Featured Programs
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.
Exchange Food for Overdue Fines this December at the Chickasha Public Library
December is the Chickasha Public Library’s 21st annual Food for Fines month, when overdue library fines may be paid with a donation of non-perishable food.
“The donations will be given to the Chickasha Emergency Food Pantry,” said Lillie Huckaby, Library Director. “Even if you do not owe a fine, please come to the Library and make a donation. Together, we can bring in more food than ever before to help our neighbors this holiday season.”
According to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, 6,900 people in Grady County live with hunger, including 2,550 children who are food insecure. The donations from the Food for Fines food drive will be given to the Chickasha Emergency Food Pantry, located at the First Presbyterian Church.
The value of the donated food does not have to equal the amount of the fine; any donation covers any fine.
“In addition to much-needed food, many overdue books also return home to the library during Food for Fines, usually about 100 of them,” Huckaby said. “Not having to repurchase popular titles means the Library can purchase more new books. This also gives patrons who have accrued fines a way to make a fresh start and be able to check out books again. ” If a book has been lost, the overdue fine will be waived, however, the replacement cost of the book must be paid.
The Food for Fines food drive will run through December 31st. For more details, call the Chickasha Public Library at 222-6075.
National Library Week!
National Library Week is April 4-10, 2021, and this year’s theme is “Welcome to Your Library!” According to the American Library Association, this theme “promotes the idea that libraries extend far beyond the four walls of a building – and that everyone is welcome to use their services.” The Chickasha Public Library provides access to a variety of information, services, resources, and programs, both physical and virtual, to everyone in the community. During National Library Week, the Chickasha Public Library will be celebrating its resources, users, staff, volunteers, support groups, and the many ways in which it reflects and serves this community.
There are many ways to celebrate and promote libraries. You can show your library love by participating in the #MyLibraryIs social media campaign during National Library Week for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card. Monday, April 5th The State of America’s Libraries 2021 Special Report: COVID-19 will be released. Tuesday, April 6th is National Library Workers Day, Wednesday, April 7th is National Library Outreach Day, think bookmobile among other programs not held within a library building, and Thursday, April 8th is Take Action for Libraries Day. The American Library Association encourages people to support the Build America’s Libraries Act, which will “fund upgrades to the nation’s library infrastructure to address challenges such as natural disasters, COVID-19, broadband capacity, environmental hazards, and accessibility barriers.”
The American Library Association lists several different activities in which people can support libraries during National Library Week. These include showing appreciation to library staff in person and on social media on National Library Workers Day, highlighting the library’s community contributions and involvement, communicating how libraries provide essential resources, services, and information to their communities, and advocating for library funding and support within local, state, and federal governments. You can highlight libraries on social media using the #NationalLibraryWeek, and #LibrariesTransform hashtags, and by following the American Library Association and I Love Libraries.
American Library Association has also created a word search and coloring pages for National Library Week. Click on each link below to view and print each one.
National Library Week Word Search Activity Page (PDF)
National Library Week Coloring Page (PDF)
National Library Week Coloring Page in Spanish (PDF)
Finally, a great way to celebrate National Library Week is to visit the Chickasha Public Library, where you can also find several books about public libraries and their continuing impact on individuals and communities. If you are looking for a history of public libraries, Part of Our Lives: A People’s History of the American Public Library by Wayne Wiegand (027.473 Wiegand) discusses the value and relevance of public libraries as a whole throughout the history of this country. Closer to home, A History of the Chickasha Public Library, 1905-2020: The First 115 Years by library staff member Michelle Skinner (027.476 Skinner) is about the history of this specific library (and a copy can also be purchased for $10 at the library).
More perspectives of libraries written by staff from other libraries include Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron (636.80092 Myron) and Free For All: Oddballs, Geeks, and Gangstas in the Public Library by Don Borchert (BIOGRAPHY Borchert), a humorous memoir about some of the more unusual and entertaining aspects of working in a public library.
Come to the Chickasha Public Library and discover the many resources it has to offer during National Library Week! We hope to see you there!
7th Annual Chocolate Celebration is Tues., Feb. 12
7th Annual Chocolate Celebration is Tues., Feb. 12
It’s almost ‘Chocolate Celebration’ time … so plan now to buy your ticket and join in the FUN!
The 7th annual ‘Chocolate Celebration’ fundraiser, sponsored by the Friends of the Chickasha Public Library, is Tues., Feb. 12, 2019 from 5:00-7:00 pm in the Epworth Church Life Center, 4th and Iowa in Chickasha. This event is open to the community. Enter through the double doors by the north parking lot.
