‘Cheaper by the Dozen’ Celebration Starts Sunday

For the second year, libraries of the Southeastern Public Library System of Oklahoma (SEPLSO) will host special events celebrating one book, as part of a area-wide program called Southeast Reads.

This year, the featured book is Cheaper by the Dozen by Frank Gilbreth, Jr., a lighthearted family memoir recalling the author’s days growing up as one of 12 children in a lively household headed by the husband-and-wife team who pioneered the field of time and motion study.

Programs for the whole family are scheduled all during October at McAlester Public Library.

The kickoff event will be Sunday afternoon, Oct. 4 at the library. At 2 p.m., Dr. Delma Hall will give a talk titled “Why You Should Read Cheaper by the Dozen.” Multiple copies of the book will be available at the library.

Dr. Hall, whose Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma is in Educational Foundations and Communication, is just one of several featured speakers. On Tuesday, Oct. 13, local author and Oklahoma Book Award finalist Sharon Ervin will present a talk on “The Life and Work of Lillian Gilbreth.”

The matriarch of the Gilbreth family, featured in the book and movie versions of the family’s story, is a little-known feminist pioneer in the field of industrial psychology, as well as being a mother of 12.

The third featured speaker will be Dr. Bill Corbett, who will give a scholarly presentation about the book on Tuesday, Oct. 27, followed by a book discussion.

Hall, Ervin and Corbett’s appearances are courtesy of a grant from the Oklahoma Humanities Council. These programs are funded in part by the OHC and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in these programs do not necessarily represent those of the OHC or NEH.

Other Southeast Reads: Cheaper by the Dozen programs at the library will include:

*Tuesday, Oct. 6—The Teen Group will learn about time and motion principles at a cup- and Lego-stacking activity at 3:45 p.m.

*Saturday, Oct. 10—The 1950 movie based on the book will be shown at Second Saturday Cinema. Showtime is 2 p.m., and free popcorn will be available.

Wednesday, Oct. 14—Story Times at 10 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. will feature the children’s book Spic and Span: Lillian Gilbreth’s Wonder Kitchen.

*Thursday, Oct. 15—The popular sequel to the first movie, based on the second Gilbreth memoir Belles on Their Toes, will be shown at 6 p.m. There will be free popcorn.

*Saturday, Oct. 24—The original films of Frank Gilbreth will be shown, prior to films old-time silent film comedians who put the theories of time-and-motion study to death-defying tests.

*Friday, Oct. 30—Southeast Reads ends, and History at High Noon begins, with the recollections of a real-life member of a large family, followed by a book discussion of Cheaper by the Dozen led by local retired educator Cindy Munn.

 

Art, Genealogy, Literature, Cooking, Crafts, E-Books, Photography: Learn It All, and More, at the Library

By KATHY McGILBERRY

Libraries are all about learning, and in September you can learn quite a bit at McAlester Public Library. Art programs have been scheduled in both the children’s and teen departments. Learn how to download e-books and audio books from computer whiz Anthony Smart. Learn about birdwatching at the Friends of the Library meeting. Learn how to research your family history at our second annual CSI Genealogy Lock-In. Want to start a crochet project or practice your Photoshop skills? Learn from experts.

As far as learning more about literature, we have book discussions for every taste. Our fall series from the Oklahoma Humanities Council, Let’s Talk About It, Oklahoma, begins this month. The topic this season is The Journey Inward: Women’s Autobiographies, and we begin with one of our favorite scholars, Dr. Trisha Yarbrough.

You might learn something new at Documentary Matinee, when we view footage from the 1974 daredevil walk between the twin towers of the World Trade Center. There’s a movie due out next month starring Joseph Gordon Levitt about that very subject, but you can see the real thing here. As always, our teens learn about cooking at their popular cooking class, and our adults learn new craft projects every month.

Plus, you can learn anything you want by buying books from the Friends of the Library Fall Book Sale, set for Friday and Saturday, Sept. 18-19.

Here’s a quick look at what’s going on:

Thursday, Sept. 3—For children, Special Programs are set for Thursdays all month at 10 a.m. in the Whiteacre Room. Children’s Librarian Anita Ross has a few art projects in mind, we are told. The Bookies book club meets at 1 p.m. to discuss The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. Teen Game Time begins at 3:45 p.m. upstairs, and Children’s Game Time begins at 3:45 p.m. downstairs on this and every Thursday afternoon this month.

