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Author Archives: Kayla Henzel
Throwback Thursday: A.O. Thomas Residence
Happy #ThrowbackThursday from Nebraska Memories!
This week, we have a 5″ x 3-1/2″ black and white photograph showing a large, two story house that belonged to Augustus Orloff Thomas. He served as the first President of Nebraska State Normal School at Kearney. This home was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 and has been remodeled several times. Now, it serves as the Alumni House.
This photograph from 1908 is published and owned by the Calvin T. Ryan Library at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. UNK was founded in 1905 as the Nebraska State Normal School at Kearney. It joined the Nebraska University system in 1991. Images in this collection show faculty, students, buildings and activities from the first dozen years of the school’s existence.
See the full collection on the Nebraska Memories archive.
The Nebraska Memories archive is brought to you by the Nebraska Library Commission. If your institution is interested in participating in Nebraska Memories, see http://nlc.nebraska.gov/nebraskamemories/participation.aspx for more information.
Throwback Thursday: Allen Valish Orchestra
Happy #ThrowbackThursday from Nebraska Memories!
This week, we have a 2″ x 3″ color negative, portrait photograph of the Allen Valish Orchestra. Its members include Mike Palensky, Bill Andel, Bob Palensky, Milo Palensky, Allen Moravec, and Allen Valish.
This image is part of the Boston Studio Project and is owned by the Thorpe Opera House Foundation. The Boston Studio Project consists of over 68,000 negatives that record life in and around David City, Nebraska from 1893 to 1979. Harvey Boston, a professional photographer in David City, owned a portrait studio business from 1893 until his death in 1927. Negatives and ledgers describing each photograph are stored at the Hruska Memorial Public Library in David City.
If you or someone you know likes history, especially Nebraska History, check out the Nebraska Memories archive! It’s a cooperative project to digitize Nebraska-related historical and cultural materials and make them available to researchers of all ages.
The Nebraska Memories archive is brought to you by the Nebraska Library Commission. If your institution is interested in participating in Nebraska Memories, see http://nlc.nebraska.gov/nebraskamemories/participation.aspx for more information.
Take the Nebraska Digital Access and Skills Survey
CONTACT: Ezra Effrein at ezra.effrein@nebraska.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Take the Nebraska Digital Access and Skills Survey
September 14, 2023 (Lincoln, Neb.) —
How satisfied are you with the quality of your home internet connection? Does your household have enough computer devices available? How confident are you in your internet skills? The State of Nebraska would like to know.
The State of Nebraska Digital Opportunities team will be hosting an online survey at https://go.unl.edu/nedigitalequity to gather this data from Nebraskan households. The survey will allow Nebraskans to indicate how many computer devices (laptops, smartphones, or tablets) they have in their home, the quality of their broadband service, their ability to use the internet, and more. The survey must be completed by September 27, 2023.
“I would like to encourage Nebraskans to participate in the survey and help the State of Nebraska better understand and address the digital needs of residents,” said Ed Toner, CIO for the State of Nebraska. “Having access to the internet and appropriate devices, as well as having the digital skills necessary to use these technologies, is becoming necessary to access healthcare, financial services, education, and other necessities.”
The survey, conducted by the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, is a component of the State of Nebraska’s State Digital Opportunities Plan being developed by the Office of the Chief Information Officer in conjunction with the Nebraska Broadband Office’s broadband planning efforts. The development of the State Digital Opportunities Plan is funded through a grant from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.
“Collecting this data is really the foundation of beginning to understand, prioritize, and formulating solutions to the most important digital needs and skills of Nebraskans,” said Patrick Haggerty, Director, Broadband Office, Nebraska Department of Transportation. “Thank you to the Nebraska Digital Opportunities team and the University of Nebraska for supporting this very important work.”
To learn more about the Nebraska State Digital Opportunities Plan, please visit nitc.nebraska.gov or broadband.nebraska.gov.
Throwback Thursday: Beet Sugar Factory
It’s time for another #ThrowbackThursday from Nebraska Memories!
