assess the
community’s needs by aggressively seeking
input from the entire chartered population, in addition to current patrons.
Strategy 2: Collaborate with key local
organizations in the town of Camillus such as the Erie Canal,
Village of Camillus, Parks and Recreation, Fairmount Library.
GOAL II. LIBRARY FACILITY: Have a facility
that offers flexible use, can change to meet community needs, and be the community’s sanctuary.
Strategy 1: Define criteria for an
appropriately sized facility, based on the 1999 Town of Camillus Library Study,
the 2013 Library Consultant’s Report, and current library literature and
trends.
Strategy 2: Actively pursue the acquisition
of property that would allow for the building of an appropriately sized library
facility with room for future expansion plus adequate on-site parking.
Strategy 3: Examine the use and
configuration of the current library in order to create a more flexible and
inviting space.
Strategy
4: Conduct and energy audit to review maintenance and energy needs of the
existing facility.
Some ideas to update these strategies:
-Offer a safe, welcoming environment where
beauty, ambience, and imagination meet.
-Conduct an energy audit to determine energy
needs, repairs, and upgrades.
-Actively oversee the exterior grounds.
-Prepare and implement policies and procedures
for fire drills, patron code of conduct, and awareness of patrons at the
library who aren’t in view of staff.
-Keep traffic areas, such as the Children’s
Area floor, clear of small objects.
GOAL III. MATERIALS & TECHNOLOGY:
Develop a comprehensive plan for materials and technologies.
Strategy 1: Review and refine policies and
procedures for selection, acquisition and collection management including
weeding and disposal. Update and define these
policies in more detail.
Strategy 2: Review and revise the
technology plan annually.
Strategy 3: Maintain a balanced collection
from a variety of genres and formats to meet the community’s needs.
Strategy 4: Strive to improve the ratio of
ILLs going out from Maxwell, versus ones coming in from other OCPL libraries.
GOAL IV. STAFF: Maintain a knowledgeable
staff with diverse skills, experience, and abilities.
Strategy 1: Develop an overall plan for
library staffing as library facility and services change and grow. Review and refine staff scheduling, duties, and policies.
Strategy 2: Support ongoing staff training
and education.
Strategy 3: Review the importance of creating
an environment of respect and dignity for all patrons and staff members.
Strategy 4: Offer equal and excellent service
to all patrons. Review policies and procedures for patrons with difficult
issues.
GOAL V: LIBRARY PROGRAMMING: Provide
programs and services that meet the diverse needs of the community while
furthering the mission of the Library. Offer
a wide range of educational, cultural, and entertaining programs, workshops,
and events.
Strategy 1: Develop new programs. Strengthen
existing programs based on continuous assessment of community preferences.
Innovate ideas for new programs and approaches.
Strategy 2: Develop programs in partnership
with community organizations such as schools, museums, other libraries, the
business community, community organizations and service organizations.
Strategy 3: Develop a process for
evaluating programs.
Strategy 4: Establish and maintain
interaction with local governmental entities that may lead to identification of
programming needs.
Strategy 5: Promote lifelong learning from birth through adulthood
Comments on Goal V: Maxwell is fortunate to have one full time, and one part time certified Children’s Librarian.
Expand program initiatives that support all age groups and interests, including tweens and teens. Develop hands-on, exciting weekly programs for tweens and teens which feature pop culture themes, S.T.E.A.M. initiatives, life and career skills, creative exploration such as gaming, coding, arts, music, and crafts.
Strategy 5: Promote lifelong learning from birth through adulthood
Comments on Goal V: Maxwell is fortunate to have one full time, and one part time certified Children’s Librarian.
Expand program initiatives that support all age groups and interests, including tweens and teens. Develop hands-on, exciting weekly programs for tweens and teens which feature pop culture themes, S.T.E.A.M. initiatives, life and career skills, creative exploration such as gaming, coding, arts, music, and crafts.
Goal VI: LIBRARY FUNDING: Identify and
establish sources for sustained Library funding.
