Princeton Public Library Connections Magazine Winter 2019-20 by Princeton Public Library

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Princeton Public Library WINTER 2019-â&#x20AC;&#x2122;20

Magazine

SPOTLIGHT/HUMANITIES For details and a listing of all library events, visit princetonlibrary.org/events BEING HUMAN A FESTIVAL OF THE HUMANITIES

Presented in partnership with the Princeton University Humanities Council. For details on all events, see the Princeton University website. WORKSHOP

Queer Letters: Writing Stories About Identities, Families, Gender, Cultures and Communities Tuesday, Dec. 3, 4:30 p.m. This two-hour workshop centers on queer and trans experiences. The goal is to create a space for people to explore questions of identity through guided free-writes. At the end of the workshop, participants will share their writing. They will then select quotes from what they have written to be printed on postcards. Each participant will receive copies of all the postcards created in the class. Registration is limited and required through the library’s events calendar. Conference Room WORKSHOP

Improv and Being Human Monday, Dec. 9, 7 p.m. The Princeton Graduate Improv team, along with New York-based improvisation instructors, will teach audience members improvisation. Improvisation spurs creative thinking, confidence in public speaking, and unconventional problem-solving. Community Room LECTURE AND WORKSHOP

Illuminating Incarceration in Antiquity through Digital Humanities Wednesday, Dec. 18, 7 p.m. Historians, archaeologists and other scholars have traditionally thought that no prisons existed in antiquity, and that prisons began with modernity in Europe and the United States. However, a closer look at the material and textual data indicates otherwise. Professors Matthew Larsen (Religion) and Caroline Cheung (Classics) will guide audiences into the history of incarceration in conjunction with the use of digital humanities. The instructors will start by canvassing global developments including those of the ancient Mediterranean. Next, the professors will teach participants about insights afforded by 3D modeling, virtual reality and 3D printing technologies. Upon learning to handle such tools, attendees will use them to see layouts of entire ancient prisons, as well as experience one ancient prison through a virtual reality walkthrough of a 3D model. Lastly, the group will discuss its findings. Community Room

LECTURE

Joseph Benatov How the Bulgarian Jews Survived the Holocaust Thursday, Dec. 12, 7 p.m. Benatov, who has a doctorate in comparative literature from the University of Pennsylvania, where he teaches Hebrew, discusses the history of Bulgarian Jews during the Holocaust. In 1943, Bulgaria complied with German demands and deported nearly 11,400 Jews from occupied territories in northern Greece and Yugoslavia. At the same time, Bulgaria successfully resisted German pressures to deport the 50,000 Jews living in Bulgaria. Benatov offers an overview of the facts surrounding these historical events and focuses on the conflicting opinions about the role played by King Boris III, church officials and politicians in the rescue of Bulgaria’s Jewish population. Community Room RADIO TAPING

Person Place Thing featuring Deborah Amos Tuesday, Dec. 17, 6 p.m. Randy Cohen interviews Deborah Amos for “Person, Place, Thing,” his public radio program during which guests are asked to speak about a person, a place and a thing they find meaningful rather than about themselves. Amos is an awardwinning international correspondent for NPR News. She is the author of two books and has won several major journalism honors, including a Courage in Journalism Award from the International Women’s Media Foundation, a George Foster Peabody Award, an Edward R. Murrow Lifetime Achievement Award and an Emmy. Cohen won multiple Emmy awards as a writer for “Late Night with David Letterman” and is the author, most recently, of “Be Good: How to Navigate the Ethics of Everything.” Community Room

Programs featuring this logo are presented with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this programming do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

COVER STORY For details and a listing of all library events, visit princetonlibrary.org/events

Displacement and connection In Africaville, Jeffrey Colvin gives voice to the victims of an urban renewal project gone wrong. It’s a story that has local reverberations.

he library will be getting a head start on its celebration of African American History Month with an appearance by author Jeffrey Colvin on Jan. 29. Colvin, who served as a United States Marine, is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Harvard University and Columbia University, where he received a master’s degree in fiction. He will discuss his book “Africaville: A Novel.” A family saga set in a small Nova Scotia town settled by formerly enslaved people, Colvin’s debut novel explores concepts of racial identity, interracial relationships and the meaning of home. Publisher’s Weekly calls the book “a penetrating, fresh look at the indomitable spirit of black pioneers and their descendants.” Reached by email recently, Colvin shared some thoughts about his book, how it relates to areas such as Princeton’s Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood and his upcoming visit to the library. Q: What was your starting point for “Africaville”? Why was it important to have the lives of the Sebolt family play out against the backdrop of the bitter injustice that happened there (and the real town of Africville)? A: In the late 1990s, I began to write a series of short stories set in a rural southern community on the verge of extinction. I have a personal connection to such a community having lived briefly with my grandmother in the rural Alabama community where she had raised a family. My grandmother moved out of the community while I was in college, and after I graduated, I came home to the news that the last houses in this community had been abandoned and torn down. Some of the stories my grandmother and her former neighbors told about their former community were happy ones, but there were also stories of struggle such as the lack of adequate resources for the small public

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Jeffrey Colvin discusses his novel “Africaville” on Jan. 29

school, and the difficulties the young men and women from the community encountered when they searched for jobs after the coal mines closed. I did not envision any of the stories I was writing as part of a larger narrative until I read an article in the New York Times in 2001 about a black community called Africville that once existed on the northern edge of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Africville had been in the headlines in the late 1960s when, over the objection of the residents, the city of Halifax bulldozed the homes and the community church to make way for a bridge entrance and a city park. I thought about how vociferously the residents had protested the destruction, and how they CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

COVER STORY For details and a listing of all library events, visit princetonlibrary.org/events

“James Baldwin once said, ‘There is no moral distance between the facts of life in San Francisco and the facts of life in Birmingham.’ It might be said that Baldwin was looking from Alabama west toward California. My novel began with me looking from Alabama east toward Nova Scotia. I believe Baldwin and I came to the same conclusion — that we are all strongly connected.” — Jeffrey Colvin

The historic town of Africville in Nova Scotia is the inspiration for the setting of Jeffrey Colvin’s “Africaville.”

continue to fight for restitution decades after the community had been destroyed. I began to see connections between the story of Africville and the stories of rural communities I was writing about. Even before beginning my research, I believed that characters from a town like Africville could be the source of a very compelling novel. My research led me to numerous articles, films, and books about Africville. However, none of these sources deeply explored how the pull of a community like Africville could affect a family over several generations. In my novel, “Africaville,” Kath Ella Sebolt, the matriarch of the family, moves with her son Etienne to Montreal. Etienne later moves to Vermont and then to Alabama, where his son, Warner, grows up. I knew what might pull the second and third generation toward cherishing the town where their ancestors lived — its unique history, the continued efforts by former residents to keep the towns 4

memory alive. But what elements would pull subsequent generations away from Africville? For me this raised more complicated questions, the exploration of which is one of the elements that propels the novel.

proper amends. I look forward to engaging in conversation about how communities have lived this experience. Sadly it seems to be a common experience of marginalized and oppressed communities around the world.

