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Galveston County Library System News Dickinson • Friendswood • Galveston • Hitchcock • La Marque • League City • Santa Fe • Texas City RECALLING A PUBLICIST, A PRESIDENT, AND A PAINTING The Galveston and Texas History Center recently received additional papers of Rosella Horowitz Werlin (1904-1985), who served as the Galveston Chamber of Commerce’s publicity director during the 1930s and 1940s. Mrs. Werlin publicized Galveston through various venues, such as the Hay Fever Contest and the Car Hop Queen Contest. Her papers include a photograph related to Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s visit to Galveston on May 11, 1937. The President was wrapping up a fishing trip to the Gulf Coast. He left the yacht Potomac at Pier 26 and made his way via limousine through welcoming crowds before he took the train back to Washington, DC. At Kopperl Park, President Roosevelt received a painting of Galveston oleanders, which included the Franklin D. Roosevelt variety of oleander. Mrs. E. Richardson Cherry of Houston was the artist. Kalita Humphreys, senior queen of the Galveston Oleander Festival, gave the painting to the President in the presence of Mayor Adrian F. Levy. The photograph ran in the Galveston Daily News, May 12, 1937. Mayor Adrian F. Levy (left) and Kalita Humphreys (right) present President Franklin Delano Roosevelt with a painting of Galveston oleanders in 1937.

In October 1971, Rosella Werlin donated publicity papers and scrapbooks to the Galveston Historical Foundation, which in turn transferred them to Rosenberg Library. Mrs. Werlin spoke at the library about her remarkable life on this occasion. Her supervisor, Silas B. Ragsdale, who had been editor of the Galveston Daily News and the Galveston Tribune, introduced her. The papers received this past summer from her family include Mrs. Werlin’s correspondence, writings, and other materials reflecting her publicity and journalistic efforts in Galveston and later in Houston. Casey Edward Greene, Head of Special Collections—Rosenberg Library

Extension Services—FY 2009/2010 Institutional Deliveries: 197 • Materials Delivered: 11,981 • Materials to Homebound Patrons: 1,702 • Inquiries: 1,049 • Institution Population: 2,775 • Homebound Patrons—Visits: 152 • Books-by-Mail Patrons: 3

For more information about the many services offered by the Extension department such as delivery to homebound patrons and books-by-mail (free shipping), please contact Marilyn Lyons-Letroise at (409) 763-8854, ext. 136.

Marilyn Lyons-Letroise loads the GCLS van for Extension department deliveries.

In anticipation of the 100-year anniversary of the City of Texas City’s founding, Moore Library will launch an online historical exhibit about Texas City’s history. The exhibit will be available through the link on the library’s homepage or directly at www.texascity-library.org/TCH/index.html. The online exhibit is the culmination of a two-year historical research project by Moore Library staff. Patrons can access articles about topics that span Texas City’s history, including subjects such as the city’s early settlers, its incorporation, a timeline detailing the chronology of the city’s development, prominent citizens such as H.B. and Helen Moore, Frank Davison and blues musician Charles Brown, the history of the Texas City Dike, and others. In addition to articles, the exhibit contains historical photographs, maps, and images of historical documents. To create the exhibit, library staff consulted print materials from our collection, authoritative sources from the Internet and materials borrowed from other libraries’ collections. Our goal for this exhibit is to make the story of Texas City more accessible to its citizens and visitors and to provide documentation of how our local history impacts, and is impacted by, the events and history of the Gulf Coast Region, the State of Texas, the United States and the world. Additionally, we are happy to find a way to share some wonderful, but very fragile, historical resources with the Texas City community and other interested individuals around the world. Snapshots from the online exhibition:

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ADULT BOARD GAME GROUP DATE/TIME: Monday, November 1 @ 10:00 a.m. Monday, November 15 @ 10:00 a.m. PLACE: Moore Memorial Public Library Holland Meeting Room 1701 9th Avenue North Texas City, TX 77590 (409) 643-5970

New Board Game Group at Moore Library In September the Moore Memorial Public Library started a Beginning Go Class and an Adult Board Game Group. The class teaches the basic rules and strategies of the popular Asian strategy game Go, while the Board Game Group allows adults to get together in the library’s meeting room to play chess, Go, Scrabble, dominoes, and other strategy based board games. These game days provide a chance for community members to exercise their minds in a fun and comfortable environment while they connect with other library patrons. The Board Game Group will be an ongoing program at the library; check our programs and events page for dates and times at http://www.texascitylibrary.org/AdultEvents.htm.

