2024 ALZHEIMER’S AND DEMENTIA SERIES
STARTS IN APRIL
at the
WILLIAMSON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
The Williamson County Public Library and the Alzheimer’s Association Tennessee Chapter are pleased to present their 2024 Alzheimer’s and Dementia series of seven programs beginning April 23. This is the seventh year the Alzheimer’s Association has partnered with the Library to provide helpful information about Alzheimer’s and dementia to our community. The 2024 series features presentations by Alzheimer’s and dementia specialists, educators, and certified care managers. The presentations are for caregivers and anyone interested in learning more about these disorders.
Alzheimer’s and dementia expert Dr. David T. Hutchings kicks off our series on Tuesday, April 23 with “Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia.” Alzheimer’s is not normal aging. It’s a disease of the brain that causes problems with memory, thinking, and behavior. Learn about the impact of Alzheimer’s; the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia; Alzheimer’s stages and risk factors. Dr. Hutchings will also focus on current research and treatments available to address some symptoms. To register: https://bit.ly/AlzheimersProgram1
Dr. Hutchings is the founder of Dementia and Alzheimer’s Care, LLC, a private practice firm focused on the evaluation, treatment, and clinical education of all forms of dementia. In 2021 he joined his practice with Bluesky House Calls. Dr. Hutchings works with the Alzheimer’s Association and Alzheimer’s Tennessee on state and national levels for clinical education to practitioners and caregivers.
Dr. Hutchings specializes in geriatric neuropathology and dementias. He has a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Mississippi, a Master’s degree from the University of Central Missouri, and a doctorate from Nova Southeastern University. He is a nationally recognized lecturer whose clinical practice and research have led to keynote addresses at state and national organizations, as well as Duke, Vanderbilt, Northwestern, Auburn, and other universities. Dr. Hutchings has been published in clinical publications and peer-reviewed journals. In 2013 he developed clinical education articles on ALS for CNN and in 2019 was featured for a month on News Channel 5 discussing Alzheimer’s and dementia. He was named Columbia, TN’s Business Person of the Year in 2021 for his contributions to the community and healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Hutchings serves as a faculty member at John Patrick University in the Department of Dementia/Alzheimer’s Medical program as well as co-chair for the university’s Cognitive and Memory Disorders Clinic.
The series runs from April through October on the fourth Tuesday, from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., and is presented in the Meeting Room at the Main Library in Franklin. Here is the rest of the 2024 lineup:
May 28: “How to Keep Your Brain Healthy and Decreases Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease” with Dr. Jeanette Norden, award-winning Professor Emerita in the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. Register: https://bit.ly/AlzheimersProgram2
June 25: “Activities to Redirect Alzheimer’s-Related Behaviors” with Lynn Wood, Caregiver Support Coordinator and Certified Dementia Specialist. Register: https://bit.ly/AlzheimersProgram03
July 23: “Legal and Financial Planning for Alzheimer’s” with Barbara Moss, Elder Law Attorney. Register: https://bit.ly/AlzheimersProgramFour
August 25: “Hospice vs. Palliative Care” with Julie Ehrlich, Certified Care Manager. Register: https://bit.ly/AlzheimersProgramFive
September 24: “Home Safety” with Ashley Briggs, who has over 17 years of experience developing programs in memory care communities. Register: https://bit.ly/AlzheimersProgramSix
October 24: “Caregiving 101” with Robyn Arab, Social Worker and Certified Care Manager. Register: https://bit.ly/AlzheimersProgramSeven
All programs are free for anyone who would like to attend. For more information or to register, call the Reference Department at (615) 595-1243 or go to the Library’s website at https://www.wcpltn.org.
WCPLtn: Discover Learn Succeed
The Williamson County Public Library System’s Main Library is in downtown Franklin at 1314 Columbia Avenue. Branches are located in Fairview, Bethesda, College Grove, Nolensville, and Leiper’s Fork. For more information about library programs or services, call (615) 595-1243 or visit http://wcpltn.org. Sign up to receive library events and announcements at https://bit.ly/WCPLSe-news. The library can also be found on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, WordPress, and Twitter via @wcpltn. The views expressed in this program are those of the presenter(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position, or opinions of the Williamson County Public Library System.
Williamson County Public Library is a 2023 Lifestyle Service of the Year Award Winner
The Library was the recipient of the Lifestyle Service of the Year award given out by the Downtown Franklin Association at their annual ceremony.
We appreciate the recognition and the support from the community!
New service alert…Learning Kits!
The learning kits are carefully curated to accommodate a wide range of ages and learning styles. Each kit contains various materials, including books, worksheets, manipulatives, educational games, posters, and activities. The kits are available for checkout to adult library cardholders and can be borrowed for up to 4 weeks at a time.
The learning kits were funded in part by a Dollar General Youth Literacy Grant awarded by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation.
WCPLtn: Discover Learn Succeed
The Williamson County Public Library System’s Main Library is located in downtown Franklin at 1314 Columbia Avenue. Branches are located in Fairview, Bethesda, College Grove, Nolensville, and Leiper’s Fork. For more information about library programs or services, call (615) 595-1243 or visit http://wcpltn.org. Sign up to receive library events and announcements at https://bit.ly/WCPLSe-news. The library can also be found on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, WordPress, and Twitter via @wcpltn.
Introducing Princh, our new printing solution
We have implemented Princh, a new printing solution, at our Main Library in Franklin. With our new solution, it is now possible to easily and securely print from a mobile phone, tablet, or laptop, both remotely and at the library.
Visit print.princh.com and use printer id: 108343 if prompted. Follow the instructions then come to the Main Library for your print jobs. Staff in the Reference Department on the second floor with the public printers are happy to assist with the process.
Enjoy hoopla Digital on Your TV
Did you know? You can watch free streaming movies available on hoopla Digital on your tv. Samsung TV has added the app, along with Apple TV, Android TV, and Fire TV . Seamlessly browse, borrow, watch, and listen to hoopla movies, TV shows, music, and audiobooks with your Williamson County Public Library Card. Start now online at hoopladigital.com or learn more and find assistance at visit hoopla support.