Q: People from so many communities, including Princeton’s Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood, can relate to the injustice of having their community displaced for “urban renewal.” Will that tie in to your talks about your book? A: Absolutely. I was so inspired by how vociferously the residents of Africville fought their eviction. For decades since they have fought for recognition of the town’s unique history and for restitution for its unjust destruction. One success came in 2010, when the mayor of Halifax issued an apology to the former residents of Africville and their descendants for the community’s destruction. The city also has made some economic restitution. However, residents are still fighting for

Q: Your appearance will be the lead-in to the library’s African American Read-In, an event on Feb. 1 that launches African American History Month. How important is it for people of all ages and races to be exposed to works by black authors and about the experiences of black people in America? A: On a practical level, works by black writers provide a rich reading experience. Many of their works bring history alive through their connection to a unique oral storytelling tradition that links their narratives to those from the slavery period or even the ancient traditions of Africa. These connections are reflected in 20th century novels like “Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe, “Beloved” by Toni Morrison

COVER STORY For details and a listing of all library events, visit princetonlibrary.org/events and “Their Eyes Were Watching God” by Zora Neale Hurston, and in more recent novels like the genreexpanding “Black Leopard, Red Wolf ” by Marlon James or the urban-youth inspired novel, “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas. Black writers are also strongly connected to a rich tradition of activism and cultural criticism. Their creative works may be a response to a current social issue, as in the case with Thomas’s novel, which she says was inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement. Or their works may address societal issues directly as in James Baldwin’s essay collection “Notes of a Native Son” or Audre Lorde’s memoir “Cancer Journals.” In reading the works of black authors, people of all ages and races benefit from literature’s tendency to make people more empathetic, add to their understanding of America’s past, and gain knowledge which helps them to be a positive participant in its more multicultural future. Q: What do you hope people take away from reading “Africaville”? A: James Baldwin once said, “There is no moral distance between the facts of life in San Francisco and the facts of life in Birmingham.” It might be said that Baldwin was looking from Alabama west toward California. My novel began with me looking from Alabama east toward Nova Scotia. I believe Baldwin and I came to the same conclusion — that we are all strongly connected. Many readers understand the notion that although we may lose physical connections to our families and the communities we grew up in, powerful emotional connections remain. I also hope readers appreciate the novel’s exploration of the larger themes of immigration, race, identity and loss. Q: Please share anything else you would like people to know about your talk at the library. A: Libraries are important cultural institutions and I am honored to be part of a library series in a city with such a rich cultural and intellectual history. I am also impressed by the commitment Princeton Public Library has to elevating writers’ voices. It is an honor to be among the many wonderful writers featured, and I look forward to engaging in a dialogue with the Princeton community. www.princetonlibrary.org

“Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am” screens Jan. 31

More African American heritage

effrey Colvin’s author talk isn’t the only January program leading up to the library’s celebration of African American History Month. A presentation by Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood historian Shirley Satterfield and the Historical Society of Princeton on the creation of Palmer Square will be given Thursday, Jan. 30, and on Friday, Jan. 31, there will be a screening of the documentary “Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am.” African American History Month officially gets under way on Saturday, Feb. 1 with an African American Read-In, an event dedicated to diversity in literature presented in partnership with Princeton Public Schools. “The African American Read-In is a celebration of diverse texts and literacies that center the stories, voices and lives of African Americans (and others) in books, speeches, songs, plays, poems, literatures that are commonly lesser known among American canons,” said Princeton High School teacher Joy Barnes-Johnson, who is coordinating the event with library staff. “Although these stories are at the center of the celebration, the day and events of an African American Read-In belong to everyone. They serve as an important mirror of who we are as a diverse society of story tellers, readers, speakers and thinkers.” The African American Read-In begins at 11 a.m. with a reading by Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation poet Khalil Murrell, who will talk about his journey to becoming a poet. He will also read from his works and take questions from the audience. At noon, there will be a performance by students who are preparing for the annual Academic, Cultural, Technological & Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) competition. At 1:15 p.m., Books Transform, an intergenerational presentation from invited members of the community will be given. The presenters will talk about books they have read that have made a lasting impression on them or perhaps even transformed their lives. After the presentations, community members will also be invited to share African American books that have been meaningful to them. African American History Month continues at the library on Sunday, Feb. 2, when Demetria Joyce Bailey presents a concert, “Comes Love: The Songs of Billie Holiday.” Bailey, an actress on the stage and screen, possesses a powerful vocal range and sings old-school jazz and blues in the tradition of Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan. Details of African American History Month programs can be found on the events calendar at princetonlibrary.org and will be updated as the month approaches.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS FOR ADULTS For details and a listing of all library events, visit princetonlibrary.org/events AUTHOR TALKS Roger V. Moseley Morality: A Natural History Tuesday, Dec. 3, 7 p.m. What is morality and what is the source of our moral ideas? Moseley presents a multidisciplinary discussion of the topic, revealing a common thread among seemingly diverse fields of study. Moseley posits that morality is rooted in evolutionary forces that optimize human welfare; and given that no species lasts forever, it is at our peril that we neglect our evolved moral values of cooperation, altruism, truthfulness and empathy. Community Room David Price The Road to Assunpink Creek: A New Look at the Ten Crucial Days of the American Revolution Thursday, Dec. 5, 7 p.m. Price offers a new perspective on the “Ten Crucial Days” of the American Revolution — the period from Dec. 25, 1776 through Jan. 3, 1777 — in which George Washington’s army won its first three significant victories. Price’s latest work provides a unique interpretation of this critical period in American history by emphasizing the importance of the Battle of Assunpink Creek on Jan. 2, 1777. Price is a historical interpreter at Washington Crossing Historic Park in Pennsylvania. He is also a historical interpreter at Princeton Battlefield State Park for the Princeton Battlefield Society. Community Room LIBRARY LIVE AT LABYRINTH

Adam Higginbotham Midnight in Chernobyl: The Untold Story of the World’s Greatest Nuclear Disaster Wednesday, Dec. 11, 6 p.m. The author discusses his years-in-the-making book, a powerful investigation into how propaganda, secrecy and myth have obscured the true story of one of the 20th century’s greatest disasters. He will be joined by Frank von Hippel, senior research physicist and professor of public and international affairs, emeritus, at the Woodrow Wilson School and Gregory B. Jaczko who was a chairman of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and is adjunct professor at Princeton University and Georgetown University. Labyrinth Books, 122 Nassau St.

