Sewing Machines and More!

Did you know that September is National Sewing Month? This came about in 1982 when President Ronald Reagan set out Proclamation 4976, which made September National Sewing Month.

Want to learn how to sew? We can help you here at the Davenport Public Library. In addition to the many books on sewing that the library has available for checkout, we offer something unique! At the Library | Main, you can find the Studio 321 Makerspace available for our patrons to use. The Library has created a Makerspace, which is a place in which people with shared interests, especially in computing or technology, can gather to work on projects while sharing ideas, equipment and knowledge. The Library Makerspace is designed to encourage individuals to innovate, explore their creativity and ingenuity, and to collaborate with and inspire others. What does this have to do with sewing, you might ask? Well…. the Studio 321 Makerspace has sewing machines available for you to use in the library!

The Heavy Duty 4432 sewing machine is designed with your heavy duty projects in mind, from denim to canvas. With adjustable presser foot pressure, you can also sew very lightweight sheers, and the stainless steel bedplate allows fabrics to glide over the machine with ease. Among the 110 stitch applications is a one-step buttonhole. The Heavy Duty 4432 features a 6.25″ sewing space (needle to tower) and 4.25″ height, free arm, extra high pressure foot lifter, and variable needle positions.

Want to use the Makerspace? Here are some tips!

  • Makers must read all policies and sign the Makerspace Waiver and Release of Liability.
  • Anyone under 18 must have a parent or guardian sign the Makerspace waiver. Anyone under 11 must have an adult present during use of the Makerspace.
  • Makers agree to follow safety protocols and all instructions including those from Library staff and equipment manuals. Some equipment may require training from a staff member.
  • An orientation session will be conducted by Library staff upon a maker’s first visit. For subsequent visits, makers may request training from staff, if needed, when making an appointment.
  • Reservations for the Makerspace may be made at the Public Service Desk, by calling 563-326- 7832, or by visiting the library’s website at www.davenportlibrary.com. Check in at the Public Service Desk on the day of reservation

Curious what else is available in the Studio 321 Makerspace? Look below!

Library Closed for Labor Day

All three Davenport Public Library branches will be closed Monday, September 4th in observance of Labor Day. Normal business hours will resume Tuesday, September 5th.

Even though the physical libraries are closed on September 4th, you can still access our digital content and online resources with your Davenport Public Library card. You can use your card to access FREE digital materials, including eBooks, digital audiobooks, magazines, movies, and music online 24/7.

Whether you are looking for digital media materials for adults, teens, or children, Davenport Public Library has you covered. You can easily download an app to your mobile device or access these services online.

If you don’t have a Library card, you can register for a Digital Access Card that will give you immediate access to all Davenport Public Library online resources. Once you register, you will receive a temporary barcode number. Your account will be confirmed by the Library within two business days, and your permanent barcode number will be emailed to you. Be sure to choose “Digital Access Card” when you register online.

Curious what resources we have available?

Digital Content:

  • Libby – All you need to access eBooks, digital audiobooks, and digital magazines is your Davenport Public Library card. We recommend downloading the Libby app for best performance.
  • Freegal Music – Freegal Music gives you access to millions of songs from over 40,000 labels. Stream 24-hours a day. Download up to 5 songs per week.
  • TumbleBooks – Both children and their parents will enjoy this online collection of animated, talking picture books that teach kids the joys of reading in an exciting, new format they are sure to love.
  • QC Beats – Built in partnership with Bettendorf Public Library, St. Ambrose University Library, and River Music Experience, QC Beats is an online streaming audio collection of original music featuring Quad Cities musicians and artists.
  • Kanopy – Kanopy provides a variety of popular and classic movies, documentaries, and foreign films to stream. Kanopy Kids includes parental controls. The Great Courses present a wealth of learning.

In addition to our digital content, we also have a wide variety of online resources and tools available for you to use. Whether you are interested in starting a business, purchasing a new car, looking for a place to move in retirement, or helping an elderly parent get the services they need, we’ve got resources and to assist you.

Have fun exploring and we will see you back in person on Tuesday, September 5th!

YWCA Iowa Empowerment Center is on a Mission!

YWCA is on a Mission!

We are starting a new segment on the blog: a monthly social work spotlight submitted by the library’s very own social worker, Quinn! This month our resource spotlight will focus on families as August marks the back-to-school period for families within the Davenport Community School District. As the new school year begins, many families encounter challenges in ensuring a seamless transition while also securing the well-being of their loved ones. Statistics reveal that 33% of families in the Quad Cities struggle to meet their fundamental needs.

