A Publication of The Fall 2014 NCB Volume 24 No. 2
Celebration of Nebraska Books Set for Nov. 8 News he Celebration of Nebraska Books will be the libraries of Nebraska. Jane Pope Geske was a held November 8, 2014, from 3:30 - 6:30 founding member of the Nebraska Center for the p.m., at the Nebraska Library Commission at Book, former director of the Nebraska Library T1200 N Street, in downtown Lincoln. This event, Commission, and a long-time leader in Nebraska free and open to the public, will feature the library and literary activities. 2014 One Book One Nebraska This year the Celebration marks the tenth book selection, honor winners year of One Book One Nebraska—selecting and of the 2014 Jane Geske and promoting a book for Nebraska citizens to read to Nebraska Book Awards, and celebrate the literary richness of our state. Once announce the reading selecselec- Upon a Town: The Miracle of the North Platte tion for the 2015 One Book Canteen, by Bob Greene is the 2014 One Book One Nebraska. One Nebraska selection, and Nebraska librar- The 2014 Nebraska ies and other literary and cultural organizations Book Awards honor across the state are hosting activities and events authors and publish- to encourage all Nebraskans to read and discuss ers of books with a the same book (see http://onebook.nebraska. Nebraska connection gov/2014/index.aspx). published in 2013. The Nebraska Center for the Book Annual Featured winning Meeting will be held at 2:30 p.m.—just prior to authors will read from their work and sign cop- the November 8 Celebration. An Awards Recep- ies of their books. The 2014 Jane Geske Award tion honoring the winning authors, book signings, will be presented to a Nebraska organization for and announcement of the 2015 One Book One an exceptional contribution to literacy, books, Nebraska book choice will conclude the festivi- reading, libraries, or literature in Nebraska. The ties. The 2014 Celebration of Nebraska Books is Jane Geske Award commemorates Geske’s pas- sponsored by the Nebraska Center for the Book, sion for books, and was established in recogni- Nebraska Library Commission, and University of tion of her contributions to the well-being of Nebraska Press. &
David Sedaris in Omaha on October 30
he celebrated NPR humorist David bestsellers: Naked, Me Talk Pretty One Day, Sedaris comes to Omaha’s Holland Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, When Performing Arts Center for an evening of You Are Engulfed in Flames, and Squirrel Seeks Tcutting wit, social satire, and riveting conversa- Chipmunk. For ticket information about this tion, including a question and answer session. evening of readings, recollections, and a book In celebration of his paperback release of Let’s signing, see http://www.omahaperformingarts. Explore Diabetes with Owls, Sedaris will share org/subscribenow/calendar/view.aspx?id=13154 his experiences that helped create the national & 1 The NCB News
National Idea Exchange: Turning Good Ideas into Reality
Guest Editorial s was the case last year, I was very Last year over 50,000 entries were submitted, and a by Chuck impressed to hear about the myriad of activi- collection of the best of them will soon be published Johanningsmeier, ties that people across the country were engaging in, by Candlewyck Press under the title Journeys. I was University of Aall to promote literacy and reading. For example, one proud to be able to report that the Letters About Lit- Nebraska Omaha new program from the Library of Congress, “Teach- erature program in Nebraska, under the very capable ing with Primary Sources,” is intended to get teachers direction of Laureen Riedesel of the Beatrice Public around the country using primary sources more fre- Library, actually experienced an increase in submis- quently in their classrooms. Another new program, a sions last year. partnership between the Library of Congress and the I also noted that, compared with other states, we National Geographic Society, is encouraging more in Nebraska are doing a very good job with our One geographical education in schools. Book One Nebraska program and with our Nebraska Other sessions focused on the “River of Words” Book Awards. Every year the selection of one title program, which combines art education and en- as the state’s “One Book” is followed by numerous vironmental awareness, as well as the envisioned related events across the state that draw people to not “literary mapping” of the entire United States. A great only read the book but also actively discuss it with deal of time and attention has been devoted over the others. We have also experienced a dramatic, almost last year to this latter project, which would involve 40% rise in the number of books submitted for con- creating an online, interactive map of a particular sideration in various categories of the Nebraska Book state’s literary history that would include information Awards, and each year the Celebration of Books at about authors, works in which a particular location is which the awards are announced is an exciting, mentioned, and so forth. As I listened to the informa- well-attended event. tional workshops about literary mapping, I thought Overall, attendance at the Idea Exchange in Wash- to myself that, given Nebraska’s rich literary heritage, ington forcefully reminded me of how important the this is something the Nebraska Center for the Book work of state Centers for the Book is. At a time when should definitely get involved with. so much attention and energy is being focused on Also sponsored and coordinated by the Library STEM-field education and solely monetary “returns of Congress is the Letters About Literature contest, on investment,” it is very important for us all to re- in which students from grades four through twelve member that the literary arts are essential to creating write letters to authors (dead or alive) of books that a vibrant, exciting state — not only to work in but the students feel have made a difference in their lives. more importantly, to live in. & The NCB Fall 2014 | Volume 24 | No. 2
