News, Events, & Classes
Six Mile Regional Library District, Welcomes Masters of Social Work Intern, Hayden Ellis
Friday, February 17th, 2023
Available at 2001 Delmar Ave: Tuesday – Thursday 11:00-2:30; & Friday 10:30-2:30
Hayden Ellis joins the SMRLD as a Masters of Social Work intern. Hayden received their Bachelors in Criminal Justice from Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville. Hayden is currently enrolled at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in the Master’s program. Hayden’s goal at the library is to help and connect a customer who is in need with the services and resources provided within the community. Hayden has a passion for helping others and using solution-focused practice to help customers through any crisis in their life. Hayden also has experience with crisis work, as they currently work as a Mobile Crisis Responder in East St. Louis.
Social work in libraries is a new and evolving field within social work practice. When working in libraries, social workers can be useful in many different ways. Library social work merges macro and micro practice to serve client needs by serving as a learning resource, building community networks, and providing crisis intervention. Hayden will be accessible to any client who is in need of connection to resources available within the 62040 area by phone at 618-452-6238 ext. 732 or email at [email protected].
What Hayden Can Help You With
Assist with resources for:
- Legal needs
- Housing
- Paying bills
- Food
- Job assistance
- Mental health
- Obtaining ID’s and government documents
Provide:
- A listening ear
- Validation for your experiences
- Empathy and compassion
- Someone who will use your pronouns
- A judgement-free zone
Job Search Training Session Series at 2001 Delmar Avenue Fall 2022 Sessions
Monday, August 15th, 2022Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White awarded nearly $6 million in pandemic recovery grants to libraries focused on responding directly to the COVID-19 pandemic by modifying services, transforming spaces and developing resources for their local recovering workforce. Funding 211 academic, school, special and public libraries, all of which received grants ranging from $5,000 to over $1 million. A combination of funding sources provided through the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), both from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and state technology funds were used to maximize the statewide impact.
SMRLD is the proud recipient of $50,000 of funding from the Illinois State Library’s (ISL) Bouncing Back from the Pandemic grant. As a part of our project, Building a Job Ready Workforce, experts, Frank Alaniz and Dawn Mushill will be presenting a series of job search training sessions.
Registration Required
Thur., Aug. 18 or Sept. 22, 1:30-3:30 PM – WOWing Potential Employers
Wed., Sept. 7, 1:30-2:30 PM- Online Job Applications: What Do I Need to Know?
Wed., Oct. 12, 1:30-3:30 PM – Basics of LinkedIn
Please call 618-452-6238 or go to forms.gle/d3HYC9szEHgrBZrG6 to register
We look forward to sharing more exciting news with you in the future about what we are able to accomplish through our grant funded project, Building a Job Ready Workforce.
*These materials were developed pursuant to a Library Services and Technology Act grant administered by the Illinois State Library using funds provided by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Job Search Training Session Series at 2001 Delmar Avenue
Wednesday, May 25th, 2022Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White awarded nearly $6 million in pandemic recovery grants to libraries focused on responding directly to the COVID-19 pandemic by modifying services, transforming spaces and developing resources for their local recovering workforce. Funding 211 academic, school, special and public libraries, all of which received grants ranging from $5,000 to over $1 million. A combination of funding sources provided through the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), both from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and state technology funds were used to maximize the statewide impact.
SMRLD is the proud recipient of $50,000 of funding from the Illinois State Library’s (ISL) Bouncing Back from the Pandemic grant. As a part of our project, Building a Job Ready Workforce, expert, Frank Alantz will be presenting a series of job search training sessions.
Registration Required
June 1, 2022 1:30 – 2:30 Job Searching -Where Do I Even Start?
June 15, 2022 1:30 – 3:30 How to Write an Effective Resume (will include time for brief resume reviews)
August 24, 2022 1:30 – 2:30 Job Searching – Where Do I Even Start?
August 31, 2022 1:30 – 3:30 How to Write an Effective Resume (will include time for brief resume reviews)
September 7, 2022 1:30 – 2:30 Online Job Applications – What Do I Need to Know?
To register call 618-452-6238
We look forward to sharing more exciting news with you in the future about what we are able to accomplish through our grant funded project, Building a Job Ready Workforce.