YWCA Quad Cities Empowerment Center, part of  YWCA Quad Cities, is a place dedicated to providing essential resources that support families in overcoming challenges and ensuring their well-being as they work towards their goals. The center is designed to help families and individuals stay out of poverty long term. Its mission is to uplift women and their families by offering various resources and opportunities designed to be easily accessible.

Serving as a pivotal resource hub, YWCA Quad Cities Empowerment Center is a sanctuary for women and families seeking support and individualized assistance plans. These plans help identify impactful solutions that resonate for each individual fostering confidence, independence, and self-worth regardless of age, gender, race, or geographic location and promoting a more inclusive and equitable society.

These, amongst others, are the services provided by the YWCA Cities Empowerment Center:

  • A Clothing Closet, which contains all types of clothing for women, men, and children.
  • An Immediate Needs Pantry, which includes a variety of shelf-stable food items, cleaning and laundry supplies, feminine products, hygiene products, and baby items like food, formula, diapers, and wipes.
  • A Learning Center, which offers access to computers, printers, free Wi-Fi, and various continuing education programs, all provided free of charge. Additionally, the center offers resume and job search assistance.
  • Crisis funding is available for those in immediate need when resources permit.
  • ThePlace2B, a drop-in center located at the Rock Island YWCA facility, which offers resources to at-risk and homeless youth.

YWCA Quad Cities’ Empowerment Center is currently located at 1225 E River Dr., Ste 140, Davenport, IA 52803; a move to a much larger facility is in the near future – you’ll definitely want to stay tuned for more information on this. To learn more about YWCA Quad Cities and its programs and services, please visit their website at www.ywcaqc.org  or call 563-340-0310 for more information or to seek assistance.

New Resource: Special Collections Indexes

Welcome to the Special Collections Indexes

The Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center is pleased to announce a new index search website, Special Collections Indexes, which will replace our “Local Database Search”. It features over 35 indexes to historical and genealogical resources held in Special Collections. Users will be able to search across the indexes using Search All Indexes page or search individual indexes depending on the information need.

We encourage you all to explore this new resource for accessing historical and genealogical materials.

Special Collections Indexes was created by the Davenport Public Library’s Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center and Information Technology Department to provide greater access to local historical and genealogical resources by publishing indexes to these materials. Indexes were compiled by the Scott County Iowa Genealogical Society volunteers, library volunteers, and the Special Collections staff. Through this dedicated work, over 35 indexes are available for research use. Resource categories include cemetery records, religious institutions’ records, military records, Scott County records, local newspaper articles, local history publications, additional resources, and Iowa patents and inventors.

Search Tips

General Search Techniques

While searching this site, use spelling variations for names, places, and subjects. List these out before the search and cross them off as each one is searched.

If a specific search is not returning results, try expanding the search by removing search conditions. Search with as little data as possible to return all possible results, including misspelled words, abbreviations, etc.

When searching for a person omit entering a first name to see all possible first name variations in records results.

Search All Indexes

Enter a last name, a first name, a single keyword, and/or year in the appropriate search box. Click on the blue “Search” button at the bottom of the form. The results will displayed in a separate sections organized by its resource categories. Each index is listed separately. If an index has returned results, it will display “Search has __ matches” on the left side of the column. Click on the “Click to view results” button on the right side to view the index’s results. Scroll the entire page to see all resource categories.

Results may be printed using the browsers’ print options.

Search All Indexes does not include the Iowa Patents & Inventors index.

Search Individual Indexes

Use the Search Builder to create your search. Select the “Add Condition” button under Search Builder. Select the “Data” drop down-menu to choose an options to search (“Data” options vary by index). Then select the “Condition” drop-down menu and always select “Contains.” Enter a “Value” term corresponding to the “Data” selected, such as last name, first name, corporate name, year, or keyword. Press Enter on the keyboard to return results.

Example search: “Last Name” was selected for “Data”; “Contains” was selected for “Condition”; “Donahue” was entered for the “Value.”

Search results will be listed in a table of entries pointing to a resource to find more information.

Results may be downloaded as a PDF document or printed by using these icons.

Advanced searches are created by clicking on “Add Condition” button to add additional rows of “Data,” “Condition,” and “Value.”