Elaine Buck and Beverly Mills If These Stones Could Talk Monday, Feb. 10, 7 p.m. Co-authors Buck and Mills will speak on the research for and contents of their book, subtitled “African American Presence in the Hopewell Valley, Sourland Mountain, and Surrounding Regions of New Jersey.” Based on over a decade’s worth of research, the authors present a rich and unique window into African American history in New Jersey. Community Room Raphaël Liogier Heart of Maleness: An Exploration Tuesday, Feb. 11, 7 p.m. Sparked by the #MeToo movement, philosopher and sociologist Raphaël Liogier examines the underlying causes of gender inequality and how it can be fought. Liogier is a professor at Sciences Po Aix-en-Provence and teaches at the Collège International de Philosophie in Paris. He is currently a visiting scholar at Columbia University’s Council for European Studies. Community Room Donna Rifkind The Sun and Her Stars: Salka Viertel and Hitler’s Exiles in the Golden Age of Hollywood Thursday, Feb. 13, 7 p.m. The author discusses her biography of unsung Hollywood screenwriter Salka Viertel whose fascinating and complex life and career took her from prewar Vienna to Hollywood. In the 1930s and ‘40s, Viertel hosted salonlike gatherings that were a refuge for a multitude of writers, actors, composers and musicians who had escaped the worsening political situation in Europe and World War II.

Part of the Library Live at Labyrinth series presented in partnership with Labyrinth Books.

Community Room

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS FOR ADULTS For details and a listing of all library events, visit princetonlibrary.org/events have become so valued in Western culture and central to our art and literature. Labyrinth Books, 122 Nassau St. Part of the Library Live at Labyrinth series presented in partnership with Labyrinth Books. LIBRARY LIVE AT LABYRINTH

BOOK BRUNCH

Kelly Simmons, Amy Impellizzeri and Kate Moretti Sunday, Feb. 16, 11 a.m. Three award-winning authors who are part of the Tall Poppy Writers group converse with the audience and each other about their most recent books, life, publishing and more. Authors and books are: Kelly Simmons, “Where She Went”; Amy Impellizzeri, “Why We Lie”; and Kate Moretti: “In Her Bones.” Doors open at 11 a.m. when coffee and pastries will be served. The discussion begins at 11:30 a.m. Snow date will be Feb. 23. Community Room Marjan Kamali The Stationery Shop Sunday, Feb. 23, 3 p.m. The author speaks at the paperback release of her acclaimed novel, a love story about a young couple living amidst the political upheaval of 1953 Tehran. When violence erupts on the eve of their marriage, a result of the coup that forever changes their country’s future, the couple is separated and seems they will never see each other again. Born in Turkey to Iranian parents, Marjan Kamali studied English at UC Berkeley, Columbia University and New York University. Her debut novel was “Together Tea.” Community Room

Edward Posnett Strange Harvests: The Hidden Histories of Seven Natural Objects Thursday, Feb. 27, 6 p.m. The author discusses his book. which traces the harvesting, processing and trading of seven uncommon products that originate in some of the most remote areas of the world. Labyrinth Books, 122 Nassau St. Part of the Library Live at Labyrinth series presented in partnership with Labyrinth Books.

SPECIAL BOOK EVENTS

LIBRARY LIVE AT LABYRINTH

Susan Stewart The Ruins Lesson: Meaning and Material in Western Culture Wednesday, Feb. 26, 6 p.m. The Avalon Foundation University Professor in the Humanities and professor of English at Princeton University discusses her most recent book, in which she explores how ruins

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COMMUNITY READING

A Christmas Carol Read-Aloud Saturday, Dec. 7, 2 p.m. Usher in the return of McCarter Theatre Center’s production of the beloved holiday tale by participating in the fourth annual public reading of Dickens’ 1843 novella. We will read the entire story from start to finish by the first floor fireplace. All are invited and encouraged to attend — individuals, families, book clubs and groups — and to participate by reading a portion of the book. Please sign up to read through the library’s events calendar. Drop-ins also welcome. Fireplace Area, first floor Presented in partnership with McCarter Theatre Center.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS FOR ADULTS For details and a listing of all library events, visit princetonlibrary.org/events SPECIAL BOOK EVENTS BOOK LOVERS HOLIDAY

Jolabokaflod (Book Flood) Monday, Dec. 16, Noon Bring your lunch, and, if you’d like, a book to exchange with others, to this informal, drop-in event based on the annual Icelandic tradition of Jolabokaflod. Library staff will be on hand to share some of their favorite recent books, buzz about upcoming titles and give advice for finding your next book to read or give as a gift. Participants can take home one of the gently used books that will be available, and, in keeping with another tradition of Jolabokaflod, hot cocoa will be served. Jolabokaflod, or the Yule Book Flood, originated during World War II when foreign imports were restricted, but paper was cheap. Iceland could not support a yearround publishing industry, so book publishers flooded the market with new titles in the final weeks of the year and thus the tradition of exchanging books as gifts in December was born. The event runs through 1:30 p.m.

Community Room BOOK DISCUSSION

This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism Thursdays, 10 a.m., Jan. 16-30, Feb. 6-20 Nicole Maccarone of the Princeton Senior Resource Center leads a six-part discussion of Ashton Applewhite’s book about ageism, which debunks myths about late life. “This Chair Rocks” explains the roots of ageism and its effects on seniors while examining how ageist stereotypes negatively affect our society. The group will discuss a chapter or two each week. Registration is required. Please visit the library website to register. Quiet Room Presented in partnership with Princeton Senior Resource Center.

BOOK GROUPS Mystery Book Group Mondays, 7:30 p.m., Dec. 2, “Jane and the Twelve Days of Christmas” by Stephanie Barron; Jan. 6, “Jade Lady Burning” by Martin Limon; Feb. 3, “Hunting Game” by Helene Tursten. Quiet Room Contemporary Fiction Book Group Thursdays, 10:30 a.m., Dec. 12, “My Sister, the Serial Killer” by Oyinkan Braithwaite; Jan. 9, “Lake Success” by Gary Shteyngart; Feb. 13, “Washington Black” by Esi Edugyan. Conference Room Black Voices Book Group Thursdays, 7:15 p.m., Dec. 12, “Negrophobia: An Urban Parable” by Darius James; Jan. 9,”The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison; Feb. 13, “A Mercy” by Toni Morrison. Princeton Room 8

Historical Fiction Book Group

Scholar-led book discussions about the fictional elements and nonfictional historic and regional context of selected books. Registration is requested but not required at the Historical Society of Princeton website. Presented in partnership with the Historical Society of Princeton at Updike Farmstead, 354 Quaker Road

Wednesday, Dec. 11, 6:30 p.m. Frank Wetta, a lecturer at Kean University, leads a discussion of “Their Finest Hour and a Half” by Lissa Evans, a story of Britain’s Ministry of Information producing a propaganda film based on the evacuation of Allied troops at Dunkirk. Wednesday, Feb. 12, 6:30 p.m. Beth Lew-Williams, Princeton University associate professor of history, discusses “The Fortunes,” Peter Ho Davies’s exploration of a century of American history through the lives of four Chinese Americans.

