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Author Archives: Kayla Henzel
Throwback Thursday: Trenching
Happy #ThrowbackThursday from Nebraska Memories!
This week’s photograph shows a steam-powered trencher digging a trench for the Crawford waterworks. Trenching was dug for pipes from the Crawford Reservoir about 7 miles southwest of the town in 1907.
This image is owned by the Crawford Historical Society and Museum. It is published by Crawford Public Library. This collection includes portraits of Crawford residents, photographs of local businesses, and souvenir postcards.
Check out this collection and many more on the Nebraska Memories archive.
Nebraska Memories is a cooperative project to digitize Nebraska-related historical and cultural heritage materials and make them available to researchers of all ages via the Internet. 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: Physics Classroom
Happy #ThrowbackThursday from Nebraska Memories!
This week, we have a 9 1/2″ x 7 1/2″ black and white photograph of Omaha Central High School’s physics laboratory. This is one of a series of photographs taken of the interior of the newly completed building located at 20th and Dodge Streets in 1912. The white limestone building was constructed over a twelve year period to replace the original 1872 brick building. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
This image is published and owned by Omaha Public Schools and the Educational Research Library. Historical materials have been located in various departments and school buildings. Many schools still maintain their own collections. In 2003, staff from the Educational Research Library began collecting and organizing these materials in a central location. This collection is a small part of the District’s long history.
Check out this collection on the Nebraska Memories archive.
Nebraska Memories is a cooperative project to digitize Nebraska-related historical and cultural heritage materials and make them available to researchers of all ages via the Internet. 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: Mechanic
It’s Thursday and that means it’s time for another Throwback!
This week’s #ThrowbackThursday features an early 1900s image of a mechanic working on an automobile in the G.W. Morgan Garage in Spalding, Nebraska.
This image was created by John Nelson. It is published and owned by History Nebraska. John Nelson was born in Harestad, Sweden, in 1864. He came to Nebraska with his parents when he was 17. His photos tell the story of life in small town Nebraska during the first decades of the 20th century. He captured local businesses, community activities, and early automobiles.
See this full collection on the Nebraska Memories archive!
Nebraska Memories is a cooperative project to digitize Nebraska-related historical and cultural heritage materials and make them available to researchers of all ages via the Internet. 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.
Posted in General, Preservation
Tagged Archives, Automobile, History Nebraska, John Nelson, mechanic, Nebraska History, Nebraska Memories, Throwback Thursday
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Throwback Thursday: Oats field, State Industrial School, Kearney
Happy #ThrowbackThurdsay from Nebraska Memories!
Like many other state institutions, the State Industrial School at Kearney raised most of its own food. Some of that food was sold to help support the institution. Today, the institutions exists as the Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center.
This week’s image is published and owned by the Nebraska Library Commission. This collection includes material on the history of libraries in the state of Nebraska, many built with Carnegie grants. This collection also includes items from the 1930s related t the Nebraska Public Library Commission bookmobile, as well as items showcasing the history of Nebraska’s state institutions.
Check out this collection on the Nebraska Memories archive.
Nebraska Memories is a cooperative project to digitize Nebraska-related historical and cultural heritage materials and make them available to researchers of all ages via the Internet. 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: Fort Sidney Soldiers
Happy #ThrowbackThursday from Nebraska Memories!
This week, we have a black and white photo from 1890. It features a group of soldiers at a temporary camp cooking over an open fire and chopping wood.
This week’s photo was donated by Marcia Tedy. It is owned and published by the Cheyenne County Historical Society and Museum. Located in Sidney, the Cheyenne County Historical Society and Museum worked with the Nebraska Library Commission to digitize items from their collection of historical photographs. Images in this collection feature business districts in the heart of these towns, troops stationed at the fort, and William Jennings Bryan speaking at the Cheyenne County Court House.
Check out this collection and many more on the Nebraska Memories archive.
Nebraska Memories is a cooperative project to digitize Nebraska-related historical and cultural heritage materials and make them available to researchers of all ages via the Internet. 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: Print Shop, Fort Street Special School for Boys
Happy #ThrowbackThursday from Nebraska Memories!
