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Date: 3/6/2015
HOLYOKE – The Holyoke Public Library has many programs planned for March.
On March 11 at 6 p.m. the Holyoke Public Library will host “The Beatles: A Band of the 60s,” a 90-minute multimedia presentation (part history and part analysis) spanning the full 1960s, beginning with the band's seminal visits to Hamburg, Germany, continuing through “Beatlemania” and concluding with Abbey Road. The program will be enhanced by audio clips of their music and excerpts from interviews with the band members.
Aaron Krerowicz, one of two professional Beatles’ scholars in the world, won a research grant in November 2011 to study the band and has since presented his findings at more than one hundred analytic presentations at universities, libraries, continuing education programs and community centers throughout the United States. His first Beatles book, “The Beatles and The Avant-Garde,” was published in December 2014, with several more planned over the next few years.
Join us on March 14 at 1:30 p.m. when we start our “Conversations with Local Authors” series. Professor Mary Kelly, with her new book “Ireland’s Great Famine in Irish-American History,” explores the legacy of the Great Famine and its role in shaping Irish-American culture and identity. Her talk maps the long-term impact of the episode between the 1840s and 1990s and the shadowed landscape of Famine remembrance. On March 16 at 7 p.m., come and enjoy “A Concert of Irish Songs, Stories and Tunes” with Tom O’Carroll. O’Carroll brings a wealth of stories, humor, wit and history to his performances. He will tell of the Chieftains of old and sing songs associated with them.
On March 21 at 11 a.m. get out of the cold while you wait to see the St. Patrick’s Road Race – bring your children to the library for a fun hour of Irish Magic with Debbie O’Carroll, featuring fascinating creatures from Irish children’s literature with lots of fun, magic, zany comedy and creative audience participation.
O’Carroll blends enchanting stage magic with lively physical comedy to introduce the audience to a clan of classical characters from Irish children's literature. Ages 4 to 12 will delight in the charm of magical Ireland.
On March 28 at 11 a.m., the Holyoke Public Library will be hosting “Seriously Silly Stories” with storyteller Jenn Couturier. Get ready to jump into a giant storybook filled with the silliest stories, as this program is geared to keep the youngest listeners engaged and entertained. This is not your average sit-down-sit-still event, but instead gets the children moving, giggling and telling stories of their own! Come and hear Couturier tell three funny stories with the aid of fabulous props and scenery.
This event will help the Holyoke Public Library kick off their new program 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Challenge. The goal of this free program is for parents read at least 1,000 books to their child before they enter kindergarten. Instructions and reading logs will be available at this event or may be picked up anytime in the Children’s Room. Incentive prizes will be awarded after certain reading goals are met throughout the challenge. However, the main incentive is to provide children with the literacy skills they need to achieve great success upon entering school.
Throughout the year, the Holyoke Public Library in partnership with the 1,000 Books Foundation, Friends of the Holyoke Public Library and the Holyoke Local Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency, will be providing additional educational entertainment.
On March 31 at 6:30 p.m. we continue our “Conversations with Local Author” series with Judge Michael Ponsor.
In Ponsor’s book, “The Hanging Judge,” a drive-by shooting in Holyoke, claims the life of a Puerto Rican drug dealer and a nurse from a neighborhood clinic. A black drug dealer is arrested. Public outrage over the senseless killing of a white, middle class "hockey mom" causes the U.S. attorney to shift the case into federal court so that he can pursue the death penalty. All library programs are open to the public free of charge. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling Holyoke Public Library or by registering in person at the library’s front desk.
For more information and reservations, or to learn about other Holyoke History or Computer Rooms programs and services, call at 420-8101.