Rosenberg Library Blog

February Adult Programs

2012-01-27T14:49:00.000-08:00

Date: 2/2/2012

Start Time: 6:00 PM

End Time: 7:00 PM

Description:

Book Discussion at First Presbyterian Church, 1903 Church. Free and open to the public.

Date: 2/4/2012

Start Time: 2:30 PM

End Time: 3:30 PM

Description: Drop in for help checking out library ebooks.

Location: Reference Desk

Date: 2/7/2012

Start Time: 7:00 PM

End Time: 8:00 PM

Description:

Book Discussion held at Texas A&M Galveston, Pelican Island. Free and open to the public.

Date: 2/8/2012

Start Time: 7:00 PM

End Time: 8:00 PM

Description:

Book Discussion held at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 502 Church. Free and open to the public.

Date: 2/11/2012: Saturday

Start Time: 12:00 PM

End Time: 1:00 PM

Description:

Book club for Rosenberg Library

Location: McCullough Room

Date: 2/18/2012

Start Time: 2:30 PM

End Time: 3:30 PM

Description:

Drop in for help checking out library ebooks.

Location: Reference Desk

Date: 2/23/2012

Start Time: 6:00 PM

Description:

Medical Forum on this important topic. Program to be held at UTMB, Levin Hall, parking at 11th & Market. Free and open to the public.

Date: 2/25/2012

Start Time: 9:30 AM

End Time: 10:30 AM

Description:

Kitchen gardens by a master gardener

Location: McCullough Room

Date: 2/25/2012

Start Time: 2:30 PM

End Time: 3:30 PM

Description:

Drop in for help checking out library ebooks.

Galveston Reads Springs Ahead

2012-01-13T15:19:00.000-08:00

The season begins for Galveston Reads, with book discussions and the Four Professors' Panel at the Rosenberg Libary to spring into Still Alice.

Professors Panel Discussion

Tuesday, January 17, 7:00 pm

Rosenberg Library

Movie Night: Away From Her

Thursday January 26, 7:00 pm

Texas A&M, Galveston

Embracing Aging, Photographers to Speak

Saturday January 28, 6:00 pm

Rosenberg Library during Art Walk

Medical Forum

Thursday February 23, 6:00 pm

UTMB, Levin Hall

Author's Visit

Tuesday, March 6, 7:00 pm

Galveston College

Photography Exhibit: Embracing Aging

January-March, Monday-Saturday 9:00-6:00

Rosenberg Library, Harris Gallery

For more information click here

Mark Twain comes to Galveston

2011-12-01T10:18:00.000-08:00

at the Rosenberg Library

Thursday, Dec 1, 7:00 pm

Wortham Auditorium, First Floor

Rosenberg Library~2310 Sealy Street~Galveston, Texas~77550

Mark Twain 100 years later, performed by Dave Ehlert, a Branson, MO favorite for years. The Rosenberg Library invites you to spend an evening with one of America's greatest humorists, Mark Twain, in a live performance by professional entertainer Dave Ehlert.

A Branson, Missouri favorite for years, Ehlert's portrayal of Mark Twain centers on his many musings and famous quotations, such as, "The only sure things are death and taxes ... but at least death doesn't get worse every year!" Twain's life story wound around these quips, and he always placed a strong emphasis on literacy: "One who can read, but won't, has no advantage over one who can't."

Mr. Ehlert's goal is to perform his version of Mark Twain for libraries across the country and to date he has performed as America's Favorite Storyteller in fifteen states, charming diverse audiences with Twain's humor and wisdom.

Light refreshments will be served. This event is free and open to the public.

Video clips of Dave Ehlert as "Mark Twain"

Library Paves the Way

2011-08-05T13:40:00.000-07:00

With an innovative sidewalk repair solution, the Rosenberg Library is helping to pave the way to a greener Galveston.

In order to ensure a safe, level sidewalk and preserve vital tree roots while avoiding costly future repairs, a rubber sidewalk system, Terrewalks(TM), was installed in a section of sidewalk bordering Sealy Street.

Made of 100% recycled tires by California based and woman owned Rubbersidewalks Inc. Terrewalks(TM) interlocking modular tiles with a concrete look -courtesy of organic colorants- blend seamlessly with the library's traditional concrete sidewalk sections. ADA compliant and exceeding both ADA and OSHA wet and dry non-skid ratings, Galveston's first Terrewalks(TM) was installed by Alex Gonzalez of Creative Combinations, Inc. Working with an arborist, Gonzalez's crew brought roots and rubber together in an optimal balance.

Featured in an August 2006 story on NPR, Rubbersidewalks, Inc. was initially tested in 60 cities nationwide. Since that time, municipalities, engineers, architects, and a myriad of organizations report exceeded expectations and Terrewalks(TM) has received acclaim in publications ranging from professional and governmental journals to The USA Today and BusinessWeek.

The Galveston Daily News ran an article on the rubber sidewalk project and featured a picture of the actual installation process. The Library is the first entity in Galveston to utilize rubber sidewalks as a way to enhance safety, preserve precious trees and ensure a long-term economically viable solution to the issue of buckling sidewalks.

Handrails, Sidewalk Update, New Bike Racks on the Way

2011-07-01T12:59:00.000-07:00

Concrete repairs in front of the library's east (23rd Street) entrance are complete. The handrail on the new stairs has been installed. Both lower and upper stair handrails are colored a high gloss black.

The sidewalk along 23rd Street has reopened. Sidewalk repair and construction continues along Sealy Avenue. The above photo shows concrete being poured to replace a portion of the sidewalk near the 23rd and Sealy crosswalk.

Good news for our patrons opting for two-wheeled self-propelled transport as replacement bike racks will soon be installed. Bike racks are located between the Sealy parking lot and Pavilion as well as on the alley / Ball Street side of the building.

Happy Birthday, Henry Rosenberg!

2011-06-22T15:13:00.000-07:00

Rosenberg Library will celebrate the birth of Henry Rosenberg (6/22/1824), the library's namesake and benefactor. This year the library has adorned the bronze statue, located near the 23rd street east entrance, with a lei and party hat, provided by the Friends of the Rosenberg Library.

From the annals of Henry Rosenberg's red book, also known as: Henry Rosenberg, 1824-1893: to commemorate the gifts of Henry Rosenberg to Galveston. This book was published to commemorate the history of Henry's life and accomplishments and can be found at the Rosenberg Library.

From the preface to this book:

The people of Galveston honor the memory of Mr. Rosenberg; they are proud of him as a good citizen, and are grateful of heart for his fits and bequests. This has been shown by public honors and tributes in the days following his decease, by the annual celebration of Rosenberg Day for many years, by the fine heroic bronze statue acquired by popular subscription and placed in front of the Rosenberg Library in 1906, and by the care our people take to impress "their children and their children's children" with respect and gratitude to "Our Benefactor." The Rosenberg Library Board of Directors now deems it fitting to commemorate the public gifts and bequests of Henry Rosenberg by means of this volume. ~Rosenberg Memorial Book Committee (May,1918)

Poom Sunhachawi-Taylor
Rosenberg Library
Adult and Technical Services Manager

As published in the Wednesday, June 22, 2011 edition of Galveston County - The Daily News, p. B7

Stepping Safely into Summer Sidewalk Repair

2011-06-22T14:44:00.000-07:00

Step right up! We are pleased to report that the stairs leading to the 23rd Street (East side) entrance have been repaired and leveled.

The cement stair project, beginning the 11th of June, took less than one week to complete. Alternate entrance was offered via the first floor during the construction process. The new concrete stairway will provide access to the Library for years to come.

Safety handrails are being fabricated and will be installed very soon.

Current construction at the Rosenberg Library is focused on ensuring our patrons can safely navigate the perimeter of the building and entrance. With the stairs completed, the sidewalk repair project is now in full swing. The unlevel grade and tilted pavement is being removed and replaced.

Rosenberg Restored--Phase IV

2011-04-06T09:01:00.000-07:00

Community members are invited to the Rosenberg Library to admire the recent interior renovations which returned many of the architectural and design elements of the historic Rosenberg Wing to their original luster. The Rosenberg Restored--Phase IV celebration will take place Saturday, April 30th at the library from 6:00-8:30PM to coincide with ArtWalk. Exciting new museum displays will be unveiled, including interactive exhibits for children. Musical entertainment will be provided in the Grand Hallway and refreshments will be served.

Visitors arriving through the 23rd Street entrance are afforded a broad view of some of the sweeping changes. The space has been brightened up with fresh paint similar to the original color scheme of the interior and plaster repairs to the walls and ceiling. Refurbished marble staircases leading to the third floor museum area and meeting rooms flank the Grand Hallway. Dramatic improvements have also been made to the McCullough Room; the original ceiling, windows and wood floor were restored. Historically appropriate lighting fixtures have been added throughout the second and third floors. New carpeting, lights and Golden Oak furniture warm the atmosphere in the Gibson Room where visitors can read or hop onto the library’s Wi-Fi. The Friends of the Library have expanded shelving for stocking gently used books at discount prices in the old cage area. The museum is proud to showcase the bell from Mission Concepción in San Antonio, now housed in the Grand Hallway.

Improvements continue on the third floor of the Rosenberg Wing with new carpeting, paint, lighting, and refinished wood throughout. Perhaps most noticeable of the third floor building enhancements will be the reopening of the Fox Room. Natural light accentuates the freshly installed quarter-saw longleaf pine flooring, professionally refurbished paneling, Hunter-Douglas window blinds, and new meeting room furniture. The Fox Room will also feature a historically appropriate lighting system including newly created mahogany torchiere floor lamps. Community members will be able to reserve this room for meetings.

