So Much in February, We’ve Added an Extra Day
By KATHY McGILBERRY
Leaping lizards, it’s February and someone wedged an extra day onto the calendar! It’s a good thing, too, since there’s so much to do and so much to love at McAlester Public Library. So put on your leaping shoes, settle your fluttering heart and make the jump to the library.
Here’s the rundown of adult and family activities:
*Thursday, Feb. 2—The Bookies will meet at 1 p.m. in the Conference Room to discuss “The Widower’s Tale” by Julia Glass. Darlene Rising and Janice Saaranen will guide readers through an in-depth look at the story of Percy Darling, a 70-year-old whose solitary life is changed by the arrival of pre-schoolers, and more. As always, there will be free refreshments.
*Monday, Feb. 6—The first day of free tax help, courtesy of the volunteer workers from the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). They will be in the Whiteacre Room every Monday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., through tax season (except March 19 when we’ll be closed). It’s first-come, first-served.
*Wednesday, Feb. 8—Calling all crafters! We will gather in the Whiteacre Room from 1-3 p.m. to create beautiful Valentine collages using vintage magazine illustrations, cool embellishments and all sorts of pretty shiny things. Plus, we’ll make a few bonus Valentine cards from cardboard soft drink cases. Spaces are limited (usually we have enough for 10 crafters), so be sure to pre-register by checking with Ellen Barlow at the front desk, or by calling us at 918-426-0930. Also, we are once again calling all e-reader owners! The first e-reader workshop in January was so popular, Head Librarian Christine Sauro and Computer Tech Anthony Smart have scheduled a second come-and-go e-reader demonstration. Those of you with new e-readers should drop in anytime from 2:30-6 p.m. to get the lowdown on how to download e-books from the library.
*Saturday, Feb. 11—Second Saturday Cinema always features a family-friendly film. This month we’ll be enjoying the comedic tale of three men who take their bird-watching very, very seriously. Steve Martin, Jack Black and Owen Wilson star in this PG rated movie—just in time for National Bird Feeding Month–and there will be plenty of free popcorn. See the posters on display in the library for the title. Showtime is 2 p.m. in the Whiteacre.
*Monday, Feb. 13—Arthouse Theater will feature another Academy Award-nominated movie. Last month we viewed “The Help,” and this month we’ll be watching another Best Picture nominee, this one starring Brad Pitt and Sean Penn. Terrence Malick directed this acclaimed film, which begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Whiteacre Room. As always, free popcorn. (Look for another nominated film in March, too!)
*Wednesday, Feb. 15—We should have books for the upcoming Spring season of “Let’s Talk About It, Oklahoma” by this date. Our theme is “The Worst Hard Time Revisited: Oklahoma in the Dust Bowl Years,” and we’ll feature history, letters, novels and free verse in our literary look at one of the worst ecological and economic disasters in U.S. history. Films begin March 8 and book discussions begin March 22, so check at the front desk to sign out your books. Spaces are limited in this popular program, so sign up early to learn more about the toughness and resiliency of those who stayed here in the 1930s. The program is sponsored by the Oklahoma Humanities Council with funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
*Monday, Feb. 20—The Light Readers, led by Ellen Barlow, will meet in the Conference Room from 6-7 p.m. to discuss Richard LeMieux’s “Breakfast at Sally’s.” It’s a present-day memoir of a man who learned to cope with his own economic disaster. LeMieux tells a politically and socially charged story of economic deprivation and homelessness.
*Tuesday, Feb. 21—Friends of the Library will meet for their monthly noon luncheon in the Whiteacre Room to hear a presentation from Misti Stewart of the Partners for Animal Welfare Society (PAWS). Then at 6:30 p.m. the Night Readers will meet in the Conference Room to discuss Rebecca Skloot’s “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.” The book captures the beauty and drama of scientific discovery, while making modern readers aware of the human consequences. There will be free refreshments at the discussion.
*Thursday, Feb. 23—The library will be closed for staff training. Regular hours will resume Friday, Feb. 24.
*Saturday, Feb. 25—The monthly documentary matinee will feature producer Chris Rock’s partly-comic, partly-serious study of African-American hair issues in a PG-13 rated film that begins at 2 p.m. There will be plenty of free popcorn as usual. Join us in the Whiteacre Room for a free Saturday afternoon movie, perfect for Black History Month viewing.
*Monday, Feb. 27—The Film Movement presentation for the month begins at 6 p.m. It’s “Queen of Hearts,” a romantic comedy from France. (And isn’t that appropriate for this Valentine’s Month?) All of our foreign films have English subtitles and plenty of free popcorn.
*Tuesday, Feb. 28—Let’s say you have attended one, two or even all of the events we’ve just listed. You may have even read a book or two. What happens if you have celebrated Valentine’s Day, National Bird Feeding Month and Black History Month…if you have your “Let’s Talk” books lined up…and if you’re still wondering “What does it all mean?”. Well, then, you should join us for Socrates Café, our monthly attempt to tackle the weightier issues of the day with the help of Socrates, Descartes, Rousseau and the like. We have a few brunch items and many, many questions. Help us find the answers when we meet in the Conference Room from 10 a.m. to noon.
Teen librarian Erin Austin has a full roster of activities for her groups all month long, as well. Here’s a sampling:
*Game times Feb. 2, 9 and 16 at 3:45 p.m.;
*Yu-Gi-Oh Club Feb. 7 and 21 at 4 p.m.;
*Shaving Cream Cards Feb. 10 at 4 p.m.;
*A Teen Challenge Speed Tournament Feb. 14 at 4 p.m.;
*Book Club Feb. 20 at 4 p.m.; and
*Magic Club Feb. 27 at 4 p.m.
Children’s librarian Anita Ross has her usual lineup of story times, lapsits, game times and play times for children and families. Stop by the front desk to get a calendar for all the details.
Displays this month include:
*Black History Month, as well as Janet Evanovich read-alikes, both near
the new books section;
*Movies featuring animal stars;
*Presidents;
*A look at work in the office;
*Local history, with a complete 1901 edition of The South
McAlester Capital;
And the Question of the Week, which this week asks “What secrets are here to be told?”.
Crafty Use for Old Mittens? Snow Problem!
A WINTRY LINEUP of snowmen was the result after the regular monthly session of crafts at McAlester Public Library. Participants
made snowman figures from old mittens and a variety of recycled materials. Next month, the project will be Valentine collages.
Anyone is welcome to participate, but spaces are limited, so call the library at 918-426-0939 or stop at the front desk to register. The
group meets on the second Wednesday of every month from 1-3 p.m.
Attractive Fundraiser
COLLECT ALL FIVE refrigerator
magnets, now on sale at the front desk
of McAlester Public Library, to help
support library programs. Each magnet
costs a mere $1. Look for more designs
soon.