POETS AT THE LIBRARY Presented in partnership with US1 Poets’ Cooperative and Delaware Valley Poets.

Edwin Romond and Lavinia Kumar Monday, Dec. 9, 7 p.m. Featured poets Edwin Romond and Lavinia Kumar read from their works for 20 minutes each, followed by an open-mic session. Romond’s latest book is “Home Team: Poems about Baseball.” He has received fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and from the New Jersey and Pennsylvania state arts councils. His work has been featured on NPR’s “Writer’s Almanac,” and his poem, “Champion,” won the 2013 New Jersey Poetry Prize. Kumar’s chapbook, “Beauty. Salon. Art,” is the third for which she painted the cover art. She is also the author of “The Celtic Fisherman’s Wife: A Druid Life” and “The Skin and Under.” Newsroom Programs featuring this logo are presented with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this programming do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS FOR ADULTS For details and a listing of all library events, visit princetonlibrary.org/events EXHIBITIONS

Dec. 5, 2019 through Feb. 28, 2020. Susan DeConcini Sinking In: Pursuing Facets of Depth Watercolors and other works by Lambertville artist Susan DeConcini will be on display in the Reading Room on the library’s second floor from Dec. 5 through Feb. 28. Primarily a scenic artist, DeConcini has done series of waterscapes, clouds and leaves. Her work has been displayed at several individual shows in the area including Small World Coffee. She has participated in the Garden State Watercolor Society’s 2018 and 2019 juried shows as well as this year’s Members Show. The artist also paints theatrical sets at McCarter Theatre Center. Reading Room Kyle Dana Burkhardt In Stitches: Joyful, Tactile Meditation Lifelong maker Kyle Dana Burkhardt has sewn her own clothing and bags by machine for years. Intrigued by the charming appeal and convenient portability of embroidery, she started stitching pre-printed kits by hand and discovered that embroidery is a joyful, tactile form of meditation: rhythmic, relaxing, and stress-relieving. This work ranges from traditional sashiko (Japanese embroidery) to updated stitching with a delightful twist, and in styles ranging from chunky threads to detailed pieces. Burkhardt works at Princeton University. Technology Center Art Talk Wednesday, Jan. 8, 7 p.m. Susan DeConcini and Kyle Dana Burkhardt discuss their works on display on the library’s second floor. Newsroom

PERFORMANCE

All events are in the Community Room. LECTURE IN SONG

Fred Miller Sentimental Journey: WWII And the Big Bands Sunday, Dec. 1, 3 p.m. Library favorite Fred Miller delivers another popular Lecture in Song. This installment examines the era of 1938-1945, the time of big bands and World War II. Miller will point out historical popular culture, lingo, new inventions, crazes, commercial products and the popular songs of this distinct American era. Please visit the related exhibit “World War II on the Princeton Homefront,” in the Princeton Room on the second floor of the library before or after the show.

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STAGED READINGS

Writers Block Presents Short Comedies Sunday, Dec. 15, 3 p.m. Writers Block, the ensemble of Princeton writers and actors that includes Julia Poulos, Mary Greenberg, Lillian Israel, John Weeren and Kenneth Greenberg, presents a program of short adult comedies including an original play. Directed by Laura Huntsman with sound by Nate Greenberg. TRIBUTE SHOW

Alan Kitty The Mark Twain Experience Sunday, Dec. 29, 3 p.m. Mark Twain interpreter Alan Kitty delivers his latest show, based on 40 years of research, on writer, humorist, riverboat pilot and inventor, Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known as Mark Twain. A leading Twain impersonator, Kitty will share the wit and wisdom that Twain offered on all facets of American life. MCCARTER LIVE AT THE LIBRARY

Emily Mann and Rachel Bonds Art, Life, Mentorship, and Motherhood Sunday, Jan. 5, 3 p.m. Emily Mann, McCarter Theatre Center artistic director and resident playwright, and playwright Rachel Bonds will discuss their lives in the theater, working motherhood and their collaboration on Bonds’ play “Goodnight, Nobody,” premiering at McCarter Jan. 10 through Feb. 9. Rachel Bonds Mann will reflect on her artistic legacy as a champion for new voices, the work of women, and the next generation of playwrights in the American theater and about her special connection with and mentorship of Bonds. Bonds will talk about how new motherhood and other aspects of her life inspired the writing of both “Goodnight, Nobody” and her essay “Working Like a Mother” for HowlRound Theatre Commons at Emerson College. A Q&A with the audience will follow the discussion. Presented in partnership with McCarter Theatre Center. PODCAST DISCUSSION

“Anniversary” by Rachel Bonds Saturday, Jan. 11, 2 p.m. In advance of the official opening of “Goodnight Nobody,” the new play by Rachel Bonds at McCarter Theatre Center through Feb. 9, we will listen to Bonds’ comic drama “Anniversary,” part of the “Playing On Air” Podcast series. Afterward, Paula Alekson of McCarter and librarian Janie Hermann lead a discussion exploring the themes of Rachel Bonds’ works. Presented in partnership with McCarter Theatre Center.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS FOR ADULTS For details and a listing of all library events, visit princetonlibrary.org/events

POETRY AND SONG

The Songs and Sounds of Robert Burns Saturday, Jan. 25, 3 p.m. Singer Fiona Tyndall and a five-piece band that includes fiddlers and a harpist performs a program featuring Scottish poetry and songs from Robert Burns. ALL-AGES EVENT

Back-to-Back Beethoven Sunday, Jan. 26, 1:30 p.m. Pianists and other musicians from the community perform a wide variety of works by Ludwig van Beethoven during this three-hour event. Kristin Cahill of The New School for Music Study will open the event, which marks the 250th anniversary year of Beethoven’s birth, with a brief lecture about his life and compositional periods. Musicians of all ages and levels of proficiency are encouraged to perform. Register through the events calendar. Presented in partnership with The New School for Music Study. STAGED RADIO PLAY

Raconteur Radio presents “The Hobbit” Monday, Jan. 27, 7 p.m. Metuchen-based Raconteur Radio presents a staged radio play recreating J.R.R. Tolkien’s famous story. The 55-minute production features theatrical lighting, period costumes, Golden Age radio equipment, sound effects and vintage commercials.

CIVIC LIFE Open Archive: “Memorializing Princeton’s History” Tuesday, Dec. 3, 6 p.m. The monuments and memorials found throughout Princeton take various forms — from trees to sculptures to green ovals on buildings. Explore documents and artifacts that reveal the history behind these commemorations. The Historical Society of Princeton’s

Open Archive series allows visitors to interact with littleseen artifacts and documents from its vast collection. HSP’s curator of collections and research will be on hand to share information and answer questions. Discovery Center Presented in partnership with Historical Society of Princeton. CONTINUING CONVERSATIONS ON RACE

Prison Abolition and the Long Freedom Struggle Monday, Dec. 2, 7 p.m. The last in a series of four sessions on racial bias in the United States criminal justice system features a presentation by Ruha Benjamin. Community Room Presented in partnership with Not In Our Town Princeton. SUSTAINABILITY

Shrink Your Footprint On The Go Wednesday, Dec. 4, 7 p.m. Learn how you can help Princeton reduce emissions by exploring transportation options. This is the second of four programs in Sustainable Princeton’s 2019-20 Great Ideas series focused on practical, actionable and evidence-based steps to reduce the footprint of our daily lives. Community Room Presented in partnership with Sustainable Princeton.

