‘Southeast Reads’ Leads October Library Events

By KATHY McGILBERRY

Last October, you loved The Big Read and True Grit by Charles Portis. This year, we have a new program for you, created by the libraries of the Southeastern Public Library System of Oklahoma (SEPLSO). It’s called Southeast Reads, and the featured book is Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse.

You’ll find Southeast Reads events in towns and cities throughout the region all during October. Thing begin Wednesday, Oct. 1 with an online kickoff. If you’re not following McAlester Public Library on Facebook and Twitter, now is the time to start. All day Oct. 1, we’ll be posting exclusive content from Scholastic Books, book reviews, videos, student and teacher materials, and some surprising background information to make your reading experience better.

We have multiple copies of the featured book available for checkout. Look for the special display near the front desk.

And look for McAlester Public Library on Facebook and @McAlestrLibrary on Twitter. Our hashtags will be #SEReads and #OutOfTheDust. Help us spread the word by sharing with Facebook friends and Twitter followers. At the close of the event, we will try something new—an online-only book discussion during school hours so students and teachers can take part. In between, you’ll find an array of special events and films highlighting the Dust Bowl theme, including the return of the popular lunchtime local history series History at High Noon.

Out of the Dust is the story of a young girl in the Oklahoma Panhandle during the Dust Bowl. It’s told in free verse, and won the 1998 Newbery Award for children’s literature. If you admire the toughness of the Oklahomans who weathered the Dust Bowl and Depression, you will find this story moving and inspiring.

We will be celebrating the poetry of our featured book—as well as the 100^th birthday anniversary of McAlester-born poet John Berryman—with a very special event Oct. 25 called Poetry and Memory: Restoring Broken Connections. Sponsored in part by the Oklahoma Humanities Council, the event will feature poetry readings by local teens and adults. It will conclude with an afternoon reception and scholarly presentation by Dr. Kenneth Hada, director of the Scissortail Creative Writing Festival and winner of the National Western Heritage Award for poetry.

McAlester Library was designated a national literary landmark site in 2005 in recognition of Berryman’s birth here 100 years ago. Berryman, a major American poet, is best known for The Dream Songs.

Here’s a brief look at many of the events at the library this month:

Wed., Oct. 1—Southeast Reads Online Kickoff on Facebook and Twitter, all day. Children’s Story Time, age 3-up, 10 a.m. (this and every Wednesday). Teen Cooking Class, 3:45 p.m.

Thurs., Oct. 2—The Bookies, 1 p.m,, discussing The Comfort of Lies by Randy Susan Meyers. Teen Game Time this and every Thursday, 3:45 p.m. Let’s Talk About It, Oklahoma Movie Special, 6 p.m.  Audie Murphy stars in film based on Stephen Crane’s The Red Badge of Courage.

Fri., Oct. 3—History at High Noon. Tom Crowl presents a talk on how Southeast Oklahoma fared during the Depression. Free lunch for up to 25 in attendance on this and every Friday through Oct. 24.

Sat., Oct. 4—Photo Exhibit opens, throughout the library. Photos from local history files and famous Farm Services Administration photos of Oklahoma during the Dust Bowl. If you have photos of the area from the 1930s, let us scan, enlarge and display them. You’ll get to keep the poster-size enlargement when the display is finished.

Tues., Oct. 7—Children’s LapSit Story Time (age 3 and under) this and every Tuesday, 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Teen Yu-Gi-Oh Club 3:45 p.m. Southeast Reads Movie Special, Ken Burns’ The Dust Bowl miniseries, Part One, 6 p.m.

Wed., Oct. 8—Crafts Workshop, 1:30 p.m., making fabric pumpkins. Teen Crafts, 3:45 p.m., Halloween items. SteamPunk group, 6 p.m., discussing Clockwork Heart by Dru Pagliassotti.

Thurs., Oct. 9—Dr. William Hagen presents a scholarly talk on The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane, the second in a series of five presentations on the Let’s Talk About It, Oklahoma theme The Gilded Age. We’ll have refreshments and door prizes as usual. The event begins at 6 p.m.

Fri., Oct. 10—History at High Noon. Steve Adams presents Work Projects of the Depression, a look at local WPA and CCC projects.

Sat., Oct. 11—Second Saturday Cinema gives way to an all-day Shirley Temple Film Festival. Beginning at 9:30 a.m., we will show every movie the adorable tot made in 1934 and 1935, the years Out of the Dust takes place. Join us at any time during the day and, as always, enjoy some free popcorn.

Mon., Oct. 13—Southeast Reads Movie Special, 6 p.m. Charlie Chaplain stars in a Depression-era masterpiece. Free popcorn.