This week’s image features several boys performing different tasks using print shop machinery at the Fort Street Special School for Boys.
In 1914, a new school was opened to accommodate boys who “had no interest in school at all” or were considered to be “mischief makers”, according to OPS documents. This new school provided manual training in printing and agriculture as well as metal and wood working shops. A few boys were selected to attend the new school, located at 30th and Brown Streets. The group then grew to 50 within a short time. This school encouraged the boys to use their creativity. What started as a somewhat punitive program became a sought- after assignment by students in other schools. The program was later moved to the campus of the High School of Commerce.
This image is published and owned by Omaha Public Schools and the Educational Research Library. Historical materials have been located in various departments and school buildings. Many schools still maintain their own collections. In 2003, staff from the Educational Research Library began collecting and organizing these materials in a central location. This collection is a small part of the District’s long history.
If you like history, check out the Nebraska Memories archive!
Nebraska Memories is a cooperative project to digitize Nebraska-related historical and cultural heritage materials and make them available to researchers of all ages via the Internet. 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
Nebraska Libraries Report 1,381,624 Minutes of Reading for Summer 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 15, 2022
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Denise Harders
402-462-1975
denise.cpls@gmail.com
Central Plains Library System
Nebraska Libraries Report 1,381,624 Minutes of Reading for Summer, 2022
Summer reading programs are helping students become better readers
Hastings, Nebraska – Since mid-May, more than 100 Nebraska libraries have been carrying out summer reading programs that have allowed patrons of all ages to log their reading progress.
As of August 3, 2022, readers have logged:
1,381,624 minutes read
12,153 books completed
131,179 pages read
The Nebraska Library Commission and the Nebraska Regional Library Systems have worked to engage more than 100 libraries in summer reading programs through an innovative reading app called Reader Zone. These programs consist of participants of all ages with the majority being kindergarten through 6th grade.
Success in 2022 follows similar reading success for Nebraska readers in 2020 and 2021. Each of those years also saw more than one million minutes of reading logged by Nebraskans in summer reading programs.
“We are excited to have another successful summer reading season in Nebraska libraries and we thank all our hard-working librarians and our wonderful patrons for their dedication to literacy and reading,” said Denise Harders, Director of the Central Plains Library System. “Our libraries will continue to offer Nebraskans quality programs that can build positive reading habits for readers of all ages”.
Nebraska libraries offer ongoing reading programs like “1000 Books Before Kindergarten” for young children and many compelling programs for teens and adults. These programs are free to Nebraskans in every corner of the state.
“Seeing Nebraska readers reach a third summer in a row of more than 1 million minutes demonstrates that there are many dedicated public librarians and engaged families throughout the state. Students will return to school in the fall with their hard-earned reading skills sharpened and ready to learn,” Jake Ball, creator of Reader Zone.
Reader Zone is a web-based reading program and app that helps organizations build and deploy meaningful reading programs. Reader Zone offers a mobile app that makes participation in reading programs simple and rewarding for readers of all ages.
The Nebraska Regional Library Systems consist of four non-profit corporations governed by boards representative of libraries and citizens in the region. Systems provide access to improved library services by facilitating cooperation among all types of libraries and media centers within the counties included in each System area.
As the state library agency, the Nebraska Library Commission is an advocate for the library and information needs of all Nebraskans. The mission of the Library Commission is statewide promotion, development, and coordination of library and information services, bringing together people and information. The most up-to-date news releases from the Nebraska Library Commission are always available on the Library Commission website, http://nlc.nebraska.gov/publications/newsreleases.
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Posted in Books & Reading, General, Public Relations, Technology
Tagged books, Nebraska Libraries, Reader Zone, Reading, Summer Reading Program
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Throwback Thursday: Crowd at a Football Game 1915
Happy #ThrowbackThursday from Nebraska Memories!
This week, we have a 5 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ black and white photo of a crowd sitting on the bleachers at a football game at the Nebraska Normal School at Kearney.
