PITTSBURG, Kan. —
One of my earliest childhood memories is of visiting the Pittsburg Public Library, entering off Fourth Street through double doors that I thought to be quite magical because they led to a world that filled my imagination.
To the left, up a creaky flight of stairs to the children’s department on the top floor, I’d find stories, puppet shows, records, puzzles, and a colorful rug with letters and numbers.
My mom — who says she is forever indebted to the library as it welcomed her to a new community with open arms and gave her a sense of belonging, for free — let me check out books equal in number to my age.
Now, I take my own children to the library, and each month when I stop to pick up a calendar full of programming, I am amazed at what’s on tap for every segment of the population.
I thought I’d share a little of it with you in the event you haven’t been through those magical doors lately.
• Story time: Children’s story time has begun again, with sessions at 6:30 p.m. Mondays, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tuesdays, and 10 a.m. Wednesdays through Dec. 14. No registration is necessary, but children need to be accompanied by an adult. They’ll listen to a story or two, perhaps a puppet play or a song, and make a craft to take home.
• Programs: The library will have a poetry reading at 6:30 p.m. Thursday featuring local poet Al Ortolani Jr., former English teacher at Pittsburg High School, and one of his former students, Adam Jameson. It is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.
• Classes: The library will continue to offer free computer classes for adults in November. New this month: creating a digital movie.
• Young adults: The library offers programming every Wednesday for young adults in grades seven through 12, with no sign-up required. At 4 p.m. Wednesday, a Cash Cab trivia event, based on the Discovery Channel show, and refreshments will be featured. The Young Adult Advisory Council will meet at 4 p.m. Nov. 16 and Nov. 30 to plan programs and suggest library materials relevant to the age group. The Manga & Anime Club meets directly after the advisory council meetings for fans of that genre.
An open mic night is slated for 6:30 p.m. Nov. 21. Those attending may read a poem, play music, sing, tell a joke, perform a magic trick or express themselves in an artistic manner — or just sit back and enjoy the show. Various coffeehouse style refreshments will be served.
• Book discussions: The November book discussion for adults will be at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 15. This month’s selection is “Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter” by Tom Franklin. Copies of the book are available for checkout or purchase at the library.
• Art: The library would like to exhibit the artwork of local artists and collectors next year. Adult artists and art owners who want to exhibit one of their works may submit works in January for consideration by the Arts Committee. Art accepted for exhibition will be on public display for about six months. Indoor and outdoor sculpture will be considered depending upon scale and available secure space. Details: 620-231-8110.
Have an idea for a column? Email astefanoni@joplinglobe.com, or visit Facebook at Andra Bryan Stefanoni, Staff Writer - The Joplin Globe. Visit the Globe’s newest Facebook page at Joplin Globe: Pittsburg, Kan.
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