Tues., Oct. 14— Teen Challenge, Minute to Win It, 3:45 p.m. Southeast Reads Movie Special, Ken Burns’ The Dust Bowl miniseries, Part Two, 6 p.m.

Wed., Oct. 15—Computer Course, 3 p.m. Spaces are limited so call now to register. You’ll learn all the basics. SteamPunk group Movie Special, 6 p.m., Chris Evans is Captain America in a 2014 film. Free popcorn.

Thurs., Oct 16—Computer Course, 3 p.m. Let’s Talk About It, Oklahoma Movie Special, 6 p.m. Clare Bloom and Anthony Hopkins star in a proto-feminist tale. Rated G. Free popcorn.

Fri., Oct. 17—History at High Noon—OSBI’s Tommy Graham talks about Gangsters of the Depression Era. Pretty Boy Floyd and Clyde Barrow made appearances in Southeast Oklahoma; learn how they and other gangsters plied their trade here during the Depression.

Mon., Oct. 20—Light Readers discuss Jodi Picoult’s The Story Teller, 6 p.m.

Tues., Oct. 21—Friends of the Library, noon, featuring Ellen Barber’s presentation Graveyard Humor and Such. Night Readers, 6:30 p.m., discussing Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs.

Wed., Oct. 22—SteamPunk group, 6 p.m. discussing Soulless by Gail Carriger.

Thurs., Oct. 23—Let’s Talk About It, Oklahoma, 6 p.m. Dr. Trisha Yarbrough presents The Awakening by Kate Chopin. Refreshments and door prizes.

Fri., Oct. 24—The library’s own Christopher Elliott presents a talk on the little-known Pittsburg County Courthouse Siege of 1935, featured in Rilla Askew’s novel Harpsong, set in Depression-era Southeast Oklahoma.

Sat., Oct. 25—Beginning at 9:30 a.m., local readers will feature poetry from Out of the Dust, from John Berryman and from other poets whose works evoke memory. Join us on the hour for readings from the mezzanine overlooking the main floor of the library. Then at 3 p.m., join us for an informal reception in the Whiteacre Room, followed by Dr. Kenneth Hada’s presentation on Poetry and Memory: Restoring Broken Connections. This special event is sponsored by the Oklahoma Humanities Council and Friends of the Library.

Mon., Oct. 27—Teen Advisory Group and Book Club, 3:45 p.m. discussing Out of the Dust and Dark Harvest by Norman Partridge. Film Movement Indie Movie, 6 p.m., Tanta Agua, from Mexico and Uruguay, unrated. Free popcorn.

Tues., Oct. 28—Socrates Café, 10 a.m. discussing everyday philosophy and enjoying brunch. Teen Cooking Class, 3:45 p.m.

Wed., Oct. 29—Southeast Reads Online Book Discussion, all day. Find us on Facebook and Twitter as we post discussion questions about Out of the Dust and offer our opinions. Help us spread the word—comment, retweet, like and share! Teachers and students, we especially want to hear from you.

Thurs., Oct. 30—Let’s Talk About It, Oklahoma Movie Special, 6 p.m. We show a documentary about the author of The Souls of Black Folk. Join us for W.E.B. Du Bois: A Biography in Four Voices.

Fri., Oct. 31—The library closes at 6 p.m. on Fridays, but come in for some early trick-or-treating and see all the ghoulish librarians in their scary costumes. Hope to see you at the library!

 

 

Library Gets Grant for ‘Poetry & Memory’ Event in October

SOUTHEAST READS–McAlester Public Library has been awarded an $850 grant from the Oklahoma Humanities Council for a special event in October,  part of Southeast Reads, a literary program by the libraries of the Southeastern Public Library System of Oklahoma. Similar to The Big Read, Southeast Reads will focus on a single book, Karen Hesse’s Newbery Award-winning Depression-era novel Out of the Dust. Ann Thompson, OHC executive director, awarded the check to Head Librarian Christine Sauro for the Oct. 25 event, Poetry and Memory: Restoring Broken Connections. The event will examine the free verse poetry of Hesse’s novel, the poetry of McAlester native John Berryman on his 100th birthday anniversary and other poems that evoke memory. Dr. Kenneth Hada, director of the Scissortail Creative Writing Festival and winner of the National Western Heritage Award for poetry, will be a featured speaker. Local people giving poetry readings will also be featured throughout the day-long event. This program is funded in part by the OHC and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of OHC or NEH. Other library events during Southeast Reads will include online book discussions, a Shirley Temple film festival, a special screening of Ken Burns’ The Dust Bowl, and four weeks of local Depression-era history programs called History at High Noon.

New Materials in August: Now with VIDEO GAMES!

