BY KATHY MCGILBERRY
Assistant Librarian
Yes, the sun is as intense as Al Pacino at a complaint window, so we’re keeping the air conditioner cold and the activities schedule full here at McAlester Public Library in August.
If the 100+ degree temperatures have you a bit addled, don’t worry. Use that brain hiccup to enter our “Spoonerisms” contest. The best five entries will win book bags. Look for the entry forms and display near the front desk. Just to get you started, there are few Spoonerisms quoted on this month’s adult events calendar: “Don’t hit your bunny phone! Go shake a tower, know your blows and go out and buy yourself a pasty tie!”
If you had no trouble deciphering that as “Don’t hit your funny bone! Go take a shower, blow your nose and go out and buy yourself a tasty pie,” then the Spoonerism contest should be your thing.
“Let’s Talk About It, Oklahoma” books have arrived and are ready for checkout. Just ask at the front desk and be sure to get both brochures. Several new presenters, bonus movies and a promising theme will make this fall’s “Let’s Talk” one for the record books. predicting.
Also this month, we have started a new regular display called “Staff Picks.” Head Librarian Christine Sauro started us off with a few of her favorites. Interlibrary Loan specialist Frances Snowder will offer her choices next. Be on the lookout for your library staff’s recommendations! We’re a fascinating bunch with a wide variety of literary tastes (or at least that’s what our mothers tell us).
And since we’re on the subject of displays, there are three more of note this month. In the display case in the lobby you’ll find commemorative posters and other items denoting the 2008 Summer Olympics—keep an eye out for an ongoing medal count later in the month.
Teen Librarian Sarah Di Lorenzo got the fantastic idea last month to enter a couple of book cart decoration contests. The results are fantastic! Our book cart is painted and decorated to look like the go-cart in the video game Mario Kart. Several of the children helped with the project, as did Children’s Librarian Anita Ross. We have the cart itself on display, along with photos of the kids all dressed up like video game characters. It’s a must-see!
And finally, Reference Librarian Christopher Elliott has donned his Indiana Jones hat to create a fascinating display on Archaeology this month. Young people love Christopher’s multi-media, hands-on displays, which this month feature a range of books and magazines on the subject, movies, and even a miniature dig, complete with bones and shovels. It’s a real treasure.
The Summer Reading Program is all finished, so it’s back to a regular schedule of events. Children’s activities will include Lapsit (ages birth-3) on Tuesdays at 10 a.m.; Story Time (ages 3-up) at 10 a.m. on Wednesdays; and an After-School Program (grades K-6) at 4 p.m. Thursdays. Don’t forget Family Fun Night the fourth Tuesday evening of every month at 5:30 p.m. Games and activities, plus a few snacks, for the whole family!
Teen events are also now on a regular schedule. The Manga Club meets the first Monday of every month at 5:30 p.m. And every Tuesday, teen movies are scheduled at 4 p.m. Come in the library and pick up a calendar to see the titles. Also for teens, every Friday afternoon at 3:30 is Game Time, with the Wii in the Whiteacre East. Wheeeee!
And now for the adult activites.
Thursday, Aug. 7—Bodacious Bookies, 1-3 p.m., Conference Room, discussing Ann B. Ross’s “Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind.” Tell your friends about our daytime book group—Darlene Rising and Janice Saaranen keep the selections eclectic and the discussion scintillating.
Saturday, Aug. 9—Second Saturday Cinema, 2 p.m., Whiteacre East, free popcorn and a prize drawing after the show. A family-friendly film every second Saturday.
Thursday, Aug. 14—Arthouse Theater, 6:20 p.m., Whiteacre East. Every month, an evening film that’s a bit on the different side.
Tuesday, Aug. 19—Night Readers, 6:30 p.m., Conference Room, discussing J.M. Coetzee’s “Disgrace.” If you have strong opinions about books, this is the group for you. We don’t always agree, and that makes for some rousing conversations!
Saturday, Aug. 23—Adult Manga/Anime Club Mixer and Movie, 1-4 p.m., Whiteacre East. There will be some anime-style music videos created by a group member for all to view. Plus a group of Buffy the Vampire Slayer fans will attend. They want to see if a mutual interest in vampire fiction can lead to a bigger group. So if you like Japanese style animation and/or Joss Whedon creations, or if you’re just looking to join a different sort of group, please attend. Interest has been coming from the college-age crowd, but all are welcome.
And finally, tell all your friends who don’t like to get out after dark about our new afternoon movie feature. Every final Monday of the month, “Doc Movie,” our cartoon mascot, presents a surprise documentary movie at 4 p.m. in the Whiteacre East. Some truly beautiful and interesting films have been shown so far.
Hope to see you at the library!
McBook 