Author Archive
Librarian Reads: November 2020 Book Review and Recommendation
Monday, November 2nd, 2020
Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann
Who knew? I certainly didn’t. In the 1920s, the richest people per capita in the world were members of the Osage Indian Nation. And why was that? Because they retained the mineral rights to the lands in Oklahoma to which they had been relocated – they owned the “underground reservation” that was rich with oil during the boom times.
While to some this might seem like a really fortunate life, for the Osage it was cursed with murder, misfortune, and disaster. And, for the United States, it was the birth of the FBI. The “Reign of Terror,” as this time in Osage history is known, was only finally dealt with by an undercover team leading the Bureau of Investigation’s first substantial case.
The story illuminates what was possibly one of the biggest serial murder conspiracies in US history and one of the most forgotten. From the 1910s through the 1930s hundreds of the Osage were murdered for their “headrights” – the legal grant of lands, or in this case the underground mineral rights. At that time there were about 2,000 Osage who were registered on the tribal roll; each one of them received a headright, or their individual share in the mineral trust. Headrights could not be sold, they could only be inherited, which made the Osage quite desirable spouses for unscrupulous persons.
At the zenith of the oil boom in Oklahoma, in the 1920s, the Osage had accumulated millions and millions of dollars, equivalent to about $400 million today. BUT the Osage control of and access to their money was limited by restrictions imposed by the US government. Many of the Osage were assigned guardians to oversee and supervise how the Osage spent their money. Becoming an Osage guardian was also a desirable position that was maintained by a handful of untrustworthy people.
This is a tale of families who were being methodically whittled down in order to funnel wealth for easier access by shameless reprobates. Reading like a novel, this book is full of intrigue, mystery, sleuthing, and human interest. Racism against Native Americans is startling and unfortunate. Using primary sources including both published and unpublished letters, diaries, family papers, and records from the FBI and other sources, the author paints a vivid picture. I recommend this title to those who enjoy history, mystery, thrillers, memoirs, and just plain interesting stories.
Tina Hubert, Executive Director Six Mile Regional Library District
Killers of the Flower Moon is available from the Six Mile Regional Library District in hardback, audiobook, as an e-book and an e-audiobook. For more information, visit elibrary.smrld.org or call 618-452-6238 ext. 730.
Ever wonder what your SMRLD librarians are reading? Well now you can follow along at smrld.org/librarianreads with some of their recommendations.
Librarian Reads: October 2020 Book Review and Recommendation
Tuesday, October 13th, 2020
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
As a teen I was enthralled with horror stories. I grew up reading HP Lovecraft, Edgar Allen Poe, Shirley Jackson, Ray Bradbury, Stephen King, Anne Rice, and more. I left the horror story stage behind and haven’t really read the genre for years. Well, it seems this is a good year to revisit it. I recently spent a Saturday reading this tale from beginning to end – everything else was put on hold.
Mexican Gothic is full of mystery and intrigue surrounded by the supernatural and unknown – a classic gothic novel. It’s more psychological horror than gore. In 1950s Mexico, Noemi Taboada is a glamorous debutante more interested in her own independence than being settled. After receiving a frantic letter from her newly-wed cousin begging someone to save her, Noemi travels to rescue her cousin Catalina, with the promise from her father that she can attend the university of her choice if she will only do this one thing.
Arriving at the husband’s remote old family mansion in the mountains, Noemi has a true mystery to unravel. Catalina is kept secreted in her bedroom and Noemi roams the mansion and grounds trying to deduce what’s really going on. Noemi is a tough cookie; she’s not afraid of her cousin’s new husband who is both intimidating and alluring or the husband’s forbidding father or sister. She uses the husband’s young nephew to escape to the nearby town to send letters back to her family and to seek advice from both the town doctor and local wise woman. The family seemingly has a strange hold over the town and the mountain full of some dark ancient knowledge.
With plenty of menace, this tale evokes the atmosphere of the horror movies from the 1930s and 40s, where violin music would play in the background of the foggy craggy scenery. The story starts a little slow, but builds to a surprising crescendo. I thought I had it all figured out only to discover a truly unexpected ending. I couldn’t put it down.
Tina Hubert, Executive Director Six Mile Regional Library District
Mexican Gothic is available from the Six Mile Regional Library District in hardback, as an e-book and an e-audiobook. For more information, visit elibrary.smrld.org or call 618-452-6238 ext. 730.
Ever wonder what your SMRLD librarians are reading? Well now you can follow along at smrld.org/librarianreads with some of their recommendations.