July is Lakes Appreciation Month!

Did you know that July is Lakes Appreciation Month? Established by the North American Lake Management Society over twenty years ago, Lakes Appreciation Month is an annual celebration of all inland bodies of water. Iowa established Lakes Appreciation Month in 2019.

Looking for a way to celebrate Lakes Appreciation Month? Try something from this list from the North American Lake Management Society:

  • Organize a shoreline cleanup
  • Develop an educational self-guided lake tour
  • Organize a hike or biking event with a focus on your local lake
  • Reach out to a local restaurant about hosting a “Lakes Appreciation Night” with a percentage of the proceeds donated to your local lake association
  • Enjoy your local lake, pond, or reservoir with fun summertime activities, such as: boating, kayaking, canoeing, sailing, or rowing; swimming; SCUBA diving; fishing; or enjoying the natural scenery with friends and family
  • Help monitor your local waterbody or watershed
  • If you manage a lake, host an activity. Bring enough sampling gear, id keys and other materials for everyone to join in.
  • If you don’t manage a lake, ask your local lake agency about shadowing a lake manager for a day
  • Start a watershed storm drain stenciling program
  • Have your septic system pumped if you live close to a waterbody
  • Go birding or take pictures at a lake or pond (don’t forget your mask!)
  • Tap into your artistic side and draw or paint a lake scene for your home or office. Be sure to send us a copy!
  • Organize a lake field trip for students

Looking for more resources? Check out Libraries Love Lakes, an outreach project established in 2019 that was inspired by NE GLEON (the Northeast Global Lake Ecological Observation Network).

Want a physical material to check out? We’ve gathered a list of nonfiction titles about lakes available at the Davenport Public Library.

 

 

Shark Week

Every year, around July or August, Shark Week dominates the media I consume. This year, Shark Week starts Sunday, July 23 on the Discovery Channel. I can still remember the first time I heard about Shark Week. It’s been around since the late 1980s! Every year, Shark Week is celebrated with a week of shark-related content on the Discovery Channel. I can’t wait to see what new shark content National Geographic and the Discovery Channel puts out.

To celebrate Shark Week, we’ve compiled a list of newer titles about sharks for you to check out. Descriptions are provided by the publishers.

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Can’t Get Enough Shark Stuff: fun facts, awesome info, cool games, silly jokes, and more! by Kelly Hargrave

Dive into the perfect combination of facts, stories, photos, and fun all about the world’s most ferocious and fascinating ocean predator-SHARKS! For animal lovers who are absolutely obsessed with everything sharks, this book has it all: tons of mind-blowing facts, exciting games, hands-on activities, hilarious shark jokes, and suspenseful stories from shark experts. It also includes tantalizing tidbits about perplexing prehistoric sharks, the latest info on studying sharks in the wild, and surprising, cutting-edge discoveries about shark behavior. Key features include: A glossary game in the front of the book to learn key terms More than 250 stunning photographs Detailed diagrams and infographics Articles on the latest shark research and hands-on accounts from experts “Fin-tastic Facts” gallery spreads showcasing sharks with the fiercest features, the sneakiest defenses, and more Hilarious shark jokes Hands-on activities you can try at home Quizzes and games to test your knowledge This brand-new series from National Geographic Kids combines fun facts, photos, info-packed articles, and incredible statistics all in a single book. It’s a one-stop shop for everything kids want about their favorite topic. A winning combination of running text and short bursts of information keeps kids excited and engaged as they get all kinds of amazing content about their go-to subject. From telling jokes to friends, to impressing teachers, to absorbing the latest research, kids will love sharing what they’ve learned about sharks and will want to dive into this book again and again.

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Emperors of the Deep: Sharks – the ocean’s most mysterious, most misunderstood, and most important guardians by William McKeever

In this remarkable groundbreaking book, a documentarian and conservationist, determined to dispel misplaced fear and correct common misconceptions, explores in-depth the secret lives of sharks—magnificent creatures who play an integral part in maintaining the health of the world’s oceans and ultimately the planet.