Nebraska Center for the Book Board Publications/Publicity Advertising and Committees Mary Ellen Ducey; Molly Fisher; The NCB News can accept up to four 1/8- page News Amanda Gailey; Chuck Johannings- ads for each issue. The advertising rate is $125 Executive Committee meier; Mary Jo Ryan (Nebraska Library for 1/8-page. NCB News is issued March 15, Mary Ellen Ducey, President; Amanda Commission staff representative) June 15 and October 15. The advertising and Gailey, Vice-President; Lois Meyer, copy deadline is six weeks prior to issue date. Secretary; Donna Kennedy Marvin, Awards Art Coordinator For details, contact Mary Jo Ryan, Nebraska Treasurer Mary Jo Ryan Center for the Book, The Atrium, 1200 N Funding/Membership Letters About Literature Coordinator Street, Suite 120, Lincoln, NE 68508-2023; Donna Kennedy Marvin; Suzanne Wise Laureen Riedesel phone 402-471-3434, 800-307-2665, e-mail: Nebraska Book Festival Nebraska Library Commission Director [email protected], Mary Ellen Ducey; Erika Hamilton; Rod Wagner is an ex-officio member of centerforthebook.nebraska.gov Cindy Grady; Chuck Johanningsmeier all committees. The NCB News is published three times each Programs/Projects 2014 Nebraska Center for the Book year by the Nebraska Center for the Book, Sharon Bishop, Chair; Becky Faber; Board Meetings The Atrium, 1200 N Street, Suite 120, Lincoln, Carolyn Clark; Lois Meyer; Nancy November 8 ... 2:30 p.m., NE 68508-2023. Johnson; Donna Kennedy Marvin Annual Meeting Subscription is free with membership. Nebraska Library Editor: Mary Jo Ryan New Members Commission Design and Production: Reynold Peterson Christine Walsh; Neil Harrison; 1200 N Street Staff: Janet Greser, Mary Sauers Marvel Maring; Cathy Mohnike All book cover art and photos reprinted by 2 permission of the publisher. The NCB News
Young Nebraskans Win Writing Competition
Letters about Litera- ture award winners at Proclamation-signing ceremony: (l-r) Thomas D’Aquila, Elkhorn; Christopher Penas-Hull, Lincoln; Sydney Kohl, Lincoln; Gov. Dave Heineman; Brianna Wilson, Big Springs; Madeline Walker, Lincoln; and Nebraska Library Commission Director Rod Wagner. Not pic- tured: Wyatt Liewer, oung Nebraska writers received Letters Nebraska Library Commission, and Houchen O’Neill. about Literature award certificates from Bindery Ltd. Gov. Dave Heineman at a proclamation-signing The students wrote personal letters to authors ceremonyY celebrating National Library Week, explaining how his or her work changed their view April 13-19, 2014. Letters about Literature is a of themselves or the world. They selected authors national reading and writing promotion pro- from any genre, fiction or nonfiction, contempo- gram, is sponsored nationally by the Center for rary or classic. Winners were chosen from three the Book in the Library of Congress. Nearly competition levels: upper elementary, middle, and 50,000 adolescent and young readers nation- secondary school. wide in grades 4 through 12 participated in the The Nebraska winners were also honored at a Letters about Literature program—more than luncheon and received cash prizes and gift certifi- What is the 400 of them from Nebraska. The competition cates. Their winning letters were placed in the Jane Nebraska Center encourages young people to read, be inspired, Pope Geske Heritage Room of Nebraska Authors and write back to the author (living or dead) at Bennett Martin Public Library in Lincoln. For for the Book? who had an impact on their lives. more information and to compete in this year’s The Nebraska The Nebraska competition is coordinated and contest, see http://centerforthebook.nebraska.gov/ Center for the Book sponsored by the Nebraska Center for the Book, programs/LAL.html. & brings together the state’s readers, writers, booksellers, librarians, publishers, printers, educators, and scholars Join the Nebraska Center for the Book to build the community of the book. We are Name the people who know and love books, and Address who value the richness City State Zip they bring to our lives. Our Nebraska Center Phone E-Mail supports programs to celebrate and stimu- Name/address of a friend who might be interested in NCB membership: late public interest in books, reading, and the written word. We have $15 Individual Membership $25 Organizational Membership Additional Contribution been an affiliate of the Contributions above $15 are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Center for the Book in the Library of Congress Please send this form and a check to: Nebraska Center for the Book since 1990. The Atrium, 1200 N Street, Suite 120 • Lincoln, NE 68508-2023 3 The NCB News
Kooser Book Represents Nebraska