NEW MATERIALS AT MCALESTER PUBLIC LIBRARY

AUGUST, 2014

VIDEO GAMES—XBOX  360

Injustice: Gods Among Us Ultimate Edition

The Amazing Spider-Man 2

Cabela’s Big Game Hunter: Pro Hunts

Brave

Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes

Just Dance 2014

Ben 10 Omniverse 2

Angry Birds Star Wars

Adventure Time: Explore the Dungeon Because I Don’t Know!

Young Justice: Legacy

Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark

How to Train Your Dragon 2

Quest for Cool Stuff

Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare

Zoo Tycoon

NCAA Football 14

Need for Speed: Rivals

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 14

Farming-Simulator

Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga

NASCAR ‘14

2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil

Dark Souls II

Game of the Year Edition: Batman Arkham City

Angry Birds Trilogy

Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two

Forza Motorsport 4

Just Dance Kids 2014

Lost Planet 3

NBA 2K 14

Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII

Dragonball Z: Battle of Z

Madden 25

Cabela’s African Adventures

Lego: The Hobbit

 

VIDEO GAMES—PLAYSTATION 3

Gran Turismo 6

Disney Square Enix: Kingdom Hearts 1.5 Remix

Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time

NBA 2K 14

NASCAR ‘14

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 14

NCAA Football 14

Need for Speed: Rivals

The Amazing Spider-Man 2

NHL 14

Skate 3

PES 2014: Pro Evolution Soccer

WW 2K 14

Lego: Marvel Super Heroes

Lego: the Lego Movie Videogame

Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two

Dark Souls II

Angry Birds Trilogy

Game of the Year Edition: Batman Arkham City

Lost Planet 3

White Knight Chronicles: International Edition

How to Train Your Dragon 2

Atelier Escha & Logy: Alchemists of the Dusk Sky

Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster

MLB 14: The Show

Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark

FIFA 14

Young Justice: Legacy

Adventure Time: Explore the Dungeon Because I Don’t Know!

Lego: Batman 2, DC Super Heroes

Ben 10 Omniverse 2

Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch

Brave

Just Dance 2014

Lego: The Hobbit

Injustice: Gods Among Us Ultimate Edition

 