This picture was created by John A. Stryker. It 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 became Nebraska State Teachers College in 1921 and renamed as Kearney State College in 1963. In 1991, it joined the Nebraska University system. The images featured in this collection show faculty, students, buildings, and activities during the school’s early existence.
Do you like history? If so, check out all the materials featured on the Nebraska Memories archive.
Nebraska Memories is a cooperative project to digitize Nebraska-related historical and cultural heritage materials and make them available to researchers of all ages via the Internet. 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.
Posted in General, Nebraska Memories, Preservation
Tagged Bleachers, Calvin T. Ryan Library, Crowd, Football, Football game, John A. Stryker, Kearney Nebraska, Nebraska History, Nebraska Memories, Nebraska Normal School at Kearney, Sports, Throwback Thursday, University of Nebraska at Kearney
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Throwback Thursday: Safety Patrol Officers
It’s time for another #ThrowbackThursday from Nebraska Memories!
In this week’s 9 1/2″ x 7 1/2″ black and white photograph, there are four eighth grade students serving as safety patrol officers. They are gathered outside of Jackson School in Omaha, Nebraska with a police officer.
Safety patrol began in 1924. It was a joint effort between Miss Marie Wetzel, Principal at Farnam Street School, the Police Commissioner, and the Omaha Safety Council. The Omaha Police Department provided training for the student crossing guards and issued badges and identity cards. The program started with seven boys at Farnam and grew to include every elementary school in the district. When Farnam Street School closed in 1926, the students attended the new Jackson School. The safety patrol program was the first of its kind and served as a model for other schools across the country.
This week’s image is published and owned by Omaha Public Schools and the Educational Research Library. Historical materials have been located in various departments and school buildings. Many schools still maintain their own collections. In 2003, staff from the Educational Research Library began collecting and organizing these materials in a central location. This collection is a small part of the District’s long history.
Check out this collection and many more on the Nebraska Memories archive.
Nebraska Memories is a cooperative project to digitize Nebraska-related historical and cultural heritage materials and make them available to researchers of all ages via the Internet. 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: Chopping Wood
Happy #ThrowbackThursday from Nebraska Memories!
This week, we have a 5 1/2″ x 3″ black and white photograph of a group preparing for a picnic at Kearney Lake. The man swinging the axe is Professor John A. Stryker.
This image is published and owned by Calvin T. Ryan Library at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Working together with the Nebraska Library Commission as part of its effort to maximize access to its collection, the Calvin T. Ryan Library has digitized and made available on the Web selected photos of the early history of the institution.
If you like history, check out the Nebraska Memories archive!
Nebraska Memories is a cooperative project to digitize Nebraska-related historical and cultural heritage materials and make them available to researchers of all ages via the Internet. 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: Cats in the Library
This week’s #ThrowbackThursday is just purr-fect!
This week, we have a black and white lantern slide featuring William Wallace’s cats, Nicholas and Deborah! The two cats are seen in the library of the Wallace residence licking from a bowl on the floor.
This photo was created by William Wallace. He was a vice president of Omaha National Bank, as well as the president of the Omaha Library Board. This image is published and owned by Omaha Public Library. The items from Omaha Public Library featured on the Nebraska Memories archive include early Omaha-related maps dating from 1825 to 1922, as well as over 1,100 postcards and photographs of the Omaha area.
Do you like history? Check out the Nebraska Memories archive for historic materials related to the state of Nebraska!
Nebraska Memories is a cooperative project to digitize Nebraska-related historical and cultural heritage materials and make them available to researchers of all ages via the Internet. 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: Girls Gymnastics Class
Happy #ThrowbackThursday from Nebraska Memories!
This week, we have a black and white photograph of a girls gymnastics class at Omaha Central High School. This is one of series of photographs taken of the interior of the newly completed high school building in 1912. The building was constructed over a 12-year period to replace the original 1872 structure. The Omaha Central High School building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
The girls in this photograph are wearing gym clothing typical of the time. A note from the 1913 Omaha Public School Annual report on Physical Training stated: “This department employs 2 teachers, one of whom gives her whole time and the other three fifths of her time to this work. There are enrolled 302 girls. The work is optional and may continued for four years. The aim is first of all corrective, then recreative, then for the development of skills, bodily poise and graceful carriage.”
