Literary clubs, film, poetry and music featured at library

February and March at the Hamline Midway Library will offer a wide array of programs for all ages, with an especially rich assortment of literary and film events. Programs include a unique fusion of poetry and music called Sonoglyph on the evening of Feb. 27 and the last two readings in this year’s always-popular Fireside Readings Series.

On Tuesday evenings in February, kids can put on a comfy pair of pajamas, grab a favorite stuffed animal, and join friends and family for Evening/Pajama Storytime. Storytimes will happen from 6:30-7pm on Feb. 16 and 23.

The library also offers a regular daytime Preschool Storytime from 10:30-11am on Fri., Feb. 12, 19, and 26 and Mar. 4, 11, 18, and 25. All library storytimes are a great opportunity for families to enjoy great, age-appropriate books, songs, puppets, and fingerplays.

On Thursdays, 10:30-11:30am, the Hamline Midway Elders and the library are co-sponsoring Chair Yoga. This free event gives participants a chance to improve range of movement and alignment and practice stretching, body awareness, and relaxation—all while seated or using a chair for balance. The class is taught by Nancy Giguere. Upcoming classes are Feb. 11, 18, and 25. For more information, contact Tom at tom@hmelders.org or 651-209-6542.

The Saturday Science Club will meet on Sat., Feb. 13, 1:30-3pm, and the theme in February is Magnetism. Peter Hoh and Jackie Lannin will guide children ages 6 and up and their families through hands-on activities and art experiences to explore magnetic attraction. Mark your calendars for Sat., Mar. 12 Science Club, also 1:30-3pm, when the theme will be “In the Wind.” Call the library at 651-642-0293 for more information; walk-ins are welcome.

The Teens Reading Bravely group will also meet on Sat., Feb. 13, 4-5pm, in the library’s teen area. The group reads and discusses books from the “Read Brave” genre, as part of the St. Paul Library’s annual, citywide “Read Brave” program encouraging youth and adults to read and connect around a young adult novel. This group is recommended for ages 14+, grades 9+.

All St. Paul libraries will be closed on Mon., Feb. 15 in honor of Presidents Day.

The Fireside Readings Series presented by the Friends of the St. Paul Public Library continues Wed., Feb. 17, 7-8pm, with author Anton Treuer. Treuer will present his latest work, “Warrior Nation: A History of the Red Lake Ojibwe.” On Wed., Feb. 24, 7-8pm Catherine Madison closes this year’s series with “The War Came Home with Him,” a memoir of two survivors of one man’s war: a father who weathered a prison camp and the daughter who endured the cruelty that he brought back with him. Each event features a cozy fire in the library fireplace and cookies and coffee, as well as a chance to have books signed by the authors.

Jody’s Documentary Film Series continues Wed., Feb. 24, 1-3pm, with the documentary “Ping Pong,” directed by Hugh and Anson Hartford. The documentary tells the story of competitors going for the gold in the International Table Tennis Championships—and they’re all over 80 years old. The event will include a discussion with Jody after the film.

On Sat., Feb. 27 from 7-8:30pm, the library will host Sonoglyph, a special musical and literary event featuring several current and former Midway residents. Poets Hawona Sullivan-Janzen, Kathryn Kysar, and Lynette Reini-Grandell will read (and maybe even sing a little) from their work accompanied by the improvisations of musicians Sean Egan on clarinet, Aaron Kerr on cello, Bobb Fantauzzo on world flutes, and Jonathan Townsend on percussion. This not-to-be-missed melding of poetry and music will also feature refreshments.

Sat., Mar. 5 is a big book club day at the library. The Saints and Sinners Mystery Book Club meets that day from 1-3pm. The title for March is “Blessed are the Dead” by Kristi Belcamino. For more information, contact Geraldine Balter at gerribalter@gmail.com or call 651-224-5570.

The Kids Book Clubs: I Read! I Vote! also meet on Sat., Mar. 5. Kids can learn more about this year’s Maud Hart Lovelace Award nominees through games and activities and vote for their favorites. Division I (grades 3-5) meets 1:30-2:15pm. Division II (grades 6-8) meets 2:30-3:15pm.

On Wed., Mar. 9, 6:30-8:30pm, the Women’s Human Rights Film Series presents the documentary “A Path Appears: Sex Trafficking in the USA.” According to the U.S. Department of Justice, an estimated 300,000 children are at risk of being trafficked into sexual slavery in the United States. Acclaimed author Nicholas Kristof teams up with actor/advocates Ashley Judd, Blake Lively, and Malin Ackerman to interview the survivors of sex trafficking and shine a light on this shockingly widespread crime. This event is sponsored by the Friends of the St. Paul Public Library.