Category: History

It’s important to reflect on the history of libraries, the county and Kentucky as a whole. Here you will find stories about our history.

Six reasons to try opera

Ever wonder what’s the big deal about opera? Learn all about it at Cincinnati Opera Rap, 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 18.

Tosca3Enjoy “One Giant Leap: Puccini’s tragic and powerful ‘Tosca,‘” celebrated for its gorgeous melodies and dramatic plot twists.

Cincinnati Opera Managing Director Chris Milligan will take a closer look into the Sardou play that inspired the opera and the work’s performance history.

Hear why you shouldn’t miss Cincinnati Opera’s stunning new period production of this beautiful classic.

Ashley Tongret, Carrico/Fort Thomas patron & PR person for Cincinnati Opera

Ashley Tongret, Carrico/Fort Thomas patron & PR person for Cincinnati Opera

Intrigued? Ashley Tongret, a regular Carrico/Fort Thomas patron and Cincinnati Opera Director of Public Relations, offers six reasons you should try opera.

1. Just like chocolate mousse, you don’t know whether or not you’ll like it until you try it.
2. Opera is for everyone. Wear a ball gown, or jeans, or both!
3. You don’t need to come prepared, or know any foreign languages. The story is in your program, and the words are projected in English above the stage as the words are sung.
4. Experiencing opera is a lot like watching a movie being performed right in front of you.
5. Yes, there’s music most of the time, but don’t let that scare you: There’s music during most of Star Wars, too! Just as in movies, music helps tell the story and prompts how you should feel about a certain character or during a particular scene.
6. Opera singers don’t use amplification. Unlike Broadway, opera singers are specially trained so their voices reach every part of the theater without microphones or speakers.

This article appeared in the May issue of our Connections newsletter.

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Celebrate Kentucky Writers’ Day with a good book

By Stephanie Class, Reference Assistant at our Newport Branch

Kentucky’s rich writing history shows us that the Commonwealth is much more than bluegrass, bourbon, and basketball. Kentucky celebrates its talented writers each year on Kentucky Writers’ Day, which takes place on Monday, April 25, 2016. Read more

Guest Blog: Historical dance troupe delights teen

Syd Fillhardt

Syd Fillhardt

By Syd Fillhardt, Campbell County High School Student

I attended a Macy’s Artwave program on February 27th with my mom. This program was put on by the Forget-Me-Not Historical Dance Company. I didn’t even know there was such a group!

I’m not a huge fan of dance, but I do appreciate the art of dance and all the hard work that goes into it. My mom pointed out this program was going to showcase historical dances performed at President William Howard Taft’s Inaugural Ball in 1909. Being a history lover, with an interest in U.S. Presidents, I thought this would be an interesting program to attend.

I have visited the Taft boyhood home in Cincinnati a few times and liked how the program related our 27th president. I was right. The dancers, decked out in period costumes, performed four dances that were used at President Taft’s Inauguration celebration.

I had no idea that period dances were something that could be researched, studied and performed. I was tired just watching them dance!

It was very interesting to see how the public danced in 1909, compared to today. I’m glad I attended this program, as it gave me a broader perspective of ArtsWave and the different variations of art that they support.

I’ve been a library supported for sixteen years and appreciate the knowledge that I’ve gained just by visiting the Campbell County Public Library. I look forward to what’s next at the library!

Syd is the daughter of CCPL Board Secretary Christie Fillhardt. 

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Let’s meet Carrico librarian Mike Fair

Carrico/Fort Thomas Public Services Librarian Mike Fair isn’t good at relaxing. That’s great because he has a newborn daughter, a band and a lot of wonderful work to do for the Campbell County Public Library.

Mike is from St. Louis originally, but he’s called Northern Kentucky home since he was 6-years-old. He graduated from Ludlow High School in 1997, and went to work for the Kenton County Library. He earned his Bachelor’s in English from NKU in 2002 while continuing to work for KCPL. In 2012, he decided it was time to pursue his Master’s and found work with us as a Part Time Programmer. After securing his Master’s of Science in Library Science from University of Kentucky, he was hired as a Public Services Librarian in 2014.

His title, he says, is intentionally vague. The reach of his work goes beyond the doors of the Carrico Branch. In addition to programming events for Fort Thomas teens, Mike also works the Reference Desk, selects music and video games for the entire system and is the primary One-on-One Technology Training coordinator for the branch.

Picking his favorite part of the job would be like picking your favorite child, Mike says. As a teen programmer, Mike has enjoyed learning new skills such as origami, tie dye, chess and sewing.  As a music and games selector, Mike has enjoyed curating a collection of new music and in-demand classic artists. And in his work as a One-on-One Technology Training coordinator he’s seen the results of people’s desire to learn new things.

In his free time, Mike plays guitar in The Night Divided. He’s been playing with them for more than three years. They enjoy playing live about once a month.

Mike is a long-time vegetarian who practices yoga. Although his practice has been a bit disrupted by the birth of his daughter, Pamela Sue Fair on December 10, 2015. Mike and his wife, Michelle, live in Bellevue where Michelle is a preschool teacher at Grandview Elementary.

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