Newark Public Library announces June programs, including book signings, special Father’s Day events and the Summer Reading Challenge
Press Release May 16, 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 June, including several in celebration of Father’s Day and the kickoff for another Summer Reading Challenge. All of the library’s June 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.

Two exhibitions that opened in mid-April continue on view through mid-June at the Main Library. William J. Dane, the library’s Keeper of Prints, Posters and Works of Art on Paper, curated both shows.

The one on the second-floor gallery, entitled Shopping Bags: Infinite Design Solutions for an Everyday Product, is on view 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 1,000 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 until 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. For more information call Mr. Dane at 973-733-7745.

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, Email, Internet, Creating a Résumé). For more information on the calendar of classes for June, please call 973-733-3603, or visit www.npl.org/Pages/Computers/.

The Frances E.W. Harper Literary Society, which is dedicated to discussing books on the African Diaspora, will sponsor two programs in June. For information call 973-733-5411.

• On Saturday, June 3, there will be a book signing and lecture from 2:00 to 4:00pm in the Main Library’s fourth-floor Auditorium. Lucy Ann Hurston will discuss and sign her book, Speak, So You Can Speak Again: The Life and Times of Zora Neal Hurston. The book, which will be available for purchase, is a brief biography of one of the outstanding figures in the Harlem Renaissance who has come to be recognized as a major voice in 20th-century literature.
• On Wednesday, June 7, Matters of Life and Death, a story of one family’s struggles under apartheid in 1963, will be the topic of a lecture and book signing by the author, Dr. Lesego Malepe, in the Main Library’s Centennial Hall, beginning at 6:30pm. Dr. Malepe is from South Africa and resides in the United States. She is a professor in the Political Science Department at Boston University. She has contributed articles to USA Today, the Baltimore Sun, and the St. Louis Dispatch.

There will be two musical performances at the Main Library, one on June 15, and the other on June 22. For more information on either program call the Library at 973-424-1831.

• The June 15 program features Carrie Jackson, a native Newarker, and her jazz trio. Jackson is an accomplished song stylist, jazz vocalist, recording artist, bandleader, and president/CEO of a record company. Her performances rekindle the great history of jazz. The program begins precisely at 6:30pm in Centennial Hall.
• On June 22, Dr. Albert J. Lewis, Jr., in conjunction with the World Gospel Musical Association of Newark (WGMA), will present their annual gospel program at the Main Library, from 6:00 to 8:00pm, in Centennial Hall. Entitled “The Celebration of Gospel Music,” the program includes performances by WGMA Youth Choir, Minister Tyron Williams and the Place Singers, Deliverance on Steel Band, Dale Ciceron & Optimistic for Christ Choir, and Minister Mike Morris’s Karate Praise and Vision.

The Prudential Foundation has again provided the funding to sponsor the Library’s ever-popular reading and literacy program for Newark’s school children in grades pre-K through 8: the Prudential Foundation Summer Reading Challenge. The program encourages children to include the adventure of reading in their summer activities. The theme for this year’s event is Paws, Claws, Scales and Tales! The program will run from June 26 to August 5.

A festive rally will kick off the Challenge. It will be held in the Main Library’s Centennial Hall on Tuesday, June 27, from 10:00am to noon. This fun event includes entertainment by Beth & Scott and Friends—who will present "Just Wild About Books," refreshments, and a free gift. Corky, the Library’s Kids’ Place web site mascot, will also greet the children.

In addition to the Prudential Foundation Summer Reading Challenge, the Library has planned a host of "Summer Fun" programs in all of its children’s rooms: board and computer games, puzzles, movies, arts and crafts, and story time. Activities differ at each branch. For more information and a schedule, visit www.npl.org/Pages/KidsPlace/calendar.html or stop by any of the children’s rooms.

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

• On Wednesday, June 14 from 4:00 to 6:00pm children (ages 5 to 14) may design a card for their father, grandfather, uncle or other male relative.
• On Wednesday, June 21 from 5:00 to 7:00pm, and Thursday, June 22 from 3:30 to 5:00pm adults and children will have the opportunity to "check out what’s cool at your library this summer," including the Summer Reading Challenge and other summer fun activities. Light refreshments will be served.

The Madison branch library, 790 Clinton Avenue, 973-733-8090, will celebrate the first day of summer on Wednesday, June 21 from 2:45 to 5:00pm. The program is for all—from preschoolers to adults. Topics of discussion include the Summer Reading Challenge and other summer fun activities. Light refreshments will be served.

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

• June 12 to June 17, during library hours, "Father’s Day Cards." Come and make a card for the special person in your life. The Library will provide card materials. Groups please call ahead and sign up - 973-733-7797.
• Saturday, June 17, 10:00-11:00, "Saturday Morning Story Hour." Come and hear stories about fathers, uncles, and grandfathers we love! Make a card for the special man in your life. Groups please call ahead and sign up - 973-733-7797.
• Thursday, June 15, 4:00pm, "Club Success Celebration." For those who participated in the Library’s homework club this year, celebrate your success in school! Light refreshments will be served.
• Friday, June 23 to Friday, June 30, during library hours, "A’s for Prizes." Bring in your end of the year progress report and get a prize for good grades!

The North End branch, 722 Summer Avenue, 973-733-7766, will celebrate "dads and grads" on Saturday June 17 from 10am to noon. Be on hand for the "eats and treats."

