Visual Stories is an exhibit of fifty-one paintings by the renowned artist and children’s book illustrator, James Ransome, that depicts an extraordinary array of African American experiences, particularly from the Black South. The selected paintings span decades of collaboration with major publishers and numerous children’s authors, and reflect themes of emancipation from slavery, segregation and the Jim Crow era, and the strong family traditions that were necessary to maintain and keep the African American family together. Ransome’s paintings embody the powerful strength of family, faith, and fortitude that gives these people the courage to face difficult social and political conditions.

On January 20, 2009, President-elect, Barack Obama, will be sworn in as the 44^th President of the United States.  To provide information about the transition process and his forthcoming administration, Barack Obama has launched the website Change.gov.  The transition from one administration to another is a complex process, taking several weeks to complete before the President is inaugurated in January. The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) is charged with providing for the smooth transition as set forth in the Presidential Transition Act of 1963.  The Transition Directory explains how the various divisions and agencies of the federal government operate and provides resources to help the new administration "hit the ground running." 

While there have been numerous efforts over the years to digitize much of the world's information, the Cleveland Public Library still maintains various hard copy resources of interest to local history.  Most of the library's subject departments have maintained, to some degree or another, a clipping file. Clipping files contain articles, photos, and other bits of information that have been "clipped" from newspapers, magazines and other sources.  Many of the clipping files housed at the Cleveland Public Library contain items of local interest, such as the Biography Clipping File located in the Microform Center, which consists of newspaper clippings of prominent and noteworthy Clevelanders.  This particular clipping file was originally put together by the History & Geography Department, but was later transferred to microfiche.  For a complete list of the library's extensive clipping files please contact the General Reference Department. 

Amongst the constant rustle of scattered leaves, the boisterous colors of Fall foliage, and fears of Winter's impending arrival, sometimes it's difficult to hear yourself think. Three out of four librarians agree that reading poetry may help reduce Autumn-related stress.*
 
The Literature Department of Cleveland Public Library houses an impressive, growing collection of poetry books.  From turn-of-the-twentieth-century Cleveland nature poet Leonard Gurley Foster's Blossoms of Nature to former Poet Laureate Billy Collins' recently released Ballistics, there are thousands of diverse works from American and world poets in the Literature Department.  Stop by and peruse our New Poetry Books display, browse our shelves, and pick up a copy of the monthly list of featured new poetry.  You're sure to find something that tickles your fancy and/or tickles you pink.

If life is a slice of pumpkin pie, add a dollop of cream by indulging in some of these new additions to the poetry collection in the Literature Department: