Hamline Midway Library: Fostering a love of reading in all their activities

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IOC10_14LibraryGraphicThe Hamline Midway Library, 1558 W. Minnehaha Ave., is brimming over with an unusually rich array of arts programming, storytimes, and book club meetings this October and November. As the weather cools and the fall leaves blow, be sure to stop at the library for a soul-warming dose of inspiration, learning, and community.

Preschool Storytimes galore

Evening/Pajama Storytimes in English will be happening every Tuesday evening from 6:30-7pm in October and the first two Tuesday evenings in November. PJs, blankets, and favorite stuffed animals are all welcome at these family events. Upcoming dates are Oct. 18, 25 and Nov. 1 and 8. The library also offers a weekly daytime Preschool Storytime in English on Fridays from 10:30-11am. Upcoming daytime storytimes happen on Oct. 14, 21, 28 and Nov. 4 and 18.

Book clubs foster love of reading

The Baby Boomers and Better Book Club will meet Sat., Oct. 15, 1-2pm, to discuss Garrison Keillor’s “Lake Wobegon Days.” The club is presented in partnership with Hamline Midway Elders.

The Teen Book Club also meets on Oct. 15, 3-4pm and Nov. 12, 3-4 PM, to discuss graphic novels, “Battle of the Books,” “Read Brave,” and more. The group is intended for readers in grades 9 and up.

The Show and Tell Book Club meets Sat., Nov. 5, 1:30-2:15pm. It’s a great opportunity for readers in grades 2-4 to share their favorite books, enjoy snacks, and celebrate reading through conversation and activities. New members are always welcome!

The Saints and Sinners Mystery Book Club will meet Sat., Nov. 5, 1-2pm to discuss a good mystery. Contact G. Balter for book list or more information at gerribalter@gmail.com or 651-224-5570.

Arts and science programming

During MEA week, the library will host a few different programs to keep kids busy when they’re out of school. On Thur., Oct. 20, the library presents “Stay Play MEA: Blues for Kids” with presenter Jim Stairs, a workshop that teaches kids of all ages the joy of Blues music. The workshop is custom-designed to suit the audience and can include guitar, harmonica, piano, vocals, or Blues history. To register, stop in at the library, email Aura at aura.scherbel@ci.stpaul.mn.us, or call 651-642-0293.

“Peaceful Explorations: Exploring the World Through Music, Movement, and Storytelling” comes to the library on Thur., Oct. 27, 6:30-7:30pm. In this special program, families can enjoy learning about the seasons and living peacefully through storytelling, movement, and music. It might be just the thing families need in this hectic election cycle, so come check it out!

On Mon., Nov. 7, 6-7pm, Russell Harris presents “Mini Masterpieces: Bubblemancy,” an art workshop for preschoolers and their families. Participants can learn the science of bubbles and have a chance to experiment with what becomes possible with bubbles once they understand how bubbles work. Attendees will even make bubble art to take home!

The preschool arts series continues on Mon., Nov. 14, 6-7pm, with “Mini Masterpieces: ArtStart,” in which participants make art with discards, scraps, and other recycled material, and on Mon., Nov. 21, 6-7pm, with “Fingerprint Art.”

Science Saturday takes over the auditorium on Sat., Nov. 12, 1:30-3:30pm, with “Pop Ups!” School age kids and their families can play with tension and springs to make their own pop-up assemblages at this fun hands-on event.

Film fun

On Fri., Oct. 21, 3-5pm, the library will show a special movie for teens, director Barry Sonnenfeld’s sci-fi comedy “Men in Black.”

Jody’s Documentary Film Series continues on Wed., Oct. 26, 1-3pm, with a showing of the PBS POV documentary “What Tomorrow Brings,” directed by Beth Murphy. The film invites viewers to visit the first all-girls’ school in a remote Afghan village and offers an astonishing look at the courage it takes to challenge tradition and custom. This event is a collaboration of the award-winning documentary series POV, the Hamline Midway Elders, and the library. Come for the movie and the snacks, stay for the lively discussion afterward!

On Sat., Oct. 29, 2:30-4:30pm, the library will host a matinee showing of the original 1984 “Ghostbusters,” directed by Ivan Reitman.

Poetry and exercise for adults

On Wednesday afternoons in November, writer, therapist, and teaching artist Naomi Cohn will present Known By Heart, a two-part series of poetry workshops for adults.

On Nov. 2, 1-3pm, Cohn presents “Writing Home: Building Blocks of Poetry,” guiding participants in exploring the theme of home through poetry. Whether you’re new to poetry or have been writing all your life, you are welcome!

The series continues on Wed., Nov. 9, 1-3pm, with “Writing Haiku.” The Knight Foundation, the Friends of the St. Paul Public Library, the Saint Anthony Park Community Foundation, and the Hamline Midway Elders, have all contributed to make this poetry series possible. Registration begins Oct. 17.

On Thursday mornings in November, the library will offer Chair Yoga, a class in which all movement is done while seated or standing while using a chair for balance. This class is taught by Nancy Giguere and co-sponsored by Hamline Midway Elders. Upcoming classes are on Thur., Nov. 3, 10, and 17, 10:30-11:30am.

Library closures

The library will be closed all day on Nov.11 for Veterans Day and on Nov. 24 for Thanksgiving, so be sure to plan your book runs accordingly!

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