While construction has been ongoing, the museum staff has been busy revamping the Galveston: Treasure Isle of the Gulf exhibit in the Lykes Gallery and preparing to reopen the Pottery of the Americas exhibit in the Hutchings Gallery. Two new displays will accompany the refashioned museum space. The third floor hallway gallery will feature an exhibit on legendary glass-maker René Lalique. Several Lalique pieces from the Rosenberg Library’s famed museum collection will be on display, including the exquisite Vase Bacchantes. The Harris Gallery will showcase a solo exhibit of artist Clyde Harold Wortham. His talents as an oil painter are exemplified by numerous vibrant still life paintings.

Visitors will be able to feel some of the improvements that have been made to the HVAC system. The 1960s and 1970s era air handlers and chillers have been upgraded to provide enhanced climate control throughout the building and to protect the library’s incomparable archive and museum collections from island humidity. A state-of-the-art storage space was also built for the museum’s paintings which will help preserve them for future generations to enjoy.

The Rosenberg Library was established by a generous bequest from Henry Rosenberg upon his death in 1893. Eames & Young of St. Louis was chosen as the architectural design firm by the library’s Board of Directors in 1901 and construction began in October of 1902. The building was dedicated on June 22, 1904, Henry Rosenberg’s birthday, and is constructed of brick, stone and terra cotta in the style of the Italian Renaissance. The library has undergone many renovations over the years, including the addition of the Moody Wing in the early 1970s.

Executive Director John Augelli has overseen a number of important construction projects during his tenure at the Rosenberg Library as well as multiple large and small-scale building improvement projects at other libraries over the course of his career. Prior to Hurricane Ike in 2008, extensive repairs and enhancements had just been completed on the exterior of the building. The library’s Board of Directors was honored by the Galveston Historical Foundation with the Sally B. Wallace Award in 2009 for its exceptional dedication to historical preservation on the exterior improvement project. Following the hurricane, efforts were made to replace and relocate all of the critical building systems that could be moved to the upper floors of the building and upgrade large portions of the ceiling and lighting systems in the Moody Wing. This recent round of renovations to the Rosenberg Wing interior is the most significant the building has undergone in the library’s history. These upgrades have been made possible by the Houston Endowment, the Bush-Clinton Coastal Recovery Fund, the Harris and Eliza Kempner Fund, a bequest from Hugh and Evalyn Gibson, as well as many donations from other foundations and patrons.

The project architects for the Phase IV renovations are from the firm of Ford, Powell & Carson (FPC), which has been involved in numerous historical renovations on Galveston Island and elsewhere in Texas, including the Alamo and the Texas State Capitol building. The general contractor on the Phase IV renovation work is the Galveston-based company Building Solutions. Looking forward, the Board of Directors and staff, along with FPC, are currently finalizing plans to rebuild the first floor of the building, which will include flood control measures to provide protection from future damage.

The library would like to celebrate the hard work that has gone into revitalizing this valuable community asset and thank its library patrons for their patience during the construction process with the Rosenberg Restored--Phase IV event. Please contact library Administration at 409-763-8854 x121 with questions or visit the library’s website: http://www.rosenberg-library.org/.

By: Maurine Nichols
Rosenberg Library
409.763.8854 x118

Rosenberg Library to Open on Mondays

2011-04-06T08:46:00.000-07:00

Beginning Monday, April 4th, the Rosenberg Library will be open six days a week, Monday through Saturday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. In preparation for its expanded hours, the library has added several new staff members in recent months. The Rosenberg Library is currently open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Since Hurricane Ike, the library’s Board of Directors and staff have worked hard to reestablish and, in some areas, even exceed the level of service provided pre-Ike despite a smaller operating budget, fewer staff members, and the total devastation of the first floor of the building. Adding a full day to its hours of operation marks another important milestone in the library’s efforts to improve service to Galveston Island residents.

Visitors to the library are encouraged to take advantage of the facility’s many resources including the latest print and electronic books, magazines, DVDs, and CDs, free wireless internet access, a computer lab, reading areas, and exceptional museum and archive collections. The library also regularly offers youth programs and computer skills classes. Please visit the Rosenberg Library website for more information about its collections, services and upcoming events: http://www.rosenberg-library.org/.

By:
Maurine Sweeney
Special Projects Librarian
Rosenberg Library

Gibson Reading Room Renovation

2011-02-23T12:27:00.000-08:00

Photo by John Augelli

Green lamps with outlets, in the newly renovated Gibson Reading Room

Down Came the Walls

2011-02-17T15:19:00.000-08:00

One word has been whispered, spoken, and even exclaimed more than any other at the Rosenberg Library this week: “Wow!”

On Tuesday, February 15, 2011, all entering the library were greeted by a renovated and open space void of the particle board, plastic tarp, and steel frame construction barrier walls.

Over Valentine’s Day weekend, the temporary walls standing guard between the Gibson Reading Room and the old cage area during renovations came down. The response of staff and patrons has been unanimous…we love it!

This phase of renovations has opened up the grand hallway between the north and south staircases. The regal marble flooring continues from entryway to just before the Gibson Rooms at which point a semi-rotunda of marble meets new sage vintage vine patterned carpeting.

With the walls of renovation removed, the Gibson Reading Room and old cage area (Gibson North) mirror each other, reflecting classic warmth and one-of-a-kind wood column partitions that were constructed from the original paneling of, and based upon the design of, the 3rd floor Fox Room’s original children’s department. The magazines and periodicals will move back from the old cage room into the Gibson Reading Room. The Friends of the Library book sale items will soon find a home in Gibson North (old cage).

Cherry Oak blinds now grace the windows of our 2nd floor children’s and circulation departments as well as the Gibson rooms. The floor in the reference section now sports crisp, slate colored carpeting. Renovations continue on the 3rd floor, though the Morgan Room, ideal for small group meetings, is once again open, and reservations for using the Morgan Room can be made online.

To complete flooring renovations on the 2nd level, the marble tiles will be polished and finished on Saturday, February 19th. The Rosenberg Library will be closing at 5:30pm to complete the marble floor preservation process.

A New Phase!

2010-12-21T13:59:00.000-08:00

Renovations at the library have taken a new turn! This last Monday, the Rosenberg Library switched to a new phase in the renovations schedule. The Gibson North room (cage area) has been reopened to the public while the Gibson Reading Room has been closed for further renovation work. Patrons can now view the beautiful new archway in the newly opened space, new carpeting, freshly painted walls, and fully restored original Rosenberg Library tables and chairs. The archway, which will also be mirrored in the Gibson Reading Room, follows the designs for the woodwork in the historic children's department on the third floor (now the Fox Room which is also currently being restored). The McCullough room is still under construction, but the stairway leading to the third floor has also been fully restored. All the old carpet has been ripped up to reveal the beautiful original marble.

Heber Taylor, editor of the Galveston Daily News, wrote a gleaming article about the success of the ongoing restoration projects at the Rosenberg Library in the Sunday, December 19 edition of the Daily News. Mr. Taylor encourages all residents of the island to stop by the library to "boost morale" and see where the project is headed. To see the article and pictures of some of the restoration work, including wainscoting in the McCullough Room, visit here: http://galvestondailynews.com/story/199078/

Restoration work will still continue at the library until tentatively March. Please, just as Mr. Taylor suggested, stop by and see our progress! We're all extremely excited about the new changes. Thank you for being part of the oldest public library in the state of Texas. We apologize for the inconveniences of the construction activities, and we appreciate your patience as we revitalize our beautiful historic structure. Happy Holidays from all of us at the Rosenberg Library!

Holiday Season at the Rosenberg Library

2010-12-10T11:22:00.000-08:00

The Holidays are upon us, and our Christmas trees are up. The Circulation desk has stockings, lights and decorations from tinsel to toys and trains. Bells, poinsettias, and tinsel galore, the Rosenberg Library has the Holidays planned and more!

Upcoming children's programs:

Kids!
Breakfast with Santa
December 11
10:30 am
Elves Workshop
2:30 pm

All events are free!

Coming December 23:
Live Performance! Frosty the Snowman

For more infomation click here.

Interior Renovations & Restoration

2010-10-07T11:47:00.000-07:00

Started in July 2010
Summer & Fall 2010 Project
Our 2010 building improvement project will focus on the restoration of the second and third floors of the Rosenberg Wing of the building and will include major HVAC and museum storage upgrades. The scope of the restoration work will encompass painting and plaster repairs to the Grand Hallway, Founder's Room, historical staircases, the complete renovation of the Gibson Reading Room, cage area, McCullough Meeting Room, Fox Meeting Room, new carpeting for the Rosenberg Wing second and third floor hallways, replacement of the building's aging chillers and the ancient air handlers in the Rosenberg Wing attic with new energy efficient equipment and the creation of better climate controlled storage spaces for our museum collections.

This round of interior improvements is being funded by generous grants from the Houston Endowment, the Bush-Clinton Coastal Recovery Fund, the Harris and Eliza Kempner Fund, a bequest from Hugh & Evalyn Gibson, as well as many donations from other foundations and patrons.

Thank you for being a part of the oldest public library in the state of Texas. We apologize for the inconvenience of the construction activities, and we appreciate your patience as we revitalize our beautiful historic structure.