From the Jaws blockbusters to Shark Week, we are conditioned to see sharks as terrifying cold-blooded underwater predators. But as Ocean Guardian founder William McKeever reveals, sharks are evolutionary marvels essential to maintaining a balanced ecosystem. We can learn much from sharks, he argues, and our knowledge about them continues to grow. The first book to reveal in full the hidden lives of sharks, Emperors of the Deep examines four species—Mako, Tiger, Hammerhead, and Great White—as never before, and includes fascinating details such as:

  • Sharks are 50-million years older than trees;
  • Sharks have survived five extinction level events, including the one that killed off the dinosaurs;
  • Sharks have electroreception, a sixth-sense that lets them pick up on electric fields generated by living things;
  • Sharks can dive 4,000 feet below the surface;
  • Sharks account for only 6 human fatalities per year, while humans kill 100 million sharks per year.

McKeever goes back through time to probe the shark’s pre-historic secrets and how it has become the world’s most feared and most misunderstood predator, and takes us on a pulse-pounding tour around the world and deep under the water’s surface, from the frigid waters of the Arctic Circle to the coral reefs of the tropical Central Pacific, to see sharks up close in their natural habitat. He also interviews ecologists, conservationists, and world-renowned shark experts, including the founders of Greenpeace’s Rainbow Warrior, the head of the Massachusetts Shark Research Program, and the self-professed “last great shark hunter.”

At once a deep-dive into the misunderstood world of sharks and an urgent call to protect them, Emperors of the Deep celebrates this wild species that hold the key to unlocking the mysteries of the ocean—if we can prevent their extinction from climate change and human hunters.

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How to Draw Incredible Sharks and Other Ocean Giants

This drawing book for kids has more than 80 creatures of the sea to learn how to draw!

Build confidence, encourage creativity, and expand artistic skills with this amazing collection of easy, step-by-step instructions for drawing sharks and underwater creatures! Encourage kids to broaden their artistic horizons and set them smooth sailing towards tackling fins, gills, tails, and other fishy anatomy. The impressive variety from stingrays and orca whales, to sea turtles and squids in this learn to draw provides hours of independent, artistic fun for kids to enjoy and gain confidence as their skills improve.

Whether they love the secrets hidden away in the depths of the ocean or visiting aquariums, this collection is a hit for fans of all aquatic animals–so grab some colored pencils and get creative!

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The Shark Encyclopedia for Kids by Ethan Pembroke

This encyclopedia highlights 26 different sharks. Alongside thrilling photographs of these underwater creatures, readers learn about what various sharks looks like, where they live, what they eat, and more. Features include information about shark attacks, a glossary, additional resources, and an index.

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Sharks!: A Mighty Bite-y History by Miriam Forster

An epic, oversize nonfiction picture book in the vein of Bees: A Honeyed History—all about sharks and their prehistoric predecessors

Sharks are some of the oldest creatures on the earth (or, rather, in its waters). This epic survey follows sharks from their earliest appearance in the Paleozoic era up through the challenges they face today.

Along the way, readers will meet many different sharks from different points in history. They will get an up-close evolutionary look at what makes a shark a shark—like their skin, their teeth, their fins, and more. And they will get a crash course in archeological time, as the book mostly covers prehistoric sharks or modern-day sharks who have been around much longer than humans. Like the hammerhead, who has been patrolling tropical coastlines for more than 20 million years!

With lush illustrations from Gordy Wright and meticulous research from author Miriam Forster, Sharks: A Mighty, Bite-y History is sure to delight shark lovers, science fans, and any reader who loves to discover new wonders about the world around them.

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Weird but True Sharks by National Geographic Kids

Whale sharks have tiny teeth covering their eyeballs! It’s Weird But True! And this fin-tastic, photo- and fact-packed book in the best-selling series is the most jaw-some yet!

Sink your chompers into these wild facts:

Great white sharks can detect a single drop of blood in the water from one-third of a mile away.
Fossilized dino poop has been found with ancient shark bites in it.
Ninja lantern sharks glow in the dark.

They’re all weird, and they’re all true. And there’s A LOT more where that came from!

From bizarre creatures in the ocean today to gigantic prehistoric sharks and even some pop culture shark weirdness, this portable, browsable, supercool book is full of incredible facts, amazing photos, and fun illustrations about everything sharks.

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Do you have a favorite shark? We’d love to hear your thoughts about sharks in the comments.

 

Library Closed for Independence Day / 4th of July

All three Davenport Public Library locations are closed on Tuesday, July 4th in observance of Independence Day. We will be open for regular hours and services on Wednesday, July 5th.

