Month: December 2011

2012 Starts with Lots to Do at the Library

By KATHY McGILBERRY

It’s here. You know what I’m talking about.

Whether you’re curled up in ball on the floor of your closet, quaking and shivering, awaiting the earth-shaking cataclysm that’s going to send you to your great reward—or whether you’re packing a picnic basket for an open-air meadow dance that will herald the ascension of your cosmic consciousness—you know that it’s 2012, and something BIG is bound to happen.

Now, I can’t say whether 2012 will bring us disasters or dividends, but I do know that 2012 will bring us all plenty of library events, starting right now. Here’s this month’s rundown:

*Thursday, Jan. 5—The Bookies will meet from 1-3 p.m. in the Conference Room to discuss Orson Scott Card’s “Ender’s Game.” Darlene Rising and Janice Saaranen are group leaders.

*Monday, Jan. 9—Arthouse Theater at 6 p.m. in the Whiteacre Room East is once again set to feature Anne Hathaway in a love story based on the David Nicholls novel “One Day.” You might recall this same film was scheduled in December, but was postponed. It’s rated PG-13.

*Wednesday, Jan. 11—The monthly Free Crafts Workshop, from 1-3 p.m. every second Wednesday of the month, will meet in the Whiteacre Room. The project is “Snow People,” made from old mittens. We always have tons of fun at these get-togethers and you’re welcome to join us. Call 918-426-0939 to register, since spaces are limited.

*Thursday, Jan. 12—The Night Readers book club has scheduled a movie special in the Whiteacre Room East, in conjunction with discussion of the book “The Help.” See the film based on Kathryn Stockett’s best-selling book. It’s rated PG-13, and we’ll have plenty of free popcorn. Please note that it’s a rather lengthy movie, so we’ll be starting at 5:30 p.m. You don’t have to be a member of the Night Readers to attend the movie; everyone is welcome.

*Saturday, Jan. 14—Second Saturday Cinema always features a family film, and this month you can watch at PG-rated movie about little blue gnomes who match wits with the villain Gargamel. La-la, la-la-la-la, la, la-la-la-la. (If the theme from the old Saturday morning cartoon is not now on a loop in your head, may I just add that the movie is very, very smurfy?)

*Monday, Jan. 16—The Light Readers, led by Ellen Mills, will meet from 6-7 p.m. in the Conference Room to discuss “End of Apocalypse” by Tim LaHaye and Craig Parshall.

*Tuesday, Jan. 17—The Night Readers will meet at 6:30 p.m. in the Conference Room to discuss “The Help.” We still have multiple copies of this very popular book, so feel free to join us. Ask at the front desk to sign out a copy.

*Saturday, Jan. 28—The Documentary Matinee returns after a holiday hiatus. At 2 p.m. in the Whiteacre Room East, we’ll be watching a fun PG-rated documentary from Phil Rosenthal, the co-creator of the sitcom “Everybody Loves Raymond,” as he tries to syndicate, and translate, the very American show in Russia.

*Monday, Jan. 30—The Film Movement independent film for the month comes to us from China. This unrated, English-subtitled film is “The Piano in a Factory.” It’s described as a melding of music, romance and comedy, as it tells the story of a father who builds his own piano in an effort to keep the affections of his child.

*Tuesday, Jan. 31—Socrates Café meets from 10 a.m. to noon on the last Tuesday of each month. Join us for philosophical discussion of questions big and small, all in a respectful atmosphere, and with some dandy refreshments to boot.

Over on the teen side of the activities calendar, Teen Librarian Erin Austin has all the regular events on the schedule: movies Jan. 3 and 31 at 3:45 p.m.; game times Jan. 5, 12, 19 and 26 at 3:45 p.m.; Yu-Gi-Oh Club at 4 p.m. Jan. 10 and 24; and Book Club/Teen Advisory Group at 4 p.m. Jan. 23.

In addition, she’s scheduled a fun session of Bubble Wrap Painting at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11, and a macaroni-and-cheese cooking class at 3:45 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18. See her for details about how to participate.

Children’s librarian Anita Ross has all her regular story times and activities as well. Check at the front desk for details.

Displays this month include:

*A look at the history of the Boys and Girls Club of McAlester, in photos, by Steve Adams;

*Some books and videos in the lobby display that will inspire you to make and keep New Year’s Resolutions;

*Mesoamerican culture (and just a teensy bit about that pesky Mayan calendar we’ve all heard so much about) in the main display near the front desk, from Christopher Elliott;

*Read-alikes of the Bill O’Reilly book “Killing Lincoln,” from Ellen Mills;

*”Marvels, Mysteries and the Unexplained” in the movie display, from Janice Saaranen;

* And as always, the Question of the Week from Nathan Forrest, who this week asks “Which college is right for me?”.

You can count on your library for answers, entertainment, community and much more as the year progresses. We hope to see you here, soon!

December at Library the Gift That Keeps Giving

By KATHY McGILBERRY

Gather all the fancy papers, clear off a goodly portion of table or floor, unspool some ribbon and whatever you do, make sure you have plenty of cellophane tape, because we’re about to wrap up the biggest, best present of all—a jam-packed December at McAlester Public Library.

Look at everything we’re stuffing into this 31-compartment container of days!

Thursday, Dec. 1—The Bookies kicked things off at 1 p.m. in the Conference Room with a look at Robert Goolrick’s book “The Reliable Wife.” Next, at 6 p.m. it was the final session of the Fall Let’s Talk About It, Oklahoma reading and discussion series. Dr. Kenneth Hada presented the book “An American Childhood” by Annie Dillard. Plus, we distributed information about next spring’s historical series “The Worst Hard Time Revisited: Oklahoma in the Dust Bowl Years.”

Saturday, Dec. 10—Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford are just two of  the stars in our Second Saturday Cinema feature, starting at 2 p.m. in the Whiteacre Room. You’ll see cowpokes. You’ll see spaceships. You’ll see a high-concept, PG-13 film that asks “What would happen if aliens invaded an Old West town?”

Monday, Dec. 12—Arthouse Theater at 6 p.m. features a PG-13 rated romance starring Anne Hathaway. The movie is based on the David Nicholls novel “One Day.” Now that Billy Crystal has been confirmed as the host of the next Academy Awards, we can all relax and enjoy Miss Hathaway as an actress (and not a presenter) once again. Also, this movie is certified 100% James Franco-free.

Wednesday, Dec. 14—The monthly free crafts workshop, from 1-3 p.m. in the Whiteacre Room, will feature holiday gift wrapping tips and tricks. Learn how to make unusual bows and package adornments. All supplies are provided, but spaces are limited so call 918-426-0930 to register. We always have lots of fun at these sessions. Last month we made jeweled ornaments, and had a few leftovers, so if you missed that session, try to be on hand for this one. Shiny, sparkly things!

Thursday, Dec. 15—The Night Readers will meet on a special day in order to allow members to attend the $10,000 cash drawing downtown. At 6:30, the group will meet in the Conference Room with local author (and book club member) Mary Ann Kerl to discuss her book “Angel on Trial.” As always, there will be tasty refreshments. Also at this special meeting, the group will make book choices for 2012. We are already set to read “The Help” in January (and see the movie too), and in February we  will read “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot. But that leaves another 10 choices to make. If you’d like to make your recommendations, please attend this meeting.

Monday, Dec. 19—The Light Readers will meet at 6 p.m. in the Conference Room to discuss Lauraine Snelling’s “One Perfect Day.” Group leader Ellen Mills will have refreshments.

Tuesday, Dec. 20—As we have done for the past couple of years, we’ll have a radio broadcasting the live feed from the $10,000 Cash Drawing downtown. Join us indoors in the warm and snug Whiteacre Room as we listen. The library is three short blocks from the stage, so be sure to wear your running shoes and we’ll cheer you on as you dash downhill if you’re a winner!

Thursday, Dec. 22—There will be candy canes, good cheer and lots of ho-ho-ho as Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus make their annual visit to McAlester Public Library. There will be two chances to see the jolly old elf, and get a free photo: from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and again from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Don’t miss it!

Dec. 23-26—The library will be closed for the holiday.

Tuesday, Dec. 27—Socrates Café begins at 10 a.m. in the Conference Room. Join us for coffee, juice and brunch-style munchies as we discuss the deeper issues of the day. Then at 6 p.m., the monthly first run independent movie from Film Movement begins in the Whiteacre Room. These unrated, often foreign films, are always a treat for serious film fans. This month’s feature is “Protektor” from the Czech Republic.

Children’s programs this month run from Dec. 1-14 and include all the regular activities: Family Play Time Thursdays at 11 a.m.; Game Time Thursdays at 4 p.m.; Lapsits Tuesdays at 10 a.m. and again at 11 a.m.; Movie Times Tuesdays at 4 p.m.; and Story Times Wednesdays at 10 a.m.

Teens will be busy all month. Regular activities include: Manga/Anime Club at 4 p.m. Dec. 5; Crafts Dec. 14 at 4 p.m. (making Duck Tape Wallets); Book Club/Teen Advisory Group Dec. 19 at 4 p.m.; Cooking Class Dec. 21 at 3:45 p.m. (making and decorating sugar cookies); Game Time Thursdays at 3:45 p.m.; Teen Movies Dec. 6 and 20 at 3:45 p.m.; and Yu-Gi-Oh Club Dec. 13 and 27 at 4 p.m.

Come in soon to see the display in the lobby of authentic Russian artifacts from Rev. and Mrs. Joedy Hendrix. That display will soon give way to a Santa collection from our own Christopher Elliott. Also in the lobby, local historian Steve Adams has a look at McAlester’s 50th Anniversary celebration.

Other displays include: the Question of the Week, right now asking “What can I do about those holiday pounds?”; movies “All About Family;” and of course, Christopher’s holiday extravaganza near the front desk.

And with that final neatly-folded corner, I think that wraps up the month. Hope to see you at the library!