Black History month is celebrated each February. Its roots date back to 1926, when Carter G. Woodson – an historian with the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History – initiated the first “Negro History Week.” The primary emphasis was on coordinated teaching of the history of black Americans in our nation’s public schools. The second week of February was chosen because it coincided with Abraham Lincoln’s birthday (2/12) and Frederick Douglass’ birthday (2/14). (more…)
In celebration of Presidents’ Day, try a fun read with a President (some real, some fictitious) at the center of the storyline. Don’t worry, everything is fiction – no tests or book reports here!
Prefer a non-fiction Presidential read? We have those too – here are a few of our favorite Presidential biographies.
All of these – and many more – are available from your local library. Place a hold for curbside pickup or check out the e-Book or e-Audio version – no trip to the library required!
Fauquier Public Library cardholders now have access to over 3,000 e-Magazines, thanks to a partnership with the Library of Virginia. This new, expanded collection includes your newsstand favorites, foreign-language editions, even fairly obscure titles.
This morning as I sipped my coffee, I watched a Carolina Wren and a Dark-eyed Junco take turns at the feeder in our back yard. I’m not alone in watching birds peck away at seeds or hop around our birdbath. According to the National Audubon Society, bird watching has soared in popularity during the pandemic as more people stay at home and pay attention to what is going on in their back yard.
If you’re a fledgling bird watcher and can’t tell the difference between a Tufted Titmouse and a White-breasted Nuthatch, don’t despair. The library has loads of books, DVDs, and magazines about birds and bird watching for children and adults. Here are some of our favorites.
Speaking of birds, we’re pleased to have recruited Dr. David Wiedenfeld of the American Bird Conservancy to do a series of short videos about birds and birdwatching. First up is the Great Backyard Bird Count.
As Dr. Wiedenfeld explains, this count, scheduled for February 12-15, is an opportunity for you and me to produce data that will help scientists understand more about what birds do in winter, how many there are and where they are.
To celebrate Black History Month, our librarians focused on a myriad of Black authors writing and illustrating for young readers. From local award winning illustrator Ashleigh Corrin (Layla’s Happiness) to Kwame Alexander’s The Undefeated, these picture books showcase Black figures – their history, challenges and triumphs. The books’ words and illustrations can spark a discussion about diverse perspectives — something that is welcome in today’s world when empathy can be in short supply.
And, of course, there’s always Valentine’s Day. Don’t let this sweet occasion slip by in the everyday grind of pandemic life. Forget pasta and beans for dinner and go big. How about Julia Child’s beef bourguignon or crab cakes Baltimore style? And, for dessert, a fudgy brownie cake with a dollop of vanilla ice cream.
All those recipes and so much more can be found in our bountiful cookbook collection.
For those given to snipping out red construction paper hearts, books on homemade Valentine cards, bookmarks and mobiles abound.
So get out the glue and glitter and sprinkle that love around.
Take heart (forgive the pun), dear friends. February’s sunrises are glorious and the sun sets later. Soon we’ll be talking seeds and gardens.
In the past year, more and more people have turned to birdwatching as a simple and relaxing pastime that can be undertaken from their own backyard. Given that trend, Fauquier Public Library is pleased to offer a new video series, Good Birding with Dr. David Wiedenfeld. Dr. Wiedenfeld is Senior Conservation Scientist for the American Bird Conservancy, and helps to develop species protection projects and plan conservation projects throughout the western hemisphere. He is active designing monitoring programs for reserves, in evaluating wind power effects on birds, and in reducing seabird bycatch in ocean fisheries. (more…)
People are spending more time online these days, and not just as a result of the pandemic. How can you keep your information safe from hackers and scammers? “Your Essential Guide to Online Safety” covers topics such as removing your information from people-search sites, digital security, viruses and malware, making your wifi network secure, and more. (more…)
Black History month is celebrated each February. Its roots date back to 1926, when Carter G. Woodson – an historian with the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History – initiated the first “Negro History Week.” The primary emphasis was on coordinated teaching of the history of black Americans in our nation’s public schools. The second week of February was chosen because it coincided with Abraham Lincoln’s birthday (2/12) and Frederick Douglass’ birthday (2/14). (more…)
