Friends of Holyoke Library annual meeting features guest lecturer on May 20
Date: 5/11/2009
HOLYOKE The Friends of the Holyoke Public Library Annual Meeting will be held at the library at 6:30 p.m. on May 20. Catherine Dower-Gold, president of the Friends has announced that the meeting will feature Mount Holyoke College Professor, Gail A. Hornstein, who will discuss her latest book, "Agnes' Jacket: A Psychologist's Search for the Meaning of Madness."
Hornstein is a Holyoke resident and a native of Pennsylvania. She graduated from the University of Pittsburg and holds a master's degree and Ph.D. from Clark University. Visiting Fellowships have brought her to the University of California at Berkeley, Harvard, Cambridge, Oxford and London. She now divides her time between Holyoke and London.
The subject of "Agnes' Jacket," seamstress Agnes Richter, a nineteenth century German mental patient painstakingly stitched a mysterious autobiographical text into every inch of the jacket she created from her institutional uniform. Despite attempts to silence them, hundreds of other patients managed to get their stories out in disguised forms. "Agnes' Jacket" transitions from a code-cracking bunker of World War II to the church basements and treatment centers where a whole new way of understanding the mind begins to take form.
Trained as a personality/social psychologist, Hornstein's current research is concerned with the history of twentieth century psychology, psychiatry and psychoanalysis.
Copies of the Friends secretary's and treasurer's reports will be sent to members in advance of the May 20 meeting. At the close of the meeting the new slate of officers will be presented and two long-standing board members will be honored. They are Bruce Yarber, who has served as secretary and Anne Gorman, membership chairman, both of whom have filled the positions for many years.
The treasurer has requested that members who have not as yet paid their dues, please do so to help the Friends continue their support of a variety of library activities.
The meeting on May 20 is open to the public. It will be conducted in the Holyoke Public Library Community Room. Parking is available in the lot at the rear of the building on Chestnut Street, convenient to the elevator entrance to the building.
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May promises to be an extremely busy month at Holyoke Public Library with a full schedule of events for adults and children spread throughout the month.
On May 1, at 7:15 p.m., the Library will host a Holocaust Remembrance presented by the Greater Holyoke Council for Human Understanding, Holyoke Public Schools and Holyoke Community College. Gerald Steinberg of Longmeadow will present "A Child in Hiding," his memoirs of being hidden in Poland during the Holocaust and surviving. Holyoke High School Madrigal Singers will present musical selections during the program.
On May 7, at 3:30 p.m. "Outlook and Opportunities Smart Decisions for Tough Markets," will be offered by John McAndrew, a financial advisor with the Edward Jones organization.
On May 11, at 10:30 a.m., the Friends Book Club will meet to discuss Tracy Kidder's latest book, "Mountains Beyond Mountains," an inspiring story of bringing health care to impoverished peoples in Haiti and other unusual locations.
On May 12 and 13 from 1:15 pm to 3:15 p.m. the Library will begin a series of preparatory study courses for individuals preparing for GED tests. The program will run for six weeks, ending on June 17.
On May 13, at 6 p.m., Kate Lewis BSN of Mercy Hospital will provide an informational program on Mercy Hospice Care services for individuals and families undergoing the experience of dealing with a terminally ill loved one.
Among the children's activities in May are the following:
May 12, 19 and 20, 6 to 7 p.m. Library Scrabble Club for children and families.
Wednesdays, 4 to 7 p.m. the Library will offer Spring Crafts Session 2; May 13 "Make Your Own Sunglasses"; May 20 "Design Your Own Kaleidoscope"; May 27 "Spring Bead Necklaces".
May 28, 6 to 7 p.m. Dominos Rule! A domino tournament for youngsters 8 to 13 years of age.
All of the programs listed are open to the public free of charge, with children's craft and game programs requiring membership cards for the Holyoke Public Library. For additional information on adult events please call 322-5640, children's events 322-5635, or visit the Library at 335 Maple St.