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Film Workshop for Teens This summer teens at the Helen Hall Library had an opportunity to make a short film. Teens attended a weekly program with a fast-paced outline to create a film by the end of the summer. We started by brainstorming ideas and watching a few examples of other short films or videos made in libraries. The teens were full of ideas, but after several votes the teens decided that they would write their script around the idea of characters from books coming to life and doing malicious things to those who mistreat books. Due to the size of the group and the short amount of time, the teens divided themselves into three groups, and each group wrote part of the script. The groups then came together to make the three scenes work as a whole. Next, it was time for casting. Teens had ideas of

Teens at Helen Hall Library had an opportunity to make a short film this summer. The film was posted to the library’s YouTube channel and on the library’s website.

who should play certain characters while others volunteered for parts that they really wanted to portray. Filming was the most exciting part of the program. On the first day of filming, summer assistant Tina Sanders took the lead as the director, calling shots and coaching our actors. Following her example, one of the teens was able to take over directing. With little time to spare the teens started editing the film but unfortunately ran out of time and teen librarian, Lindsay Faust, finished the final edit. The film debuted in the library’s theater, and family and friends of the participants were invited as well as the public. Afterwards, it was posted to the library’s YouTube channel and on the library’s website.

Helen Hall Library hosted a reception where Congressman Ron Paul presented the We the People Bookshelf Grant to Teen Librarian, Lindsay Faust. In this picture from left to right are City Librarian Shelley Leader, Mayor Toni Randall, Teen Librarian Lindsay Faust, Congressman Ron Paul and Library Board Chair Peggy Zahler.

Galveston County citizens say thank you for the support received from our County Judge and Commissioners for library services, resources and materials. PAGE 3

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LA MARQUE LIBRARY

This year La Marque Library used Lone Star Grant funds to purchase a new server, 8 new public access computers and a camera. In addition, they added new software for library operation. Friends provided tables and chairs for a newly created ―lab‖ where staff can offer computer classes. The classes, scheduled two mornings each week, help adults learn basic computer skills. Participants can learn how to use a mouse, move around in the Windows environment, save files to a thumb drive, as well as search the library catalog, get an email address, make a word document and surf the Internet. This addition of 8 new computers brings the total to 23 public access computers. Library staff has seen an increase in patrons who need assistance with their resumes, online job applications and job searches. A new web site that provides additional information about learning computer skills is www.twdl.org. The Texas State Library launched this very useful website that includes online tutorials for learning computers skills that range from basic to mastering Microsoft Office applications.

The Hitchcock Public Library purchased two laptop lounge chairs for a new seating area designed for laptop users and patrons who just want a quiet spot to sit, read a book, or enjoy the view. The library is located at 8005 Barry Avenue. You can reach their friendly staff by calling (409) 986-7814.

The library also purchased a new camera that was used to make souvenir photos for summer reading program participants. The camera has also been useful for adding new photos to the library’s website at www.lamarquelibrary.org.

New computers set up for class. Inviting area just inside the La Marque Library. PAGE 4

Galveston County Library System Friendswood Public Library 416 S. Friendswood Drive Friendswood, TX 77546 www.friendswood.lib.tx.us (281) 482-7135 Mon-Thurs 10 am to 9 pm Fri, Sat 10 am to 6 pm Closed Sunday Rosenberg Library 2310 Sealy Street Galveston, TX 77550-2220 www.rosenberg-library.org (409) 763-8854 Tues—Sat 9 am to 6 pm Closed Sunday & Monday Hitchcock Public Library Genevieve Miller Library 8005 Barry Street Hitchcock, TX 77563 www.hitchcockpubliclibrary.org (409) 986-7814 Tue, Wed & Fri 10 am to 5 pm Thur 10 am to 6 pm Sat 10 am to 3 pm Closed Sunday & Monday Santa Fe Public Library Mae Bruce Library 13302 6th Street Santa Fe, TX 77510 www.maebrucelibrary.org (409) 925-5540 Mon-Wed, Fri 10 am to 6 pm Thur 12 to 8 pm Sat 10 am to 1:30 pm Closed Sunday