This week, we have an early 1900’s black and white postcard featuring the Beat Sugar Factory in Grand Island, NE. The factory, built in 1889-1890 by local investors, was one of the first commercially successful beet sugar factories in the United States. It became known as the Oxnard Beet Sugar Company for Henry F. Oxnard. He was the first general manager and oversaw its building and then its operations. The company was bought in 1934 by the American Crystal Sugar Company which continued its operations until it closed in 1964.
This postcard is published and owned by the Nebraska Library Commission. See more Nebraska related materials on the Nebraska Memories archive.
The Nebraska Memories archive is brought to you by the Nebraska Library Commission. If your institution is interested in participating in Nebraska Memories, see http://nlc.nebraska.gov/nebraskamemories/participation.aspx for more information.
Throwback Thursday: Arlington Hotel
Happy #ThrowbackThursday from Nebraska Memories!
This week, we have a 5″ x 3 1/” black and white photograph featuring the Arlington Hotel in Rising City, Nebraska. This hotel stood at the northwest corner of Main Street, north of the railroad tracks. It was razed in 1918. The Morgan Garage was built in its place.
This week’s image is published and owned by Rising City Community Library. Images in this collection include photographs of businesses on Main Street, the depot, church , post office, and portraits of the Rising family.
Check out this collection and more on the Nebraska Memories archive.
The Nebraska Memories archive is brought to you by the Nebraska Library Commission. If your institution is interested in participating in Nebraska Memories, see http://nlc.nebraska.gov/nebraskamemories/participation.aspx for more information.
Throwback Thursday: Candy Window Display
This week’s #ThrowbackThursday is too sweet!
This week, we have a 8″ x 10″ black and white acetate negative of a store window display featuring various types of candy. This image was taken for the SS Kresge Company.
This image is published and owned by The Durham Museum. Check out this collection and many more on the Nebraska Memories archive! It’s a cooperative project to digitize Nebraska-related historical and cultural materials and make them available to researchers of all ages.
The Nebraska Memories archive is brought to you by the Nebraska Library Commission. If your institution is interested in participating in Nebraska Memories, see http://nlc.nebraska.gov/nebraskamemories/participation.aspx for more information.
New Book Available on BARD!
“No Time on My Hands“ by Grace Snyder is now available on cartridge and for download on BARD!
Snyder grew up on the high plains of Custer County, Nebraska and lived in the western Nebraska all her life. This book serves as her autobiography, a full life in which, “I have been blessed by having no time on my hands.”
“Snyder’s lengthy narrative is filled with humorous incidents, and she rarely fails to see a light side to even the most dreary event. Still the pathos comes through. . . . We realize Snyder’s importance as a folk artist, an outstanding quilter whose work was shown all over the country.”
Denver Post
TBBS borrowers can request “No Time on My Hands,” DBC01997, or download it from the National Library Service BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download) website. If you have high-speed internet access, you can download books to your smartphone or tablet, or onto a flash drive for use with your player. You may also contact your reader’s advisor to have the book mailed to you on cartridge.
Throwback Thursday: Classroom from Brandenburg Hall
This week’s #ThrowbackThursday is going back to school!
This week’s image features an early 1900s classroom in Brandenburg Hall at Wayne State College. It is published and owned by Wayne State College. The Wayne State College Library digitized selected photographs from its archives in a continuing effort to preserve and make accessible photographs depicting the history of Wayne State College and the region it serves. Photographs included in this archive show the buildings and grounds of the campus, athletic teams, the Student Army Training Corps, and other groups while slightly later images show famous visitors to the campus.
See the full collection on the Nebraska Memories archive.
The Nebraska Memories archive is brought to you by the Nebraska Library Commission. If your institution is interested in participating in Nebraska Memories, see http://nlc.nebraska.gov/nebraskamemories/participation.aspx for more information
Throwback Thursday: Albion Public Library
Shhhh…it’s #ThrowbackThursday!
This week, we have a black and white photograph of the main room in Albion Public Library. In this image are a librarian sitting at the desk and five patrons at another table in the reading room.
This image is published and owned by the Nebraska Library Commission. This collection includes material on the history of libraries in Nebraska, mainly those built with Carnegie grants. Also included in this collection are items from the 1930s that are related to the Nebraska Public Library Commission bookmobile, as well as items that showcase history of Nebraska’s state institutions.