FICTION

Margaret Truman’s Undiplomatic Murder, Donald Bain

Fast Track, Julie Garwood

Enemies at Home, Lindsey Davis

The Casual Angel, Hannu Rajanilmi

The House of Small Shadows, Adam Nevill

Friendship, Emily Gould

Last to Know, Elizabeth Adler

Sentinels of Fire, P.T. Deutermann

The Bone Seeker, M.J. McGrath

New Frontiers, Ben Bova

The Quick, Lauren Owen

Robogenesis, Daniel H. Wilson

Warburg in Rome, James Carroll

Born of Fury, Sherrilyn Kenyon

Deserves to Die, Lisa Jackson

Atonement of Blood, Peter Tremayne

All the Light We Cannot See, Anthony Doerr

Top Secret, W.E.B. Griffin and William E. Butterworth IV

Tower Lord, Anthony Ryan

I Love You More, Jennifer Murphy

The Family of Jesus, Karen Kingsbury

The Hour of Lead, Bruce Holbert

The Vacationers, Emma Straub

The Competition, Marcia Clark

Fast Track, Julie Garwood

The Girls of August, Anne Rivers Siddons

Half a King, Joe Abercrombie

House Reckoning, Mike Lawson

A Catered Fourth of July, Isis Crawford

Land of Love and Drowning, Tiphanie Yanique

Book Clubbed, Lorna Barrett

The Accidental Apprentice, Vikas Swarup

The Actress, Amy Sohn

Unwept, Tracy Hickman and Laura Hickman

Herbie’s Game, Timothy Hallinan

Last Night at the Blue Angel, Rebecca Rotert

The Night Searchers, Marcia Muller

Problems with People, David Guterson

The King’s Marauder, Dewey Lambdin

Sorrow Bound, David Mark

One Plus One, Jojo Moyes

The Sleepwalkers Guide to Dancing, Mira Jacob

Days of Rage, Brad Taylor

The Care and Management of Lies, Jacqueline Winspear

Act of War, Brad Thor

Eden in Winter, Richard North Patterson

Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands, Chris Bohjalian

Sisters of Treason, Elizaeth Fremantle

The Dead Will Tell, Linda Castillo

Dry Bones in the Valley, Tom Bouman

The Hundred-Year House, Rebecca Makkai

Monster Hunter: Nemesis, Larry Correia

The Rhesus Chart, Charles Strouss

The Sentinel, Troy Denning

The Catch, Taylor Stevens

Shipstar, Gregory Benford and Larry Niven

The String Diaries, Stephen Lloyd Jones

Tomorrow and Tomorrow, Thomas Sweterlitsch

The Last Magazine, Michael Hastings

Forty Acres, Dwayne Alexander Smith

The Queen of the Tearling, Erika Johansen

Strangers, Bill Pronzini

Sand and Fire, Tom Young

Landline, Rainbow Rowell

Dollbaby, Laura Lane McNeal

The Book of Life, Deborah Harkness

Peter Pan Must Die, John Verdon

Don’t Talk to Strangers, Amanda Kyle Williams

Road Ends, Mary Lawson

Take Me Home, Dorothy Garlock

The Matchmaker, Elin Hilderbrand

The Boy in the Snow, M.J. McGrath

Fatal Fortune, Victoria Laurie

Miss Dimple Picks a Peck of Trouble, Mignon F. Ballard

How to Tell Toledo from the Night Sky, Lydia Netzer

The Good, the Bad and the Emus, Donna Andrews

Inside Man, Jeff Abbott

The Visitors, Sally Beauman

All Those Vanished Engines, Paul Park

Hurricane Fever, Tobias S. Buckell

The Little Green Book of Chairman Rahma, Brian Herbert

Owen’s Daughter, Jo-Ann Mapson

Last Orders: The War That Came Early, Harry Turtledove

Cauldron of Ghosts, David Weber and Eric Flint

To Sail a Darkling Sea, John Ringo

Wolverwine Bros. Freight and Storage, Steve Ulfelder

Wars of the Roses, Conn Iggulden

A Wedding in Provence, Ellen Sussman

Shots Fired, C.J. Box

Sight Unsee, Iris Johansen and Roy Johansen

Remains of Innocence, J.A. Jance

A Perfect Life, Danielle Steel

The Cat Sitter’s Nine Lives, Balize and John Clement

The Last Kings of Sark, Rosa Rankin-Gee

Power Play, Catherine Coulter

Wayfaring Stranger, James Lee Burke

For All Time, Jude Deveraux

Traitor’s Blade, Sebastien De Castell

The Heist, Daniel Silva

The Giving Quilt, Jennifer Chiaverini

Heaven Sent Rain, Lauraine Snelling

A Second Helping, Beverly Jenkins

The 6th Target, James Patterson

A Wish and a Prayer, Beverly Jenkins

Murder on Music Row, Stuart Dill

Firewall, DiAnn Mills

Secrets of Sloane House, Shelley Gray

Between Us Girls, Sally John

Captured by Love, Jody Hedlund

Something Old, Something New, Beverly Jenkins

After the Rain, Karen White

A Woman of Fortune, Kellie Coates Gilbert

The Doctor and the Dinosaur, Mike Resnick

Wedded to War, Jocelyn Green

Pastor Needs a Boo, Michele Andrea Bowen

All for a Story, Allison Pittman

7th Heaven, James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

The Revealing, Suzanne Woods Fisher

The Guest Book, Marybeth Whalen

The Boleyn Reckoning, Laura Andersen

White Heat, M.J. McGrath

Addicted, Zane

Bring on the Blessings, Beverly Jenkins

The Big Book of Ghost Stories, Ed. by Otto Penzler

The Cursed, Heather Graham

On a Clear Day, Debbie Macomber

Love Comes Home, Ann H. Gabhart

The 8th Confession, James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

The White Magic Five and Dime, Steve Hockensmith with Lisa Falco

The Butterfly and the Violin, Kristy Cambron

The Fortune Hunter, Daisy Goodwin

Hounded, David Rosenfelt

The Forsaken, Ace Atkins

The Spark and the Drive, Wayne Harrison

Everyone Lies, A.D. Garrett

Big Little Lies, Liane Moriarty

Ice Shear, M.P. Cooley

In the Field of Grace, Tessa Afshar

When I Fall in Love, Susan May Warren

Seagrass Pier, Colleen Coble

What’s Done in the Dark, ReShonda Tate Billingsley

Prototype, M.D. Waters

The Bone Orchard, Paul Doiron

Cut and Thrust, Stuart Woods

The Sweet Spot, Stephanie Evanovich

Bravo, Greg Rucka

The City, Dean Koontz

Lucky Us, Amy Bloom

The Good Girl, Mary Kubica

Beach Bags and Burglaries, Dorothy Howell

Texas True, Janet Dailey

The Lost Island, Preston & Child

Severed Souls, Terry Goodkind

The Death of Pie, Tamar Myers

Dear Daughter, Elizabeth Little

Verdict of the Court, Cora Harrison

Skin of the Wolf, Sam Cabot

The Devil’s Workshop, Alex Grecian

Invincible, Diana Palmer

Back Channel, Stephen L. Carter

Dark Skye, Kresley Cole

S’natched, Bill James

Murder in Retribution, Anne Cleeland

The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever, Book

Two: The Illearth War, Stephen R. Donaldson

The Wolf, Lorenzo Carcaterra

Swan Point, Sherryl Woods

Widow of Gettysburg, Jocelyn Green

All for a Sister, Allison Pittman

Broken Promises: More Great Short Stories from America’s Newest Western Writers, La Frontera Publishing