WCPLtn: Discover Learn Succeed
The Williamson County Public Library System’s Main Library is located in downtown Franklin at 1314 Columbia Avenue. Branches are located in Fairview, Bethesda, College Grove, Nolensville, and Leiper’s Fork. For more information about library programs or services, call (615) 595-1243 or visit http://wcpltn.org. Sign up to receive library events and announcements at https://bit.ly/WCPLSe-news. The library can also be found on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, WordPress, and Twitter via @wcpltn.
Garden Talk Series Returns to Library
[FRANKLIN, TN, January 26, 2024] The award-winning Williamson County Master Gardeners’ Garden Talk series returns to the Williamson County Public Library in February. This year their Speakers Bureau, along with Williamson County Horticulture Extension Agent Taylor Reeder, will present eight monthly programs covering everything from gardening for pollinators, growing bulbs, edible landscapes, and companion planting.
The first program, “Rainwater Harvesting: Every Drop Counts,” will be held virtually on Monday, February 12 from 1pm to 3pm. Evidence of capturing and storing rainwater goes back thousands of years. Learn why rainwater is better for plants and discover how you can create your own harvesting system that enhances your landscape while decreasing your water bill. . Enjoy our Master Gardener speaker sharing his personal adventures in rainwater harvesting.
Register at https://bit.ly/GardenTalkProgram1 or at the link below. The day before the event we will email Zoom login instructions to everyone who registers. bit.ly
The full 2024 Garden Talk lineup is as follows:
February 12: Rainwater Harvesting – Every Drop Counts (Virtual)
March 11: Gardening for Pollinators (Virtual)
April 22: Selecting Native Plants for Your Home Landscape
May 13: Packages of Promise – Plants that Grow from Bulbs
June 10: Cultivating Flavorful Landscapes
July 15: Friendly Companions
August 12: From the Ground Up
September 16: What Weeds are Telling Us
The Garden Talk series, which has been presented at the Library by the Williamson County Master Gardeners Association (WCMGA) since 2016, offers research-based horticultural education while promoting environmental stewardship. WCMGA operates as part of the UT/TSU Williamson County Extension Office and umbrella of the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture. The programs are designed for seasoned gardeners and beginners alike and combine informative presentations with hands-on demonstrations. In 2020, the series was awarded the Search for Excellence Award by the Tennessee Extension Master Gardeners as the state’s best educational gardening program of the year.
All programs are on Mondays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The first two programs are virtual via Zoom. The remaining six programs are in-person in the Library’s Meeting Room on the first floor, with an option to join virtually. All programs are free to anyone who would like to attend. For more information or to register, call the Reference Department at 615-595-1243 or go to the Library’s website at https://bit.ly/WCPLtnGardenTalks
WCPLtn: Discover Learn Succeed
The Williamson County Public Library System’s Main Library is in downtown Franklin at 1314 Columbia Avenue. Branches are located in Fairview, Bethesda, College Grove, Nolensville, and Leiper’s Fork. For more information about library programs or services, call (615) 595-1243 or visit http://wcpltn.org. Sign up to receive library events and announcements at https://bit.ly/WCPLSe-news. The library can also be found on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, WordPress, and Twitter via @wcpltn. The views expressed in this program are those of the presenter(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position, or opinions of the Williamson County Public Library System.
2023-2024 Public Program Feedback Form
Have you attended a Williamson County Public Library System program?
Let us know what you thought about it. This is a short, nine-question survey that takes about three minutes to complete. The last question is open-ended for thoughts and suggestions. We appreciate your taking the time to let us know how we are doing and how we can keep improving.
The survey closes on July 31, 2024.
Discover, Learn, Play Room Open
Our new room, dedicated to children ages 0-5, opened on Tuesday, August 1, at the Main Library in Franklin.
The purpose of the new play & learn room is to promote early learning through play by creating family engagement experiences for children ages 0 – 5. Learn more: Franklin Library Opens New Play Area for Littles – Nashville Parent.
Thank you, Atmos Energy for the donation and support to help promote the importance of early literacy in our community.
BookPage Digital Available
Looking for book recommendations? For more than 30 years, BookPage has been a trusted source for book reviews, recommendations, and author interviews. We are pleased to be able to provide this monthly book review and recommendation guide to our patrons in both print and digital editions.
BookPage highlights intriguing new voices as well as anticipated bestsellers, pointing readers to the best new releases across all genres including historical fiction, literary fiction, popular fiction, mysteries & thrillers, nonfiction, biography & memoir, romance, cozies, audiobooks, lifestyles, children’s, young adult and more. Discover your next great book to read and borrow it from the library today!
Introducing hoopla Flex!
You can now borrow more from hoopla digital. Hoopla Flex is a supplement to our current hoopla digital offerings, hoopla Instant! This includes New York Times Bestselling titles. This is in addition to the hoopla instant borrows you receive each month. Now you have 5 Flex borrows and 5 Instant holds!
What is a hoopla Flex Borrow?
In addition to the 5 hoopla Instant borrows you receive each month with your Library card, you now have hoopla Flex borrows you can use on specially marked hoopla Flex eBooks and Audiobooks.
What is a hoopla Digital?
Read, watch, and listen to over 950,000 eBooks, audiobooks, comics, movies, music, or television titles that are available to stream or download from hoopla.
Sign up for hoopla digital with your Williamson County Public Library card by visiting our e-Library and downloading the hoopla digital app from your favorite app store.
Learn more: What is hoopla Flex versus hoopla Instant?
Need a Library Card?
If you don’t have a WCPLS library card, you can start the process online at wcpltn.org and then stop by one of our branches with your official photo ID and proof of residency for access.
WCPLtn: Discover Learn Succeed
The Williamson County Public Library System’s Main Library is located in downtown Franklin at 1314 Columbia Avenue. Branches are located in Fairview, Bethesda, College Grove, Nolensville, and Leiper’s Fork. For more information about library programs or services, call (615) 595-1243 or visit http://wcpltn.org. Sign up to receive library events and announcements at https://bit.ly/WCPLSe-news. The library can also be found on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, WordPress, and Twitter via @wcpltn.