Meet the Mayor Fridays, 8:30 a.m., Dec. 20, Jan. 31, Feb. 28 Princeton residents are invited to discuss concerns with Mayor Liz Lempert in the library lobby through 10 a.m. Nick Sutter, chief of police of the Princeton Police Department, will join the mayor at the Dec. 20 session. Lobby SCORE SEMINAR

Small Business Financials Monday, Dec. 16, 6:30 p.m. Val Matthews leads a workshop that covers creating a budget, recording financial transactions, creating a financial statement and other fundamental entrepreneurial responsibilities. Registration required at SCORE Princeton website. Newsroom Presented in partnership with SCORE Princeton.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS FOR ADULTS For details and a listing of all library events, visit princetonlibrary.org/events CONTINUING CONVERSATIONS ON RACE

Internalized Racism Monday, Jan. 6, 7 p.m. Donna K. Bivens, anti-racism trainer and consultant, describes internalized racism as “the situation that occurs in a racist system when a racial group oppressed by racism supports the supremacy and dominance of the dominating group.” In this meeting, participants will describe some of the forms that internalized racism takes and discuss some efforts that have been made to overcome it. Community Room Presented in partnership with Not In Our Town Princeton. SCORE SEMINAR

Small Business Trends Tuesday, Jan. 21, 6:30 p.m. More information and registration at the SCORE Princeton website. Newsroom Presented in partnership with SCORE Princeton. ENGAGED RETIREMENT

Tax Update for the 2019 Filing Season Monday, Jan. 27, 7 p.m. Joseph C Maida, managing member of the accounting firm Maida & Maida, gives an overview of updates. CONTINUING CONVERSATIONS ON RACE

The Green Book: An American Journey Through White Racism Monday, Feb. 3, 7 p.m. The session will cover how the denial of equal accommodation for all Americans stimulated resistance, initiated lawsuits, created a travel guide and nurtured an entrepreneurial class that built new businesses to provide those accommodations. Community Room Presented in partnership with Not In Our Town Princeton. SCORE SEMINAR

Creating a Business Model and Business Plan Monday, Feb. 17, 6:30 p.m. More information and registration at the SCORE Princeton website. Newsroom

to sketch for two hours or so. Everyone shares their drawings with the group at the end of the session. The meetups are a fun way to share or discover a love of drawing, turning a solitary activity into a group event where ideas and tips are shared and new friendships are formed. There are no rules; participants choose their own subjects and mediums. Beginners are welcome, but must be high-school-age or older. Conference Room Drop in and Knit Wednesdays, 10 a.m. Dec. 4-Feb. 26, Bring your knitting or crochet project and join us for these drop-in sessions. Participants must provide their own supplies. Sessions will not include instruction. For information about other knitting events, visit the Knit For Others page on the library website. Quiet Room WINTER CRAFT SERIES

Air Plant Containers Tuesday, Dec. 10, 6:30 p.m. Bring some greenery into your home this winter with hardy air plants. In this craft session, you’ll learn the basics of macrame and work with clay and other materials to create personalized displays for your plants. Plants and materials will be provided. Space is limited, and registration is required. STEAM Studio WINTER CRAFT SERIES

Create a Fascinator Sunday, Jan. 12, 1 p.m. Use our supplies and your creativity to create a fashionable fascinator that can be as demure or outlandish as you like. Following the craft, don your new fascinator and join us for tea as we watch the 2019 film, “Downton Abbey,” at 3 p.m. in the Community Room. Space is limited, and registration is required. Registration will be available on Dec. 16. STEAM Studio

Presented in partnership with Princeton Senior Resource Center.

Jigsaw Puzzle Tournament Sunday, Jan. 19, 1 p.m. Teams of up to four players are invited to show off their jigsaw puzzle skills in the library’s first jigsaw puzzle tournament. Each team will be assigned a table with a 1,000-piece puzzle to be opened when the tournament begins (puzzles will be from the same manufacturer). The first team to finish their puzzle wins; if no one finishes, the winning team will be the one with the fewest number of puzzle pieces left. Register your team, or register as an individual to be assigned to a team on the day of the event, beginning Dec. 15 through the events calendar. Community Room

CREATE AND PLAY

WINTER CRAFT SERIES

Presented in partnership with SCORE Princeton. ENGAGED RETIREMENT

Downsizing and Organizing Monday, Feb. 24, 7 p.m. Professional organizer John Odalen shares easy techniques for getting and staying organized. New ways to think about possessions will be discussed along with options for disposing of items you no longer want. Newsroom

Princeton Sketchers Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m., Dec. 3, 17; Jan. 7, 21; Feb. 4, 18 Sketchers of all abilities meet monthly on the first and third Tuesdays at the library before walking to a chosen location in town, on campus or somewhere indoors,

www.princetonlibrary.org

Card-Making Workshop for Adults Sunday, Feb. 9, 2 p.m. Linda Willimer leads a workshop where participants will learn techniques to create three unique greeting cards to give to someone they love on Valentine’s Day or any day of the year. Registration is limited to 16 participants. STEAM Studio 11

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS FOR ADULTS For details and a listing of all library events, visit princetonlibrary.org/events DOCUMENTARIES

All screenings are in the Community Room. “Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am” Friday, Jan. 31, 6 p.m. Using archival material, art and interviews with Oprah Winfrey, Angela Davis and Morrison herself, the film presents pieces of the Nobel Laureate’s life, from her childhood in the working-class steel town of Lorain, Ohio, to her journey as a novelist and public intellectual. 1 hour, 59 minutes. Presented in partnership with Princeton Public Schools.

“They Shall Not Grow Old” Thursday, Feb. 6, 6:30 p.m. Academy Award-winner Peter Jackson presents neverbefore-seen footage of World War I and shares the stories of men who were there. Using groundbreaking computer restoration technology on archival footage that is more than 100 years old, Jackson’s team creates a moving depiction of WWI in restored, vivid color and retiming of film frames. The footage is drawn from the BBC and British Imperial War Museums’ archives. 1 hour, 39 minutes. “How Jack Became Black” Wednesday, Feb. 19, 7 p.m. Filmmaker Eli Steele explores issues of race and identity politics inspired by his own experiences and those faced by his children. Part of the third multiracial generation in his family, Steele’s son, Jack, was denied entry to a public school after Steele refused to check a box identifying his ethnicity. 1 hour, 24 minutes.