Silent Confessions, Julie Kenner

Annie’s Stories, Cindy Thomson

Secrets of the Lighthouse, Santa Montefiore

With Every Breath, Elizabeth Camden

A Colder War, Charles Cumming

Half in Love with Artful Death, Bill Crider

The Lady and the Officer, Mary Ellis

Narrow Road to the Deep North, Richard Flanagan

Full Fathom Fie, Max Gladstone

Dirty Work, Gabriel Weston

The Stager, Susan Coll

Welcome to Rosie Hopkins’s Sweetshop of Dreams, Jenny Colgan

The Remarkable Courtship of General Tom Thumb, Nicholas Rinaldi

Love Letters, Debbie Macomber

Kiss the Ring, Meesha Mink

Dust and Light, Carol Berg

Mean Streak, Sandra Brown

The Supernatural Enhancements, Edgar Cantero

Small Blessings, Martha Woodroof

The Hexed, Heather Graham

The Magician’s Land, Lev Grossman

Etta Mae’s Worst Bad-Luck Day, Ann B. Ross

Tabula Rasa, Ruth Downie

The Great Abraham Lincoln Pocket Watch Conspiracy, Jacopo Della Quercia

Season of the Dragonflies, Sarah Creech

A Little Night Murder, Nancy Martin

The Outsourcer’s Apprentice, Tom Holt

In Perfect Time, Sarah Sundin

Islands of Rage & Hope, John Ringo

Before, During, After, Richard Bausch

Hellhole Inferno, Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson

Friendswood, Rene Steinke

The Sea Garden, Marcia Willett

The Shining Stephen King

Beware Beware, Steph Cha

Wyatt in Wichita, John Shirley

Alien Hunter Underworld, Whitley Strieber

The Golden City, J. Kathleen Cheney

Herb of Grace, Adina Senft

Pray for Us Sinners, Patrick Taylor

The Widow’s House, Daniel Abraham

Visions, Kelley Armstrong

Painted Horses, Malcolm Brooks

Tom Clancy’s Support and Defend, Mark Greaney

No Safe House, Linwood Barclay

Designated Daughters, Margaret Maron

Haunted, Randy Wayne White

Two Serpents Rise, Max Gladstone

The Healer’s Touch, Lori Copeland

Crave the Night, Lara Adrian

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, David Shafer

The House of the Four Winds, Mercedes Lackey and James Mallory

Fatal Conceit, Robert K. Tanenbaum

A History of the Future, James Howard Kuntsler

I Can See in the Dark, Karin Fossum

Unmanned, Dan Fesperman

Dark Lightning, John Varley

Counterfeit Lady, Kate Parker

The Kills: Sutler, The Massive, The Kill and The Hit, Richard House

Queen of Hearts, Rhys Bowen

An Unwilling Accomplice, Charles Todd

The Other Side of the Pillow, Zane

The Mountaintop School for Dogs and Other Second Chances, Ellen Cooney

Plum Spooky, Janet Evanovich

Close Call, Stella Rimington

The Frozen Dead, Bernard Minier

Driving with the Top Down, Beth Harbison

Paw and Order, Spencer Quinn

This Is the Water, Yannick Murphy

Colorless Tsujuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage, Haruki Murakami

California, Edan Lepucki

The Choir Director 2: Runaway Bride, Carl Weber

The Partner, John Grisham

Clam Wake, Mary Daheim

The Confession, Robert Whitlow

The Eldritch Conspiracy, Cat Adams

Dead Line, Chris Ewan

The Amish Blacksmith, Mindy Starns Clark and Susan Meissner

The Seat of Magic, J. Kathleen Cheney

Hillbilly Rockstar, Lorelei James

The Pelican Bride, Beth White

No Attachments, Tiffany King

When the World Was Young, Elizabeth Gaffney

Ultra Thin Man, Patrick Swenson

The Black Road, Tania Carver

Now and in the Hour of Our Death, Patrick Taylor

Fool’s Assassin, Robin Hobb

Your Face in Mine, Jess Row

2 a.m. at the Cat’s Pajamas, Marie-Helene Bertino

 

LARGE PRINT

Breaking Point, Lindsay McKenna

 

GRAPHIC NOVELS/NONFICTION

A Most Imperfect Union: A Contrarian History of the United States, Ilan Stavans and Lalo Alcaraz

 

NONFICTION

Unruly: The Highs and Lows of Becoming a Man, Ja Rule

Liberty’s Torch: The Great Adventure to Build the Statue of Liberty, Elizabeth Mitchell

