Brooklyn Public Library Announces Free May Events

It's May, the flowers are blooming and the birds are singing. From classes to performances, this spring we have programs that the entire family will enjoy. All programs are free and open to the public. Please be advised that programs are subject to change, therefore we suggest calling ahead. Also, it's not too late to Support Our Shelves. Text BOOKS to 50555 to make a $10 donation .

FOR ADULTS
Computer Basics Class
Learn basic skills. No experience necessary.
Monday, May 3, 11 AM
Gerritsen Beach Library, 2808 Gerritsen Avenue, 718.368.1435
Tuesday, May 4, 11 AM
Marcy Library, 617 DeKalb Avenue, 718.935.0032

Tuesday, May 4, 11 AM
Walt Whitman Library, 93 Saint Edwards Street, 718.935.0244

Tuesdays, May 4 & 11, 11:30 AM
Canarsie Library, 1580 Rockaway Parkway, 718.257.3547
Tuesday, May 4, 1:30 PM
Clarendon Library, 2035 Nostrand Avenue, 718.421.1159

Wednesday, May 5, 1:15 PM

Registration required
Kings Bay Library, 3650 Nostrand Avenue, 718.368.1709

Wednesday, May 5, 11 AM
Saratoga Library, 8 Thomas S. Boyland, 718.573.5224

Thursday, May 6, 1:30 PM
DeKalb Library, 790 Bushwick Avenue, 718.455.3898

Thursday, May 20, 1 PM
Central Library, Room 216, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100

Tuesdays, 12 PM
Registration required

Mill Basin Library, 2385 Ralph Avenue, 718.241.3973

Wednesdays, 11 AM
Borough Park Library, 1265 43rd Street, 718.437.4085
Wednesdays, 11 AM

Thursdays, 1:30 PM
Windsor Terrace Library, 160 East Fifth Street, 718.686.9707

Microsoft Word Class
Learn to create documents. Basic computer knowledge required.
Tuesday, May 4, 2 PM
Central Library, Room 216, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100

Tuesdays, May 11 & 18, 1:30 PM
Clarendon Library, 2035 Nostrand Avenue, 718.421.1159
Tuesday, May 18, 11 AM
Walt Whitman Library, 93 Saint Edwards Street, 718.935.0244

Wednesday, May 26, 1:15 PM

Registration required
Kings Bay Library, 3650 Nostrand Avenue, 718.368.1709

Strategic Sales: How to Find and Keep Major Clients
Learn why major accounts are so important, and get tips on winning customers that will sustain your business. Presented by marketing consultant Don Warner. Register online at www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/business.

Registration required
Tuesday, May 4, 6 PM

Business Library, 280 Cadman Plaza West, 718.623.7000

U.S. Citizenship Test Tutorial
Get help preparing for this test.
Tuesdays, May 4 & 18, 6:30 PM
Central Library, Multilingual Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100

Book Discussion

Call for each session's title.
Wednesday, May 5, 2 PM
Sheepshead Bay Library, 2636 East 14th Street, 718. 368.1815

Monday, May 17, 1:30 PM
Windsor Terrace Library, 160 East Fifth Street, 718.686.9707

Wednesday, May 26, 6 PM
DeKalb Library, 790 Bushwick Avenue, 718.455.3898

Wednesday, May 26, 6:30 PM
Bedford Library, 496 Franklin Avenue, 718.623.0012

Saturday, May 29, 11:15 AM
Walt Whitman Library, 93 Saint Edwards Street, 718.935.0244

Crocheting Circle
Work on current or new projects with others.
Wednesday, May 5 & 12, 6:30 PM
DeKalb Library, 790 Bushwick Avenue, 718.455.3898

Thursday, May 13, 1 PM
Kings Bay Library, 3650 Nostrand Avenue, 718.368.1709

Library Databases Class
Learn to find information online using library databases.
Thursdays, May 6 & 20, 1:30 PM
Walt Whitman Library, 93 Saint Edwards Street, 718.935.0244

