(Note: The following is written by one of the “Urban Legends” program presenters from the Bookmobile Department. Therefore the contents may, or may not, actually be true.)

The “Wild West Age”:

As we all know - April showers bring mayflowers. And what do mayflowers bring? Pilgrims, of course. And books - but not that many. And most of these were later used as fuel for the witch burnings that came along soon after. So, during the earlier colonial days of this country there...

(Note: The following is written by one of the “Urban Legends” program presenters from the Bookmobile Department. Therefore the contents may, or may not, actually be true.)

The “Chariot Age”:

After the stone-tablet-mobile, the next “evolution” of the bookmobile (and this is just a “theory” mind you) was the Scroll-mobile. Having domesticated draft animals (e.g. the horse) and inventing rudimentary forms of paper, this incarnation was far easier to operate - and as we all...

(Note: The following is written by one of the “Urban Legends” program presenters from the Bookmobile Department. Therefore the contents may, or may not, actually be true.)

The earliest archeological evidence concerning bookmobiles was discovered near the almost complete skeletal remains of a dreaded Thesaurus Rex - along with petrified pieces of its favorite food: synonym rolls (I know - it’s an old joke. But we are talking history here). To continue - the earliest...

On Inauguration Day, we set up a video camera in the Library rotunda and asked customers to create 2-5 minute testimonials capturing their immediate thoughts and reactions to the day's events.

Over a 7-hour period, 55 people recorded their experiences and nearly 100 people have submitted written accounts (and illustrations!) to date. It is our hope that these voices will be of value to future students, teachers, historians and scholars interested in what Topekans had to say...

This beautifully illustrated graphic novel perfectly captures three snapshots in America’s history. Comprised of three chapters—“The Revival,” “Hundreds of Feet Below Daylight,” and “The Golem’s Mighty Swing”, this book takes you from religious pioneers searching for a homestead, to a mining town full of ghosts and greed, and finally the travels and tribulations of a pre-depression Jewish baseball team. You will be fascinated by the story and pictures, and don’t worry, it reads...

As part of our Adult Summer Reading Program our participants shared about the books they would recommend to other patrons.  Maybe your next great read will be from one of their suggestions! 

Keith recommends

The Steel Wave by Jeff Shaara

My favorite thing about this book is...the story of the Normandy invasion of WWII.

Our murals remind us of something we experienced together (either in the past or as a group of painters) and give us a guidepost for what we're working toward.

Have you seen what's happening at 20th and Western? Wanna help and be part of history and a community art installation? See what we're talking about (you'll be helping to fill in the blanks—literally).

• When: call Tom Benaka at 785/221-6400 if you'd like to help paint—there are still 750 feet left!
• Who: anyone and everyone
• Where: Great Topeka Mural Wall at 20th & Western

As part of our Adult Summer Reading Program our participants are sharing about the books they would recommend to other patrons.  Maybe your next great read will be from one of their suggestions! 

Madalyn recommends

Bishop's Daughter by Wanda Brunstetter

My favorite thing about this book is...the way God leads us and when we are faithful He takes care of us through everything we go through

I'd recommend this book to other readers who like...Christian leading helping us...

Five of the original six stained glass windows from the Topeka Library have filled the West windows in our Media/New Books room since construction wrapped in 2002. The sixth and final window in the set has come home and we're especially excited.