Dickinson Public Library 4411 Highway 3 Dickinson, TX 77539 www.dickinsonpubliclibrary.org (281) 534-3812 Mon, Wed, Fri 10 am to 5 pm Tue, Thur 10 am to 6 pm Sat 10 am to 2 pm Closed Sunday Moore Memorial Library 1701 9th Avenue N. Texas City, TX 77590 www.texascity-library.org (409) 643-5975 Mon-Wed 9 am to 9 pm Thur, Fri 9 am to 6 pm Sat 10 am to 4 pm Closed Sunday La Marque Public Library 1011 Bayou Road La Marque, TX 77568 www.lamarquelibrary.org (409) 938-9270 Tue, Thurs 10 am to 7 pm Wed 10 am to 6 pm Fri, Sat 9 am to 4 pm Closed Sunday & Monday League City Public Library Helen Hall Library 100 West Walker League City, TX 77573 www.leaguecitylibrary.org (281) 554-1111 Mon-Thur 10 am to 9 pm Fri, Sat 10 am to 6 pm Sun 1 pm to 5 pm

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JUNK FOOD AND JOURNALING AT MAE S. BRUCE LIBRARY by Deanna Williamson How many remember what it’s like to be a pre-teen/ teenager? If you don’t, ask any teenager you know and they will tell you that it’s not easy. Kids are dealing with things you may have never even imagined and sometimes they have no one to talk to or feel uncomfortable talking to parents or other adults. But at Mae S. Bruce Library, there is a club that gives teens a best friend, a therapist and personal organizer they can take with them everywhere. It is compact, requires as little or as much time as they want and is always ready to offer a shoulder to cry on, guidance, comfort or laughter. It is a journal and the club is Junk Food & Journaling. Junk Food & Journaling began during the 2004 Summer Reading Program and quickly grew into a huge success. The goal is to teach members to express themselves using their imaginations and creativity. Journaling helps them to realize their inner-selves and the possibilities for the future. Journaling isn’t always about writing; it can take many forms such as, drawing, making collages, sketching, collecting newspaper clippings, taking photos, painting, etc. Members explore many different journaling techniques as well as different types of journals to keep. Junk Food & Journaling members are very enthusiastic about our club and keeping a journal. Along with fun journaling activities, a little incentive is provided: junk food! While members are grubbing on gummy worms, Cheetos and cookies, they are also exploring feelings, ideas and sharing experiences and wisdom. Wisdom? Yes, teens have plenty of wisdom! Junk Food & Journaling is referred to as a club because the members all become friends and confidantes. They share their lives and feel secure with one another. Getting to know each other is important because the more they learn about others, the more they learn about themselves. The members of Junk Food & Journaling become like family. They support one another, they listen to each other and they explore life together. During the summer members meet once a week and, for the last few years, each week follows a theme or goal for the summer. This summer, Junk Food & Journaling partnered with journaling author Jill Schoenberg, author of Journal Buddies: a Girl's /Boy’s Journal for Sharing and Celebrating Magnificence. The library purchased 20 copies of Journal Buddies with a generous discount from Jill. Journal club members worked through 30 days of journaling activities to help them become more aware of their valuable characteristics and help build their self-esteem. At each meeting they talked about different focus words from the book and what they meant to them.

Members of Junk Food & Journaling had the following to say about the group: ―Keeping a journal helps me remember those big, or small, special moments in my life that I never want to forget. I have journals from the very beginning of Junk Food & Journaling and I love to go through them and remember the fun we had. I want to be able to read my journals when I'm older and have those memories again.‖ Twila ―As more and more kids become addicted to the Internet, you can ask any of the current… members what they would change about Journal club, and for once they’d be speechless!‖ Courtney At the end of the summer, the library hosted a Skype video session with the author, Jill Schoenberg, where the members had a chance to ask her questions about writing, journaling, publishing a book, etc. Jill was also able to discuss important issues and ask questions of the members and see for herself how successful Journal Buddies was to Junk Food & Journaling this summer. Also this summer, a local artist, Miki Brittenham, attended several meetings and taught members how to make an art journal out of a single sheet of paper and demonstrated different art journaling techniques. They had such a great time and loved having Miki visit; they are hoping she will come back in the fall! While Junk Food & Journaling was originally intended as a summer program, members begged to continue having meetings during the school year and that tradition has continued. During the school year, members meet monthly so they can continue on their path of selfrealization and fun! For teens who feel like they have no control over their lives, keeping a journal may sometimes feel like the only thing over which they have complete control. One of the best things about journaling is that there are no rules to journaling. Well, maybe one rule: Just do it!