StoryWalk® at Worthen Park, 2599 Parkview Drive
Friday, April 1st, 2022
Six Mile Regional Library District, in partnership with the Granite City Park District, is excited to present the StoryWalk® at Worthen Park, 2599 Parkview Drive.
A StoryWalk is an innovative way to get people of all ages out walking while reading children’s picture books thereby combining nature and physical activity with literacy.
Pages of a picture book are transformed into signs that are then laid out on a trail inviting families, children, and others to follow the path of pages. While reading along, participants will discover each of the 20 stations located throughout the park along the walking trail. These stations allow families to enjoy activities focused on reading, singing, movement, and other skills which are crucial to early literacy.
The StoryWalk is a free activity available to all residents during the park’s open hours.
Our first title will be in honor of former Six Mile Regional Library District’s employee, Judy Modrusic. Judy worked in the circulation department for many years. We chose a fun book set in a library’s children department, Chicken Story Time by Sandy Asher in her honor. When walking the StoryWalk, you can follow along as feathered friends return to the library each week. With its eye-catching illustrations and fun activities, this book is sure to be a hit with children and adults alike!
The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson and developed with the help of Rachel Senechal, formerly of the Kellogg-Hubbard Library in Vermont over a decade ago. You can now find StoryWalk® projects installed in all 50 states and internationally in countries including, Germany, Canada, England, Bermuda, Russia, Malaysia, Pakistan and South Korea.
Individuals, families, or organizations may sponsor a month of Six Mile Regional Library District (SMRLD) StoryWalk for $75. The sponsor’s name or logo will be featured on the opening frame of the StoryWalk located in Worthen Park.
Each donation will contribute to the cost of supplies, including book copies, lamination, and mounting paper. Books will be prepared in advance and installed by library staff. Each book will be displayed for approximately one month.
For more information on this StoryWalk, and the other programs and services the Six Mile Regional Library District offers, please visit our website, smrld.org, and follow us on Social Media.
To sponsor a month please complete the Six Mile Regional Library District StoryWalk® Sponsorship Form and return it with payment to Six Mile Regional Library District, 2001 Delmar Avenue, Granite City, IL 62040 or email to [email protected]
StoryWalk® Grand Opening
Worthen Park, 2599 Parkview Drive
Saturday, May 7, 2022
10:00 AM
Six Mile Regional Library District, Welcomes Masters of Social Work Intern, Sydnie Vahling
Tuesday, March 1st, 2022
Sydnie Vahling joins SMRLD as a Masters of Social Work intern. Sydnie received her Bachelors in Social Work at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. Sydnie is currently enrolled at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in the specialized Master’s program. Sydnie’s goal at the library is to help and connect any customer who is in need with the services and resources provided within the community. Sydnie has a passion for helping others and using solution-focused practice to help customers through any crisis in their life.
Social work in libraries is a new and evolving field within social work practice. When working in libraries, social workers can be useful in many different ways. Library social work merges macro and micro practice to serve customers needs by serving as a learning resource, building community networks, and providing crisis intervention. Sydnie will be accessible to any customer who is in need of connecting to resources available within the 62040 area by phone at 618-452-6238 ext 732 or email at [email protected].
Six Mile Regional Library Receives Edwardsville Community Foundation’s Healing Illinois Grant
Tuesday, August 17th, 2021Six Mile Regional Library District received a Healing Illinois grant from the Edwardsville Community Foundation. The grant was available to schools and libraries to assist in the efforts to teach children and adults about racial differences through books.
The Edwardsville Community Foundation is a group of local business and community leaders founded to impact the quality of life in the local communities, including: Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, Hamel, Moro, Dorsey and Worden and surrounding areas.
Six Mile Regional Library District used these grant funds to create multigenerational book kits. Each kit is designed to help facilitate conversations no matter the age.
There are eleven kits divided into two categories, Tough Topics and Experience Stories. The Tough Topics kits are primarily composed of non-fiction books about various issues including anti racism, immigration and activism. The Experience Stories kits are composed of fiction books that highlight lives of characters of minority backgrounds including, African Americans, Muslims and Asian Americans. All kits include one adult book, one teen book, one juvenile book and one picture book, plus a folder containing discussion questions.
The book kits are great for families to share together, inspire reading, and family discussions. They also work well for small book clubs or anyone interested in a particular topic or experience. You can find the kits in the parent collection of the youth department at our Delmar Avenue location or request one through our online catalog.