Details:
Fox Room (3rd floor)
Gibson Reading Room (Main floor)
Gibson North (Main floor)
Grand Hall (Main - floor)
Lykes Gallery (3rd floor)
McCullough Room (Main floor)

Snapshot Day at the Rosenberg Library

2010-05-08T13:06:00.000-07:00

This past Wednesday, May 5th, the Rosenberg Library participated in Texas Library Snapshot Day. The purpose of this state-wide event is to capture information about the broad spectrum of visitors and activities taking place in libraries every day. In order to put together a “snapshot” of a typical day at our library, staff collected surveys, kept statistics and took pictures throughout the day.

On a single day, the library recorded approximately 670 visits! These numbers have been climbing steadily since the library reopened and island residents and visitors have heard that we’re back in business. Many of the people who came in on Wednesday took the time to fill out a brief survey on how they used the library. Forty percent of all respondents reported coming in for entertainment--to check out books, to take in toddler story time, or for a tour of the museum. People also came to the library to use computers for job searches or internet access, for programs such as the Basic Computer Class, to peruse our collection of current newspapers and magazines and to get help finding information or doing in-depth research. On a typical day our trained staff fields hundreds of questions ranging from information about local events, library policies, help finding books for children and adults, history of the library itself, and genealogical research.

Here’s a sample of comments left by survey respondents:

“Have been using this library for 40 years. Been to libraries all over the states and have found [Rosenberg Library] to be the most user friendly and the staff to be the most courteous! RL also has most up-to-date and new books.”

“Our library is a wonderful asset to the community. I enjoy reading and can always find several books.”

“Wonderful and diverse selection, great and friendly staff. 3rd floor museum and Galveston & Texas History Center are excellent … for inspiring new interests and understanding local history.”

"The Rosenberg Library is indeed an important and vital source of education and entertainment of the city of Galveston. It is one of its essential assets, a wondeful place to visit over and over again. A deep thanks to Mr. Rosenberg, a man of vision and goodness."

And a sincere thanks to all of the library visitors and staff who helped out on Snapshot Day and who work every day to make the Rosenberg Library a special place.

Augelli named 2010 Librarian of the Year at Texas Library Association

2010-04-15T11:34:00.000-07:00

John Augelli, executive director of the Rosenberg Library, was recognized as Librarian of the Year at the Texas Library Association conference in San Antonio on April 15. The award is given annually to a TLA member who exhibits extraordinary leadership or service within the library community.

Many members of the Galveston library community were present to applaud Mr. Augelli as he accepted the award. Present were: Karen Stanley, Barbara Arnold, Poom Taylor, Margaret Scofellia, Mary Perroni, Shelley Leader and several other Houston/Galveston librarians attending TLA in San Antonio.

During Hurricane Ike, Augelli weathered the storm in the building and spent the night, protecting key pieces of equipment and resources. Despite devastating damage to the first floor where the Children’s Room, Circulation, Technical Services, and Operations were housed, the library’s historical collections and artifacts remained safe. Because of his quick action after the storm to bring in specialists to remove the water and reduce the temperature and humidity in the building, the extent of the damage was controlled with no visible evidence of mold or other damage to the famous archival collections.

Restoration of library services to the Galveston community was his top priority, and the library’s operations staff worked temporarily out of his home. Library staff offered innovative new services such as “Books to Go” and pulled requested items from the collection.

Augelli has willingly shared his experiences in disaster preparedness and recovery with other library and museum officials at conferences and through national publications. He has been an active fundraiser for the library and has diligently worked to provide the residents of Galveston with needed library and information services.

“John Augelli is a hero who has earned the respect of his peers in the Texas library community. His advance preparations and his decisive response to this critical situation are testimonials to his leadership,” said Patricia Smith, executive director of TLA. “We are thrilled to recognize him as our Librarian of the Year for 2010.”

###

About the Texas Library Association
The Texas Library Association is the largest state library association in the United States with approximately 7,000 members who work in public, school, academic and special libraries, plus library vendors and citizens who support libraries. Founded in 1902, TLA offers a wide range of services, including an annual conference that attracts more than 7,500 librarians and exhibitors, a leadership development program, continuing education, legislative advocacy, and publications. For more information, see www.txla.org.

Rosenberg Library launches rockets, spring planting and beads....

2010-02-16T15:21:00.000-08:00

Mardi Gras culminates in beads for Henry Rosenberg, the founder of this institution. Look carefully, and legend has it, that beads will adorn Henry on Mardi Gras Tuesday.

The library closed early at 2 pm on Feb. 13th, in anticipation of the big Knights of Momus Grand Night Parade in the Strand district, downtown Galveston.

Spring also brings new palm trees, live oaks and landscaping for the Rosenberg Library. Within the week, several tree stumps were ground down and new trees arrived and were quickly planted. Gone are the oleanders, which served their time, and along came the new vegetation.

This spring, the Galveston Reads committee also launched the season with model rockets by the Austin Middle School Rocket Club , spearheaded by Mr. McAdams. On a cold, clear day on the beach, at Seawall and 11th Street, promptly at 11:00 AM, the Austin Middle School Rocket Club successfully launched 15 Estes model rockets.

Book Browsers Return to the Rosenberg Library

2009-11-21T11:47:00.000-08:00

The Rosenberg Library reopened the second floor of the Moody Wing and the computer lab on the Mezzanine on July 11, 2009. Many book browsers celebrated the reopening of the adult book stacks by attending the celebration and returning in large numbers in the days that followed. Searching for books by title, author or subject online was not what many readers wanted when the stacks were closed. Just being able to locate a subject area by Dewey Decimal number, actually view the books, open them, and browse among the stacks was sorely missed by library readers. Longfellow said it best: “The love of learning, the sequestered nooks, and all the sweet serenity of books.”
Since the reopening, the library has been very busy with many returning patrons browsing materials and using the computer lab.
The reopening celebration included an art exhibit in the McCullough Room with artwork from the Museum collection that featured such artists as Winslow Homer, Edvard Munch, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir, included were local artists such as Boyer Gonzales and Julius Stockfleth.
On display were historic photographs from the library’s Galveston and Texas History Center of various rooms in the Rosenberg Wing which was built in the 1900s. These historical photos were placed near the entrances to the actual rooms so that patrons could see what the rooms looked like – a virtual “then” and “now”. The Dorian String Quartet played in the future Gibson Reading Room. Members of the Quartet generously, some with library connections generously volunteered their talents to the Rosenberg Library. The Treasure of the Month - foot stocks from an early Galveston county jail - was unveiled on the Mezzanine level. The children’s department unveiled their collection, and sponsored a treasure hunt along with featuring Biscuit, a character from Alyssa Satin Capucilli’s beginning reader’s series of books. Thanks to the Mosquito Café for cookies, food, and their refreshing papaya mint iced tea.

The evening culminated with drawings for prizes that were prepared by the Galveston and Texas History Center and the Museum staff.

Books Back on the Bolivar Peninsula

2009-03-13T15:33:00.000-07:00

March 10, 2009

Books Back on the Bolivar Peninsula

Rosenberg library’s outreach services, the Extension Department, headed back to the Bolivar to resume providing books for young readers on the Bolivar Peninsula after Hurricane Ike. Crenshaw Elementary/Middle School received books for children and young adults. Although the Children’s Department at the Rosenberg Library has suffered damage, many new books have been purchased and are ready to be checked out by the students on the peninsula. Principal Bill Heuman and librarian Michael Guss have facilitated the return of the Rosenberg Library’s Extension Services. These books will supplement the library at Crenshaw School.

Taking the ferry across to the Bolivar Peninsula on Tuesday morning, Rosenberg library staff member, Marilyn delivered 30 children’s books and several young adult books. The landing on the peninsula was uneventful, some debris on the side of the roads, one house upside down, were noted, but, overall, the Bolivar seemed to be on the rebound.

At Crenshaw School, the elevators were not working, 48 students returned on February 4, 2009 and enrollment is now up to 68 students ranging from pre-kindergarten to 8th grade. Approximately 10 teachers have returned, with Principal Heuman and some administrative staff. The phone lines were not yet working, but, data lines have been restored, and staff can be contacted via email or cell phones.

Principal Heuman reported that the electrical systems were not damaged by the storm. The building is also housing the fireman in the band hall and the EMS staff in the dance hall. Of the 6,000 plus homes on the Bolivar, it seems there are only 1,000 or so remaining.

Rosenberg Library Extension Services delivered the books to the 6th grade students. Library staff left the young readers with some Caldecott, Bluebonnet and Coretta Scott King award winners. Most of the young adult books are for readers up to 8th grade level. The school librarian, Mr. Guss, recommended the Newbery Award winners, for the young teens along with scary, romantic, or mystery novels. Library staff selected and brought several over from the isle of Galveston’s Rosenberg Library.

Bikers Rally for Rosenberg Library

2009-01-31T08:39:00.000-08:00

Starbucks in Friendswood and Bikers donated $331.00 to the Rosenberg Library on a cold winter night, in Southeast Houston on Friday, January 30th, 2009.

The rally began on FM 518 and 528, at the Starbucks Friendswood drive-thru. Alicia, our barista extraordinaire, arranged for the group to sample tea and coffee in 5 Starbucks.

