YORK VILLAGE - There is plenty to do at the York Public Library in the weeks ahead.
CLIMATE CHANGE
"Climate Change - What Can We Do?" will be held May 2 at 7 p.m., with the doors opening at 6:30 p.m. when the York Energy Efficiency Committee presents Maine Public Utilities Commissioner Kurt Adams discussing climate change here in Maine. Before and after the event, members of the committee will host informational booths on home composting, rain barrels, and other energy saving ideas for the home.
UNDERSTANDING ISLAM
Throughout May, "Understanding Islam," a series of programs sponsored by the York Diversity Forum, will be held at the library, beginning with "What is Islam?" on May 3 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bates anthropologist Heather Lindkvist will speak on the basics of Islam and the Koran and a discussion will follow.
"Islam, Al Qaeda and the West" is scheduled for May 10 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a showing of the PBS film "Jihad: The Men and Ideas behind Al Qaeda." This documentary explores the ideas and beliefs that are driving modern, radical Islamic groups, and examines the challenges they pose for the Middle East and for the West. A panel discussion will follow.
"Global Islam: Promoting Dialogue" will be held May 15 from noon to 1:30 p.m. This is a filmed interview with anthropologist, writer and filmmaker Prof. Akbar Ahmed, currently chairman of Islamic Studies at American University in Washington, D.C., discussing global Islam and its impact on contemporary society with a discussion to follow.
"The Muslim Experience in America" is scheduled for May 17 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. featuring the film "Muslims in America" with University of Richmond Law Prof. Azizah al-Hibri addressing some of the common stereotypes about Islam and revealing the great diversity that is the Islamic faith. This will be followed by a talk by Yasmin Alani, an Iraqi Muslim discussing her life in New England, and by Julie Serrano reading poetry and leading the audience in a Sufi dance.
"Islam in Literature" will be offered on May 29 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. with a discussion of Leila Ahmed's memoir, "A Border Passage: from Cairo to America - a Woman's Journey," led by York writer Sandell Morse. Ahmed, the first professor of women's studies and religion at Harvard Divinity School, writes about identity formation. Attendance is limited to 30 people. Register and purchase a copy of the book for $12 at the Office of the Superintendent of York Schools on Route 1.
ENCORE EXHIBIT
"Encore! A Group Art Exhibition" features artists who have shown their work at the library in the past from May 2 through July 26. More than 30 local artists have had solo exhibitions at the York Public Library since it opened in 2001. These artists have exhibited a wide range of work in a variety of media. For example, Sarah Haskell showed her response to Sept. 11 with "Each One: The Button Project, a 911 Memorial" and invited local firemen and police to her gallery talk; Sculptor Sumner Winebaum exhibited family portraits in bronze for his "Family Resemblances" show, and Beverly Hallam held a ‘mini retrospective' of her work from 1945 to 2003. An Opening Reception will be held on May 8 from 6 to 8 p.m.
WRITERS' NIGHT
On May 16 at 7 p.m. this month's Writers Night will feature Maine 2007 Edgar Award nominees Kate Clark Flora and Joe Loughlin for "Finding Amy: A True Story of Murder in Maine" (Best Nonfiction) as well as 2007 Edgar Award Best Young Adult Fiction Winner Robin Merrow MacCready for "Buried."
BROWN BAG LUNCH
"Looking Underground: New England's Rocks and Fossils" will be held from noon to 1 p.m. on May 20. Charles Ferguson Barker, geologist and author/illustrator of "Under New England: The Story of New England's Rocks & Fossils" (University Press of New England, 2008), will present a talk on New England geology. Barker's talk will cover the fascinating geologic history of the region including colliding continents, volcanoes and roaming dinosaurs. This event is cosponsored with the Old York Historical Society.
LET'S TALK ABOUT IT
The "Let's Talk About It: Literature of the Indian Experience" series is exploring five works of fiction on the South Asian/Indian experience during the colonial and post-colonial periods. Remaining books to be read and discussed include "Jasmine" by Bharati Mukherjee on May 14 and "Interpreter of Maladies" by Jhumpa Lahiri on May 28. This series is provided by the Maine Humanities Council and will be facilitated by Michael Lee, Ph.D. Discussions are held on Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. Call 363-2818 to see if space remains for participants.
IN THE CHILDREN'S ROOM
Infant Lapsits are Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. in the Children's Room and stories, finger plays and rhymes will be offered for infants to two-year-olds. Preschool Story Times and Crafts with Miss Julie are every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. Story Times and Crafts with Miss Kathleen for children ages 2 and 3 are each Friday at 10:30 a.m.
Art by the Pond is held the third Tuesday of the month, from 10:15 to 10:45 a.m. Jill Burke and Sharon Trafton design projects that explore art as a process. Wear play clothes!
After School is Cool Knitting and Legos program, led by Martha Donnell, runs through April on the second Wednesday of each month from 4 to 5 p.m.
Making Music Monthly for ages 2 to 6 is the first Wednesday of each month from 10:15 to10:45 a.m. This parent-child class led by Michelle Franey and focuses on developing musical skills and social skills, with emphasis on moving to the beat and learning traditional children's songs.
Tactile Toddler Time for ages 2 to 4 is the second Tuesday of each month from 10:15 to10:45 a.m. Preschool educator Kimberly Whelan facilitates sensory exploration.
Saturday Art Classes for ages 6 to 10 feature artist Ellen Minnehan teaching children to use various art techniques on the second Saturday of each month from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
For all the details on what is happening at the York Public Library, visit www.york.lib.me.us or call 363-2818.
