Newark Public Library April programs highlighted by the Friends of The Newark Public Library’s 15th Annual Book Sale
Press Release March 23, 2006
Media only contact: J. Dennis Papp
(973) 733-7798; dpapp@npl.org

The Newark Public Library, 5 Washington Street, announced a schedule of programs for April, highlighted by the 15th Annual Friends of The Newark Public Library Book Sale. All of the library’s April events are free and open to the public. For more information, call the number listed with the program description, or visit the library’s home page at www.npl.org for adult programs and www.npl.org/Pages/KidsPlace/calendar.html for children’s programs.

The Friends’ 15th Annual Book Sale will have six sale dates this year instead of the usual three. Dates/times are Saturday, April 22 from 9:00am to 5:00pm; Monday, April 24 from 9:00am to 5:00pm; Tuesday, April 25 from 11:00am to 8:00pm; Thursday, April 27 from 11:00am to 8:00pm; Friday, April 28 and Saturday, April 29 from 9:00am to 5:00pm. Please note that Wednesday, April 26 is not a sale date. The sale features a wide selection for children and adults: hardcover and paperback books, magazines, posters, records and tapes. Those individuals and organizations wishing to help sort the book sale items before and/or during the sale should leave a message for Jerry Caprio by emailing friends@npl.org, or by calling the library at 973-733-7793.

Two new exhibitions are on view at the Main Library beginning in April. William J. Dane, the library’s Keeper of Prints, Posters and Works of Art of Paper, curated both shows.

The one on the second-floor gallery, entitled Shopping Bags: Infinite Design Solutions for an Everyday Product, is on view from April 12 through June 17. It displays over 100 shopping bags that cover such specialized topics as music, food and drink, books, museums and seasons. The library’s collection of over 1000 bags has been actively assembled over the past 25 years—going back to the demand for bags in the 1970s. This is the seventh such exhibit in response to the fascination of a growing consumer marketplace for these portable and popular art forms.

The third-floor exhibition, entitled A Salute to Two Great 20th-Century Artists: Picasso and Lichtenstein, is on view from April 17 to June 14. Carefully selected, the exhibit includes original prints, historic posters, notable art books, biographic materials and portrait photographs of two visual artists whose works dominate the international art world in contemporary times.

The exhibitions are free and open to the public during library hours: Monday, Friday and Saturday from 9:00am to 5:30pm; Tuesday through Thursday from 9:00am to 8:30pm. or more information call Mr. Dane at 973-733-7745.

The Springfield branch, 50 Hayes Street, continues its SAT Prep Program on most Wednesdays and Saturdays. Each free session comprises Preparation for SAT Tests, Financial Aid Workshops, College Essay Writing, and Scholarship Searches. Assistance will be given in completing SAT, college, and scholarship applications. Classes will be offered on Wednesdays from 5:00pm to 7:00pm, and on Saturdays from 11:00am to 1:00pm. The Community Foundation of New Jersey provided the funding for this program. For more information, please call the Springfield branch library at 973-733-7736, or Lyndon Brown, the instructor, at 973-623-8699.

Free computer classes—in English and Spanish—are being held in the Technology Training Center, which is located on the third floor of the Main Library. Class size is limited to ten participants. Some classes are designed for first-time computer users (Mouse Clinic, Typing), while others are for those with more computer literacy (Word Processing, Publisher, Email, Internet, PowerPoint, Creating a Résumé). For more information on the calendar of classes for April, please call 973-733-3603, or visit www.npl.org/Pages/Computers/.

Each Wednesday evening, from 6:00 to 8:00, is "Chess Night" at the Madison branch, 790 Clinton Avenue, 973-733-8090. Patrons—third-graders to adults—are invited to "play it, learn it, teach it."

On Saturday, April 22, the program from the library’s "Hooray for Children" series features Goowin’s Balloowins in The Wizard of Oz. Enjoy a truly unique performance by madcap balloon artist Allynn Gooen, who will fill the stage with extraordinary balloon creations as he leads the story of The Wizard of Oz, in which children from the audience will star. The event is presented by Encore Performing Arts, Inc., in the Main Library’s fourth-floor auditorium, beginning at 2:00pm. Call 973-733-5642 for information.

