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
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. 

Categories
BPL News & Information

Summer Community Read (SCR) Is for Adults, Too!

By Associate Librarian Leah

At BPL, patrons of all-ages are invited to sign up for our SCR (Summer Community Read) program. Maybe, like me, you have vivid childhood memories of getting your summer reading prize, stamp, or coupon, at your local library. I remember the excitement of going to the library and walking up to the desk with my reading tracker in hand. While I have not been inside my childhood library for many years, I can still visualize the space in my head. Maybe your library memories are being made now, in adulthood and/or retirement. Don’t worry, there’s still the chance for you to make memories around summer reading! 

Categories
Reading Life

What’s Your Reader Personality Type?

by Associate Librarian Leah

You may have taken various tests/quizzes to figure out your personality type/s (Enneagram, Myers Briggs, etc). Have you ever considered what your reader personality type is? I recently found this list of reader personality types from Author Janie Crouch’s Facebook page.

Categories
Booklists Youth Services

Newbery & Caldecott Through the Years

by Associate Librarian Leah

As we head into this new year, let’s revisit some of our favorite children’s classics from the past ten decades. Many Newbery Medal and Caldecott Medal & Honor books are available for checkout at BPL, even though the original stories may be from the early to mid 1900s. The Newbery Medal has been awarded by the American Library Association since 1922, and Caldecott Medal & Honor books have been recognized since 1938. You can find the complete list of Caldecott award honorees and recipients here.

Categories
Recommendations Staff Book Reviews

Leah Recommends Award-Winning Young Adult Fiction

by Associate Librarian Leah Boyden

Earlier this year I took a course on engaging teens within libraries. As a lover and reader of young adult material and former middle school teacher, this task was right up my alley. A former student of mine encouraged me to write a blog post for the library and because of their encouragement I signed up!