Williamson County Public Library’s Special Collections Department is a 2023 SLAM! Idea Showcase Winner
The National Genealogical Society (NGS) announced their 2023 SLAM! Idea Showcase results on May 26, 2023. Their event highlights creative or innovative projects and programs by societies, libraries, archives, museums, and other organizations. We are excited to announce that the Special Collections Department at the Main Library in Franklin’s submission was selected as one of the NGS’s two winners!
View the winning submissions:
2023 Winners
- Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania – “Street Genealogy: Finding Families in a Philly Parking Space”
- Williamson County Public Library Special Collections Department – “The Hatcher Family: Roots from Owen Hill Road”
And honorable mentions:
2023 Honorable Mentions
- Wake County Genealogical Society – “Digitizing the Wake Cemetery Survey c. 1978 Files”
- NC Historical Records Online – “NC Land Grants Website”
And other participants:
2023 Participants
- Currituck County Library – “The EPICC (Enslaved People in Currituck County) Project”
- North Carolina Genealogical Society – “Indexing Partnership Between the North Carolina Genealogical Society and the North Carolina Collection”
- Spartanburg County Public Libraries – “Spartanburg County Public Libraries and the Fabric of the Past Workshop”
- Georgia Genealogical Society – “Finding Your Georgia Ancestors”
- Guild of One-Name Studies – “Elephants”
- Guild of One-Name Studies – “Young at Heart”
- FamilySearch – “Guided Research on the FamilySearch Research Wiki”
- Durham-Orange Genealogical Society – “Running Interactive Society Meetings in the Internet Age”
- Colorado Council of Genealogical Societies – “Colorado Council of Genealogical Societies Benefits”
- Genealogical Society of Kendall County Texas – “May Fest 2022”
As one of the two winners, the Special Collections Departments is receiving a $250 prize. The Williamson County Public Library extends it’s gratitude to the NGS, their 2023 SLAM! Idea Showcase Committee, and the award sponsors Ancestry, Family Tree Maker, and VIVID-PIX for helping make this award possible and their recognition of the Special Collections Department’s project.
Read more about the award here.
Williamson Herald article here.
WCPLtn: Discover Learn Succeed
The Williamson County Public Library is located in downtown Franklin at 1314 Columbia Avenue. The Special Collections Department is located on the second floor.
All library programs are free and open to the public. Learn more about this event or other library programs and services by calling 615-595-1243, extension 1, or by visiting the library’s website at http://wcpltn.org. The library e-newsletter provides library news about programs like this and more. Sign up to receive it via email.
Book Clubs!
Merriam-Webster defines a club as “an association or organization dedicated to a particular, common interest or activity.” Clubs bring diverse communities together to learn and discuss something that matters to them, and a book club is no different.
According to Goldberg and Pesko, being present with other people in conversation is something everyone needs to experience often (2000).
There are continuous benefits to joining a book club. For starters:
Reading is good for your brain.
There are many studies that show reading is good for strengthening both the physical structure of the brain and social soft skills like intelligence and empathy. Why wouldn’t you want to benefit from regular reading?
Book clubs are social by nature and provide a place to have conversation about topics all enjoy. By virtue of attending, people are expressing interest in the theme and the activity.
Just hanging out and talking about your own lives in relation to the book you’re reading is healthy and enjoyable. Sometimes reading as a social activity can bridge differences of opinion and bring people together in new ways. Medical experts assert that the companionship and intellectual stimulation, thinking quickly during book club discussions are beneficial.
Reading things you might not have otherwise can expand your horizons.
In a book club, you can discover new books that you might have otherwise completely overlooked – you may find a new favorite by reading something you might not have read. Or, you can encourage the other members of your club to read and discuss your own favorite book that you’ve been dying to talk about with somebody! Also, having a deadline to get a book done can help to get you going on your reading, even in our busy world.
Book clubs offer a way to peaceably reflect on our society today.
You can have healthy, respectful debates in a book club. And instead of dry reports, you can read juicy, exciting fiction (and nonfiction) that deal with social issues in different or complex ways. Hearing other readers’ perspectives on the same story might change your own ideas about what a book means.
And the most compelling reason to join a book club.
According to a research from the University of Queensland in Australia, evidence from a long term study shows that social group memberships after retirement are associated with reduced risk of premature death – wow. Not only does the membership in groups keep you lively, it has a positive impact on your quality of life.
The Williamson County Library System offers many book club opportunities. We have a variety of clubs at five of our locations; there are a selection of times, genres, and locations, all listed on our Book Club page. If you have a suggestion for something new or any questions, contact the Reference Desk at Main at 615-595-1243, or send an email.
Resources:
https://monash.edu/7-reasons-join-book-club/
Petrich, Nathaniel R.. (). Book Clubs: Conversations Inspiring Community. i.e.: inquiry in education:
Vol. 7: Iss. 1, Article 4.
Retrieved from: http://digitalcommons.nl.edu/ie/vol7/iss1/4
Six Reasons to Join a Book Club
Computer Classes at WCPL
The Main Library Branch in Franklin offers free monthly computer classes covering the basics of Microsoft Word and Excel plus a variety of classes to help people get started on the Internet, with PowerPoint, Publisher, and more!
Visit our Computer Classes webpage to learn more about the classes and register to attend.
Registration is required so everyone has a computer and can receive a handout on the material covered. Registration is available online and by calling the Reference Desk at 615-595-1243.
Class participants must know how to use a keyboard and mouse.
Microsoft Office 2016 is used to teach all classes.
Classes with fewer than 4 registered to attend will be rescheduled in the coming months. Registrants will be offered the class handout and a one-on-one appointment with Reference staff.