ASVAB AFQT for Dummies, Rod Powers

Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Ed. by David Haugen, Susan Musser and Michael Chaney

Castles and fortified Cities of Medieval Europe, Jean-Denis G.G. Lepage

Taking the Lead: Lessons from a Life in Motion, Derek Hough

Outlaws of the Atlantic: Sailors, Pirates, and Motley Crews in the Age of Sail, Marcus Rediker

Lonely Planet: Thailand, China Williams

Beethoven: Anguish and Triumph, Jan Swafford

Maya Angelou: Her Phenomenal Life and Poetic Journey, Editors of Essence

Mona Lisa: A Life Discovered, Dianne Hales

George Jones: The Life and times of a Honky Tonk Legend, Bob Allen

Culture Shock: A Biblical Response to Today’s Most Divisive Issues, Chip Ingram

The Vikings: A New History, Neil Oliver

Lucille Ball FAQ: Everything Left to Know About America’s Favorite Redhead, James Sheriden and Barry Monush

Elephant Company: The Inspiring Story of an Unlikely Hero and the Animals Who Helped Him Save Lives in World War II, Vicki Constantine Croke

Mars Up Close: Inside the Curiosity Mission, Marc Kaufman

When Paris Went Dark: The City of Light Under German Occupation, 1940-1944, Ronald C. Rosbottom

Twentieth Century Drifter: The Life of Marty Robbins, Diane Diekman

Debt-Proof Living: How to Get Out of Debt and Stay That Way, Mary Hunt

The Rush: America’s Fevered Quest for Fortune 1848-1853, Edward Dolnick

The Banh Mi Handbook: Recipes for Crazy-Delicious Vietnamese Sandwiches, Andrea Nguyen

500 Kitchen Ideas: Style Function & Charm, Dominique De Vito

Hiroshima Nagasaki: The Real Story of the Atomic Bombings and Their Aftermath, Paul Ham

The Alliance: Managing Talent in the Networked Age, Reid Hoffman, Ben Casnocha and Chris Yeh

Nature’s God: The Heretical Origins of the American Republic, Matthew Stewart

Startup: Start Your Own Senior Services Business, Entrepreneur Press and Charlene Davis

The Homeschooling Handbook: How to Make Homeschooling Simple, Affordable, Fun, and Effective, Lorilee Lippincott

Burnt Toast Makes You Sing Good: A Memoir of Food & Love from an American Midwest Family, Kathleen Flinn

The First Family Detail: Secret Service Agents Reveal the Hidden Lives of the Presidents, Ronald Kessler

Demon Street: The True Story of a Very Haunted House, David Rountree and Robbie Lunt

Operation Shakespeare: The True Story of an Elite International Sting, John Shiffman

Surprised by Scripture: Engaging Contemporary Issues, N.T. Wright

The Mockingbird Next Door: Life with Harper Lee, Marja Mills

Working Stiff: Two Years, 262 Bodies, and the Making of a Medical Examiner, Judy Melinek and T.J. Mitchell

The Invisible Bridge: The Fall of Nixon and the Rise of Reagan, Rick Perlstein

Generation RX: A Story of Dope, Death, and America’s Opiate Crisis, Erin Marie Daly

Blood Feud: The Clintons vs. the Obamas, Edward Klein

The Angel in My Pocket: A Story of Life, Loss, and Life After Death, Sukey Forbes

The Vanishing Neighbor: The Transformation of American Community, Marc J. Dunkelman

Mysterious New Mexico: Miracles, Magic, and Monsters in the Land of Enchantment, Benjamin Radford

Soldier Girls: The Battles of Three Women at Home and at War, Helen Thorpe

In the Kingdom of Ice: The Grand and Terrible Polar Voyage of the USS Jeannette, Hampton Sides

Sgt. Reckless: America’s War Horse, Robin Hutton

Prairie Traveler: A Handbook of Overland Expeditions, Randolph B. Marcy

Blackboard: A Personal History of the Classroom, Lewis Buzbee

Mass Incarceration on Trial: A Remarkable Court Decision and the Future of Prisons in America, Jonathan Simon

What Color is Your Parachute? 2015, Richard N. Bolles

The Way Forward: Renewing the American Idea, Paul Ryan

Blood Aces: The Wild Ride of Benny Binion, the Texas Gangster Who Created Vegas Poker, Doug J. Swanson

Alzheimer’s Disease: The Complete Introduction, Dr. Judes Poirier and Dr. Serge Gauthier

The Nourished Kitchen: Farm-to-Table Recipes for the Traditional Foods Lifestyle, Jennifer McGruther