ouse Held Up by Trees, by Ted Kooser heart of this story is revealed obliquely but power- with Jon Klassen (Illustrator), represented fully. Ages 5-8.” Publishers Weekly Nebraska at the 2014 National Book Festival in Ted Kooser was the United States Poet Laureate HWashington, DC. The book is the state’s selec- from 2004 to 2006 and won a Pulitzer Prize for his tion for the National book of poems, Delights and Shadows. He is the Book Festival’s “Dis“Dis- author of twelve full-length volumes of poetry and cover Great Places several books of nonfiction, including Nebraska through Reading” Book Award winner Local Wonders, Seasons in map. Each state sese- the Bohemian Alps. His work has appeared in lected one title of ficfic- many periodicals. He is also the author of Bag in tion or non-fiction— the Wind, his first picture book. Kooser lives in a book about the Garland, NE. For more information see http:// state or by an author tedkooser.net. Jon Klassen is the author-illustrator from the state—that of I Want My Hat Back. The first picture book he is a good read for illustrated, Cats’ Night Out by Caroline Stutson, children or young won the Governor General’s Award for illustra- adults. The map tion in his native Canada. Klassen now lives in Los was distributed at Angeles. the Pavilion of the The National Book Festival was held in Wash- States at the Festival and lists “Great ington, DC at the Walter E. Washington Conven- Reads about Great Places.” tion Center on August 30, 2014. This year’s festival “Kooser’s children’s picture book offers a pow- featured authors, poets, and illustrators in several erful view of the natural world. Though there’s a pavilions. Festival-goers met and heard firsthand family involved, the real star of this multilayered from their favorite poets and authors, got books modern parable is a plot of land...the artwork signed, heard special entertainment, had photos initially functions as stoic backdrop for the taken with storybook characters, and participated story, with wide-angle perspectives filled with in a variety of activities. The Pavilion of the States plenty of open space and muted colors. But in represented reading and library programs and the second part, as the trees take over, Klassen’s literary events in all fifty states, the District of compositions command more and more atten- Columbia, and the U.S. trusts and territories. tion, elbowing the text into the periphery and Representatives from the Nebraska Library Com- subtly reinforcing the themes in play... Unfold- mission staffed Nebraska’s table in the Pavilion. ing with uncommon grace, the environmental For more information see loc.gov/bookfest. &
Funding Changes Ahead for Nebraska Book Festival
t the spring meeting of the Nebraska the Nebraska Center for the Book’s One Book Center for the Book board, Humanities One Nebraska program. Nebraska staff announced a change in fund- In an upcoming board meeting, the Nebraska Aing for Nebraska Center for the Book activi- Center for the Book board will address the ties. Based on decisions made during a recent future of the Festival, along with other priority Humanities Nebraska long-range planning programming and activities. In looking toward process, Humanities Nebraska does not plan the future, the board expresses appreciation to to fund the Nebraska Book Festival after 2015. Humanities Nebraska for their past support and In accordance with priorities identified in their the hope that we will continue as partners— planning process, Humanities Nebraska is likely nurturing Nebraska’s community of the book. to shift some funding to resources to support &
4 The NCB News
What Are You Reading?
ebraska Center for the Book board Gurdjieff and Eiseley shared a similar concern members share their thoughts about the for the future of humanity due to an imbal- books they are reading. ance wherein the human intellect and associated NThe Presidents Club: Inside technological advances were far outstripping the World’s Most Exclusive the emotional, intuitional, and physical asas- Fraternity (Simon & Schus-- pects of the individual and of humankind as a ter, 2013), a One Book One whole. A quick glance at what passes for concon- Lincoln finalist by Nancy temporary news would seem to confirm their Gibbs and Michael Duffy, somewhat prophetic concerns. is a fascinating account of Neil Harrison the relationships between a current president and a I recently read Kent Haruf’s past president. The bond novel entitled Benediction the club has is based on (Knopf, 2013), and it was three words: cooperation, fabulous from beginning to consolation, and competition. end. The latest in Haruf’s series Based on historical research and many inter- about life in the fictional high esting letters, the authors recount examples like: plains town of Holt, CO, it is how Truman relied heavily on Herbert Hoover, centered on the story of Dad how Clinton respected Nixon and rereads a Lewis’s final summer as he letter every year, how Reagan and Nixon both slowly dies at home under competed and supported one another. I came the care of a loving wife, away from the book learning history—and his daughter back from Denver, and a circle of history from the inside. devoted neighbors and friends. This might not Molly Fisher sound like the most upbeat topic, but the way Haruf describes Dad Lewis’s life and portrays the costs (and sometimes benefits) of going outout- side or staying inside the lines of a small town’s expectations is far from depressing. The characcharac- ters are incredibly engaging, and in the end this “benediction” of a book leaves you uplifted and feeling how sacred and valuable every day is. Chuck Johanningsmeier