This image is part of the Omaha Public School Archive Collection. Historical materials relating directly to the Omaha Public Schools have been located in various departments and school buildings. Many schools still maintain their own collections. In 2003, staff from the Educational Research Library / Library Services received a small grant to begin collecting and organizing these materials in a central location. This group of pictures and their accompanying stories is but a tiny part of the District’s over 150 year history.
See this collection and many more on the Nebraska Memories archive.
Nebraska Memories is a cooperative project to digitize Nebraska-related historical and cultural heritage materials and make them available to researchers of all ages via the Internet. 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 – Kearney Public Library
With funds granted through the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the Kearney Public Library chose to enhance its MakerSpace!
Kearney Public Library purchased two Warrior Butcher Block tables to give its patrons more space to be able to create and complete projects. The library also purchased a Glowforge Laser Cutter. This piece of equipment can cut wood, glass, etc. As time goes on, library staff hopes to learn more about what materials work with the laser cutter and be able to expand the types of things that their patrons can make.
In addition to the tables and the laser cutter, the library also purchased an HP DesignJet z9+ 44″ PostScript Printer. This printer allows staff and patrons to print large signs, banners, maps and more! Staff utilized the printer to make banners to post inside and outside the library as well as unique library displays.
Patrons showed great interest in these new pieces of equipment and were excited about what the library could offer. One woman utilized the MakerSpace to make Christmas presents for her family. Once library staff learned how to operate the new equipment, they held training sessions for patrons. These sessions were both in group settings as well as 1-on-1.
These new pieces of equipment are great additions to Kearney Public Library. They provide patrons with access to technology that they could not afford on their own. Library staff can utilize them for new programming. As patrons make use of this new technology, staff is able to plan for more useful technology purchases in the future.
_________________________________________________________________________________
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.
For more information about the 2021 American Rescue Plan, visit www.nlc.nebraska.gov/grants/arpa/index.aspx
Posted in General, Grants, Library Management, Public Relations
Tagged ARPA, Kearney Public Library, Library Programing, Makerspace
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Throwback Thursday: Group of Old Time Sidney Residents
Happy #ThrowbackThursday from Nebraska Memories!
This week, we have a 3″ x 4″ black and white photograph featuring a group of men in a park east of the Union Pacific Depot. Pictured left to right are: Karl Ziuquiten, Pat McMillan, Earl Durwell, Mike McFadden and Frank Uauth.
This image is published and owned by the Cheyenne County Historical Society. The historical photographs in this collection represent the people and places of Sidney, Fort Sidney, Potter, Dalton and other communities. See more from this collection on the Nebraska Memories archive.
Nebraska Memories is a cooperative project to digitize Nebraska-related historical and cultural heritage materials and make them available to researchers of all ages via the Internet. 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: Elementary Students
This week’s #ThrowbackThursday is going back to school!
Union College and College View Elementary School was started by the College View Seventh-Day Adventist Church in 1900. The elementary school was jointly operated by the church and the college for many years as the Normal Department’s model school.
This 5″ x 3″ black and white photograph is owned and published by the Ella Johnson Crandall Memorial Library at Union College. The library at Union College is home to an archival collection of books, periodicals, audiovisual materials, photographs, artifacts, and manuscript collections related to the history of the college and the College View community. Photographs featured on the Nebraska Memories archive include early scenes of the college campus and downtown College View.
If you like history, check out the Nebraska Memories archive.
Nebraska Memories is a cooperative project to digitize Nebraska-related historical and cultural heritage materials and make them available to researchers of all ages via the Internet. 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: Robin Hood Beer Truck
Happy #ThrowbackThursday from Nebraska Memories!
This week’s #throwback was taken on October 29, 1937. It features a refrigerated Robin Hood Beer truck. Robin Hood Beer was brewed by Fontenelle Brewing Company.