PRINCETON INTERNATIONAL CINEMA SERIES

The Princeton International Cinema series is a collaboration of the library, the International Employees Group at Princeton University, the Davis International Center and the Princeton Garden Theatre. Tickets ($11.50 general admission, $9 faculty and seniors, $8 students, $6.75 Princeton University ID holders, library cardholders and Princeton Garden Theatre members) may be purchased online at thegardentheatre.com or at the door. The library will also offer a limited number of free tickets while supplies last for each screening. Call (609) 924-9529, ext. 1220 for availability. All screenings at the Princeton Garden Theater, 160 Nassau St.

“Buñuel in the Labyrinth of Turtles ” Thursday, Dec. 5, 5:30 p.m. This animated feature tells the story of how a promise led to the unexpected windfall that funded surrealist filmmaker Luis Buñuel’s film “Las Hurdes: Land Without Bread.” 1 hour, 17 minutes “Ramen Shop” Thursday, Jan. 9, 5:30 p.m. When a young ramen chef from Japan finds his late Singaporean mother’s journal, he takes it with him to her native country, hoping to put together the story of his family and his life. 1 hour, 30 minutes.

“They Shall Not Grow Old,” Feb. 6.

“Cold Case Hammarskjöld” Thursday, Feb. 6, 5:30 p.m. Danish filmmaker Mads Brugger’s documentary examines the mysterious 1961 plane crash that killed United Nations Secretary General Dag Hammarskjöld and most of the crew. After scores of false starts, dead ends and elusive interviews, Brügger and his sidekick, Swedish Göran Björkdahl, begin to uncover something more monumental than anything they’d initially imagined. 2 hours, 8 minutes.

OTHER FILMS Solstice Shorts Friday, Dec. 20, 6:30 p.m. On the eve of the Winter Solstice, a selection of curated short films from festival circuits will be shown. Mulled cider and shortbread cookies will be served. Community Room “Downton Abbey” Sunday, Jan. 12 , 3 p.m. Join us for tea and a screening of the 2019 film based on the popular British historical period drama. The film follows the aristocratic Crawley family and their household staff as they prepare for a visit from King George V and Queen Mary. PG. 2 hours, 2 minutes. Community Room “Beethoven Lives Upstairs” Saturday, Feb. 1, 3 p.m. Based on a popular audio play and featuring more than 25 excerpts of Beethoven’s best-loved works, this family movie tells the story of a young boy who develops a friendship with a boarder in his parents’ house, Ludwig von Beethoven. 52 minutes. Newsroom Presented in partnership with Princeton University Concerts.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS FOR ADULTS For details and a listing of all library events, visit princetonlibrary.org/events

Bogart and Bacall in “To Have and Have Not”

“How Jack Became Black” Feb. 19.

UNFORGETTABLE DUOS OF THE SILVER SCREEN

Six classic films featuring legendary Hollywood couples. Beverages and cookies will be served. All screenings are in the Community Room. HUMPHREY BOGART AND LAUREN BACALL

“To Have and Have Not” Wednesday, Jan. 29, 3 p.m. 1 hour, 40 minutes “Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am,” Jan. 31.

“Beethoven Lives Upstairs” Feb. 1.

“The Philadelphia Story” Wednesday, Feb. 5, 3 p.m. 1 hour, 52 minutes.

FILM REVIEWERS

“Fistful of Popcorn” Oscars Road Show Sunday, Feb. 2, 1:30 p.m. Film reviewers Roger Brown, Marilyn Campbell, Janet Stern and Carol Welsch of Princeton Community Television’s long-running “A Fistful of Popcorn,” offer their takes on the 2020 Oscars season including opinions about this year’s Academy Award-nominated films. Members of the audience will be invited to share their opinions at the event which includes door prizes and refreshments. Community Room

FRIDAY FEATURE FILMS

All screenings are Fridays at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room. Dec. 13, “Blinded by the Light,” 1 hour, 58 minutes. Jan. 10, “Wild Rose,” 1 hour, 41 minutes. Jan. 24, “The Farewell,” 1 hour, 40 minutes. Feb. 7, “Can You Ever Forgive Me?,” 1 hour, 47 minutes. Feb. 21, “Judy,” 1 hour, 58 minutes.

WILLIAM POWELL AND MYRNA LOY

“I Love You Again” Wednesday, Feb. 12, 3 p.m. 1 hour, 39 minutes. FRED ASTAIRE AND GINGER ROGERS

“Top Hat” Wednesday, Feb. 19, 3 p.m. 1 hour, 41 minutes. CLARK GABLE AND CLAUDETTE COLBERT

“It Happened One Night” Wednesday, Feb. 26, 3 p.m. 1 hour, 45 minutes. JOHN WAYNE AND MAUREEN O’HARA

“The Quiet Man” Wednesday, March 4, 3 p.m. 2 hours, 9 minutes.

CHERNOBYL

SAVE THE DATES

PRINCETON

ENVIRONMENTAL FILM FESTIVAL

CARY GRANT AND KATHARINE HEPBURN

2020

April 13-19, 2020

CALL FOR ENTRIES

princetonlibrary.org/peff/entry 13

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS FOR YOUTH AND FAMILIES For details and a listing of all library events, visit princetonlibrary.org/events SPECIAL EVENTS Julia Robinson Math Festival Sunday, Dec. 8, 2 p.m. The 100th anniversary of the birth of renowned mathematician Julia Robinson will be celebrated with a fun and festive event for students in third through fifth grade. This event will explore the wonders of math through puzzles, games and other mathematical and problemsolving challenges. Robinson, who died in 1985, was an American mathematician renowned for her contributions to computational mathematics. CoLab Space

Aviation Afternoon Friday, Dec. 20, 3 p.m Prior to the showing of the Disney film “Planes” in the Community Room, we will celebrate the Wright Brothers’ first flight with hands-on crafts and activities. CoLab Space

Presented in partnership with the Julia Robinson Math Festival: Princeton Charter.

Noon Year’s Eve Tuesday, Dec. 31, 11:30 a.m. Too young to stay up until midnight? Join us for a celebration on New Year’s Eve. As we countdown to NOON, we will have music, dancing and crafts. For children ages 3 and up. Story Room

Frankenstein Materials Science Day Saturday, Dec. 14, 2 p.m. This fun and interactive event features maker activities related to robotics, genetic engineering and electricity. By teaching a robot how to draw, experimenting with simple machines, or even bringing their own “creature” to life, participants will confront the same questions and ideas that bedeviled the fictional Victor Frankenstein on a dark and stormy night two centuries ago. Ages 5 and over. CoLab Space Presented in partnership with Princeton University Center of Complex Materials and National Science Foundation, MRSEC.

