FALL 2019 OFF THE SHELF A LOOK INSIDE BROOKLYN PUBLIC LIBRARY BookMatch BPL Presents Presents BPL StaffSpotlight Feature: Bard at BPL BPL at Bard Feature: All photos, unless indicated, by Gregg Richards Gregg by indicated, unless photos, All Stephen Savage. children’s Pictured: book illustrators. Central Library’s Youth Wing, created by leading at installed murals new seven of one Cover: Brooklyn Collection In thisIssue Program Spotlight BPL Literary Prize Literary BPL President &CEO President Linda Johnson E. and creating thinking best their do to place a Brooklynites offers season this and breadth of our cultural programming hope you at the dynamism will marvel education higher from excluded previously been have who to those degree, here inliberal arts the Library, a groundbreaking program that offers a BPL of who represent best members the very staff award-winning extraordinary, two meet will you Shelf the Off of issue this day every potential their reach and interests their discover patrons help who staff librarians and public service say our libraries are people—the about we often Library, Public At Brooklyn A MESSAGE FROMTHEPRESIDENT . You will read about Bard at BPL, BPL, at Bard You about read will . . . In every neighborhood BPL BPL neighborhood every In ...... And we And . In In . . 06 08 04 02 07 10 12
Photo by Jonathan Blanc calls andattendedrallies of youtookactiononline, madephone and fromourrepresentatives for ourlibrariesfromthecommunity commitment andsolidaritythatexists campaign showedusthehighlevelof annual budgetprocess.Thisyear’s branches throughoutthisyear’s library loverswhospoke upforour to offeritssincerethanksallthe Brooklyn PublicLibrarywouldlike WE DID IT! DID WE $42 millionwasallocatedforBPL, our capitalinfrastructureneeds, neighborhoods weserve meet thegrowingneedsof and expandedprogrammingto week service, increased collections, walks throughourdoors,six-day-a- of essentialservicestoeveryonewho $9 operating fundswereincreasedby end, thankstoallyouradvocacy, BPL’s cuts—but theywerereversedandinthe the Libraryfacingsignificantbudget increased! Theprocessbeganwith library fundingacrossthecitywas Library of callsandtweetsonbehalfthe letters, 400postcardsandhundreds record highofover13,000 emails,500 up tohearingsandhelpedBPLseta . 2 million,ensuringthecontinuation . Your voiceswereheard—and . . You showed To address . Somany for all engagement andapillarofinclusion self-improvement, anengineforcivic they willcontinuetofindahomefor when NewYorkers visittheirlibraries, elected leadersareensuringthat support NY CityCouncilfortheircontinuing Brooklyn Delegationandtheentire Library ChairJimmyVan Bramer, the Johnson, FinanceChairDanielDromm, Mayor BilldeBlasio, Speaker Corey to ourelectedofficialsincluding Library renovation ofourflagshipCentral including $25milliontowardthe . . We areespeciallygrateful . Together, NewYork City’s OFF THE SHELF FALL 20191 PAST PAST BOOKMATCH’S FROM BLAST A BROOKLYN COLLECTION
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FALL 20193 .
FEATURE
BPL has long been committed to helping individuals from all walks of life gain access to information and education to help empower themselves both personally and professionally . A new addition to the Library’s roster of educational opportunities is Bard at BPLI, an associate’s degree program created in partnership with Bard College . The program—which is completely free for students—targets individuals who would not otherwise have the opportunity to attend a liberal arts college . These Classes are conducted as they would be include nontraditional students who have in a traditional school setting, but been deterred, discouraged or excluded students are also immersed in the from higher education . Through the Library’s unique environment of cultural program, students take college-level curiosity and self-directed learning . liberal arts courses that are held at Additionally, students benefit from their Central Library, eventually earning a immediate proximity to the significant liberal arts associate’s degree . In its first resources of the Library’s collections and year, the program has already admitted a staff . “This program is the logical next total of 56 students . From a ‘zine created step in the Library’s commitment to by current Bard at BPL students entitled providing New Yorkers with the highest Sirens: Voices from the Void comes this quality academic resources, at every BARD point of their lives and at absolutely assertion: I“Educating those who have been marginalized seems to be a no cost,” said Linda Johnson, BPL’s revolutionary act, even in the age of President & CEO . self-driving vehicles and smartphones. This act is not simply in allowing access To learn more visit microcollege.bard.edu to quality education but in a new approach to education. As the first cohort of Bard Microcollege at Brooklyn AT BPL Public Library, we are proud to be part of a new approach to learning.”I Bard at BPL is generously supported by the Andrew W . Mellon Foundation with additional support for the 2018-19 academic year provided by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation .
4 OFF THE SHELF FALL 2019 OFF THE SHELF FALL 2019 5 PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT
CREATIVE AGING We are delighted to announce the Shortlist for this year’s Brooklyn Public Lifelong learning is just that—the opportunity to continue Library Literary Prize, presented by the enriching one’s life no matter what stage of it you are in. Wagner Andre by Photo Brooklyn Eagles . The works nominated for the Shortlist were reviewed and chosen by a committee of BPL librarians BPL’s Creative Aging programming, often developing friendships that extend from across the borough . Likewise, the serving over 600 older adults each outside of BPL’s walls . Conducting winners will be selected by a jury of BPL year, is a perfect example of how the programs at the Library also fosters librarians with the results announced in philosophy noted above is infused engagement with members of all ages November 2019 . The Prize, generously throughout the organization . In the words from the community . Participants have underwritten by The Peck Stacpoole of one of our patrons, “The program shared that they prefer attending Foundation, with additional support from helps me not only improve my creative programs at BPL, rather than at a senior City Point, is awarded annually to a writer expression with the teacher’s help but center, specifically because of the in each of two categories: Nonfiction For more information visit also stimulate my brain. If I was staying diversity of individuals they encounter . and Fiction & Poetry . The winners will bklynlib.org/classic home I wouldn’t learn all these things.” They also benefit from the wide range be celebrated on November 8 at the Creative Aging provides beginners of additional BPL branch programs and Brooklyn Classic at Park Slope Library . and experienced individuals with arts services available to them, including free instruction in a variety of disciplines computer access, collections materials including watercolor, drawing, poetry and and community-focused events . collage, memoir writing, calligraphy and The Sills Family Foundation, based FICTION & POETRY NONFICTION Chinese brush painting, jewelry making, in New York City, has supported BPL’s soap carving, textile design and much Creative Aging programs since 2013 . In If They Come for Us The Death and Life of Aida more . As a recent participant noted, “This the words of Foundation trustee Deborah by Fatimah Asghar Hernandez: a Border Story class has reinvigorated and renewed my Iarussi, “The Sills Family Foundation by Aaron Bobrow-Strain interest in poetry ”. Experienced teaching has been delighted to offer long-term American Sonnets for My Past artists typically lead 15-25 students in support to the Creative Aging program and Future Assassin Thick: and Other Essays weekly two-hour classes over eight at BPL . We believe strongly in the by Terrance Hayes by Tressie McMillan Cottom weeks concluding with a celebratory value of maintaining connections and culminating performance or exhibition opportunities for creativity throughout where participants share their finished the aging process . We have been able to How Long ‘Til Black Future Month? Our History Is the Future work with friends, family and other library witness firsthand the positive impact of by N . K . Jemisin by Nick Estes visitors . the Creative Aging program and hope to BPL programs such as Creative remain partners for many years to come!” Women Talking Losing Earth: A Recent History Aging are also designed to help support by Miriam Toews by Nathaniel Rich community building, providing older In addition to the Sills Family Foundation, 2018-2019 Creative patrons with opportunities to interact with Aging programs were supported by the National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health, Rose M . Badgeley their peers in a low-stress environment, Residuary Charitable Trust, Fan Fox & Leslie R . Samuels Foundation, Apple Bank, Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership, Laura B . Vogler Foundation, Festa Family, and several BPL Friends Groups and volunteers . 6 OFF THE SHELF FALL 2019 OFF THE SHELF FALL 2019 7 COLLECTIONS
Dragon Pearl Nimona The Hate U Give The Storm Runner by Yoon Ha Lee by Noelle Stevenson by Angie Thomas by Jennifer Cervantes For Slytherins: 13-year- For Slytherins: Nemeses! For Gryffindors: 16-year- For Gryffindors: Zane old Min comes from a Dragons! Science! old Starr moves between has always enjoyed long line of fox spirits, Symbolism! All these two worlds: rich and exploring the dormant but to keep the family and more await in this poor. The uneasy balance volcano near his home. safe, Min’s mother brilliantly subversive, is shattered when her What Zane doesn’t know insists that none of them sharply irreverent epic childhood best friend is that the volcano is a use any fox-magic. from Noelle Stevenson. is shot by police. gateway to another world!