Check it out on the Nebraska Memories archive.
The Nebraska Memories archive is brought to you by the Nebraska Library Commission. If your institution is interested in participating in Nebraska Memories, see http://nlc.nebraska.gov/nebraskamemories/participation.aspx for more information.
Throwback Thursday: Automobile
Happy #ThrowbackThursday from Nebraska Memories!
This week, we have a 5″ x 7″ nitrate negative of an automobile and garage owned by Wade Croft in David City, Nebraska. The car is in the process of being re-painted.
This image was created by Edith Proskovec (Boston). It is owned by the Thorpe Opera House Foundation and is part of the Boston Studio Project. The Boston Studio Collection consists of over 68,000 negatives that record life in and around David City, Nebraska from 1893 to 1979. Harvey Boston, a professional photographer in David City, owned a portrait studio business from 1893 until his death in 1927. The business was later run by his daughter Edith Boston Proskovec and then by his son-in-law Audrey Hurlbert, before being sold in 1973.
Check out the full collection on the Nebraska Memories archive.
The Nebraska Memories archive is brought to you by the Nebraska Library Commission. If your institution is interested in participating in Nebraska Memories, see http://nlc.nebraska.gov/nebraskamemories/participation.aspx for more information.
Throwback Thursday: Hot Air Balloon
Let’s get carried away with this week’s #ThrowbackThursday!
This black and white photographic postcard was created by John Nelson (1864-1942). He was born in Harestad, Sweden in 1864. He came to Nebraska with his parents when he was 17. His work tells the story of small town life in Nebraska during the beginning of the 20th century. This image published and owned by History Nebraska.
Check out all of the Nebraska related materials on the Nebraska Memories archive!
The Nebraska Memories archive is brought to you by the Nebraska Library Commission. If your institution is interested in participating in Nebraska Memories, see http://nlc.nebraska.gov/nebraskamemories/participation.aspx for more information.
2023 NLS Summer Reading Author Talk: Jenny Torres Sanchez
Join us on Zoom for an exciting author talk with Jenny Torres Sanchez, author of We Are Not from Here!
Jenny Torres Sanchez writes children’s and young adult fiction that has been a finalist for the Pura Belpre Award and included on the American Library Association’s annual list of Best Fiction for Young Adults. Her book We Are Not from Here vividly captures the treacherous journey of three teenagers who cross from Guatemala through Mexico to the United States in search of a better life.
This event is specially designed for YA, but all are welcome.
- Thursday, August 3 at 7:00 pm EDT
- Webinar registration: Author Talk – Jenny Torres Sanchez
For more information:
Annette Hall
402-471-4033
annette.hall@nebraska.gov
Throwback Thursday: Telephone Office
Listen up! It’s #ThrowbackThursday!
In 1882, the telephone exchange owned by the Nebraska Telephone Company was established in Fairmont. By 1884, 30 instruments were in use in Fairmont, with the central office attending to an average of 300 calls per day. This picture was taken in 1923 with Lawava Abrams, Mae Crooker McMahon, May Walker, Bess Storm and Alice Crooker Peters.
During this time, there was also an Independent Telephone company and the rivalry between the two companies was high. Cedar Hill Telephone Company and Scott Telephone Company were also vying for a part of the telephone interest. The Nebraska Telephone Company was bought out by Lincoln Telephone and Telegraph Company on January 22, 1912.
This black and white photograph is published and owned by Fairmont Public Library. In partnership with the Fillmore County Historical Society, photographs depicting the history of Fillmore County were digitized. Included in this collection are images of local businesses, schools, churches, and the Fairmont Army Airfield, which was used during World War II.
See this collection and many more on the Nebraska Memories archive.
The Nebraska Memories archive is brought to you by the Nebraska Library Commission. If your institution is interested in participating in Nebraska Memories, see http://nlc.nebraska.gov/nebraskamemories/participation.aspx for more information.
2023 NLS Summer Reading Author Talk: Kwame Alexander
Join us on Zoom for an exciting author talk! Kwame Alexander is a New York Times best-selling author for children of all ages, as well as a poet, educator, and recipient of the Newbery Medal.