I’m reading Ken Follett’s Fall of Giants: Book One of the Century Trilogy (Penguin, 2011). Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres, and this fits the bill. Lois Todd-Meyer In reading Gurdjieff: An Introduction to His Life and Ideas, by John Shirley (Tarcher, 2004) I’m reading Lin Enger’s The High Divide while re-reading The Lost Notebooks of Loren (Algonquin, 2014), a novel set in 1886 and Eiseley, ed. Kenneth Heuer (University of centered on the Pope family, the father’s disap- Nebraska Press, 2002), it seems clear that pearance, his quest for redemption, and his family’s attempt to find him. Rod Wagner &
5 The NCB News
American Life in Poetry: Column 475
hose of us who live on the arid Great something to fix, something to keep his hands Plains love to hear rain on the roof. Not working, something to weld, something to pound, hail, but rain. William Jolliff, a poet from Oregon,T where it rains all the time, has done a something to wrap his calloused palms around fine job here of capturing that sound. that might do less damage than a lead-rope Rain on a Barn South of Tawas knotted and tossed over the limb of a tree. It may be as close as an old man in Michigan If you ever decide to lose your years comes to the sound of the sea. Call it thunder if you want, but it’s not thunder, not at all. by working this land, you might think again, It’s more like the rush of semis on a freeway about the barn you build, or roofing it with tin. by Ted Kooser, U.S. Poet Laureate, American Life in Poetry is made possible by The somewhere between Bay City and Flint, 2004-2006 Poetry Foundation (www.poetryfoundation.org), the road a son will take when he learns, publisher of Poetry magazine. It is also supported sometime around the last taste of a strap, by the Department of English at the University that the life he was born to is nothing of Nebraska-Lincoln. Poem copyright © 2012 by William Jolliff, whose most recent book of poems is Searching for a White Crow, Pudding House at all like a life he’d ever bother to live. Publications, 2009. Poem reprinted from the Blue There’s an anger in it, a tin-edged constancy Collar Review, Winter 2012-13, by permission that has no rhythm, quite, something more of William Jolliff and the publisher. Introduc- tion copyright © 2014 by The Poetry Foundation. like white noise that still won’t let you sleep. The introduction’s author, Ted Kooser, served as United States Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry Think of some man, needing to get a crop in, to the Library of Congress from 2004-2006. We do but the fields are sop, so he’s trying to find not accept unsolicited manuscripts. &
More than 800 Book Club Kits Available
nterested in borrowing a set of books club kit for library customers from this website: for your book club discussion? Try your http://nlc.nebraska.gov/Ref/Bookclub/. Library local library. staff can click on a simple request form for the IThe Nebraska Library Commission provides a requested title and the number of available cop- service that makes it possible for any Nebraska ies appears automatically. Comprehensive title library staff person to order a book lists, with or without book covers, can be printed by librarians for book club leaders. Corresponding DVDs are now available to accompany book club reads for a book/movie combination discussion. Contact your local library and ask them to help you browse or search the more than eight-hundred titles now available for Nebraska book clubs. &
6 The NCB News
Festival Features Award for Promotion of Literature
he 2014 Nebraska Book Festival, and events, including the Deliberate Shapes and Senses, was held in Brownville Wine, Writ- April at the University of Nebraska at Omaha ers, and Song event. Smith TThompson Alumni Center. The festival was helped to get Brownville sponsored by Nebraska Center for the Book, named as an official “Book Humanities Nebraska, Nebraska Library Com- Town” in 2004, designated mission, Omaha Public Library, and University as one of the top three of Nebraska-Omaha College of Arts and Scienc- places in America to go in es—with support from the Nebraska Cultural search of used books. Her Endowment and University of Nebraska Press. It efforts were instrumental featured the presentation of the Nebraska Center in nuturing this artistic for the Book’s Mildred Bennett Award to Jane and historic commu- Smith of the Lyceum Restaurant Bookstore, nity, bringing literary and Brownville, NE. The Lyceum takes its name economic stability to one from the town’s long-gone Literary Library of Nebraska’s oldest towns Jane Smith (l.) receives Lyceum, begun in 1857 to debate controversial and supporting Nebraska readers and writers. Mildred Bennett topics such as women’s rights and water laws. The award is a framed photograph by Michael Award from NCB The award recognizes an individual who has Flecky, Sheep Mt., Badlands South Dakota, 2011, Board member made a significant contribution to the fostering from the portfolio “Earth, Air, Water, Wood”— Sharon Bishop. of the literary tradition in Nebraska. It reminds an inkjet print on Arches HP paper. Michael us all of the importance of individual leadership Flecky, SJ was born in Omaha and has taught and service to the literary and intellectual tradi- fine art pho tography, criticism and photo tions that enrich our lives. Jane Smith was hon- history at Creighton University for the past ored for her work to support literary activities thirty years. &
Book Clubs and Government Improvement
