On the Morning of September 11, 2001, where were you?

How did you find out about the terrorist attacks?

What do you remember about that day?

How has life changed for you because of 9/11?

September 11 Memory Project
RCPL wants to know the answers to those questions. The library is coordinating a community memory project to commemorate of the tenth anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorists attacks. During the month of September, community members are encouraged to share their thoughts, memories and reflections on the tragic events of that day and what they have come to mean.

You can stop by the library in Honaker or Lebanon and we'll provide you with paper to record your thoughts. Poems, sketches, memories are also welcome. A video camera will be also be available if you prefer speak to rather than write. You can also email us at libadmin@russell.lib.va.us. All the memories will be compiled into a book that will be added to the Local History Collection.

September 11th was a pivotal moment in history, a permanent mark in time for many of us. Before 9/11, after 9/11.

Share your thoughts.

From Appalachia to the White House...with the Secret Service

Book Signing
Hear a Secret Service agent who protected six U.S. president speak today at Honaker Community Library between noon and 3 pm. Joe Dye, a Russell County native who grew up Swords Creek, lived in Washington, D.C., for many years while in the Secret Service. His assignment was the White House where he protected the President and members of the president's family.

Mr. Dye will also be speaking and signing books at Lebanon Library Sunday afternoon, August 21st, 2 - 5 pm. Stop by and hear an insider's stories of life at the highest level of our government.

Dog Days of Summer

It does feel like we've come to the dog days of summer--hot and sultry. The term 'dog days' comes from the Latin and loosely speaking, from the fact that the dog star, Sirius, was dominant in the sky from early July to early September (in the northern hemisphere.) Things are pretty quiet at the libraries as well this month.

Honaker will be closed Tuesday, August 9th,
when construction interrupts the power supply. But progress continues on the construction and renovation, as this picture shows. But due to the renovation chaos, programs are limited this month at Honaker.

At Lebanon, we are also taking a break from many of our regular programs (no storytime in August.) Lego Club will be meeting Tuesday, August 9, 3:30-5 pm and the Crafting Circle will try rock painting August 18 at 1 pm.

Both libraries are hosting Joe Dye, who as a Secret Service member protected a number of U.S. presidents. Mr. Dye, a Russell County native, will be signing his book From Appalachia to the White House.

Check the calendar for the book signing, computer classes and more at the libraries. Come in and get out of the heat!

America's Library

The Library of Congress is the USA's national library, although it was actually established for Congress, hence the name. C-SPAN will premiere an original documentary on the Library of Congress Monday, July 18, at 8 pm & 11 pm ET. The program will go behind the scenes and tour the iconic Jefferson Building and share the history and treasures of this American institution.

Check out C-SPAN to preview portions of the program and see an interview with a former Librarian of Congress, James Billington.You may also want to visit the Library of Congress online. The American Memory Project has amazing stuff, like old baseball cards and daguerreotype photos from the 1800s, such as one of firefighters in Charleston, South Carolina from the 1850s.

You can also listen to sound recordings; how about Southern Appalachian fiddle tunes, Civil War music, or public reactions (audio & video) to September 11, 2001? Can you believe that it has been 10 years? There are also public reactions (man-on-the-street) interviews to Pearl Harbor in 1941-42.

Take an online tour of the library if you miss the documentary July 18. And remember Virginia's unique connection to the Library of Congress--after the Capitol was burned by British soldiers in 1814, Thomas Jefferson offered to sell his book collection to Congress. After a little haggling on price (they settled on $24,000) Jefferson's collection became the seed of the new library.

Watch the C-SPAN documentary on the Library of Congress July 18 at 8 pm and you just might see a few of Mr. Jefferson's books.

July Summer Reading Programs

Bring Your Children and Join Us!