At least 18 tables of tasty chocolate treats will be ready and waiting for those looking forward to taking home a special gift box (or two or three or more!) of delicious and beautiful chocolate desserts.
Each of the table sponsors will provide approximately 200 individual servings of a variety of chocolate treats.
Tickets are on sale now! Don’t miss out on your gift box of six individual chocolate dessert items selected personally by YOU!
Tickets are $6 and are available from the Friends of the Chickasha Public Library Board Members, the Table Sponsors and at the Chickasha Public Library. Depending on advance sales, a few tickets may be available at the door.
Also, those attending will find tables filled with delicious ‘bake sale’ items, featuring whole cakes, pies, cupcakes, candy, and plates of cookies, brownies, and bars. These food items will be individually priced.
Remember to stop by the Library on Sat., Feb. 2, from 10am-1pm to purchase your ticket and visit the bake sale – this will get you ‘ready’ for the BIG EVENT.
Table sponsors providing desserts for the ‘Chocolate Celebration’ include the AAUW, Altrusa Club of Chickasha, Bank of Commerce, CAS/CART (Chickasha Animal Rescue Transport), Chickasha Area Arts Council (CAAC), EPIC Charter Schools, First National Bank & Trust Company, Girl Scout Troup 3404,, Johnson’s Wreckers & Salvage, Library Tai Chi/Storytime, Lucile/Blue Bonnet OHCE, Pam Ratliff & Friends, P.E.O. Chapter FV, Shollie’s Sweets, Standley’s Systems, State Representative David Perryman, Sweet Creations and The Salvation Army.
The Friends of the Library are sincerely grateful for this year’s 34 Corporate Sponsors for their faithful and generous support of the Chocolate Celebration with financial gifts. Gold Level Sponsors are Arvest Bank, Ben Milam Heat & Air, Bob Lowe, Inc., Century 21/Mosley Agency, Chickasha Rotary Club, First National Bank & Trust, Kiwanis, LaForge Properties, Lifeline Home Health & Hospice, Rick Johnston – State Farm, Standley’s Systems, Steagall Oil, and The Herbal Choice.
Silver Level Sponsors include Angel, Johnston & Blasingame, Charles Allen Ford, Chickasha Optimists, DeHart Heat & Air, Gina & Tyler Lowe, Grand Avenue Dental Studio, Grisham Construction, HSI Sensing, Ivy, Ratliff & Chasteen, PC, Joe Bob Bail Bonds, Johnston & Associates, McCalla, Brown & Patel, Mark Mettry, DDS, Mike Day – State Farm, P.E.O. Chapter CR, P.E.O. Chapter DV, Pollution Control, Corp., Richard’s Printing, Ross Seed & Grain, Stephens Oil, and Teague Body Shop.
Proceeds from the 7th annual Chocolate Celebration 2019 will be used to help purchase electric doors for the main entrance of the Chickasha Public Library. These will provide much easier access for everyone visiting the Library.
Please contact the Library at 405-222-6075 for questions.
Library History Search
2020 will mark the 115th year of the Chickasha Public Library. A lot has happened in that time and we want to celebrate! We are preparing a written history of the Library complete with a scrapbook of photos and news articles. If you have any pictures or news articles about the Library that you would like to share, please bring them in and talk to Michelle or Lillie. Also, if you have a memory you would like to share about the Library write it down and get it to us or if you prefer, we’ll write it for you please make an appointment with Michelle or Lillie. If you were on the Library Board or were employed at the Library, please contact us by calling 405-222-6075. We would like to make sure that our information is correct, we would like to know names and dates and photos to go with them would be great! Let’s enjoy the process. For additional information, please call the Library at 405-222-6075.
2018 into 2019 Past and Future Youth Programs
There were many exciting programs at the Chickasha Public Library during 2018.
Annual SUMMER READING Program
There was a symphony of fun at the Library during Summer Reading 2018. If you missed all the fun this past summer, there is another chance this coming June and July! In 2018, youth from all over Grady County signed up for the Summer Reading program. Also, the YMCA brought children to participate in the program once a week. The 2018 Summer Reading program was fantastic During the program we read books that tied into our “Libraries Rock” theme and children were able to create instruments of their own. There is more to the Summer Reading program than an hour every week of fun and games; the participants also keep track of the minutes they spend reading at home. In 2018 the participants read over 104,266 minutes in June and July. Children who spend time reading over the summer have a better chance of retaining all the skills from the previous school year. Many people and organizations make the Summer Reading program possible. We would like to say thank you to the organizations that provide funding and incentives, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the Oklahoma Department of Libraries, the Oklahoman Newspapers in Education, Sonic America’s Drive-In, Corp, Pizza Hut, Water-Zoo Indoor Waterpark in Clinton, OK., and the Friends of the Chickasha Public Library. The Library would also like to thank performers Jammin’ Randy and Magical Michael, all of our volunteers, and the participants for making this year’s Summer Reading program one of the best yet.