Strategy 1: Develop a fund raising plan for
operating and capital needs.
Strategy 2: Develop contact with
organizations and businesses that may be willing partners in fundraising
efforts.
Goal VII: OUTREACH and MARKETING: Create public awareness of the Library’s resources, programs, services and willingness to accommodate community input.
Goal VII: OUTREACH and MARKETING: Create public awareness of the Library’s resources, programs, services and willingness to accommodate community input.
Strategy 1: Assess the advertising and
marketing needs of the library.
Strategy 2: Develop an advertising and
marketing plan for the library in collaboration with the Onondaga County Public
Library.
Strategy 3: Evaluate and enhance the online
presence of the library, explore mobile apps opportunities and develop a plan
to continually update the Library’s website. Invest
in a targeted approach to social media; evaluate the library website in terms
of content, design, and accessibility.
Strategy 4: Increase transparency by
posting key library documents and proceedings on the website
Strategy 5: Expand services to youth (discussed in Goal V)
Strategy 6: Expand services to remote users
such as lending services to homebound patrons. Add an additional bulk loan such
as Camillus Ridge (15+ years ago, the Friends developed a bulk loan to
Fairmount Gardens).
GOAL VIII. TRUSTEES, FRIENDS, STAFF & VOLUNTEERS: Promote understanding and collaboration among Trustees, Friends of the library, volunteers, director and staff to further the mission of the Library.
GOAL VIII. TRUSTEES, FRIENDS, STAFF & VOLUNTEERS: Promote understanding and collaboration among Trustees, Friends of the library, volunteers, director and staff to further the mission of the Library.
Strategy 1: Continue to foster an enhanced
relationship with the Friends organization.
Offer a yearly meeting between Trustees and Friends.
Strategy 2: Effectively use volunteers. Draw upon their expertise and interests, (such as reading/homework help, offer programs about foreign language/travel).
Offer a yearly meeting between Trustees and Friends.
Strategy 2: Effectively use volunteers. Draw upon their expertise and interests, (such as reading/homework help, offer programs about foreign language/travel).
Strategy 3: Encourage Trustees to participate in available
training opportunities. Visit and learn about
other local libraries. Refer to other
libraries’ websites and calendars for ideas.
Strategy 4: Recruit Trustees with specific
skills and knowledge in areas such as law, business, finance, fine arts.
Black - Maxwell’s Strategic Plan, 2015 - 2017
Red - input from Focus Group Meeting
Sunday, May 7, 2017
Last Call for Our Geranium Sale
There are just five days left to order geraniums! Orders are due by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 12. Pickup day is Saturday, May 20 from 9:00 a.m. til 12:00 noon at the Village Hall in Camillus. It's also the same day as the Mile Long Sale in the Village. There's plenty of free parking is available at the rear of the Village Hall.
Saturday, April 8, 2017
14th Annual Geranium Sale Begins April 10
The Friends of Maxwell Memorial Library are pleased to announce their
14th Annual Geranium Sale.
Pre-paid orders may be dropped off at the library beginning Monday, April 10.
All orders must be in by Friday, May 12.
Pickup day is Saturday, May 19 at the Village Hall in Camillus.
Order forms are available at the library and online at the Friends' page on the library's website. http://www.maxwellmemoriallibrary.org/friends
14th Annual Geranium Sale.
Pre-paid orders may be dropped off at the library beginning Monday, April 10.
All orders must be in by Friday, May 12.
Pickup day is Saturday, May 19 at the Village Hall in Camillus.
Order forms are available at the library and online at the Friends' page on the library's website. http://www.maxwellmemoriallibrary.org/friends
Saturday, April 1, 2017
April is National Poetry Month
We'll be posting almost a poem a day here throughout the month of April.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
from the poem, "Slam, Dunk, & Hook", by Yusef Koumnyakaa
 |
 |
 |
The Pleasures of Ordinary Life, Judith Viorst
William Shakespeare
Monday, March 13, 2017
Programming for Teens with ASDs
One of our members, Jennifer Groth, is completing her MS degree in Information and Library Science at the University of Buffalo.
