The JTPL Blog

Well, perhaps not. But good weather IS coming with the arrival of April, which just happens to be National Poetry Month.  It’s a celebration established by the Academy of American Poets to bring poets and poetry into the public eye, and to introduce more people to the pleasures of reading and listening to poetry.

Here at the Jefferson Township Public Library, we’re celebrating two ways. There will be a poetry reading by Jessica de Koninck on Thursday, April 8 at 7 p.m. I heard her read at Girl Talk, a women’s poetry reading at the West Caldwell Public Library last March. There were over twenty poets, and Jessica was the one I wanted to invite to our library! She’s a resident of Montclair and a graduate of Brandeis, and her poems have appeared in many literary journals. She’s also the author of the book Repairs, as well as a soon to be published poem featuring Bruce Springsteen.

Her poems are fun, accessible, understandable, touching and more. I urge you to come enjoy the glory of the spoken word.

Everyone has a favorite poem, right? So why not read it at the library to celebrate National Poetry Month. On Wednesday, April 21 at 7 p.m. we’re holding Out Loud: A Favorite Poem Reading focusing on the enjoyment of poetry as a reader. You’re invited to join in!

If you can’t make it to either event, read a book of poetry; memorize a poem; google a poem; put a poem on the pavement; share a poem with a friend; recite a poem to a family member on a birthday or holiday; carry a poem in your pocket; write a poem yourself — or come up with a new and innovative way to celebrate!

The Comics and Cartooning Workshop is filling up fast!

On Thursday, March 25, professional cartoonist Doug Baron will be at the library from 6 to 7:30 p.m. to teach you how to create your own cartoon characters.

This is a special program for teens aged 12 and up, so if you’re interested, go to www.jeffersonlibrary.net and register today!

This is from an article “12 Ways Libraries Are Good for the County” that appeared in American Libraries at least 10 years ago. I cut it out, and came across it recently in one of my files. I liked it then, and think it still applies, so I’m sharing it here with you:

“Libraries are ready when they are needed, ready to enrich our minds and defend our right to know, just as other institutions protect our safety and propeprty. ..  Libraries safeguard our freedom and keep democracy healthy. .. ”

These are twelve ideals towards which libraries strive.

Libraries…

inform citizens

break down boundaries

level the playing field

value the individual

nourish creativity

open kids’ minds

return high dividends

build communities

make families friendlier

offend everyone (a tolerance & willingness to look at all sides of an issue!)

offer sanctuary

preserve the past.

To become an official library advocate and supporter, visit  www.njlibrarychampions.org.

Today the library book group met to discuss The Adventure of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain.

Most people had read this “most American of books” before. It’s always interesting to revisit a classic and see how your adult self responds in comparison to how you responded as a student. I was surprised by the humor in the story. I somehow don’t remember thinking the book was funny when I read it as a Sophomore in High School

I gave this entry the title “Rollin’ on a River” because that Tina Turner tune was going through my head as a re-read this book. The Mississippi River was central to this book, and according to Huck “We said there warn’t no home like a raft, after all. Other places do seem so cramped up and smothery, but a raft don’t. You feel mighty free and easy and comfortable on a raft.”  He also opines “It’s lovely to live on a raft. We had the sky up there, all speckled with stars, and we used to lay on our backs and look up at them, and discuss about whether they was made or only just happened.” Sort of made me want to float down the Mississippi myself!

Books like this are called “classics” for a reason. They can be read, and re-read, and discussed on many levels. We had a wonderful discussion about Huck’s character, his morals, and his imagination. The book was popular with everyone, earning a 8.5 rating out of a possible 10. I highly recommend Mark Twain if you’re ready to revisit the classics!