The Diviners Akata Witch Red, White & A Boy Called Bat by Libba Bray by Nnedi Okorafor Royal Blue by Elana Arnold by Casey McQuiston For Ravenclaws: It’s For Ravenclaws: Now For Hufflepuffs: For Bixby 1926 and Evie O’Neill living in Nigeria, 12-year- For Hufflepuffs: A (nicknamed Bat), life is has been shipped off old albino New Yorker romantic comedy in full of surprises — like to the bustling streets Sunny is plunged into which First Son Alex when Bat’s mom, a of New York City to the world of the Leopard falls for Prince Henry veterinarian, brings home live with her occult- People, where your of Wales, but an a baby skunk to care for. obsessed uncle Will. worst defect becomes international incident HOGWARTS your greatest asset. forces them to pretend to be best friends.
READING This past August, Brooklyn Public Library’s A BookMatch list with selections BookMatch service celebrated its fifth anniversary . based on each of the four famous Hogwarts houses! Created by BPL BookMatch is a readers’ advisory service that uses librarian Katrina R. what readers like (and dislike) to create customized LIST reading recommendations based on the interests or needs of patrons . This particular list was created to celebrate Harry Potter’s birthday this past July .
A costumed volunteer welcomes visitors to the Harry Potter Celebration at Central Library.
8 OFF THE SHELF FALL 2019 OFF THE SHELF FALL 2019 9 STAFF SPOTLIGHT AWARDS RECOGNIZE OUTSTANDING LIBRARY SERVICE IT’S NO SECRET THAT BPL’S STAFF IS ONE OF THE LIBRARY’S GREATEST RESOURCES. There are over 1,000 dedicated individuals working to serve our patrons, provide programs and keep This year, the Dr . Lucille C . Thomas The winner of the first annual Feder our many branches running . To highlight Award for Excellence in Librarianship was Leonard Family Award for Excellence in individual achievements, BPL offers Dr. Lucille Cole Thomas (October 1, 1921 awarded to Yosenex Orengo, a Young Service to the Library’s Public was two annual staff awards . The Dr. Lucille – June 23, 2019) started her career as Adult Librarian at Stone Avenue Library . Nurys Pimentel, the Library Circulation C. Thomas Award for Excellence in a school teacher in Macon, GA . In 1955, Yosenex has worked at Stone Avenue Supervisor at Red Hook Library . Nurys has Librarianship is awarded to a librarian after desegregation, she and her husband since 2017 . Raised in Brownsville, he been with BPL for over 18 years . Starting who provides exemplary service to moved to Brooklyn, where she worked returned to the neighborhood after as a part-time administrator, she was as a librarian at BPL while also earning an the public and upholds the highest completing his education in order to give promoted to Technical Resource ideals of the profession . The award is MA in English from New York University and an MLS from Columbia University . back to his community . In working with Specialist (assisting patrons with named for Dr . Thomas, a longtime BPL the teens of Brownsville, he has become computer-related issues) before taking on Trustee and the first African American an advocate for a population that is often her current position as Library Circulation to serve as president of both the New marginalized by society . He has made Supervisor . Having grown up in Red York Library Association and the New the branch a haven for local youth, Hook, she has relished the opportunity to York City School Librarians Association . serving as an educator, mentor, confidant give back to her community . Her The Feder Leonard Family Award for and friend . Capitalizing on his interests coworkers describe her as nurturing, Excellence in Service to the Library’s in Japanese anime and gaming, he has funny and inspirational and they admire Public, inaugurated in 2019, was created and runs weekly classes on her personal connection with the public . established by the Feder Leonard family gaming, Dungeons & Dragons, anime She is always setting books aside for her Brooklynites Leslie Feder and Garrick to recognize non-librarian staff who have and Japanese language . Thanks to his regular patrons . “I thought of you when done outstanding work in advancing Leonard are following a family tradition in creating the Feder Leonard Family Award: charisma and ability to engage, Stone this book came in!” is her common and strengthening BPL’s services to the there are awards established at the New Avenue has become one of BPL’s top five greeting . According to a peer, all of Red people of Brooklyn . Both prizes, awarded York Public Library in honor of Leslie’s branches for Young Adult program Hook seems to know and love Nurys . in June, are made via peer nominations, parents, Ruth and Arthur Feder and attendance . making this recognition especially grandmother, Bertha Franklin Feder . meaningful to recipients .