This event is specially designed for YA and middle grades, but all are welcome.
- Thursday, July 27 at 7:00 pm EDT
- Webinar registration: Author Talk – Kwame Alexander
Mark your calendar for the last upcoming event in the NLS Summer Reading program:
- Thursday, August 3 at 7:00 pm EDT: Author Talk (YA) – Jenny Torres Sanchez, We Are Not From Here
For more information:
Annette Hall
402-471-4033
annette.hall@nebraska.gov
Throwback Thursday: Rotunda – Douglas County Court House
Happy #ThrowbackThursday from Nebraska Memories!
This week’s throwback features a color postcard with an interior view of the Douglas County Courthouse in Omaha, Nebraska.
In July of 1908, Omaha architect, John Latenser Sr. was hired to design Omaha’s third courthouse. Architectural plans were completed in 1909 and the Columbus, Indiana, firm of Caldwell & Drake were hired to construct it. The atrium above the rotunda shown in this image rises 110 feet and is topped by a large skylight. The courthouse opened on October 1, 1912.
This image is published and owned by Omaha Public Library. Items in this collection include early Omaha-related maps dating from 1825 to 1922, as well as over 1,100 postcards and photographs of the Omaha area.
If you or someone you know likes history, especially Nebraska History, check out the Nebraska Memories archive! It’s a cooperative project to digitize Nebraska-related historical and cultural materials and make them available to researchers of all ages.
The Nebraska Memories archive is brought to you by the Nebraska Library Commission. If your institution is interested in participating in Nebraska Memories, see http://nlc.nebraska.gov/nebraskamemories/participation.aspx for more information.
New Book Available on BARD!
“The Saga of Hugh Glass: Pirate, Pawnee, and Mountain Man“ by John Myers Myers is now available on cartridge and for download on BARD!
This title relates the adventures of Hugh Glass, who was by turns a pirate, a captive of the Pawnee, and a mountain man who dragged himself 2,000 miles after being left to die in the wilderness.
“There is no story like it in all literature and in all history. . . . The greatest and truest hero of all time was once a buckskin man living on the American frontier. Mr. Myers has done a fine job of scholarly research. He offers many new insights as to the true character of the mountain man. And the bibliography is alone worth the price of admission.”
Frederick Manfred, Chicago News
TBBS borrowers can request “The Saga of Hugh Glass“, DBC01996, or download it from the National Library Service BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download) website. If you have high-speed internet access, you can download books to your smartphone or tablet, or onto a flash drive for use with your player. You may also contact your reader’s advisor to have the book mailed to you on cartridge.
2023 NLS Summer Reading Author Talk: Annette Bay Pimentel and Jennifer Keelan-Chaffins
Join us on Zoom for an exciting author talk with Annette Bay Pimentel, author of All the Way to the Top: How One Girl’s Fight for Americans with Disabilities Changed Everything!
Author Annette Bay Pimentel will read from her picture book and be joined by the heroine of her story, Jennifer Keelan-Chaffins.
This event is specially designed for K-5th grade, but all are welcome.
- Saturday, July 22 at 1:00 pm EDT
- Webinar registration: Author Talk – Annette Bay Pimentel and Jennifer Keelan-Chaffins
Mark your calendars for the following events happening this summer as part of the NLS Summer Reading program:
- Thursday, July 27 at 7:00 pm EDT: Author Talk (YA and Middle Grades) – Kwame Alexander, The Crossover
- Thursday, August 3 at 7:00 pm EDT: Author Talk (YA) – Jenny Torres Sanchez, We Are Not From Here
For more information:
Annette Hall
402-471-4033
annette.hall@nebraska.gov
Throwback Thursday: Badminton Game
It’s time for another #ThrowbackThursday from Nebraska Memories!
This week, we have a 9 1/2″ x 7 1/2″ black and white photograph of a summer badminton game at the Nebraska Children’s Home during the 1920s.
