Changing History Is a Must-Have

Published by the Library of Virginia, Changing History: Virginia Women through Four Centuries tells the important and compelling stories of women—both famous and lesser-known—who have influenced the course of history in the Old Dominion. Authors Cynthia A. Kierner, Jennifer R. Loux, and Megan Taylor Shockley cover the rich panoply of Virginia’s history from the region’s Native American peoples before the founding of Jamestown to a 21st century profoundly changed by a second wave of feminism. Containing more than 80 illustrations and a comprehensive list of suggested reading and digital resources, Changing History is available for $24.95 from the Virginia Shop. To order visit www.thevirginiashop.org or call 804-692-3524.

2013 Virginia Women in History Program Honors Eight Outstanding Women

The first woman elected to the Virginia Senate, an award-winning journalist, a champion for the plight of orphaned girls, one of the first licensed pilots in Virginia, a respected teacher and principal, and the first African American woman to serve on the Virginia Supreme Court are among eight Virginia women recognized by the Library of Virginia as part of its Virginia Women in History program. This annual program includes materials and related learning activities tied to the Virginia Standards of Learning and a traveling exhibition.

The 2013 Virginia Women in History program culminates on March 28 with an evening program recognizing the honorees. The ceremony begins at 6:00 PM at the Library of Virginia and will be hosted by May-Lily Lee, with a reception to follow. The women honored this year are:

Elizabeth Ambler Brent Carrington (1765–1842), Richmond
Concerned about the plight of orphaned girls, Elizabeth Ambler Brent Carrington helped establish the Female Humane Association of the City of Richmond at a time when women rarely played a role in public affairs.

Mary C. Alexander (1893–1955), Lynchburg
One of the first women to be licensed as a pilot in Virginia, Mary C. Alexander owned and operated a scheduled air service between Norfolk and Washington, D.C., during the 1930s.

Louise Reeves Archer (1893–1948), Vienna
A highly respected teacher and principal, Louise Reeves Archer inspired her students through her dedication and commitment to their education.

Eva Fleming Scott (1926– ), Amelia County
Recipient of the VABPW Foundation Business Leadership Award
A pharmacist, Eva Fleming Scott was the first woman elected to the Senate of Virginia.

Ann Compton (1947– ), Roanoke
An award-winning journalist, Ann Compton broke new ground as the first female White House correspondent for a national news organization.

JoAnn Falletta (1954– ), Norfolk
A dynamic and compelling conductor, JoAnn Falletta is an advocate for contemporary music.

Cleo Elaine Powell (1957– ), Brunswick County
The first African American woman to serve on the Supreme Court of Virginia, Cleo Elaine Powell encourages young people to create a culture of diversity and respect for the law.

Elizabeth Inez Pruitt (1962– ), Tangier Island
Elizabeth Inez Pruitt fills a vital need in the isolated community of Tangier by serving as its primary health care provider.

Dominion is the signature sponsor of the 2013 Virginia Women in History program and the Richmond Times-Dispatch is the media sponsor. To learn more about the program and this year’s honorees, visit www.lva.virginia.gov/vawomen.

Emblidge Elected Chair of Library Board

Dr. Mark E. Emblidge, of Richmond, professor of practice in EDLF at the Curry School of Education at the University of Virginia, was elected chair of the state Library Board at its January meeting. Emblidge previously had served as vice chair of the board. He replaces Meyera Oberndorf, of Virginia Beach, who resigned as chair in December.

Appointed to the Library Board in December 2009 by Governor Timothy M. Kaine, Emblidge has devoted his career to education and literacy. He is the founding director of Communities in Schools of Virginia and founding executive director of the Virginia Literacy Foundation, which provides grants and technical advice and training to Virginia’s community- and faith-based literacy organizations. He is also a former president of the State Board of Education and prior to that served four terms on the Richmond School Board, including three terms as chair.

Database Spotlight: Biography and Genealogy Master Index

The Biography and Genealogy Master Index has been a tried-and-true resource for several decades, and remains a key research tool for anyone seeking biographical reference sources. Its primary focus is the late 19th and early 20th centuries, but it includes entries for individuals from all time periods, geographic locations, and fields of endeavor. The sources used to create the index include biographical dictionaries, who’s who volumes, subject encyclopedias, literary criticisms, and other indexes. The database includes more than 17 million biographical entries from approximately 2,000 current and retrospective sources, with over half a million new entries being added each year. It provides coverage of nearly 5 million contemporary and historical figures—from authors to scientists, athletes to politicians, Plato to Mick Jagger! Entries provide birth and death dates, bibliographic references to books with content about the individual, and an indication of which sources include portraits.

Your Library of Virginia library card is your key to exploring this excellent resource. Stop by to get a card today and visit the Library’s Using the Collections page to begin your research!

–submitted by Lisa Wehrmann, Public Services and Outreach

"Straight to the Source" Conference Set for March 22

Four Library of Virginia staff members will speak on specialized research topics at the Friends of the Virginia State Archives Straight to the Source Conference to be held at the Library on March 22. Pre-registration is required; attendance is limited to 75 people. Registration closes on March 15, 2013. The conference begins at 9:15 AM and ends at 3:00 PM.

Dale Neighbors will discuss the identification and care of family photographs. Jessie Robinson Graham will share insights into the Library’s records from mental health institutions. Ginny Dunn will demonstrate the many databases accessible through your Library of Virginia card. Sarah Nerney will reveal the revelations to be found in chancery records.