Brought to you by the Six Mile Regional Library District: The Granite City Press-Record Online Archives!
Tuesday, September 15th, 2020
Brought to you by the Six Mile Regional Library District: The Granite City Press-Record Online Archives!
Granite City – Tuesdayday, September 15, 2020 –
The Granite City Press-Record Online Archives are available free-of-charge to the public through the Six Mile Regional Library District (SMRLD), starting with the decade of the 1960s. Because of the behind the scenes work that has to be done to ensure their readability, the newspapers will be uploaded one decade at a time. In a few weeks SMRLD will be ready to upload the 1970s.
All issues published from January 4, 1960, through December 31, 1969, can now be accessed at www.smrld.org/press-record/. SMRLD IT & Facilities Manager Tallin Curran supervised this project. He remarked, “Many of these issues from the 1960s have as many as 40 or 50 pages per issue. A few have even more. It’s a great mix of local news and advertisements from local businesses that are gone but not forgotten, such as Tri-City Grocery, Carp’s, the Washington Theater, Fleishman’s, and many, many more.”
The Granite City Press-Record was first published on April 22, 1903, as the Granite City Press. It ceased publication with the December 26, 2012, issue as the Press-Record. For many years, the Granite City Press-Record was well-regarded as the place to find out what was happening through the announcements, news, and human-interest stories about the people and places in Granite City, Pontoon Beach, Mitchell, Madison, and Venice, Illinois.
This multi-year project, undertaken by the Six Mile Regional Library District, actually began in 2012, when copyright permission was granted to the Library by Lee Enterprises to digitize and make the newspapers available online. Unfortunately, the costs for digitizing such a large project were prohibitive at that time. The real work began in 2019, when SMRLD signed an agreement with American Digital Memories (ADM) in Oklahoma to have over 369 reels of microfilm scanned and converted into electronic files.
After the many months of converting the microfilm reels into readable files was completed by ADM, it was time for Library staff to begin the arduous job of sifting through the files checking for readability. Files are checked and re-checked for clarity; when adjustments are needed the Library requests corrections from ADM. It generally takes Library staff approximately forty hours from receipt of the mega-files until a full decade is uploaded and ready to read online
Executive Director Tina Hubert said, “It’s been a dream of ours to make the Granite City Press-Record Online Archives available and we are thrilled that dream is finally reality. Keep watching for other decades to be uploaded in the future by liking or following the SMRLD Facebook page.”
The SMRLD Facebook can be found at https://www.facebook.com/smrld.org/
The Granite City Press-Record Online Archives can be found at https://www.smrld.org/press-record/
Contacts: Six Mile Regional Library District (618) 452-6238
Tina Hubert, Executive Director, extension 781
Tallin Curran, IT & Facilities Manager, extension 784
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Celebrate Library Card Sign-up Month with SMRLD and Wonder Woman this September
Thursday, August 27th, 2020Granite City – August 27, 2020
Library cards empower students and fuel academic success
September is Library Card Sign-up Month, a time when the Six Mile Regional Library District joins the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries nationwide to remind parents, caregivers and students that signing up for a library card is the first step on the path to academic achievement and lifelong learning.
Anyone living in 62040 is eligible to get a free SMRLD library card. To get your library card, either fill in the online form at smrld.org/connect/get-a-library-card/ or visit us at 2001 Delmar Avenue. Youth ages 4-18 can receive a free book when picking up their library card. Books are provided in partnership between SMRLD, Transform GC, and GCHS teacher Jennifer Connolly; only while supplies last and only at the Delmar Avenue Library.
There is nothing more empowering than signing up for your own library card. Through access to technology, media resources and educational programs, a library card gives students the tools to succeed in the classroom and provides people of all ages opportunities to pursue their dreams and passions.
Libraries offer everything from early literacy programs to job search assistance, helping transform lives and communities through education. At SMRLD, you’ll find a wide variety of educational resources and activities, including Research Databases and Streaming Movies, Music, eBooks, eAudiobooks, eComics, & eMagazines for all ages.
“Libraries play an important role in the education and development of children,” said Executive Director, Tina Hubert. “SMRLD has programs that serve students of all ages and backgrounds such as 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten, Saturday Science Lab, and TAG our Teen Advisory Group.”
The Six Mile Regional Library District, along with libraries everywhere, continue to adapt and expand services to meet the evolving needs of our community. To sign up for a library card or to learn more about the library’s resources and programs, please visit (www.smrld.org).
