Join nationally known adventure-travel journalist Peter Mandel for a thrilling virtual exploration of the world’s most remote and extreme locations. Mandel has chased stories from the deserts of Africa to the fjords of Norway, the mountain paths of Japan to the icy wilderness of Antarctica—often returning with unforgettable tales and striking photos.
In this dynamic storytelling event, Mandel shares gripping experiences from the field —surviving a coup in Ecuador, fishing for piranhas in Brazil, floating in the Goodyear Blimp, kayaking to the Statue of Liberty, visiting a ‘city’ of penguins at the South Pole, and more. Along the way, he’ll reveal how these real-life adventures are transformed into powerful prose for today’s newspapers, magazines, and books.
Peter Mandel’s work has appeared in The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, National Geographic Kids, The Los Angeles Times, and more. He has published eleven children’s books, with titles exhibited at the Smithsonian, the American Museum of Natural History, and the National Baseball Hall of Fame. His books have been translated into several languages, including Japanese, German, Dutch, Swedish, and Danish. Based in Rhode Island, he shares his home with his wife, Kathy, and their rescue cats, Emily and Cecil.
This all-ages virtual program is perfect for curious minds, aspiring writers, world travelers, and armchair adventurers alike. Don’t miss this unforgettable journey around the globe—from the comfort of home.
It has been more than 30 years since I’ve been able to view my family’s old home movies. They have been trapped on old camcorder tapes and shuffled from box to bin, from attic to basement. Which is why when I saw the Glenwood Branch +Makerspace digital memory station, I knew what my first project was going to be. I dug out one of many old boxes of VHS tapes and got to work – my memory is fickle, and it took seeing these videos to remember details from my childhood. For instance, I’d forgotten that my brother used to cart me around on the back of his tricycle – with my Cabbage Patch doll in tow, of course!
The digital memory station features the ability to preserve memories from old media. Using the VHS player and accompanying cassette adapter, home movies can be recorded using the station’s computer. One thing to keep in mind is that this can be a lengthy process. Converting videos to a digital file takes at least as long as the video itself… plus processing time. However, being able to see and share these memories again has been priceless. The only supplies required are the video, a storage device to take the digital files home, and time. A staff member is always stationed in the Makerspace who you can ask for help getting the project started.
If you want more information, watch the video that explains the VHS conversion process, step-by-step. Find it here: https://bit.ly/Glenwood-VHS
The other big draw at the memory station is the fast photo scanner. This little device can scan photos at a speed of up to 1 per second. In addition, it can be set up to scan both sides of each picture simultaneously. At first, I wasn’t sure if I would need that feature – but looking back through my scans, I found that it had captured the writing on the back of each of my photographs. My mom meticulously recorded details that have been lost to my memory. She had very distinct handwriting… and since she passed nine years ago, each of these images is a treasure to me.
I was worried about my grandmother’s wedding picture being bent since it is already a little worn around the edges. For items like Polaroids or fragile photos, there is a flatbed scanner right next to the fast photo scanner. This can auto-detect as many images as will fit on the glass – so at least each one doesn’t have to be scanned individually.
There is no charge to use any of the equipment at the digital memory station – but if a USB or CD is needed to store the digital files, they are available to purchase at the customer service desk. There is no appointment system – the digital memory station is available on a first-come, first-served basis. To check and see if it is available, call the Glenwood Branch at 410.313.5577.
Kimberly J is an Instructor and Research Specialist at the HCLS Glenwood Branch. She enjoys reading, photography, creating, crafting, and baking.
Not your typical novel, Feast Your Eyes by Myla Goldberg is a fictional memoir of a photographer named Lillian Preston and all the people who make up her support system. Her story unfolds through several narrators through letters, journal entries, firsthand accounts, and descriptions (by Lillian’s daughter) of photographs taken by Lillian.
Set primarily in New York City, the story outlines the hardships of being a professional artist. Lillian balances this struggle with single motherhood. Caring for her daughter Samantha and keeping up with her photography practice every day are constantly on Lillian’s mind. As Samantha gets older, this struggle intensifies with a legal battle over photographs that are deemed “obscene,” and charges are filed against Lillian and her gallery owner. You’ll have to read the book to learn the outcome of the case!
Samantha is in her mid-to-late teens when the case makes news headlines, and it affects Lillian and Samantha’s relationship. Later, they are able to find common ground, as they work together on photography projects; the creative spirit is what bonds them. There is a lot of drama and struggle in this story, but the way it is revealed keeps it from being heavy-handed. It also kept me engaged until the conclusion.
I also sensed that Samantha regretted the way she had treated her mom and only started to realize this towards the end of the book. Still, the reader can feel their deep bond throughout, which makes the story truly bittersweet.
