Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Movie Night at the Library- TOMORROW




Join us for a "watch and discuss" examination of Vanishing Liberties.  This documentary examines the government's growing use and abuse of surveillance tools to track and spy on immigrant communities and the proposals to adopt these same tools to monitor and track the activities of all Americans.  This event is free and open to the public.

Join the Library Commission for this night of discussion on American liberties in the digital age in the J.D. Waggoner Reading Room, Culture Center, Building 9.


For more information call (304) 558-2045 or email wvlcref@wv.gov
Date: 5/30/2013
Time: 5:30 pm
West Virginia Library Commission
Movie Night

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

NYT Bestseller Dean King coming to Museum in the Park in Logan this Fri., May 31

Feud expert and national author Dean King coming to Museum in the Park in Logan this Fri., May 31


LOGAN, WV – With the success of last year’s HISTORY channel multiple award-winning mini-series, Hatfields & McCoys, starring Kevin Costner, comes a renewed worldwide interest in the complex story of America’s most noted vendetta—the Hatfields of Logan County vs. the McCoys of neighboring Pike County.

This month, New York Times bestselling author, Dean King, has released a new take on this local story, entitled, The Feud: The Hatfields and McCoys: The True Story. Unlike in previous accounts, King chose to begin in the mid-nineteenth century, when the Hatfields and McCoys lived side-by-side in relative harmony along the Tug River. The nonfiction work by Little, Brown and Company is already gaining rave reviews nationwide.

Just beginning his national book tour, King will be appearing in Logan on Friday evening, May 31st. He’s scheduled to speak at Museum in the Park in Chief Logan State Park from 6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Free to the public, the event is being sponsored by the Hatfield-McCoy Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB); Logan County Chamber of Commerce; Museum in the Park of Chief Logan State Park; Woodland Press, LLC; and Randall Reid-Smith, commissioner of the West Virginia Division of Culture and History.  Light refreshments will be available starting at 6:00 p.m., and King will begin his talk around 6:30.

“It's only appropriate that he would kick off the first official week of his national book tour right here in Logan County—in feud country,” said Debrina Williams, director of the Hatfield-McCoy CVB, adding that King will be sharing some of the adventures he encountered while researching the subject. “He'll have a fascinating slide show and conduct a lively discussion about the project,” Williams added. “For example, we heard he was even shot at while researching his book along the Tug River.” 

Afterwards, King will field questions from those in attendance and then have a meet-and-greet, allowing ample time to meet all who attend and sign copies of his new book.

Many will recall that King was one of the historians on the 2012 History Channel documentary, "America's Greatest Feud: The Hatfields and McCoys," narrated by Kevin Costner and directed by Mark Cowen. In addition to King's accomplishments as a historian and author, he is now a producer on an upcoming History Channel reality series based on the Hatfields and McCoys, and will likely be talking about this in greater detail during the event at the park. He helped develop the concept for the television program, and also identified characters for the show.

Besides feud enthusiasts, King is also interested in meeting local writers and journalists, teachers and students, historians and genealogists, and looks forward to discussing the writing craft and his exhaustive research with attendees.

“We want to extend our invitation to everyone for this event at Chief Logan State Park. This is a real honor for our county, and I know Mr. King would be delighted to have you all there,” Williams added.

As an award-winning author of nine non-fiction books, Dean King has chased stories across Europe, Asia, Africa and now Appalachia, specifically making countless trips to the southern part of the Mountain State and the eastern section of the Bluegrass State over the last few years as he researched the complex feud story for this latest book project.  Coming full circle, on Friday evening, he will present his findings and his finished project to the people living in the land where it all began.

Hardbound copies of King's book, The Feud: The Hatfields and McCoys: The True Story, are available locally at The Coal House, in Williamson, Aracoma Drug at Chapmanville, Logan Regional Hospital gift shop in Logan, and at www.woodlandpress.com.

For more details on the event, contact Debrina Williams, Hatfield-McCoy CVB, at 304-752-1324; or call Frankie Esposito, Museum in the Park, at 304-792-7229. For more information about Dean King, see http://www.deanhking.com

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Capitol Reads

May's Capitol Read is The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck.

Though more than sixty years have passed since this remarkable novel won the Pulitzer Prize, it has retained its popularity and become one of the great modern classics. "I can only write what I know, and I know nothing but China, have always lived there," wrote Pearl S. Buck. In The Good Earth she presents a graphic view of China when the last emperor reigned and the vast political and social upheavals of the twentieth century were but distant rumblings of ordinary people. This moving, classic story of the honest farmer Wang Lung and his selfless wife O-lan is must reading for those who would fully appreciate the sweeping changes that have occured in the lives of the Chinese people during this century.

