Category: First 2 Know

By: Dauphin County Library System Staff

September marks the 20th anniversary of the Madeline L. Olewine Memorial Library (MOM), located at 2410 N. Third St. in Harrisburg, Pa.

It’s a 6,400-square-foot space that holds roughly 30,000 volumes. It has a large children’s section, a public meeting room, a parking lot, and offers free internet access. MOM replaced the Uptown Plaza Library, which was on Division Street and was three times smaller than the current location.

The library was named in memory of Madeline L. Olewine, who lived in uptown Harrisburg and was an avid reader and frequent library user. She regularly visited what is now the McCormick Riverfront Library in downtown Harrisburg, the original library of the Dauphin County Library System.

When plans for the new uptown library were underway, her son, Benjamin Olewine III, described naming the library in his mother’s honor as a fitting tribute to her contributions to her family and the community.

One of the biggest draws of the library is its 18 public computers. Lori Saulisbury, 65, is a lifelong resident of Harrisburg. “I come to the library to get resources, information and a lot of printouts,” she said.

This is more common, as many people use their phones for everyday things and may or may not even feel like they need a computer or printer at home anymore. However, people find that there are many things that require computer and printer access.

“There are so many things that it’s just not practical to use a cell phone for, like doing your taxes, or applying for a job or designing a flier, navigating insurance or health care companies or working on court cases,” said John Grayshaw, the library manager at MOM.

“People are so used to doing everything on their phones, but then they realize they can’t print something from their phone at home and they come in and learn how to use our app to print their documents,” said Grayshaw.

Tony Daniels, 62, is another lifelong Harrisburg resident. Every day, he asks around 20 or more reference questions. He says he asks so many because his nephew and friends argue about things with him, so he needs to get the answers. Daniels asks questions about everything from the Bible to superheroes and everything in between. Daniels is also a mystery writer, and he often wants to know the plots of mystery novels to scope out his competition. Daniels usually also asks for a recipe to help him cook his dinner that night.

“He often asks questions about laws in different states because he’s a mystery writer,” said Will Esposito, a Public Services Assistant at MOM.

“If you didn’t know [Daniels] was a writer, some of his questions would probably freak you out,” said Grayshaw.

“We’re all done with the summer reading program. The dinosaur theme was a big hit because dinosaurs are popular,” said Em Anderson, Youth Services Manager at MOM. “There was a lot of feedback that the families are excited for the storytime and programs here at MOM.”

“People don’t always think of this library for programs, but it’s definitely picking up,” said Anderson. “I would like to see more families in the library, and I think word of mouth is the most effective way to continue to build our reputation in the area. I’ve been working a lot with local schools, daycares and summer camps to do some more outreach and get them using the library.”

Saulisbury also said that “the neighborhood is very quiet and respectful.” These are also traits that the library itself emulates. “People still think you have to be quiet in the library. I hear parents shushing their kids all the time,” said Grayshaw. “It’s true that a lot of people do work at the library, so it is polite to try and be quiet, but it’s more about respecting others than being silent. We don’t mind some conversation as long as you keep it to a dull roar.”

By: Ann Marie, Information Services Supervisor

In the United States, there is no shortage of special days, observances, and heritage months that we recognize throughout the year. September alone brings a wide variety of celebrations, including Grandparents Day, National Coding Week, National Preparedness Month, National Suicide Prevention Month, National Potato Month, Self-Improvement Month, and National Library Card Sign-up Month, just to name just a few.

As someone who values the many services and opportunities libraries provide, National Library Card Sign-up Month holds a special place in my heart. If you are reading this and do not yet have a library card, there has never been a better time to register for one.

A library card is more than just a pass to borrow books. It opens the door to a wealth of resources, programs, and learning opportunities that can help you explore virtually any topic or celebration that interests you. Whether you are looking to discover new books, explore historical resources, or attend educational programs, The Library has much to offer.

This is especially true when it comes to finding resources to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, yet another observance we will be celebrating this fall. Our catalog is full of books written by or about Hispanic Americans. Click here to view just a few of these.

The Library’s databases are another rich source of information about Hispanic history and culture. Three that I would like to introduce to you are:

• Hispanic Life in America – a digital archive offering comprehensive coverage of the Hispanic American experience through the lens of the news media. It features newspaper articles, transcripts, broadcasts, and more sourced from thousands of American and global news sources, including more than 450 Hispanic American publications. Find Hispanic Life in America at https://www.dcls.org/research/.

• Gale eBooks – a digital eBook collection containing reference eBooks filled with information about Hispanic history as well as profiles of prominent Hispanic and Latino Americans.

Explore books like Encyclopedia of Latin American History and Culture right from home. You can find Gale eBooks at https://www.dcls.org/research/ or on our collections page under eBooks & eAudiobooks.

• Salem Online– a database offering full-text remote access to Salem Press reference materials found inside our libraries. Find books like Great Lives from History: Latinos in this collection. It contains enlightening biographies of prominent Latinos–biographies like one for Pura Belpré, the first Latino librarian to work in the New York Public Library system and the first Puerto Rican librarian in the United States. Look for the Salem Online database on our research page, or view and open individual Salem Press titles directly from their records in our catalog. Titles accessible from our catalog will have an “Online Resource” option listed. Select it and click on “Check Availability.” When you are not inside one of our branches, also enter your library card number and PIN for the books’ Table of Contents to display.

With resources like these, it has never been easier to access quality resources perfect for crafting heritage month celebrations that are truly meaningful and impactful.

Lastly, libraries foster awareness and build community and understanding through their programs, displays, and events, so be sure to also explore The Library’s Events & Programs page to look for fun offerings related to whatever observance you may be celebrating.

With resources like these and supportive staff to assist you, The Library is the perfect place to go to make the most of the many observances we now celebrate.

Happy exploring!

By: Samantha Lowe, Youth Service Coordinator

We’re excited to announce that The Library will now host Once Upon a Rainbow at the Madeline Olewine Memorial Library. After outgrowing the LGBT Center, the program has found a new home at The Library, where ALL families can come together, connect, and just be themselves.

Families who attend can expect a familiar storytime formula. Once everyone gathers and says hello, we’ll open with a song. Then we’ll read stories, play games, make a craft, and enjoy a snack.

The stories are really what make the program special. Most, if not all, will feature LGBTQ+ families. Each book we read will demonstrate The Library’s continued dedication to sharing diverse stories that reflect the whole community.

Parents are excited about the move, too. Natalie is a Library mom who has brought her family to Once Upon a Rainbow and other programs over the years.

“Once Upon a Rainbow was an awesome opportunity to connect with other families like mine,” she says. “The librarians picked diverse and inclusive books that engaged the kiddos.”

For Natalie, those connections extended beyond storytime.

“At Once Upon a Rainbow, I connected with other families like mine and made friends who I still talk with today. I see some of the families at events in the community, and it’s always fun to say hello and see a friendly face.”

She sees the Madeline Olewine Memorial Library as a great fit for the program.

“The Madeline Olewine Memorial Library is wonderful because it has ample parking and a central location,” Natalie says. “There’s lots of space for the kids to spread out. When the storytime and crafts are over, families can stay and hang out in the Library, playing with toys in the kids’ area and finding books and media to check out and enjoy at home.”

And I can’t stress enough that all families are welcome at Once Upon a Rainbow. The program is geared toward children ages 8 and younger, but the activities are fun for the whole family. It’s a place for folks to connect and learn about all the many ways to make a family.

On September 2nd, we’ll celebrate the back-to-school season with stories about finding friends and being yourself. In October, we’ll explore all the possibilities you can find in a Halloween costume.

Curious? Sign up today!