Newark Public Library announces May programs, including special Mother’s Day events and a book signing by C. David Williams
Press Release April 25, 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 May, including several in celebration of Mother’s Day and a book signing by C. David Williams. All of the library’s May 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/KidsPlace/calendar.html for children’s programs.

On Wednesday, May 17, C. David Williams will hold a book signing for his thriller/mystery, entitled The Adversary. This fictional novel takes its tone from the Book of Revelations. Williams is the Dean of the Cathedral of Trinity and Saint Philip’s in Newark. He holds a BA in History from Empire College (SUNY), an MBA and a DMN in Pastoral Care from Graduate Theological Foundation of South Bend, Indiana. The program begins at 6:00pm in the Main Library’s Centennial Hall. For more information call 973-424-1831.

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

The exhibit 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 through 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.

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 May, please call 973-733-3603.

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, May 13, the final program in this year’s "Hooray for Children" series features Bob Conrad in Dragons, Dreams & Magic. Join the master magician in a journey to a time long ago—a time of knights and dragons, wizards and magic. Meet Merlin the Magical Mouse, Nogard the Dragon, and see a member of the audience become a wizard and perform magic. Program begins at 2:00pm in the Main Library’s Fourth Floor Auditorium. Call 973-733-5642 for information.

The Frances E.W. Harper Literary Society, which is dedicated to discussing books on the African Diaspora, will hold a discussion of Clarence E. Gaines’ They Call Me Big House on Wednesday, May 3. The program begins at 6:30pm in the Main Library’s James Brown African-American Room. For information call 973-733-5411.

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

• On Thursday, May 4, from 3:30 to 4:30pm, and on Friday, May 5, from 3:30 to 5:00pm, the branch will hold a two-day "Cinco de Mayo Fiesta." Children (ages 5 to 14) will make a Mexican craft on Thursday, and their handiwork will be displayed at the party on Friday.
• On Tuesday the 9th and Thursday the 11th, there will be stories about mothers for children ages 2 to 8 during the 4:00 to 5:00pm story time.
• On Friday, May 12, from 3:00 to 5:00pm, there will be a reception for mothers in the Adult Room. Children are encouraged to bring their mothers to the branch to secure a library card and tour the facility. Refreshments will be served.
• On Thursday the 25th, from 3:30 to 5:00pm, children ages 5 to 14 are invited to make a "Lincoln Penny Pendant" in this Memorial Day craft.

The Madison branch library, 790 Clinton Avenue, 973-733-8090, will hold a story hour for toddlers to kindergarteners on Tuesday, May 23. Storyteller Larry Goods will present the program, which begins at 10am.

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

• Saturday, May 6, 10:00 to 11:00am, "Every Child Ready to Read @ The Newark Public Library." A parent and caregiver workshop for those with children aged 2-3. Come and learn about early literacy. Topics covered will be vocabulary development, print motivation, print awareness, narrative skills and letter knowledge. Reservations are necessary—call 973-733-7797.
• Saturday May 6, 1:00-2:00pm, "Bonding With Babies Through Books." A parent and caregiver workshop for those with children aged newborn to 2. Come and learn about what you can do to help even the youngest child become aware of and comfortable with books and with language, including a sampling of library resources that can help your child care program. Reservations are necessary.
• Monday, May 8 to Saturday, May 13, during library hours, "Mother’s Day Cards." Materials will be provided during this weeklong craft to make a card for the special person in your life.
• Wednesday, May 10, 10:30 to 11:30am, "Wild About Books." Celebrate One Book New Jersey by experiencing the book, Wild About Books. Make an animal mask or puppet to take home. Groups must RSVP.
• Saturday May 13, 11:00 to noon, "Plant a Flower for Someone You Love." Seeds, dirt and a whole lot of love are all that are needed for this activity! Plant some flowers and take them home for yourself or for a Mother’s Day gift.
• Tuesday May 23, 10:30 to 11:30am, "Wild About Books." Celebrate One Book New Jersey by experiencing the book, Wild About Books. Make an animal mask or puppet to take home. Groups must RSVP.

The North End branch, 722 Summer Avenue, 973-733-7683, will present three programs:

• Thursday, May 4 at 3:30pm, "Cinco de Mayo Arts & Crafts." Children aged 5 and older will create the Mexican flag, using yarn and craft sticks.
• Thursday, May 11 at 3:30pm, "Mother’s Day Arts & Crafts." Children aged 5 and older will make cards and scented sachets.
• Thursday, May 25 at 3:30pm, "Memorial Day Arts & Crafts." Children aged 5 and older will create an American flag, using pony beads.

The Springfield branch, 50 Hayes Street, 973-733-7736, will hold two arts and crafts events:

• Thursday, May 11 at 3:30pm, "Mother’s Day Projects." Children will make flowers, flower vases or a greeting card.
• Friday, May 19 at 3:30pm, "Memorial Day Star Wreath." Children will make a patriotic star wreath.

The Vailsburg branch, 75 Alexander Street, 973-733-7755, will hold two programs during May:

• "Fun and Surprises" will be held on Saturday, May 13, 20 and 27, from 11:00am to noon. Children of all ages can join in on a surprise activity that can be a game or an art & craft.
• "Celebrate Mother’s Day" on Friday the 5th and Monday the 8th, from 10:30am to noon. Toddlers and preschoolers are invited to a special "stories about mom" event. Daycare groups must make reservations at least one day before the program date.

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

• On Friday, May 12, beginning at 3:30pm, children will design a Mother’s Day card.
• On Wednesday, May 17 and 24, from 6:00pm to 7:00pm, children will have the opportunity to share an essay, story, poem or play, and if they wish, they may receive some constructive criticism.

During May there will be several "Saturday Programs at the Branches" events, a series that is funded by a grant from the Newark Public Schools.

May 13, 11:00am, Roseville Branch, 99 5th Street, 973-733-7770
Piccirillo Sciencetelling presents The Planet of The Others. Join Andrew Piccirillo from Piccirillo Sciencetelling on a journey with Larkin and pilot Lightspeed to the Planet of the Others. Learn about the science of Fire & Light using lasers, flash paper, firework glasses, exploding bottles, and much more, discover whether Larkin and Lightspeed will make it back to Earth in time!

May 13, 11:00am, Weequahic Branch, 350 Osborne Terrace, 973-733-7752
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 who is the put out of business by rat cheese maker Monsieur Roquefort.

May 27, 10:30am, Branch Brook Branch, 235 Clifton Avenue, 973-733-6388
Bob Conrad presents Dragons, Dreams, and Magic. A magical Journey to a time long ago, a time of Knights and Dragons, Wizards and Magic. Meet Merlin the Magical Mouse, Nogard the Dragon, see a member of the audience become a wizard and perform amazing magic. Magic, puppets, ventriloquism and just plain fun.

May 27, at Noon, North End Branch, 722 Summer Avenue, 973-733-7683
Bob Conrad presents Dragons, Dreams, and Magic. A magical Journey to a time long ago, a time of Knights and Dragons, Wizards and Magic. Meet Merlin the Magical Mouse, Nogard the Dragon, see a member of the audience become a wizard and perform amazing magic. Magic, puppets, ventriloquism and just plain fun.

May 27, 11:00am, Van Buren Branch, 140 Van Buren Street, 973-733-7750
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 who is the put out of business by rat cheese maker Monsieur Roquefort.