By KATHY McGILBERRY
Famous races bookend the month of May, with the Kentucky Derby set for May 2 and the Indianapolis 500 for May 24. Get in the starting gate and/or rev up your engines and travel on down to McAlester Public Library this month or you might just find yourself in last place.
With the “Let’s Talk About It, Oklahoma” discussion programs wrapped up until fall, you’d think we might put the brakes on adult programming. But no! Combine that with all the regular children’s, teen and family activities, and you have a real fast track to fun. Just take a look at what’s approaching.
Saturday, May 2 through Saturday, May 23—Volunteer Grover Walker will be available for free math tutoring from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Everything from basic math to calculus is covered. Prospective students can find him in the Mezzanine meeting room.
Wednesday, May 6 through Wednesday, May 27–Beginning computer classes, taught by Anthony Smart, will run from 4-5 p.m. every Wednesday in May. Call 426-0930 to pre-register for these informative classes and get yourself (or someone you know) in the fast lane on the information superhighway.
Thursday, May 7—The Bodacious Bookies will meet from 1-3 p.m. in the Conference Room to discuss John Updike’s “Couples.” Darlene Rising and Janice Saaranen continue to welcome new members to the daytime book club. You are welcome to join, too. The Bookies would never steer you wrong.
Saturday, May 9—Second Saturday Cinema features a real Western classic this month. John Wayne and Jimmy Stewart star in a John Ford film, featuring Lee Marvin as “Liberty Valance.” This family-friendly movie screening begins at 2 p.m. in the Whiteacre East and features free popcorn and a prize drawing after the movie. Another bonus? Getting to hear Gene Pitney sing the title track.
Monday, May 11—The second entry in our Triple Crown of movies begins at 6 p.m. with a Mira Nair film about a Punjabi wedding during the rainy season. This Arthouse Theater offering for the month features a film that became popular before “Slumdog Millionaire” captured the hearts of American moviegoers. Find out why, and enjoy the free popcorn. It’s in the Whiteacre East, and is rated R.
Monday, May 18—We wrap up the May movies a week early due to the Memorial Day holiday. Our first-run independent film, “Lake Tahoe,” begins at 6 p.m. in the Whiteacre East.
Here’s a synopsis of the Spanish-language (with English subtitles) offering: “Teenage Juan crashes his family’s car into a telegraph pole on the outskirts of town, and then scours the streets searching for someone to help him fix it. His quest takes him through the worlds of several absurd and bewildering characters and helps him come to accept what he was escaping from in the first place.”
So, if you are fan of independent, off-the-beaten-track films, this is your night. Please join us for this Berlin Film Festival winner.
Tuesday, May 19—Friends of the Library will meet at noon for a potluck luncheon. For this final meeting before the summer break, members will make book recommendations for summer reading. I’d take the Friends’ advice on books any day, as they are excellent literary handicappers.
At 6:30 p.m., the Night Readers will gather in the Conference Room to discuss Tony Hillerman’s “Dance Hall of the Dead.” After refreshments and the regular book discussion, the group will make their book choices for August-December, the home stretch of 2009.
Monday, May 25—The library will be closed for Memorial Day.
And finally, we cross the May finish line with our second go-round with an “Open Mike Night” on Thursday, May 28.
That’s right, we’re throwing open the double doors of the Whiteacre Room, setting up some speakers and a couple of microphones and putting the pedal to the metal by inviting all poets, singers, musicians and speakers to perform.
If you think you might want to participate, or if you know someone who enjoys performing, guide them to the front desk, where a pre-registration sheet is waiting. Our only requirement is that performers adhere to SEPLSO’s behavior policy, which means that things can’t get TOO racy.
As always, if you are interested in teen activities, pick up a teen calendar at the front desk. Sarah DiLorenzo has a full schedule of book club meetings, game times and special activities for the young adult set.
Children’s activities for the month include the regular Lapsit and Story Times, with Anita Ross.
Both Anita and Sarah are busy preparing for Summer Reading Program activities throughout June and July. Look for their summer calendars and announcements very soon.
Displays this month include one on shipwrecks (from Christopher Elliott) and another on National Bike Month. And with that bit of news, we wave the checkered flag on our racing and travel references and bid you a fond farewell until June.
McBook 