Instrumental in the fundraising were the CMA Bikers' group, Christian Motorcyclists Association in donating and running this service outreach to the Rosenberg Library in Galveston, Texas. Two groups noticed were the Lighthouse Riders and the Christ Riders out of Texas City and Pearland. Thanks to the Lighthouse Riders for hosting this fundraiser, and all the bikers who came out and participated.

The next morning, several CMA bikers came out to Galveston to aid the homeless on Winnie and 19th Street. The library staff welcomed them to the Rosenberg Library with a tour of the History Center and Museum.

Thank you so much to the CMA group, and Starbucks, esp. Alicia from Friendswood, for their support of Galveston and the library.

Santa Visits the Rosenberg Library

2008-12-19T08:07:00.000-08:00

Santa Claus arrived early at the Rosenberg Library to celebrate the joys of Christmas with young patrons. Youngsters enjoyed a holiday theme storytime a personal visit with the jolly old man in red and a free book courtesy of the S.M.A.R.T. Family Literacy Project. Many children dressed up for the occasion and parents took the opportunity to take memorable photos. Visits took place on December 6, December 9, and December 18. In the photo Karen Stanley, Children’s Department head and Santa hand out a gift book.

Rosenberg Library Reports at D8 CyFair

2008-10-21T09:34:00.000-07:00

At District 8, Texas Library Association meeting at CyFair College, on Saturday, October 18th, with 150 librarians in attendance, Poom Taylor reported that:

Rosenberg Library continues to offer services in stages as conditions permit. The library building is not open to the public.

Many thanks to HALS for helping the library with Texpress costs.

· Patrons may now request books for pick up
· Return materials
· Schedule a story time to be held at an offsite location with Children’s dept
· Extension Services will resume outreach for homebound patrons
· The Galveston and Texas History Center, a nationally recognized collection, and the Museum suffered no damage in Hurricane Ike. Special Collections staff is daily monitoring conditions in the archives vault and the Museum storage areas and galleries. There have been no signs of mold infestation in any of these areas.
· Library databases are up
· Library website up
· Library blog up
· Systems up, electrical, alarms, some phone lines
“Books to Go” offers patrons an opportunity to continue their reading habits. Library card holders will be able to check out 3 items at a time by requesting the items via the Rosenberg Library’s online catalog.

Financial contributions to help offset the expenses the Library is facing may be mailed to Rosenberg Library, 2310 Sealy Avenue, Galveston, TX 77550. Checks may be made payable to Rosenberg Library. Due to constraints on space and staff, the Rosenberg Library would appreciate monetary donations only. Our website is up, and donations through PayPal will be appreciated. Your contribution will be fully tax deductible up to the maximum allowed by IRS regulations. The Rosenberg Library is a 501(C)3 non-profit organization.

Rosenberg Library Recovers~

2008-10-01T15:39:00.000-07:00

Many of our staff are back, and checking on our home library. Louise was checking on the books in the attic, department heads were planning and helping our core survivors, director John Augelli, Carol Wood and Michele Quinn.

Post Ike Rosenberg Library is in full recovery mode, with Service Masters and AMS contractors helping us to restore the first floor.

We checked on the library van, which is fine, pulled books from our book drop, over at the Moody Methodist Church, with one molded book: Water for Elephants! Of all the items we recovered, just this one had mold, with such an inauspicious title, filled with water, flooded with water, and... more water, everywhere. But, we do ask that our patrons, please hold on to your books. We will waive fines, and take into consideration water damage.

Girl with turtle, nicknamed Geraldine, was saved. She was filled with water, we had to get her drained, and our statue, too, survived.

Our skink, Rose, is also thriving, at the home of our Children's Librarian, Karen.

1. Basement windows survived, only some panes damaged.

2. Rosenberg Library's book drop and van

3. Girl without turtle statue, the aforementioned Geraldine

4. Side view of the Rosenberg Library, from the Ball Ave alley

5. Leather chair amongst debris on Ball Ave alley from the Rosenberg Library

South Porch Stairs

2008-08-08T14:38:00.000-07:00

Phase II Construction on South Porch of the Rosenberg Library.

Stoddard Construction is back, and will be demolishing the cement retaining wall. This will uncover the stairs, allowing access to the south porch, on the Rosenberg's Sealy Ave.

Work began on Thursday, August 07 and seemed to be completed by Friday.

New Railing on South Porch

2008-07-24T09:27:00.000-07:00

New railing was installed on the south porch, on the Sealy Street side of the Rosenberg Library. The cement pieces were replaced due to corrosion of the metal pins.

Ready to Read on the Bolivar Peninsula~

2008-06-05T16:10:00.001-07:00

Rosenberg library staff were on hand to kickoff the summer for young readers on the Bolivar Peninsula. Coordinators on the Bolivar side were: Gerry Lang, Susan Shafer, Bill Heuman(Principal at Crenshaw Elementary/Middle School).

Shannon Greene and Marilyn Lyons from the Rosenberg Library's Extension Department distributed books for children ages 1-18 years. Thanks to Karen Stanley and Barbara Arnold of the Rosenberg's Children's department for taking pictures and supporting the Bolivar Summer Reading Program with Reading Logs and prizes.

Kudos to all the people mentioned above who made this happen, today!

This reading program was the brainchild of Gerry Lang and thanks to John Augelli and Bill Heuman for their enthusiastic support. The Seamless Summer Feeding Program is scheduled for June through August in Bolivar. The Feeding Program is federally funded through GISD.

TAM Reception at Rosenberg

2008-04-07T07:09:00.000-07:00

The Texas Association of Museums Annual Meeting is a yearly conference which offers programs on current developments in the museum field for staff, trustees, and volunteers from museums of all sizes and disciplines, and provides a forum in which to meet colleagues. Participants attend professional sessions which explain and debate the wide spectrum of issues facing the museum world.
The 2008 TAM Annual Meeting, March 25th-28th, explored the ways that museums can prepare for a future with an unpredictable forecast. Presentation topics included natural disasters and emergency preparedness, funding, security, and technology.
The Rosenberg Library hosted a reception Wednesday night honoring those who serve as board members and directors for museums throughout the state of Texas.

By Nikkie Ferre

Galveston County Reads Announces Short List for 2009

2008-03-06T07:54:00.000-08:00

Community invited to vote.

Galveston County Reads announces the short list of candidates for the sixth year of the community wide book club. In the spirit of the electoral process, the voting will be open to the public this year. Copies of the books are available at local public libraries, including Rosenberg Library, and at area bookstores. The committee is a volunteer organization that invites your participation. To cast your vote or become a committee member, please email Karen Stanley at kstanley@rosenberg-library.org or call 409.763.8854 x119. Voting ends April 25, so start reading and join the discussion.

Following are the book nominations for the 2009 season:

The Glass Castle
By Jeannette Walls
In The Glass Castle, Jeannette Walls takes us on a journey of her childhood that begins with setting herself on fire at the age of three while cooking hot dogs on the gas stove and ends with her struggle to create a sane, stable life for herself. Walls expertly develops the characters in the book, slowly revealing bits and parts of their personalities to help the reader understand what drives their bizarre actions. High praise for any novel, but The Glass Castle is a memoir and the characters are the members of the Walls family. As she chronicles the often terrifying events of her childhood, Walls shares intimate glimpses of the family. Fleeing town in the middle of the night so often that no place can ever become “home,” being taught to hold your nose in order to stomach eating rotten ham and barely surviving a ride in the back of a u-haul with the doors flapping open as the parents obliviously ride in the safety of the cab are just a few examples. Many of the images Walls shares are horrifying, yet they are balanced with humor, hope and a belief in the ability of individuals to rise above struggle, adversity and even deprivation to discover who they truly are. The Glass Castle takes the reader to a new understanding of mental illness and homelessness, but also illustrates the power of familial love even in the most dysfunctional setting. Book available in paperback, hardback, Large Type, CD and cassette.

Orxy and Crake
By Margaret Atwood
Reviewers have called Orxy and Crake a work of science fiction that is more like Jonathan Swift than Robert Heinlein because there are no flying cars in this book. Although it is set in the future there are already parallels that can be drawn between the events in the world of this novel and those in the real world today. The narrator, Jimmy, who calls himself Snowman, may be the last human alive. In flashbacks, he tells the reader of the events that lead up to his present circumstances. Margaret Atwood, a talented Canadian author, spins a great narrative that includes genetic engineering, an unknown apocalyptic event and an ending that allows for intriguing speculation. This book is a vast departure from other Galveston County Reads selections and from titles on the list this year. However, it is a masterfully written thriller that has lots of dark humor and endless possibilities for discussion. It is available in hardback, paperback, audio and download. May also have limited availability in Spanish.

Water for Elephants
By Sara Gruen
Water for Elephants is a novel told in flashback by Jacob Jankowski, now in his nineties and spending his days in a nursing home. Jacob takes readers back into the Depression when he was a young man preparing for veterinary exams at Cornell. Jacob receives the sad news of his parents’ demise and finds himself facing a mental breakdown. Jacob flees school and his old life to join the circus where he’s hired to care for the animals. Jacob learns the inner workings of circus life, falls in love, and begins to understand himself a little better in his new and strange surroundings. This is a beautiful and well-written historical novel that will likely touch the reader by the emotional honesty and depth of Jacob. Book available in paperback, hardback, Large Type, CD and Spanish, Aqua Para Elefantes

The Worst Hard Time: The untold story of those who survived the Great American Dust Bowl
By Timothy EganTimothy Egan, a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, has brought to life the heartbreak and hardships endured by the families that attempted to eke out a living in the American Great Plains during the extensive drought of the 1930s. Through interviews with survivors and the use of newspaper accounts, journals, and letters written at the time, Egan provides moving portraits of several families struggling to exist while watching their farms blow away. Much of the action is centered around Dalhart, Texas, one of the hardest hit areas in the 400 million acre dust bowl. Egan examines government policies on homesteading, water, and wheat subsidies during the wars as well as farming practices of the times as contributing factors to the disaster, prompting the necessary discussion of water policies that will haunt our near future. Informative, moving, and highly readable, this book is available in hardcover, paperback, audio CD, audio download, MP3 CD, and Kindle book formats.