The cost is $35 for Friends members, $50 for non-members, and includes a box lunch. Please make checks payable to: Friends of the Virginia State Archives. Please include your name, address, phone number, and e-mail with your check and mail to Friends of the Virginia State Archives, P.O. Box 4804, Richmond, VA 23220.

For additional information, contact straight.to.the.source@gmail.com or Anne Brown at 804-741-0136 or annetaylorb@aol.com.

Celebrate World Book Night on April 23

Bookstores and libraries across Virginia are participating in World Book Night U.S, a celebration of books and reading held on April 23. On that date 25,000 volunteers across America will give out a total of half a million books to those within their communities who don’t regularly read. The program is aimed at adults. The honorary chairpersons of World Book Night 2013 are best-selling novelists Ann Patchett and James Patterson.

The 30 books selected by an independent panel of librarians and booksellers for 2013 include Playing for Pizza by Virginia author John Grisham. The authors of the books waive their royalties and the publishers agree to pay the costs of producing the specially printed World Book Night U.S. paperback editions. Bookstores and libraries sign up to be community host locations for the volunteer book givers.

Members of the public had to apply by January 23, 2013, on World Book Night’s website to be selected to hand out 20 copies of a particular title in their community. World Book Night U.S. will vet the applications and choose givers based on their ability to reach light readers and non-readers. The selected givers choose a local participating bookstore or library from which to pick up the 20 not-for-resale copies of their assigned WBN book, and World Book Night U.S. delivers the books to the host locations.

Among the Virginia public libraries taking part in World Book Night are Buchanan Public Library, Central Rappahannock Public Library, Chesterfield Public Library, Hampton Public Library, Lynchburg Public Library, Masanutten Regional Library, Pulaski Public Library, and Russell Public Library.

Book givers indicate their top three favorites from the 30 selections and World Book Night tries to assign them their first or second choices so that they can say how much they enjoyed reading the book when passing it along.

World Book Night was started in 2011 by managing director Jamie Byng of Canongate Books, based in Edinburgh, Scotland. This year marks the second time that the U.S. will be participating, along with the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Germany.

If you missed the deadline to participate in World Book Night 2013, sign up for WBN’s mailing list for news, information, and updates at www.us.worldbooknight.org/how-do-i-get-involved/newsletter.

American Library Association Announces 2013 Youth Award Winners

The American Library Association recently announced the top books, videos, and audiobooks for children and young adults—including the Caldecott, Coretta Scott King, and Newbery awards—at its midwinter meeting in Seattle.

Demetria Tucker, family and youth services librarian with the Newport News Public Library, is the recipient of the 2013 Coretta Scott King-Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement. Tucker has served as youth services coordinator with the Roanoke Public Library System and library media specialist at Forest Park Elementary School, where she was selected 2007 Teacher of the Year.

The 2013 John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children's literature was awarded to The One and Only Ivan, by Katherine Applegate. Three Newbery Honor Books also were named: Splendors and Glooms, by Laura Amy Schlitz; Bomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon, by Steve Sheinkin; and Three Times Lucky, by Sheila Turnage.

The 2013 Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children was given to This Is Not My Hat, illustrated and written by Jon Klassen. Five Caldecott Honor Books also were named: Creepy Carrots!, illustrated by Peter Brown and written by Aaron Reynolds; Extra Yarn, illustrated by Jon Klassen and written by Mac Barnett; Green, illustrated and written by Laura Vaccaro Seeger; One Cool Friend, illustrated by David Small and written by Toni Buzzeo; and Sleep Like a Tiger, illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski and written by Mary Logue.

The Coretta Scott King Author Book Award recognizing an African American author and illustrator of outstanding books for children and young adults went to Hand in Hand: Ten Black Men Who Changed America, written by Andrea Davis Pinkney and illustrated by Brian Pinkney. Two King Author Honor Books were selected: Each Kindness, written by Jacqueline Woodson and illustrated by E. B. Lewis; and No Crystal Stair: A Documentary Novel of the Life and Work of Lewis Michaux, Harlem Bookseller, written by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson and illustrated by R. Gregory Christie

I, Too, Am America, illustrated by Bryan Collier, is the King Illustrator Book winner. The book is written by Langston Hughes. Three King Illustrator Honor Books were selected: H.O.R.S.E., illustrated and written by Christopher Myers; Ellen’s Broom, illustrated by Daniel Minter and written by Kelly Starling; and I Have a Dream: Martin Luther King, Jr., illustrated by Kadir Nelson and written by Martin Luther King, Jr.

The winner of the 2013 Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, honoring an author or illustrator whose books, published in the United States, have made, over a period of years, a substantial and lasting contribution to literature for children, is Katherine Paterson. Paterson was born in China in 1932 to missionary parents and grew up in the American South. During World War II she lived in Virginia and North Carolina. Paterson earned her undergraduate degree from King College in Bristol, Tennessee, and then taught sixth grade in Lovettsville, Virginia, in Loudoun County. After graduating from King College in Bristol, Tennessee, she herself became a missionary in Japan. Her first book, The Sign of the Chrysanthemum, was published in 1973.

For a complete list of winners visit: http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2013/01/american-library-association-announces-2013-youth-media-award-winners

–submitted by Macey Morales, ALA