Shaping the Future Together

From September 15 to October 15 we celebrate National Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month. The terms Hispanic and Latino (or Latine, Latinx) are loaded with their complexities and problematic uses in their own right. The most basic definition refers to linguistic heritage in conjunction with geographical location. Hence, individuals whose families come from Spanish-speaking Latin […]
Body Image and Autonomy

What should you do with your body? What are you allowed to do with your body? Who gets to decide? These questions are central to women’s struggles throughout history. This Women’s History Month, we are highlighting items in the collection that deal with women’s body image and bodily autonomy, past and present. “Stuff Mom Never […]
Backyard Songbirds of Indiana

As spring approaches, we notice little signs that nature is slowly greening. With the new buds beginning to elongate and prepare to open, many bird species will visit our feeders in the knowledge of the warmer temperatures to come. Many songbirds you may already know, especially if you stock your bird feeders. Maybe you even […]
Journaling

Journaling has been around for a long time. One of the earliest known journals was penned by Ma Dubo nearly 2000 years ago. His travel journal was written as daily entries describing his journey across China from Luoyang to Mount Tai. Ma Dubo wrote of the people he saw along the way and their daily […]
So, You Want to Read a Classic This Year…
Plenty of people resolve to read more in the new year. It’s a good goal, at least in this librarian’s opinion. Reading exercises your brain. It can introduce you to new words, new information, and new perspectives. It should be fun and relaxing, but the pressure to read is a source of frustration for many, […]
Learning About Our Collective History

February is here, and CDPL has a Black History Month display and column to share with you. In previous years, our column addressed the origins of Black History Month as it stands today, and how the federal government started recognizing its significance for the African American communities around the country. This time, I’d like for […]
Get Inspired with Creativebug Holiday Crafts

If you are looking for some fun holiday craft ideas, check out our library’s Creativebug, which offers you unlimited access to thousands of art and craft videos, all free with your library card. You can find projects on everything from yarn work to paper crafts to festive foods. Each video comes with a complete list […]
Press Start!

In the second half of International Games Month with the American Library Association, we are highlighting video games! All the books listed below and more are on display starting November 15th. Are you curious how video games took the world by storm? Read “Game On!: Video Game History from Pong and Pac-Man to Mario, Minecraft, […]
We are Thankful for You!

Preparing for holiday gatherings can be quite stressful and overwhelming for many hosts and hostesses, as well as those spending this time alone. Before you become caught in the holiday grind, take a moment to tally all the reasons you have to be thankful. Sometimes, it is difficult to count our blessings when we are […]
Out of the Broom Closet: Non-Traditional Spiritual Resources

Do you love Halloween? For many, it is a favorite holiday. Halloween was first called Samhain (pronounced Sow-en) and was celebrated as the New Year for many earth-based religions. It was also called All Hallows’ Eve. Samhain was the night when the veil between this world and the other world was the thinnest, and spirits […]