Face to Face: Complete Guide to Photographing People, Rick Sammon

Musical iPad: Performing, Creating & Learning Music on Your iPad, Thomas Rudolph & Vincent Leonard

Factory Man: How One Furniture Maker Battle Offshoring, Stayed Local—and Helped Save an American Town, Beth Macy

 

AUDIO BOOKS

Wayfaring Stranger, James Lee Burke, Read by Will Patton

Tom Clancy: Support and Defend, Mark Greaney, Read by Scott Brick

One Plus One, Jojo Moyes, Read by Elizabeth Bower, Ben Elliot, Nicola Stanton and Steven France

A Perfect Life, Danielle Steel, Read by Edoardo Ballerini

How to Tell Toledo from the Night Sky, Ludia Netzer, Read by Joshilyn Jackson

Forty Acres, Dwayne Alexander Smith, Read by Andre Blake

Lucky Us, Amy Bloom, Read by Alicyn Packard

Born to Fury, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Read by Fred Berman

Cold Case, Stephen White, Read by Dick Hill

Act of War, Brad Thor, Read by Armand Schultz

The Care and Management of Lies, Jacqueline Winspear, Read by Nicola Barber

Rode, Thomas Fox Averill, Read by Scott Sowers

Matt Jensen: The Last Mountain Main, Torture Town, William W. Johnstone with J.A. Johnstone, Read by Jack Garrett

High Wild Desert, Ralph Cotton, Read by George Guidall

Raiding with Morgan, Jim R. Woolard, Read by James Jenner

The Range Wolf, AndrewJ. Fenady, Read by Pete Bradbury

Slaughter Canyon, Joseph A. West, Read by James Jenner

The Heist, Daniel Silva, Read by George Guidall

Cut and Thrust, Stuart Woods, Read by Tony Roberts

The Hexed, Heather Graham, Read by Luke Daniels

Return to Homecoming Ranch, Julia London, Read by Tanya Eby

Swan Point, Sherryl Woods, Read by Janet Metzger

Deserves to Die, Lisa Jackson, Read by Natalie Rose

The Book of Life, Deborah Harkness, Read by Jennifer Ikeda

The Long Way Home, Louise Penny, Read by Ralph Cosham

Love Letters, Debbie Macomber, Read by Lorelai King

2 a.m. at the Cat’s Pajamas, Marie-Helene Bertino, Read by Angela Goethals

Dark Skye, Kresley Cole, Read by Robert Petkoff

The House of the Four Winds, Mercedes Lackey and James Mallory, Read by Emily Sutton-Smith

Driving with the Top Down, Beth Harbison, Read by Orlagh Cassidy

One of Us, Tawni O’Dell, Read by Nick Poedhl and Amy McFadden

The Other Side of the Pillow, Zane, Read by Bridge Carpenter and Hevin Hanover

The City, Dean Koontz, Read by Korey Jackson

 

DVD MOVIES, DOCUMENTARIES, TV SHOWS

Divergent

The Trip to Bountiful

For Love of Money

Alf, Seasons 1-3

The Best of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, Vols. 2 & 4

Targeted Toning: Pilates for Beginners

Corona de Lagrimas

The Amazing Spider-Man 2

Good Neighbors, the Complete Series 1-3

The Greatest Game Ever Played

Greedy

Another Day in Paradise

Miles from Nowhere

Shuffleton’s Barbershop

A Christmas Snow

North Dallas Forty

The Hardy Boys Nancy Drew Mysteries, Season Two

Moneyball

Stand Up and Cheer!

Stowaway

Susannah of the Mounties

The Little Colonel

Just Around the Corner

Heidi

Wee Willie Winkie

Little Miss Broadway

Dimples

The Blue Bird

Baby Takes a Bow

Bright Eyes

Captain January

Curly Top

Young People

Rebeca of Sunnybrook Farm

The Littlest Rebel

The Little Princess

Despicable Me

Ancient Aliens, Seasons 1-2

Slap Shot

Gibsonburg

Rocky Balboa

Family Ties, Complete First Season

Fantastic 4

Petticoat Junction, Official First Season

Petticoat Junction, Official Second Season

Rocky III

The Nostradamus Collection

Runaway Jury

Wreckers

Electoral Dysfunction with Mo Rocca

Codebreaker

The Hardy Boys, Season Three

Wind

In the Army Now

Love and Honor

The Hammer Horror Series

Still the Drums

The Bletchley Circle: Cracking a Killer’s Code

Rocky IV

Jason and the Argonauts

Merlin

Rocky II

Remember the Titans

The Hardy Boys Nancy Drew Mysteries, Season One

Heartland

Pippi Goes on Board

Mama’s Family, Complete first Season

Public Enemies

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid: The Last Outlaws

“Weird Al” Yankovic Live! The Alpocalypse Tour

Have Gun—Will Travel, Complete Third Season

Sam and Janet

Pippi in the South Seas

Precious

Thor: The Dark World

The Catherine Tate Show, Series One and Two

Gentle Ben

 

 

Lock-In Adds Research Block at County Historical Society, Prizes from Local Merchants, Genealogical Resources

Registration Deadline Sept. 20 For After-Hours Event at McAlester Public Library

McAlester Public Library, in cooperation with the Pittsburg County Genealogical and Historical Society, will host an after-hours genealogy research event on Saturday, Sept. 27.