Tuesday, May 11, 2:15 PM
Marcy Library, 617 DeKalb Avenue, 718.935.0032

Monday, May 17, 4 PM
Williamsburgh Library, 240 Division Avenue, 718.302.3485

 

Microsoft Excel Class
Learn to create charts and graphs. Basic computer knowledge required.
Thursday, May 6, 1 PM
Leonard Library, 81 Devoe Street, 718.486.3365

Email Class
Learn the basics of email. Basic computer knowledge required.
Friday, May 7, 11 AM
Mapleton Library, 1702 60th Street, 718.256.2117

Tuesday, May 11, 11 AM
Walt Whitman Library, 93 Saint Edwards Street, 718.935.0244

Wednesday, May 12, 7 PM
Central Library, Room 216, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100

Thursday, May 13, 1:30 PM
Clinton Hill Library, 380 Washington Avenue, 718.398.8713

Wednesday, May 19, 1:15 PM
Registration required

Kings Bay Library, 3650 Nostrand Avenue, 718.368.1709

Thursday, May 27, 1:30 PM
Marcy Library, 617 DeKalb Avenue, 718.935.0032

Philosophy Discussion Group
Discuss topics chosen by members of the group.
Friday, May 7, 3:30 PM
New Utrecht Library, 1743 86th Street, 718.236.4086

Russian Music Program
Enjoy a performance of music by the Russian American bard, Vasily Kolchenko.
Saturday, May 8, 1:30 PM
Sheepshead Bay Library, 2636 East 14th Street, 718.368.1815

Romance Book Group
Join us for romance book talks and writing workshops.
Tuesday, May 11, 6 PM
Clarendon Library, 2035 Nostrand Avenue, 718.421.1159

 

You Can Do It, Too! Entrepreneur Series
Meet the winners of the 2009 PowerUP! Business Plan competition, and learn how PowerUP! helped them get started. Register online at www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/business.

Registration required
Tuesday, May 11, 6 PM
Business Library, 280 Cadman Plaza West, 718.623.7000

Career Search Online
Learn about websites to aid your job hunt.
Wednesday, May 12, 1 PM
Mapleton Library, 1702 60th Street, 718.256.2117

Internet Class
Learn to search the internet. Basic computer knowledge required. Registration also required.
Wednesday, May 12, 1:15 PM
Kings Bay Library, 3650 Nostrand Avenue, 718.368.1709

Poetry Fun
Practice poetry writing techniques.
Wednesday, May 12, 2:15 PM
Gerritsen Beach Library, 2808 Gerritsen Avenue, 718.368.1435

You Can Do It, Too! Entrepreneur Series
Join a panel of Brooklyn-based entrepreneurs as they share the challenges and the rewards of running a business. Register online at www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/business.

Tuesday, May 18, 6 PM
Business Library, 280 Cadman Plaza West, 718.623.7000

Resume Writing
Learn to write a resume using Microsoft Word.
Wednesday, May 19, 11 AM
Saratoga Library, 8 Thomas S. Boyland, 718.573.5224
Monday, May 31, 5:30 PM
Leonard Library, 81 Devoe Street, 718.486.3365

 

Nutrition Information Online
Find websites and other online information to improve your diet.
Wednesday, May 19, 1 PM
Mapleton Library, 1702 60th Street, 718.256.2117

Art Exhibition Opening Reception
Join us for the opening of Force of Imagination, featuring Matvey Solovyev (curator), Nina Tsypina (curator), Tanya Charnay, Freda Voroshilovskaya, and Matvey Basov.
Wednesday, May 19, 6 PM
Kings Bay Library, 3650 Nostrand Avenue, 718.368.1709

Computer Basics Class in Spanish
Learn basic skills. No experience necessary.
Wednesday, May 26, 6:30 PM
Central Library , Room 216, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100

Wednesdays, 10 AM
Borough Park Library, 1265 43rd Street, 718.437.4085

Microsoft Word Class
Learn to create documents. Basic computer knowledge required.
Thursday, May 27, 1:30 PM
Clinton Hill Library, 380 Washington Avenue, 718.398.8713

