Posts by Michelle
Chickasha Public Library Hosts Let’s Talk About It Book Discussion Series
The Chickasha Public Library will host the Let’s Talk About It program this fall with a series of book discussions on the theme of Myth and Literature. Let’s Talk About It is a book club designed for adults 18 and older who enjoy reading and discussing books with others. Discussion programs will be held at 6:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month from August through December in the Library’s meeting room. Each program will begin with a scholar discussing the month’s book, including the background and literary themes, and will also include time for small group discussions.
The first program will be on Thursday, August 1. Harbour Winn will discuss The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell. The second program will be Thursday, September 5, and Richard Rouillard will present Black Elk Speaks by John G. Neihardt. The third program will be Thursday, October 3, and Laura Endicott will present A Passage to India by E. M. Forster. The fourth program will be Thursday, November 7, and Judy Neale will present The Summer Before the Dark by Doris Lessing. The final program will be Thursday, December 6. Caroline Larsen will present The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Multiple copies of all of these books are available to check out from the Chickasha Public Library. According to Oklahoma Humanities, this series of books “shows how authors use existing mythologies and create new ones to explain our world.” Participants will have a chance to share their experience and learn from others, and reading each month’s book beforehand is not required to attend the programs. Refreshments will be provided by the Friends of the Library.
Books, services, and other materials for this series are provided by Let’s Talk About It, a project of Oklahoma Humanities. Generous funding and support for this series was provided by Kirkpatrick Family Fund, McCasland Foundation, Oklahoma City Community Foundation, and Oklahoma City University. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in these programs do not necessarily represent those of Oklahoma Humanities.
Library closed for Juneteenth
The Chickasha Public Library will be closed Wednesday, June 19, in honor of Juneteenth. We will reopen at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, June 20.
Summer Programs for Adults
The Chickasha Public Library will have several adult programs during June, July, and August. The first is Sunflower Painting on Saturday, June 8, at 11:00 a.m. Youth Services Librarian Drew Cooper will teach you have to create your own sunflower painting. All supplies are provided.
There is a book flowers crafting program Saturday, July 20, at 11 a.m., also taught by Youth Services Librarian Drew Cooper. You will create a beautiful flower display with a book, and all supplies are provided.
There are also two programs about survival skills in June and July. Prepping for Survival will be Saturday, June 29, at 11 a.m. This is a program for adults who want to learn information about how to handle emergency situations.
This program is taught by Stephen Wilson, who has 22 years of experience as a military combat instructor, 24 years of rock climbing, backpacking, camping, hiking, and kayaking all over the world, hosts the Modern Survivability podcast, and is a 12-year member of Homesteaders of America.
Part 1 of this program will cover how to create an emergency kit. Part 2, which is Part 2 of this program is Saturday, August 17, at 11 a.m., and will cover how to use the items in your emergency kit.
All of these programs are free to attend, and no registration is required. For more information about there or any other programs, call the Library at 405-222-6075.
Summer Reading is May 23-July 25!
It’s almost time for Summer Reading, which is a free program where children and teens participate by reading books, tracking their minutes, earning prizes, and attending programs and events.
Reading minutes can be tracked on Beanstack from May 23 through July 25, and there are a variety of programs for different age groups during June and July.
Camp Chickasha Library Teens (ages 12-17)
Happy Campers (ages 6-11)
Campfire Tales (ages 4-5; and families)
Lil’ Campers (ages 0-3)
For more information about Summer Reading or any other youth services, read the Summer Reading edition of the LIbrary’s newsletter, call the Library at 405-222-6075, or email Youth Services Librarian Drew Cooper at drew.cooper@chickasha.org.