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SCENES FROM THE LA MARQUE PUBLIC LIBRARY SUMMER READING PROGRAM

Kathy Nixie, Library Director, explains kite building.

Amazed by a kite story!

Galveston puppeteer Irma Hite.

Making lady bugs, one of the many activities offered during the Summer Reading Program.

The Lee sisters celebrate reading!

Magician Mark Shepard.

RATTLE AND RHYME The Friendswood Public Library is providing a new program for babies 6 to 18 months and their caretakers called Rattle and Rhyme. Everyone participates in a time of rhymes, songs, movement, books and toys! The first 20 minutes of the program consist of a routine everyone will learn as we repeat it every week. The last 40 minutes of the program is a free play time. Everyone is welcome to stay as long as they Playtime at Rattle and Rhyme. like. Rattle and Rhyme meets the following Mondays from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. October 25 - Peek a Boo!! (Wear your favorite costume) November 8 - Leaves November 22 - Thank you Rattle and Rhyme will continue on Mondays beginning in January 2011. Contact the Friendswood Public Library at (281) 482-7135 for more infor- Mom and child enjoy the interaction during Rattle and Rhyme. mation. PAGE 7

Kathy Nixie, La Marque Public Library Director, demonstrates a craft project.

ADULT PROGRAMS AT FRIENDSWOOD PUBLIC LIBRARY Monday, November 15th, at 10:30 a.m. Elizabeth (Liz) Sargent, CA, Special Collections Librarian and Lead Archivist, will discuss the genealogical research materials available at the Houston Metropolitan Research Center (HMRC) located in the newly renovated Julia Ideson Building, a historical landmark located at 500 McKinney in downtown Houston. The HMRC is part of the Houston Public Library System’s Special Collections Division which also includes the Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research and the African American Library at the Gregory School. Wednesday, December 1st, at 7:00 p.m. Cozy Mystery Author Leann Sweeney Leann Sweeney is the author of The Yellow Rose Mysteries series and the Cats in Trouble mystery series. The Cat, the Quilt and the Corpse was the #1 bestseller on the Independent Mystery Bookseller’s List when it debuted and made several top twenty lists for 2009 at bookstores across the country.

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ROSENBERG LIBRARY ANNOUNCES THE ADDITION OF MANGO LANGUAGES Rosenberg Library is offering the Mango Languages

available in nine foreign languages and three English as a

online language-learning system to its patrons. Mango is

Second Language (ESL) courses. The second is Mango

a free, easy-to-use program for all library patrons and

Basic, which teaches everyday greetings, gratitudes, good-

offers a fast and convenient solution for our community’s

byes and helpful phrases in a short period of time and is

increasing language-learning needs. Each lesson com-

designed to appeal to a beginner in a new language. The

bines real life situations and audio from native speakers

courses, which require only two to five hours of time to

with simple, clear instructions. The courses are presented

complete, are currently available in 22 foreign languages

with an appreciation for cultural nuance and real-world

and 15 ESL courses.

applications that integrate components of vocabulary,

To learn more about Mango and get a preview of what

pronunciation, grammar and culture. Users learn actual

the program has to offer, stop by the library or visit the

conversation, breaking down complex conversational ele-

website at http://www.rosenberg-library.org/. With

ments within an audio-visual framework that allows the

your library card and Internet access, you can log in to

user to draw important connections between pieces of

the program anywhere. For more information, contact

information they have already learned.

the Rosenberg Library’s

Mango is available in two versions. One is Mango Complete, a 100-lesson course that is designed to provide a

Reference Department at (409) 763-8854 x 115.

deep understanding of a language and its culture. It is

ROSENBERG LIBRARY TO EXPAND OPENING HOURS IN 2011

ONLINE BOOK CLUBS AT HELEN HALL LIBRARY

The Rosenberg Library is planning to expand its hours of operation in 2011 by adding Monday hours to its weekly schedule. The expanded schedule is part of a multi-year plan to eventually restore library hours of operation to preIke levels. Beginning in 2011, all departments of the Rosenberg Library, with the exception of the History Center, will reopen on Mondays from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. The History Center has already not only restored its opening hours but has actually expanded its hours since Hurricane Ike. Prior to the hurricane the History Center was open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Tuesday through Saturday. The new Monday hours will be launched after the completion of the phase IV renovation work at the library and the hiring and training of additional staff members who will be needed for the expanded schedule of operations. No firm date has yet been set for reopening the Rosenberg Library on Mondays, but library planners are currently projecting a start date prior to March 1, 2011. PAGE 8