African Atlantic Genealogical Society Workshops
Trace your family tree with help from the newly chartered African Atlantic Genealogical Society (AAGS).
Saturday, May 29, 1 PM
Macon Library, 617 DeKalb Avenue, 718.935.0322

English Conversation Group
Improve your English.
Mondays, 1 PM
Sheepshead Bay Library, 2636 East 14th Street, 718. 368.1815
Mondays, 1 PM

Tuesdays, 2 PM & 6 PM

Wednesdays, 3 PM

Thursdays, 1:30 PM
Central Library, Multilingual Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100

Thursdays, 1:30 PM
Windsor Terrace Library

Qigong Exercise
Tuesdays, 1:15 PM
Dyker Library, 8202 13th Avenue, 718.748.6261

Russian Conversation Group
Improve your Russian.
Tuesdays, 12 PM
Central Library, Multilingual Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100

Portuguese Conversation Group
Improve your Portuguese.
Tuesdays, 7 PM
Central Library, Multilingual Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100

 

French Conversation Group
Improve your French.
Wednesdays, 7 PM
Central Library, Multilingual Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100

Spanish Conversation Group
Improve your Spanish.
Wednesdays, 7 PM

Thursdays, 3 PM
Central Library, Multilingual Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100

Chess
Thursdays, 4 PM
DeKalb Library, 790 Bushwick Avenue, 718.455.3898

Fridays, 4 PM
Saratoga Library, 8 Thomas S. Boyland, 718.573.5224

Knitting Workshop
Learn or perfect this skill. Materials provided.
Thursdays, 6 PM
Dyker Library, 8202 13th Avenue, 718.748.6261

Chinese (Mandarin) Conversation Group
Improve your Chinese.
Thursdays, 6:30 PM
Central Library, Multilingual Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100

 

Italian Conversation Group
Improve your Italian.
Fridays, 4 PM
Central Library, Multilingual Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100

Japanese Conversation Group
Improve your Japanese.
Saturdays, 11 AM
Central Library, Multilingual Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100

 

Poetry Group
Read and discuss your original poems.
Saturdays, 2 PM
Kings Highway Library, 2115 Ocean Avenue, 718.375.3037

Films

Russian Film Series: Podstrochnik
Oleg Dorman introduces an excerpted format of Podstrochnik (Word by Word), in which Lilianna Lungina, a well-known translator and mother of two Russian film directors, narrates the history of the Soviet Union as experienced by members of Russian intelligentsia.
Saturday, May 1, 4 PM

Central Library, Dweck Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100

War & the City: Saboteur
A factory worker, falsely suspected of being a saboteur, uncovers a plot by German agents to destroy a U.S. Navy ship in the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
Tuesday, May 4, 6:30 PM
Central Library, Dweck Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100

War & the City: The Clock
In this wartime valentine to the city starring RoBert Walker and Judy Garland, a soldier on leave meets a woman in New York City's Pennsylvania Station.
Tuesday, May 11, 6:30 PM
Central Library, Dweck Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100

War & the City: On the Town
In this classic Comden-Green-Bernstein musical, Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra and Jules Munshin star as Three Sailors on leave.
Tuesday, May 18, 6:30 PM
Central Library, Dweck Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100

 

Music, Dance & More

Classical Interludes: Music Off the Shelves
Members of the Brooklyn Philharmonic perform string quartets from the famous Russian "Five" composers: Balakirev, Cui, Mussorgsky, Rimsky-Korsakov and Borodin. There will also be readings from Aleksandr Pushkin's poem The Bronze Horseman and other literary works.
Sunday, May 2, 4 PM

Central Library, Dweck Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100

Brooklyn Sings, Brooklyn Swings: Antoinette Montague
Montague has performed in venues including Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola at Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Zebra Room at Lenox Lounge, the Blue Note and the Jazz Standard.