Mardi Gras in Galveston

2008-02-07T06:49:00.001-08:00

Here in Galveston, Mardi Gras is celebrated for two weeks, leading up to:
Super Fat Tuesday!
There were parades, beads and pets galore.
Thanks to John Augelli for the pictures of the Bows and Meauxes(dogs and cats parade).

February Treasure of the Month

2008-02-01T07:13:00.000-08:00

During the month of February, the Rosenberg Library will exhibit a selection of vintage Mardi Gras ball gown sketches. The colorful sketches, dating from 1938 through 1949, were prepared by fashion designers at the Emile Robin studio in San Antonio, Texas. Robin was a well known interior decorator, set designer, and float manufacturer in San Antonio during the first half of the twentieth century. In addition to creating spectacular costumes for Galveston’s Mardi Gras, Emile Robin and his brother, Marcel, designed and built many of the parade floats used for San Antonio’s famous Fiesta celebrations. The French-born brothers trained at the illustrious École des Beaux-Arts in Paris.

Galveston’s first Mardi Gras celebration was held in 1867. Events included lavish masquerade balls, elaborate theatrical performances, and grand parades. Mardi Gras was discontinued during the time of World War II, but it resumed in 1949. City-sponsored Mardi Gras celebrations ended after the mid-1950s because they were too expensive to continue.

In 1985, Galvestonians George and Cynthia Mitchell launched a revival of Mardi Gras, and it has been a great success for the past twenty years. The twelve-day event still includes the traditional street parades, theatrical performances, and galas. However, art exhibits, live music, and sporting events have also become part of the Mardi Gras celebration. Today, more than a dozen krewes participate in the festivities.

The Rosenberg Library Treasure of the Month exhibit is located in the first floor lobby. The costume sketches will be on display throughout the month of February. For more information, please contact Eleanor Clark at 763-8854, ext. 125.

Window Wells Update~

2008-01-15T07:10:00.000-08:00

Down here in Technical Services, the windows are in and letting the light shine through!

The grates are installed, with beautiful rosettes decorating the center pieces.

Note the touch of green framing, all over the Library windows!

January Treasure of the Month

2008-01-02T09:32:00.000-08:00

Photo: Iron tsuba decorated with bamboo and a tiger in gold in bronze.

Japanese Tsubas

During the month of January, the Rosenberg Library will display an assortment of Japanese tsubas, or sword guards, from the museum collection. These tsubas are fashioned from iron or brass, and many are beautifully decorated with intricate silver or gold inlaid designs. The tsubas were collected by Mr. George Sealy II and were donated to the library in 1940.

A tsuba is the protective hand guard plate of a Japanese sword. The tsuba served several functional purposes. First, it kept the blade and the hilt of the sword in balance. Second, it prevented an opponent’s blade from injuring the sword holder’s hand. Third, the tsuba helped the warrior guide his weapon back into its scabbard.

Tsubas were also means of communicating a warrior’s social status. The designs chosen often signified one’s clan, school, or belief system. Tsubas were made by skilled artisans whose sole vocation was the crafting of these sword guards. Often tsubas were lavishly ornamented and were passed down as heirlooms by one generation to the next. Sometimes a family crest was used as part of the design on a tsuba. Other motifs that appear on tsuba are animals, plants, mythological figures, or religious images.

In its simplest form, the tsuba was a plain, unadorned plate. Many tsuba were quite a bit more embellished and featured surface texturing, elaborate openwork designs, and decorative inlay or overlay. Styles were primarily determined by the time period, region, and the artist who fashioned the tsuba. The oldest tsubas date back to the 14th century Japan when fighting between feudal lords and powerful clans was a regular occurrence. Tsubas from this era were usually made of durable iron and had very basic designs. By the 19th century, however, tsubas were mainly used for personal adornment and were decorated with precious metals like gold or silver.

The Rosenberg Library Treasure of the Month can be viewed Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The artifacts will be on display in the main lobby, located on the library’s first floor. For more information, please contact Eleanor Clark at 409-763-8854, ext. 125 or at eclark@rosenberg-library.org.

Galveston: Treasure Island of the Gulf

2007-12-28T10:29:00.000-08:00

Galveston: Treasure Island of the Gulf, an exhibition featuring hundreds of artifacts, photographs, and other memorabilia from our city’s past, is now on display at the Rosenberg Library. This exhibit explores the unique history of Galveston Island from the time of its founding through the present day.

Visitors can view Karankawa Indian artifacts and learn about some of the early European explorers who navigated the waters along the Gulf coast. One of the most significant items on display is the surveyor’s equipment used by John D. Groesbeck in the original platting of the city in 1838.

The exhibit also examines Galveston during the Republic of Texas era (1836-1845) and during the Civil War (1861-1865). Items of interest from this period include a sword, telescope, and compass that belonged to Captain Norman Hurd of the Texas Navy. Historic munitions from the Civil War, including two cannon balls and a shell fragment from the Battle of Galveston, are displayed. Visitors will especially appreciate an ornate steel and brass officer’s sword that belonged to a Civil War colonel. Artifacts related to the cotton industry, tourism, and immigration are also included in Galveston: Treasure Island of the Gulf.

A silver presentation cup that was awarded to Samuel May Williams for his outstanding cotton crop in 1832 is one the oldest artifacts in the exhibit. Vintage postcards and other memorabilia from the island’s days as an entertainment mecca show images of some of the most famous nightclubs once located on the island. The Hollywood Dinner Club, the Sui Jen Café, and the Balinese Room once hosted world-class performers like Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, and Bob Hope. In addition to dozens of artifacts, more than 130 historic photographs and documents are on display as part of the exhibition. Photos of the Strand and Harborside from the early 1860s through the 1920s can be seen along with artifacts from some of the city’s early businesses. An 1899 Rosenberg Bank deposit book, a 19th century tea box from Focke, Wilkens, and Lange, and antique milk bottles from Star Dairy are featured in the show.

Images from the 1900 Storm as well as photographs of the grade raising and construction of the seawall document the overwhelming challenges faced by Galvestonians after the one of the greatest natural disasters in U.S. history. Artifacts related to this era in Galveston’s past include the gold and ivory pen used to sign the grade raising bill in 1901. Visitors of all ages will enjoy taking a step back into the past and examining relics from some of the most significant events in the history of the island.

Galveston: Treasure Island of the Southwest is located in the James M. Lykes Maritime Gallery on the third floor of Rosenberg Library. It is open to the public Monday through Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm. Admission is free of charge.

December Treasure of the Month

2007-12-28T08:05:00.000-08:00

Photo Caption: 1898 magic lantern slide projector. Manufactured by Ernst Plank, Nuremberg, Germany. Gift of Marjorie Runge Kelso, 1995.
Magic Lanterns

During the month of December, the Rosenberg Library will display an antique magic lantern with thirteen original glass slides. This magic lantern, an early type of slide projector, was made in Nuremberg, Germany in 1898 by the Plank Company. The slides depict various scenes, from daily life in a European village, to fairy tale characters, to biblical tableaus.

Magic lanterns are the ancestors to modern slide projectors. Athanasius Kirchner, a Jesuit priest, is credited with inventing the first magic lantern in 1671. The device consisted of a box containing an oil lamp which illuminated painted glass slides through a lens. The images on the slides were projected onto a screen or a wall and were magnified to appear much larger.

By the 1800s, magic lantern slide shows had become wildly popular forms of entertainment. Projectionists would travel from town to town, hosting shows for eager audiences. Themes of the shows varied widely, but military feats, cartoons, fairy tales, and bible stories were among the most common.

While early slides were hand-painted by skilled artists, the invention of photography allowed for the inexpensive creation and mass production of slides for magic lantern projectors. Photographic slides of famous landmarks, foreign lands, and important people were readily available for viewing. Many of these slides were sold in series, and were used to convey uplifting stories or to teach moral lessons.

After the invention of moving pictures in the late nineteenth century, the market for magic lanterns began to dwindle, and production of the projectors and slides finally ceased in the 1940s. Today, surviving magic lanterns and slides are highly sought after by collectors.

The Rosenberg Library Treasure of the Month can be viewed Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The artifacts will be on display in the main lobby, located on the library’s first floor. For more information, please contact Eleanor Clark at 409-763-8854, ext. 125 or at eclark@rosenberg-library.org.

SACRED SPACES

2007-10-12T11:52:00.000-07:00

John H. and John A., former and current Rosenberg Library Directors at the reception

Cake with church painting

New England Church by Dr. Merlin McGivney, 20th century

SACRED SPACES:
AN EXHIBIT OF CHURCHES IN ART

A new exhibit of inspirational paintings and drawings of churches is now on display at the Rosenberg Library. This unique show features twenty-five works by six different artists, all but one of which resided in Galveston. These artists utilized a variety of media—including oil, watercolor, pen-and-ink, and sepia—to create the church depictions. An array of styles is also present, ranging from detailed architectural sketches to abstract cubism. While five of the images are of churches in Galveston, many of the works are of churches the artists visited all around the world.