hen you think of a book club, does your Things Done in Government, a collection by Mary Jo Ryan, mind go to a circle of friends, great food of success stories by William D. Eggers and Nebraska Library and beverages, and a rousing discussion of the John O’Leary Commission Wbest new fiction? Mine did. Until I read a recent • Citizenville: How to Take the Town Square article in Governing magazine entitled, “Can Digital and Reinvent Government, by Gavin a Book Club Improve Government?” A group Newsom, with Lisa Dickey, provides ideas of Baltimore city employees started spending for community digital communication and their lunch breaks at book club meetings and engagement the lessons they are learning are being applied to the challenges the city faces. Government • The Ten Faces of Innovation: IDEO’s Strategies book clubs are open to all employees and are for Defeating the Devil’s Advocate and Driv- attended by staff at all levels, from agency heads ing Creativity Throughout Your Organization, to mid-level managers, to front-line employees. a guidebook for designing the workplace to And talking about the ideas in books is giving encourage creativity and teamwork by Tom strategies to those employees that can be imple- Kelley and Jonathan Littman mented at every level. See http://www.governing.com/topics/mgmt/ Some successful titles for government-based gov-good-government-book-club.html for a book clubs include: complete list of books and more about the • If We Can Put a Man on the Moon: Getting Big Baltimore city government book club. &
7 The NCB News Review: Robbery and Skullduggery Reviewed by in Early 1930s Nebraska Oliver B. Pollak The Great Heist, by Jeff McArthur, Bandwagon was for a long time the largest heist in history. Books, 2013, ISBN: 978-1493532698 The successful prosecutions were a travesty; the The 1931 Hastings Bank Job & The Bloody defendants were criminals, but did not rob the Bandit Trail, by Monty McCord, History Press, Lincoln Bank. The Hastings story, written by a 2013, ISBN: 978-1609497965 retired police officer, covers the robbery, shoot- out, and trial. Both books reveal 1930s investiga- hese accounts of crimes in 1930 Lincoln tive techniques and provide building blocks for and 1931 Hastings reflect Nebraska’s pas- understanding crime and law enforcement dur- sion for local history. The Lincoln National Bank ing Prohibition and the Depression on the Great Trobbery in September 1930 of 2.7 million dollars Plains in the 1930s. & The First Library Card by Oliver B. Pollak was born in London. Like many infants studied the relationship between marijuana and during the war my mother and I were relo- pregnancy. He responded, “I am afraid I have no cated to the country, Stoke on Trent, a coal min- recollection of going to a London library or even Iing town, to avoid the blitz. We do not remem- where it would have been located in relation to ber our first or second birthdays. Few remember home.” the first day of preschool, kindergarten, or first My son Noah called in January 2014 and relat- visit to the library. Memories of early visits to ed our almost five-year old granddaughter, Yael, the child-friendly section of the bookstore are went to the library, got a card, and checked out confused. a Hello Kitty book. He sent a picture. A few days My mother tells me I visited the library in later five-year old Jaikob got a card and I received London after school with my friend Peter Fried. another picture. The grandkids will not likely My mother was a refugee from Germany, Peter’s remember the event, but their nostalgic Papalatsi from Vienna. I do not remember visiting the and Opa (grandfather) recorded the event. library. I emailed Peter, who I have not seen My compulsive side, the one that can’t throw since 1952. A few years ago he initiated annual away what may be useful, has retained several holiday email greetings. He recently retired library and archive cards. We settled in Omaha from Canada’s Carleton University where he in 1974. Our sedentary existence means we have not moved long distances so there was no packing, need to compress, consolidate, or throw away. Our retained cards reveal changing library access technology—paper, laminated, plastic, bar codes, pictures, and “swipeable.” The hoard includes a research itinerary: UCLA raised plastic 1977 National Archives 1977 Library of Congress 1993 National Library of Scotland 1995 Bibliothèque nationale 2001 Deutsches Literturarchiv 2002 Newberry Library 2002 Columbia University 2003 British Library 2013 New York Public Library 2014 &
8 The NCB News
Canteen Experience Still Vivid after Seventy Years
ebraska Center for the Book board young girl’s heart went thump, thump, thump. member Nancy Johnson recently inter- Q. What is your most important memory of viewed Rosalie Lippincott about her experiences the Canteen and your involvement? Nwith the North Platte canteen, as featured in the A. The rush of uniformed men who filled the 2014 One Book One Nebraska selection, Once Canteen when a train stopped and then how Upon a Town: The Miracle of the North Platte quickly the food disappeared and the room emp- Canteen by Bob Greene. tied when the whistle blew “All Aboard.” Then Q. Where did you live at the time of your par- there was always more food to fill the emptied ticipation in the Canteen? How old were you? tables. A. I was fifteen years old when I made my Q. Did you meet with Bob Greene when he first visit to the Canteen. I lived with my parents was writing the book Once Upon a Town: The seven miles northeast of Shelton, NE on a farm Miracle of the North Platte Canteen? and was a sophomore in Shelton High School. I A. I “met” Bob