Director's Blog

Libraries Now and Forever

Post Published: December 22, 2017

Libraries matter — Here is why:

They provide open access to information.

They are free.

They are inclusive.

On any given day, kids come to storytime, and read to dogs; teens meet with young adult authors to review books and instruct older adults on new technology; those new to our country practice their English; a homebound patron receives an audiobook by mail; residents explore their community history and learn about desegregation in Arlington Public Schools; the pop-up Library exceeds expectations; our award-winning Energy Lending Library provides energy efficiency solutions to home-owners; we learned at Arlington Reads from 3 award-winning authors — Colum McCann, Elizabeth Strout and Viet Thanh Nguyen — why fiction matters; and our Library app puts us in your pocket.

Libraries now and forever — committed to you.

On behalf of all the Library staff, thank you for being part of a great public library system and best wishes for a bright new year.

Diane Kresh
Director, Arlington Public Library

Put an “i” in Civic

Post Published: December 14, 2017

Looking for something fun and meaningful to do this holiday season, either on your own, with your family or with a group?

Try checking out the interactive exhibit Put the i into Civic currently “wintering” at Central Library.

Created by local artist Linda Hesh, the project, done in collaboration with Arlington Public Art, asks each of us to consider “what Civic means to you.”

“What do you expect from your government? What do you appreciate? Civic Expectations or Treasures? What might be your contribution, your Civic Duty or Civic Pleasure?”
— www.lindahesh.com

With each installation, Hesh photographs citizens standing in for the missing “i” and records their statements about the meaning of civic life:

The result is a diverse portrait of the citizens of Arlington whose pictures and statements are collected and posted at reimaginecivic.com. For more on our plans to promote this exhibit, watch this space.

The concept is simple — the meaning is anything but.

Being somewhat of a word nerd, I looked up the origin of civic and found that the word’s original use was in “civic garland, crown, etc., translating Latin corona civica, denoting a garland of oak leaves and acorns given in ancient Rome to a person who saved a fellow citizen’s life.”

That seems about right. We live in community and we need and depend upon one another for our health, our safety and our prosperity. From the services the government provides to keep us cared for, to the individual acts of kindness each of us dispenses each day, we demonstrate empathy and gratitude for what each of us brings to community life.

Putting others before ourselves is a big ask and not easy to do. And yet, our well-being demands that we do so. Several years ago, sociologist Robert Putnam bemoaned the diminution of social capital – the ties that bind us – in his classic, “Bowling Alone.” From data and interviews conducted over a quarter century, Putnam documented reductions in community engagement (voting, family dinners, singing in choral groups) that have led to an overall “dissing” of community life resulting in disaffection, disenfranchisement and disappointment. In “Better Together,” Putnam described the potential for rebooting engagement and, not surprisingly, called out the pivotal role of the public library in rejuvenating communities.

Which brings me back to why the “wintering” of Put the i in Civic at Central Library is particularly apt.

I can think of no better place than this place, which welcomes and protects all comers of all ages, all beliefs, all experiences, all countries of origin. All day and every day. At the heart of every vibrant community is a strong and dynamic public library. The staff and I at Arlington Public Library don’t take that for granted, and neither should you.

And for the record, there are two “i”s in Civic. Which means You and Me. Together.

And while you’re at it? Put the “i” in Arlington and help make us all wiser, healthier and happier.

From all of us to all of you, thank you for your support in making this the best public library anywhere – and best wishes for a bright new year.

Don’t Touch That Dial 2017

Post Published: December 4, 2017

The Library Director’s Annual Holiday Music Yule Blog

Thanksgiving has come and gone which means it’s time to dust off the annual “Don’t Touch That Dial” holiday mix.

I’ve been creating this playlist since 2008, and it’s one of the things I most look forward to. You’ll find there’s a little something for everyone in this one, including tunes by musicians we lost this year – Chuck Berry, Tom Petty, Glen Campbell, and David Cassidy, RIP. Enjoy.

All of us at Arlington Public Library believe we are lucky to live and work in a community that is welcoming, tolerant, curious and compassionate. And that wholeheartedly supports its libraries. From all of us to all of you, we are grateful for your support and wish you a safe and happy holiday season and bountiful new year.

We leave you with the chorus from one of my all-time favorite songs, John Lennon’s “Imagine,” the last song on this year’s playlist. Released as a single in October of 1971, the words are as resonant today as they were then.

“You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will be as one”

With all good wishes,
Diane

Director’s Blog: Banned Books Week

Post Published: September 19, 2017

Take a Stand for Books

"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view […] until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."

