News
Book Pick Up
Dear Library Patrons,
My thoughts are with you as we navigate this difficult time. I know how important reading is to keep our minds occupied. To help with this, the Chickasha Public Library will be checking out packages of books.
On Tuesday, March 24, at 2pm, bags of books will be available to check out at the drive-up book drop. This will continue until all the bags are gone, or until 3:30, whichever occurs first.
There will be 6 types of bags available with a limit of 2 bags of different types per household.
A library card must be shown at pickup. (If an individual does not have a library card, I will have bags of used paperbacks they will be able to borrow.)
The bag options are:
Preschool – 10 books – a mix of Easy picture books
Children’s – 10 books – a mix of Juvenile fiction and Juvenile nonfiction
Teens – 5 books – fiction
Adult Fiction – 5 books – a mix of genres
Adult Nonfiction – 5 books – a mix
Adult Books on CDs – 3 books – mostly fiction
The due date is whenever the library reopens, and no fines will accrue. We tentatively plan to offer the book bag check out again next week depending on the circumstances. At this time we plan for the library to be closed through the end of March.
If you have books you would like to return, they may be dropped off at either of the book drops anytime.
Utilize our online resources also. They can be found on our website, https://chickashapl.okpls.org/. Click the tab ‘e-resources’. If you have difficulty getting logged in because your card is not working you can email me at lillie.huckaby@chickasha.org and I will do my best to make it work.
Please let people who may not be on the Internet know about this book bag checkout.
Take care of yourself.
Sincerely,
Lillie Huckaby
Library Director
Library Closure
Update 3/27/2020 https://chickashapl.okpls.org/news/closure-update/
Update 3/25/2020–https://chickashapl.okpls.org/news/new-electronic-resource-available/
Update 3/21/2020 https://chickashapl.okpls.org/news/book-pick-up/
The Chickasha Public Library will be closed until further notice.
Important updates to library services during closure:
• All items currently checked out will not accrue fines.
• Items currently checked out can be returned to the outside book drops or you may keep them until the library is reopened. Book drops will be checked daily.
• No new holds will be taken, but current holds will be held until the library is reopened.
• For information about accessing the Oklahoma Virtual Library, to download e-books e-audiobooks, or magazines, or Kanopy, to download movies, visit chickashapl.okpls.org. Your username is your library card number and your password is the last four digits of that number.
• If your library card is expired, please call 405-222-6075 and leave a message with your name and card number. This answering machine will be checked daily. You may also email Lillie.huckaby@chickasha.org.
We will be updating Facebook and this page as new information arises.
The E-Resources tab has lots of great option for you to explore.
Please take care of yourself and your loved ones. We look forward to seeing you soon. Please contact us through the library email listed above or Facebook with any questions. Telephone, email, and Facebook messages will be monitored throughout the day, but we do appreciate your patience.
We are happy to announce that our streaming video service, Kanopy has made several titles credit-free to watch along with all titles on the Kanopy Kids section. The Kanopy link can be found on the E-Resources page.
Join us for a Birthday Party
The Chickasha Public Library Celebrate 115 years
The Chickasha Public Library will celebrate its 115th birthday with a weeklong celebration in March and everyone is invited to attend! Pat Cunningham, the director of the Grady County Historical Society Museum, will give a presentation about the early history of the Carnegie Library building on Monday, March 23rd. Library staff member Michelle Skinner will speak about the history of the current library building on Thursday, March 26th. Both events will start at 6:00 p.m. at the Chickasha Public Library. Finally, there will be a birthday party on Saturday, March 28th, at 3:00 p.m. at the Chickasha Public Library. The Library is located on the corner of 6th and Iowa at 527 W. Iowa Ave.
During the birthday party on Saturday, March 28th, Mayor Chris Mosley will speak at 3:00 pm, followed by Melody Kellogg, Director of the Oklahoma Department of Libraries. There will be historic photographs and items on display during that week and people are invited to share their stories and memories of the ways in which the Library has impacted their lives. In addition, a history of the Chickasha Public Library’s first 115 years has been written by Library staff member Michelle Skinner and the book will be available for purchase.
Library Director Lillie Huckaby would like to invite the community to celebrate their past, present, and future by highlighting the Library’s positive influence for the residents of Chickasha and Grady County.
The history of the Chickasha Public Library began in 1905 when several women’s organizations who were active in Chickasha saw the need for a public library. They applied for a $10,000 grant from Andrew Carnegie, (Carnegie funded some 3,000 libraries) secured the land on which to build the library, and solicited donations of books and furniture. The Carnegie Library, which was named for Andrew Carnegie, had 465 books at the time of its dedication on March 23, 1905. It was the first free public library in what was then Indian Territory. The first person to receive a library card was Mary Smith of Chickasha, who had a free library at her home and served as volunteer librarian while the Carnegie Library was being built. The first librarian of the Carnegie Library was Sallie Thompson, who served as director from 1905-1907, 1910-1916, and from 1923-1929. There have been a total of 15 library directors during the past 115 years.