Puzzles at Main
By Susie Walden
Puzzles, a popular pastime, were a staple in my home all throughout my childhood. My mother loves puzzles, my grandma loved puzzles, and I think that love of puzzles has passed down from one generation to the next. Clearly this has been a pastime that my family has enjoyed for over 70 years, but how far back do puzzles go? According to Britannica.com, jigsaw puzzles were first created in 18th century England and were used to teach geography, with copies of maps making up the puzzles. The name “jigsaw puzzle” refers to the tool used to cut the pieces of the puzzles originally, a jigsaw. The jigsaw tool is able to cut curves into metal and wood and it was able to make the pieces of the puzzles unique.
Puzzles have waxed and waned in popularity over the years, with resurgences in popularity during the Great Depression, after WWII, and during the Covid-19 Pandemic. There are jigsaw puzzles to satisfy every person’s taste and interests, and in varying difficulties. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the largest commercial jigsaw puzzle is made by Disney. Coming in at a whopping 40,320 pieces (and 140 square feet when all put together) it’s no wonder the estimated completion time is 600 hours.
Did you know that the Williamson County Public Library, at the main branch in Franklin, has an ongoing puzzle at all times? The puzzles vary in piece count, theme, and difficulty- so you never know just quite what you might be working on until you get there.
The community puzzle is located on the table nearest the elevator in the rotunda on the 2nd floor, feel free to stop by and try your hand at the puzzle!
Computer Classes
Adult Services at the Main branch in Franklin is holding computer classes in the Learning Center on the second floor.
The schedule of classes, which changes from month to month, can be found at https://www.wcpltn.org/220/Computer-Classes
All classes require registration. Please review the class descriptions here.
💵Free Stuff with a WCPL Library Card!
By Lance Hickerson and Jeffie Nicholson, Reference Department
Welcome to fall, September is National Library Card Sign-up Month, and the holidays are around the corner. And yes, I know that it feels like no matter where you go, everyone’s always trying to sell you something. But don’t worry, I’m not going to try and sell anything, because library cards are FREE!
Bonus: we’ll also SAVE you money! All you have to do to get a library card is live in Williamson County. And while there are thousands of (free) books you can borrow, there’s also free computer use with access to software such as Microsoft Office, amazing (free) virtual programs, highly useful (free) databases for remote and in-school students, access to free ebooks and free audiobooks, opportunities for free computer classes, and so much more. Patrons of the library tell us they get much more from their cards than the privilege of checking out books.
Here are 12 ways to GET FREE STUFF (and save for the holidays)!
- I didn’t know my card could give me free movies on hoopla! Wow!
- You mean my card gives me free access to the Reference USA research database. That saves me money on my business prospecting plans.
- I like being able to get an older DVD free that I can’t even find in Redbox.
- Rosetta Stone was too expensive for me at the time, but your free online language program, Transparent Languages, helped me get ready to visit Spain.
- You mean I don’t have to pay $2.00 an hour to be on the computer? That’s neat you have free access.
- I like being able to use the library computer software. I don’t have a photo editing program so I used the basic Irfanview and worked my way into the more advanced Gimp photo editor, both on the library computer. I also used the library Powerpoint program to set up my presentation.
- We needed to scan our personal documents; the library made it easy, and it was free.
- I thought you only had a few electronic books to download on my ipad. I had been paying for ebooks the last two years. I will now be saving by using (free) TN READS.
- We were going on a trip and wanted to listen to an audiobook. Most of the time we check out the library’s books on CD. But we just learned there are free electronic audio books too. We downloaded three and enjoyed them as we traveled across the country.
- I have a limit on my data downloads, so I use the free library Wifi to update my tablet.
- Who knew our Library has graphic novels for all ages in print and online via Hoopla?!? I’m so excited and happy. OMG manga too!
- And also – I can borrow stuff the library doesn’t have for free! If there is a book or movie I really, really need, my library can get it from another library for me.
Investment Research Database Available to WCPL Patrons
Value Line’s Investment Research platform offers access to financial data, news, expert analysis, and more!
DYK that Williamson County Public Library card holders have online access to Value Line, an database resource for investment research and an unbiased authority on financial data for free with your Library card?
Value Line offers four key assets to our patrons:
Data
Value Line includes a vast array of financial measures for over 5,500 stocks, 18,000 mutual funds, 500,000 options, and other securities. The investment research platform includes expert estimates, projections, and historical data to help its users discover opportunities that match their investment strategy.
Tools
Value Line’s investment research is designed to work for the individual. Customization tools allow library patrons to view statistical analyses, projections, and insightful commentaries in a way that is most visually sensible to them. Users may consult pre-defined screens for quick ideas. Graphic indicators bring trends and comparisons to life to help judge investment opportunities.
Ranks
Performance-tested ranks and ratings allow library patrons to make decisions with confidence. The platform includes a Timeliness™ Rank feature to help users anticipate a stock’s relative price performance potential for the coming six-to-12 months, while gauging risk with its Safety™ Rank. In addition, Financial Strength and other Value Line ratings help users fine-tune their insights.
Expert Analysis
The Value Line platform includes commentaries on companies, industries, markets and economies by a team of 70 analysts, researchers and statisticians to make company financial pictures and future earnings potential clear. One of the world’s largest teams of stock experts will provide information updates.
Available only to Library card holders accessing the database through our website (wcpltn.org) and our institutional account. The navigation is Reader’s Corner –> Homework and Research –> Articles & Databases (choose Business as a topic) OR Databases by Title.
Any Williamson County resident can receive their free library card at any WCPL branch. For help accessing Value Line or any of our databases call the Reference Desk at 615-595-1243. Again, card holders have access to these fabulous subscription databases through our website at wcpltn.org, whether at home or in the library.
About Value Line
Value Line is an investment research platform that helps position its patrons for financial success. As an authority in reliable, unbiased information, Value Line offers accurate and insightful investment research on companies, industries, markets and economies. Using the latest data, sophisticated tools and proven ranks to expert analysis and guidance, Value Line provides its users with the ability to evaluate investments with confidence.
~JN
Tennessee Disability Pathfinder Launches New Website
Pathfinder Launches New Website
Tennessee Disability Pathfinder is launching its updated website design, with a more accessible URL – TNPathfinder.org – and plenty of interactive features to make finding resources, service providers, and community events easier for individuals with disabilities and their families.
