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Black History Month 2017
 
February 2017
BIG NEWS @ YOUR LIBRARY!
 
Free Jazz Fridays Return to Central Library for 2017 Season!

5 Fridays of Jazz IMG
The soft and soulful sounds of jazz will return to the
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library (3030 Poplar Ave.) for an encore season of Five Fridays of Jazz , a free concert series starting March 3 - April 28, 2017 featuring some of the region's great jazz entertainers. Doors open at 6 p.m.
Following last year's performances, which welcomed hundreds of music lovers each night, organizers with Levitt Shell, Memphis Public Libraries and the Memphis Library Foundation teamed up again to bring another decorated show line-up. (A cash bar and food will be available each night also.)
March 3 - Reach Forever Quintet
March 17 - The International Jazz Twins (Carl & Alan Maguire)

March 31 - Women of Jazz with Joyce Cobb & the Rhodes College Jazz Orchestra (with an opening performance by Stax Music Academy Jazz ensemble)

Free Tax Prep Services at Memphis Public Libraries

It's that time of year again - tax time - but with free tax preparation services through AARP and FTP (formerly VITA) at Memphis Public Libraries, some customers will avoid the headache and save some cash in the process.

Thanks to a partnership with Memphis Public Libraries and United Way, free tax services will begin at the end of January and run through April 2017. Customers who qualify can reserve their appointments by calling 2-1-1 or (901) 415-2790.

AARP volunteers will provide free federal income tax preparation / filing assistance to customers of all ages, but customers age 60 and older will be priority. AARP will be available at Bartlett Library (5884 Stage Road), the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library (3030 Poplar Ave.) and Cordova Library (8457 Trinity Road). Services at Bartlett Library will be Mondays and Tuesdays, 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., starting February 6 - April 18, excluding holidays. Central Library customers will have access to tax filing in Meeting Rooms A - C on Mondays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., starting February 1 - April 18, excluding holidays. AARP tax preparation at Cordova Library will be served on Thursdays, 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., starting February 2 - April 13.

Groundbreaking Ballet Exhibit and Free Events to Celebrate Black History

Ballet On Wheels Dance School & Company will keep Library customers on their toes during the month of February with a groundbreaking exhibit, exciting events, and a live performance highlighting African Americans in ballet. A pioneering Black History exhibit, Groundbreakers: African-American Ballerina Stories of Triumph and Struggles, will be on display February 1 - 28, 2017 at the Goodwyn Gallery inside the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library (3030 Poplar Ave.).

AA Ballet Exhibit 2017
To complement the exhibit, other events are planned to captivate customers of all ages by the human art that is ballet. (All events will be held at Central Library.)

Documentary Screening of First African-American Ballerinas Thursday, Feb. 9, 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. (First Floor Meeting Rooms)

Read, Write & Move (For Kids/Teens/Families) Saturday, Feb. 18, 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.

Ballet On Wheels Dance School & Company Live Performance Saturday, Feb. 25, 11 a.m. - noon (Goodwyn Gallery)


Black History Play at Library to Honor 'Good People'

'Good People' Play IMG
Black History consists of countless stories of good overcoming bad in society. On Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, 2 p.m. at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library (3030 Poplar Ave.), customers will recount stories of struggles and triumphs with social activist and storyteller Elaine Blanchard, who will perform the monologue "Good People" for audiences to enjoy. Bass baritone Laurence R. Albert will introduce customers to the highs and lows of this time through music.

A personal tale, "Good People" is an original story based on Blanchard's encounters with racism, violence and injustice. Customers of all ages are welcomed to this family-friendly production and to participate in a thought-provoking discussion with the actress after the show.


ADULTS

Free Writing Workshop Series at Central Library

'Compose Yourself' Writing Workshop
Got a writing assignment or want to become a better writer? Don't panic. "Compose Yourself" is a free writing workshop series hosted every Wednesday beginning February 1 - April 5, 2017 at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library (3030 Poplar Ave., L-56). 
Hosted in partnership with the University of Memphis Center for Writing and Communication, these classes cover a range of topics from Grammar 101 and Using Style in Writing to Being Aware of Audience and even How to Write an Apology. Each session will be taught by University of Memphis staff and contributors.  No registration is required.

TEENS

Library's ACT and FAFSA Workshops Take the Edge Off College Prep for Teens
Rolling out of bed on Saturday morning to take the ACT doesn't have to be a pain. With some preparation and Memphis Public Library's new ACT Workshops, teens can eliminate the headache and score big on the standardized exam.

ACT Prep Generic IMG
Representatives from around the Library System recently gathered to develop a comprehensive strategy for helping rising college students and their parents to successfully navigate the path to college and careers. The plan includes year-round ACT and FAFSA programs offered in partnership with specialist agencies like Graduate Memphis, Memphis Math Tutors, and the Tennessee State Department.

