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.
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!
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!
by Public Services Manager Jen
Some might suggest motherhood is in the DNA. Hardwired. Hyperlinked. Dormant until diapers. Innate. Intrinsic. Slumbering until sleep training. As if upon the arrival of a brand new person, some primal, prehistoric portion of the neocortex whirs and clicks into place like the insides of a finely tuned piece of cosmic machinery. With all the gears and mechanisms in their correct spaces, you are now prepared to take part in the grand experiment that is maternity.
by Public Service Associate Luke
May the Fourth be with you. Star Wars Day is upon us! This is the day when fans join together to celebrate the greatest science fiction universe in media (Trekkies may take their leave now). Back in 1977, no one expected an unknown creative with an idea for space cowboys and laser-swords to take over the hearts and minds of millions of people. George Lucas drew on his love for westerns, samurai tales, and mythical archetypes to create a universe that is so famous, it is hard to find someone who has not seen the movies or at least heard the quotable lines. Being named Luke, almost every interaction I had as a child included “I am your father.” Star Wars is one of the best worlds to explore and disappear into, and it has some fantastic books and shows based on the galaxy far far away.
by Public Service Associate Juliana
This Friday, April 29th, marks the 150th anniversary of Arbor Day! The tree planter’s holiday is celebrated nationally and internationally and is particularly grand to us here locally. Bexley is a city that loves its trees. Among the 14,000 trees here, you’ll see various types including white oaks, scarlet oaks, shingle oaks, bur oaks, sugar maples, and red maples to name a few. The tree lined streets define this city. In fact, in 2013 Bexley was accredited as an arboretum, the first city in the U.S. to do so.
by Youth Librarian Kelly
As the weather warms up, there’s nothing better than spending some time outside, and one place I recommend is Bexley’s own Fairy Garden at Schneider Park.
by Local History Librarian David
During Bexley Public Library’s March program, “Stories of African Americans in 19th Century Bexley,” I learned how different records identify African Americans. Then, while digging deeper into the life of Thomas Payton, discovered some of those records.
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.
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.