New features of the Pathfinder website make their database of more than 3,500 agency resources across Tennessee more accessible and searching for information has been made more customizable. Users can tailor their search to be as broad or as narrow as they’d like, using criteria such as:
- Stage of Life: Choose from Prenatal/Infancy, Early Childhood, School Age, Transition/Young Adult, Adulthood, or Aging;
- Topic of Interest: Twenty service categories to select, with a text box to type keywords;
- Diagnosis: Type of disability or health condition;
- Benefit/Payment Options: Forms of payment accepted by the agency provider, such as health insurance, government program, private pay, or no cost; and
- Service Area: Select counties where services are provided.
Getting the information and support you or a loved one needs can make a positive difference in your lives now and in the future.
Start your journey today!
Spotlight: Williamson County Library Foundation🔦
The Williamson County Public Library Systems offers an annual summer reading program that is open to Williamson County citizens of all ages. The program is made possible due to the generous support of many local sponsors. In appreciation of their efforts, we would like to share with you a little bit of information about each sponsor.
Today we are focusing our spotlight on the Williamson County Library Foundation.
Who they are: The Williamson County Library Foundation’s mission is to support the library’s programs and services though advocacy, fund raising, and building relationships within the community.
What they do: As a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization our goal is to enrich, not replace, tax-based support for the library through grants and gifts from individuals and organizations.
First known as the War Memorial Library Foundation, this supporting organization began in 1948, when Williamson County purchased a library collection from private individuals. Today the Foundation supports the main Williamson County Library, in addition to its five branches in Nolensville, Fairview, Bethesda, College Grove, and Leiper’s Fork. Examples of their support includes the Williamson County Public Library Summer Reading Program (since 2009), it supported the new Winter Reading Program, theater performances, historical programs, the purchase of AWE stations (self-contained learning environments) for children, provided Williamson County Public Library Systems with lovely murals by Marin Brenner at each of our Branches and much, much more.
You can find information about their contributions and initiatives for WCPL: Programs — Williamson County Library Foundation (wilcolibraryfoundation.org).
Our newly published book, Excellent Citizens and Notable Partings is available on Amazon!
The Special Collections Department of Williamson County Public Library and Academy Park Press have added a new title for book collectors and enthusiasts of Williamson County local history and genealogy.
Excellent Citizens and Notable Partings is a compilation of portraits and profiles as published in the series, “Portrait of an Excellent Citizen,” in The Review-Appeal, between the years 1966 and 1968. One hundred and forty-three local citizens are portrayed in short biographies and hand drawn portraits.
Special Collections library staff, Marcia P. Fraser and Ashleigh M. Florida compiled and edited the articles and materials to enlarge their lives by including their obituaries, feature articles, family-submitted entries, ads of the era, and quotations from other local writers. They have created a book that is not only a useful resource for Williamson County history and family connections; it’s a fun and quick look at the lives of some of the people making things happen in Williamson County in the late 1960s.
How to Purchase:
You can purchase this book, while copies last, through “Friends of the Library” in the Special Collections Department of Williamson County Public Library. Purchases can also be made through local booksellers and Amazon.com.
Please contact the Special Collections Department at WCPL with any questions about the book at 615-595-1246.
Names of the Excellent Citizens profiled in this book:
James Boyd Akin, James Clayton Arnold, William Casey Ashworth, Charles Mark Ballard, Roy Edwin Barker, Col. Fulton Beasley, John Thomas Beasley, John S. Beasley II, Joe Bellenfant, Jimmie Dee Bennett, Tyler Berry, Jr., James William Bond, John A. Bragg, Ransom Joseph Brent, Bess J. Buford, Elmer Ernest Byars, Byrd Douglas Cain, Jr., Mrs. Georgia (Ollie Edgmon) Cameron, James William Cameron, Stewart Campbell, James Henry Chapman, Joe Clinard, Dr. James A. Cogswell, Haywood Clark Cole, Joseph Powell Covington, Herschell Eugene Crawford, Lois Crowley, Glen Davis, Woody Dickerson, Col. R. L. Duncan, Josiah Carr Eggleston, William Bryan Ehresman, Mrs. T. Y. (Bessie Parks) English, Robert C. Finley, Jr., Cynthia Fleming, Cliff Frensley, Mrs. Edward A. (Libby Zerfoss) Fryer, Clifford Leroy Gardner, Dr. Raymond Albert Gathmann, Mrs. Z. B. (Goldie Gertrude Butner) Gentry, Henry Goodpasture, Bobby J. Goodwin, Frank Gray, Jr., William Frank Gray, Curtis C. Green, J. W. Greer, Judge Fulton Mayberry Greer, Blythe Grigsby, Dr. Harry Jasper Guffee, Dan Hagerty, Loy G. Hardcastle, Prof. Henry Hardison, Matthew Thomas Harwell, Judge John Hughes Henderson, Mrs. Thomas P. Henderson, Joe Rucker Hendricks, Wilson Herbert, Rev. John C. Hight, Homer Roger Hill, Paul Ellis Hinson, Mrs. Ivy Ellis Holt, James William Hood, Lewis Morgan Hood, Roy D. Hughes, Harrell T. Hunt, Dr. R. H. Hutcheson, Harry Perkins Isaacs, Alfred E. Jaqueth, Vergil Roland Jenkins, Mayor Asa Jewell, Dr. C. C. Johnson, Howard E. Johnston, Joe Turner Jones, Myron Keith, Brown Campbell Kinnard, Will C. Lanier, Stephen S. Lawrence, John Marshall Liggett, Davis Milton Lillard, W. F. “Jumbo” Little, Herbert McCall, Thomas McCall, John M. McCord, Cletus W. McWilliams, Johnnie Allen Marlin, Henry Hunter Mayberry, Jr., Rev. Thomas A. Meadows, William Hart Miller, L. I. Mills, Jr., Van B. Montague, Tom C. Moody, Robert Nathaniel Moore, Frank A. North, Paul Ogilvie, Walter W. Ogilvie, Glen Overbey, Carl Newell Owen, Joseph Hamilton Thompson Paine, Clyde Pewitt, Joe Pinkerton, John D. Pinkerton, William Ross Price, Dr. Walter Pyle, Mrs. J. E. (Edna Harper) Ragan, James Albert Ragsdale, Paul Redick, Clair D. Regen, Mrs. M. T. Regen, Joseph Lee Ridley, Charles A. Rigsby, Herbert A. Robinson, Mrs. Floyd (Lucinda Kimmins) Sandlin, W. P. Scales, Bob Sewell, Jesse E. Short, Jr., B. Wayne Sims, John Sloan, John L. Smith, Mrs. Paul (Inge Meyring) Smith, Richard Hanes Sparkman, Prof. C. B. Spencer, Chester A. Stephens, Emmett T. Strickland, Prof. Barry Sutton, Prof. Daly Thompson, Martin Tohrner, Mrs. Martin (Peggy Shatz) Tohrner, Felix Wesley Truett, Joe Turk, Rev. James Edward Underwood, Dr. J. O. Walker, William H. Walker, Ed B. Warren, Judge James W. Warren, James B. White, Mrs. James B. (Virginia Perry) White, Melvin White, Dr. Joseph L. Willoughby, Mrs. Franklin D. (Peggy Stephenson) Wilson, W. C. Yates
The Writing Process: NaNoWriMo
By Chelsea Bennett, Reference Department
NaNoWriMo: a silly word with quite an impact. It’s short for National Novel Writing Month. That’s exactly what it sounds like: on November 1, thousands of writers across the globe – representing all skill levels and genres – embark upon the task of writing a 50,000-word novel by the end of the month. It’s a worldwide network of strangers working towards a common, yet deeply individual, goal.