Greene on the telephone. His had a sister who lived in North Platte and had Chicago office called me after I had sent him a Rosalie Lippincott heard about it from her. copy of my memories of the Canteen. I had writ- Q. What foods and jobs were you helping ten it several years before, after we had gotten with? a computer and I was learning to use it. I was A. My first job at the Canteen was to lay out thinking about things I could write on it and magazines on a long table in an orderly fashion. “Canteen” was one of those stories I wrote so my The magazines were “used” and had been given children would know about things I had done. by subscribers to the Canteen to pass along. We had a long conversation as he interviewed There was Life, Look, Liberty, Saturday Evening me. I said to someone after that phone call that Post, Sports, Movie, True Story, Bibles and oth- it was the first time anyone had ever actually lis- ers. Then I helped make egg salad sandwiches, tened to me. Later I met him at the book-signing filling twenty bushels of sandwiches. Shelton party in North Platte and he did remember my had sent a twenty-five dozen crate of eggs. This story, for it is the first one he used when he wrote information came from a letter I happened to Once Upon a Town: The Miracle of the North have saved, dated March 1945, that I had written Platte Canteen. to my soldier boyfriend in Germany. Q. How were you contacted about Greene’s Q. You said there were some romances started plan to write about the Canteen? with couples who met during the time. Any A. My North Platte sister sent me an article particular ones you remember? that was printed in the North Platte paper that A. Back when I visited the Canteen I knew Bob Green was wanting to hear from people who that girls like me enjoyed being where the had worked at the Canteen. I had the story writ- excitement was, but I did not know about any ten for my family so I thought why not send that romances until I read about the marriages of to him, and I did. two sisters from Tryon, NE. They married men Q. When did you give your first presentation they met when their names were put in popcorn about the canteen and your involvement? balls and they wrote letters back and forth. The A. My first presentation was about a year or wedding dress of one of those girls hangs in the so after the book came out, 2003. The presenta- Lincoln County Historical Museum in North tion was for a Lutheran Ladies meeting in Grand Platte. Ed. Note: See www.lincolncountymuseum. Island. The person who asked me to give a pro- org/the-north-platte-canteen1. gram was the wife of a neighbor. Q. Were you tempted by all the availability of Q. How many presentations have you given the all those fellows? last few years? Do you plan to continue giving A. NO. I had already met the man I knew I this presentation? How can people contact you if wanted to marry when I was a high school se- they would like to hear your story? nior, a hometown guy. Although it was exciting A. I have given the presentation about thirty- to be in the company of all those uniforms and a five times to junior high classes, Book Clubs, (continued on page 10) 9 The NCB News
National Willa Cather Center Renovations Underway by Charles or the past three years, The Willa Cather and foundation repair, will be completed. Con- Johanningsmeier, Foundation has been working diligently on a struction of the interior spaces, which will include University of campaign to establish the National Willa Cather classrooms for visiting groups, display areas, and Nebraska Omaha FCenter within the Moon Block buildings in Red an archive to house the many important materials Cloud’s Main Street Historic District. Shortly related to Cather that are held by the Foundation, after the building was purchased in 2000, plans is slated to begin in 2015. When completed, the were made to raise the necessary funds to re- National Willa Cather Center will not only be a store the historic site, which sits directly north fantastic testimonial to the worldwide stature of of The Willa Cather Foundation’s headquarters our most famous Nebraska author but will also be in the Red Cloud Opera House, and turn it into an economic boon to the central Nebraska region a state-of-the-art educational center and archi- for years to come. val facility dedicated to promoting the legacy of Those interested in contributing financially to Willa Cather and her works. the project should contact Ashley Olson, Execu- Buoyed by widespread support from private tive Director of The Willa Cather Foundation, at foundations and many generous individuals, the
Architectural rendering of the Moon Block building renovation.
Canteen Experience Still Vivid after Seventy Years (continued from page 9)
the crew of the submarine “Nebraska,” church honor. groups, the National Guard, Legion groups, Q. What did you feel about the opportunity to and others. I am 86 years old and need my son be part of the story of the North Platte Canteen? to transport and help me with the pictures that A. One of my Canteen friends said, “If I had accompany my talk. I hope I can continue. My known all this would take place after seventy contact information is Rosalie Lippincott, 7208 years, I would have paid more attention to what Van Dorn St., Apt. 238, Lincoln, NE, 68506, was going on.” It has given me such great plea- 678-592-9375. sure to be a part of this awesome happening in Q. When Once Upon a Town: The Miracle of Nebraska history. It is Nebraska’s contribution the North Platte Canteen was named the 2014 to World War II that must not be forgotten, and One Book One Nebraska, you met with Gov. I hope I have done what I could do to keep the Heineman. Tell me about your thoughts that story alive. I just love telling this first-hand story. day. For more information about One Book One A. I was first very surprised that after more Nebraska and Once Upon a Town: The Miracle than ten years it had been selected and then so of the North Platte Canteen, see http://onebook. proud and happy to have been a tiny part of this nebraska.gov/2014/index.aspx. & 10 The NCB News