Lillian herself—selfishly single-minded in her artistic drive but genuinely protective of her child and often desperately lonely—is both larger than life and thoroughly human. A riveting portrait of an artist who happens to be a woman.
October is National Arts & Humanities Month, so I decided to ask my Central Branch teammates about their favorite artists and art works from the Art Education Collection. Here’s what they had to say:
April and Wendy love Van Gogh. April’s favorite work is Starry Night. She appreciates “his colors and his unique brushstrokes. You definitely know a Van Gogh when you see one.” Wendy’s favorite work is Farmhouse in Provence. She says, “I’ve always loved Van Gogh because of the bright colors he used, the soft focus, and the imperfect, rustic style. His work is very emotional.”
Angela and Rita are big fans of Charles Bibbs. Rita applauds Bibbs’ “powerful cross-cultural statements,” “the [breathtaking] colors and details,” and “[his promotion of] African American culture.” Angela’s favorite piece is Sisters in Link. She enjoys “the bright vibrant colors of the dresses of the piece, and the dramatic flair of the ladies’ poses,” as well as how the ladies appear “full of life and joy.” She notes how Bibbs creates an “illusion of movement.”
Brandon loves the Art Education Collection. His favorite piece is San Francisco Cable Car, Rain by Judy Reed. He says, “It captures the essence of the Bay area, [the beauty] of Northern California, and illustrates the significance [of] the cable car transportation system.”
Cherise and Angie enjoy Ernie Barnes. Angie’s favorite piece is Uptown Downtown. She was instantly hooked on Barnes when she saw Marvin Gaye’s I Want You album cover, which features his most famous piece, The Sugar Shack. She describes his art as “kinetic and mesmerizing” and continues, “The painting is in constant motion and makes you want to know more about the people in it, where they are going, and where they have been.” Cherise favors Sam & Sidney from Barnes. She says, “I wonder what they are talking about and hope that they are being open-minded in their debate. I am intrigued by the dialogue that Barnes is creating between an African American artist born into a segregated culture and his subjects from a very different background.”
Lami’s favorite piece is Carol Murray’s photograph entitled Baltimore Cookie House Tour. She says, “The piece evokes feelings of comfort and peace for me. The intricate mosaic design…brings to mind being curled up near a fireplace with heat from the flames gently lulling you to sleep.” Lami appreciates that this piece gives her the opportunity to admire both the photographic technique and the mosaic work.
Hannah enjoys the mystery of Yasuo Kuniyoshi’s Little Joe with Cow. The painting is a great source of debate among Central teammates, Hannah explains. “Do we find him creepy or cute? How did the cow become triangular? Who keeps putting him back in storage instead of on display?!” Hannah looks back at Kuniyoshi’s life: “[he] immigrated [to] the U.S. [from Japan] at age 16, was never given full U.S. citizenship, and was placed under house arrest following the attack on Pearl Harbor.” She notes that, “while this artwork was completed 18 years prior… I believe these aspects of Kuniyoshi’s childhood and adult life in the U.S. shed new perspective on little Joe – a small boy in a dark atmosphere leaning on his cow for support.”
You can find (and borrow) your favorites at Central and Glenwood Branches.
Emily is an Instructor & Research Specialist at the Central Branch. She enjoys reading, listening to music, and re-watching old seasons of Survivor.
May is Older Americans Month and is the perfect time to start a new hobby with a little help from HCLS! Check out these great resources you can access for free with your library card.
Looking to get artsy? We’ve got some great DVD series to help you start. Craftsy offers hands-on lessons in creative mediums such as knitting, watercolors, crochet, and sewing. Interested in painting? Follow along with Bob Ross as he guides you every step of the way toward creating your own masterpiece in his art video series.
Interested in building a family tree and learning about your family’s history? Check out, via our online research tools, Ancestry Library Edition (only available in library branches), HeritageQuest, and MyHeritage Library Edition for access to billions of records from all around the world – including census records, immigration records, and beyond!
Budding photographers can head over to LinkedIn Learning for comprehensive video tutorials on topics like mobile photography, taking portraits, photo composition, photo editing, and more! Simply login with your library card and pin number to begin.
Expand your linguistic horizons and study a new language. For those who prefer to learn in quick, fun, daily lessons, Mango is a great option. Just download the free mobile app, select the language you want to learn, and start learning! For more immersive learning, Rosetta Stone offers structured lessons in reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
Hoping to introduce some new recipes into your repertoire? Check out the Great Courses’ Everyday Gourmet DVD series. With courses on outdoor cooking, Mediterranean cooking, and cooking with vegetables, there’s something for every palate!
Emily is an Instructor & Research Specialist at the Central Branch. She enjoys reading, listening to music, and re-watching old seasons of Survivor.
CHAPTER CHATS 