Monday, Sept. 7—We will be closed for Labor Day, but will resume our Sunday hours on Sunday, Sept. 13. Sunday hours are 1:30-5 p.m. and will continue until next Memorial Day weekend in May, 2016.

Tuesday, Sept. 8—Lap Sit Story Times for young children are set for 10 a.m. (caregivers and groups) and 11 a.m. (family groups) on this and every Tuesday this month. Teen Librarian Sarah Standish has planned a special art event at 3:45 p.m. Only 12 teens can participate, since supplies are limited. The group will paint small canvasses with acrylic paints. Children’s Movie Time is set for every Tuesday after school, beginning at 3:45 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 9—Story Time for ages 3-5 is set for this and every Wednesday morning at 10 a.m. Our monthly crafts group will be led by volunteer Kelly Taylor and will be making clothespin crosses. Spaces are limited, so sign up early! The Sci-Fi with Clout book group will meet at 6 p.m. to discuss The Land That Time Forgot by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

Friday, Sept. 11—The first of three BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) classes will begin at 4 p.m. Anthony Smart will teach Android Devices Explained.

Saturday, Sept. 12—You remember that movie about the mall cop? There’s a sequel. We’re showing it at Second Saturday Cinema at 2 p.m. Get on your Segway and ride to the library for a movie and free popcorn. You might walk or drive as well. We don’t mind.

Monday, Sept. 14—You remember that 1969 movie about an extremely good-looking pair of outlaws? We’re showing it at Arthouse Theater at 6 p.m. Hum the tune to Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head, and ride your bicycle to the library for a Western and free popcorn. Don’t rob any trains or move to Bolivia, just join us for movie and free popcorn.

Tuesday, Sept. 15—Friends of the Library will hear about Project Feeder Watch from John Turnauckas at their regular noon meeting. Join them for a tasty lunch and help support library projects. Teen Cooking Class at 3:45 p.m. will feature Hummus with Pita Chips and Baked Apples. Sounds delicious. Then at 6:30 p.m., join the Night Readers book group as they discuss The Accidental Time Machine by Joe Haldeman.

Friday, Sept. 18-Our second BYOD class by Anthony Smart will be Apple Devices Explained. It meets from 4-5:30 p.m. Because our patrons have donated so many good books this year, the Friends of the Library group has scheduled a Fall Book Sale. The paid-admission Early Bird Sale begins at 6 p.m. at St. John’s Gym, 318 E. Washington. For a mere $5, you get the pick of what is (trust me on this one, folks) a very impressive group of books and other materials.

Saturday, Sept. 19—Day Two of the fall book sale begins at 8 a.m. at St. John’s Gym. Admission is free. Come early, stay late, and take home lots and lots of great reading material. Back at the library, Documentary Matinee begins at 2 p.m., featuring the heart-pounding drama of the Twin Towers high-wire walk by Philippe Petit.

Monday, Sept. 21—The Light Readers will meet at 6 p.m. to discuss Truth Stained Lies by Terri Blackstock. This is also the last day to register for the CSI Genealogy Lock-In. We’re limiting registration to the first 50 people, so be sure to get those registrations in as early as possible. Already we are receiving forms from several other states, as well from local folks.

Tuesday, Sept. 22—The after-school Children’s Movie at 3:45 will be based on the Great Escape book club’s September selection. So kids, watch the movie as well as read the book, and show up for free popcorn too. Community Action Teens (CATs) will meet at 3:45 to work on their projects.

Wednesday, Sept. 23—The Teen Lacqueristas/Lacqueristos nail art group will meet at 3:45 p.m. Then at 6 p.m., the Steampunk book group will meet to discuss Phoenix Rising: A Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences by Pip Ballantine and Tee Morris.

Thursday, Sept. 24—Let’s Talk About It, Oklahoma begins The Journey Inward: Women’s Autobiographies with Dr. Trisha Yarbrough. At 6 p.m., she will present One Writer’s Beginnings by Eudora Welty. If you haven’t gotten your books yet, please visit the library soon to sign out the five autobiographies. It promises to be an interesting series.

Friday, Sept. 25—Learn to download e-books and audio books from the library, when Anthony Smart teaches his final BYOD class of the month from 4-5:30 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 26—The Pittsburg County Genealogical and Historical Society will open its doors from 2-5 p.m. downtown for the official start of our CSI Genealogy Lock-In. Check-in at the public library begins at 4 p.m., and the classes, research, fun and games get really get underway in earnest when the library closes at 5 p.m. Look for details on our Facebook page or website at www.mcalesterlibrary.net. Prizes this year are numerous!

Monday, Sept. 28—The children’s Great Escape Book Club will meet on the final Monday of every month at 3:45 p.m. The September book discussion will be on Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell. Our Media Moguls digital photo group had a wonderful time last month using Photoshop Elements to restore old photographs. You can join this fun, free group just by showing up at 6 p.m. We’re working on our Photoshop skills again in September.

Tuesday, Sept. 29—Socrates Café, our monthly philosophical discussion group, is set to meet at 10 a.m. Then at 6:30 p.m., Lana Bowen’s Learn to Crochet class begins.

Wednesday, Sept. 30—The Teen Advisory Group/Book Club will meet at 3:45 p.m. for Reader’s Choice. The group plans to record their book reviews and post them to YouTube.

Coming in October, you’ll have more opportunities for entertainment and education, when our annual Southeast Reads celebration kicks off. The featured book this year is Cheaper by the Dozen by Frank Gilbreth, Jr. We’ll enjoy this amusing family memoir, hear from scholars, watch the 1950 movie and its sequel, and have some turn-of-the-20^th-Century-style fun. But first, we’re looking for individuals and groups who want to participate in our Sunday in the Park kickoff Oct. 4. If you’d like to sing, dance or perform on stage at the Rotary Park Amphitheater, give us a call. If you or your group would like to set up a booth for information for fundraising, give us a call.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Skeletons in the Family Closet? Find Them at ‘CSI Lock-In

Registration begins today and continues through Monday, Sept. 21 for the second annual “CSI Genealogy Lock-In” at McAlester Public Library.

The Sept. 26 lock-in, a night of genealogy research, classes and entertainment, is co-sponsored by the Pittsburg County Genealogical and Historical Society and the library. Attendance is limited to the first 50 people who, for a $20 fee, become members of the Closet Skeleton Investigators (CSI) team.

In addition, the PCGHS Library at 113 E. Carl Albert will open its doors from 2-5 p.m. for research and tours there.

“We will bring to the lock-in our obituary, cemetery and funeral home indexes, and a number of images including marriage licenses,” said David Beall, PCGHS president. “Personally, I am looking forward to another successful evening of genealogical research, conversation and fun.”

Beall noted that organizers hope to build support for a monthly genealogical group that will meet either at the public library or PCGHS offices.

At the lock-in, many prizes will be given away, including T-shirts with the CSI logo, portable document scanners, memberships in the Oklahoma Historical Society and a Kindle Fire tablet. A catered meal is also part of the evening’s festivities. Gift bags will be given to each participant, and a series of drawings every 30 minutes will feature prizes in the $10 range. A portion of the evening will be dedicated to genealogy-themed games, with small prizes awarded to the winners.

Laura Martin, director of public services, will present a class on resources available at the Oklahoma Historical Society in Oklahoma City. She will be joined by professional genealogist Dr. Debra Spindle. Other classes will be taught by David Beall and Robert Pulse of the local historical society.

“All the resources of the public library, including Ancestry.com, will be available throughout the evening. We will have volunteers on hand to assist at the public computers, answer questions and retrieve records from our archives,” said Assistant Librarian Kathy McGilberry. “We will also offer free printing.”

The full schedule includes:

2-5 p.m.—Open House at PCGHS.

4 p.m.—Check-in begins at McAlester Public Library.

5:15 p.m.—Orientation, MPL Whiteacre Room, with refreshments.

5:30 p.m.—“Genealogy on the Cheap” class, taught by Beall.

6:15 p.m.—Catered meal.

7 p.m.—“OHS Resources” class, taught by Martin and Spindle.

8:15 p.m.—“The Organized Genealogist” class, taught by Pulse.

8:45 p.m.—Games and entertainment.

9:45 p.m.—“Writing a Family History” class, taught by Beall.

10:15 p.m.—Grand prize drawings.

“Come to the lock-in and get help unlocking your family history,” Pulse said. “We will organize those skeletons for you.”

Registration forms and information are available at the library, 401 N. 2^nd, or on the website at www.mcalesterlibrary.net. For more information, call 918-426-0930.