The Carnegie Library building was torn down in 1963. The following year, the new Chickasha Public Library was built on the same location. Over the years, the Library has expanded its services to adapt to the community’s changing needs. The first computer was installed in 1986, public Internet access arrived in 1996, and e-books became available to check out through the Oklahoma Virtual Library in 2012.
Today, the Chickasha Public Library contains over 50,000 volumes, including books, audio books, magazines, newspapers, and DVDs. There are a variety of both educational and
recreational programs for all ages, as well as access to technology and resources.
For more information, contact the Chickasha Public Library at 405-222-6075 or email Lillie Huckaby at lillie.huckaby@chickasha.org. We hope to see you there!
Dr. Seuss Read-a-Thon
This year the Chickasha Public Library is celebrating Read Across America Day Dr. Seuss’ birthday with an all day Read-a-Thon.
On March 2, 2020 Library Staff and community members will be reading Dr. Seuss books in the Library meeting room from 10:00 A.M.- 7:30 P.M. This is a come and go event for all ages and you are welcome to pop in as many times as you’d like to catch your favorite story (or three).
Read Across America Day is a project of the National Education Association and is held on the school day closest to Dr. Seuss’ birthday.
Theodor Seuss Geisel was born March 2, 1904 in Springfield, Massachusetts. He began writing during his student days at Dartmouth college for the college humor magazine, eventually becoming editor-in -chief. After he was asked to step down from his post he chose to submit work as Dr. Seuss. He graduated from Dartmouth and attended Lincoln College in Oxford with the intention of earning a degree in English literature. Geisel left England in 1927 and spent the next 10 years publishing political cartoons in national magazines and creating ad campaigns. During an Atlantic crossing in 1937 Geisel was inspired by the rhythm of the engines to write his first book, And to Think that I saw it on Mulberry Street. He wrote and published four more books before the outbreak of World War II. He used his writing and illustrating talents for the war effort by drawing posters for the Treasury Department and War Production Board. He also wrote and directed several training films.
After the war Geisel and his wife Helen moved to La Jolla, California where he took up children’s literature again. By the time of his death in 1991 he had written and published over 60 books. Several of his works have been adapted for television and movies.
Women’s History Month
The Chickasha Public Library will celebrate Women’s History month with a display from the National Archives celebrating the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment. The Nineteenth Amendment prohibits the states and the federal government from denying the right to vote to citizens of the United States on the basis of sex.
Humble Beginnings
Women’s History Month began as Women’s History Week in 1978 when the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women planned and executed a “Women’s History Week” celebration in California. They chose the week of March 8th to honor International Women’s Day. Two years later the National Women’s History Project for national recognition and President Jimmy Carter declared the week of March 2-8 1980, as National Women’s History Week.
“From the first settlers who came to our shores, from the first American Indian families who befriended them, men and women have worked together to build this nation. Too often the women were unsung, and sometimes their contributions went unnoticed. But the achievements, leadership, courage, strength and love of the women who built America was as vital as that of the men whose names we know so well.” -Jimmy Carter, 1980
In 1987 the month of March was declared Women’s History Month through the efforts of the National Women’s History Project, now known as the National Women’s History Alliance (NWHA). Each year the NWHA chooses a theme for Women’s History Month and organizes celebrations on the theme. The 2020 theme is “Valiant Women of the Vote” to celebrate the centennial of the 19th amendment and the women of the original suffrage movement and all women who have continued to fight to ensure fair voting rights for all.
Further Reading
New Display at the Library
The Chickahsa Public Library is proud host a new popup exhibition from the National Archives, Rightfully Hers, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment. Rightfully Hers contains simple messages exploring the history of the ratification of the 19th amendment, women’s voting rights before and after the 19th, and its impact today. Despite decades of marches, petitions, and public debate to enshrine a woman’s right to vote in the constitution, the 19th Amendment – while an enormous milestone – did not grant voting rights for all. The challenges of its passage reverberate to the ongoing fight for gender equity today. Rightfully Hers is organized by the National Archives and Records Administration. In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, the National Archives has launched a nationwide initiative and major exhibition that explores the generations-long fight for universal woman suffrage. The exhibition is presented in part by the National Archives Foundation through the generous support of Unilever, Pivotal Ventures, Carl M. Freeman Foundation in honor of Virginia Allen Freeman, AARP, and Denise Gwyn Ferguson.
Series of Bookish Events
Where Literature and Artistic Expression Meet
Art of Words
Saturday, September 28 10:00 A.M.-2:00 P.M.