More New Teen Books
have always enjoyed teens and about to be revealed in a shock- by Paul working with teens. What makes ing conclusion. Christopherson, my job at Omaha Pubic Library so The Naturals (Disney- Omaha Public Igreat is that I get a chance to work Hyperion, 2013) by Jennifer Lynn Library with my favorite group—teenagers. Barnes. Cassie joins the naturals It started as just an idea. When the to see if she can find the person youth from the local Southwest responsible for her mother’s YMCA come to the Millard Branch murder. Library in the summer months, why not offer them programming once a Goodbye Rebel Blue (Harry N. week? The rest of the story Abrams, 2013) by Shelley Coriell. is that as youth came Rebel takes on Kennedy’s bucket to the library, they list shortly after her death. Read were offered read-ins, the book to find out scavenger hunts, min- why. ute-to-win-it compe- Cruel Beauty titions, and gaming ev- (Balzer + Bray, 2014) ery Wednesday in June by Rosamund Hodge. and July. These youth Nyx wants to take re-re signed up for the read- venge against the Gentle ing program and quite a Lord, but how can she number received prizes do that when she has after having read for at accidentally fallen in love least ten hours. Now the with him? Southwest YMCA would Better Off Friends (Point, like to have an ongoing 2014) by Elizabeth relationship with the Eulberg. Levi and Millard Branch through- Macallan become best out the year. friends, but should Teen reading highlights they become some- from spring and thing more? summer include: Cress (Feiwel & The Winner’s Curse (Farrar, Friends, 2014) by Straus and Giroux, 2014) by Marissa Meyer. Shell girl Marie Rutkoski. Kestrel falls Cress must stop Queen for Arin even though their love Levana from executing is forbidden. In the end, he has her evil plans. & secrets that he is guarding that are
11 The NCB News
Buffology
By Oliver B. Pollak n February 2014 an appreciative email on 1973 genealogy, nature, Shakespeare, trivia, sail one of my stories, stated, “I hadn’t realized 1974 science that you were a history buff.” The comment 1975 food, recipe Iraised my depleted hairs. History Buff smacked 1976 Cheese, President Carter of amateurism. I graduated with a BA in 1964, 1977 archeology, opera spent two years in the Navy and returned to 1980 camera graduate school on the G.I. Bill. My 1973 UCLA 1981 computer, Representative James K. Coyne doctorate is signed by Ronald Reagan. I was a (R-Pennsylvania) “card carrying” professional historian (under- 1983 steam locomotive, Bogey stood by listeners of a certain age). 1986 museum Insult or accolade, leisure activity or avoca- 1987 architecture tion, the English language has many words and 1992 earthquake synonyms with a wide ambit for nuance—buff, 1993 travel wonk, geek, whiz, freak, fan, aficionado, dilet- 1995 beer tante, antiquarian, curiosity, pedant, enthusiast, 1997 Buffettology hobbyist, avocation, vocation, nut, collector, 2002 comic book scholar, cognoscenti, connoisseur, knowledge- 2003 Buffology (vampires) able, specialist, professional, and historian. The 2006 Jefferson thesaurus revealed additional terms. The Greek 2014 Scarlett Johansen, New Yorker, and suffix “phile,” love or affection, gathered in Nebraska license plate HSKR BUF bibliophile. The Oxford English Dictionary and Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon American Heritage was unfruitful—intrigue and (1707-1788), published his multi volume Histoire challenge. The New York Times on ProQuest Naturelle between 1749 and 1788. Perhaps his shed more heat and light. compendious knowledge took the Buff suffix to Buff applied to well-off men who chased fire another level. Rev. Edward Casaubon’s obscuran- engines and watched fires. They kept warm tist labors fill George Eliot’s Middlemarch. These wearing buffalo robes. 1950-70s obituaries note buff findings are destined for the Oxford English decedent’s fire buff membership. A sample of Dictionary. My obituary or eulogy should read buffs includes: auger, not buff. & 1905 fire 1944 Navy 1953 Police 1954 History, railroad 1955 Civil War 1958 movie 1959 tennis 1960 theatre, silent film, astronomy but not Gastronomy, sports car, basketball 1961 baseball, Football, furniture, history 1962 space, cinema 1963 jazz 1964 political, train, boxing, gun, river 1965 harness racing, theater 1967 automobile, hockey, Lincoln, auto racing 1968 legal, airplane 1969 bridge (cards), aviation, motorcycle, cooking 1970 chess 1971 wine, circus 1972 antiques 12 The NCB News
First Nebraska-Produced Talking Book Now Downloadable
