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Black History Resources at the Chickasha Public Library
“Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history” – Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson (1875-1950), historian, author, and founder of Black History Month
February was Black History Month, which highlights the history, culture, contributions, struggles, and achievements of African Americans. However, learning about Black history should not be limited to February. Reading books written by Black authors is a great way to continue learning about both the past and present. Anyone looking for Black history, perspectives, and representation can find many nonfiction resources at the Chickasha Public Library.
Some historical works include African American Almanac: 400 Years of Triumph, Courage and Excellence by Lean’tin L. Bracks (973 Bracks), African-American Century: How Black Americans Have Shaped our Country by Henry Louis Gates (920 Gates), The Warmth of Other Suns: the Epic story of America’s Great Migration by Isabel Wilkerson (304.80973 Wilkerson), Crossing the Danger Water: Three Hundred Tears of African-American Writing (810.8 CRO), and Black Fortunes: The Story of the First Six African Americans who Escaped Slavery and Became Millionaires by Shomari Wills (338 Wills).
There are also biographies, including Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom (BIOGRAPHY Douglass), and Matter of Black and White: The Autobiography of Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher (BIOGRAPHY Fisher), who was born in Chickasha. For more local history, you can read Chickasha Black Heritage and One Room School Memories, both by Loretta Jackson (FRONT DESK 976.654 Jac; GEN 976.654 Jac) while at the library.
Those looking for books about current events and perspectives can read The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander (364.973 Alexander), How to be Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi (305.800973 Kendi), Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates (305.800973 Coates), and So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeona Oluo (305.800973 Oluo). These books and many more can be found in the nonfiction and reference section of the library for anyone wanting to read about and expand their knowledge of Black history.
Readers’ Advisory
We all know the names of our favorite authors-at least the name that you scan for when you look at the new release shelf. But did you know that some of your favorite authors may be writing under a pen name? The author may feel the need to protect their privacy, want to try their hand at a new genre, or to determine if their continued success is based on their name or on the content of their work.
The Brontë sisters, Anne, Charlotte, and Emily, chose ambiguous, yet vaguely mascuine names (Acton, Currer, and Ellis) to publish their works under because they wanted to maintain their privacy while still expressing themselves. Also in the time in which their works were published works by female authors were not taken seriously and often considered flighty or overly romantic. Charlotte and Anne were forced to present their decidedly feminine selves to their publisher when rumors began to spread that Acton, Currer, and Ellis were one in the same.
Agatha Christie may have been known as the “Queen of Crime” but like most creative people, she had many ideas and needed an outlet for them. In 1930 she published Giant’s Bread, a novel about a composer with a tragic past under the name Mary Westmacott. Neither Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple would approve of the dramatics.
Once an author becomes famous they have built in readership. Fans grab the latest release off the shelf, sometimes before reading critical reviews. This is great for the author’s wallet and ego, but some authors are not satisfied by money and fame alone-they want to know that they are producing books that entertain the public.
After his initial success with Carrie, Salem’s Lot and The Shining, Stephen King published several novels as Richard Bachman to test his skills. After only four novels the ruse was found out by a bookstore clerk who spotted the similarities leading him to research publishing documents identifying King as the author. To his credit Stephen King encouraged the clerk to write an article about his findings. Bachman “passed away” in 1985 although his “widow” discovered a manuscript for The Regulators which was published in 1996.
Several authors have decided to hide their identities during their careers. They may have craved privacy like the Brontë sisters, wanted to try their hand at a new genre like Agatha Christie or felt the need to test themselves like Stephen King. If you had to select a new name to attach to your creative work what would it be?
Here is a list of books available at the library with authors who use pen names. Authors Who Write Under Pen Names
COVID-19 Information
What if I don’t have access to the Internet or a mobile device?
- If you can’t access the internet or need assistance accessing the portal, we recommend you ask a family member or friend to assist you with the registration process.
- If you prefer to use a phone, you can check your vaccine eligibility via phone.
- Call 211 to determine if you’re eligible for an appointment.
- We strongly encourage Oklahomans to use the portal if they are able for a quicker, more efficient registration.
Who can register right now?
- Anyone is able to pre-register and enter their information. However, only Oklahoma residents who are 65 years of age or older, as well as healthcare workers and first responders will be able to schedule appointments in the system.
- If you are not part of the current phases, you will be given the option to be notified when the vaccine becomes available to you, and when appointments become available once your phase is active.