– Harper Lee, banned book author of "To Kill a Mockingbird"

Established in 1982 by the late Judith Krug, then director of the American Library Association’s (ALA) Office of Intellectual Freedom and a tireless champion of freedom of speech, the annual Banned Books Week promotes free and open access to ideas and information. And it’s a great time for libraries to celebrate the joy of reading, shown in countless studies to be a key factor in determining one’s success in life.

A quick scan of ALA’s list of frequently challenged books reads like a Who’s Who of literary giants – F. Scott Fitzgerald, J.K. Rowling, Walt Whitman, Sherman Alexie, Toni Morrison, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Katherine Paterson. Two years ago, Arlington Public Library hosted an author talk with the legendary Judy Blume, a frequent “contributor” to the banned list, appearing five times over a ten-year period with such titles as “Forever” (7), “Blubber” (30), “Deenie” (42), “Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret” (60), and “Tiger Eyes” (89).

Books are change agents. They challenge our beliefs and biases. They expose us to different experiences and cultures. They help us learn to think for ourselves and not follow the crowd or cult of public opinion. They can scare us and they can charm us. They can enliven our spirits and they can cause despair. They honor equally the ordinary and the profound. They can please, they can polarize. Paper or “e,” quarto or quartz, on your phone or in your hands, reading inspires, inflames, evokes and enriches.

Want to know how you can help celebrate Banned Books Week? Commit to reading at least one challenged book (2016 10 most challenged books) (ALA list of frequently challenged books). And if you have a child at home, ask him or her to commit to reading one, too. The family that reads together, thrives together.

We promise it might hurt. And that’s a good thing.

“Let the wild rumpus start.”

– Maurice Sendak, banned book author of "Where the Wild Things Are"

An Important Note From the Library Director

Post Published: February 14, 2017

To our patrons:

We live in interesting times.

Please be assured that Arlington Public Library remains committed to being a welcoming place that accepts all comers regardless of backgrounds, beliefs, origin, income status, and appearance.

We will continue to embrace inclusion and diverse points of view.
We will continue to inspire, to tickle your passion, to quench your thirst to know.
We will encourage you to ask why and why not?
We will continue to be a wellspring for ideas, for conversation, for disagreement, for enlightenment.
We will continue to educate and to provoke.
We will continue to create opportunities for increased understanding: of our world, of our community and of each other.
We will continue to honor truth and fairness, social justice and compassion.
We will stand up for each other and ask that bullies stand down.

We will do all of this as we have always done:

With good will and humor and kindness,
Through books and community programs,
Within our walls and outside in the community.

We may live in interesting times and we will be there for you.

Diane Kresh
Director, Arlington County Public Library

Don’t Touch That Dial, 2016 Edition

Post Published: December 13, 2016

The Library Director’s Annual Yule Blog

Since 2008, each December I have created a mix tape of seasonal favorites.

They’ve been known variously as” Don’t Touch that Dial” (I imagine there will come a day in the not too distant future when readers will have no idea what I mean by this — perhaps those days are here?), “Too Cool for Yule” and “The Director’s Annual Yule Blog.”

There are many thousands of songs to choose from, across all genres, and putting together this annual list is one of the things I most look forward to.

As with that first list, I observe two major criteria: I really like the song and (mostly) stay away from the purely goofy — barking dogs, flattened grandmas – (although this year, I couldn’t resist, “Gelt Melt” by The LeeVees in homage to Chanukah, the eight-day Festival of Lights that begins on Christmas Eve); and I include a version of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” – that wistful confection penned by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane, and introduced by Judy Garland in the 1944 MGM musical Meet Me in St. Louis, directed by Garland’s soon-to-be-husband, Vincent Minnelli, one of the greatest directors of movie musicals. I don’t believe there is a singer who has not covered this song and while Garland is still the standard by which I measure any cover, Luther Vandross does a terrific job with it, cool and swinging, and makes me miss him all the more.

And speaking of losses, in 2016 we said good bye to several giants of the music industry: Prince, David Bowie, Sharon Jones, Maurice White, Merle Haggard, Leon Russell, Glenn Frey, Leonard Cohen, Ralph Stanley and too many others gone too soon.

While not technically a holiday song of the “holly, jolly” variety, Cohen’s “Winter Lady” captures his essence as poet and troubadour. And Stanley’s “Christmas is Near” is grassy and old-timey. Which brings me to “Who Knows Where the Time Goes,” by British folk rocker Sandy Denny – haunting, lyrical, a perfect accompaniment to late year musings.

I close with “The World Spins Madly On” by Indie folkies, The Weepies. Because this was 2016.

So click, spin or sing along.