This year, DC’s Wonder Woman is embarking on a mission to champion the power of a library card as Library Card Sign-up Month Honorary Chair. In her new role, Wonder Woman will promote the value of libraries and encourage everyone to get their very own library card.
Since 1987, Library Card Sign-up Month has been held each September to mark the beginning of the school year. During the month, the ALA and libraries unite together in a national effort to ensure every child signs up for their own library card.
For more information, call 618-452-6238 ext. 710.
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Contacts: Tina Hubert, Executive Director, (618) 452-6238 ext 781
Erica Hanke-Young, Youth Services Manager (618) 452-6238 ext 787
Kate Kite, Research & Teen Librarian (618) 452-6238 ext 755
SMRLD Bigger than a Building
Monday, May 18th, 2020
As many of you know, the doors to the Six Mile Regional Library District closed on March 17. We hope you also know that while the doors are closed, we are still here providing remote services and increasing our virtual capabilities.
What you might not know is how much we miss you!
We miss seeing your smiles when we recommend a good book, helping with a homework question, or finding just the information you were looking for. We miss hearing what’s happening in your lives and your recommendations for us.
Everyday we are asked when we’ll reopen again.
We don’t have an exact date, but rest assured we are working hard to do just that.
We will phase our reopening. Soon, we hope to offer curbside service at our Johnson Road location so that you can order and pick up materials. The book drops will open in just a few weeks so you can return the materials you have at home. We are rearranging furniture, books, CDs, and DVDs so that you will be able to visit us in-person at our Delmar Avenue library to use the computers, apply for passports, purchase your license plate renewal stickers, register to vote, get items notarized, pick up fishing and hunting licenses, and much more.
Yes, things will look and be different. We won’t have in-person events for a while and there won’t be any seating (other than for computer use) while we have to limit the number of people and comply with social distancing guidelines in the building. However, know that every day we are one step closer to providing you the full service you deserve, expect, and are used to getting from us. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Keep checking our website, Facebook, and other social media for updates.
License Plate Renewal Stickers Available @ Six Mile Regional Library District
Tuesday, February 25th, 2020Granite City – February 25, 2020
Your library – more than you can imagine!
You can get more than a library card at the Six Mile Regional Library District these days. Starting March 2, 2020, you can also renew your Illinois license plate sticker at either library location!
As the second library in the state, and the first in the metro-east to allow license plate sticker renewals, SMRLD Director Tina Hubert stated, “we are glad to be able to offer another value-added service to our communities. By offering license plate renewal stickers we have another way of generating revenue to offset our reliance on property taxes.”
The standard renewal sticker cost applies along with an additional processing fee of $7.50 per renewal, the same fee charged by currency exchanges. There is no additional fee to use a debit or credit card. The Library will issue renewal stickers immediately. If, however, the vehicle needs to pass an emissions test first, the Library will not be able to issue a renewal sticker until after the test has been passed.
The library located at 2001 Delmar Avenue is open Monday through Thursday, 9 AM – 8 PM and Friday & Saturday 9 AM – 5 PM. The 2145 Johnson Road library is open Monday 9 AM – 5 PM, Tuesday & Wednesday 12 PM – 8 PM, and Thursday through Saturday 9 AM – 5 PM. License plate sticker renewals can be handled at both locations during regular library hours.
Any Illinois resident wishing to renew his or her license plate sticker may do so at the Six Mile Regional Library District.
For more information, call 618-452-6238 ext. 710.
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Contacts: Tina Hubert, Executive Director, (618) 452-6238 ext 781
Juliette Douglas, Deputy Director (618) 452-6238 ext 782
Betsy Mahoney, Johnson Road Manager (618) 452-6238 ext 785
Flood damaged materials? Don’t worry – we’ve got your back.
Thursday, August 15th, 2019
To Six Mile Regional Library District cardholders experiencing flood damage: you have enough to worry about without having to worry about the library materials you have checked out.
If you have library materials checked out from SMRLD or any other library, and those items have been damaged in the flood, please let us know! SMRLD will waive all replacement costs, fines, and fees for flood damaged library materials. If possible, please return items inside either location in a resealable plastic bag; do not return them in a book drop. If items are too damaged to return or have already been discarded – that’s okay – but let us know.
You just need to let us know before Tuesday, September 17, 2019.
