What's New @ Your Memphis Public Library & Information Center

Library Closings

bernadette.davis — Wed, 16 May 2012 10:17:55 -0500

All locations of the Memphis Public Library & Information Center will be closed Monday, May 28, 2012 for Memorial day.

Customers can reserve or renew books online or call 452-2047.
There are also several resources available 24/7 on the Memphis Public Library & Information website.
Downloadable audio and e-books MPLIC e-books and audio books can be checked-out for free; online databases contain searchable newspaper and magazine articles, reference books, and blogs and newsletters can be read on the web.

For the rest of this year's closings, see the Holiday Closings page.

Maxine Smith

bernadette.davis — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:34:45 -0500

The people gathered – not for a sports event, not for a concert, not for a church service. They gathered in the Memphis Room at the Memphis Public Library and Information Center for a humble woman whose heart, drive, charisma, tenacity, and a smile that broke down any barrier and moved a people into progression.

“I have a long history of being surrounded by good people.” Maxine Smith said as the stepped up to the podium to greet family, friends, and visitors at the portrait unveiling ceremony in her honor.

There to honor her for her portrait unveiling at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library were Reverend Reginald Porter, Sr.; Reginald Porter, Jr.; Dr. Fred Lofton, and Matthew King. Remarks were made by Mayors Wharton and Luttrell as well as U.S. Representative Steve Cohen, State Representatives Johnnie Turner and Beverly Marrero, and Commissioners Justin Ford and Melvin Burgess, II along with friends encouraging audience members young and old to be like Smith and continue to fight the good fight with courage, creativity, beauty, and perseverance.

Metropolitan Baptist Church commissioned and donated the portrait painted by artist Larry Walker, a native Memphian and the same artist who was commissioned to paint the Tennessee Historic Council’s oil painting of civil rights activist Ida B. Wells and was the first African American artist to paint a portrait of a mayor that hangs in the Hall of Mayors in City Hall.

Smith donated her collection of papers the Maxine A. Smith NAACP Collection- to the Memphis and Shelby County room in 1996 following her retirement in 1995 as Executive Secretary of the Memphis Branch. The extensive collection provides highly-detailed documentation of the efforts of the NAACP to ensure equal rights for African Americans through a wide-range of actions such as meeting with elected officials, holding voter registration drives, requesting investigations of police brutality and coordinating protests, boycotts, circulating petitions, picketing and organized sit-ins to integrate public facilities. The material covers the years 1958 through 1995. The collection documents the Memphis Branch's local efforts such as investigating complaints of workplace discrimination at local businesses and national efforts such as advocating for the conformation of ThurGood Marshall as a U.S. Supreme Court Justice.

“Never in my life did I dream I’d be in politics; I called myself an educator…,” she stated in an interview with Crossroads to Freedom. And, educate she did. Mrs. Smith served as a former executive secretary for the Memphis Branch of the NAACP and a former Memphis City School Board member. She was instrumental in helping to organize the desegregation of Memphis public schools in 1960.

Reverend Reginald Porter, Sr., Pastor of Metropolitan Baptist Church said, “The Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library is the best place for her portrait.” Porter went on to say that Smith and Hooks were close friends in and outside of the Civil Rights Movement “You can’t talk about one without talking about the other.” Similarly, Wendi C. Thomas spoke of Smith’s husband Dr. Vasco Smith in her September 2009 column: it’s “difficult to think of 1 Smith at a time” as she recalls her interview with Dr. Vasco Smith and Mrs. Maxine Smith.

In the words of Maxine Smith, “God has allowed me to see and be a part of progress in action. For me, the historical significance of the unveiling of this portrait is that the first two sit-ins of the NAACP Youth and College Chapters took place on March 21, 1961 at the main branches of the Memphis and Shelby County Library System. One is now named the Benjamin L. Hooks Library, which was previously on Peabody Avenue. The other houses the University Of Memphis School of Law, which was previously the downtown library and also housed the federal court where we spent tedious hours hearing legal arguments on cases charging segregation filed by the local NAACP. Neither Ben nor I, both native Memphians, were allowed to use the facilities.

I am deeply honored that my likeness hangs in Bennie’s library and my papers are housed therein. Both edifices have been beautifully renovated. This is concrete evidence of the progress in the beauty of our city as well as the beauty and expansion of the soul of our hometown.”

Teen Internet Safety

bernadette.davis — Wed, 09 May 2012 14:40:47 -0500

Teen’s ages 12-17 can learn more about staying safe on the internet at the Poplar-White Station Library branch on Thursday, May 10 at 3:30 pm. Sergeant Len Edwards, of the Commission for Missing and Exploited Children is the guest speaker.

For more information, call 415-2777.

Goodwyn Gallery Hosts Memphis in May Exhibit

bernadette.davis — Thu, 03 May 2012 14:08:56 -0500

“Art of the Philippines” will be on display in the Goodwyn Gallery in the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library, 3030 Poplar Avenue, through May 29 in conjunction with Memphis in May “Salute to the Philippines” International Week.

