While working on an inventory of an old collection in our archives, known as “The Old Collection,” I came across an interesting find today. I found the “Grand Rapids Telephone Exchange,” from July of 1879, and it is the first telephone directory of Grand Rapids. What an amazing find!! The stamp in the corner shows that it was received by the library in 1921.
The telephone exchange has lists of various local Grand Rapids businesses and the few residents that had a telephone. There were no telephone numbers yet, as you had to speak with an operator, then could be directed to one of the parties on the list. The Grand Rapids city directories did not contain telephone numbers (once they had numbers) until approximately 1891.
Here is the Grand Rapids Telephone Exchange list, where you can find which businesses and Grand Rapids residents had a telephone where you could have direct communication with them in the year 1879 (click on the image two times to view larger):
Who do you think you would have called in 1879?
Filed under: Local History> Research
by swagner on
March 12, 2010
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This being Women’s History Month, it seems appropriate to recommend Half the Sky, by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. The subtitle, “Turning Oppression Into Opportunity For Women Worldwide” pretty much sums up the contents, and I like this description from the Daily Beast: “The book’s stories of women and girls surmounting gender subordination is a needed departure from the one-dimensional narratives of victimization. These women and girls give us reason to believe that we can create a world for our daughters that is without sex trafficking or honor killings.”
It’s not easy reading. Many of the stories are absolutely harrowing, but most end with transformation. It’s not about male-bashing, but rather a call to change cultural wrongs. I know that it’s one of the most important (and rewarding) books I’ve read in a long time
The title comes from a Chinese proverb: Women hold up half the sky.
Filed under: Research
by khawkins on
March 11, 2010
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Tired of those unhealthy McDonald’s fries? Come to this free, hands-on workshop and be inspired to create great food on your own! Author and chef Kathleen Hanna will help you create tasty, healthy meals and snacks. Not only will you get to help prepare the food, you will get to taste it! The program will be set up as a cooking class including general kitchen basics and safety. Recipes will progress through a typical day covering all the major meals and dessert! The first two opportunities are coming up soon. On Saturday, March 20 the program will take place at the Main Library at 11:30am and at the Yankee Clipper library at 3:00pm. This program is limited to 9 teens (ages 13 – 18) per location so sign up today.
Filed under: Event> News> Teens
Tags: cooking, Teen Cuisine, Teens
by Julie on
March 10, 2010
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I was recently perusing the NPR website and was oh so pleasantly surprised to come across an article announcing
the sequel to Phantom of the Opera, entitled Love Never Dies. Alright, the title is a bit on the cheesy side, but like its predecessor it is sure to be laden with dark elements and amazing vocals to boot. Love Never Dies is going to pick up 10 years after the events of Phantom and surprisingly taking place in New York’s Coney Island where the Phantom has set up his own freak show. Exciting as the prospect of this beloved tale’s continuation is many are skeptical if Love Never Dies can live up to its namesake.
The Phantom of the Opera is the longest running broadway show, having premiered in 1986 and is still touring. Phantom is based upon the 1909 novel, Le Fantôme de l’Opéra by Gaston Leroux. The novel has been in and out of publication since its conception, never receiving as much acclaim as its lyrical counterpart. Leroux’s book is slightly different to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s rendition, but is the same in essentials.
Sadly Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera doesn’t seem to be visiting Grand Rapids in the near future. In lieu of seeing the musical offer these gems to check out from our collection.
Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux
The Phantom of the Opera Motion Picture Soundtrack
The Phantom of the Opera Original Cast Recording
The Complete Phantom of the Opera
Filed under: Books, Movies, Music> Staff Picks
by Kate on
March 9, 2010
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Win the opportunity to journey through distant galaxies and accompany space-walking astronauts as they attempt the most difficult tasks in the history of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Kids and teens in kindergarten through 12th grade can go to the website atyourlibrary.org/hubble and answer 6 trivia questions about the Hubble Space Telescope. If answered correctly, you will be entered to win one of seven prize packages including the grand prize of 25 IMAX tickets to Hubble 3D as well as a telescope and a signed Hubble 3D poster. Need help with those trivia questions? Take a look in one of our books on the subject or check out one of our databases!