Maybe that idea stirs the coals of a latent creative passion in your soul. Perhaps November isn’t the month for you to start, but you’d like to know what writing resources are available. Whatever your situation, your library can help you achieve your writing goals.
About NaNoWriMo
First, a few words on National Novel Writing Month. 2017 marks the 18th year of this “fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to creative writing.” Their mission statement says, “National Novel Writing Month believes in the transformational power of creativity. We provide the structure, community, and encouragement to help people find their voices, achieve creative goals, and build new worlds—on and off the page.” A little accountability goes a long way when it comes to starting, and completing, your novel. It can be as private a process as you like, but knowing that you have a daily word count to achieve might be just the impetus you need. Learn more, and sign up, at www.nanowrimo.org.
Before You Start
Writers are avid readers. So read! Read everything you can by your favorite authors. Figure out why you find them so irresistible. Is it the setting, the characters, the humor, the dialogue? Is it the fantastical atmosphere, the well-researched facts, the philosophizing?
Go deep, and branch out. Ask teachers, friends, and librarians which authors they enjoy, and why. Do Google searches for “books like [insert your favorite here].” Check out genre collections on Goodreads.com. Scour lists of literary prizewinners, and bestsellers. Spend an afternoon at your library, and pick something intriguing that’s outside of your preferred genre.
There’s a world of great writing out there, but don’t let the options overwhelm you. Above all, read for curiosity’s sake and for pleasure. In doing so, you will internalize the subtleties that distinguish compelling writing from something you don’t aspire to.
Resources for Writers
Once you have a sense of the writer you’d like to be, where do you start? Again, the library is your great friend here. Below, I’ll list of some of the books we have on our shelves, dealing with the art and craft of writing. They cover everything from the finer points of vocabulary and grammar, to genre writing specifics, to publishing tips, to the collected wisdom of respected writers – and everything in between!
Explore these vast offerings for yourself by visiting the non-fiction department, and browsing the shelves starting at call number 808. You’ll find valuable advice, no matter your objective.
Helpful Library Books
- Baty, Chris (founder of NaNoWriMo). No Plot? No Problem!: a low-stress, high-velocity guide to writing a novel in 30 days.
- Campbell, Joseph. The Hero with a Thousand Faces.
- Card, Orson Scott. How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy.
- Clark, Roy Peter. Help! For Writers: 210 solutions to the problems every writer faces.
- Cohen, Kerry. The Truth of Memoir: how to write about yourself and others with honesty, emotion, and integrity.
- Edwards, Jane. Travel Writing in Fiction and Fact.
- Field, Syd. Screenplay: the foundations of screenwriting.
- Gioia, Diana, and R. S. Gwynn, editors. The Art of the Short Story: 52 great authors, their best short fiction, and their insights on writing.
- Gutkind, Lee. The Art of Creative Nonfiction: writing and selling the literature of reality.
- Hanley, Victoria. Wild Ink: how to write fiction for young adults.
- Johnson, Charles. The Way of the Writer: reflections on the art and craft of storytelling.
- King, Stephen. On Writing: a memoir of the craft.
- Lerner, Betsy. The Forest for the Trees: an editor’s advice to writers.
- Percy, Benjamin. Thrill Me: essays on fiction.
(With thanks to my writer friend, Joshua Cook. His top recommendations are underlined.)
Starting to Write
Do you feel equipped to start writing yet? Great! What are you going to write about? Your personal observations and experiences are all you need to get started. Inspiration for all styles of writing will crop up in the most ordinary or unexpected places. For example, writersdigest.com says George Orwell “watched as a young boy steered a massive cart horse along a narrow path, and … was struck by an unusual thought: What if animals realized their own strength?” That idle thought grew into his novel, Animal Farm.
Creative inspiration works in surprising ways. Be open to new ways of viewing your daily life.
Keep Writing
Start writing, keep writing, and don’t give up. Some days might feel like a slog: as the saying goes, “Crawl, but don’t quit.” It’s easier to maintain momentum than to keep stopping and restarting!
Everyone can benefit from an outside opinion. Check in with a loved one every now and then to see if what you’re writing is coherent and relatable.
Find a friend who enjoys proofreading and editing, and see if they can help you towards the finish line. (Note: proofreading and editing are essential services. Be prepared to offer some kind of compensation, even if your friend is not a professional.)