We're pleased to make her video presentation and handout available here on the Friends of Maxwell Memorial Library's blog.
Comments are welcome.
Programming for Teens with ASDs by Jennifer L. Groth
Univerity at Buffalo, NY LIS 535
www.buffalo.edu/
Copyright ©2017 Jennifer L. Groth
Presentation Handout - a snapshot.
We're pleased to make her video presentation and handout available here on the Friends of Maxwell Memorial Library's blog.
Comments are welcome.
Programming for Teens with ASDs by Jennifer L. Groth
Univerity at Buffalo, NY LIS 535
www.buffalo.edu/
Copyright ©2017 Jennifer L. Groth
Presentation Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYL_hW1GYo8
Presentation Handout - a snapshot.
Tuesday, March 7, 2017
WorldCat
WorldCat is THE catalog to end all catalogs. Think of it as Google for the offline world. This article explains all you need to know for your next search adventure.
What is WorldCat and Why Do We Love It? by Cynthia Van Ness
https://www.buffalorising.com/2017/03/what-is-worldcat-and-why-do-we-love-it/
What is WorldCat and Why Do We Love It? by Cynthia Van Ness
https://www.buffalorising.com/2017/03/what-is-worldcat-and-why-do-we-love-it/
Friday, March 3, 2017
New Furniture for the Alcove
New furniture for Maxwell's alcove. Funded by the Friends, and a gift to the Friends by the Family of Josephine Bordonaro. Past Friends president, Betty Smith, met with the library's director, a member of the Board of Trustees, and designers to select this group.
Monday, February 27, 2017
Monday, February 13, 2017
Monday, February 6, 2017
West Genesee Central School District Budget Propositions for 2017-2018
West Genesee Central School District
Board of Education February 1, 2017
Board Meeting Minutes
Page 4
FINANCIAL ACTION ITEMS
D. Propositions continued
2. Shall the West Genesee Central School District levy and collect a tax, pursuant to Section 259 of the Education Law of the State of New York, in the sum of $580,079 (which is an increase of $89,000 from the combined levies in effect from 2016-2017 in the sum of $491,079) for the continuing support and maintenance of the free library services offered to district residents by the public libraries historically supported by the West Genesee Central School District, with said monies to be apportioned as follows:
$291,000 to Fairmount Community Library (an increase of $33,000)
$289,079 to Maxwell Memorial Library (an increase of $56,000)
Motion: Neil Widrick
Second: James Soper
Approved 9-0
http://www.westgenesee.org/PDFs/BoardOfEducation/Minutes/BOE_Minutes020117.pdf
Board of Education February 1, 2017
Board Meeting Minutes
Page 4
FINANCIAL ACTION ITEMS
D. Propositions continued
2. Shall the West Genesee Central School District levy and collect a tax, pursuant to Section 259 of the Education Law of the State of New York, in the sum of $580,079 (which is an increase of $89,000 from the combined levies in effect from 2016-2017 in the sum of $491,079) for the continuing support and maintenance of the free library services offered to district residents by the public libraries historically supported by the West Genesee Central School District, with said monies to be apportioned as follows:
$291,000 to Fairmount Community Library (an increase of $33,000)
$289,079 to Maxwell Memorial Library (an increase of $56,000)
Motion: Neil Widrick
Second: James Soper
Approved 9-0
http://www.westgenesee.org/PDFs/BoardOfEducation/Minutes/BOE_Minutes020117.pdf
Friday, January 20, 2017
Annual Membership Drive
January is the month to renew or join the Friends of Maxwell Memorial Library.
Our membership is up for the year, which means we'll be able to do more to support the library.
We'd love to have you join us.
Dues are:
Students & Seniors - $10.00
Individual - $15.00
Family - $25.00
Business - $50.00
Our membership is up for the year, which means we'll be able to do more to support the library.
We'd love to have you join us.
Dues are:
Students & Seniors - $10.00
Individual - $15.00
Family - $25.00
Business - $50.00
Forever - $200.00
Sunday, January 15, 2017
Chocolate Friends-y Raffle!
