Spotlight: "Herstory Writers Club"

In March, MCPL celebrated Women's History Month with a women's writers workshop. The Herstory workshop included exercises, writing prompts and other activities to inspire women to begin writing down and sharing the stories of their lives. We had so much fun that the workshop has turned into a club; today is our second meeting.

Soon, each of these "herstories" will be bound together and added to our Berea Room's local history collection. These women are truly talented and dedicated writers, and above that, they are fabulously interesting people.

Speaking of talent, here is an excerpt from the work of one of our Herstory members. Jean Harding, inspired by George Ella Lyon's poem "Where I'm From," penned her own version:

"I'm from the old house, by the side of the road/ Picking wild daisies by the wood fence; I'm from stringy hair and/ Shoes that wore out too soon; I'm from gritted corn bread, and water gravy too; (...) I'm from hard times and depression times to/ Looking out the window for Grandpa to hurry from the out house/ So we could eat our skimpy breakfast, yes and enjoy Mommy's/ Tiny biscuits smothered with black berry jam. (...) I'm from yesterday of long ago and memories that still linger on and/ take shape in my family today."

If you enjoy writing, particularly memoir writing, join our Herstory Writers Club. Our next meeting is Saturday, July 10, at 2PM. For questions and more info, contact Christina at either library location.

"Made to Played: Traditional Art of Kentucky Luthiers" Exhibit at MCPL from May 5-June 2!

The Madison County Public Library, 507 West Main Street, Richmond, is pleased to announce that it will host the exhibit, Made to be Played: Traditional Art of Kentucky Luthiers from May 6, 2010, to June 2, 2010. Sponsored by the Kentucky Arts Council and the Kentucky Historical Society, this free public exhibit presents the handmade instruments and tools of 16 Kentucky luthiers (makers of stringed instruments) who are recognized as masters in creating and repairing guitars, fiddles, dulcimers, mandolins, banjos and other original instruments.

Funded through the National Endowment for the Arts American Masterpieces grant, Made to be Played is the result of years of fieldwork by the Kentucky Folklife Program, an interagency program of the Kentucky Arts Council and the Kentucky Historical Society. The exhibit is dedicated to the memory of Homer Ledford, a gifted luthier, craftsman, instrument inventor and musician who passed away on December 11, 2006. He was known for the quality, beauty, and uniqueness of his works, some of which are included in the Smithsonian Institution’s collection. The exhibit includes examples of his handcrafted instruments, carvings, and tools.

Other Kentucky luthiers featured in the exhibit include Roy Bowen, Winchester; Gary Cornett, Louisville; Cathy Currier, Richmond; Bryan England, Caneyville; Arthur Hatfield, Glasgow; Neil Kendrick, Frenchburg; Donna Lamb, Lancaster; Lewis Lamb, Lancaster; Scott Leedy, Winchester; Warren A. May, Berea; Art Mize, Lexington; Douglas Naselroad, Winchester; Frank Neat, Russell Springs; Frank Pittman, Bowling Green; Jimmy Robertson, Edmonton and Larry Shepherd, Caneyville.

Funding for Made to be Played: Traditional Art of Kentucky Luthiers is made possible through a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts as a part of the American Masterpieces program, which seeks to introduce Americans to the best of their cultural and artistic legacy.

The Kentucky Arts Council is a state agency in the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet that creates opportunities for Kentuckians to value, participate in and benefit from the arts. Kentucky Arts Council funding is provided by the Kentucky State Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes that a great nation deserves great art.

Made to be Played: Traditional Art of Kentucky Luthiers is available to visitors during normal library hours; there is no charge to view the exhibit. For more information, please contact Christina Cornelison, Madison County Public Library Adult Programmer, at (859)986-7112.

Boot camp teaches computer basics

Check out this Richmond Register article about MCPL's Computer Classes!

Boot camp teaches computer basics

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