This image is published and owned by the Nebraska Children’s Home Society. The founders of the Nebraska Children’s Home believed that every child deserved a family. NCHS offered support and assistance to parents committed to keeping their family together, and provided foster and adoptive homes for children who could not stay with their families. The agency has never charged fees for adoption services and still today relies primarily on private donations to fund its services. NCHS has committed itself best practices based on the welfare of a child.
See this collection and many more on the Nebraska Memories archive.
The Nebraska Memories archive is brought to you by the Nebraska Library Commission. If your institution is interested in participating in Nebraska Memories, see http://nlc.nebraska.gov/nebraskamemories/participation.aspx for more information.
ARPA Report – St. Edward Public Library
St. Edward Public Library used ARPA funds to support the community!
Several areas of the community, along with the library, were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The library’s project targeted specific areas such as infection control, library organization, support for local students, support for homeschooling families, stress relief, and support for Hispanic families.
School administration did not feel it was safe for elementary students to take field trips. So, the library provided several educational programs. These programs covered topics such as pet care, habitats of exotic animals, raptor recovery, wildlife and water conservation within our state, sea turtles, penguins, ocean life, prehistoric oceans, and an art class taught by a local artist. Adult painting classes were also hosted in an attempt to relieve some of the anxiety and stress that resulted due to the pandemic.
Due to this increase in programming, additional organization space was needed. Some of the funds were used to add another file cabinet to the library’s workroom. Also, the library purchased an air purifier to improve infection control.
During this time, the community saw an increase in homeschooling. To aid in this transition, the library added a Homeschooling Resource section. These materials included books from Around the World geography curriculum, Imagination Station history curriculum, Ocean Anatomy, Farm Anatomy, Nature Anatomy, Food Anatomy, and Homeschooling Tips and Ideas for parents.
Lastly, some of the Hispanic members of the community struggled with the language barrier. This lead to problems obtaining services and health care. Some of the ARPA funds were used to obtain bilingual books and materials for the library’s conversational ESL class.
The library has seen success through its projects. Programs for the local students were well attended and some of the teachers have expanded the programs into their classrooms. The library is also working with the local school to provide during and after school sessions.
The homeschooling parents have formed friendships and a support system for each other. There is talk about forming a co-op to bring the kids together for some classes and experiences. Materials for the homeschooling families will continue to be added to the library’s collection and space for the co-op will be provided.
The library’s adult patrons have expressed appreciation for its stress relieving programs. The library is also in the process of scheduling more adult and senior programs.
Local businesses and services, along with the school, have indicated that the library’s English classes for the Hispanic community members have been helping with communication. The Boone County Foundation has expressed interest in helping the continuation of the ESL classes.
The biggest lesson learned was that the library has that ability to be safe space where all are able to come to be nurtured, taught, or just welcomed.
______________________________________________________________________________
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) is result of the federal stimulus bill passed by Congress. The Nebraska Library Commission received a one-time award of $2,422,166. A portion of this funding has been allocated for three projects: Formula based grant program, NLC Library Improvement Grants, and NLC Youth Grants for Excellence.
This project is supported in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by the Nebraska Library Commission.
For more information about the 2021 American Rescue Plan, visit www.nlc.nebraska.gov/grants/arpa/index.aspx
2023 NLS Summer Reading Author Talk: Celia C. Perez
Join us on Zoom for an exciting author talk with Celia C. Perez, author of The First Rule of Punk!
This event is specially designed for middle grades, but all are welcome.
- Tuesday, July 11 at 7:00 pm EDT
- Webinar registration: Author Talk – Celia C. Perez
Mark your calendars for the following events happening this summer as part of the NLS Summer Reading program:
- Saturday, July 22 at 1:00 pm EDT: Author Talk (K-5th Grade) – Annette Bay Pimentel and Jennifer Keelan-Chaffins, All the Way to the Top: How One Girls’ Fight for Americans with Disabilities Changed Everything
- Thursday, July 27 at 7:00 pm EDT: Author Talk (YA and Middle Grades) – Kwame Alexander, The Crossover
- Thursday, August 3 at 7:00 pm EDT: Author Talk (YA) – Jenny Torres Sanchez, We Are Not From Here
For more information:
Annette Hall
402-471-4033
annette.hall@nebraska.gov