Even though Independence Day is a largely celebrated holiday, I wanted to focus on some smaller known holidays. I found a list on Holidays and Observances website, but I’m going to focus on a few!

Alice in Wonderland Day – Supposedly this is the day that Lewis Carroll, real name – Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, originally told his story to Alice Liddell for the first time before he wrote it down. This first telling would eventually become Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

Boom Box Parade Day – In 1986, the local high school of Willimantic, Connecticut had to make budget cuts, which meant there would be no band to play in the July 4th parade. The local radio station 1400 AM WILI volunteered to play music instead. Now hundreds of people march through town with boom boxes tuned to WILI, which plays marching band classics.

Independence from Meat Day – According to sources, this day was created by the Vegetarian Awareness Network in Tennessee with the aim to take a day off from consuming meat. The irony that it takes place on a holiday marked by barbecues is not lost on me.

Sidewalk Egg Frying Day  – Every July 4th, a town in Arizona has an egg frying contest. The catch? You have to fry an egg outside without any electricity or fire! You can use mirrors or magnifying glasses though. Have you ever fried an egg on a sidewalk before?

I hope you’ve enjoyed this dive into unique July 4th traditions and holidays. If you any other favorites, share them in the comments below!

 

 

Library Closed for Juneteenth

All three Davenport Public Library locations are closed today in observance of Juneteenth. June 19th is Juneteenth, the oldest known celebration to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States. The Emancipation Proclamation was signed on January 1, 1863, but it wasn’t until June 19, 1865 when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas that the last enslaved African Americans were declared free by General Order No. 3. Soldiers entered the state of Texas to force the liberation of enslaved people. They came two months after the end of the Civil War and two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

Juneteenth National Freedom Day became a recoginzed holiday in Iowa on April 11, 2002. Iowa was the 7th state to recognize Junettenth as a state holiday and roughly the 10th state to formally commemorate/observe Juneteenth. On June 17th, 2021, President Biden signed into law a bill making Juneteenth a national holiday, a law called the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act.

Below we have gathered Juneteenth resources. Descriptions provide by the publisher or authors.

Physical Resources

Opal Lee and What it Means to be Free: The True Story of the Grandmother of Juneteenth by Alice Faye Duncan, illustrations by Keturah A. Bobo

Every year, Opal looked forward to the Juneteenth picnic—a drumming, dancing, delicious party. She knew from Granddaddy Zak’s stories that Juneteenth celebrated the day the freedom news of President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation finally sailed into Texas in 1865—over two years after the president had declared it! But Opal didn’t always see freedom in her Texas town. Then one Juneteenth day when Opal was twelve years old, an angry crowd burned down her brand-new home. This wasn’t freedom at all. She had to do something! But could one person’s voice make a difference? Could Opal bring about national recognition of Juneteenth? Follow Opal Lee as she fights to improve the future by honoring the past.

Through the story of Opal Lee’s determination and persistence, children ages 4 to 8 will learn:

  • all people are created equal
  • the power of bravery and using your voice for change
  • the history of Juneteenth, or Freedom Day, and what it means today
  • no one is free unless everyone is free
  • fighting for a dream is worth the difficulty experienced along the way

Featuring the illustrations of New York Times bestselling illustrator Keturah A. Bobo (I am Enough), Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free by Alice Faye Duncan celebrates the life and legacy of a modern-day Black leader while sharing a message of hope, unity, joy, and strength.

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Juneteenth by Van G. Garrett

A lyrical picture book about our newest national holiday, Juneteenth follows the annual celebration in Galveston, Texas—birthplace of Juneteenth—through the eyes of a boy coming to understand his place in Black American history in a story from three Texan creators.

A young Black child experiences the magic of the Juneteenth parade for the first time with their family as they come to understand the purpose of the party that happens every year—and why they celebrate their African American history!

The poetic text includes selected lyrics from “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” the unofficial Black National Anthem, and the vibrant art illuminates the beauty of this moment of Black joy, celebrated across the nation. This vibrant adventure through the city streets invites young readers to make a joyful noise about freedom for all.

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On Juneteenth by Annette Gordon-Reed

Weaving together American history, dramatic family chronicle, and searing episodes of memoir, Annette Gordon-Reed’s On Juneteenth provides a historian’s view of the country’s long road to Juneteenth, recounting both its origins in Texas and the enormous hardships that African-Americans have endured in the century since, from Reconstruction through Jim Crow and beyond. All too aware of the stories of cowboys, ranchers, and oilmen that have long dominated the lore of the Lone Star State, Gordon-Reed—herself a Texas native and the descendant of enslaved people brought to Texas as early as the 1820s—forges a new and profoundly truthful narrative of her home state, with implications for us all.