Thursday, May 6, 7 PM
Central Library, Dweck Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100

MoMA: Picasso: Themes & Variations
Learn about Picasso's evolving artistic vision through his decades of experimentation. You can earn a free ticket to the Museum of Modern Art's exhibition Picasso: Themes and Variations.

Saturday, May 8, 4 PM
Central Library, Dweck Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100

Classical Interludes: Schumann & Chopin
AmerKlavier, a piano performance studio for young musicians, celebrates the bicentennial of Robert Schumann and Fryderyk Chopin.

Sunday, May 9, 4 PM
Central Library, Dweck Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100

Outdoor Concert: Alicia Svigals' Klezmer Dance Party!
Learn traditional East European Jewish dances with Alicia Svigals's Klezmer Fiddle Express! Svigals is a founder of the Klezmatics and of the all-women band Mikveh, and is considered by many to be the world's foremost klezmer fiddler. Dance instructor Steve Weintraub will teach the sher, bulgar, and patch tanz.
Sunday, May 23, 2:30PM
Central Library, Dweck Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100

 

 

Readings & Discussions

 

Awakened by the Moon: Margaret Wise Brown
Author Leonard Marcus (Minders of Make-Believe) discusses Greenpoint native Margaret Wise Brown, author of children's classic Goodnight Moon, on her 100th birthday.
Sunday, May 9, 1:30 PM

Central Library, Dweck Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100

Cosmopolis: Immigrant Writers in NYC: Preston Allen
This Honduran-born author reads from his new work Jesus Boy. WNYC's Leonard Lopate hosts.

Saturday, May 15, 4 PM
Central Library, Dweck Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100

Brooklyn Independents: Poetry on the Plaza
Brooklyn's new Poet Laureate, Tina Chang, joins authors Nick Flynn, Dennis Nurkse, Stacy Szymaszek, Vijay Sedrashi, Jeffrey Yang, Marina Temkina, Eugene Ostashevsky, Uche Nduka, and Steve Dalachinsky on stage
Saturday, May 22, 3 PM
Central Library, Plaza, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100

FOR KIDS

The Brave Calf

Teatro IATI presents this story of a little calf who decides to leave his stall to see the world. The calf and his new friends teach the importance of friendship, teamwork and collective care of the environment.

Saturday, May 1, 1 PM

Central Library, Dweck Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100

The Dixie Rascals

Musicians perform in period costume on traditional Dixieland instruments: trumpet, banjo, tuba and clarinet.

Saturday, May 8, 1 PM

Central Library, Dweck Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100

Babies & Books
Enjoy books, songs and rhymes with babies, birth to 18 months.
Mondays, May 10 & 24, 10:30 AM
Gerritsen Beach Library, 2808 Gerritsen Avenue, 718.368.1435
Mondays, 3:30 PM
Flatlands Library, 2065 Flatbush Avenue, 718.253.4409

Wednesdays, 1 PM
New Lots Library, 665 New Lots Avenue, 718.649.0311

 

Children's Book Week

Enjoy activities, games and movies.
Monday, May 10, 3:45 PM

Tuesday, May 11, 3:45 PM

Wednesday, May 12, 3:45 PM
Kensington Library, 410 Ditmas Avenue, 718.435.9431

Arts & Crafts
Tuesdays, May 4 & 18, 3:30 PM
Leonard Library, 81 Devoe Street, 718.486.3365
Friday, May 7, 3 PM
Gerritsen Beach Library, 2808 Gerritsen Avenue, 718.368.1435

Thursday, May 27, 3:15 PM
Gravesend Library, 303 Avenue X, 718.382.5792

Fridays, 4 PM
Pacific Library, 25 Fourth Avenue, 718.638.1531

Games
Tuesdays, May 11 & 25, 3:30 PM
Leonard Library, 81 Devoe Street, 718.486.3365

Wednesdays, 3:30 PM
Pacific Library, 25 Fourth Avenue, 718.638.1531

 

 

Movie
Enjoy free film screenings. Call for title.
Friday, May 14, 4 PM
Pacific Library, 25 Fourth Avenue, 718.638.1531
Thursdays, 3:30 PM
Leonard Library, 81 Devoe Street, 718.486.3365

 

The Great Migration Adventure
Learn about the migration of birds during this event featuring live music and, of course, our fine feathered friends.

