Author Archives: amymatheney

About amymatheney

Amy is the Adult Services Specialist at the New Richmond Branch.

Chronicling America

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Many visitors to the Clermont County Public Library already know about the genealogy resources that we offer, in print and digital formats. We have a variety of materials specific to the history of Ohio and Clermont County. We also provide online access to databases, such as Ancestry Library Edition, HeritageQuest, World Vital Records, and more.

I recently found out about another great online resource, Chronicling America, The National Digital Newspaper Program in Ohio. This website is a partnership of the Ohio Historical Society, the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), and the Library of Congress. Through an NEH grant, the Ohio Historical Society is digitizing Ohio’s microfilmed newspapers, published between 1836 and 1922. The current focus of the project is on the Civil War era, between the years of 1845 and 1894.

In addition to being used for genealogy, Chronicling America is also searchable by topic. Students writing reports can find a variety of topics, including the building and sinking of the Titanic, the Wright Brothers, prohibition, the Civil War, and World War I. This is a great way to find out what was being reported about these events, while they were happening. You may also find pictures to use in student displays.

I found this site fun to search, and enjoyed seeing how things were reported and advertised. I hope you get a chance to use this great resource!

Books into Movies

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I love reading a good movie, or is it watching a good book? Either way you prefer to phrase it, I’m always excited, anxious and nervous when one of my favorite books is made into a movie. I usually start out hopeful that the story will come to life on screen, exactly as I have envisioned it. The next step is to carefully scrutinize the cast, and start making my wish list of which actors I think would have been better in each role. Then, I tell myself that I will give the film a chance to live up to my expectations (all while hoping for the best, and preparing for the worst). Finally, I grab the family and some popcorn, and am thrilled to see beloved characters and locations brought to life.

This spring, catch these movies, based on books:

Marvel’s The Avengers, out May 4th – Marvel comic books, including the characters Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye and Black Widow come alive.

Read “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” before seeing it onscreen this May, starring Dame Judi Dench. The story is about British retirees relocating to India. They find the Marigold Hotel less than the advertisements promised.

Since its original publication date in the 1980’s, women have been consulting this pregnancy guide (now in its 4th edition). Starting May 18th, you can watch an all-star cast in What to Expect When You’re Expecting.

Kristen Stewart and Charlize Theron star in Snow White and the Huntsman, starting June 1st. This film is described as an epic action-adventure based on the Snow White fairytales.

Movie Bonus: Okay, this wasn’t really a book, but it was so delightfully campy that I felt I couldn’t possibly mention spring movie releases without including it. Dark Shadows! Yes, kids, we had vampires before Edward and Stefan. Don’t believe me? Check out Dark Shadows on dvd, the popular late 60’s and early 70’s gothic soap opera. Johnny Depp stars as Barnabas Collins in the big-screen remake hitting theaters May 11th.

Happy Anniversary River City Writers’ Group

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It happened during a conversation with a library patron. We were talking about her love of writing, and some of the things she has written about, when she said “I wonder if a writers’ group would do well in New Richmond?” Her question got us brainstorming to find a way to try it.

At the time, Clermont County Public Library already had one very successful writers’ group, at the Williamsburg Branch Library. We visited them, to see just what went on in a writers’ group, anyway. On April 18, 2011, we had our inaugural meeting of the River City Writers’ Group. I’m pleased to say that they’ve been meeting on the 1st and 3rd Monday’s of each month, for the past year. They have shared short stories, memoirs, novels, writing prompts, and poetry. For the past few months, poetry has been the focus, and several even participated in a Brown County Poetry Reading.

Writing groups have become so successful that five Clermont County Public Library branches now offer creative writing groups. Check our calendar to find a writing group near you.

Cake Pops

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Cake pops? What are those, you ask? Well, if you have not been fortunate enough to try these little creations, let me tell you about how wonderful they are!

In a nutshell, here is the description of a cake pop. Crumbled up cake mixed with icing, formed into bite sized balls, on a lollipop stick (hence the name, cake “pops”). Typically dipped in chocolate and decorated in a variety of creative ways!

Register for the program, “Cake Pops” with Fantasy in Frosting, at the New Richmond Branch Library. It’s Tuesday, February 7th, from 6 – 7:30 pm. This program has limited space, so be sure to sign up soon by calling the branch, at 513-553-0570.

150th Anniversary of the American Civil War

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longest raidThe 150th anniversary of the American Civil War is taking place now, from 2011 – 2015. The Ohio Historical Society has created the website, Ohio Civil War 150, where you can learn about Ohio’s part in the Civil War, browse photos from their collection, and find Civil War events taking place in your area.

The New Richmond Branch Library and Historic New Richmond are working together to present four Civil War-themed programs in 2012.

The first in the series is scheduled for March 20, 2012, at 6:30 pm.  The Longest Raid, with Mr. Lester Horwitz, and his Pulitzer Prize nominated history of Morgan’s Raid.  The Longest Raid focuses on Confederate General John Hunt Morgan’s thousand mile ride through Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio in July of 1863.

You can visit The Longest Raid, or find a copy of the book in our catalog. You can also browse our entire collection of Civil War items.

Upcoming topics in our civil war series include:

  • Black Men in Blue: The Civil War, Ohioans, and the United States Colored Troops
  • Billy Yank: The Life of a Soldier
  • Medical Advancements of the Civil War

Be sure to check CCPL’s event calendar for future programs at all branches.

Got Poetry?

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“How do I love thee?  Let me count the ways.”  Elizabeth Barrett Browning knew a thing or two about poetry when she wrote Sonnet 43.  Most of us, myself included, find the thought of writing and understanding poetry, rather daunting!  If you want to know the how-to’s of poetry writing, the New Richmond branch library River City Writers’ Group is beginning a poetry series.  Learn all about alliteration, meter, and verse.  The group meets on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month at 6 p.m.  The writing prompt for September 19th is to write “what poetry is to you.”

In the meantime, find books on writing poetry.