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Recommendations

Back to School ✏️

by Public Service Associate Hannah

Where did summer go!? Hopefully into some wonderful memories. Back-to-school season always gets me thinking about just how many materials and resources the library has to assist educators  and learners of all ages. From study spaces and curated teaching collections to college dorm cookbooks and test prep tomes, we have so much school spirit it’s spooky!  Well, that just might be all the dark academia novels talking…  Allow me to share some of my back-to-school book recommendations for Pre-K to Ph.D.  

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Recommendations

Favorite Foreign Films

by Public Service Associate Luke

When Bong Joon-Ho, the Korean director, was accepting his Best Picture award for Parasite, he stated that the win would hopefully show audiences that they could get over the “one-inch barrier of subtitles” and have their worlds opened to entirely new stories and creative insight. Admittedly, I once had to overcome this hurdle myself, but ever since I began exploring foreign films, I have found some of my favorite movies. I learned how samurai movies created the “lone wolf” trope that American westerns popularized. I discovered darkly psychological thrillers that inspired the likes of Fincher, and I experienced the original martial arts movies that Tarantino has since emulated. Going international for your film viewing leads to some artistic, beautifully crafted, and deeply philosophical movies, with some of my personal favorites listed in this blog.

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BPL News & Information Programs Recommendations

Summer Gardening

by Public Service Associate Owen

Other than the shock of spring, summer is far and away the most verdant time of year. It is the perfect time to get the overalls on, find your gardening gloves and trowel, and spend hazy days in the garden. If you’re the sort of person who finds fulfilment on your knees in the soil, or even if you simply appreciate a good house plant, then this blog is for you! I’d like to highlight our extensive plant and gardening section here at the library, as well as shout out a fantastic event we’re having here involving plants and gardening that you won’t want to miss!

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Recommendations

Summer Tunes

by Public Service Associate Owen

Summer is moving right along as we go deeper into July and look towards August. In a past blog, we’ve covered some delightful beach reads for you to enjoy if you’re spending a weekend by the lake or by the ocean – but what if you want to jam out to some summery music while doing so? Do you have a road trip coming up and need something to listen to? Are you simply looking for some new music? Luckily for you, this blog will delve into some of my favorite music to listen to during the summer, across all sorts of genres. Whether you’re working on your tan, having a cookout with friends and family, or are simply enjoying the warmer weather, these albums, pieces, and songs will help you embrace the warmth of the season!

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Programs Recommendations

50 Years of Title IX

by Adult Services Manager Whitney

I grew up in the 80s, and wasn’t aware of Title IX until I was an adult. But with the 50th anniversary of Title IX last Thursday, I’ve been hearing more stories that make me realize that lack of awareness proves the law’s success: things have changed so much I’ve been able to take it for granted. Unlike Linda Logan, CEO of the Greater Columbus Sports Commission, when I was in school there were multiple sports available to girls, rather than zero. Unlike Stephanie Hightower, I was aware of girls who had received sports scholarships, rather than being the first one. And unlike Sue Ramsey, who graduated from Bexley High School in 1974, I didn’t have to make my own field hockey uniforms in Home Economics. 

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Booklists Recommendations

Beach Reads

by Public Service Associate Hannah

Having clicked on this blog, I’m going to guess that you associate your vacation and time off with time to read. I might even wager that you are seeking a particular type of book — the beach read!

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Booklists Online Resources Recommendations

Armchair Travel: Istanbul

by Public Service Associate Juliana

When I ask myself what I know about Istanbul, my knowledge appears limited to Turkish cuisine. Baklava, hummus, babaganoush, stuffed grape leaves, tabouli, falafel, kebabs. What I know about Istanbul extends about as far as the library parking lot, across the street to Cafe Istanbul. 

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Recommendations

Amazing AAPI Movies!

by Associate Librarian Debbie

Asian and Pacific Islander Month is winding down, but it’s never too late to check out some awesome Asian films and directors! Here, I’ve gathered some excellent movies and films from a diverse array of Asian and Asian-American filmmakers and directors that you can find right here at the Bexley Public Library! From Wong Kar-Wai to Naomi Kawase, these are some movies and filmmakers worth celebrating.

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Programs Recommendations Staff Book Reviews

Ohio Day Trips, or, There and Back Again

A Journey Through Middle Earth the Buckeye State

by Programming Librarian Zach

The final school bell for the year has rung, longer days and warmer weather have arrived, and the official beginning of summer is right around the corner. Now, what to do with all of this extra time? Not to worry, the Bexley Public Library has you covered!

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Booklists Recommendations

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

by Public Service Associate Hannah

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month officially became an annual affair in 1992. The month of May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States in 1843 and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869. The majority of the workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants.

So this May, celebrate the generations of Asian or Pacific Islanders who have enriched America’s history, and continue to be instrumental in its future success, with your Library! How? By checking out their stories in the form of books, films, and digital library resources of course!