Off the Shelf: May events at Maxwell Library
Submitted by Rena Brower
Art exhibit
Seeing Things–Watercolors and Drawings by Kyle Mort
Through May 30
Kyle Mort is a watercolor painter who takes traditions such as landscapes and still lifes and subverts them with narrative, metaphors, and humor. He is on the Fine Arts Faculty of the West Genesee Central School District and teaches at Camillus Middle School. One of Mr. Mort’s paintings, Low Battery, is included in this year’s juried show “Made in NY” at the Schweinfurth Art Center in Auburn through May 12.
Rotating exhibits by West Genesee Central School District students:
Stonehedge Elementary—April 23 through May 2
Camillus Middle School—May 7 through 16
West Genesee Senior High School—May 21 through 30
Friends Geranium Sale
Order deadline: Friday, May 10, 5 p.m.
Pickup: Saturday, May 18, 9 to noon at the Camillus Village Hall
Geraniums in 4½-inch pots and your choice of five colors are back for the 16th Annual Friends of Maxwell Library Geranium Sale. Order forms are available at the library and on our website. Don’t miss out! Thanks for your support.
The annual Memorial Day Watchfire honors veterans who have served and given their all to protect our country. Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 103 invites all to attend this year’s Watchfire on Sunday, May 26, at the NYS Fairgrounds. The Watchfire also provides the community with an opportunity to respectfully retire unserviceable American flags. You may bring your faded, tattered, or worn flags to Maxwell Library by Wednesday, May 22. We will send them on to the VVA for respectful burning on the Watchfire pyre.
New: Specialty cake pans for borrowing
Thanks to a generous donation, Maxwell Library is now able to loan cake pans for your special event. Each kit comes with a pan and general baking directions. Here’s what you need to know:
Borrow a kit with your OCPL library card.
Kits are borrowed for one week, with one renewal if needed.
Sorry, no holds. But you may call the library and ask to have a kit set aside for you for one day if it’s available.
Because the pans need to stay in good shape for the next person, the kits must be picked up and returned only at Maxwell and only at the circulation desk. No book drops and no other libraries, please.
New: Programs for homeschoolers
Maxwell Library now offers fun and educational programs for homeschool students and their families. New and existing participants are welcome. No registration required. For more information, go to maxwellmemoriallibrary.org.
Homeschool Tween and Teen Creative Writing Club, Wednesday, May 1, 1 to 2 p.m. Two sessions—one for grades 4 through 7, and one for grades 8 through 12. Have a passion for writing? Join others who are interested in writing fiction and/or poetry. The group will write, share, and develop creative writing skills in an encouraging atmosphere. Please bring your favorite writing utensil and notepad (or laptop) and your imagination!
Homeschool Gathering, Wednesday, May 8, 1 to 2:30 p.m. All ages. Connect with other members of the homeschool community at this fun, casual hangout for homeschooling parents and their kids. There will be games, crafts, and more.
Homeschool Movie Matinee, Wednesday, May 15, 1:30 to 4 p.m. Join other homeschool families for a monthly movie day. Movies will be family friendly, ranging in ratings from G to PG-13. Popcorn served. This month, the heroes of Bricksburg travel to faraway, unexplored worlds to save their beloved city from invaders from outer space, using their courage, creativity and Master Building skills. 2019; NR; 107 minutes. Licensing laws prevent the publication of certain details, but you may call the library or go to the library website for the title.
TBL Peer-Based Suicide Support Group
Tuesdays, May 7, 14, 21, and 28, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Free. No registration.
Two Brothers’ Light is a non-profit organization that promotes suicide prevention and awareness. It holds peer-based support groups for individuals affected by suicide and other mental health issues. These meetings are free and open to anyone seeking information on suicide prevention and awareness, alternatives to suicide, or grief support for those affected by suicide. For more information, call 315-632-1996, or go to twobrotherslight.org.
CNY Technology User Group
Monday, May 6, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Free. No registration.
For novices through professionals, the group explores the ever-changing world of technology, whether it involves laptops, cell phones, home security systems, or anything else that interests the inquisitive mind. Each meeting starts with a Q&A session, so bring those pesky problems that have been troubling you. For more information, go to the Central New York PC User Group website at cnypcug.org.
Unraveling Yarns Book Club
Thursday, May 9, 10:30 to noon. Free. No registration.
All book selections have a mystery or suspense theme. Bring your needlework and unravel a different plot each month. Stop in at Maxwell for a copy of this month’s book, James Patterson’s “The Seventeenth Suspect,” and a reading guide. Non-knitters are also welcome.
Art Class for Kids—String Art
Saturday, May 11, 11 to noon. Please bring $5 supply fee to class. Registration required. For ages 7 to 12. Presented by Kaley McHale.
Create fun string art designs using colorful string, paper, and sewing techniques. There will be plenty of shapes and colors to choose from.
So You Have a New Scope—Now What?
Saturday, May 11, 1 to 2 p.m. Free. Open to all ages. Registration preferred, as space is limited.
Did you get a new telescope recently? Maybe it’s a gift from someone who loves you, or maybe a gift from yourself. Maybe it’s something that you’ve had for a while, or maybe something you have yet to purchase. Would you like someone to show you how to get stars in the eyepiece? Then this program is for you! Astronomers from the Syracuse Astronomical Society will be on hand to help you understand how to find interesting things to observe in the night sky using your equipment. Bring your equipment if you already have it or just your questions to Maxwell Library and get advice and answers.
Renting 101: Legal Issues for Renters and Landlords
Monday, May 13, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Free. Registration preferred, as space is limited.