Memphis Public Library locations citywide are also developing FAFSA Stations, where parents and students can go for the help they need to complete the FAFSA. Graduate Memphis will also conduct one-on-one FAFSA training sessions for parents and students.

Similarly, ACT Prep Resource Stations will be available at various Library locations and will include a variety of informational resources, locations for other training opportunities, and deadline reminders.

Memphis Math Tutors will host the first ACT Training session at Bartlett Library (5884 Stage Road) at 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017.
CHILDREN
 
Free Art Academy for Kids Offer Hands-on Experience in FUN Learning Environment
 
Community Art Academy
Do your kids love art? Send them to the Academy - the Community Art Academy at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library (3030 Poplar Ave.).

Each Wednesday, starting February 15 - April 5, 2017, children ages 9 to 12 will learn to create original works of art with the help of Art Education majors from the University of Memphis. 
No prior artistic experience is required.
Sessions will be 3:30 p.m. - 5 p.m. each week and will culminate with an exhibition of students' work and a special reception for their families!
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY
 
Great Books at a Bargain, Anyone?
 
Second Editions Generic
Calling all avid readers and anyone who loves great deals - Second Editions Bookstore is the perfect place for bargain book hunting. Located in the lobby of the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library (3030 Poplar Ave.), Second Editions offers aisles of gently-used books, magazines, DVDs, CDs, VHS tapes, and other specialty items covering a range of topics. With monthly sales that slash already-low prices, customers can expect to stretch a few dollars a long way!

February sales are ideal for lovers and book lovers alike with Romance novels on sale February 5 - 11, 2017, and Media books on sale February 12 - 25
Other sales throughout the year are listed below.
March 5 - 18: Sci-Fi and Fantasy
March 19 - 25: Domestic Art

April 2 - 15: Religion / Christian Fiction
April 16 - 29: Biography / Memoirs

May 1 - 13: Fiction Hardback and Paperback Books
May 14 - 20: Cookbooks

WYPL FM 89.3 RADIO & TV-18

BOOK TALK
 
Saturdays @ 6 p.m. - FM 89.3
February 11 - "The Lost Book of Moses" by Chanan Tigay
February 18 - "Gunmetal Gray" by Mark Greaney

BOOKS ON AIR
 
Southern Authors - Saturdays @ 2 p.m. - 4 p.m., February 11 - March 4, 2017 - "All I Have in This World" by Michael Parker
Biography - Mondays - Fridays @ 3 p.m. - 4 p.m., February 13 - 28, 2017 - "The Wright Brothers" by David McCulloch
Mystery - Mondays - Fridays @ 2 p.m. - 3 p.m., February 20 - March 2, 2017 - "Those We Left Behind" by Stuart Neville
 
WYPL TV-18

WYPL TV-18
Memphis Makers
 - Host Ally Luciano will interview the Family Safety Center's Director of Communications Jordan Moore Howard, and Community Outreach Specialist Mia Harvey. They will discuss domestic violence and its effect on families and children, along with how the Family Safety Center helps victims. WYPL viewers will also meet Gwendolyn Brown, owner and leader of Carin' and Sharin', a breast cancer education and support group. Brown will share how her organization gives to women living with breast cancer.  Memphis Makers airs Mondays at 5 p.m., Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m., Thursdays at 3 p.m., Fridays at 9:30 p.m. and Sundays at 1 p.m.


Question of Law - Former judge Kay Robilio will talk with the owner of Patty's Getaways Patty Calvert and Sharon Posman, vice president of Personal Lines Division. The show's topic is legal protection for travelers.  Question of Law airs Tuesdays at 6 p.m. , Wednesdays at 11:30 a.m., Thursdays at 3:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays at 6:30 p.m. 


Senior Focus - Host Sunny Ross will talk to the owner of Rainbow Yarn Brigitte Lang about her business and hobby of knitting, along with its benefits for seniors. Lang will also demonstrate some knitting techniques.  Senior Focus airs Mondays at 5:30 p.m., Tuesdays at noon, Thursdays at 10 a.m., Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 10:30 a.m. 


Art Scene - Show host Ronda Cloud will interview Kevin Kane of the Memphis Visitors and Convention Bureau. They will discuss the positive aspects of Memphis, including the Civil Rights Museum, the Brooks Museum, the Blues Hall of Fame, and upcoming projects like Sears Crosstown Building and the revitalization of Elvis Presley Boulevard.  Art Scene airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m., Wednesdays at 11 p.m., Thursdays at 11 a.m., Fridays at 6:30 p.m. and Sundays at 8 p.m.


PLAN AHEAD!
Plan to spend the day with us at Memphis Public Libraries!