Our Chocolate Friends-y is back!
Take a chance on winning a canvas tote filled with all things chocolate.
Tickets will be available at the library beginning January 17.
One ticket for $2.00, and five tickets for $5.00.
Drawing will be on Saturday, February 11.
Photo - Chocolate Friends-y, 2016.
Take a chance on winning a canvas tote filled with all things chocolate.
Tickets will be available at the library beginning January 17.
One ticket for $2.00, and five tickets for $5.00.
Drawing will be on Saturday, February 11.
Wednesday, January 11, 2017
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
How will you celebrate the life and work Martin Luther King, Jr. on January 16?
One suggestion we received was to read a book about him.
The following discoveries refer to adult reading level titles.
Two of the best are the Pulitzer Prize winning biography, Bearing the Cross, (1986) by David J. Garrow. It's the most comprehensive book written on his life. Garrow had access to King's personal papers, FBI documents, and conducted over 700 interviews. We were discouraged to learn the paperback is the only edition still in print. Ok, we'll get it from one of the county libraries. There aren't any print editions in the system. There's one audio book available from Hoopla, but not all OCPL libraries have Hoopla. Wow. Just wow.
The other one is, The King Years: Historic Moments in the Civil Rights Movement (2013), by Taylor Branch. It contains selections from Taylor Branch's trilogy. At 210 pages, it's doable. Fortunately, there are seven copies in the system, but only one is checked out. Just one.
The three volumes in the Taylor Branch trilogy are:
Parting the Waters: America in the King Years, 1954 -1963 (1988)
- There are five hardcover copies in the system, none are checked out.
Pillar of Fire: America in the King Years, 1963 -1965 (1998)
- Two hardcover copies, neither is checked out.
At Canaan's Edge: America in the King Years, 1965-1968 (2006)
- There are three hardcover copies, one is checked out.
There aren't any paperback, Large Print, or audiobook editions in the system.
We find the lack of availability, and that only two of the ten trilogy copies are checked out, as of this date, surprising and discouraging.
The Onondaga County Public Libraries (OCPL) is one of 23 public library systems chartered by the Board of Regents of the State of New York. It operates the Central Library and ten city branch libraries. Twenty-one independent libraries in suburban Onondaga County are members of OCPL.
One suggestion we received was to read a book about him.
The following discoveries refer to adult reading level titles.
Two of the best are the Pulitzer Prize winning biography, Bearing the Cross, (1986) by David J. Garrow. It's the most comprehensive book written on his life. Garrow had access to King's personal papers, FBI documents, and conducted over 700 interviews. We were discouraged to learn the paperback is the only edition still in print. Ok, we'll get it from one of the county libraries. There aren't any print editions in the system. There's one audio book available from Hoopla, but not all OCPL libraries have Hoopla. Wow. Just wow.
The other one is, The King Years: Historic Moments in the Civil Rights Movement (2013), by Taylor Branch. It contains selections from Taylor Branch's trilogy. At 210 pages, it's doable. Fortunately, there are seven copies in the system, but only one is checked out. Just one.
The three volumes in the Taylor Branch trilogy are:
Parting the Waters: America in the King Years, 1954 -1963 (1988)
- There are five hardcover copies in the system, none are checked out.
Pillar of Fire: America in the King Years, 1963 -1965 (1998)
- Two hardcover copies, neither is checked out.
At Canaan's Edge: America in the King Years, 1965-1968 (2006)
- There are three hardcover copies, one is checked out.
There aren't any paperback, Large Print, or audiobook editions in the system.
We find the lack of availability, and that only two of the ten trilogy copies are checked out, as of this date, surprising and discouraging.
The Onondaga County Public Libraries (OCPL) is one of 23 public library systems chartered by the Board of Regents of the State of New York. It operates the Central Library and ten city branch libraries. Twenty-one independent libraries in suburban Onondaga County are members of OCPL.
Monday, January 2, 2017
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