And please consider posting a comment below to tell us what you think or to share your holiday favorite —be it musical, audio-visual, literary, traditional, or food-oriented. We would love to hear from you.

And while you’re at it, have yourself a merry little. . .

Director’s Blog: The Right to Vote

Post Published: November 3, 2016

It was in Miss Barbara Nelson’s first grade class at Stewart-Tuckahoe that I first learned that the choices I made could affect the world.

It was November of 1960, and Miss Nelson asked the class to put our heads on our desks and, by a show of hands, vote for President.

She called John Kennedy’s name first and being new to this form of civic engagement, I peeked and saw one of my friends raise her hand – I followed her lead. A moment later, Miss Nelson asked how many were voting for Richard Nixon. Again, I peeked, saw how a second friend was voting, and promptly committed voter fraud. Miss Nelson shared the results, acknowledged that there had been an error but decided against a recount. I was spared.

I can’t say that was the beginning of my social consciousness but I was very interested in politics and government throughout my years in public school and at age 18, voted for the first time in November, 1972. It was a thrill and a sign (along with getting a driver’s license) that I had reached adulthood.

I’ve never missed an election since and when my two sons were little, I took them with me to help me cast my ballot, their reward: red, white and blue “I Voted” stickers. Years later, one of those boys stood in line with me to help me cast my vote for the first African-American President. The enormity of that moment was not lost on either one of us.

It’s a point of pride that Central Library is one of many polling locations.

Not because we’re a big facility with a large auditorium and a lot of free parking, but because our very existence as the public library is predicated on a belief that people have a right to know.

Free and unfettered access to information makes our democracy work by giving people the tools they need to pursue the lives they imagined.

That is a sacred covenant that we, as librarians, never take for granted.

This election season has seemed exceptionally long and it’s no surprise that many (all?) of us are counting the days until it is over. To hasten its end (and it will end), however, is to pay insufficient attention to what voting is all about: taking a stand, making a commitment to oneself and others, being an active participant in the wider community.

Turn on the TV, open the newspaper, listen to the radio – we’re told that this election is more important than ever.

Not so. Every election is important and every vote counts. And it’s a privilege that for people in many parts of the world is not enjoyed.

On Tuesday, vote as if your life depends on it; it does.

Library Director Receives Women of Vision Award

Post Published: June 29, 2016

On June 28, Library Director Diane Kresh was honored with the 2016 Women of Vision Award by the Commission on the Status of Women.

Each year, the Commission honors women from the fields of government, business and the nonprofit world who have shown extraordinary leadership and commitment to the community.

2016 marks the 30th anniversary of the awards.

This year’s Women of Vision Awards also include Rebecca Carpenter, the founder and CEO of organic urban agriculture company Sprout, and Susan Senn, a former Arlington Public Schools teacher who now serves on the Executive Board for the Arlington Branch of the American Association of University Women.

Diane’s remarks highlight her passion for mentoring women in the workplace and supporting young people in our community, as well as the power of stories to connect us:

Good evening. Thank you Ingrid, Caroline and the Commission on the Status of Women. I am honored to be here in the company of all of you, including many former winners of this prestigious award, and my County colleagues, friends and family.

photo courtesy of AED BizLaunch

Perhaps it is no coincidence that 42 years ago this month, I began working in a library. Growing up in Arlington in the early 1960’s, becoming a librarian was perhaps the furthest thing from my mind, in spite of a penchant for alphabetizing my baseball trading cards. In those pre-Title IX days, I lived for sports – especially softball – and a career in physical education seemed more likely. However, within a few years of that first library job, I earned my Masters in Library Science and joined a profession known for its advocacy on behalf of the disenfranchised and marginalized.

A few years ago, I was writing a blog post to promote our outstanding summer reading program for children and teens when I remembered an event that, as much as anything, contributed to a lifelong commitment to empowering the disempowered.

It occurred in Mrs. Cheatham’s 8th grade English class and arrived in the form of a Scholastic magazine short story. “Sucker” by celebrated novelist Carson McCullers (“The Heart is a Lonely Hunter” and “Ballad of the Sad Café”), described a cruel hurt inflicted on an orphaned teen-child, so gullible and starved for affection and acceptance that his hurt, suffered at the hands of an insensitive older cousin Pete, the story’s narrator, still takes my breath away, close to 50 years later. We have each of us probably known a Sucker; or at times, maybe, been one: the nerdy kid who tags along, always at a distance, grateful to be allowed to do that. The kind of kid who will do anything to fit in, be wanted, the kind of kid who is prone to hero worship and typically chooses the wrong hero, a hero unworthy of such devotion, and who, ultimately, inevitably will disappoint.