Too often, the process of renting is complicated and mystifying, leaving both tenants and landlords confused as to what they’re obligated to do. Renting 101, presented by local housing attorney Laurie Rolnick, Staff Attorney for the Volunteer Lawyers Project, will break down the fine print and make it clear what is expected of both parties. The program will help attendees understand the basics of renting a residential property, covering the rights and responsibilities that tenants and landlords hold and including tips for dealing with tricky situations. The initial discussion will be followed by a Q&A session.
Maxwell Matinee
Tuesday, May 14, 2 p.m. Call for title. 2019; PG-13; 120 minutes. Free. Registration preferred. For adults.
Future Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg launches her career fighting for gender equality by proving discrimination “on the basis of sex” is unconstitutional. Licensing laws prevent the publication of certain details, but you may call the library or go to the library website for the title. Seating is limited, so please reserve your place online or by calling 315-672-3661.
Genealogy Roundtables
Wednesday, May 15, 6 to 7:30 p.m. and Tuesday, May 21, 1 to 3 p.m. Genealogical Education Plans. Free. Registration preferred.
Join genealogist Amanda Perrine for Maxwell’s monthly Genealogy Roundtable. Library patrons interested in researching their own family histories get together to discuss problems in their research and share tips on sources and methodology. Both beginners and longtime researchers are welcome. This month, learn about classes, conferences, and webinars that can help you become a better genealogist.
Between the Lines Book Club
Monday, May 20, 2 to 3:30 p.m. Free. No registration.
The group reads a variety of genres, from literary fiction to suspenseful bestsellers. Copies of this month’s selection, Sonia Sotomayor’s “My Beloved World,” and reading guides are available at the desk. Everyone is welcome.
Maxwell Library Board Meeting
Monday, May 20, 6 p.m.
The Board of Trustees meets on the third Monday of each month unless stated otherwise. The public is welcome to attend. If you would like to address the board or request a topic to be put on the agenda, please contact director Amanda Perrine at [email protected] at least two weeks before the meeting. The agenda is posted online one week before.
Safe Place to Game
Wednesday, May 22, 4 to 6 p.m. Free. Registration preferred. For ages 7 to 18.
Safe Place to Game is a community program where students and families can learn and play trading card games like Pokemon, Magic: The Gathering, and Yu-Gi-Oh.
Reducing College Cost
Wednesday, May 22, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Free. Registration preferred. For parents and high school and college students.
John Decker from College Assistance Plus will explain how to reduce tuition regardless of income, find a marketable major, understand FAFSA and NYS Free Tuition, and navigate NCAA sports. He will also discuss student-led college prep clubs.
Tech Class—Safe Password Practices
Thursday, May 23, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Free. Registration preferred. You may bring your personal laptop, tablet, or phone.
Tech librarian Pete Schult will present some techniques and tools for coming up with safe passwords, for safely having them at your fingertips when you need them, and for added security beyond good password practices.
Author talk—J. Howard Brown
Thursday, May 23, 6 to 7 p.m. Free. Registration preferred.
Local author, retired police officer, and retired business owner J. Howard Brown has long been interested in American history and fascinated by the idea of time travel. Mr. Brown has merged these interests in two short novels, “Washington’s Time Traveler” and “Washington’s Time Traveler Revisited.” The tales explore the ripple effect a visit to the past could have on the present and future. Join Mr. Brown for a discussion of his books and of his experience as a self-published writer of fiction. Copies of both books will be available for purchase.
Craft Class—Hand-stamped Tiles
Wednesday, May 29, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Free. Registration required. For adults. Due to the popularity of this program, there are two sessions–sign up for either 5:30 or 6:30 p.m.
Make a hand-stamped tile with Alyson Esposito. Choose from many images, including flowers, birds, shells, and more. You will stamp an image on a white glazed tile and color with markers if desired. Felt pads will be attached to the bottom. At the end of the class participants will take the tiles outside and seal them with a spray. All supplies provided. Registration is required to ensure enough supplies are prepared. Each class size is limited to ten participants.
Ongoing programs for kids and teens (all free; no registration unless otherwise noted):
Stories with Sally, for the under-3 crowd and a participating adult.
Mondays and Wednesdays, May 1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, and 29, 10:30 to 11:15 a.m.
Sally’s Story Time, for preschoolers ages 3 to 5.
Tuesdays, May 7, 14, 21, and 28, 10:30 to 11 a.m.
Preschool Story Time with Ms. Melissa
Thursdays, May 2, 9, 16, and 23, 10:30 to 11 a.m. Registration preferred. For children ages 3 to 5 with a parent or guardian.
This fun story time helps preschoolers develop early literacy skills and fosters curiosity. Come and enjoy stories followed by a simple craft. Younger (and older) siblings are welcome. May 2—books about mothers and a Mother’s Day craft; May 9—books about spring and a springtime craft; May 16—books about colors and a colorful craft; May 23—“How to Put Your Parents to Bed” and a fun craft.
Monday Fundays with Ms. Melissa
Mondays, May 6, 13, and 20, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Simple crafts for children ages 5 to 10.
May 6—Mother’s Day craft; May 13—Make a paper squishy emoji; May 20—Make a Star Man craft for Memorial Day.
Between Friends Book Club
Wednesday, May 8, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. For grades 6 to 12. Registration preferred. Snacks provided.
Come share what you’re reading and why others should read it too. Make new friends and get great book suggestions from Ms. Melissa and the rest of the group.
Kids Only Book Club
Wednesday, May 15, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. For grades 2 to 5. Registration preferred. Snacks provided.
Come share what you’re reading and why others should read it too. Make new friends and get great book suggestions from Ms. Melissa and the rest of the group.
1000 Books Before Kindergarten
To promote reading to newborns, infants, and toddlers as well as to encourage parent and child bonding through reading, the 1000 Books Foundation has issued a challenge to parents to read 1000 books to their children before kindergarten. Stop in at Maxwell Library to get your first reading log and informational materials, and start reading.