Helen Hall Library rolled out a series on online book clubs this year, hoping to virtually replicate the strong sense of community our patrons love. The Adult Services Librarian chose four titles in six different genres (Personal Growth, Classics, Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Historical Fiction, and Mystery), and patrons were invited to discuss the books on four different social networks (Facebook, Blogger, Twitter, and GoodReads). Patrons were given paper logs to track their reading and participation and are earning points for books read and discussion postings. These points will be the only valid currency at the Book Club Bake ―Sale‖ on December 11, 3-5 pm. The slogan for the Clubs is ―The more you read, the more you FEED!‖

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GALVESTON GETS READY FOR A JOURNEY INTO THE BEAUTIFUL NORTH Galveston Reads, a ―One City, One Book‖ program,

March of 2011 at coffee shops, churches, libraries, col-

has selected Into the Beautiful North, by Luis Alberto Ur-

leges and universities in Galveston County. There are

rea, for 2011.

four programs planned for next year, with a visit from

Into the Beautiful North follows a spirited band of young

the author, Luis Alberto Urrea, on February 17th, 2011 at

women from a coastal Mexican town as they head north

Galveston College. The other programs involve the pro-

across the border to retrieve some of the men who have

fessor’s panel, viewing the movie Magnificent Seven upon

left home to live in America. The tale of their road trip,

which the novel is based, and a panel discussion on mi-

as they discover both wonders and disappointments,

grant border issues. Please join us in reading this book,

has charmed readers with its funny, sad, but always

and participating in the programs and book discussions.

compassionate look at two cultures. Into the Beautiful

All programs are free and open to the public.

North was written by Luis Alberto Urrea, a Pulitzer

For additional information, please visit

Prize finalist, who draws on his Mexican-American heri-

www.galvestonreads.org or contact Poom Taylor at (409)

tage for many of his insights.

763-8854 x140 or Karen Stanley at (409) 763-8854 x119.

Galveston Reads encourages reading by offering programs held at various locations throughout Galveston County that revolve around the selection. Programming will include local discussion groups led by trained discussion leaders, author visits and panel discussions, including the ever popular evening with local English professors. Book discussions are planned for January through

LOCAL AUTHORS HOUR AT HELEN HALL LIBRARY Last autumn, Helen Hall Library’s Adult Services de-

our library, or simply to have their books added to our

partment changed their monthly Book Review program

collection. Sadly, our programming schedules and col-

to a ―Local Authors Hour.‖ The new program kept the

lection procedures limited what we were able to offer in

original time slot (second Thursdays from 10:30 – 11:30

the past. However, it’s become obvious over the years

am) and the original format, but with one exciting dif-

that there are just too many talented authors in League

ference- the chance to meet friends and neighbors who

City for this state of affairs to continue!

have achieved authorship!

If you are an author, or you know of an author looking

The new program has been a big help to the library, as

for an opportunity to promote his/her work, contact

Helen Hall Library’s librarians are approached almost

Adult Services Librarian Jenny Brewer now at (281) 554

daily by local authors hoping to speak or autograph at

-1108.

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SUMMER READING AT THE ROSENBERG LIBRARY— Another generation of Galveston children spent at least part of their summer reading and participating in activities at Rosenberg Library. 210 children read at least 25 books or 12 ½ hours this summer. Congratulations to them and their families. Participants who met the goal of completing at least one reading log had their picture taken and turned into a READ poster. Of course, the book fun continues during the school year. Storytimes are held on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. and Second Saturdays will feature morning

and afternoon programs for the entire family. The December 11 morning program features Breakfast With Santa, while the afternoon program will keep kids busy at an Elves Workshop. Visit www.rosenberg-library.org for additional details or call the Children’s Department at (409) 763-8854 x135. Help us spread the word about these special events and remind friends and neighbors how important it is to read to children and to use the public library! Karen Stanley, Head of Children’s Services—Rosenberg Library

Zoe McClure hanging out with Henry.

Galveston County Library System News 2310 Sealy Street Galveston, TX 77550 (409) 763-8854 x121 Email: [email protected]