Author: BexBlog

Categories
Bexley History

Bexley Public Library Day !

By Community Outreach Librarian Leah

Did you know that September 30th is Bexley Public Library Day? Last year during our centennial celebration, Mayor Kessler proclaimed September 30, 2024, and every year moving forward, as “Bexley Public Library Day.” This was a generous way to establish our official birthday and to honor the Library’s long and positive legacy in our community. Our centennial year encouraged learning about the history of Bexley Public Library, for staff, patrons, and the community. Test your knowledge of these historical BPL facts!

True or False:

  1. BPL was founded before the physical building was built.
  2. Capital University initially leased the land to BPL for $10,000 for a period of 10 years.
  3. Much like today, the entrance of the library was originally intended to be used as an art gallery.
  4. The building has only had one major renovation/addition since it was built.

True or False Answers:

  1. True! Bexley Public Library was founded in 1924 and first housed in Bexley High School, now Montrose Elementary School. The building was designed by architects O.C. Miller and R.R. Reeves and opened in 1929. 
  2. False! Capital University leased the land for free for an indefinite period of time in recognition of the library’s importance to its students.
  3. True! We still showcase the artwork of local artists throughout the library. 
  4. False! An addition to the back of the building was completed in 1950 but later removed and replaced during a renovation in 1992. Head Librarian/Director Mary T. Zimmerman oversaw the expansion of the library in 1968, which included the large room on the east side of the library and the Auditorium. The second floor and back of the library were added in 1992. 

Are you interested in learning more about BPL’s history? Check out our website at https://www.bexleylibrary.org/history. If you’d like to represent BPL around town with a cute tote bag or sweatshirt, visit the Friends of the Bexley Public Library Shoppe on bonfire.com.

We invite you to celebrate the first anniversary of Bexley Public Library Day by stopping by the library on Tuesday, September 30th. Happy Bexley Public Library Day!

Categories
Video Games

Malfunctioning Ethics: Art Theft, Bungie, and Marathon

By Public Service Associate Paul

Left: Marathon (1994 art) | Right: Marathon (2025 art)

Buckle in, there’s a history lesson coming, but I promise it’s going somewhere…
It’s May 1991, thousands of American troops are preparing to return from deployment in the Gulf War, the Queen of England visits Congress for the first time, and the Super Nintendo Entertainment System is readying to hit shelves. Meanwhile, following his graduation from the University of Chicago, Alex Seropian founded his own gaming company named Bungie Software.

Continue reading “Malfunctioning Ethics: Art Theft, Bungie, and Marathon”
Categories
Reading Life Recommendations staff favorites

Questions for Your Consideration and Inspiration (Part 2)

I recently read a New York Times “By the Book” interview with Louis Sachar (for free with my library card!) and I found myself thinking how much I would love to ask my coworkers some of these questions. There were so many responses I decided to post it in two parts. Enjoy!

Continue reading “Questions for Your Consideration and Inspiration (Part 2)”
Categories
Reading Life Recommendations staff favorites

Questions for Your Consideration and Inspiration (Part 1)

by Public Service Associate Juliana

I recently read a New York Times “By the Book” interview with Louis Sachar (for free with my library card!) and I found myself thinking how much I would love to ask my coworkers some of these questions. There were so many responses I decided to post it in two parts. Enjoy!

Continue reading “Questions for Your Consideration and Inspiration (Part 1)”
Categories
Writer-in-Residence

Write Where You Are: Reflections from Bexley Public Library’s Inaugural Writer-in-Residence

by BPL Writer-in-Residence Cynthia Amoah

A farewell note from Cynthia Amoah, celebrating libraries, language, and the creative power of community.

Continue reading “Write Where You Are: Reflections from Bexley Public Library’s Inaugural Writer-in-Residence”
Categories
Bexley History Programs

Bexley Day

by Community Outreach Librarian Leah

Did you know that Bexley was founded on August 10, 1908? For the past two years, BPL and Bexley Historical Society have partnered to present Bexley Day programs. Historical Society trustee, Larry Helman, has presented: Celebrate Together: Bexley Day with Larry Helman and Celebrating Bexley Day – The Development of Main Street. Former BPL Local History Librarian, David Distelhorst, also presented on Mapping Bexley from Wilderness to Village. These programs present a wide variety of historical information about the city of Bexley and its founding. 

Continue reading “Bexley Day”
Categories
Book Spotlight

Book Spotlight: The Witch’s Daughter

by Public Service Associate Juliana

The Witch’s Daughter: My Mother, Her Magic, and the Madness that Bound Us by Orenda Fink (2024)

Today’s book spotlight features a memoir I gravitated towards as if it was magnetic. I noticed it on the new shelf in the library lobby and felt literally pulled to examine it closer, drawn to the arrangement of pressed flowers on the cover, the unmarked sheet music background, and the black cursive typography of the title that appears to be scribed with a paintbrush. The title itself beckoned me; The Witch’s Daughter sounds like the stuff of dark fairytales and straight away inspired interest and intrigue.

Continue reading “Book Spotlight: The Witch’s Daughter”
Categories
Recommendations

A Magical Movie Night for Library Lovers

by Public Service Associate Juliana

Matilda is a movie for library lovers. The little protagonist LOVES books. She LOVES to read. She LOVES her public library! The film came out in 1996, and I remember watching it for the first time and absolutely longing to be able to walk to the library like she does. To fill a little red wagon full of books and pull it home is the stuff of dreams — and maybe part of why I ended up working at a library. Wish fulfillment.

Continue reading “A Magical Movie Night for Library Lovers”
Categories
Recommendations

The Great Outdoors

by Content Coordinator Hannah

What began as just a week back in 1998 has grown into Great Outdoors Month, officially recognized by the U.S. Senate on June 5, 2019. It’s a national celebration meant to encourage people (you’re invited!) to explore and appreciate nature—for all its benefits: mental well-being, stronger communities, economic value, and of course, physical health.

Continue reading “The Great Outdoors”
Categories
Recommendations

Walks with Mondo: A Book Lover’s Guide to Exercise

by Public Service Associate Juliana

Mondo among the violets

I wish I loved exercise as much as I love reading. Maybe even half as much as I love reading. I have no problem showing up for the current chapter I’m on. But lately I can’t get myself to exercise. For a while, I showed up for yoga, but now my mat gathers dust. When I started watching Scandinavian murder mysteries while on the stationary bike, I thought I’d solved my exercise problem once and for all. That felt like something I would and could do a couple times a week.

Continue reading “Walks with Mondo: A Book Lover’s Guide to Exercise”