Diverse range of programs offered for all ages.
By: Rachel Silverman
Summer at the Princeton Public Library is not a time for rest and relaxation, but a season crammed with diverse programs, increased activity and, of course, fresh literary pursuits.
Among the highlights are a three-day series on Marlon Brando, a shadow puppetry show for children and a discussion on the history of Princeton’s black community with historian Jack Washington.
In a recent news release, Library Director Leslie Burger hailed the summer offerings.
"Readers of all ages and interests will find a club that suits them," she said. "And for those who aren’t joiners, we have a wide variety of programs with authors and poets, three different films series, and music that ranges from opera to rock. There will be something for everyone here."
In terms of reading clubs, the library is offering three age-specific summer-reading groups.
The Youth Services Department, which is hosting two of the book clubs, will feature a "Dragons, Dreams and Daring Deeds" theme for preschoolers to fifth-graders. All children who register for a club will receive a reading record, a reading time-log and a bookmark, with the possibility of earning more prizes and ice cream sundaes from Thomas Sweet Ice Cream when they log in a certain number of books. Registration for the clubs begins 9 a.m. June 15.
In addition to reading clubs, children’s programming this summer will include a demonstration of medieval fighting techniques July 18 and a "Wizard’s Workshop" on Aug. 25.
Youth Stages, a creative drama and theater arts organization, will deliver a "Genies, Lamps and Dreams: Tales of Arabian Nights" program on June 21, and master storyteller Teresa Whitaker will stop by the library July 13 to weave some of her compelling yarns.
Two robotics sessions will be held July 23 and 26. Heleen van Rossum will entertain audiences with a shadow puppet show and workshop called "Sir James and the Knight in Shining Armor."
Youth Stages will also host eight age-specific Creative Dramatics sessions from July 6 to Aug. 24. Kids will read dragon-related stories, construct props and create live-action performances.
In addition, the library’s Youth Services Department will feature more than 50 children’s Story Times over the course of the summer.
For the teenagers, offerings include the Student Film & Video Festival July 28, as well as a four-event film series, "The Media on Film," June 30 to July 21. A Harry Potter trivia event and Comedy Improv Night will both take place on Aug. 4, while a Youth Stages session on stage fighting will be held Aug. 8.
The library’s summer menu offers no shortage of options for adults as well.
Voices, a multilingual poetry reading, will take place Thursday, and on June 24, guitarist Ed Hermann will strike some chords in a guitar clinic.
Authors Gertrude Dubrovsky, Susan Wheeler and Jack Washington will visit the library on June 15, June 16 and July 11, respectively, and poets Colin Campbell and Juditha Dowd will share their lyrical works on June 22.
Documentary film screenings will take place both June 29 and Aug. 31, and a three-night series called "Marlon Brando: Maverick/Eccentric" will entertain moviegoers on July 6, 20 and Aug. 3.
In addition, the New Jersey Opera Theater will preview its Beaumarchais Summer on July 22, and playwright Christopher Durang will visit on Aug. 23 as part of the McCarter Live program.
Other adult events include book discussion groups and programs in the library’s two technology series, Tuesday Technology Talks and Data Bytes.
Book A Trip, a service under which librarians gather materials for vacationers, will be available throughout the summer.
Rounding out the summer schedule are Chess Day, a July 9 lineup of lectures, demonstration and pickup games led by chess masters Glenn Bady and Russell F. Floyd, and Word for Word, a three-part series focusing the human fascination with words. This latter event will feature the Mayhem Poets on July 12, "Word Freak" author Stefan Fatsis on July 19, and a screening of the film "Spellbound" on July 26.
For more information on library programs and services, visit www.princetonlibrary.org.