Multigenerational Book Kits
Tough Topics
- Activism
- Anti Racism
- Housing Insecurity
- Immigration
- Incarceration
- White Privilege
Experience Stories
- African American
- Asian American
- First Nation
- Latin American
- Muslim American
Important Information for RBdigital Users
Tuesday, March 23rd, 2021
Due to a change in ownership of the RBdigital Media Company, the unlimited subscription model for lending eAudiobooks and magazines is no longer being offered for library licensing. In addition, the new owners announced the intent to discontinue the RBdigital apps and website in the near future.
Digital eAudiobook access on RBdigital ended March 15, 2021. Digital magazine access will end on March 31, 2021.
We do not have a replacement for digital magazines at this time, but we are in conversation with a company who may be able to provide a comparable consortial lending model which is what we are losing in RBdigital. Consortial lending models allow us the ability to offer a robust collection of titles at a cost we can afford.
While we do not have a replacement for the digital magazine content, we do have many other options for eAudiobook material. If you are not a user of the CloudLibrary or Hoopla, both have eAudiobook content and we hope you’ll enjoy our these or our other Streaming Services. Please, feel free to contact us via email at [email protected] or call us at 618-452-6238 with any questions.
We regret having to bring you this news as particularly the digital magazines were very popular with our users. We hope to have a solution in the coming months.
Librarian Reads: November 2020 Book Review and Recommendation
Monday, November 2nd, 2020
Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann
Who knew? I certainly didn’t. In the 1920s, the richest people per capita in the world were members of the Osage Indian Nation. And why was that? Because they retained the mineral rights to the lands in Oklahoma to which they had been relocated – they owned the “underground reservation” that was rich with oil during the boom times.
While to some this might seem like a really fortunate life, for the Osage it was cursed with murder, misfortune, and disaster. And, for the United States, it was the birth of the FBI. The “Reign of Terror,” as this time in Osage history is known, was only finally dealt with by an undercover team leading the Bureau of Investigation’s first substantial case.
The story illuminates what was possibly one of the biggest serial murder conspiracies in US history and one of the most forgotten. From the 1910s through the 1930s hundreds of the Osage were murdered for their “headrights” – the legal grant of lands, or in this case the underground mineral rights. At that time there were about 2,000 Osage who were registered on the tribal roll; each one of them received a headright, or their individual share in the mineral trust. Headrights could not be sold, they could only be inherited, which made the Osage quite desirable spouses for unscrupulous persons.
At the zenith of the oil boom in Oklahoma, in the 1920s, the Osage had accumulated millions and millions of dollars, equivalent to about $400 million today. BUT the Osage control of and access to their money was limited by restrictions imposed by the US government. Many of the Osage were assigned guardians to oversee and supervise how the Osage spent their money. Becoming an Osage guardian was also a desirable position that was maintained by a handful of untrustworthy people.
This is a tale of families who were being methodically whittled down in order to funnel wealth for easier access by shameless reprobates. Reading like a novel, this book is full of intrigue, mystery, sleuthing, and human interest. Racism against Native Americans is startling and unfortunate. Using primary sources including both published and unpublished letters, diaries, family papers, and records from the FBI and other sources, the author paints a vivid picture. I recommend this title to those who enjoy history, mystery, thrillers, memoirs, and just plain interesting stories.
Tina Hubert, Executive Director Six Mile Regional Library District
Killers of the Flower Moon is available from the Six Mile Regional Library District in hardback, audiobook, as an e-book and an e-audiobook. For more information, visit elibrary.smrld.org or call 618-452-6238 ext. 730.
Ever wonder what your SMRLD librarians are reading? Well now you can follow along at smrld.org/librarianreads with some of their recommendations.
Librarian Reads: October 2020 Book Review and Recommendation
Tuesday, October 13th, 2020
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
As a teen I was enthralled with horror stories. I grew up reading HP Lovecraft, Edgar Allen Poe, Shirley Jackson, Ray Bradbury, Stephen King, Anne Rice, and more. I left the horror story stage behind and haven’t really read the genre for years. Well, it seems this is a good year to revisit it. I recently spent a Saturday reading this tale from beginning to end – everything else was put on hold.