Now What?
Eventually, you’ll have a finished work you’re happy with. Now to decide what to do with it! If you want to self-publish, the library is once again at your service.
On Williamson County Public Library’s homepage, under eLibrary, there’s a link called “SELF-e for Authors.” SELF-e, provided by Library Journal, “is a discovery platform designed to expose your ebook(s) to more readers via public libraries locally and nationwide.” Find out more at http://self-e.libraryjournal.com/author-faqs/.
You’ll also find “Pressbooks Self-Publishing” under eLibrary. It’s a great formatting tool to get your book ready for digital and physical publishing. Both of these services are available to you, free, with your WCPL library card number.
Good luck!
We hope you feel empowered to start writing, knowing that your library is here to help you along the way! Enjoy NaNoWriMo. Maybe we’ll see your finished work in our collection someday soon.
References
- National Novel Writing Month, www.nanowrimo.org
- George Orwell anecdote, www.writersdigest.com/whats-new/the-ideas-that-inspired-the-hobbit-animal-farm-8-other-famous-books
- Williamson County Public Library eLibrary page, http://lib.williamson-tn.org/e_library
How can you benefit from the Tennessee Electronic Library?
By Stephen McClain, Reference Department
Whether you are a student of any grade level, preparing for the ACT, SAT, GRE or GED, an undergraduate or graduate scholar, looking for a new career or are interested in researching your heritage, the Tennessee Electronic Library has something for you.
The Tennessee Electronic Library (TEL) is an online library that provides everyone in the state with access to a vast selection of resources. These resources are available free of charge at any time, all you need is Internet access. Whether you are at home, in a computer lab or on your smart phone, a wealth of information is available to help with any of your research and data needs.
TEL shortcuts will take you directly to resources for Homework, Research, Test Prep, Career Tools and Genealogy.
For younger students, click on the link “TEL Kids Page” to access resources for grades K-5.
Homework
If you have a school paper or project due, the Student Resources in Context will help provide primary source materials for many subjects. Within this area, there is a brand new “Research in Context” button that is designed specifically for middle school students. This link is an invaluable, easy to navigate tool for many projects with topics ranging from Cultures, Government, Science and History.
There is an extensive alphabetical database with information on most any topic. Including…
Biography — Learn about the lives of Bill Gates, Duke Ellington, Edgar Allan Poe, LeBron James and Walt Whitman, just to name a few.
Business and Economics — Here you will find a broad scope of information on everything from advertising and fashion to what made Facebook a global phenomenon.
Geography — We live in an age of globalization where it is increasingly important that we know what is going on in the world. From Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, learn about current events and issues that are facing each country and how it can affect you. There are many links to NPR podcasts, videos and academic journals. Each link also provides maps and statistical data for each country, which includes individual states of the U.S.
Social Issues — This section provides links to diverse and important topics and current world events. There are many articles, audio recordings and interactive maps relating to an extensive list of social issues.
Research and Test Prep
The Tennessee Electronic Library also provides users with access to popular magazines, videos, ebooks, scholarly articles, newspapers, podcasts and much more through their Gale Power Search.
TEL can also help with test preparation, starting at Grade 4 through college. Resources include information on ACT, SAT and Graduate School Entrance exams. Clicking on “ACT, SAT” will take you to the College Preparation Center where you will find practice tests, tutorials and other resources for college admissions. The “Graduate School Entrance Exams” link takes you to the College Center, where you can prepare for graduate school admission exams by reviewing math, reading, writing and science skills. There are also video tutorials on how to download and use an ebook, how to take a test, as well as resources in Spanish.
Career Tools
Make the most of your experience and knowledge when looking for a new career by clicking on the Career Tools tab. Here, you will find powerful tools to organize job searches and match your expertise with new career opportunities. You will also find help to build your resume and write a cover letter.
Genealogy
Find information on your heritage and family history through digitized census records starting in 1790. There is also a special link to Tennessee State Library and Archives, which is partnered with Ancestry.com. Here you will find free historic Tennessee information on births, deaths and tax records.
These are just a few of the ways that the Tennessee Electronic Library can help you with many of your research and data needs. Visit TEL and explore!
Holiday Closing
Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, this holiday commemorates all men and women who died in the United States military service.
It is a time of remembrance marked by many with visitations to loved ones cemeteries and memorials. It is traditionally the official start of the summer season.
https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/memorial-day#GeneratedCaptionsTabForHeroSec
Join the OverDrive Big Library Read via TN READS
This Big Library Read novel, Wild New World by Dan Flores, is now available from May 9-23 via TN READS enabling Tennessee libraries to join more than 22,000 libraries around the world, approximately 90 percent of public libraries in North America, and hundreds of thousands of readers. The program is facilitated by OverDrive, the leading digital reading platform for popular ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines and the creator of the Libby app.
Wild New World begins in 1908, near Folsom, New Mexico, where a cowboy discovered the remains of a herd of extinct giant bison. By examining flint points embedded in the bones, archeologists later determined that a band of humans had killed and butchered the animals 12,450 years ago. This discovery vastly expanded America’s known human history but also revealed the long-standing danger humans presented to the continent’s evolutionary richness.
Distinguished author Dan Flores’s ambitious history chronicles the epoch in which humans and animals have coexisted in the “wild new world” of North America—a place shaped both by its own grand evolutionary forces and by momentous arrivals from Asia, Africa, and Europe. With portraits of iconic creatures such as mammoths, horses, wolves, and bison, Flores describes the evolution and historical ecology of North America like never before.
Big Library Read is an international reading program that connects readers around the world with an ebook through public libraries. Readers can all borrow the title the same time without restriction. Wild New World is the 33rd selection of this program which began in 2013 and takes place three times a year.
Wild New World was published as an ebook by W. W. Norton & Company and an audiobook by HighBridge. The title can be read without waitlists or holds on all major computers and devices through Libby or libbyapp.com, including iPhone®, iPad® and Android™ phones and tablets. Through Libby, readers can also “send to Kindle®” [U.S. libraries only]. The title will automatically expire at the end of the lending period, and there are no late fees.