Summer Reading Events
MAY
- MAY 23 WELCOME CAMPERS KICK-OFF FROM 11 AM – 1 PM CENTENNIAL PARK – All ages registration
- May 28 Camp Chickasha Library Teens @ 2 pm: Anime Club *New members welcome
- May 29 Storytimes: Lil’ Campers @ 10 am & Campfire Tales @ 2 pm
- May 30 Happy Campers: Camper mini canvas paint class @ 10 am and 2 pm
JUNE
- June 4 Camp Chickasha Library Teens @ 2 pm: Survival 101: Survival tricks and hacks
- June 5 Storytimes: Lil’ Campers @ 10 am and Campfire Tales @ 2 pm June 6 Happy Campers @ 10 & 2: Stories, smores and more with the Chickasha Police Department @ 10 am and the Chickasha Fire Department @ 2 pmJune 11 Camp Chickasha Library Teens @ 2 pm: Book Club *New members welcome
- June 12 Storytimes: Lil’ Campers @ 10 am and Campfire Tales @ 2pm
- June 13 Happy Campers: Dad’s Day Out, drop-in from 10 am -4 pm
- June 18 Camp Chickasha Library Teens @ 2 pm: Percy Jackson Camp Half Blood
- June 19 Library CLOSED – No Storytime program today June 20 Happy Campers @ 2 pm: I Survived Book Club *New members welcome
- June 25 Camp Chickasha Library Teens @ 2 pm: Anime Club *New members welcome June 26 Storytimes: Lil’ Campers @ 10 am and Campfire Tales @ 2 pm
- June 27 Happy Campers OKC Science Museum event @ the Library: 2 pm only! Registration required for this event. Please call or stop by to register. Ages 6-11
JULY
- July 2 Camp Chickasha Library Teens @ 2 pm: Book Club *New members welcome July 3 Storytimes: Lil’ Campers @ 10 am and Campfire Tales @ 2 pm July 4 Library CLOSED – No Happy Campers event today
- July 9 Camp Chickasha Library Teens @ 2 pm: Survival 101: First Aid Basics
- July 10 Storytimes: Lil’ Campers @ 10 am and Campfire Tales @ 2 pm
- July 11 Happy Campers Let’s Get Geeky STEM event: Things that Glow @ 10 am & 2 pm
- July 16 Camp Chickasha Library Teens @ 2pm: Anime Club *New members welcome
- July 17 Storytimes: Lil’ Campers @ 10am and Campfire Tales @ 2pm
- July 18 Happy Campers @ 2 pm: I Survived Book Club *New members welcome
- July 23 Camp Chickasha Library Teens @ 2 pm: Teen Finale in Tuttle: Tiger Safari – Registration Required. LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE
- July 24 Storytimes: Lil’ Campers @ 10 am and Campfire Tales @ 2 pm
- July 25 Campers ages 0-11 Finale: Snider Family Exotics at the Library @ 2pm only!
- JULY 31 ALL AGES SUMMER READING AWARDS PROGRAM following Storytime at 10 am.
Genealogy Workshop at the Chickasha Public Library – Wednesday, May 1
Did you know that the Chickasha Public Library provides free access to online genealogy databases? If you are interested in learning how to search for family history information using Ancestry Library Edition and Heritage Quest, there will be a free genealogy workshop on Wednesday, May 1 at 2 p.m. that will go over how to navigate these databases.
During this hour-long program, you will learn how to navigate each of the steps in the searching process. All you need is the name of a person, approximate date of birth, and a place they might have lived, and you can easily find copies of census records, land records, photographs, and other information about their life. If you have already done some initial searching, there are also ways to look for specific records and to fill in informational gaps.
This program will include time for asking individual questions and receiving help with finding a name on specific records, such as the US census for a particular year.
“If you have ever wondered about how to get started doing online genealogy research, or how to use different search strategies to find records, this program will help you take advantage of free online resources to find new information about your family history,” says Michelle Skinner, Reference Librarian.
Registration is not required, and people are welcome to bring their laptops. For more information, call the Library at 405-222-6075, or email michelle.skinner@chickasha.org.
Applications for Youth Services internship accepted April 26 – May 10
Do you know a high school or college student who is interested in a Youth Services library internship? The Chickasha Public Library is accepting applications for an internship that will assist the Youth Services Librarian with programs and events during the Summer Reading program.
The internship will consist of a minimum of 100 hours over the course of the summer, from May 13, 2024, through July 31, 2024. This will average out to about 10 hours a week.
Youth Services programs/events are typically held Tuesdays at 2 p.m., Thursdays at 10 a.m., and Thursdays at 2 p.m. Storytime is Wednesdays at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The Summer Reading Kick-off “Welcome Camp Chickasha Lake Campers” event will be held on May 23, 2024 at Centennial Park from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Interested applicants can print out the application here and email it to Drew.Cooper@chickasha.org, or return it to the Chickasha Public Library.
Spring Used Book Sale Cancelled
From the Friends of the Library:
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Spring Used Book Sale that was scheduled for next week has been cancelled.
Please spread the word!
Stay tuned for information about the Fall Used Book Sale!!
Thanks to everyone for their continued support of the work of Friends of the Library for our exceptional local library and their phenomenal staff!!
Friends of the Library accepting donations for spring Book Sale
by the Friends of the Chickasha Public Library
If spring house cleaning is under way and you have well-used and/or unwanted books, please consider donating them to the Friends of the Library for its spring used Book Sale, scheduled Mon.-Sat., April 15-20.
