By KATHY MCGILBERRY
We reckon we’ll not prank, prod, pinch or poke you for April Fools Day. No, instead we’ll own up to being just an old stick-in-the-mud, durned near a Bois D’Arc post in a bar ditch. We’d rather just plow a straight line toward all the library events that are sprouting up like poke salad in April. So grab yourself a tow sack and let’s get to picking! You won’t even have to boil anything twice to siphon off the pi-son.
(Translation from the original Okie: Although we’d love to join in April Fools Day revelry, our serious nature compels us to inform you of the many events scheduled this month at the library. Please friends, take hold of your metaphorical gunnysacks and fill them with plans to attend these mind-nourishing and not-at-all dangerous spring offerings.)
Here are the adult and family activities this month:
Thursday, April 1—Basic Computer Class, 4-5 p.m., Whiteacre East, taught by Computer Tech Anthony Smart.
Saturday, April 3—Wee Care Baby Fair, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Southeast Expo Center. The McAlester Public Library booth, “Wee Love Reading,” will be manned by Janice Saaranen and Darlene Rising.
Thursday, April 8—Basic Computer Class, 4-5 p.m., Whiteacre East; Let’s Talk About It, Oklahoma, 6-8 p.m., Whiteacre Room, Dr. Doug Watson presents “Popular Music from Vittula” by Mikael Niemi. Refreshments and door prizes at this popular event. Join us for the third session of the “Growing Up in the Wide World: Perspectives Through Contemporary World Literature” series.
Saturday, April 10—Second Saturday Cinema, 2 p.m. See the second movie in the Twilight series. Free popcorn and a prize drawing. This screening is for adults and families, scheduled at the request of our patrons. Seems that teens aren’t the only ones who love this movie.
Monday, April 12 (National Library Week activities begin with the theme Communities Thrive @ Your Library)—Arthouse Theater, 6 p.m., Whiteacre East, Marlon Brando stars in an Elia Kazan classic. Free popcorn.
Wednesday, April 14—Free Crafts Workshop, 1-3 p.m., Whiteacre East. Pre-register to be a part of the fun. We’re making tote bags from DVD movie cartons.
Thursday, April 15—Advanced Computer Class, 4-5 p.m., Whiteacre East; Let’s Talk About It, Oklahoma Movie Special, 5:45 p.m., Whiteacre East, movie based on Khaled Hosseini’s “The Kite Runner.” Rated PG-13, free popcorn.
Friday, April 16—Announcement of winners of the “40 Days and 40 Nights” essay/short story contest; Drawing for prizes in the “40 Reasons to Love Your Library Contest.” There are 40 prizes to be given away, so enter early and often. See the front desk for details. Top prize is a CD Boom Box.
Tuesday, April 20—Friends of the Library noon luncheon; Night Readers, 6:30 p.m., Conference Room, discussing “Olive Kitteridge” by Elizabeth Strout.
Thursday, April 22—Advanced Computer Class, 4-5 p.m., Whiteacre East; Let’s Talk About It, Oklahoma, 6-8 p.m., Whiteacre Room, Dr. Trisha Yarbrough presents “The Kite Runner.” Free refreshments and a door prize drawing.
Friday, April 23—The Annual Friends of the Library Book Sale, 5-8 p.m., St. John’s Catholic Church Gym. Admission $10 for the first night.
Saturday, April 24—Friends of the Library Book Sale, St. John’s Gym, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., free admission. This is the Friends’ main fundraiser for the year, so plan to attend and stock up on great book bargains.
Monday, April 26—Movie Special, 6 p.m., Whiteacre East, see 2010 Best Supporting Actress Winner Mo’nique and young star Gabourey Sidibe in the movie based on Sapphire’s novel “Push.” Rated R. Free popcorn. (Due to changes in our movie licensing agreement with Film Movement, the first-run independent films will resume with “Welcome” in June.)
Tuesday, April 27—Poetry Reading, 7 p.m., Whiteacre East. Dr. Ken Hada will read from his new volume of poetry, “Spare Parts.” Free refreshments, book signing afterward.
Thursday, April 29—Advanced Computer Class, 4-5 p.m., Whiteacre East; Let’s Talk About It, Oklahoma Movie Special, 5:45 p.m., movie based on Jhumpa Lahiri’s “The Namesake,” starring Kal Penn. Rated PG-13, free popcorn.
Children’s events in April include the regular Tuesday Lapsits at 10 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.; Wednesday Story Times at 10 a.m.; Thursday Play Times at 11 a.m.; and Thursday Game Times at 4 p.m.. Check the calendar or call ahead to confirm the Kids Movie. Its usual time is 4 p.m. Tuesdays, but times may change this month.
Teen events include the regular Thursday Game Times at 3:30 p.m. and Tuesday Movie Times at 4 p.m. The Manga Club will meet at 5 p.m. Monday, April 5. Book Club will meet at 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 14 to discuss “This Lullaby” by Sarah Dessen. The Teen Advisory Group will meet at 4 p.m. Monday, April 26. The final event of the month will be a “book spine poetry class” at 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 28 to close out National Poetry Month. What is book spine poetry, you ask? Sarah DiLorenzo has all the details. Check the library’s Facebook page or the Teen Page for additional updates.
Displays this month include Christopher Elliot’s current Easter display near the front desk; a look back at the year 1970 (when the library opened in its current location) in the lobby; a shelf-of-the-week display from Nathan Forrest titled “Race,” that isn’t what you think it is; a staff picks display from yours truly, in which I look for laughs; and paranormal fiction in the teen section, courtesy of Sarah.
Look for a new display all about wild Oklahoma weather in the coming weeks, and another fascinating history display in the days ahead from local historian Steve Adams, as he traces the history of the library in McAlester. Even all this is not enough to keep up with your crack library staff: why not check the website (It’s our virtual branch!) frequently and follow Head Librarian Christine Sauro’s tweets on Twitter.com. Just search for “mcalester lib” and become a follower.
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