The Best Short Stories by African American Authors
I cannot even tell you how long it has been since I picked up a collection of short stories (seriously…it’s pretty embarrassing). But I have always loved diving into a good short story. Filled with symbolism and a conclusion that doesn’t take 300 pages to get to, they are a true literary snack. Or in some cases like, Children of the Night: The Best Short Stories by Black Writers 1967 to the Present, a great meal.
Not Your Grandma’s Digital Media Service
Some streaming media services either leave users with too many movies and shows to pick from or nothing available to match their mood. The price can also add up when viewers … Continued
Examining Privilege
You may have seen this quote or a variation of it floating around in the current political ether: “Privilege is when you think something is not a problem because it’s … Continued
Gimme Some Sugar
Last year was a pretty good year for Black television. FX gave us Donald Glover’s show Atlanta and HBO gave us Issa Rae’s Insecure. One great show that may have slipped your radar came from Oprah’s OWN network: Queen Sugar, based on the book of the same name. While I haven’t read the book yet, I really enjoy the TV show.
Eleventh Stack Presents: Black History Month
This month, Eleventh Stack is celebrating Black History Month by featuring posts only about Black and African-American authors, artists and organizations. As librarians and library workers, its our job to make sure our community is represented in our collections, and that we highlight books, movies and music by a diverse set of creators. We also acknowledge that those efforts cannot be limited to one month of the year. Even, so, I’m excited by the content we have planned this month.
Verónica Reyes Presents Poetry from Bordered Lives
The first time you pick up Chopper! Chopper! Poetry from Bordered Lives, the temptation to dig through your old college textbooks for your Spanish/English dictionary might be hard to resist. Verónica Reyes charges her lines—nearly every single one—with the sharp electricity of her East L.A. tongue. It’s this dance, this lingual limbo, that transports you straight into the streets of her city. Not tethering herself to English alone allows her to draw beauty from both languages, to choose her words twice as thoughtfully.
Flex Your Fingers: Fine Motor Skills and Early Literacy
Why are fine motor skills so important for learning to read, and how can we help young children to develop strong fine motor abilities?
What Inspires You?
I succumb to the mid-winter blues every year. By the time I recover from the excitement of the holidays, usually around the end of the first week of January, I can literally feel the energy being drained from my body. It’s usually cold and gloomy, and the days aren’t getting longer fast enough to suit my body’s circadian rhythm and need for sunshine. But I have devised a remedy for my mid-winter blues: surrounding myself with things that inspire me–like books.
Works for Me: Tools for a Successful Job Search!
Creating a resume and nailing a job interview: These are two things that can make even the most confident job seeker feel some anxiety. Good news though! This is exactly what the Job and Career Education Center (JCEC) at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s Main Library can help you with.
Silver Screen Stereotypes: Disability in Film
Join us as we watch recent film portrayals of persons with disabilities and ask: Are the portrayals accurate? What’s the message being promoted? What film needs to be made to … Continued