The Vailsburg branch, 75 Alexander Street, 973-733-7755, will hold "Fun and Surprises" events on Saturday, June 10 and 24, from 11:00am to noon. Children of all ages can join in a surprise activity that can be a game or an art & craft.

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

• On Friday, June 9 from 3:30 to 4:30pm, and on Wednesday, June 14 from 6:00 to 7:00pm, children are invited to tell how they wish they could spend their summer vacation by drawing a picture or writing a story.
• On Wednesday, June 7 and 21, from 6:00 to 7:00pm, children who are aspiring authors will have the opportunity to share an essay, story, poem or play.

The Weequahic branch, 355 Osborne Terrace, 973-733-7751, invites children (pre-K through 8th grade) to a "Father’s Day Craft" on Wednesday, June 14 from 3:30 to 4:30pm.

During June there will be five Saturday Programs @ the Branches events, a series that is funded by a grant from the Newark Public Schools. The series concludes for the year with the June programming.

June 3, 11:00am
Madison Branch, 790 Clinton Avenue, 973-733-8090
Potions. Join us as we discover the tale of a mysterious building named Doolittle, which contains a hidden underground laboratory. We will discover its secrets, perform narrow escapes, witness surprising discoveries, and reveal an unbelievable ending. This tale of the magic of science will use smoke-filled bubbles, potions, and buckets of fog.

June 3, 2006 11:00 am
North End Branch, 722 Summer Avenue, 973-733-7683
Flexitoon Presents Hamlin. Join the amazing puppets of Flexitoon as they present the timeless tale of The Pied Piper. The story, told through Flexitoon puppets, marionettes, shadows and special effects, is of a little girl named Bree and how she helps her father, cheese maker Monsieur Roquefort, who is put out of business by rats.

June 10, 11:00am
Clinton Branch, 739 Bergen Street, 973-733-7754
The Lizard Guy. Join The Lizard Guy for an exciting glimpse into fabulous animals of the world. The Lizard Guy brings some exotic animals—such as lizards, turtles, frogs, and a huge special guest for the finale. Learn many different facts about these animals, such as where they are from, and what they eat.

June 10, 2006 11:00 am
Vailsburg Branch, 75 Alexander Street, 973-733-7749
Flexitoon Presents Hamlin. Join the amazing puppets of Flexitoon as they present the timeless tale of The Pied Piper. The story, told through Flexitoon puppets, marionettes, shadows and special effects, is of a little girl named Bree and how she helps her father, cheese maker Monsieur Roquefort, who is put out of business by rats.

June 24, 2006 11:00 am
Springfield Branch, 50 Hayes Street, 973-733-7736
Flexitoon Presents Hamlin. Join the amazing puppets of Flexitoon as they present the timeless tale of The Pied Piper. The story, told through Flexitoon puppets, marionettes, shadows and special effects, is of a little girl named Bree and how she helps her father, cheese maker Monsieur Roquefort, who is put out of business by rats.

The Newark Public Library celebrated National Library Week in April by holding its popular "Create-Your-Own-Book" challenge for children in grades pre-K and up. The "book" could be a play, a poem, a story, a diary or a wordless story of pictures or photographs.

A panel of judges reviewed the more than 400 entries and selected the top winners in the two grade-level categories (K to 3 and 4 to 8).

"All of the entries in the Challenge were of winner-caliber," said Michele Cappetta, the library’s youth services coordinator, "making it difficult for the judges to select the top winners in each category." Each winner receives a bookstore gift certificate.

In addition to the prizes, see the top winners’ entries on the Library’s Kids’ Place web site at www.npl.org/Pages/KidsPlace/Spotlight/create2006.html.

Following is the list of the top winners—by grade category—including the title of their book, branch-library affiliation, school and grade.

Grades K-3
1st place - Kitty's Sleepover Birthday Party by Tania Gafanha (Van Buren, Wilson Avenue School, grade 1)
2nd place - Mom Will I Make Any Friends? by Ariana Duran (Branch Brook, Branch Brook School, grade 2)
3rd place - The Solar Saver by Yousaf Khan (Vailsburg, Mount Vernon School, grade 2)
Honorable Mention (alphabetically by title)
The Magical Wand by Maite Rodriguez (Van Buren, Wilson Avenue, grade 1)
My Lucky Four-Leaf Clover by Karen Prangan (Clinton, Belmont Runyon, grade K)
One Day on the Farm by Niruban Bahetharan (Main Library, First Avenue School, grade 1)
The Turtle and The Lizard by Alberth Espinoza (North End, Elliot Street School, grade 1)

Grades 4-8
1st place - 10 Sisters by Miranda Agosto (Branch Brook, Branch Brook School, grade 4)
2nd place - Rock Island by Bryan Roman (Branch Brook, Branch Brook School, grade 4)
3rd place - My Sister by Katherine Perez (Clinton, Belmont Runyon, grade 4)
Honorable Mention (alphabetically by title) Baseball the Sport of My Dreams by Philnahm Prangan (Clinton, Belmont Runyon, grade 4)
Hi! I'm the Ball Flying by Marvin Thomas (Roseville, Newark Christian School, grade 6)
Lessons Learned From Video Games by Equel Easterling (Springfield, North Star Academy, grade 5)
The Lonely Dragon by Jeovany Alvarado (Branch Brook, Branch Brook School, grade 4)