The Library is hosting a one-day exhibition of art inspired by books. Scenes may be created in any 2 or 3-dimensional medium, but may not be larger than three feet. The show will be in the Meeting Room on Saturday, September 28th from 10:00 A.M.-2:00 P.M. The public will vote for their favorite piece. The Library Director will award “People’s Choice” ribbon end of the event. Please register for this event. A complete list of guidelines for this event is available at the Library. There is no cost to enter or attend the event.
Words Worth Sharing
Monday, October 21 6:00 P.M.-8:00 P.M.
Would you like to bring your favorite literary passage to life? Words Worth Sharing is your chance to give your favorite literary character a voice. Individuals and duos are invited to prepare short (under five minutes) readings from written work and present it for the public. Entries must be taken directly from the text and be family-friendly. The presentation to the public is Monday, October 21st, from 6:00 P.M.-8:00 P.M. Please register for this event–space is limited. A complete list of guidelines for this event is available at the Library. There is no cost to enter or attend the event.
There are more events scheduled in 2020.
Health Literacy Lunch & Learns
Healthy Snacks for Kids May 28th
The Chickasha Public Library is happy to announce that we have partnered with Grady Memorial Hospital to bring you a series of family-focused Lunch and Learn programs. Now through August Dietitian Cindy Wilcox, RDN, LD, CDE will present a variety of topics to help your family thrive. Each session is free to attend lunch or snacks will be provided. Space is limited to 20 children. A caregiver must attend with children 6-8. Registration is required, please call the Library at 405-222-6075 to reserve your spot.
Future Lunch & Learn Topics
- June – Introducing your Baby to New Foods
- July – Health Snacks for Teens
- August – Packing a Healthy Lunch
Program Sponsors
This project is funded in part through the Oklahoma Department of Libraries with a federal grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Free Summer Reading Program
All Young Readers can Discover A Universe of Stories at the Library this summer!
Space is the theme for Chickasha Public Library’s 2019 Free Summer Reading Program, which officially kicks off May 30th with sign-ups from 9:30 am – 6:00 pm. Summer Reading programs will be at the Library located at 527 W Iowa Ave, Chickasha Ok 73018. Children and teens who enroll in the program will receive reading logs to track their reading adventures this summer. A variety of programs and activities will also keep young minds learning over the vacation months.
New Readers Summer Reading
New Readers Summer Reading is for youth ages 4-6 it will be held every Wednesday afternoon from 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm. There will books, crafts, and games. Children, age 6 and their adult can pick which program they wish to participate in the New reader or the children’s summer reading program on Thursdays.
Children’s Summer Reading Program
Children’s Summer Reading is for youth ages 6-11 it will be held every Thursday at 10:00 am or 2:00 pm. The sessions are the same; we ask that you pick on to attend each Thursday. All programs are an hour long and there will books, crafts, and games. Children, age 10 & 11 and their adult can pick which program they wish to participate in the children’s summer reading program or the Tween Summer Reading program at 4:00 pm.
Tween Summer Reading Program
Tween Summer Reading is for youth ages 10, and up it will be held every Thursday afternoon from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm. During the program, youth will discuss books, and there will be an activity.
For more information on Chickasha Public Library’s plans for summer reading, you can visit the Library’s Facebook page. Questions can also be answered over the phone at 405-222-6075 or in person at the Library located at 527 W Iowa Ave.
Please Note
An adult must accompany children ages 8 and younger, and children ages 9 – 12 maybe at the Library for two hours unaccompanied.
Summer Reading Sponsors
Oklahoma’s statewide Summer Reading Program serves more than 100,000 preschoolers, children, and teens each year. Statewide sponsors are the Oklahoma Department of Libraries, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, Sonic Drive-In, and The Oklahoman. Local sponsors include The Friends of the Chickasha Public Library and the City of Chickasha.
Magazines at the Library
The Chickasha Public Library has recently begun receiving some new magazine subscriptions. These magazines are about a variety of interests, so you can choose your favorite or browse and find something new. House Beautiful and Veranda are both about architecture and design and can inspire home decorating and renovation projects. If you enjoy outdoor recreation, Backpacking, Bicycling, Golf, and Runner’s World might be just what you’re looking for. Rachael Ray Every Day and Cooking Light both have recipes and cooking advice for different occasions. Finally, if you want to read about celebrity, style, and fashion, you can find Esquire, Marie Claire, and People Style. The Library has many other magazines about current events, political commentary, fashion, health, cooking, science, history, and much more! The newest issues are available to read at the Library, and the older issues can be checked out for two weeks if you have a Chickasha Public Library card. Your Library card also gives you access to RB Digital an online e-magazine database.