New reproductions decorate our branches
Some fresh, fine art is hanging in each of our branches. Read more
Category: Library Love
Our patrons are wonderful about showing their library love. In this category, we share those stories.
Guest Blog: Historical dance troupe delights teen
Syd Fillhardt
By Syd Fillhardt, Campbell County High School Student
I attended a Macy’s Artwave program on February 27th with my mom. This program was put on by the Forget-Me-Not Historical Dance Company. I didn’t even know there was such a group!
I’m not a huge fan of dance, but I do appreciate the art of dance and all the hard work that goes into it. My mom pointed out this program was going to showcase historical dances performed at President William Howard Taft’s Inaugural Ball in 1909. Being a history lover, with an interest in U.S. Presidents, I thought this would be an interesting program to attend.
I have visited the Taft boyhood home in Cincinnati a few times and liked how the program related our 27th president. I was right. The dancers, decked out in period costumes, performed four dances that were used at President Taft’s Inauguration celebration.
I had no idea that period dances were something that could be researched, studied and performed. I was tired just watching them dance!
It was very interesting to see how the public danced in 1909, compared to today. I’m glad I attended this program, as it gave me a broader perspective of ArtsWave and the different variations of art that they support.
I’ve been a library supported for sixteen years and appreciate the knowledge that I’ve gained just by visiting the Campbell County Public Library. I look forward to what’s next at the library!
Syd is the daughter of CCPL Board Secretary Christie Fillhardt.
More News
- May 'Connections' Newsletter
- Early Literacy Play Date
- What Two Local Poets are Reading for National Poetry Month
- We Suggest: Our Favorite Middle Grade Reads
- Library Page (Part Time) - Cold Spring
- Library Page (Part Time) - Newport
- Excited About Taylor Swift's Tortured Poets Department? Read Poets From the Library's Collection!
Guest Blog: Puppy Tales makes reading fun for reluctant reader
By Christie Fillhardt, Secretary, Campbell County Public Library Board of Trustees
Wilma & Buddy after Puppy Tales
My son, Buddy Fillhardt, absolutely loves visiting with Wilma, the rescue dog when she takes her appearances at the Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch for the program Puppy Tales.
One thing my son doesn’t like to do as much is to read, but he will read several books during his time with Wilma, as Wilma loves to be read to! A beautiful Saturday afternoon and my son’s main agenda is to go to the library and participate in the Puppy Tales program.
Wilma ‘s owner, Linda Miller, and Joyce Emery, Children’s Programmer at Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch, really go out of their way to make this program a success. We have so much fun with it.
My son likes the program so much, he even uses the library’s app to register himself for the next session or for other programs he is interested in attending. He is getting a great overview of how useful the app can be, while learning more about technology.
Upcoming Puppy Tales
Puppy Tales
Saturday, March 19, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Carrico/Ft. Thomas Branch
Saturday, April 16, 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Newport Branch
Let’s meet Carrico librarian Mike Fair
Carrico/Fort Thomas Public Services Librarian Mike Fair isn’t good at relaxing. That’s great because he has a newborn daughter, a band and a lot of wonderful work to do for the Campbell County Public Library.
Mike is from St. Louis originally, but he’s called Northern Kentucky home since he was 6-years-old. He graduated from Ludlow High School in 1997, and went to work for the Kenton County Library. He earned his Bachelor’s in English from NKU in 2002 while continuing to work for KCPL. In 2012, he decided it was time to pursue his Master’s and found work with us as a Part Time Programmer. After securing his Master’s of Science in Library Science from University of Kentucky, he was hired as a Public Services Librarian in 2014.
His title, he says, is intentionally vague. The reach of his work goes beyond the doors of the Carrico Branch. In addition to programming events for Fort Thomas teens, Mike also works the Reference Desk, selects music and video games for the entire system and is the primary One-on-One Technology Training coordinator for the branch.