Saturday, May 15, 1 PM
Central Library, Dweck Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100

Jazz Story Craft
Listen to jazz music and stories inspired by jazz, and create art projects based on it.
Wednesday, May 19, 3:30 PM
Crown Heights Library, 560 New York Avenue, 718.773.1180

 

Greenpoint After Hours
Enjoy stories, rhymes and songs for babies and toddlers.
Thursday, May 20, 6:30 PM
Greenpoint Library, 107 Norman Avenue, 718.349.8504

After-School Homework Help
Get free help from trained adult volunteers.
Tuesdays, 2:30 PM
Mill Basin Library, 2385 Ralph Avenue, 718.241.3973

Story Craft
Listen to a story and create art projects based on it.
Thursdays, 3:30 PM
Pacific Library, 25 Fourth Avenue, 718.638.1531

Chess Workshop
Learn to play chess with a professional.
Fridays, 3:30 PM
Borough Park Library, 1265 43rd Street, 718.437.4085

Fun Fridays
Hang out and enjoy books, games, music, and arts and crafts.
Fridays, 3:30 PM
Red Hook Library, 7 Wolcott Street, 718.935.0203

 

FOR TEENS
Arts & Crafts
Thursday, May 6, 3:30 PM
Kensington Library, 410 Ditmas Avenue, 718.435.9431
Wednesday, May 26, 4 PM
Gerritsen Beach Library, 2808 Gerritsen Avenue, 718.368.1435

 

Karaoke & Dance Dance Revolution
Thursdays, May 13 & 27, 3:30 PM
Clarendon Library, 2035 Nostrand Avenue, 718.421.1159

 

DIY Teens
Do-it-yourself crafts for forward-thinking teens!
Friday, May 14, 3 PM
Pacific Library, 25 Fourth Avenue, 718.638.1531

 

Anime & Manga Club
Watch Japanese animation, talk about your favorite graphic novels, and draw your favorite characters.
Tuesday, May 18, 4 PM
Clarendon Library, 2035 Nostrand Avenue, 718.421.1159

Teen Time
Hang out and enjoy books, games and music.
Mondays, 3 PM
Flatlands Library, 2065 Flatbush Avenue, 718.253.4409
Tuesdays, 3:30 PM
Red Hook Library, 7 Wolcott Street, 718.935.0203
Wednesdays, 3 PM
Brooklyn Heights Library, 280 Cadman Plaza West, 718.623.7000

Fridays, 3:45 PM
Canarsie Library, 1580 Rockaway Parkway, 718.257.3547

Games
Mondays, 4 PM
Homecrest Library, 2525 Coney Island Avenue, 718.382.5924

 

Chess Workshop
Learn to play chess with a professional.

Tuesdays, 4 PM
Canarsie Library, 1580 Rockaway Parkway, 718.257.3547

Tuesdays, 5:30 PM
Gravesend Library, 303 Avenue X, 718.382.5792
Wednesdays, 3:30 PM
Homecrest Library, 2525 Coney Island Avenue, 718.382.5924
Thursdays, 4 PM
Kings Bay Library, 3650 Nostrand Avenue, 718.368.1709

Wii Gaming
Join your friends and make new ones while playing video games.
Wednesdays, 3:30 PM
Clarendon Library, 2035 Nostrand Avenue, 718.421.1159

Fridays, 3 PM
Canarsie Library, 1580 Rockaway Parkway, 718.257.3547

 

PlayStation Gaming
Join your friends and meet new ones while playing video games.
Wednesdays, 4 PM
Clinton Hill Library, 380 Washington Avenue, 718.398.8713
Thursdays, 4 PM
Gerritsen Beach Library, 2808 Gerritsen Avenue, 718.368.1435