Nobel Prize winner Pearl S. Buck traces the whole cycle of life: its terrors, its passions, its ambitions and rewards. Her brilliant novel--beloved by millions of readers--is a universal tale of the destiny of man.

Monday, May 20, 2013

The Literary Image and Impact of Breece D’J Pancake: Native Son

Saturday, June 29, 2013
Milton Branch Library
1140 Smith Street, Milton, WV 25541

(304) 743-6711

Symposium guests:
  • Dr. Grace Toney Edwards, 10:00 AM. An Overview of Pancake’s Life and Career
  • Dr. Rob McDonald, 11:00 AM. Native Ground, the Role of Place in Shaping Literary Imagination
  • Marie Manilla, 1:30 PM. An analysis of Pancake’s Writing
  • Panel of Peers, 2:30 PM. Breece as We knew Him
  • Phyllis Wilson Moore, 3:30 PM. The Impact of Pancake’s Work
  • Walking Tour, 4:30 PM. 

This project is being presented with financial assistance from the West Virginia Humanities Council, a state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations do not necessarily represent those of the West Virginia Council or the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

New Library Update Available to View

The newest episode of Library Update is up on YouTube. This is part one of Episode 19, Financial Literacy. Make sure to catch parts 2 and 3 of the episode as well.


The West Virginia Library Commission is committed to promoting, assisting, and supporting high quality library services and information resources to all West Virginia residents. This includes getting relevant information out to library directors, their staff, and patrons through various formats. Currently the Library Commission uses its website, Facebook, Twitter, Blog, e-bulletins and now YouTube to disseminate information. 

WVLC plans on bringing you current programs, topics, and trends. This broad spectrum includes partnerships, training, programming, and service. We want this program to be a useful, entertaining resource for you. If you ever have any questions or comments regarding topics on this show, please do not hesitate to call us at 1-800-642-9021. 

This program is not intended to act as a calendar of events, but as a vehicle of ideology and practical tips. Specific event information can always be found on our website www.librarycommission.wv.gov and at your local libraries.

The video in this post is the first segment of the episode. Check it out, then view parts 2 and 3. Make sure you subscribe to the West Virginia Library Commission YouTube channel so you don't miss the newest episodes!

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

When Disaster Strikes

Bill Kershner from the West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (WVDHSEM) will present ways to be prepared for natural and other disasters as well as how WVDHSEM can assist in the aftermath.  This event is free and open to the public.

May 16, 2013, at 12:00 pm in the Library Commission Childer's Room.

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Literary Lunch with Jamie Summerlin



On Thursday, May 23, the West Library Commission State Library Services will host ultra-marathoner and Marine Corps veteran Jamie Summerlin for a Literary Lunch presentation of his book Freedom Run: A 100-Day, 3,452-Mile Journey Across America to Benefit Wounded Veterans. Mr. Summerlin, a Morgantown resident from Burnsville, West Virginia, will have copies of his book available to purchases and will sign copies.   Literary Lunch is a noon event and is free and open to the public.

Freedom Run tells of Summerlin’s 2012 transcontinental run across America and the heartfelt stories of courage and determination from the U.S. veterans he met along the way.  With light humor and great emotion, Summerlin provides the many elements involved in preparing for and accomplishing his journey, as well as some of the milestones and people who shared the experience with him.  While many have attempted to run across the country, few have completed it.  Mr. Summerlin became the 48th person known to have finished a true coast-to-coast-run in America.

Mr. Summerlin had another motivation for making his way across the county on foot.  As a veteran, he wanted to recognize the men and women who defend our country.  Mr. Summerlin captured the attention of individual and corporate sponsors to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project and other veteran-based charitable organizations during his run.

For more information about this event, or other West Virginia Library Events, check out the Events Calendar or call 304-558-2045.

Monday, May 6, 2013

Choose Privacy








































Choose Privacy is an education and awareness campaign that in­vites everyone to discuss our privacy rights in a digital age.  The goal is to give individuals the resources they need to critically think and make informed choices about their privacy.

Join State Library Services throughout the month for informational sessions and events.    Visit our Events, Facebook, or blog page for more detailed and up to date information on events during the month.


Thursday, May 2, 2013

Writer's Toolkit in Wheeling, May 11th

FREE, intensive creative-writing-skills workshop sponsored by the West Virginia Division of Culture and History, West Virginia Library Commission, the West Virginia Center for the Book and the West Virginia Sesquicentennial Commission.

WHERE: West Virginia Independence Hall, Wheeling, WV

WHEN: Saturday, May 11, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM