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!
McBook 