Filed under: Kids> News> Research> Teens
Tags: Hubble 3D, Hubble Space Telescope, Kids, Teens
by Julie on
March 9, 2010
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Celebrate rhyme, celebrate birthdays, celebrate books, celebrate Dr. Seuss, and celebrate March with us! We have stories, songs, activities, and great crafts planned for kids ages 10 and younger. Just look how awesome Quentin and Joshua look in their Seuss hats and with Sneetches Stars in their hands!
Check out our “Fun Stuff For Kids” flyer to find out times at all eight of our Grand Rapids Public Library locations!
Filed under: Research
by Jeanne on
March 8, 2010
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The Vander Veen Center for the Book of the Grand Rapids Public Library and the Greater Grand Rapids Women’s History Council co-sponsored a program and a guided walking tour on Sarturday, March 6th. Both organizations were thrilled that 116 people came to learn more about women’s history in Grand Rapids. The walking tour was based on a new brochure created by Marcie Beck of the local history department featuring “women who left their mark on downtown Grand Rapids.
Besides Ms. Beck, JoEllyn Clarey of the Women’s History Council and Gina Bivins from the Historical Society of Grand Rapids, lead scores of history enthusiasts on sections of the walking tour. Sunny weather prevailed and a good time was had by all. The brochure was funded by the Greater Grand Rapids Women’s History Council, the Grand Rapids Historical Commission and the Grand Rapids Historical Society. Copies of the brochures are available at all GRPL branches.
Filed under: Research
Tags: Greater Grand Rapids Women's History Council, Legacy 2010, Local History
by Chris on
March 8, 2010
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I was excited to see that two of the movies we selected to show during Earth Week were up for Oscars, being nominated for Best Documentary Feature at the Academy Awards last night. I was even more happy to see that one of them won.
I know it’s early, but while you’ve still got the Oscar buzz on your brain, put Saturday, April 17 on your calendar now to watch Food, Inc. and The Cove back to back.
At 11 am we’ll be showing Food, Inc. Food, Inc. explores the food industry’s detrimental effects on our health and environment. This movie spotlights the men and women who are working to reform an industry rife with monopolies, questionable interpretations of laws and subsidies, political ties and rising rates of E. coli outbreaks.
Immediately following at 1 pm, we’ll be showing the film that won the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature, the Cove. This riveting documentary also won the Audience Award at Sundance. It takes place in Taijii, Japan, where the filmmakers use surveillance equipment to capture footage of a secretive and heavily guarded operation run by the world’s largest supplier of dolphins. As the daring group risks their lives to expose the horrifying truths behind the capture of dolphins for the lucrative tourist industry, they also uncover an environmental catastrophe.
Don’t miss our movie day and the rest of our Earth Week events!
Filed under: Books, Movies, Music> Event
Tags: earth week, green, movies, oscars
by Kolene on
March 8, 2010
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Eighteen kids, ages 5 to 11, entered the Tall Tale Writing Contest. All entries had lots of action! The contest was held to highlight the books the library received from the We the People Bookshelf that focused on Picturing America. One of the books, Mary Pope Osborne’s American Tall Tales, gave staff the idea to see if the kids of Grand Rapids could tell some “whoppers” and they did. Winning tales, included many exaggerations, a main character who was bigger than life and had super-human abilities, a plot that was funny and impossible, a main character that solved a problem, overcame an obstacle, and/or defeated a bad guy, and lots of action! Three winners each received $10.00 gift certificates to Pooh’s Corner bookstore.
Here are the winning entries:
(more…)
Filed under: Books, Movies, Music> Kids
Tags: Children, Children's books, Kids
by Debbie on
March 8, 2010
1 Comment »
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