Picking his favorite part of the job would be like picking your favorite child, Mike says. As a teen programmer, Mike has enjoyed learning new skills such as origami, tie dye, chess and sewing. As a music and games selector, Mike has enjoyed curating a collection of new music and in-demand classic artists. And in his work as a One-on-One Technology Training coordinator he’s seen the results of people’s desire to learn new things.
In his free time, Mike plays guitar in The Night Divided. He’s been playing with them for more than three years. They enjoy playing live about once a month.
Mike is a long-time vegetarian who practices yoga. Although his practice has been a bit disrupted by the birth of his daughter, Pamela Sue Fair on December 10, 2015. Mike and his wife, Michelle, live in Bellevue where Michelle is a preschool teacher at Grandview Elementary.
More News
- May 'Connections' Newsletter
- Early Literacy Play Date
- What Two Local Poets are Reading for National Poetry Month
- We Suggest: Our Favorite Middle Grade Reads
- Library Page (Part Time) - Cold Spring
- Library Page (Part Time) - Newport
- Excited About Taylor Swift's Tortured Poets Department? Read Poets From the Library's Collection!
Let’s Meet Library Courier Marsha N.
The books and films aren’t the only interesting things in the Campbell County Public Library. Our people are truly our best resource. With that in mind, we’d like to introduce you to Marsha Nelson.
Marsha is a mother, flautist and blacksmith who delivers library materials and mail between our branches Monday through Friday. Marsha says her love of the library began at a very young age, “when my mother worked in Newport, I would sometimes go visit when I had a day off school. I’d hop on the bus and visit her at her office. We were only a block away from the Newport Public Library. We’d go down and visit the Newport Public Library, which was the biggest treat in the world.”
Marsha started with the Library in 2007 as a page at our Newport Branch. When the Library’s courier Bob Small retired in 2010, Marsha jumped at the chance, “it just looked like fun! Bob got to come in, carrying crates, and saying ‘hi’ to everyone.” Marsha has been hauling crates and spreading sunshine ever since.
One of Marsha’s ironworking pieces. (Click to enlarge)
When she’s not working at the Library, you can find Marsha crafting traditional iron hinges, gates and latches for the Ohio-based Workshops of David T. Smith. Marsha says her passion for this uncommon trade began with a book, “I was senior in high school. I read “Trinity” by Leon Uris and that book very accurately describes the work of an Irish blacksmith and it just intrigued me. At the same time, blacksmithing was going through a renaissance in this country.”
(Click to enlarge)
Marsha trained in horseshoeing and modern welding, but all she every really wanted to do was forge. She earned an apprenticeship at the Farmer’s Museum in Cooperstown, Ohio worked there for a year. That cemented her desire to do only traditional ironwork.
Marsha and her husband, local musician Kyle Meadows, live in Campbell County. Their son, Doug, is majoring in Business at Berea College.
Marsha says her favorite thing about working in the Library is the people, “Everyone is so nice. I can’t emphasize that enough. People are helpful, people work as a team.”
More Library Love
VIDEO: Cold Spring tree bursts with fall color
If you are a Cold Spring Branch patron, you may have noticed the large tree that is situated near the item return.
During the fall, that tree puts on an explosive show of color before dropping all of its leaves for winter. Enjoy the show with this quick video.
More Library Love
November 18 is High-Five a Librarian Day
Wednesday, November 18 is a great day to celebrate why you love your library with High-Five a Librarian Day.
This day is the brainchild of Cincinnati librarian and EveryLibrary Artist-In-Residence Steve Kemble.
This day is easy to celebrate. Simply high-five any of our staffers on Wednesday, November 18, and share with them why you love your library and the work they do.
If you want to share your passion with your friends, say you’ll be there on Facebook.
Fist bumps are also welcome.
High-five!
More Library Love
Cam celebrates the holidays with new activity sheets
This is Cam’s first ever holiday season here at the Library. He decided to celebrate with these super-fun activity sheets.
Meet Carrico’s branch pet
Next time you are in our Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch, stop by the children’s area to meet our branch pet, Fiddle.