“Sucker” was my first brush with young adult fiction and the realization that those you most depend on are not always there for you. I read S.E. Hinton’s classic, “The Outsiders” later that same year, but didn’t pick up young adult fiction, again until shortly after I arrived at Arlington Public Library when I requested a reading list of core YA titles from our Youth Services staff. Be careful what you ask for. Although I got through only about half of the list, I was unnerved by the range of experiences these fictional heroes and heroines confronted in their still young lives: teen pregnancy, addiction, gender preference, bullying; teens facing moral dilemmas, teens facing death, teens facing the consequences of their own actions. Pretty heavy and mature stuff in stories that revealed how challenging and lonely it is for young people to come of age, now more than ever. Stories that reminded me of how important adults are in the lives of teens whether we are parents, mentors, neighbors, teachers, or librarians. How important it is to be that someone willing to listen at a time when a teen needs it most.

From the women I coach who are trying to lean in and have it all to the young people of our community who struggle to find their voices, the Library is a beacon, a safe haven, a clean, well-lighted place that says: we listen, you belong. I am grateful to Arlington County for granting me the opportunity to give back to a community that set me on my path with confidence and purpose. And I am grateful to the Advisory Commission on the Status of Women and their tireless advocacy for the social and economic interests of women.

I’ll close with a quotation from one of my heroes, Eleanor Roosevelt who knew something about public service and whose commitment to social justice and human rights and freedoms sets a bar that I aspire to reach. She also knew something about the power of women’s voices. Perhaps her words will resonate with some of you . . .

“A woman is like a tea bag – you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water.”

Thank you.

Women of Vision awards are presented each year by the Arlington County Commission on the Status of Women as part of the celebration of Women’s History Month. The awards are given to individuals who demonstrate a strong commitment to women’s issues and have, over time, developed and communicated their vision for women and engaged community members and other leaders in order to realize this vision.

Director’s Blog: Golden Years

Post Published: January 14, 2016

They put you down, they say I'm wrong

You tacky thing, you put them on

Rebel Rebel

You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone. I have been feeling that way for the past few days while reading the many moving tributes to the late cultural icon, David Bowie. I have been reminded, too of how much he had been a part of my life without actually being in my life. Just a handful of years older then I, Bowie personified where I was or, more often, where I wanted to be through his many reinventions. There was Bowie the glam, Bowie the space oddity, Bowie the bi-, Bowie who fell to earth, Bowie the fashionista, Bowie the crooner, and Bowie the Warhol, his sly turn as the High Priest of Pop as if he needed another 15 minutes of “Fame."

On vinyl, film, the stage, in the pages of glossies, on the arms of super-star models, Bowie was the protean taste shifter, the master of surprise, the eyebrow raiser, the envelope pusher. He always seemed to get “there” –wherever “there” was – ahead of everyone else. When it was hip to be hip, he was the hippest; when cool was the thing, he was ice. Imagine Bowie as Mr. Freeze instead of Schwarzenegger (“Holy ‘hasta la vista, baby’ Batman”). Even the recent fuss over Jaden Smith (Will’s son) wearing a dress in an apparent nod to gender fluidity felt pretty “been there.”

David Bowie’s life was devoted to art and over many decades he shared the fruits of his curiosity with all of us. One gift of his he may not have been conscious of sharing: the gift of courage. Through his example, he showed all of us how to live a life of purpose and authenticity. How to believe in ourselves, especially when others don’t. How to be a private person in a very public business. How to court change and relish difference. How to keep it real and fresh. And how to keep on.

I read a few weeks ago about the release of his latest album – number 25, and thought, wow… good for him, still out there doing it. And as I listen to it now, and realize it’s not the latest but the last, I feel privileged to have been a witness to a life well lived. About his artistic journey, Bowie once said, "I don't know where I'm going from here but I promise it won't be boring."

No, Mr. Jones. It wasn’t.

Golden Years.

As to books, the Goblin King really enjoyed those too.

Our Annual “Too Cool for Yule” Blog

Post Published: December 4, 2015

AKA“Don’t Touch that Dial” Mix

The National Day of Listening has now gone past.
But we’re just getting started with tunes to broadcast.
There’s something for everyone, simply click our mix and see.
You won’t be disappointed. And the best thing: it’s free.

Some songs are grassy and some songs are sassy.
A few we’ll call jazzy while others are classy.
There are songs for the hip.
And songs for the flip. Even songs that will help you give winter the slip.

You can listen for pleasure. You can listen for fun.
You can listen with family while errands are run.
The point is to listen the whole year through.
A good thing to practice. For me and for you.