Combining personal anecdotes with poignant facts gleaned from the annals of American history, Gordon-Reed shows how, from the earliest presence of Black people in Texas to the day in Galveston on June 19, 1865, when Major General Gordon Granger announced the end of legalized slavery in the state, African-Americans played an integral role in the Texas story.

Reworking the traditional “Alamo” framework, she powerfully demonstrates, among other things, that the slave- and race-based economy not only defined the fractious era of Texas independence but precipitated the Mexican-American War and, indeed, the Civil War itself.

In its concision, eloquence, and clear presentation of history, On Juneteenth vitally revises conventional renderings of Texas and national history. As our nation verges on recognizing June 19 as a national holiday, On Juneteenth is both an essential account and a stark reminder that the fight for equality is exigent and ongoing.

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Juneteenth by Ralph Ellison

In Washington, D.C., in the 1950s, Adam Sunraider, a race-baiting senator from New England, is mortally wounded by an assassin’s bullet while making a speech on the Senate floor. To the shock of all who think they know him, Sunraider calls out from his deathbed for Alonzo Hickman, an old black minister, to be brought to his side. The reverend is summoned; the two are left alone. “Tell me what happened while there’s still time,” demands the dying Sunraider.

Out of their conversation, and the inner rhythms of memories whose weight has been borne in silence for many long years, a story emerges. Senator Sunraider, once known as Bliss, was raised by Reverend Hickman in a black community steeped in religion and music (not unlike Ralph Ellison’s own childhood home) and was brought up to be a preaching prodigy in a joyful black Baptist ministry that traveled throughout the South and the Southwest. Together one last time, the two men retrace the course of their shared life in an “anguished attempt,” Ellison once put it, “to arrive at the true shape and substance of a sundered past and its meaning.” In the end, the two men confront their most painful memories, memories that hold the key to understanding the mysteries of kinship and race that bind them, and to the senator’s confronting how deeply estranged he had become from his true identity.

In Juneteenth, Ralph Ellison evokes the rhythms of jazz and gospel and ordinary speech to tell a powerful tale of a prodigal son in the twentieth century. At the time of his death in 1994, Ellison was still expanding his novel in other directions, envisioning a grand, perhaps multivolume, story cycle. Always, in his mind, the character Hickman and the story of Sunraider’s life from birth to death were the dramatic heart of the narrative. And so, with the aid of Ellison’s widow, Fanny, his literary executor, John Callahan, has edited this magnificent novel at the center of Ralph Ellison’s forty-year work in progress—its author’s abiding testament to the country he so loved and to its many unfinished tasks.

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A Flag for Juneteenth by Kim Taylor

Expert quilter Kim Taylor shares a unique and powerful story of the celebration of the first Juneteenth, from the perspective of a young girl.

On June 19, 1865, in Galveston, General Gordon Granger of the Union Army delivered the message that African Americans in Texas were free. Since then, Juneteenth, as the day has come to be known, has steadily gained recognition throughout the United States. ln 2020,a powerful wave of protests and demonstrations calling for racial justice and equality brought new awareness to the significance of the holiday.

A Flag for Juneteenth depicts a close-knit community of enslaved African Americans on a plantation in Texas, the day before the announcement is to be made that all enslaved people are free. Young Huldah, who is preparing to celebrate her tenth birthday, can’t possibly anticipate how much her life will change that Juneteenth morning. The story follows Huldah and her community as they process the news of their freedom and celebrate together by creating a community freedom flag.

Debut author and artist Kim Taylor sets this story apart by applying her skills as an expert quilter. Each of the illustrations has been lovingly hand sewn and quilted, giving the book a homespun, tactile quality that is altogether unique.

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Juneteenth by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson

June 19th, 1865, began as another hot day in Texas. Enslaved African Americans worked in fields, in barns, and in the homes of the white people who owned them. Then a message arrived. Freedom! Slavery had ended! The Civil War had actually ended in April. It took two months for word to reach Texas. Still the joy of that amazing day has never been forgotten. Every year, people all over the United States come together on June 19th to celebrate the end of slavery. Join in the celebration of Juneteenth, a day to remember and honor freedom for all people.