Donations of books for Children, Teens, and Adult Fiction, Reference Materials, and Non-Fiction Books, DVDs and Book CDs are greatly appreciated.
NOTE: Video and cassette tapes are not being accepted for this sale.
If you are donating several sacks or boxes of books, please call the Library at 405.222.6075 before you arrive so the staff can be prepared to meet you at 527 Iowa Avenue, Chickasha.
Donations of books and other items mentioned previously are accepted throughout the year at the Library.
Proceeds from Book Sales will be to purchase new books and materials for the Library.
For more information about the used Book Sale and any Library event, please contact the Library at 405.222.6075.
Genealogy Workshop – February 21
The Library is hosting a free genealogy workshop on Wednesday, February 21 at 2 p.m. This hour-long program will cover topics such as genealogy books and resources in the Library, free online databases that are available from the Library, other free online resources, and ideas for organizing family history information.
Some of the books in the Library’s genealogy section include Chickasha city directories, yearbooks from Grady County schools, several books about the history of Chickasha and other Grady County communities, histories of local organizations, and individual family histories. Additionally, there is a section about the history and cultures of Oklahoma that has individual county histories, information about the Dawes Roll, and pre-statehood census records.
The Library’s online databases include access to Ancestry Library Edition on Library computers, and Heritage Quest, which is accessible on any internet-capable device with your library card number. The Chickasha Newspaper Collection on the Gateway to Oklahoma History contains freely accessible digitized copies of Chickasha newspapers on the Gateway to Oklahoma History. If you have ever wondered how to search for relevant information online, there will be a discussion of search tips and what kind of information and documents can be found on each of these databases, as well as some other free websites that could be helpful in finding information about a specific person.
Finally, there will be some ideas about how to organize an ever-growing collection of family history research in order to keep track of everything while also making sure none of the information is lost.
“Whether you are just beginning your genealogy research, or are already a dedicated researcher with a pile of documents and sources, this workshop can provide information that can help you to take advantage of free resources that can help you search more efficiently and to find some unexpected treasures,” says Michelle Skinner, Reference Librarian.
There will also be time for questions and answers during the program, and people are welcome to browse the Library’s collection of physical and online genealogy resources afterwards. In case of inclement weather, this workshop will be held on Wednesday, February 28. For more information, call the Library at 405-222-6075, or email michelle.skinner@chickasha.org.
12th Annual Chocolate Celebration is Tues., Feb. 13
by the Friends of the Library
The 12th annual ‘Chocolate Celebration’ fundraiser, sponsored by the Friends of the Chickasha Public Library, is Tues., Feb. 13, 2024 from 5:00-7:00 pm in the Epworth Church Life Center, 4th and Iowa in Chickasha.
Tickets are available NOW and are $6 for a gift box of six individual servings selected by YOU! A box of chocolate treats is a tasty and thoughtful gift for someone special!
Chocolate-lovers can purchase tickets at the Chickasha Public Library, from the table sponsors as well as the Friends’ Board of Directors. A few tickets may be available at the door.
This FUN event is open to the community. Park in the north parking lot and enter through the double doors on the north side of Epworth Church.
To date, fourteen individuals, groups, and businesses have volunteered to be table sponsors and provide approximately 200 individual servings of chocolate treats at their tables.
If you would like to be a 2024 table sponsor, contact Angie at 405-779-6969 ASAP and let her know so we can reserve a space for you to be a part of this special event.
Also, if you are not a table sponsor but would like to help, the Friends are welcoming donated items for the Bake Sale. These sweets are priced and sold individually as whole cakes, plates of cupcakes, cookies, brownies, candy, etc. Please contact Angie and let her know you will be donating to the Bake Sale.
Corporate sponsorships are always appreciated, too! To be a corporate sponsor please mail a check to the ‘Friends of the Library – Chocolate Celebration’, 527 W. Iowa Ave., Chickasha, OK 73018.
THANK YOU to these Corporate Sponsors for 2024: Arvest Bank; Bob Lowe, Inc.; Century 21/Mosley Agency; First National Bank & Trust Co.; LaForge Properties; P.E.O. Chapter FV; Rotary Club of Chickasha; Standley Systems; American Association of University Women; Angel, Johnston & Blasingame; Chickasha Kiwanis Club; Chickasha Optimist Club; Churndashers Quilt Guild; DeHart Air Conditioning; Liberty National Bank; Onin Staffing; P.E.O. Chapter CR; P.E.O. Chapter DV; Richard’s Printing; Rick Johnston Insurance Agency, Inc.
Proceeds from the 12th annual Chocolate Celebration 2024 will be used to purchase new interior signage for the Chickasha Public Library.