This exhibit opened on October 11th 2007 with a reception.

Ten paintings in the show were done by one of Galveston’s most famous artists, Boyer Gonzales, Sr. (1864-1934). Three of these are of Trinity Episcopal Church, where Gonzales was a lifelong parishioner. The other seven works by Gonzales show views of St. Mark Cathedral and Santa Maria della Salute in Venice, Italy. These watercolors were done while Gonzales was on his honeymoon in 1908.
Emil Bunjes (1902-1974) produced countless sketches and paintings of Galveston scenes during his life. His pen-and-ink drawings capture some of the city’s most well known sites and structures with great detail. Bunjes’s St. Patrick Church will be easily recognizable to native Galvestonians, and his Chapel at Ursuline Convent depicts a once-beautiful building that was demolished in the late 1960s.

Clyde Harold Wortham (1909-1974) was born in Oklahoma but moved to Galveston during his youth. A graduate of Ball High School, Wortham went on to study at the Yard School of Art in Washington, D.C. and the Art Students League in Woodstock, New York. Much of Wortham’s adult life was spent abroad, where he was well known as both a painter and an authority on art restoration. In his miniature painting, The Certosa, Wortham’s talent in capturing the dimensions of light and shadow is evident.

Joseph Alexander Cain (1920-1980) is the only artist featured in this exhibit that was not a resident of the Island. Cain was born in Tennesee and served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. After receiving his MFA from the University of California at Berkeley, he began his teaching career in Corpus Christi, Texas. Cain served as chairman of the Art Department at Del Mar College. His cubist watercolor, Mission with Four Figures, is one of the most striking works in the exhibit.

Dr. Merlin McGivney (1905-1985) was a long time dentist on the island who had a passion for painting. McGivney was an active member of the Galveston Art League and established an endowment through the Rosenberg Library to fund an annual purchase prize for the league’s juried show. Dozens of original works by McGivney are preserved at the Rosenberg Library, and two of his watercolors—New England Church and Village in Martinique—are among the most vibrant and eye-catching works in the exhibition.

Dr. Charles Marc Pomerat (1905-1964) was a native of Massachusetts who came to Galveston in 1943. Pomerat studied at Harvard and Cambridge before accepting a teaching position at the University of Texas Medical Branch. He was a world-renowned anatomist and cytologist who became interested in art and architecture later in life. His range of artistic talent is evident in his six works that are included in the exhibit. Pomerat was not only a master of detailed architectural illustration, but he was also able to capture a sense of peaceful ambience in his fluid watercolor and ink sketches.

Sacred Spaces: An Exhibit of Churches in Art will appeal not only to those interested in historic churches and architecture, but also to art enthusiasts of all kinds. The exhibition will run from October 12, 2007 through February 29, 2008 in the Harris Gallery. The gallery is located on the library’s third floor, and it is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, please contact Eleanor Clark at 409-763-8854, ext. 125 or at eclark@rosenberg-library.org.

TLA District 8 in October

2007-10-11T11:01:00.001-07:00

Rosenberg librarians, Ruth Kelly and Poom Sunhachawi are presenting:

How to be a Copy Cat: cataloging essentials for the budding librarian/cataloger.

Session I

Saturday, October 13Aldine Senior High School
11101 Airline Drive, Houston, Texas 77038 (map)

Texas Library Association District 8

Copy Cataloging Resources List on the Net

Useful Web Sites for Catalogers These sites provide access to a whole range of resources to support cataloging and acquisition.

AcqWeb http://www.acqweb.org/
American Library Association: http://www.ala.org (publishes and sells AACR2)
Cataloger's Reference Shelf (collection of reference manuals on authority lists, classification guides, etc. for LC/MARC cataloging)
http://www.tlcdelivers.com/tlc/crs/CRS0000.htm

Cataloging Directorate: http://www.loc.gov/aba/
Connexion: http://connexion.oclc.org
Connexion tutorials: http://www.oclc.org/support/training/connexion

Library of Congress: http://www.loc.gov

LC’s online catalog: http://catalog.loc.gov

IFLANET Digital Libraries: Cataloging and Indexing Electronic Resources
http://www.ifla.org/II/catalog.htm
ILLINET/OCLC Office at Illinois State Library:
http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/library/who_we_are/OCLC/home.html

Inforetriever - Internet Library for Librarians (comprehensive general resource, everything from dictionaries up) http://www.itcompany.com/inforetriever/cat.htm

Library Catalogs with Web Interfaces: Z39.50 gateways http://www.loc.gov/z3950/

MIT Cataloging Oasis (some neat links, e.g., geographic name server )
http://libstaff.mit.edu/colserv/cat/

OCLC: http://www.oclc.org/

School Librarians Desktop Reference (mostly a bibliography, but some useful links, e.g Vendors who provide MARC records…dated) http://teachers.redclay.k12.de.us/mary.tise/liblinks.html

TPOTS (Technical Processing Online Tools) http://tpot.ucsd.edu/

Web Accessible National and Major Libraries of the World Contact information for each
national library, includes: address, website url, and phone and fax number. Maintained by IFLA
http://www.ifla.org/VI/2/p2/national-libraries.htm

Web site of common typographical errors in library databases
http://faculty.quinnipiac.edu/libraries/tballard/typoscomplete.html

Miscellaneous Sites

Autocat Web site: http://ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/units/cts/autocat

David Bigwood http://catalogablog.blogspot.com

How to be a Copy Cat see posting on http://rosenberg-library.org under Rosenberg
Library, then Rosenberg Blog

InterCAT is dedicated to facilitating communication concerning Internet resources and their
impact on libraries http://www.oclc.org/research/projects/archive/intercat.htm

OCLC Internet Cataloging project Subscribe via https://www3.oclc.org/app/listserv/ Web4Lib electronic discussion : http://lists.webjunction.org/web4lib/

As a guide for writing library procedures and manuals visit these sites.

Catalogers Manuals on the Web

Cornell University (brief guides) http://lts.library.cornell.edu/lts/

Georgetown University (AcqWeb, Currency conversion, Cataloging manual, Publisher & vendor information, dictionaries, etc.) http://library.georgetown.edu/dept/techserv/resources.htm

Indiana University Cataloging Guide
http://www.indiana.edu/~librcsd/resource/library/cataloging/

Kansas State University Libraries http://www.lib.ksu.edu/depts/techserv/faq.html

McGill University Libraries http://www.mcgill.ca/libraries-techserv/policies/

Northwestern State University http ://staffweb.library.northwestern.edu/

Oakland University library procedures
http://library2.oakland.edu/information/departments/techserv/procedures.htm

Penn State University (forms and guides) http://www.libraries.psu.edu/tas/cataloging/
Princeton University's Cataloging manual (well presented guide, including physical treatment of items) http://library.princeton.edu/departments/tsd/katmandu/catman.html

Stanford University Library http://library.stanford.edu/depts/ts/tsdepts/cat/

TechWeb (Queen’s University Cataloging Guide—extensive and forward looking)
http://130.15.161.74/techserv/qcatalog.html

University of Oregon (comprehensive table of sites for catalogers)
http://osulibrary.oregonstate.edu/techservices/html/

Friends Book Sale in October!

2007-10-05T12:23:00.000-07:00

Friday Oct. 5, 5-7:00 pm Members Only Preview

Saturday, Oct. 6, 10-5 pm

Sunday, Oct. 7, 12-3 pm

Every year the Used Book Sale seems to get bigger and bigger, the same is true this year!

The Art section will be huge as will Music, History and Children's. Texana will be in the Rare Books room. Civil War and Masonic collections will be on offer as well as sleeved antique engravings.

For admission to the preview Friday, Friends membership cards will be required.

There will be new Friends merchandise such as the new designs for the t-shirts and bags which feature architectural elements of the historical Rosenberg Library.

Pottermania at the Rosenberg~

2007-07-27T07:04:00.000-07:00

RL prepared for the 7th release with great anticipation. We hosted:

on July 20, Friday a Harry Potter Release Party. There were some great giveaways, Order of the Phoenix, which is the next most coveted book, as the movie was released in July.

We had 11 books and 5 audio books with several holds on them. On Saturday, they were released to our patrons, and staff!

There are several Potter fans, amongst staff, who follow the Leaky Cauldron, or as in Deathly Hallows, we would all listen to Potterwatch, the underground radio station, if we could!!

Borders still has Deathly Hallows for 40% off, @ 20 dollars plus tax, as of Wednesday, July 25.

July treasure: Washington Guard artifacts

2007-07-05T09:31:00.000-07:00

PHOTO CAPTION: 1. Ceremonial sword won at a drilling competition in Austin, Texas in 1874. Inscription reads: “Fifth Texas State Fair – 1874 – To Washington Guards – Galveston – For Superior Drill.”

The Washington Guards

During the month of July, the Rosenberg Library will display artifacts related to the Washington Guards, the first military body established in Texas after the Civil War. These civilian men were incorporated into the state militia as Company A, First Texas Regiment. A small collection of Washington Guards memorabilia was donated to the library by Josephine Goldman in 1925. Among these items is a ceremonial sword from 1874 as well as an assortment of ribbons and medals from events associated with the Guards.