Registration is now open, and will continue until Sept. 20, or when registrations meet the 50-person limit. The “CSI” Genealogy Lock-In is modeled on similar events at libraries across the country, including one at Stigler Public Library for a group calling itself “Dead People Hunters.”

“Here, we have decided to be a genealogy CSI unit,” said assistant librarian Kathy McGilberry. “We’re ‘corpse-seeking investigators’ and our motto is ‘We’d find you more interesting if you were dead.’”

Early registrations have come in from as far away as Hugo.

Experts from the local historical society will open their doors at 3 p.m. for a special pre-event research opportunity. The PCGHS library is located at 113 E. Carl Albert Parkway, between the courthouse and courthouse annex.

A number of research materials from the PCGHS library will also be available at the main event at the public library, located at 401 N. 2^nd in McAlester.

“In lieu of hauling our entire library up the hill for the evening we are bringing our most used resources,” said David Beall. “We are not coming empty handed.”

Some of the indexes and resources that will be available include:

*1900 Census Index of Choctaw Nation – Head of Household

*1910, 1920 & 1930 Census Index of Pittsburg County

*1920, 1930 School Enrollment Index for Pittsburg County

*Index of Funeral Home Records – Chaney’s, Humphrey’s Pitchford-Evans, Mills and Evans

*Immigration and Naturalization Index with images of most records

*Index of Obituaries in our collection spanning over three decades

*Cemetery Records for Pittsburg County (searchable PDF)

*Marriage Records for Pittsburg County Statehood through 1990s**

*Graves Relocated as a Result of the Lake Eufaula Project (DVD)

*Other available records to be announced at the Lock-In.

The main event will begin at 5 p.m. after regular library hours end, and is scheduled to continue until at least 10:30 p.m. Participants will have unlimited use of the library’s resources, including use of the Ancestry.com website, newspaper microfilm, computers and other materials.

Four classes will be taught by volunteers from the historical society. Beall will present beginning classes “Introduction to Genealogy” and” Genealogy Resources.” Robert O. Pulse will present advanced classes “Continuing Your Genealogical Education Using Podcast” and “Effective Genealogical Road Trips.”

A catered chicken-and-barbecue supper will be served. Ellen Barber will provide mealtime entertainment, a humorous presentation about gravestones and epitaphs, called “Graveyard Humor and Such.”

Volunteers from the historical society and library will be on hand to provide expert assistance. Other volunteers on the planning committee include Ellen Barlow, Darlene Rising, Diane Pulse, and Steve and Joyce Adams.

Goodie bags will be handed out to all participants. Four door prizes will be awarded during the course of the evening, and there will be final drawing for a grand prize.

Among the prizes will be a free night’s stay at the local Best Western motel, and free T-shirts with the “CSI” logo courtesy of Stage. Other prizes, including electronics, will be announced as the event draws nearer. Cost of registration is $20. For more information on this or any other library program, call 918-426-0930.

We Want Your 1930s Photos for a Display

Our website has many fascinating historical photos from McAlester and the surrounding area. You can find them here: http://mcalesterlibrary.net/historicalphotos .

We’re looking for more. Here’s why.

All through the month of October, McAlester Public Library will be participating in a new reading program from the Southeastern Public Library System of Oklahoma (SEPLSO) called “Southeast Reads.”

It’s modeled on last year’s wildly-popular The Big Read/True Grit. The featured book in 2014 will be Karen Hesse’s 1998 Newbery Award-winning free verse novel “Out of the Dust.” It tells the story of young Billie Jo, whose life is marred by tragedy during the hard times of the Dust Bowl. It’s a touching and poignant story of reconciliation and bravery.

We are planning many activities for children, teens and adults in October, centered on this Depression-era story. In addition, we hope to display local photos from the 1930s.

We’ll show enlarged photos from our historical photos file, and some of the famous works from Depression-era photographers like Dorothea Lange and Walker Evans. Do you have family photos from the 1930s you’d like to include in our month-long exhibit?

If so, send a digital copy to seplwebmaster@gmail.net, or bring the photos to the library and we will scan them and make a digital copy. You’ll see them displayed at the library in October, and we’ll give you the enlarged prints when we’re done.