Mark your calendars because May 30th will be the Library’s all-day Summer Reading sign-up day. On June 6th, we will blast off to explore a “Universe of Stories” during the 2019 Summer Reading Program. More details to come as May gets closer.
BOOKS COME ALIVE
Over eighty people attended our second annual Books Come Alive and Local Authors Festival event. Local volunteers chose some fantastic books, and some great characters wandered the stacks. Count Olaf attempted to keep his group of orphans in line, while Max and the Wild Things had roaring contests with all the kids, and a creepy woods took over the adult stacks, where participants witnessed a scene from the Watchers. Tune in next fall to see all the places we will go.
Some NEW Youth Programs for 2019 are:
Baby & You Storytime is every Thursday morning during the school year from 9:30 am – 10:30 am.
The program doesn’t begin until 9:45 and lasts 15 – 20 minutes, which leaves plenty of time for you to read, play with your baby, and talk with other parents.
This program is for babies ages 0-18 months and their caregivers.
For more information, email Courtney, Youth Services Librarian at courtney.mayall@chickasha.org, or contact us on Facebook.
Beyond the Shelf Youth Library Club is a weekly program on Wednesdays from 3:30 to 4:30 for youth ages 10 – 15.
The activities during this program will vary. Scifi-Monster Mania is the theme for February.
There will be a board game demo of King of Tokyo. Who will be the last monster standing? There will also be crafts and plenty of monster book discussions.
The last Wednesday of the month, we will show a film MST3K style.
For more information, email Courtney, Youth Services Librarian at courtney.mayall@chickasha.org or contact us on Facebook.
Preschool Storytime
Food for Fines
Chickasha Public Library Fines Waived in December with a donation of food
Do you have fines on your Library account? Get them waived in December by bringing in a non-perishable food item to donate to the Food Pantry. “The end of the year is a great time to get accounts cleared for a fresh start for the new year. I want customers to be able to check out Library books. This is a great way for customers to get fines waived and help the local Food Pantry too.” The books must be turned in to the Library for the fines to be waived, perhaps you’ve already done that, or perhaps you can do that now, and bring in a non-perishable food item, quantity doesn’t matter. All food is donated to the local Food Pantry. This program covers only overdue fines not replacement fees for lost or damaged books. Donations for the Food Pantry are accepted and encouraged even if you don’t have fines. In addition to the much-needed food, many overdue books come home to the Library. Not having to repurchase popular titles means the Library can buy more new books. The program runs from December 1st – December 31st. If you have questions, call the Library at 222-6075.
Elf on the Shelf at the Library
The Elf is back!
This December at the Chickasha Public Library there will be an elf reading his way through the Children’s section of the library. Children are invited to come each day December 1st through the 21st to find the elf and the book he is reading and add their name to the drawing for a chance to take the elf home.
The Library is hosting some fun activities to go along with the elf on the shelf this year.
Please join us on December 7, 2018, from 4:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. for special craft time. We will be re-using Christmas cards to make a variety of crafts. This event is come and go, and the event is open to all ages — children 8 and younger need to be accompanied by a caregiver.
On December 13th there will be a special afternoon storytime at 1:30 P.M. for preschool ages children and their caregivers.
The elf will meet his new best friend on December 21st at 4:00 P.M. The winning name will be drawn at a party for all ages. There will be a story, crafts, and games. This event is all ages — children 8 and younger need to be accompanied by a caregiver.
All of these events will be held in the Library meeting room, located at 527 W Iowa Ave. For additional information check out the Library’s Facebook page or call the Library at 405-222-6075.
Books Come Alive and Local Authors Festival
On November 16th from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm the Chickasha Public Library will be hosting their 2nd annual Books Come Alive and Local Authors Festival event. This year we are using books from the PBS Great American Reads booklist, there will be actors portraying book characters, book scavenger hunts, prizes, and fun for all. There is also an opportunity for the public to meet local authors, discuss their books, and buy them. Both events are FREE, donations will be welcome at the door.