The Mesquite Public Library was founded in 1963 with the North Branch opening in 1981. The library has over 376,000 visitors per year with checkouts exceeding 425,000.

The library has a collection of over 200,000 items including books, audio cassettes, videos, dvd's, compact discs, and reels of microfilm..

For items not in the collection, interlibrary loans are available. Materials from the collections of other public, academic and special libraries throughout the nation are made available to library card holders through this service.

ESer

FEBRUARY SPECIAL GUEST

LARRY "T-BYRD" GORDON
Singer, Song Writer, Musician, Producer & Engineer

GUEST SPEAKER
"My Life and Music"
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
6:30 - 7:45 p.m.
Mesquite North Branch Library
2600 Oates Drive
972-681-0465

Grammy nominee Larry "T-Byrd" Gordon possesses a Bachelors, Masters, and Doctorate degree in Music Education. Dr. Gordon and his orchestra/showband (The Music People Luv Band) repertoire consist of Big Band, Pop, Country, Rock, R&B, Jazz, Gospel and Rap/Hip-Hop. He is a national and international performer. He has shared the stage with James Brown, Tony Bennett, and Willie Nelson. He has performed for Prince Albert of Monaco, Oprah Winfrey, Regis Philbin, and Ross Perot.

"THE FORGOTTEN COWBOYS"
LECTURE
6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Mesquite North Branch Library
2600 Oates Drive
For more information 972-681-0465

Elizabeth Lawless
Cowboys of Color Rodeo Historian
&
Cleo Hearn
Cowboys of Color Rodeo Producer

Lawless will talk about the role of forgotten cowboys and cowgirls... Black, Hispanics and Indians, who trained horses for the army, blazed new trails during cattle drives and developed towns as they escorted wagon trains through unknown territory. These courageous and bold individuals created a whole new way of life in the wild American West.

Hearn will talk about the life of black cowboys who influenced his life. The experiences and challenges he faced as the first African American to serve in the Presidential Honor Guard under President John F. Kennedy, as the first African American to go to college on a rodeo scholarship, and first African American to win a National Calf Roping Championship. He will also discuss the joys of seeing and living his dreams.


AYUBU KAMAU SACRED AFRIKAN DRUM AND DANCE SOCIETY


Thursday, February 18, 2010
at 6:30 p.m.
Mesquite Main Library
300 West Grubb Drive

The Mesquite Main Library will hosts the Ayugu Kamau Sacred Afrikan Drum and Dance Society. African drummers, dancers, and musicians provide electrifying performances that include West African/Afro-Caribbean dance, drumming, songs, interactive experiences and motivational griots (storytelling). All ages are invited to participate.

For more information call Nancy Watson 972-216-6220.

MARCH
BOOK CLUB MEETING



Patrons of the Mesquite Public Library are invited to join the Book Club. Each month the Club will read a different book and then meet to discuss it. The Club will meet the first Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Meeting Room at the Mesquite Main Library, 300 West Grubb Drive. The next meeting is Thursday, March 4th. The featured book is ONE THOUSAND WHITE WOMEN by Jim Fergus. For more information call the Main Library at 972-216-6220.