Boyle County Public Library recognizes Women’s History Month in many ways

Published 8:30 pm Friday, March 8, 2019

By JEN BOUTIN

Boyle County Public Library

In honor of Women’s History Month, the Boyle County Public Library is hosting programs that celebrate the vital role women play in American history. 

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This month, the library has partnered with the Danville/Boyle County Arts Commission to present the art show “Women in Art.” 

Boyle County Public Library Oral History Collection – BiblioBoard

“This show highlights our local women artists as well as artists who use the female form in their art,” says Mary Girard, assistant reference librarian. “Partnering with the Art Commission allows the library to offer a diverse group show.”

The exhibit will be on display in the Mahan Gallery through March 31. An exhibit reception will be held 4-5 p.m. on March 19. The gallery is located just off the main floor of the library and is open to the public during regular library hours.

In addition to the art exhibit, the library will also host a Women’s History Sunday Matinee at 2 p.m. Sunday (March 10).  The featured movie is an award-winning 2016 film that examines the lives and accomplishments of a team of African-American women in NASA during the Space Race; it’s rated PG and runs 127 minutes long. Popcorn and other refreshments will be provided.

As part of an ongoing project to preserve our local history, the library has uploaded all of its oral histories to BiblioBoard, an online collection of materials available for use. Included in the collection are the histories of Lula Bottoms Thompson, Sara Cartwright  and Elizabeth Tunis, told in their own voices.

Those interested in learning about the lives of these local women and others, and hear first-hand accounts of what it was like to grow up in the area, can access their stories online through the Biblioboard database. The database can be found on the library’s website BoylePubLib.org and is located under the Resources section.

Patrons visiting the library are encouraged to check out the displays set up around the library that celebrate women in history. In the children’s library, a large selection of biographies and juvenile fiction about women are on display. Featured are women include Maya Angelou, Clara Barton, Venus and Serena Williams, Malala Yousafzai and Sally Ride.

Local women authors, including Yolantha Pace and Elizabeth Orndorff, are highlighted in the Reading Room, and a Girl Scout history display is located on the main level of the library and contains photos and historic memorabilia from local troops.