Author: BexBlog

Categories
Recommendations Staff Book Reviews

Beguiling Biographies

by Public Service Associate Owen

Biographies! Across the many realms of print and literature, there are many topics, subjects and styles that stand out. But none stand out quite like biographies, as this particular brand of non-fiction revolves around the lives of single persons. They cover the trials and tribulations of the lives of all sorts of famous people, from Julius Caesar to Cesar Chavez. Thus, biographies are an efficient, excellent way to live vicariously through some of the most famous and influential people to ever exist. There is so much to discover about the idols, villains, actors, innovators, leaders, stars, and extraordinary humans of our lives, and one of the best ways to do so is by getting your hands on a good biography. So, in this blog, I will be highlighting four intriguing biographies of four very different yet equally remarkable people. From Henrietta Lacks to Winston Churchill to Frida Kahlo, each biography tells a thrilling tale of some of life’s most colorful characters.

Continue reading “Beguiling Biographies”
Categories
BPL News & Information Programs

Standing Up To Censorship – Program Preview

by Public Service Associate Owen

Despite the protections of free speech that are enshrined in our Constitution, there are still those present in our society that wish to impose censorship in the literary world. Books are being challenged for their content and are being banned from schools and libraries at an alarming rate. It is important now, more than ever, to stand up to the growing encroachment of censorship and book banning, as it can be a slippery slope that ultimately leads to a fearful, closed-minded, and mistrustful society. This is why Bexley Public Library is determined to help stand up to censorship, and we invite you to do the same as part of our two-part Standing Up To Censorship program. Parts I and II of this program can be attended both in-person in the BPL Auditorium, as well as online via Zoom.

Continue reading “Standing Up To Censorship – Program Preview”
Categories
Recommendations Staff Book Reviews

Women Authors for Women’s History Month

by Associate Librarian Debbie

In celebration of Women’s History Month I wanted to share some of my all time favorite female authors. There are so many wonderful authors but I pared it down to my top five. Keep reading to see some of the women authors that I cherish the most, along with insights into their unique works and writing styles.

Continue reading “Women Authors for Women’s History Month”
Categories
Recommendations Staff Book Reviews

All Roads Lead to Rome

by Public Service Associate Autumn

Or maybe all roads just lead to Roman troubles. A large swath of problems facing the United States today, also faced the Romans at some point during their thousand years of civilization. Climate change made growing food and combating disease harder. People everywhere were divided on how to live and who to believe. Countries invaded their neighbors. Money swayed politics. Violence broke out in the streets. Swelling inequality made living harder and bred distrust in political systems. People scrabbled to reach the top or to just support themselves in an ever shifting world. So today, on the anniversary of the assassination of Julius Caesar and the change it ultimately sparked in Rome’s government, take a break from the turbulence of today and dive into the machinations and turmoil of Rome. Learn how the Romans handled, or ignored, their problems or just enjoy reading about problems that are already solved by checking out some of the following books.

Continue reading “All Roads Lead to Rome”
Categories
Bexley History Programs

Celebrating 50 Years With Bexley’s Own Miss America 1972

by Local History Librarian David

Thousands lined the streets of Bexley for a 68-unit parade of marching bands, floats, bagpipes, and drill teams, reminiscent of the city’s annual Independence Day celebration. However, on this day, in mid October, royalty was celebrated. On the last float, cradling a bouquet of red roses in one arm and waving to the crowd with the other, sat Laurel “Laurie” Lea Schaefer, Bexley’s own Miss America 1972.

Continue reading “Celebrating 50 Years With Bexley’s Own Miss America 1972”
Categories
Recommendations Staff Book Reviews

Spilling Open

by Public Service Associate Juliana

photo by Juliana Farrington

My path to art journaling, like many of my life’s interests, was inspired by a library book. I’d just started high school, and my sister had a book report assignment on a self-help book of her choosing for her seventh grade English class. Naturally she went to the library, and I, library lover that I am, tagged along with her. Browsing the self-help section of the stacks, a single spine stood out to my sister, golden yellow with a title that looked like handwritten cursive. She pulled Spilling Open by Sabrina Ward Harrison from the shelf. After a quick flip through the pages, she looked up and said, “I think you’re going to like this one.” And wow, was she right. She’d found something special. This isn’t your typical self-help book or a how-to book on “how-to art journal”, Spilling Open is itself an art journal. I was absolutely enamored.

Continue reading “Spilling Open”
Categories
Recommendations

It’s Oscars Season!

by Public Service Associate Luke

Roll out the red carpet, tailor your suit, and pour the drinks! The Academy Awards have arrived, and the Oscar campaign season has begun. What movies will walk away with the biggest awards of the night? What actors will be snubbed? What blockbuster movie will win the technical categories but be ignored in the “Big Six” (my guess this year is Dune). The Oscars have been the most prestigious awards in the film industry for nearly a century. Movies from all over the visual medium have taken home some sort of recognition, and there is never a bad time to catch up or rewatch on the best films from the past decades.

Continue reading “It’s Oscars Season!”
Categories
Booklists Online Resources Programs Recommendations

Library Lovers’ Day

by Public Service Associate Hannah

Ah, Valentine’s Day, or as we like to celebrate Library Lovers’ Day! Whether your plans lean romantic or platonic, allow me to share several ways in which Bexley Public Library makes for the perfect valentine.

Continue reading “Library Lovers’ Day”
Categories
Booklists Recommendations

Happy Toni Morrison Day!

by Public Service Associate Juliana

February 18th is Toni Morrison Day in Ohio. To celebrate, I’ve spent the last couple weeks rereading my favorite Morrison novel, Song of Solomon. Toni Morrison’s novels live on the top shelf of my bookcase at home, a space reserved for reverence. I first read her as a college student, and she quickly superseded the ranks to become one of my favorite authors. 

Continue reading “Happy Toni Morrison Day!”
Categories
BPL News & Information Online Resources

Diving in with Libby!

by Technology Librarian Josh

We’re excited Libby is becoming the primary way to enjoy our digital library! While the OverDrive app is being phased out, we believe the award winning Libby app will be a better reading experience for all of our patrons. Libby is the way to check out our growing catalog of millions of eBooks, audiobooks, and magazines. With Libby, you can check out indie authors all the way to James Patterson, books from Diary of a Wimpy Kid to Harry Potter, and magazines from Us Weekly to Cooks Illustrated. There really is something for everyone!

Continue reading “Diving in with Libby!”