- Please note that eligibility does not guarantee an appointment will be available to you. Appointment availability is solely dependent on vaccine supply in each county.
Healthy Literacy Resources for Caregivers & Children
This post contains a collection of Health Literacy resource for caregivers and their children.
Library Resources
Universal Class is an online database with over 500 self paced classes. There are over 40 courses on the topic of health. Here are a few classes that might be of interest to parents and caregivers. A library card is required to access the database.
- Nutrition 101
- Cooking and Baking 101
- Childhood Obesity
- Early Childhood Development
Kanopy is a video streaming database that contains movies, and documentaries. Here are a few video titles that might be of interest to parents and caregivers. A library card is required to access the database.
- Food, Science, and the Human Body – The Great Courses
- Nutrition Basics: Why Food Matters
- Yoga for Children
- Cooking and Children…A Learning Activity
- Create a Great Plate: MyPlate Dietary Guidelines
- What’s On MyPlate?
Website links
How to Explain Basic Nutrition Concepts
Want to check out more fruit & vegetable books? Click the link below to see additional titles.
Health Literacy Bingo
The Chickasha Public Library is launching a health literacy bingo to encourage individuals to add healthy eating and activities into their daily routines. Bingo cards can be picked up at the library 527 W Iowa Ave. This program will go through July 2021. Once you complete your whole bingo card, bring it back to the library, and you will be entered into a drawing.
This program is funded in part through the Oklahoma Department of Libraries with a federal grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Chickasha Public Library’s Services and Community Impact
The Chickasha Public Library, which has the distinction of being the first free library in what was then Indian Territory, was founded as a Carnegie Library on March 23, 1905. This library has operated continuously for 115 years, and has grown and developed as new technology, resources, and information becomes available, and is a vital part of the educational and cultural landscape of this community.
The library provides a variety of information, services, and resources for both education and recreational purposes to the residents of Chickasha and Grady County. These services provide personal, social, and economic benefits in many different ways.
Since the beginning, the Chickasha Public Library has offered access to books and other printed material. Library cards are free for anyone who lives, works, or goes to school in Grady County, and each person can check out up to 20 items at a time. Besides printed books, there are audio books on CD, Playaways, magazines, and kits available.
Due to COVID-19, the library’s services are currently being delivered in modified ways to ensure public safety. Individuals can call and reserve an appointment to visit the library to browse, check out books, or use the computer during available days and times. Books can also be requested and held for curbside pickup either by phone or online through the library’s catalog. Additional curbside services include printing (documents can be emailed to chickashapubliclibraryprinting@gmail.com), copying, and short-term laptop usage. There is also a notary service free of charge.
The library’s virtual services have been widely utilized during the pandemic. Ebooks, audio books, and magazines are available through the Oklahoma Virtual Library and can be read on your Kindle, phone, tablet, or computer. Sign in with your Chickasha Public Library card and then enter the last four digits of that number as the PIN.
For those wanting to supplement online learning, Universal Class is a database containing over 500 courses (free with your library card) that cover academic subjects, technology usage, health, finance, workplace skills, and recreational hobbies. Once completed, each course provides a certificate and CEUs that can be used for continuing education credits. History and genealogy researchers can benefit from EBSO Host, OK2Explore, ProQuest Black Freedom Struggle, and Oklahoma Digital Prairie. Free streaming movies are available through Kanopy. These databases and more can be found on the E-Resources tab on the library’s homepage. Ancestry is also available at home for the duration of the pandemic and can be accessed by signing into your account on the library’s homepage.
Regular programs, including Tai Chi and classes from the Oklahoma Healthy Aging Initiative, are currently accessible through Zoom. Those who are interested in health literacy can participate in a community walking challenge, watch videos with healthy recipes on the library’s Facebook page, and check out kits with information about healthy living.
Finally, anyone can call or email the library and receive information and help from the staff. We will work to find new and innovative ways to search for answers to questions, find resources, help navigate the vast world of online information, and to provide contact information for official organizations. For more information about any of these programs or services, please call the Chickasha Public Library at 405-222-6075.
Readers’ Advisory
As 2020 wrapped up many of my friends across social media lamented that they had not read as many books this year as they normally do. I had this problem as well. Very few books held my interest for more than a few pages. Each time a friend asked for advice on what to read to help them through this slump I suggested reading a middle grade fiction or “chapter book”.
Front Desk by Kelly Yang
I often pick up a chapter book when I need a palette cleanser between heavier books and this year that habit found me reading Front Desk by Kelly Yang. The Tang family recently immigrated from China and are struggling to find their place in Southern California in the early 1990’s. Mr. and Mrs. Tang take a job as live-in managers at a small motel while Mia starts fifth grade. The reason I always suggest middle grade fiction is in its simplicity.
Middle grade fiction touches on the topics that humans face on a daily basis like friendship drama, family relationships, physical changes, and encounters with a new grown up world, but in a simple, straightforward way. The main characters are children who (hopefully) haven’t learned the adult art of ignoring their own feelings just to appease others so while they may not express themselves with finesse, they do it better than some adults in novels do. Compare how Jane Eyre expresses her unhappiness by running away from Thornfield Hall in the night versus Ramona Quimby who simply shouts “Guts!!!!” as she swings at the local playground. Maybe we need more gut-shouting and less slipping away in the night. The guilelessness of young main characters is refreshing.
Authors of middle grade fiction have to express complex topics like poverty in simple terms that their young readers will understand. Even though Mia is very intelligent she is still a 10 year old speaking English as a second language. She is not going to use five dollar words like penury and indigence when worrying about the hospital bill after Mrs. Tang is attacked. “But we’re dirt poor!” she exclaims to the hospital clerk after they deny the family relief.
My absolute favorite thing about children’s books is how they end. All the themes of the book are wrapped up in a neat little bow at the end. I know that life doesn’t always end with a pool party, but it sounds better than some endings we are faced with in adult novels and especially life.
Chickasha Public Library Temporarily Suspending In-Person Services
Beginning December 7
The Chickasha Public Library will temporarily suspend in-person services due to the rise in COVID-19 cases in the area. During this closure, the Library will continue to provide curbside and virtual services.
Books can be reserved through the Library’s online catalog, available at chickashapl.okpls.org, or by contacting the Library. Also available curbside are grab and go craft bags for children.
Library staff will be available to assist with business services outside, including notarizing, faxing and copying. If you need something printed from the internet, email what needs to be printed to chickashapubliclibraryprinting@gmail.com or call the Library at (405) 222-6075 to request help printing from a specific website.
Additionally, the Library’s Food for Fines program will be conducted curbside. Through this program, library fines will be waived when patrons drop off a donation to the Food Pantry.
Curbside services will be available Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Library staff will be available to take phone calls during this time.
Virtual services are also available, including downloading e-books, accessing free WiFi outside the building, participating in virtual programs, and receiving the Library’s emailed newsletter. Information on virtual services is available at chickashapl.okpls.org.
To request Library assistance during the closure, patrons are urged to call (405) 222-6075 or email lillie.huckaby@chickasha.org. More information, including anticipated reopening dates, will be provided on the Library’s website, chickashapl.okpls.org, and on their Facebook and Instagram accounts.
Diabetes and Beyond Class
The Chickasha Public Library has partnered with to Oklahoma Healthy Aging Initiative to offer a Diabetes and Beyond class.
This is an online class that requires the use of a computer, tablet, or smartphone. To register, please contact OHAI at 405-271-2290 or by email at rhonda-david@ouhsc.edu
Based on the principles of empowerment and education, the Diabetes and Beyond Education Program was created to provide you with the tools you need to better manage diabetes. You will learn about the importance of a healthy
diet, physical activity, and maintaining a positive outlook
through this six-week class. Take control of your health by
learning how to take an active role in managing your
diabetes!
Chickasha Public Library Walking Challenge
The Chickasha Public Library challenges you to get active. To encourage our community to walk, the Chickasha Public Library is hosting a Walking Challenge with a literary theme. The overall goal of this challenge is to, as a community, walk the distance around the Earth 24,901 miles, which equals 49,802,000 steps by August 2020, with individual goals of improving the number of steps taken daily. Can you walk the Appalachian trail or the yellow brick road? Participants who sign up for the Walking Challenge can use their device to track their steps, or they will receive a pedometer provided by the Oklahoma Department of Libraries.
You can sign up for the Walking Challenge by filling out a short google form (click here), by calling the Library at 405-222-6075, or by coming into the Chickasha Public Library located at 527 W Iowa Ave.
Already signed up? You can log your steps here.