Springfield Celebrates National Library Week

There’s more than one way to tell a story.

Offering programs and events ranging from belly dancing to a harmonica concert, celebrates national library week by showing different forms stories can take.

 The weeklong bash kicked off yesterday with a concert by the Traveling Stage Company and continues throughout the week.

 “Every day, libraries across the country are helping people create their own unique stories,” says Susan Permahos, Library Director. “Whether it is by opening a book and exploring distant lands, or by learning how to use new technologies to find a job, people at our library are creating new stories for themselves.”

Tonight, the library combines health and performance, with a demonstration by Kathleen McMahon, a registered nurse and belly-dancing instructor. A native of Scotch Plains, McMahon has shared her therapeutic dance techniques with audiences at libraries, hospitals and shelters.

On Tuesday afternoon at 12 p.m., the Union Harmonica Ensemble, the oldest ensemble of its kind in the United States, performs.

Programs for children and teens are offered all week as well, starting today with a scavenger hunt for children in grades 4 to 8 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. The winner receives a gift certificate to .

That’s not the only Baskin Robbins gift certificate up for grabs. All week, students in grades 4 and up can submit a book review to enter into a drawing to win a gift certificate to Baskin Robbins. Entry forms are in the Youth Services Department close to a special display of award-winning teen literature for Support Teen Literature Day.

Story times will be offered on Monday evening, April 11 at 7:30 p.m. and Thursday, April 14th at 10:30 a.m. Story and craft programs will be offered Sunday, April 10 at 2:15 p.m., Friday, April 15 at 4 p.m., and Saturday, April 16 at 12 p.m.

Wii games will be offered for boys and girls ages 6 to 11 on Wednesday, April 13 at 4 p.m. and chess lessons will be offered to kids age 5 and up on Saturday, April 16 at 10:15 a.m.

The special events won’t keep the Library’s regular offerings from happening.

The Knit Wits Knitting Group met on Monday, April 11th at 10 a.m. and the Scrabble Group will meet tonight at 7:00 p.m. The Memoir Writing Group will meet on Thursday, April 13th at 10:15 a.m. In addition, two book discussion groups, a current events discussion group and a bridge group, are looking for new participants. And free computer instruction will be offered on Tuesday and Thursday mornings between 10:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. by appointment.