Thursday, September 1, 2016

Library Seeks High School Yearbooks

Marshall Public Library takes seriously its responsibility to act as a repository for local history. An important part of our Idaho Archives is the collection of yearbooks from Pocatello’s three high schools.

This collection gets regular use for a variety of reasons, whether it’s
research for an upcoming class reunion, providing picture identification for a minor looking to obtain a library card, or a simple trip down memory lane. Because we’re a public library, in the past these books have been set out for people to peruse with no restriction, but they’re becoming worn and it’s hard to find a replacement if a copy gets damaged.  We would like to archive a copy of each yearbook to preserve this bit of history.

During the month of September, the library is asking for the citizens of Pocatello and Chubbuck to consider donating any unwanted high school annuals to the Idaho Archive collection so a back-up “archive” copy of each year can be put aside and a “browsing” copy can be left on the shelves. Please contact Trent at tclegg@marshallpl.org or 232-1263 ext. 106 if you can help with this very special project.

Human Library During Kind Week

Join us for a  special Human Library hosted at the library as part of Kind Community’s Kind Week.

On Tuesday, September 20, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., the library will host a collection of six all-new Human Books. At a Human Library, guests gather around a Human Book and listen to a chapter of their lives. Human Books for Kind Week include


  •  the adventure tale shared by a woman who took off on a 2000-mile highway adventure with just her eight-year-old daughter and an ancient Honda motorcycle for company...in the era before cellphones
  • the story of an Idaho woman who returned to her job in Kuwait...the day Iraq invaded
  •  a story to warm the heart of all animal lovers about the special bond between a service dog and his owner


And more! This is an extraordinary opportunity to hear first-hand accounts of life chapters many of us will never experience. The program is free and open to the public. For more information, visit marshallpl.org or call Amy at 232-1263 ext. 106. For more information on all Kind Week events, visit kindcom.org.

Family History Workshop Returns

Marshall Public Library is offering patrons the chance to learn how to preserve their rich family histories.

Starting Tuesday, September 6 at 7  p.m. at the library, Idaho State University instructors and PhD candidates Jacob Thomas, Jeffrey Howard, and Amy Howard will be teaching attendees how to bring their family's story to life. Starting with "People and Events," the three-part workshop will show residents how to write and preserve their clan's history beyond the names and dates preserved in typical family trees.

Classes will be held on the first Tuesday of the month and wrap up November 1. The classes are free and open to all members of the public.

For more information on this program or any of the others offered by the Marshall Public Library, visit marshallpl.org.

Summer Reading Concludes

♦ On Your Mark Get Set…READ!
♦ Get In The Game…READ!
♦ Exercise Your Mind…READ!

What a wonderful summer! You may have noticed the above slogans shared a common theme of being active, which was a perfect complement to this summer’s Olympics in Rio.

In June, people of all ages kicked off our summer programs with a 2.5 mile round trip fun run/walk on the Portneuf Greenway.  Then, our days were busy with art programs, story times,  movies, foods from around the world/Eat Smart Idaho, Bookwagon in the parks,  and S.T.E.A.M. (Science,
Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) activities.

Over 900 people of all ages signed up to participate in our reading challenges and various activities.  The Teens celebrated with a “Quidditch for Muggles” party in July and a record number of Teens completed everything!

Many thanks go to our volunteers who assisted not only with our in-library programs, but additionally with the Bookwagon in the parks which boasted 3,000 visitors this year!  A special thanks to Eat Smart Idaho volunteers who came every other week all summer presenting information and food to encourage healthy eating.

h  Kath Ann Hendricks, Young Adult Librarian

Attention, Techies!

Marshall Public Library is looking for tech-savvy people to sit down for one-on-one instruction with beginning technology users. As a Book-a-Techie coach, you will help people learn how to use e-readers, cell phones, laptops, and other devices.

Basic computer skills are a must-have for everyone living in the 21st century. If you are passionate about technology and excited to share how it  can enhance people’s lives, contact Amy at 232-1263 ext. 106 today!

Monday, August 1, 2016

Donate Toiletries for k-12 Students

Whether students like it or not, the beginning of school is just around the corner. For some families, the excitement of the new school year is heightened by the traditional back-to-school shopping. For others, it's a time of stress and wondering how they'll be able to meet their child's basic needs as they return to the classroom. Marshall Public Library is stepping up to help.

The library has setup a collection point for toiletry items to be donated to the Pocatello/Chubbuck School District #25 supply pantry. From now until September 17, library staff will accept items like shampoo, soap, lotion, deodorant, towels, washcloths, laundry detergent, and combs for students in need. Every little bit, from a tube of toothpaste to a hair brush, will help a local student on their way to educational success.

New and unopened goods will be accepted at the first floor checkout desk.  All items will be donated to the school pantries. If you have any questions about this program, please call Amy Campbell at 232-1263 or visit marshallpl.org

Writing the Farm

Join us Tuesday, August 30, at 6:30 p.m. for the first Literary Series program of the fall! 

"Writing the Farm: The Appeal and Role of the Rural in American Literature"  focuses on the farm as a location with a multi-faceted history. We often associate the farm with a nostalgic past, with family, and disappearing values, but studying the farm in literature allows us to explore it as a changing concept over time.

Jeff Howard's presentation consists of three parts: 1) a workshop in which audience members will have an opportunity to write about their own experiences with farming and farmers; 2) a look at depictions of farming and farmers in Virgil, John Clare, Oliver Goldsmith, Jane Austen, Thomas
Jefferson, John Steinbeck, Robert Wrigley, and others; and 3) a creative nonfiction reading by Howard of his piece "Nest Full of Pinkies," which explores and complicates ideas about values, family, nostalgia, and farm life in the West.

For more information, please call Amy at 232-1263 ext. 106.