This image was taken by William Wentworth. He worked as a freelance and commercial photographer. His work provided a unique view of architecture, businesses, and community life in Omaha. This image is published and owned by The Durham Museum.
Check out this collection and more on the Nebraska Memories archive.
Nebraska Memories is a cooperative project to digitize Nebraska-related historical and cultural heritage materials and make them available to researchers of all ages via the Internet. 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: Aftermath of Fire in Rising City
It’s time for another #ThrowbackThursday from Nebraska Memories!
This week’s 5″ x 3 1/2″ black and white photo shows the aftermath of the first major fire in Rising City, which happened on July 8, 1892. It occurred north of the railroad tracks on the east side of Main Street. Businesses such as F.M. Ross’s drug store, a brick hall, Mollie Newcomer’s millinery store, and Mrs. Gates’s furniture store were destroyed along with others. The town’s churches still stand in the background of this image.
This week’s #throwback is published and owned by the Rising City Community Library. The collection of photographs are currently displayed at the library. These images include photographs of businesses, portraits of the Rising family, and the major fire that took place.
Check out this collection and more on the Nebraska Memories archive.
Nebraska Memories is a cooperative project to digitize Nebraska-related historical and cultural heritage materials and make them available to researchers of all ages via the Internet. 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.
NLC Staff: Meet Mackenzie Marrow
Questions and answers with NLC’s Library Technician, Mackenzie Marrow. They began working with us in April 2022. Take a few minutes and get to know them better with a few fun questions!
What was the last thing you googled?
World video game hall of fame
What’s your ideal vacation?
Somewhere completely different —
different landscape, different people —
breaking away from the norm
What do you do to relax?
Read, play video games, listen to podcasts
Describe your first car
Volkswagen Cabriolet Convertible – for two weeks and then I got a 2006 Subaru Impreza
If I weren’t working in a library, I’d be…
Working with animals
What was the first concert you remember attending?
21 Pilots at the Bourbon Theater
What movie can you watch over and over again?
Three way tie: Big Eden, Pride and Prejudice (2005), Much Ado About Nothing (1993)
What was the last book you read?
Sula by Toni Morrison
What was the last movie you watched?
Starship Troopers (1997)
What is a quote that you live by?
“Icarus laughed as he fell”
What smell brings back great memories?
The smell of coffee on a cold day
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
Teleportation, so I can visit all my friends who live far away
What’s the last thing you do before you go to bed?
Turn on my humidifier and a podcast at a low volume
If you had a warning label, what would it say?
Gets confused easily
Do you have any tattoos?
No, but if the right opportunity were to arise, I might get one
What is your favorite comfort food when you are sick?
Popcorn and ice cream
What’s your most treasured possession?
A stuffed animal I got when I was born, Ting-Ting. It belonged to my brother but now it is mine
What posters did you have on your wall as a kid?
No posters but when I was in college, I had video game posters
Do you love or hate rollercoasters?
I love a vintage wooden rollercoaster
Do you have any pets?
An eleven year old cat named Mittens
Favorite technology that you could not live without
My phone and video games
If you could get rid of one holiday, which one would you abolish?
Halloween
If you could only eat one kind of food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Bread
If you could call anyone in the world and have a one-hour conversation, who would you call?
Jane Goodall
What do you get every time you go to the grocery store?
Bananas
Posted in General, Public Relations
Tagged Mackenzie Marrow, Nebraska Library Commission Staff, NLC Staff, Q and A, Staff
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Throwback Thursday: Burlington Northern Freedom Train
All aboard for this week’s #ThrowbackThursday!
This week, we have a 4″ x 4″ color photograph of the Freedom Train stopped in McCook, Nebraska in 1975.
This photograph is owned by the High Plains Historical Society and Museum. It is published by McCook Public Library. Images in this collection document early growth of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad in McCook and the surrounding area.
See all the materials in this collection on the Nebraska Memories archive!
Nebraska Memories is a cooperative project to digitize Nebraska-related historical and cultural heritage materials and make them available to researchers of all ages via the Internet. 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.