The Frances E.W. Harper Literary Society will celebrate National Poetry Month with "Poet Are the Gatekeepers." The program takes place on April 5 at 6:30pm in the Main Library’s James Brown African-American Room. For information call 973-733-5411.

The Weequahic branch, 355 Osborne Terrace, 973-733-7751, invites children to make Easter baskets and Easter cards on Wednesday, April 12, beginning 3:30pm. The branch also invites children to stop by during library hours between April 10 and 13 to guess how many jellybeans are in the jar.

The Van Buren branch, 140 Van Buren Street, 973-733-7750 will hold four programs:

• On Saturday, April 1, beginning 11:00am, it presents "Performing Folklore: Ranchos Folclóricos from Lisbon to Newark"—a presentation and book signing with author Kimberly DaCosta Holton, Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Portuguese and Lusophone World Studies, Rutgers University Newark. Through the lens of expressive culture, Performing Folklore tracks Portugal’s transition from fascism to democracy, and from imperial metropole to EEC member state. Kimberly DaCosta Holton examines the evolution and significance of ranchos folclóricos, groups of amateur musicians and dancers who perform turn-of-the-century popular tradition and have acted as cultural barometers of change throughout 20th-century Portugal. She investigates the role that these folklore groups played in the fascist dictatorship early in the century, how they fell out of official favor with the advent of democracy, and why they remain so popular in Portugal’s post-authoritarian state, especially in emigrant and diasporic communities. Holton looks at music, dance, costume, repertoire, venue, and social interplay in both local and global contexts. She considers the importance of revivalist folklore in the construction and preservation of national identity in the face of globalization.
• On Monday, April 10, beginning 3:30pm, the branch invites children to have some fun and participate in an Easter egg hunt.
• On Wednesday, April 19, at 6:00pm, children are invited to celebrate National Poetry Month by reading the works of their favorite poets or their own poems.
• On Saturday, April 29, beginning at 11:00am, Jay Mankita presents "The Day the Library Went Wild." Join Jay on a "wild" adventure that celebrates the beauty of our planet. Sing, play guessing games and be a part of the show through music and movements. This program is funded by a grant from the Newark Public Schools.
• The Vailsburg branch, 75 Alexander#160;Street, 973-733-7755, will hold "Fun and Surprises" on Saturday, April 1, 15 and 29, from 10:30am to 11:30am. Children of all ages can join in on a surprise activity that can be a game or arts & crafts.

The Roseville branch, 99 Fifth Street, 973-733-7770 presents The Legend of Freedom Quilts and The Underground Railroad on Saturday, April 15 at 11:00am. Join Trish Chambers on a journey through history and learn about slavery and the path to freedom. Learn about the Underground Railroad and the traditions of learning through quilt making; discover the different patterns on the quilts and the lessons they taught. The Newark Public Schools provided the funding for this program.

The Main Library Children’s Room will hold several programs during the month. For more information call 973-733-7797.

• Saturday, April 1, 10:00am to 11:00am, Navigating the Internet. Learn how to find games and educational resources on the web. Intended for ages 8 and up; due to limited space, reservations are needed.
• Wednesday, April 12 and 19, Bunny Stories. Children ages 2 to 5 are invited for stories and crafts about our "long-eared friends."
• Tuesday, April 11 (3:30 to 5:00pm), Monday, April 17 (3:30 to 5:00pm), and Saturday, April 29 (3:00 to 4:00pm), Poetry for Prizes. Children are invited to read a poem from their favorite poet or write their own. Everyone who participates will receive a prize.
• April 24 to 30, Turn Off Your T.V. Challenge Week. Children are invited to relate what they did this week instead of watching television.
• Saturday, April 29, Every Child Ready to Read. This is a workshop, held from 10:00am to 11:30am, for parents and caregivers of children ages 4 to 5. Learn about early literacy: vocabulary development, print motivation, print awareness, narrative skills and letter knowledge. Reservations are required.

The Branch Brook branch, 235 Clifton Avenue, 973-733-6388, will hold two programs:

• On Monday, April 10, from 3:30 to 5:00pm, children ages 5 to 12 are invited to a "poetry jam" at which they can share a favorite poem.
• On Wednesday, April 12, from 4:00pm to 6:00pm, children ages 5 to 14 are invited to color and decorate eggs.