Indoor Snow Day Saturday, Dec. 21, 2 p.m. The library’s Teen Advisory Board will transform the Community Room into a winter wonderland and lead an afternoon of games and other winter-themed activities, including an indoor snowball fight. Community Room

Workshop with Illustrator and Author Chen Jiang-Hong Tuesday, Jan. 14, 4 p.m. Illustrator and author Chen Jiang-Hong leads a workshop featuring a craft/maker activity based on the technique of Chinese painting. Chen won the 2019 Prix Albertine Jeunesse for his book “The Tiger Prince,” a tale about a tigress, a seer, a king, and a prince. A Chinese-born French painter, Chen has illustrated 22 books, 12 of which he also wrote. Book sale and signing to follow. For children 8 and older with an adult. Story Room Co-sponsored by the library, jaZams and Cultural Services of the French Embassy.

Chinese New Year Celebration Saturday, Feb. 8, 1:30 p.m. Celebrate Chinese New Year, the Year of the Rat, with Princeton High School’s Mandarin classes and Chinese Club. Geared toward participants of all ages, the celebration features a traditional Chinese lion dance, Chinese painting, calligraphy, music and paper cutting. There will also be origami stations and martial arts performances. Community Room Presented in partnership with Princeton High School’s Mandarin classes and Chinese Club.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS FOR YOUTH AND FAMILIES For details and a listing of all library events, visit princetonlibrary.org/events

SPECIAL STORY PROGRAMS All events are in the Story Room.

Musical Tots Storytime Wednesdays, 10 a.m., Jan. 8-29; Feb. 5-12 Children ages 18 months to 5 years are invited to experience music through books, movement, rhythm and improvisation. Story time selections and introductory piano skills will be led by pianist Kristin Cahill of the New School for Music Study. SATURDAY STORIES

The Gift of Books Saturday, Dec. 14, 10:30 a.m. This special story time features new picture books to share with your family or give as gifts. A book list will be available to take home.

STORY TIMES TUE SDAYS AND THURSDAYS 10 a.m. Storytime! (18 months and older) 11 a.m. Baby Storytime (newborn to 17 months) 11:30 a.m. Baby Playgroup (newborn to 17 months)

L ANGUAGE E NRICHME NT Little Pandas, Mondays, 10 a.m. Dec. 9, 16; Jan 6, 13, 27; Feb. 10, 24

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY (Ages 2 and older) 10:30 a.m., Saturday Stories 3 p.m., Sunday Stories

WORLD LANGUAGE STORIE S French, Saturdays, 11 a.m., Jan. 25, Feb. 22 Italian, Saturdays, 2:30 p.m., Jan. 25, Feb. 22 Japanese, Saturdays, 3 p.m., Dec. 14, Jan. 11 Portuguese, 11:30 a.m., Jan. 18, Feb. 15 Russian, Saturdays, 3:30 p.m., Jan. 4 Baby Russian, Saturdays, 4:30 p.m., Dec. 7, Jan. 4

MAKER MONDAYS Stuffed Animal Story Time and Sleepover Saturday, Jan. 11, 4:30 p.m. Children ages 3 and older with an adult are invited to bring their favorite stuffed animal to a special story time after which they can leave their animals overnight at the library. Arrive 30 minutes early to register your stuffed animal. Animals, along with photographs showing what kind of fun they had and mischief they made in the library, can be picked up when the library opens at 1 p.m. on Sunday or any time the following week. SATURDAY STORIES

Leap Day Storytime! Saturday, Feb. 29, 10:30 a.m. Leap into the library for a celebration of the day that only comes once every four years. There will be a story time full of hopping good stories and songs, followed by Leap Day activities and crafts. This program is for children ages 2-8 with an adult.

All programs begin at 4 p.m. in the STEAM Studio. Grades 1-5.

Let’s Lego

Dec. 2, 16; Jan. 6; Feb. 3, 17

Make a Thank You Card Jan. 13

Hour of Code

Jan. 27; Feb. 24

Make a Snow Globe Feb. 10

www.princetonlibrary.org

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS FOR YOUTH AND FAMILIES For details and a listing of all library events, visit princetonlibrary.org/events Origami Club for all Ages Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m., Dec. 4, Jan. 8, Feb. 12 Anyone interested in the traditional Japanese art of paper folding is invited to meet for 90 minutes of new, often seasonal, folding. Beginners are welcome. Adults must accompany children younger than 8. STEAM Studio (Dec. 4) and Quiet Room

Science Circle Saturday, Feb. 8, 3 p.m. Budding scientists in grades 3-6 are invited to participate in hands-on science activities designed by high school students at Princeton International School of Mathematics and Science. Important concepts, focusing on a different scientific discipline each month, will be explored. CoLab Space

Presented in partnership with Princeton International School of Mathematics and Science.

This is Why We Heart You! Friday, Feb. 14, 4:30 p.m. Children are invited to show their family and friends how much they love them by crafting a valentine. Members of the library’s Teen Advisory Board will be on hand to help out and to inspire creativity. Story Room Chess for Beginners Thursday, Feb. 20, 4:30 p.m. Children in kindergarten through third grade are invited to a drop-in workshop to learn the basics of chess in a fun, noncompetitive environment. Led by members of the Princeton International School of Mathematics and Science Chess Club. STEAM Studio

Presented in partnership with Princeton International School of Mathematics and Science.

WINTER FILMS

All screenings are at 3 p.m. in the Community Room. Monday, Dec. 9, “The Lion King” Friday, Dec. 20, “Planes” Monday, Dec. 23, “Toy Story” Thursday, Dec. 26, “Toy Story 2” Sharpen Your Chess Skills Wednesdays, 4:30 p.m., Jan. 8, 22; Feb. 5, 19 This chess series for 6- to 12-years-olds who are familiar with the basics of chess, is conducted by local chess instructor and U.S. Chess Federation National Master Ben Johnson. Each class features a compact lesson with strategies and tips, and time for supervised play. Participation is limited to 20. Registration is required through the library’s events calendar. Please make certain your child can attend all session dates before registering. STEAM Studio Chemistry Saturdays Saturday, Jan. 18, 2 p.m. Children in first through fifth grades are invited to join graduate students from the Princeton Chemistry Department in conducting fun and exciting chemistry experiments and hands-on science activities. Children 8 years old and younger must be accompanied by an adult. STEAM Studio Co-sponsored by the library and the Princeton University Chemistry Department.

Saturday, Dec. 28, “Toy Story 3” Monday, Dec. 30, “Toy Story 4”

Wednesday Jan. 29 Celebrate National Puzzle Day on the third floor of the library where a variety of puzzles and riddles will be available for children and families.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS FOR YOUTH AND FAMILIES For details and a listing of all library events, visit princetonlibrary.org/events EVENTS FOR TEENS Teens-Only A Cappella Night Friday, Dec. 6, 7 p.m. This annual, teens-only event features vocal groups from Princeton’s four high schools and is only open to students who attend the schools. The library will close at 6 p.m. for this event. Community Room Co-sponsored by the library and the Corner House and the Princeton Alcohol and Drug Alliance.