The Washington Guards were first established as a state militia in Galveston in 1871. Recognized as an elite and highly regarded organization, the Washington Guards were superior in drill exercises and won numerous competitions. There were four separate companies in Galveston, all with distinct names and insignias. The Guard members’ blue dress uniforms, which they wore on special social occasions, were said to have been unusually colorful with attractive brass buttons.

In 1875 and 1888, the Washington Guards won three first-place blue ribbons for drills at state encampments. In 1874, a ceremonial sword was awarded to the Guards for superior drilling at the Texas State Fair. The Washington Guards’ chief rivals were the Houston Light Guards (established in 1873.) Both companies were credited with upholding law and order in Texas, and each was recognized for its excellence in interstate rifle drills.

Membership into the prestigious Washington Guards was usually based on family tradition. Admission into the group stemmed from the earliest days of the Galveston Artillery Club. The Artillery Club evolved into the Washington Guards, which in turn evolved into the Sealy Rifles. Eventually, the body came to be known as the Galveston Artillery Company in the 1920s.

By the early 20th century, interest in the local military organization had waned, and the Washington Guards disbanded in 1908. In 1925, the Washington Guards Veterans Association was created for the purpose of preserving the traditions of the Guards and to prevent the organization’s name from being lost in history. Interestingly, the association hosted an exhibit of Guards’ artifacts in the main lobby of Rosenberg Library in July of that year. Eighty-two years later, the library is happy to celebrate the history of the Washington Guards once again.

The Rosenberg Library Treasure of the Month can be viewed Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The artifacts will be on display in the Hutchings Gallery, located on the library’s third floor. For more information, please contact Eleanor Clark at 409-763-8854, ext. 125 or at eclark@rosenberg-library.org.

PHOTO CAPTION:
1. Ceremonial sword won at a drilling competition in Austin, Texas in 1874. Inscription reads: “Fifth Texas State Fair – 1874 – To Washington Guards – Galveston – For Superior Drill.”

The Karankawa Indians: Galveston's First Settlers

2007-06-01T08:18:00.001-07:00

PHOTO CAPTION:
Clay pottery shards and flint projectile points made by Karankawa Indians. These were excavated from a campsite on Galveston’s west end in the early 1900s. Taken by John Augelli.

During the month of June, the Rosenberg Library will display an assortment of pottery shards and projectile points from Galveston’s earliest inhabitants—the Karankawa Indians. This collection of Native American artifacts was donated by Dr. J.O. Dyer, a local physician and historian, between 1916 and 1926.

The term “Karankawa” refers to a now-extinct group of Native American peoples who resided along the Texas Gulf Coast from Galveston Bay to Corpus Christi Bay. Though they shared a common language and way of life, there were actually three distinct tribes of Karankawa Indians: the Coaques, the Copanes, and the Carancaquacas.

Archaeological evidence shows that the Karankawas were nomadic hunter-gatherers who lived in round thatch huts, or wigwams. They traveled in bands of thirty to forty people led by a chief, and their principal mode of transportation was the dugout canoe.

During the winter, the Karankawas would set up camps around the coastal bays. They subsisted on fish, shellfish, and turtles. In warmer months, the tribes would move inland to hunt deer and bison and to gather berries, nuts, and roots. Karankawa men were expert hunters and fisherman. The Karankawas crafted pottery, baskets, and weapons, including the long bow. The bow and arrow was their primary weapon for hunting and warfare.

Karankawa men were reported to have been unusually tall and heavily tattooed. They pierced various parts of their faces and bodies. Karankawa women also tattooed their skin and wore body paint. Their clothing was fashioned from animal skins or Spanish moss.

While many accounts allege that the Karankawas held elaborate cannibalistic ceremonies, this claim has been disputed by some scholars. While ritual flesh-eating of one’s enemies was not uncommon among Indian tribes in Texas and Louisiana, there is not sufficient evidence to suggest that the Karankawas were among those groups which practiced cannibalism.

The Karankawa Indians first appeared on the historical record in 1528. Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca, a Spanish explorer, was among the shipwrecked survivors from the Panfilo de Narvaez expedition. These men landed on a small island west of Galveston that was inhabited by Karankawas. Cabeza de Vaca lived among the native peoples for several years, and much of what we know about the Karankawas comes from his written accounts.

In 1685, Rene Robert Cavalier, Sieur de la Salle, led a French expedition along the Texas Coast. Near Matagorda Bay, he established a colony for France and named it Fort St. Louis. Soon after, the Karankawas attacked the settlers, killing all but several children whom they took captive. These children were later rescued by Spanish explorers in the early 1690s, and their accounts of life among the Karankawas provide a great deal of insight into the customs and culture of these people.

France and Spain continued sending explorers along the Texas Coast, and by the early 18th century, the Spanish had organized a number of missions to Christianize the native tribes and to make them loyal subjects. The missionary system created hostility between Spaniards and Indians, and conflicts often erupted. By the early 1800s, however, epidemic diseases introduced by the Europeans had greatly reduced the population of native peoples in the New World. The Karankawas also suffered from settlers invading their lands and competing for resources.

The Karankawas in Galveston faced a detrimental blow after a confrontation with Jean Lafitte’s commune at Campeche in 1819. After Lafitte’s men kidnapped a young Karankawa woman, 300 warriors from her tribe attacked the privateer’s fort. Although they were far outnumbered by the Karankawas, the men at the commune were armed with two cannons. The bows and arrows of the Karankawas were no match for this deadly arsenal.

After Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821, Anglo-Americans were encouraged to immigrate to Texas, then a sparsely populated province. Colonists were frequently attacked by the Karankawas, and efforts were made to “exterminate” the native peoples. During the 1840s, only a few scattered tribes of Karankawa Indians remained along the Texas coast. Disease, colonization, and genocidal warfare proved to be a lethal combination. By 1858, the Karankawas were considered an extinct group of people.

The Rosenberg Library Treasure of the Month can be viewed Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The artifacts will be on display in the Hutchings Gallery, located on the library’s third floor. For more information, please contact Eleanor Clark at 409-763-8854, ext. 125 or at eclark@rosenberg-library.org.

Book Selected for Galveston Reads Project 2008

2007-05-16T06:39:00.000-07:00

Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines has been selected as the next title for the Galveston County Reads project.
A Lesson Before Dying is Ernest J. Gaines' eighth novel, published in 1993. It was selected for Oprah's Book Club in 1997.

The Galveston Reads committee is now working on ways to promote and publicize Lesson Before Dying. An effort will be made to publicize the book to Galveston County high schools and colleges for inclusion in their curriculum for next year. Programming for the book will occur January through March, 2008.

The next meeting of the committee will be on Wednesday, May 23 at 4:00 pm in the Wortham Auditorium of the Rosenberg Library.

For further information please contact the chair:

Karen Stanley
(409)763-8854 x119
Email: kstanley@rosenberg-library.org

COLORFUL CALENDARS

2007-05-04T10:46:00.000-07:00

The Rosenberg Library’s Galveston and Texas History Center announces the exhibit, “Captivating Commercial Calendars: Glimpses into Galveston’s Business History, 1906-1938.”

The majority of the calendars, illustrated by well-known magazine cover artists of their day, such as Haskell Coffin and Neysa McMein, feature portraits of young women depicted in warm colors that enhance their allure. A 1916 calendar for
E. R. Henck & Son, a manufacturer of sails and awnings, strikes a patriotic note. It features an illustration, “Long May It Wave,” that anticipated the United States’ entry into World War I. Another calendar from 1906, for the book seller Ferdinand Ohlendorf, depicts a woman placing a call using a hand-cranked telephone.

The calendars make an interesting visual statement about times past, such as women’s fashion and hair styles once in vogue. They are also reminders of firms that once operated in Galveston.

The exhibit was drawn from a collection of approximately 80 promotional calendars that the Library collected many decades ago. Among the earliest are F. J. Finck Stationery and Printing Co. (1905), which dealt in stencils and rubber seals, and the Galveston Tribune (1906). Knapp Bros, (17 calendars dating from 1916-1936) and J. V. Love and Co. (14 items, 1921-1934) are the most heavily represented firms.

The collection also includes eight calendars, 1926-1939, for Fred M. Burton & Company, an insurance agency, featuring color illustrations of such American history icons as Monticello and Daniel Boone’s trek in the Cumberland Valley. A 1926 calendar for the Creole Line, Navigazione Alta Italia – Genoa, a steamship line that called at Galveston, features a photograph of the steamer Monrosa.

“Captivating Commercial Calendars” may be viewed in the Harris Gallery (3rd floor) at the Rosenberg Library, 2310 Sealy, during normal hours (Mondays-Saturdays, 9 AM-5 PM). For further information, please contact Casey Edward Greene, Head of Special Collections, at (409) 763-8854, email cgreene@rosenberg-library.org; or Carol Wood, Archivist, at (409) 763-8854, extension 127, email cwood@rosenberg-library.org.

Galveston’s Gaming Days

2007-05-02T08:40:00.000-07:00

Glamour, Glitz, and Gambling: Galveston’s Gaming Days

Photo Caption:

Set of playing cards used at the Sui Jen Café and the Hollywood Dinner Club (gift of Mrs. Courtney C. Washington); $100 poker chips from the Balinese Room (gift of the Estate of Joseph Levy); $5 chip from the Turf Athletic Club (gift of E. Burke Evans, M.D.)

