Posts by Michelle
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 2
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.
Kiddos’ Korner: Meet and Greet Special Story Hour on February 8
There will be a Kiddos’ Korner: Meet and Greet Special Story Hour at the Chickasha Public Library on Thursday, Feb. 8 at 4:30 p.m. Come join us for a special story hour and meet some of the coolest people ever, children’s book authors and illustrators.
The authors and illustrators who will be attending this event are Eileen Hobbs, Aaron Allison, Charles Martin, and Buck Berlin. Children’s author Eileen Hobbs wrote Under the Golden Rain Tree and the Heath Cousins series. There are copies of her books available to check out at the Library, and they can be found in Children Fiction under Hobbs.
Aaron Allison is a teen author whose works include I Love You Mosterous: Poems & Essays Of Love and Acceptance. Charles Martin is a manga and comic book author and illustrator. Buck Berlin is a manga and comic book illustrator and storyteller who owns New World Comics in Oklahoma City.
“Come celebrate Children’s Authors and Illustrators Week with a fantastic event all about those special people who we all love so much because they create the books that entertain and inspire us,” says Youth Services Librarian Drew Cooper.
For more information about the Meet and Greet Special Story Hour, call the Library at 405-222-6075 or email Drew Cooper at ondreea.cooper@chickasha.org.
Take Your Child to the Library Day on February 3
Saturday, February 3, 2024 is National Take Your Child to the Library Day, and the Chickasha Public Library is participating with fun, free activities for children from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. There will be a special library-themed Storytime for all ages from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., as well as crafts, a chance to win a library book bundle, and more.
Stop by the front desk and meet Youth Services Librarian Ms. Drew Cooper, and learn about all of the programs and services for children at the Chickasha Public Library, including Storytime, Summer Reading, and book clubs for children and teens. Take some pictures with some special guest book characters. Families can browse for books, read stories together, and parents and legal guardians can also sign up their children for their own library cards.
According to Youth Services Librarian Ms. Drew Cooper, “Libraries are an ideal place for children to play, discover, make friends, and have fun. And Take Your Child to the Library Day is the perfect time to discover some library magic. From science exploration to craft programs, book clubs to storytimes, our library offers something unique and delightful for youth of all ages.”
Take Your Child to the Library Day has been celebrated since 2011, and it is a great way to help children develop a love of reading while creating family memories together. Be sure to stop in again soon – because every day is a great day to take your child to the library. To learn more about the Chickasha Public Library, call 405-222-6075, email library@chickasha.org, follow us on Facebook and Instagram, or visit the Library in person at 527 W. Iowa, Chickasha.
Financial Literacy Mini-Clinic
There will be a Financial Literacy Mini-Clinic held on Tuesday, January 9, 16, 23, and February 6 at 6 p.m. in the Library’s meeting room. This program is led by Leslie A. Sledge, NACCC-certified financial counselor and credit restoration specialist. It is free to attend, and no registration is required.
The Financial Literacy Mini-Clinic will cover the following topics:
- January 9: A Strong Financial House Built on Credit Worthiness
- January 23: Debt Elimination
- February 1: Saving
- February 6: Saving for Retirement / Investments for the Future
There will be a special guest during the final program. For more information, call the Library at 405-222-6075.
December is Food for Fines Month at Chickasha Public Library
December is Food for Fines month at the Chickasha Public Library! A donation of non-perishable food items will clear any amount of overdue Library fines. No minimum donation is required.
Food for Fines donations do not cover lost or damaged book fees, however, any accounts that are currently unable to check out due to having more than $6.00 in fines can be cleared for future checkouts. Any overdue books that are returned will also have their fines waived.
“Food for Fines brings the community together in several ways: foremost by providing food, but also by allowing Library users to clear fines and check out items, and by returning overdue books to the Library so that others can read them,” said Library Director Lillie Huckaby.
There are still a few days left to clear any overdue fines. All of the donated food items will benefit the Chickasha Emergency Food Pantry. Even if you do not have fines, you are still welcome to donate food to the Food for Fines food drive by bringing it to the Library during the month of December.
This is the twenty-third year for the Library to host Food for Fines, and it is a great way to help the community.
For more information, call the Chickasha Public Library at 405-222-6075.