Go Between Club Saturdays, 2 p.m., Dec. 14, Jan. 11, Feb. 8 All sixth, seventh, and eighth graders are welcome to join us on the second Saturday of every month for a fun discussion of books and other interests. STEAM Studio Preparing Students with Disabilities for Successful Transition to College Wednesday, Jan. 15, 7 p.m. Author and Columbia University learning consultant Elizabeth C. Hamblet explains how the system for accommodations works at college, describes students’ rights and responsibilities within that system and shares what the research says are the skills and knowledge correlated with success at college. She also reviews the paperwork students need to apply for accommodations and discusses what accommodations may be available. Hamblet is the author of “From High School to College: Steps to Success for Students with Disabilities.” Conference Room TBD (To Be Discussed) Tuesdays, 7 p.m., Jan. 28 and Feb. 25 All high school students are welcome to participate in this monthly discussion of great books, films, music, nonfiction, poetry, and all things cultural. Participants may also

help create book displays and reading lists for the library, take group trips to see current films, and do group-reads. Story Room Chill Out Friday, Jan. 31, 6 p.m. Teens are invited to relax after midterms by spending some time reading, playing board games, crafting, knitting and swapping books with other teens while enjoying hot chocolate. Community Room Math Circle for Middle Schoolers Saturday, Feb. 15, 3 p.m. Students in grades 6-8 engage in hands-on activities and solve puzzles designed by high school students at Princeton International School of Mathematics and Science. Important math concepts, including functions, geometry and combinatorics, will be explored. CoLab Space Presented in partnership with Princeton International School of Mathematics and Science.

CODING CLASSES All classes are in the Technology Center. Register for classes on the library events calendar to receive updates. Presented in partnership with Code Equal.

Code It Level 1 Thursdays, 4 p.m., Dec. 5, 19; Jan. 2, 16; Feb. 6, 20 Girl Code Level 1 Thursdays, 4 p.m., Dec. 12, Jan. 9, 23; Feb. 13, 27 Students in grades 4-8 learn to code in the Python programming language. In each session, a core concept will be covered along with an exercise to put newfound skills to the test. No previous coding experience necessary. Code It Level 2 Thursdays, 5 p.m., Dec. 5, 19; Jan. 2, 16; Feb. 6, 20 Girl Code Level 2 Thursdays, 5 p.m., Dec. 12, Jan. 9, 23; Feb. 13, 27 In this series of advanced sessions for students in grades 4-8, a core concept of Python programming will be covered along with an exercise to put newfound skills to the test.

VISIT THE THIRD FLOOR AFTER SCHOOL FOR

tudents Most weekday afte University s rnoons at 3 n to e c n ri P By www.princetonlibrary.org

SUPPORT

Your support makes library programs possible: princetonlibrary.org/donate

Beyond GROWINGWITHHER Princeton consistently ranks as one of the most popular places to live in New Jersey. Over the last decade, the town has grown 10% and that growth is expected to continue. Our library plays a central role in community life. As the town grows, so must the library. While the library already offers an incredible array of physical and digital materials, as well as engaging live events, the library relies on you to keep up with the pace of the town’s growth. Municipal support covers threequarters of the library’s budget, which takes care of the library’s operating costs. Private funding is what makes our library great. Gifts from our community ensure that we can continue to keep our collections and programs fresh and that our library remains the exceptional resource that it is. Make your gift today.

princetonlibrary.org/support 18

ibrary supporters were treated to a conversation between author Zadie Smith and two-time U.S. Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith on Saturday, Nov. 2, at Nassau Presbyterian Church. The evening continued back at the library, which was transformed for a silent auction and book signing, dinner, drinks and dessert, featuring corporate partners and caterers elements and Jammin’ Crêpes. Music from Around 8, a student a cappella group, and the Andrew Yan Jazz Ensemble rounded out the festive event. The annual Beyond Words benefit, hosted by the Friends of Princeton Public Library, raises funds for the library’s collections and programs. Join the Friends for their second annual after-hours Trivia Night on Saturday, Feb. 15. Tickets on sale soon on the library’s website,

SUPPORT

Your support makes library programs possible: princetonlibrary.org/donate

Words 2019

Clockwise from left, David Egger, Zadie Smith, Audrey Egger, Roxanne and Steven Distler (of elements); desserts by Jamminâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; CrĂŞpes; Helene Lemieux, Nicholas Garrison, Georgeanne and Peter Moss, Audrey Gould, Harold Shapiro, Jodi and Townsend Olcott; Zadie Smith and Tracy K. Smith in conversation at Nassau Presbyterian Church; scenes from the library benefit. Photos by Marek Malkowski

CONTACT THE DEVELOPMENT OFFICE 609-924-9529 Director Lisa Belshaw Ham, ext. 1251, lham@princetonlibrary.org // Administrator Stephanie Oster, ext. 1280, soster@princetonlibrary.org // Associate Dawn Frost, ext. 1284, dfrost@princetonlibrary.org www.princetonlibrary.org

Non Profit Org. U.S. Postage PA I D Princeton, NJ Permit No. 4

Princeton Public Library Sands Library Building 65 Witherspoon St. Princeton, NJ 08542 609-924-9529 www.princetonlibrary.org OPERATING HOURS Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

THANK YOU

TO OUR CORPORATE PARTNERS

JUST ADDED PSO SOUNDTRACKS

Storyteller Maria LoBiondo

Scheherazade and the Tales of The Thousand And One Nights Wednesday, Jan. 15, 7 p.m. AARP Tax Help Mondays, Feb. 3 – April 13 (by appointment)

AARP tax volunteers will prepare and electronically file Federal and New Jersey individual, non-complex income tax returns for seniors and people of low to moderate income. Participants should bring a copy of their most recent return and documentation for the previous year’s income and expenses that may be deductible. Proof of identification is required. Appointments may be scheduled through noon by calling (609) 924-9529, ext. 1220, beginning Jan. 2. Community Room Co-sponsored by the library and the AARP.

ANNIVERSA R ENTH

A Place For Community Dialogue through

dec.

Assistant Director: Erica Bess

Coming Soon

Do you know where to find credible information, reliable resources and research services? Visit the new Civics Matters space in the first floor exhibit area to learn how Princeton Public Library can connect you with trustworthy information every day.

Marketing and Communications Director: Timothy Quinn Development Director: Lisa Belshaw Ham Adult Programming Manager: Janie Hermann Head of Youth Services: Susan Conlon Head of Adult Services: Morgan Taylor Events Committee: Erica Bess, Mimi Bowlin, Katie Bruce, Amanda Chuong, Susan Conlon, Kim Dorman, Kristin Friberg, Janie Hermann, Martha Liu, Caroline Quinones, Hannah Schmidl, Marissa Warren Staff Writer: Amy Hiestand Editing and Design: Timothy Quinn

SAVE THE DATE July 22, 2020

CALL FOR ENTRIES bit.ly/PSFF20