Thursdays, 3:45 PM
Canarsie Library, 1580 Rockaway Parkway, 718.257.3547
Thursdays, 4 PM
Sheepshead Bay Library, 2636 East 14th Street, 718. 368.1815

Fridays, 3:30 PM
Homecrest Library, 2525 Coney Island Avenue, 718.382.5924

 

Tween Time
Hang out and enjoy books, games and music.
Thursdays, 4 PM

No session May 27
Mapleton Library, 1702 60th Street, 718.256.2117

Exhibitions
EXHIBITIONS AT CENTRAL LIBRARY (March 9 - May 30)

Brooklyn Blacktop, in the Grand Lobby, features photos by Ron Hartley of recycled materials embedded in the blacktop of city streets. Hartley has won many honors including a Best in Category CLIO Award, a Gold Effie Award, a Best in Show John Caples Award, an award from the New York Art Directors Club, an ANDY Award, a CAMMA Award and many others.

Ordinary Wonderful, in the Grand Lobby, features photos by Trevor Brown that focus on the beauty of ordinary everyday things around us. Brown has exhibited his work in Brooklyn at Classon Walls, the Rising Art Gallery, 440 Gallery, Myrtle Windows Gallery and Brooklyn Museum. His work has also been featured in publications including Studio Visit, The New York Times, My Little India, Brooklyn Rises and Inciativa Colectiva.

Over Here! New York City During World War II (We Couldn't Have Done It Without Brooklyn!), in the Foyer Cases, features illustrations, photographs and other memorabilia from Lorraine B. Diehl's book that recalls New York City during wartime, with a special emphasis on Brooklyn and its major role in the war effort. Diehl has also written The Late, Great Pennsylvania Station, The Automat: The History, Recipes, and Allure of Horn & Hardart's Masterpiece and Subways: The Tracks That Built New York City. Her work was also featured in an exhibition at the Museum of the City of New York.

Seven Miles to Freedom: The Robert Smalls Story, in the Youth Wing, features paintings and illustrations by Duane Smith from magazines and children's and teens' books, including Seven Miles to Freedom by Janet Halfmann. Smith also illustrated the children's books Mama's Window by Lynn Rubright and Night Journey to Vicksburg by Susan Rowan Masters.

A Brooklyn Bestiary: Wildlife in the City, in the Second Floor Balcony Cases, features woodcut print portraits by Lisa Studier of wild fauna living in Brooklyn. Studier has exhibited her work at the Manhattan Graphics Center and the New York Hall of Science. In 2007, her artwork was the basis for the costume design in Fishes Feed Us, an ocean conservation project produced by Art & Science Collaborations, Inc. In 2006, a selection of her prints was published in Sea Stories, an online journal published by the Blue Ocean Institute.

Subway Journey: A Home Away from Home, in the Second Floor Balcony Cases, is a series of linoleum prints by Olga Rogachevskaya that celebrate diversity through the eyes of this immigrant artist. Rogachevskaya has illustrated books and fairy tales including Royal Tea Party by Richard Schoetz, "Thumbelina" by Hans Christian Andersen, Slobozanski Fairy Tales by Orest Somov and a book of poetry by Vladimir Mayakovsky. She has exhibited her work in a solo show at Brooklyn Public Library's Kings Bay Library, 3650 Nostrand Avenue, 718.368.1709, 3650 Nostrand Avenue, 718.368.1709 and in a group show at the Art Students League of New York. She received the 2009 DCA Regrant Award from Brooklyn Arts Council and Honorable Mention from the Art Students League.

Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) is an independent library system for the 2.5 million residents of Brooklyn. It is the fifth largest library system in the United States with 60 neighborhood libraries. BPL offers free programs and services for all ages and stages of life, including a huge selection of books in more than 30 languages, author talks, job search help, literacy programs, public computers and the largest WiFi network in the borough. BPL's eResources, such as eBooks and eVideos, as well as catalog information, are available to customers 24 hours a day at our website: www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org.