March 3 at noon: The Poetry of Javersak

Feb. 17: Wide Open Steubenville

Author Susan Guy will be at Lunch With Books at the Ohio County Public Library on Tuesday February 17 at noon discuss her book, Mobsters, Madams & Murder in Steubenville, Ohio: The Story of Little Chicago. Gambling, prostitution and bootlegging have been going on in Steubenville for well over one hundred years. Its Water Street red-light district drew men from hundreds of miles away, as well as underage runaways. The white slave trade was rampant, and along with all the vice crimes, murders became a weekly occurrence. Law enforcement seemed to turn a blind eye, and cries of political corruption were heard in the state capital. This scenario replayed itself over and over again during the past century as mobsters and madams ruled and murders plagued the city and county at an alarming rate. Newspapers nationwide would come to nickname this mecca of murder “Little Chicago.” Lunch With Books programs are free and open to the public. Patrons are invited to bring a bag lunch and complimentary beverages are served. Please see the library's web site at www.ohiocountylibrary.org or call 304-232-0244 for more information.

Feb. 10 at Noon: William Burrus

"I was born in Wheeling on 12th street and other than the years 1943 and 1944 was a resident of the community.  That period was prior to the removal of the Jim Crow legislation that separated citizens by race including schools, movie theaters, the skating rink and medical services.  I was a student in the last graduating class 1954, that was required by state law to be educated in separate facilities. " -Bill Burrus

In celebration of Black History Month, Wheeling born William Burrus will be at Lunch With Books at the Ohio County Public Library on Tuesday February 10 at noon. Mr. Burrus attended Lincoln High School, graduating in the last class segregated by race in 1954. He went to work for the US Postal Service and was elected executive Vice President of the American Postal Workers Union, the 10th largest union in the country. He was later elected international president. Mr. Burrus will discuss his books, My Journey: A Postal & Unique American Experience and Black History We Remember. Lunch With Books programs are free and open to the public. Patrons are invited to bring a bag lunch and complimentary beverages are served. Please see the library's web site at www.ohiocountylibrary.org or call 304-232-0244 for more information.