 
Coffee and Conversation for Adults - Friday, Feb. 3, 2017, 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. @ Cordova Library, 8457 Trinity Road (901) 415-2764
 
International Storytime, Cordova Library, Nigeria, 2017
Family Tunes & Tales Storytime with Memphis Symphony Orchestra
 - Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017, 11 a.m. - noon @ Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library, 3030 Poplar Ave. (901) 415-2739

Family Tunes & Tales Storytime with Memphis Symphony Orchestra - Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. @ Cordova Library, 5884 Stage Road (901) 415-2764

Black History Discussion - Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. @ Cornelia Crenshaw Library, 531 Vance Ave. (901) 415-2765

Bartlett Gardening University  - Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017, 2:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. @ Bartlett Library, 5884 Stage Road (901) 386-8968

AARP Tax Assistance - Monday, Feb. 6, 2017, 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. @ Bartlett Library, 5884 Stage Road (901) 386-8968 (Priority will be given to senior citizens.)

Wider Angle Foreign Film Series: "My Love, Don't Cross That River" - Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2017, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. @ Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library, 3030 Poplar Ave. (901) 415-2726

Computer Basics for Kids - Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017, 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. @ Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library, 3030 Poplar Ave. (901) 415-2739

Film Screening: "Hallelujah" - Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. @ Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library, 3030 Poplar Ave. (901) 415-2700

Valentine's Day Craft Party - Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. @ Cordova Library, 8457 Trinity Road (901) 415-2764

Health & Wellness Saturday: Keeping Your Heart Strong - Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. @ East Shelby Library, 7200 E. Shelby Drive (901) 415-2767

Memphis Black History Music - Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017, noon - 2 p.m. @ Frayser Library, 3712 Argonne St. (901) 415-2768

Valentine's Day Crafts - Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017, 1:30 p.m. - 3 p.m. @ Cornelia Crenshaw Library, 531 Vance Ave. (901) 415-2765

Free Saturday Legal Clinic - Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017, 10 a.m. - noon @ Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library, 3030 Poplar Ave. (901) 415-2734

A to Z of Used Car Buying - Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017, 11:15 a.m. - noon @ Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library, 3030 Poplar Ave. (901) 415-2734

Randolph Readers Book Club - Monday, Feb. 13, 2017, 2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. @ Randolph Library, 3752 Given Ave. (901) 415-2779

"Puppet Love" Puppet Show - Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2017, 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. @ Poplar-White Station Library, 5094 Poplar Ave. (901) 415-2777

The Mindset of an Entrepreneur - Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2017, 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. @ Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library, 3030 Poplar Ave. (901) 415-2734

Generic 'Puppet' IMG
We Lead. We Read Storytime - Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017, 4:15 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. @ Whitehaven Library, 4120 Millbranch Road (901) 415-2781

Financial Planning - Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. @ Parkway Village Library, 4655 Knight Arnold Road (901) 415-2776

Black History Knowledge Bowl - Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017, 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. @ North Library, 1192 Vollintine Ave. (901) 415-2775

Read with Me, Sign with Me Storytime - Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017, 11 a.m. - noon @ Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library, 3030 Poplar Ave. (901) 415-2739

Ease on Down the Road: Free Screening of "The Wiz" - Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017, 12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. @ East Shelby Library, 7200 E. Shelby Drive (901) 415-2767

I Read That Movie at the Library: Page-to-screen Book Club - "The Color Purple" - Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017, 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. @ Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library, 3030 Poplar Ave. (901) 415-2726

The 4-1-1 on the Eight Techniques for Creating Natural Hairstyles - Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017, 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. @ Cordova Library, 8457 Trinity Road (901) 415-2764

R.E.A.D. Program - Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017, 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. @ Poplar-White Station Library, 5094 Poplar Ave. (901) 415-2777

International Storytime, Nigeria, Cordova Library 2017
How to Extreme Coupon - Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017, 11 a.m. - noon @ Cordova Library, 8457 Trinity Road (901) 415-2764

Childcare Provider Workshop: Infant and Toddler Development - Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017, 10 a.m. - noon @ East Shelby Library, 7200 East Shelby Drive (901) 415-2767

International Storytime - Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017, 11 a.m. - noon @ Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library, 3030 Poplar Ave. (901) 415-2739

AARP Tax Assistance - Monday, Feb. 27, 2017, 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. @ Bartlett Library, 5884 Stage Road (901) 386-8968 (Priority will be given to senior citizens.)

Babies & Books Storytime - Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017, 10:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. @ Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library, 3030 Poplar Ave. (901) 415-2739

Gadget Lab for Kids - Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017, 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. @ Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library, 3030 Poplar Ave. (901) 415-2739

The Mindset of an Entrepreneur - Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017, 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. @ Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library, 3030 Poplar Ave. (901) 415-2734
 

Click here for more information on these and other great programs!
CONTACT US!
 

 
 
 
 
Memphis Public Library & Information Center
3030 Poplar Avenue
Memphis, TN 38111
(901) 415-2700