During the month of May, several souvenirs related to Galveston’s gambling era will be on display at Rosenberg Library. Playing cards, poker chips, and score cards from several old casinos are featured.

Long before Las Vegas became America’s capital of betting, drinking, and entertaining, Galveston was considered by many to be the “Sin City of the Southwest.” Bootlegging and gambling were major industries on the island from the 1920s through the 1950s.

During Prohibition, which lasted from 1920 to 1933, a number of Galveston businessmen involved with bootlegging. Large sums of money could be made by those who illegally transported and sold liquor, and several enterprising individuals took full advantage of the opportunity. This venture led to an even more ambitious and more profitable industry: gambling.

Gambling was outlawed in the entire state of Texas. Galveston, however, had an “open city” policy, and casinos, though illegal, were more or less tolerated by law enforcement officials. Four island establishments—The Hollywood Dinner Club, the Turf Athletic Club, the Sui Jen Cafe, and the Balinese Room—offered cocktails, gambling, and entertainment. Some of America’s most popular artists, including Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, and Bob Hope performed in Galveston clubs.

The Hollywood Dinner Club, located at 61st Street and Stewart Road, opened its doors in 1926. The club, outfitted with elegant crystal chandeliers and a large hardwood dance floor, offered fine dining and top-notch live entertainment. Nationally known bands, orchestras, and singers performed regularly at the Hollywood Dinner Club. Although gambling was illegal at the time, it was permitted at the club.

The Turf Athletic Club and was another local hot spot situated in downtown Galveston. The three-story building, which was located on 23rd Street between Market and Postoffice, housed a nightclub, a restaurant, a casino, a gym, and a betting parlor for sporting events. The posh Studio Lounge at the Turf was touted as being one of America’s first air-conditioned clubs.

In 1923, the Chop Suey restaurant and gambling parlor opened on Galveston Island. Built as a pier overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, the Chop Suey (later called the Grotto) was located at 21st Street and Seawall. In 1932, the facility was remodeled as an oriental café and night club, and its name was changed to the Sui Jen (pronounced “swee ren”). It was another chic venue for gambling and music, and famous American performers were booked there regularly.

The Sui Jen was completely remodeled and renamed the Balinese Room in 1942. The Balinese Room was a restaurant and nightclub with a South Seas-inspired décor. Its interior design featured bamboo and reed wall coverings, neon and copper palm trees, and colorful murals.

Things began to change in Galveston when Will Wilson became State Attorney General in the late 1950s. Determined to stop illegal gambling in Galveston, Wilson sent undercover agents into bars, nightclubs, and casinos to monitor the illegal activities that were taking place in the city. By June 1957, there was sufficient evidence to force 47 island establishments to close their doors permanently. Hundreds of slot machines and gaming tables were smashed to pieces and dumped into the bay. Stashes of weapons and business records were also confiscated. Galveston’s days as a gambler’s paradise had come to an end.

The Rosenberg Library Treasure of the Month can be viewed Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The artifacts will be on display in the Hutchings Gallery, located on the library’s third floor.

For more information, please contact Eleanor Clark at 409-763-8854, ext. 125 or at eclark@rosenberg-library.org.

Jazz at Rosenberg in April

2007-04-06T13:54:00.000-07:00

In honor of Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM), Rosenberg Library is hosting a free concert. Mike Fageros and his ensemble will perform Thursday, April 12 at Noon in the Wortham Auditorium. Bring your lunch and enjoy the show.

Mike is an accomplished jazz musician and will be playing the guitar during the concert. The ensemble will be performing a blend of Straight Ahead Jazz featuring classics like John Coltrane, Miles Davis, and Joe Henderson; and Soul Jazz featuring the music of George Benson and Pat Martino.

For further information, contact: Brenda Renner, 409-763-8854 ext. 115

Thanks to Brenda for bringing this event to RL!

Antique Beer Steins

2007-04-03T07:06:00.000-07:00

During the month of April, the Rosenberg Library will display several examples of antique beer steins. These artifacts were originally made in Germany between the early and late 1800s. Three were donated to the library by W.R.A. Rogers (1869-1937), and one was given by Fred Burton (1876-1938). Mr. Rogers was a prominent Galveston businessman and member of the Rosenberg Library Board of Directors for many years. Mr. Burton was in the cotton and later the insurance industry, and he also served as the Galveston Quartet Society’s first director.

The earliest types of drinking vessels known as steins date back to the 16th century. Most scholars and historians credit the Germans for this invention. Steins, also referred to as tankards, are containers with handles and hinged lids. These lids were used to protect the liquid contents from flies and other pests, a sanitary measure taken after millions in Europe fell victim to the bubonic plague. Steins were made in a variety of shapes and sizes, and the decoration on the vessels ranges from primitive designs to elaborate masterpieces.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, steins were usually made from brown clay and were hand painted using several colors. From the early 18th century on, raised relief decoration and more color were added. By the later half of the 19th century, stein making had reached its pinnacle, becoming a true art form. In addition to clay, pewter, porcelain, colored glass, silver, and even ivory were used to craft beer steins. Etched or painted scenes on steins portrayed figures drinking, dancing, and hunting. “Character steins” were cartoon-like vessels in the shape of animals or vegetables with expressive facial features. Some hand-painted vessels depicted exceptionally realistic military or occupational scenes.

Companies such as Villeroy and Boch, Merkelbach and Wick, Marzi and Remy, and HR began mass producing beer steins during the 1800s. Most of these manufacturers stamped their steins with distinctive makers’ marks, and many steins were engraved with the words “musterschutz” or “geschüzt” on the base. This meant that that particular design was patented and that its duplication by another company was prohibited by law. Steins that have the word “Germany” on the base indicate a production date after 1892. At that time, national law mandated the practice of identifying export goods.

Beer steins that pre-date the mid 19th century were usually one-of-a-kind drinking vessels. Often, these were made to order, and depending on size, quality, and craftsmanship, some steins were quite expensive to produce. These earlier custom-made beer steins are highly sought after by today’s collectors. The values of some steins—particularly the oldest and most unusual examples—have gone up significantly over the past several decades.

The Rosenberg Library Treasure of the Month can be viewed Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The artifacts will be on display in the Hutchings Gallery, located on the library’s third floor. For more information, please contact Eleanor Clark at 409-763-8854, ext. 125 or at eclark@rosenberg-library.org.

Wings in Watercolor Opens...on the Ides of March!

2007-03-15T18:56:00.000-07:00

The Rosenberg Library hosted the opening of the Boyer Gonzales exhibit, of several paintings never before seen by the public.

The reception began at 5 pm, with members of FeatherFest, the Friends of the RL, and the Board of the RL along with staff in attendance.

Postcards, posters, and books on Boyer Gonzales are available from the Galveston and Texas History Center, located on the third floor of the Rosenberg Library.

This exhibit will run from March 16 through July 16. For further information, please contact Eleanor Clark at 409-763-8854, ext. 125 or at: eclark@rosenberg-library.org.

The Ides passed with a flourish for RL staff, a good omen, as we welcomed members of the Galveston community to RL. Dr. Edward D. Futch and his wife, our honorary trustee of the Rosenberg Library was in attendance, as well as members of the Hospitality Committee, from our Friends. Mort Voller, the chairman of Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council and the RL staff.

Thanks to our sponsors, FeatherFest and the Friends of RL.

Room With A View

2007-03-08T06:12:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to share with everyone what I saw when I walked into my office this morning...an actual view of downtown Galveston! I have to say it was worth all of the pounding noise and dust over the past couple of days. Just a glimpse of what's to come on the exterior renovation project...

March Treasure of the Month

2007-03-02T06:59:00.000-08:00

Eanger Irving Couse

In 1979, the Sealy Homestead Trust donated to the Rosenberg Library a number of paintings that once hung in the Sealy Mansion (Open Gates) at the corner of 25th and Broadway in Galveston. Among these was an oil painting by Eanger Irving Couse. Couse was an American painter who lived and worked in New Mexico during the early 1900s. There, he felt inspired by the Indians at Taos Pueblo. Couse used these Indians as models in staged scenes featuring Native-American pottery, textiles, and tools. His paintings depicted the Indians not as savages, but as peaceful, dignified human beings. A highly respected artist during his lifetime, Couse’s work can be found in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Smithsonian Institution.

For March, the Treasure of the Month is an oil painting by American artist Eanger Irving Couse. He painted portraits of Native Americans living at the Taos Pueblo in New Mexico. This particular painting is called "Pueblo Fireplace" and it was done around 1928. It was donated by the Sealy Family in 1979. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Smithsonian, and many other U.S. Museums have paintings by Couse in their collections.

The Rosenberg Library Treasure of the Month can be viewed Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The artifact will be on display in the Hutchings Gallery, located on the library’s third floor. For more information, please contact Eleanor Clark at 409-763-8854, ext. 125 or at eclark@rosenberg-library.org.

Let there be light...coming soon!

2007-02-28T17:59:00.000-08:00

These are the old tigers' heads, remarkably intact, taken by our director, John Augelli.

The work on our old wing of the Rosenberg Library progresses quickly. The tiger's heads have been removed, and the new ones have arrived, and are ready to be installed near the roof of the Rosenberg Library.

The first floor/basement has the windows cleared and ready for real sunlight to shine through. The Friends of the Rosenberg Library will have one, as well as the Technical Services department, which has not seen natural light for several decades!

The new signs explaining the construction project, and the lack of parking space are only some of the pains of this construction.

We look forward to the completion this fall!