Encourage understanding of diverse cultures. Featuring full-page illustrations, these beautiful editions look at the history and customs associated with various holidays and present early readers with high-interest offerings.

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The Night Before Freedom: A Juneteenth Story by Glenda Armand

This moving picture book tells the story of Juneteenth with all the care and reverence such a holiday deserves. The rhyming text and stunning illustrations will teach children about this historic day in history.

‘Twas the night before freedom, and all through the South,
long-whispered rumors had, spread word of mouth.
“It’s coming! It’s coming!” I heard people say.
“Emancipation is coming our way.”

Eight-year-old David and his family gather at Grandma’s house in Galveston, Texas, for a cherished family tradition: Grandma’s annual retelling of the story of Juneteenth, the holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States.

The signing of the Emancipation Proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln meant that all enslaved persons within the rebellious states would be free as of January 1, 1863. However, people in Texas did not receive the news of their emancipation until two and a half years later—on June 19, 1865.

Grandma tells the story of anticipation, emancipation, and jubilation just as it was told to her many years before by her own grandmother, Mom Bess. As a six-year-old, Bess had experienced the very first Juneteenth. Before that day, she could only imagine what liberty would look like. But once freedom arrived, would it live up to a little girl’s dreams?

The story is written in the same meter as Clement C. Moore’s The Night Before Christmas, making it a perfect book for parents and kids to read together.

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All Different Now: Juneteenth, the first day of freedom by Angela Johnson & E.B. Lewis

Experience the joy of Juneteenth in this celebration of freedom from the award-winning team of Angela Johnson and E.B. Lewis.

Through the eyes of one little girl, All Different Now tells the story of the first Juneteenth, the day freedom finally came to the last of the slaves in the South. Since then, the observance of June 19 as African American Emancipation Day has spread across the United States and beyond. This stunning picture book includes notes from the author and illustrator, a timeline of important dates, and a glossary of relevant terms.

Told in Angela Johnson’s signature melodic style and brought to life by E.B. Lewis’s striking paintings, All Different Now is a joyous portrait of the dawn breaking on the darkest time in our nation’s history.

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Build a House by Rhiannon Giddens

African Americans were forcibly enslaved and brought to this land to build houses they were not allowed to live in, tend to families who were not their own, and sow the seeds that fed a nation – while being left with only scraps themselves. They were not expected to thrive. But they did.

In her picture book debut from Candlewick Press, MacArthur Fellowship recipient and Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter Rhiannon Giddens depicts a family’s resilience in the face of violence and sorrow. They are determined not just to survive, but also to tell their own story.

Based on the song “Build A House,” composed for the 155th anniversary of Juneteenth and performed with renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma, Giddens’s stirring text is paired with moving illustrations by Monica Mikai. Build a House confronts the history of slavery in America by telling the story of a courageous people who would not be moved and the music that sustained them through untold challenges. Steeped in sorrow and joy, resilience and resolve, turmoil and transcendence, this dramatic debut offers a proud view of history and a vital message for readers of all ages: honor your heritage, express your truth, and let your voice soar, even—or perhaps especially—when your heart is heaviest.

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Hidden Black History: from Juneteenth to redlining by Amanda Jackson Green

Many important moments in history have not been taught in schools or explored in the mainstream media. These events often include people of color and involve Black history. This “whitewashing” of history, intentional or not, puts all Americans at a disadvantage. Learn about Black history moments that shaped America, from the arrival of the first enslaved Africans in Virginia in 1619 to the Freedom Summer of 1964, and read about efforts to reshape how we teach Black history in schools in the 21st century.

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Juneteenth: Our Day of Freedom by Sharon Dennis Wyeth

Some call it Freedom Day; some call it Emancipation Day; some call it Juneteenth. Learn more about this important holiday that celebrates the end of chattel slavery in the United States in this Step 3 History Reader.

On June 19, 1865, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation, a group of enslaved men, women, and children in Texas gathered. Order Number 3 was read, proclaiming that they were no longer enslaved–they were free. People danced, wept tears of joy, and began to plan their new lives. Juneteenth became an annual celebration that is observed by more and more Americans with parades, picnics, family gatherings, and reflection on the words of historical figures, to mark the day when freedom truly rang for all.