Mexican Gothic is full of mystery and intrigue surrounded by the supernatural and unknown – a classic gothic novel. It’s more psychological horror than gore. In 1950s Mexico, Noemi Taboada is a glamorous debutante more interested in her own independence than being settled. After receiving a frantic letter from her newly-wed cousin begging someone to save her, Noemi travels to rescue her cousin Catalina, with the promise from her father that she can attend the university of her choice if she will only do this one thing.
Arriving at the husband’s remote old family mansion in the mountains, Noemi has a true mystery to unravel. Catalina is kept secreted in her bedroom and Noemi roams the mansion and grounds trying to deduce what’s really going on. Noemi is a tough cookie; she’s not afraid of her cousin’s new husband who is both intimidating and alluring or the husband’s forbidding father or sister. She uses the husband’s young nephew to escape to the nearby town to send letters back to her family and to seek advice from both the town doctor and local wise woman. The family seemingly has a strange hold over the town and the mountain full of some dark ancient knowledge.
With plenty of menace, this tale evokes the atmosphere of the horror movies from the 1930s and 40s, where violin music would play in the background of the foggy craggy scenery. The story starts a little slow, but builds to a surprising crescendo. I thought I had it all figured out only to discover a truly unexpected ending. I couldn’t put it down.
Tina Hubert, Executive Director Six Mile Regional Library District
Mexican Gothic is available from the Six Mile Regional Library District in hardback, as an e-book and an e-audiobook. For more information, visit elibrary.smrld.org or call 618-452-6238 ext. 730.
Ever wonder what your SMRLD librarians are reading? Well now you can follow along at smrld.org/librarianreads with some of their recommendations.
Brought to you by the Six Mile Regional Library District: The Granite City Press-Record Online Archives!
Tuesday, September 15th, 2020
Brought to you by the Six Mile Regional Library District: The Granite City Press-Record Online Archives!
Granite City – Tuesdayday, September 15, 2020 –
The Granite City Press-Record Online Archives are available free-of-charge to the public through the Six Mile Regional Library District (SMRLD), starting with the decade of the 1960s. Because of the behind the scenes work that has to be done to ensure their readability, the newspapers will be uploaded one decade at a time. In a few weeks SMRLD will be ready to upload the 1970s.
All issues published from January 4, 1960, through December 31, 1969, can now be accessed at www.smrld.org/press-record/. SMRLD IT & Facilities Manager Tallin Curran supervised this project. He remarked, “Many of these issues from the 1960s have as many as 40 or 50 pages per issue. A few have even more. It’s a great mix of local news and advertisements from local businesses that are gone but not forgotten, such as Tri-City Grocery, Carp’s, the Washington Theater, Fleishman’s, and many, many more.”
The Granite City Press-Record was first published on April 22, 1903, as the Granite City Press. It ceased publication with the December 26, 2012, issue as the Press-Record. For many years, the Granite City Press-Record was well-regarded as the place to find out what was happening through the announcements, news, and human-interest stories about the people and places in Granite City, Pontoon Beach, Mitchell, Madison, and Venice, Illinois.
This multi-year project, undertaken by the Six Mile Regional Library District, actually began in 2012, when copyright permission was granted to the Library by Lee Enterprises to digitize and make the newspapers available online. Unfortunately, the costs for digitizing such a large project were prohibitive at that time. The real work began in 2019, when SMRLD signed an agreement with American Digital Memories (ADM) in Oklahoma to have over 369 reels of microfilm scanned and converted into electronic files.
After the many months of converting the microfilm reels into readable files was completed by ADM, it was time for Library staff to begin the arduous job of sifting through the files checking for readability. Files are checked and re-checked for clarity; when adjustments are needed the Library requests corrections from ADM. It generally takes Library staff approximately forty hours from receipt of the mega-files until a full decade is uploaded and ready to read online
Executive Director Tina Hubert said, “It’s been a dream of ours to make the Granite City Press-Record Online Archives available and we are thrilled that dream is finally reality. Keep watching for other decades to be uploaded in the future by liking or following the SMRLD Facebook page.”
The SMRLD Facebook can be found at https://www.facebook.com/smrld.org/
The Granite City Press-Record Online Archives can be found at https://www.smrld.org/press-record/
Contacts: Six Mile Regional Library District (618) 452-6238
Tina Hubert, Executive Director, extension 781
Tallin Curran, IT & Facilities Manager, extension 784
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