10 OFF THE SHELF FALL 2019 OFF THE SHELF FALL 2019 11 Unless otherwise noted all events take place in BEAUTIFUL WORDS Central Library’s Dr. S. Stevan Dweck Cultural Center. ARE SUBVERSIVE October 28, 2019–January 5, 2020 Central Library An exploration of language, readings and inscribed meanings, with a focus on Zimbabwean and African diasporic literatures, curated by Black Chalk & Co.
AMITAV GHOSH ON GUN ISLAND SAMANTHA POWER ON MESSAGE FROM THE LIBRARY: Thursday, Oct. 3, 7:30 pm THE EDUCATION OF AN LAURIE ANDERSON Dweck Center IDEALIST From the award-winning Sunday, Nov. 3, 7 pm author of the bestselling epic Monday, Oct. 21, 7 pm Grand Lobby Ibis trilogy comes a globe- Grand Lobby A biannual series, trotting, folkloric adventure Pulitzer Prize-winner Message from the Library is novel about family and Samantha Power offers an a meaningful dialogue about heritage . urgent response to the today’s most precarious question, “What can one issues . person do?” THE REVIEW PANEL ’TIL VICTORY IS WON: 400 YEARS OF MAKING Tuesday, Oct. 1, 7 pm REVOLUTION AND INVENTING UTOPIA Dweck Center Saturday, October 26, 7 pm to 12 am / Central Library Wednesday, Nov. 6, 7 pm Dweck Center A teach-in at the Library observing the 400th anniversary of the arrival of enslaved ANDREW MARANTZ ON ANTISOCIAL Leading art critics join Africans to the shores of Jamestown, Virginia . Over the course of five hours, delve Monday, Oct. 7, 7:30 pm TERRY TEMPEST WILLIAMS moderator David Cohen in into American and trans-Atlantic history from 1619 to the present and engage with Trustees Room ON EROSION: ESSAYS OF lively debate about current historical facts while learning more about their profound ramifications on this country . A chronicle of how Silicon UNDOING exhibitions around the five Friday, Nov. 8, 7:30 pm Co-curated by Brian Tate . Valley entrepreneurs set out boroughs . Presented in to create a free, democratic Dweck Center association with Artcritical . Fierce, timely and unsettling View the full program and RSVP at internet—and how cynical essays from one of our most bklynlib.org/TilVictory propagandists of the alt-right Baron Caliborn, Clara as Saint 2 exploited that freedom . impassioned defenders of public lands .
12 OFF THE SHELF FALL 2019 OFF THE SHELF FALL 2019 13 EVENTS FOR YOUTH & FAMILIES JAMES RANSOME: COUNTRY ROADS, CITY STREETS October 1, 2019–January 7, 2020 Youth Wing BPL celebrates the sweeping output of award-winning book illustrator A BILINGUAL FAMILY James Ransome with over 40 CURTIS ON TOUR: CONCERT WITH MISTER G original works of collage, acrylic VERA QUARTET AND PIANIST Saturday, Oct. 5, 1 pm and oil painting . MENG-CHIEH LIU Dweck Center SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK CALPULLI COMMUNITY CELEBRATES Mister G’s spirited, bilingual Tuesday, Nov. 12, 7 pm BY PLAZA THEATRICAL PRODUCTION DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS Dweck Center performances foster cross- (DAY OF THE DEAD) Curtis on Tour co-presents cultural connections . Saturday, Oct. 19, 1 pm the Vera Quartet with guest Dweck Center Saturday, Nov. 2, 1 pm Meng-Chieh Liu . NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL A pop culture phenomenon Dweck Center JACQUELINE WOODSON ON CHILDREN’S FILM FESTIVAL: comes to the musical stage Join young dancers from RED AT THE BONE KID FLICKS ONE in Schoolhouse Rock Live! Calpulli Community as they CLASSICAL perform to festive songs . Tuesday, Nov. 19, 7:30 pm Saturday, Oct. 12, 1 pm INTERLUDES Dweck Center Dweck Center JUNO VALENTINE AND An extraordinary new THE MONSTER WHO Sundays at 4 pm Fun, clever stories of THE FANTASTIC FASHION novel about the influence of ATE MY PEAS BY ARTSPOWER Dweck Center growth and transforma- ADVENTURE BY EVA CHEN history on a contemporary tion . Ages 3–7 . Saturday, Nov. 16, 1 pm Formosa Quartet family, from the New York Saturday, Nov. 9, 1 pm Dweck Center Dweck Center Oct. 27 Times-bestselling and STOMP, CLAP ArtsPower’s musical tells the National Book Award- BPL and Stories Bookshop funny, poignant story of a Bohemian Trio winning author . & SING MEET THE AUTHOR: are thrilled to present an young boy who doesn’t want Nov. 10 ANGIE THOMAS afternoon of fun and fashion to eat his peas . Tuesdays at 11 am for families . Dweck Center Friday, Oct. 25, 7 pm Carnegie Hall Citywide: SILENT MOVIE BOOK LAUNCH Catalyst Quartet Grand Lobby MATINEE Sunny Songsters Powerhouse young adult SOFIA VALDEZ, FUTURE PREZ Nov. 17 author Angie Thomas joins Sundays at 12 noon, Oct. 8 BY ANDREA BEATY us to discuss themes from Turtle Island Quartet doors open at 11:30 am Fiddle Foxes Tuesday, Dec. 3, 6 pm her bestselling novels . Dweck Center Nov. 24 Dweck Center Oct. 22 Did you hear? There’s a new HOT PEAS ‘N BUTTER LIVE! BPL Chamber Players The Phantom of the Opera Music with Marc: Around Questioneer! Acclaimed Dec. 15 (1925/1929) the World and Back Again! Saturday, Oct. 26, 1 pm author Andrea Beaty and Dweck Center Oct. 13 Nov. 5 illustrator David Roberts join The award-winning family For complete forces once again for the The Extra Girl (1923) music band wows young listings visit: Silly Jazz & Camille latest addition to their best- Nov. 10 audiences with their bklynlibrary.org/ Nov. 19 selling Questioneer series, interactive roots music from bpl-presents Sofia Valdez, Future Prez. The Informer (1929) Little Maestros around the world . Dec. 15 Dec. 3
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14 OFF THE SHELF FALL 2019 OFF THE SHELF FALL 2019 15 BPL Youth Council members celebrating at the annual Urban Art Jamm, a night of performance produced by teens, for teens, at Central Library.
Brooklyn Public Library gratefully acknowledges the Call or visit bklynlibrary.org/support many donors who have provided generous support to learn about the many ways you can for BPL Presents programs, including: Cheryl and support Brooklyn Public Library . George Haywood Endowment for Cultural Diversity, The Kahn Endowment for Humanities Programs, Donor Support & Monthly Giving Dr . Beverly S . Jacobs, Janet Anderson, Elizabeth Morrel Todd Ferguson, The Miriam Katowitz and 718 .230 .2462 Arthur Radin Fund, Los Blancos, Mapleton EMorrel@bklynlibrary org. Endowment, New York State Council on the Arts, Individual & Planned Giving Stavros Niarchos Foundation, New York City Lauren Arana Department of Cultural Affairs, The Shelley & Donald 718 .230 .2009 Rubin Foundation, Sandra and Peter Schubert LArana@bklynlibrary org. Endowment Fund, Laurie M . Tisch Illumination Fund, The Weissman Family Foundation, Inc ., Cultural Corporate Partnerships Services of the French Embassy, City Point, the Samantha Dodds Estate of Pearl S . Reuillard in memory of her 718 .230 .2718 parents Yetta and Louis Schwartz and many other SDodds@bklynlibrary org. generous supporters . Foundation & Government Grants Noella Scott Programs are also supported by Brooklyn Public 718 .230 .2087 Library’s Fund for the Humanities which was NScott@bklynlibrary org. established through the generous support of the National Endowment for the Humanities, The Hearst General Inquiries Foundation, Inc ., Horace W . Goldsmith Foundation, givinginfo@bklynlibrary org. The Starr Foundation, the Leon and Muriel Gilbert Charitable Trust, Henry and Lucy Moses Fund, Inc . Brooklyn Public Library gratefully acknowledges and a gift in memory of Samuel and Pauline Wine . the generous support of our corporate donors (fiscal year 2019–2020) . WNYC is a media partner of the 2019 BPL Presents Season .
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