(618) 452-6238, extension 710 or 750
Granite City Books on Buses program in the news
Friday, August 9th, 2019KSDK – Today in St Louis August 9, 2019
RiverBender.com – August 1, 2019 Books on Buses Program in Granite City
AdVantage News – August 1, 2019 Books on Buses kicks off in Granite City
Books on Buses Program in Granite City
Tuesday, July 30th, 2019Books on Buses Program in Granite City
Granite City – Tuesday, July 30, 2019
With the 2019-2020 school year, students in Granite City will be able to find a good book to read while traveling between home and school on select school buses. This pilot program is a partnership between Granite City Community Unit School District #9, North America Central School Bus, and Six Mile Regional Library District.
During the Spring of 2019, SMRLD Executive Director Tina Hubert contacted Don Harris, Director of Student Services for the Granite City School District, after reading an article about how a bucket of books was added to an Arkansas school bus to encourage students to read. Tina then met with Mr. Harris; Paula Hubbard, GCSD#9 Director of Special Education and Region 1; Pat Coleman, Granite City Contract Manager North America Central School Bus; and Erica Hanke-Young, SMRLD Youth Services Manager to discuss a new partnership and the logistics of bringing this pilot program to GCSD#9 students. It was decided to begin with a few select buses, in order to iron out any wrinkles in the program before it goes district-wide.
The Books on Buses program is similar to the Little Free Library concept where folks are invited to Take a Book, Share a Book. Six Mile Regional Library District is supplying the books for ages 5-15, and North America Central School Bus is providing safe containers to hold the books on the buses. Books are entirely free and do not have due dates – students can read the books on the buses, take books home, return the books to the buses to share with others and to choose new titles to read, or even keep favorite books. While every student in the Granite City School District is encouraged to get their free SMRLD library card, a library card is not needed for the Books on Buses program.
The enthusiasm for this new partnership was automatic. It’s a win-win for everyone. The books give the kids something to do while on the bus and promotes literacy at the same time. GCSD Superintendent Jim Greenwald states, “Books on Buses is another outstanding example of the many services offered by the Six Mile Regional Library District. They have many programs to make reading fun for the students, and what a novel way to continue the learning process to and from school.”
All three organizations share the same service boundaries. Many people who grew up in Granite City fondly remember the Library’s Bookmobile. While a full-fledge bookmobile is beyond either the School District or Library District budgets, this new Books on Buses program is a way to reach out in a somewhat similar fashion to students throughout the area.
GCSD Mission: Our district is committed to providing a safe learning environment, which enables all students to develop intellectually, physically, morally, and emotionally to the very best of their abilities.
NACSB Mission: To provide safe, reliable and efficient transportation services that enrich the lives of the communities we serve.
SMRLD Mission: The Library makes a significant difference in the everyday lives of the people, institutions, and communities of Granite City, Mitchell, and Pontoon Beach.
For more information, call (618) 452-6238.
Contacts: Erica Hanke-Young, Youth Services Manager (618) 452-6238 ext. 787
Tina Hubert, Executive Director (618) 452-6238 ext. 781
Want to become a Library Trustee and Join the SMRLD Board of Directors?
Wednesday, June 12th, 2019Now Accepting Applications
The Six Mile Regional Library District Board of Trustees is seeking candidates to fill a vacancy on our seven-member Board, which sets the library’s tax levy, budget, and library policies. Since 1990, when the library became a district, the board has levied taxes for the purposes of maintaining a library for District residents. The library derived 95% of its operating revenue from property taxes in fiscal year 2019.
Candidates may be selected to be interviewed by the Board. The appointment of the individual chosen starts this summer and runs through April 2021. The position will be up for election during the general consolidated election process in the spring of 2021 to complete the remaining two-year term. At this time, the Board prefers to appoint candidates who seriously consider running for election in 2021.
Responsibilities and Duties:
- Attend Board meetings (second Tuesday each month, 6:00 PM)
- Preview the agenda, minutes and documents before each meeting
- Participate in discussion and decision making at each meeting
- Commit time outside of meetings for the work of the Board
- Be knowledgeable about the goals, plans, history, and future of the library
- Represent the library at community events, be visible and accessible
- Have a sincere commitment to the purpose and mission of the library
- Be informed about library issues through state and national library organizations
- Be an advocate for the library community
Eligibility and Qualifications:
- Qualified elector/registered voter residing in the library district (62040)
- Relevant professional, volunteer, or board experience
- Knowledge of community interests
Submit your application, letter of interest, and resume/cv via email to [email protected] (preferred) or hand deliver to 2001 Delmar Avenue, by Monday, July 8, 2019, 3:00 PM.
The resume/cv provides the following information: schools/degrees attained/year of graduation; present occupation & employer/# of years with this employer (previous if retired); current and past board, civic, and other volunteer/community activities.
SMRLD-Board-Application-FILLABLE.pdf