hen the Nebraska Library Commission audiobooks on BARD pilot. I am pleased Talking Book and Braille Service (TBBS) to inform you that your book . . . is now recorded “I Am a Man:” Chief Standing Bear’s available on BARD. The posting of your WJourney for Justice, it enabled Nebraskans with a book to BARD marks an important mile- print-related disability to participate in the 2012 stone in our efforts to increase the quan- One Book One Nebraska statewide reading pro- tity of materials available on BARD.” gram. Now Nebraska’s recording is available for Launched in 2009 by the Library of direct download to any qualifying U.S. resident Congress, BARD allows qualifying U.S. through the Library of Congress’ Braille and residents to download encrypted files of Audio Reading Download service (BARD). audio books and magazines, Braille, and Written by Nebraska author Joe Starita and music instruction materials. Materials narrated by Alice Timm, this book chronicles can be accessed through home comput- what happened when Chief Standing Bear ers or through a mobile app for use with undertook a 600-mile trek to return the body of an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch device. his only son to their ancestral burial ground. It Currently 354 Nebraskans participate in is the first Nebraska Library Commission studio BARD, 9% of TBBS borrowers—many more production to be offered through BARD online could be eligible (see application instructions at downloading. nlsbard.loc.gov/NLS/ApplicationInstructions. In recognition of Nebraska’s efforts, Library of html). For more information see nlsbard.loc. Congress National Library Service Director Kar- gov/login/NE1A or contact nlc.talkingbook@ en Keninger offered her congratulations, “Thank nebraska.gov, 402-471-4038, 800-742-7691. you for participating in the network-produced &
The Meaning of Names is Omaha Public Library 2014 Omaha Reads
maha Public ing program. Learn more about the author at Library (OPL) karenshoemaker.com. announced its 2014 Each year, Omaha Public Library encour- OOmaha Reads selec- ages the community to read one book through tion and it is a book its Omaha Reads campaign, forming the city’s by a Nebraska author. biggest book club. The Meaning of Names was Karen Gettert Shoe- selected through a public vote. To promote the maker’s The Meaning reading and discussion of this year’s selection, of Names (Red Hen the library hosts several Omaha Reads events. Press, 2014) is a A list of events is available at http://www. Nebraska-set novel omahalibrary.org/news-room/news-releases/ with a World War 1002-omaha-reads-selection-recognizes-world- I backdrop. Since 2014 is war-i-centennial. the centennial of the beginning of WWI, this is a timely selection. The book follows a Ger- Ed Note: WWI posters will be on display at man-American woman raising a family in the Millard Branch Library, 13214 Westwood Ln., heartland and trying to keep them safe from the Omaha, until September 30. OPL received the effects of war and the influenza panic. posters from the Government Printing Office Shoemaker resides in Lincoln and mentors as a member of the Federal Depository Library young writers through the University of Ne- Program. See posters at www.loc.gov/pictures/ braska–Lincoln’s Master’s of Fine Arts in Writ- collection/wwipos. &
13 The NCB News
NONPROFIT The U.S. Postage PAID NCB Permit No. 988 Lincoln, NE c/o Nebraska Library Commission Attend Celebration The Atrium of Nebraska Books 1200 N Street, Suite 120 November 8, 2014 Lincoln, Nebraska 68508-2023 an affiliate of News the Library of Congress 34-00-12
CURRENT RESIDENT OR: A new release by John Witzel
Also available on Kindle. www.facebook.com/pages/Saving-Tres-Rios/523617191069739
Calendar of Events: Banned Books Week 2014 ...... September 21-27...... Nationwide Contact: www.ala.org/bbooks/ Pilster Great Plains Lecture: Featuring Margaret Coel ...... September 25 ...... Chadron Contact: Mari Sandoz Heritage Society, www.marisandoz.org/events_activities/pilster_lecture.html Plum Creek Children’s Literacy Festival ...... September 25-27...... Seward Contact: [email protected], 402-643-7483, www.cune.edu/about/conferences-and-camps/plumcreek Mari Sandoz Conference: The Mysterious Plains ...... September 26 ...... Chadron Contact: Mari Sandoz Heritage Society, www.marisandoz.org/events_activities/2014conference/conference_schedule.html One Book One Nebraska: Nebraska Spirit: The North Platte Canteen ...... September 28 ...... Hastings View the complete Contact: Hastings Public Library, 402-461-2346, [email protected], www.hastings.lib.ne.us/events.html Nebraska Literary Omaha Reads The Meaning of Names: Featuring Dr. Charles Johanningsmeier ...... September 29 ...... Omaha Calendar at Contact: http://www.omahalibrary.org/news-room/news-releases/ centerforthebook. 1002-omaha-reads-selection-recognizes-world-war-i-centennial nebraska.gov/ Nebraska Library Association / Nebraska School Librarians Association Conference ...... October 8-10 ...South Sioux City get_involved/calendar. Contact: http://nebraskalibraries.org/conference2014, [email protected] html Nebraska Writers Guild Fall Conference...... October 10-11 ...... Seward Contact: www.nebraskawriters.org Teen Read Week: Turn Dreams into Reality ...... October 12-18 ...... Nationwide Contact: http://teenreadweek.ning.com An Evening with David Sedaris ...... October 30...... Omaha Contact: http://www.omahaperformingarts.org/subscribenow/calendar/view.aspx?id=13154 Anime NebrasKon...... Oct. 31- Nov. 2 ...... Omaha Contact: [email protected], www.animenebraskon.com NE Center for the Book’s Celebration of Nebraska Books ...... November 8 ...... Lincoln Annual Meeting at 2:30 p.m. Contact: Mary Jo Ryan, [email protected], 402-471-3434, 800-307-2665, http://centerforthebook.nebraska.gov, www.facebook.com/NebraskaCenterfortheBook