The exhibit showcases select paintings from the collection of the Philippine Center in New York. From oil on canvas to metal on wood, “Art of the Philippines” displays works of notable artists, time-periods, styles, and trends of the Philippines and its rich history.

The Philippine Center New York, 556 Fifth Avenue, is known as the location of the Philippine government offices that officially represent the Philippines in the region and in the United Nations. Filipino diplomatic, social, and cultural events are also held in the government offices. Filipino artists and art aficionados works are featured throughout the year in the main lobby of the Philippine Center.

In 1974, art pieces were purchased in Manila and brought to the Philippine Center to enhance the interior of the building. The collections are donated by Filipino artists and have been featured in exhibits all over the United States.

For more information, call 415-2846.

Spring Book Sale 2012

bernadette.davis — Thu, 03 May 2012 12:39:19 -0500

Spring Book Sale 2012

The Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library will host the Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale Friday, May 11 and Saturday, May 12 at 10 am. The pre-sale for Friends of the Library is from 8 am to 10 am Friday, May 8.

Visit the Friends of the Library webpage from the Memphis Public Library & Information Center website to find out how to volunteer with the Second Editions Bookstore and the Memphis Public Library & Information Center, fill out the online application to become a Friend of the Library and sign up for email notifications of all Second Editions special sales, annual bookstore sales, and newsletters.

For more information, call 415-2840.

Teen Technology Camp 2012

bernadette.davis — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 10:24:24 -0500

It’s time to register for Teen Technology Camp 2012 at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library. The application deadline is May 10. You can sign up at any Memphis Public Library & Information Center or follow the link Teen Technology Application to the Memphis Public Library & Information Center webpage to register.

Teen Technology Camp begins July 16 and is a week long technology-based Summer Camp for teens aged 13 to 15. The technology camp is sponsored by the Memphis Chapter of the Society for Information Management and the City of Memphis Public Library.

For more information, follow the link Teen Technology Camp to the Memphis Public Library & Information Center webpage to read more about the free Teen Technology Camp or call 415-2732.

Kid's Weekend Garden Club

bernadette.davis — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 15:20:07 -0500

On Saturday, April 28 the Cordova Garden Club will host “Kid’s Weekend” from 10 am – 2 pm. Members of the Cordova Garden Club will share information about gardening, various plants, and show children how to plant and grow a garden. A children’s story time is scheduled to follow gardening activities.

For more information, call 415-2764.

EnergySmart Workshops

bernadette.davis — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 10:17:02 -0500

MLGW, Tennessee Valley Authority, and the Memphis Public Library & Information Center will host Get EnergySmart @ Your Library workshops.

Get EnergySmart @ Your Library is a two-hour workshop that will offer practical tips and hands-on instructions on better ways to conserve energy. Attendees will leave Get EnergySmart sessions with a tote valued at $50 that includes gadgets and tools to complete simple do-it-yourself projects that will help save money and energy.

Get EnergySmart workshops are free. Please call the participating library branch to register.

May 2012

Tuesday May 15 10:30 am Hollywood Library

Tuesday May 22 10:30 am South Library

Saturday May 19 10:30 am Central Library

June 2012

Tuesday June 12 10:30 am Gaston Park Library

Tuesday June 19 10:30 am Poplar-White Station Library

Saturday June 16 10:30 am East Shelby Library

July 2012

Tuesday July 17 10:30 am Cossitt Library

Tuesday July 24 10:30 am Whitehaven Library

Saturday July 21 10:30 am Crenshaw Library

August 2012

Tuesday August 14 10:30 am Bartlett Library

Tuesday August 21 10:30 am Raleigh Library

Saturday August 18 10:30 am Cherokee Library

Employment Week

bernadette.davis — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 16:22:12 -0500

The Whitehaven Library Branch, located 4120 Millbranch Road, will host Employment Week events April 23-26. Employment week programs and classes provide the keys to successful interviews, job search skills, and career opportunities. Registration is not required.

Job Corps	Monday, April 23	3:00 pm
Career Coach Bus	Tuesday, April 24	10:30 am
Job Search: Etiquette and Personal Appearance	Thursday, April 26	3:30 pm
Interview Techniques	Thursday, April 26	4:30 pm

For more information, call 415-2781.

Margaree King Mitchell

bernadette.davis — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 16:45:31 -0500

Children's Author Margaree King Mitchell will discuss her new book When Grandmama Sings along with some of her previous works on April 18, 19, and 20 at various Memphis Public Library & Information Center Branches. Registration is not required for this event.

North Library Branch April 18, 2012 10:30 am
Hollywood Library Branch April 19, 2012 3:30 pm
Whitehaven Library Branch April 20, 2012 3:15 pm

For more information, contact participating Memphis Public Library & Information Center Branches.