Library offers variety of programming this spring

Date: 2/18/2009

SPRINGFIELD The City Library is offering the following programs.

Are African American men under siege? Do a disproportionate number of African American males commit crimes? Join Bridgette Baldwin, Assistant Professor of Law at Western New England College, on March 18 at 6 p.m. as she addresses these issues in a lecture and discussion in the Central Library Community Room, 220 State St.

Baldwin, formerly a Staff Attorney for the Criminal Defense Division of the Legal Aid Society in New York City, will talk about the racial history of criminal justice.

This program is presented in conjunction with Hartford Public Library's "The Big Read," which explores themes from Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize winning novel, "To Kill a Mockingbird."

The Forest Park Branch Library, 380 Belmont Ave., will present a screening of "To Kill a Mockingbird" on March 21 at noon in their Community Room. Funding for this showing is provided in part by a generous donation from Mrs. Bernard Schwartz in memory of her parents, with the goal of furthering cultural understanding and appreciation among Forest Park neighbors.

Join Master Gardener Larry King for free gardening workshops at the Pine Point Branch Library, 204 Boston Rd. With over 35 years of experience, King will cover houseplants to perennials to lawn care! All workshops will take place on Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. To learn more, call 263-6855, or sign up online at www.SpringfieldLibrary.org.

Here is the upcoming class schedule:

Feb. 26 Success with Seeds

March 5 New Plants from Old

March 12 House Plant, Rejuvenate!

March 19 Tomato Culture

March 26 Restoring Soil

April 2 Lawns: from Soil Tests to Pest Control

April 9 The Care and Feeding of Lawns

April 16 Perennials: Seeds.