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How the Word is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America by Clint Smith

Beginning in his hometown of New Orleans, Clint Smith leads the reader on an unforgettable tour of monuments and landmarks—those that are honest about the past and those that are not—that offer an intergenerational story of how slavery has been central in shaping our nation’s collective history, and ourselves.

It is the story of the Monticello Plantation in Virginia, the estate where Thomas Jefferson wrote letters espousing the urgent need for liberty while enslaving more than four hundred people. It is the story of the Whitney Plantation, one of the only former plantations devoted to preserving the experience of the enslaved people whose lives and work sustained it. It is the story of Angola, a former plantation-turned-maximum-security prison in Louisiana that is filled with Black men who work across the 18,000-acre land for virtually no pay. And it is the story of Blandford Cemetery, the final resting place of tens of thousands of Confederate soldiers.

A deeply researched and transporting exploration of the legacy of slavery and its imprint on centuries of American history, How the Word Is Passed illustrates how some of our country’s most essential stories are hidden in plain view—whether in places we might drive by on our way to work, holidays such as Juneteenth, or entire neighborhoods like downtown Manhattan, where the brutal history of the trade in enslaved men, women, and children has been deeply imprinted.

Informed by scholarship and brought to life by the story of people living today, Smith’s debut work of nonfiction is a landmark of reflection and insight that offers a new understanding of the hopeful role that memory and history can play in making sense of our country and how it has come to be.

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Online Resources

Otterly Fabulous

Otter – looking at the camera

You may recall that back in April we celebrated International Beaver Day.  Well, now the otter gets its turn.  May 31st, 2023 is World Otter Day.  This holiday always falls on a Wednesday.  So next year, 2024, it will fall on May 29th.

There are thirteen different species of otter (Lontra canadensis):  Sea Otter, North American River Otter, Eurasian Otter, Giant Otter, Asian Small-Clawed Otter, Smooth-Coated Otter, African Clawless Otter, Marine Otter, Neotropical Otter, Spotted-Necked Otter, Hairy-Nosed Otter, Southern River Otter, and Japanese Otter.

The North American river otter’s range includes the Quad-Cities, since they prefer water bordered by woods and wetlands.  They are strong swimmers, using their long body and tail to slide through the water, paddling with their webbed hind feet.  River otters have a transparent inner eyelid (called a nictitating membrane) to protect their eyes while swimming.  They can hold their breath for up to 8 minutes.  They close their nostrils to keep water out during these long dives.

They are considered a fur-bearing animal having the thickest fur of any mammal, with as many as 850,000 hairs per square inch.

River otters are mostly nocturnal.  They feed on crayfish, fish, other small mammals, and aquatic plants.  They are social animals with groups consisting of a female and her juvenile offspring.

These carnivorous mammals tend to weigh 11-30 pounds when fully grown.   They live 8-9 years in the wild.  It is estimated that there are 100,000 North American river otters in the United States and Canada.

Want to learn more?  Check out the following juvenile titles:

Sea otters, by Laura Marsh

Otters under water, by Jim Arnosky

The otter, by Bert Kitchen

Sea Otter Heroes, by Patricia Newman

Otters, by Jane and Doran Whitledge

Odder, by Katherine Applegate

 

Library Closed

All three Davenport Public Library Branches are closed today, Monday, May 29th in observance of Memorial Day. Normal business hours will resume on Tuesday, May 30th.

Our physical locations may be closed, but you can still visit us virtually!

Your Davenport Public Library card gives you access to FREE digital materials such as e-books, digital audiobooks, magazines, movies, and music online 24/7.

Here are my top five favorite digital content resources! Check these out and we’ll see you again on Tuesday, May 30th when the library opens.

Libby – All you need to access e-books, digital audiobooks, and digital magazines is your Davenport Public Library card. We recommend downloading the Libby app for best performance.

Freegal – Freegal Music gives you access to millions of songs from over 40,000 labels. Stream 24-hours a day. Download up to 5 songs per week.

TumbleBooks – Both children and their parents will enjoy this online collection of animated, talking picture books that teach kids the joys of reading in an exciting, new format they will love.

QC Beats – Built in partnership with Davenport Public Library, River Music Experience and St. Ambrose University, QC Beats is an online streaming audio collection of original music of Quad Cities musicians and artists.

Kanopy – Provides a variety of popular and classic movies, documentaries, and foreign films to stream. Kanopy Kids offers parental controls.
The Great Courses present a wealth of learning.