By KATHY McGILBERRY
You’ll find so much to love this month at McAlester Public Library you’ll want to come back again and again, like a besotted suitor. Or a stalker. We’re not judging.
In fact, we’ll even help you make a blind date this month. More than one blind date, if you want. More about that in a moment, but first here’s a quick look at some of February’s highlights.
We have a full roster of Black History Month films and programs, culminating with the local premiere of a new documentary about the Oklahoma City lunch counter sit-ins of the 1950s, and a live Q and A with the Oklahoma-born director. We have a few educational extras, like information on the Affordable Care Act and a Legal Aid class on how to make your own will. You’ll find all our regular programs, movies and book clubs for children, teens and adults. You can be a part of our new Digital Photography Group, and create photos and videos in our regular monthly “maker space.” There’s a writing contest for teens. The kids’ book club is reading “As Small as an Elephant.” History at High Noon begins February 20 and continues for six weeks, with free lunch and local history programs on a variety of subjects. You can pick up a set of four books for the spring Let’s Talk About It, Oklahoma discussions, and for this series, the books are yours to keep. You can celebrate Chinese New Year with the teen group.
And then, you can go on that aforementioned library-created blind date. We are wantonly promoting “Blind Date with a Book” in February as a way to match you with a new reading experience. When you come to the library and visit the new books section, you’ll find books all wrapped up in pretty papers, disguised like Romeo and Juliet at the masquerade ball. You’ll be tantalized by a brief description on the cover. Once you get your Blind Date Book home, you can rip off the wrapping and get down to business. Return the book to the library, and let us know how you rated your date on a special “Blind Date with a Book” form. We’ll choose a prize winner from completed forms at the end of the month. The prize? Well…chocolates, of course, and maybe something extra.
Doesn’t that make your heart beat just a little bit faster?
Here’s a month’s worth of free public events, with a bit extra about the documentary premiere:
Tues., Feb. 3—Lap Sit story time, ages 3 and under, 10 and 11 a.m. (on this and every Tuesday morning); Craft Explosion for teens, 3:45 p.m.; Movie Time, ages 9-12, 3:30 p.m.
Wed., Feb. 4—Affordable Care Act info with Tabitha Bradford, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Story Time, ages 3 and up, 10 a.m. (on this and every Wednesday morning); Ellen with all the library news on KNED’s Party Line with Megan Waters, 11 a.m.
Thurs., Feb. 5—Bookies book club, discussing “Blood and Beauty” by Sarah Dunant, 1 p.m.; Game Time, ages 9-12, 3:30 p.m.; Teen Game Time, 3:45 p.m. (on this and every Thursday afternoon); Black History Month documentary, 6:30 p.m., gives historical perspective on the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Mon., Feb. 9—Arthouse Theater, 6 p.m., showing a 2014 indie film by writer-director Justin Simien. You might have seen the trailer for this college satire in a local theater. Rated R.
Tues., Feb. 10—Polish up those fingers and toes with Teen Lacqueristas and Lacqueristos, 3:45 p.m.; Children’s Crafts to make and take, 3:45 p.m.; Enjoy the filmed version of the Night Readers February book selection, with a Black History Month movie starring Halle Berry, 5:30 p.m.
Wed., Feb. 11—Creative Crafts for adults, making faux tin tiles, 1:30 p.m. (must register); Sci-Fi with Clout book group, discussing “The Time Machine” by H.G. Wells, 6 p.m.
Thurs., Feb. 12—Black History Month movie, 6 p.m. Jamie Foxx produced this documentary about the famed music teacher at Houston’s Kashmere High.
Sat., Feb. 14—Second Saturday Cinema, 2 p.m. Steve Carrell and Jennifer Garner are the parents in this tale of Alexander’s not-so-hot day. Rated PG.
Mon., Feb. 16—Light Readers, discussing “The Widow’s War” by Sally Cabot Gunning, 6 p.m.
Tues., Feb. 17—Friends of the Library, noon luncheon; Cooking Class, ages 9-12, 3:45 p.m.; Night Readers, discussing “Their Eyes Were Watching God” by Zora Neale Hurston, 6:30 p.m.
Wed., Feb. 18—Teen Cooking Class, making Oreo Balls and Savory Spinach Bites, 3:45 p.m.; SteamPunk group movie, 6 p.m. Matt Damon and Heath Ledger star as brothers who tell grim fairy tales. Rated PG-13.
Thurs., Feb. 19—Chinese New Year Celebration for teens, 3:45 p.m.
Fri., Feb. 20—History at High Noon. Miller Newman kicks off the six-week local history series with a look at “Black History of Pittsburg County.” The longtime local NAACP and community leader will share stories told to him by old-timers. Have lunch with us and learn local history.
Mon., Feb. 23—Digital Photography Group, regular meeting, 6 p.m. with a Basic Photo Tips presentation, and more. Attend and help us name this new group!
Tues., Feb. 24—Socrates Café, which usually meets on the last Tuesday of each month, is on hiatus until June 30; Great Escape book club for 4th-5th graders, discussing “As Small as an Elephant” by Jennifer Jacobson, 3:45 p.m.; Teen Yu-Gi-Oh group, 3:45 p.m.; Free Community Legal Education by Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma, 6 p.m., with “How to Make Your Own Will.” More Legal Aid classes coming on the last Tuesday of March and April.
Wed., Feb. 25—SteamPunk book group, discussing “The Anubis Gates” by Tim Powers.
Fri., Feb. 27—History at High Noon. Retired police officer Patricia Bannister presents “The Story of Neely Factory,” the U.S. Deputy Marshal who rode with Bass Reeves. Factory is Bannister’s ancestor, and has many descendants in the area.
Sat., Feb. 28—Documentary Matinee, 2 p.m. Join us for “W.E.B. DuBois: A Biography in Four Voices.” We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again–this is one of the best documentaries you’ll ever see.
Sun., March 1—Our new photography group will be gathering on the first Sunday afternoon of every month to create photos and videos. Join us each first Sunday from 1:30-5:00 p.m.
Don’t forget, we always have free popcorn at all our movies. If you don’t see your interests represented in our lineup of activities, let us know. And be sure to mark your calendars for Saturday, March 7, when our Black History Month events spill over, just a bit, into the next month.
Film director Julia Clifford, an Ardmore native now living in Washington, is bringing her new documentary “Children of the Civil Rights” to McAlester Public Library for a free screening. Look for more details as we get closer to the event, as well as links and information on our Facebook page and Twitter feed.
Clifford will screen the documentary about the 1950s lunch counter sit-ins in Oklahoma City spurred by civil rights pioneer Clara Luper. Everything begins at 1 p.m. in the library’s Whiteacre Room. Following the film, she will answer questions about the making of the movie. Then she’s off to Tulsa’s Circle Theater for the premiere there.
As always, we hope to see you at the library.
McBook 