Download Libby, use Libby in your internet browser at http://libbyapp.com, visit https://reads.overdrive.com/reads-williamson/content , or stop by your local library branch to get started.
About OverDrive
OverDrive is a mission-based company that stands with libraries. Named a Certified B Corp in 2017, OverDrive serves more than 92,000 libraries and schools in 115 countries with the industry’s largest digital catalog of ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, videos, and other content. OverDrive empowers libraries and schools by expanding access for all through tireless industry advocacy and consistent innovation. Award-winning apps and services include the Libby library reading app, the Sora student reading app, Kanopy, the leading video streaming app for libraries and colleges, and TeachingBooks.net, which offers one of the largest catalogs of supplemental materials that enhance literacy outcomes. Founded in 1986, OverDrive is based in Cleveland, Ohio USA. www.overdrive.com
Packages of Promise, Packages of Promise – Plants That Grow From Bulbs
Our next 2024 Garden Talk Series on Monday, May 13, focuses on bulbs. We can all enjoy the spring beauty of Tulips and Daffodils (Narcissus) in all their brilliance and amazing variety! But also consider lesser-known bulbs like Snowdrops (Galanthus), Crocus, Star of Bethlehem, Star Flower, Grape Hyacinth, Summer Snowflake (Leucojum), Allium, and Amaryllis, to name a few.
This series is presented by the Williamson County Master Gardeners Speakers Bureau in person at the Main Library in Franklin, with an option to attend virtually
Join us in the first-floor meeting room at 1 p.m. at the Main Library in Franklin or if you prefer watch from home via Zoom. We will email Zoom login instructions on Sunday to everyone who registers.
All Library programs are free and open to the public.
WCPLtn: Discover Learn Succeed
All Library programs are free and open to the public. Call (615) 595-1243 or email the Reference Department if you have questions or want to cancel a registration. Photos, screenshots, and videos may be taken at library events and activities for library use and publicity. Anyone not wanting to have their photo taken should notify library staff at the time of the event or activity.
The views expressed in this program are of those of the presenters and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position, or opinions of the Williamson County Public Library.
Learn About Finance in a Fun Way with IMPACT the Money Game
Adults and older teens are invited to learn about money management via a fun game setting. Money mastery enables you to know how to earn, spend, save, manage, invest, and protect your money. With this game, participants will practice in these areas without the real-life risk of losing their own money. Gain the confidence to do bigger things with your money and create a better future for yourself and your loved ones – now and for the future; a legacy.
There will be two sessions:
Sunday, April 28, 2024 from 3 – 5 p.m., Register here.
Tuesday, April 30, 2024 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., Register here.
Registration is required.
The game will be taught and hosted by inventor, Cathy Cunningham. Cathy has worked with people from all walks of life as a Licensed Agent in financial services for 20 years. Growing up middle-class, the daughter of a seminary professor and a teacher, she knew the struggles of living on a tight budget. Through her years of helping people get their financial plans together, Cathy did become a counselor after all—a financial counselor. In her work, Cathy thought other financial games did not include fundamental financial principles for making sound decisions. She saw the need for a new game in this new era, for real people, and invented IMPACT The Money Mastery Game®. It is a game that anyone can understand, regardless of education or experience. It is full of success principles for business, life, and finances that many of us wish we had known sooner, including the author herself!
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Register now to play and learn!
8th Annual Tennessee Poets Day
Celebrate the 8th Annual Tennessee Poets Day on April 27, 2024, with the Williamson County Public Library System.
(Franklin, TN) – Calling all poetry enthusiasts and aspiring poets! Join the fun at the 8th Annual Tennessee Poets Day event on April 27, 2024, organized by Poets from the Neighborhood (PFTN), and held at the Williamson County Public Library. This free, all-ages event is sure to inspire!
The event kicks off at 10 a.m. with a welcome from TN Poets Day founder, Dr. Veera Rajaratnam, followed by keynote speaker, Williamson County Mayor Rogers Anderson. Share your own poetic musings during open-mic sessions at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Hear lecturers: Tennessee Poet Laureate Margaret Vaughn, renowned poets Jeff Hardin, JoyPoet Veeraja R., David Harris, Annette Sisson, Henry L. Jones, and others. Enjoy song performances by award-winning singer and poet Kathryn Adams. The authors’ book signings at 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. will be the perfect addition to your poetry experience.
Come by to gather inspiration, meet poets, and enjoy some literary entertainment!
The Williamson County Public Library System’s Main Library is located in downtown Franklin at 1314 Columbia Avenue. For more information about library programs or services, call (615) 595-1243 or visit wcpltn.org. Sign up to receive library events and announcements via email by visiting: https://bit.ly/WCPLSenews. The library can also be found on Facebook, Instagram, and X via @wcpltn.
System-Wide Solar Eclipse Viewing Party
Join us at any of our Library Branches on April 8 from 1-3 p.m. to view the best eclipse for the next 20 years.
A local NASA Solar System Ambassador will be presenting live at the Main Library in Franklin’s Children’s Department Activity Room plus broadcasting to all our library branches in Bethesda, College Grove, Fairview, Leiper’s Fork, and Nolensville.
After the presentation, families at each location will receive one pair of solar eclipse glasses* to share for viewing the most complete eclipse since 2017, weather permitting. If it’s cloudy, we will have the NASA live feed of the eclipse for everyone’s enjoyment.
*1 pair per attending family while supplies last
WCPLtn: Discover Learn Succeed
The Williamson County Public Library is located in downtown Franklin at 1314 Columbia Avenue.
All library programs are free and open to the public. Learn more about this event or other library programs and services by calling 615-595-1243, extension 1, or by visiting the library’s website at http://wcpltn.org. The library e-newsletter provides library news about programs like this and more. Sign up to receive it via email.
Photos, screenshots, and videos may be taken at library events and activities for library use and publicity. Anyone not wanting to have their photo taken should notify library staff at the time of the event or activity.
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