Off the Shelf

Off the Shelf: October events at Maxwell Library

Submitted by Rena Brower

Art exhibit

Watercolors by Anna Stefanco

Running through Oct. 29.

Now that she has retired from her career as a customer service banker, self-taught artist and Syracuse native Anna Stefanco paints for pleasure, for relaxation, and for her fortunate friends. Maxwell Library’s Friends Group has invited Mrs. Stefanco to share her lovely florals, still lifes, landscapes, and animal paintings in this month’s exhibit. The public is cordially invited to meet Anna Stefanco at the Friends of Maxwell Memorial Library Annual Open House on Saturday, Oct. 19, from noon to 2 p.m.

TBL Peer-Based Suicide Support Group

Tuesdays, Oct. 8, 15, 22, and 29, 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.

Dungeons and Dragons Game Nights

Wednesdays, Oct. 2, 9. 16, 23, and 30, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Free. Registration required as space is limited. For ages 13 and up.

Play the fantasy tabletop role-playing game at Maxwell’s weekly D&D Game Nights. Beginners to experts are welcome, and you may bring your own game supplies.

Learn How to Grow Microgreens Workshop

Saturday, Oct. 5, 11 to 1 p.m. The workshop is free, but please bring $8 in cash if you want to purchase a microgreens kit. Registration required as space is limited.

What are microgreens, why are they becoming so popular, and should you start using them? This workshop will give you answers to these questions and show you how to grow microgreens right in your own home. Learn which microgreens you should grow, where to grow them, how to care for them, how to harvest fresh microgreens, and how to use them in food preparation. Microgreens kits will be available at a highly discounted cost of $8. The kit includes all the equipment and supplies necessary to plant and grow your own tray of microgreens at home. Purchase is not mandatory to watch the demonstration and presentation. Please indicate during registration if you want to purchase a kit.

CNY Technology User Group

Monday, Oct. 7, 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.

Maxwell Matinee

Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2 p.m. Call for title. 2019; PG-13; 117 minutes. Free. Registration preferred. For adults.

After a freak accident during a worldwide blackout, struggling musician Jack Malik wakes to discover that he is the only person in the world to remember The Beatles. Using this newfound benefit to his advantage, Jack begins plagiarizing the work of the legendary band to launch his career to superstardom. 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.

Unraveling Yarns Book Club

Thursday, Oct. 10, 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, Nicci French’s Sunday Silence, and a reading guide. Non-knitters are also welcome.

Craft Class—Greeting Cards for Fall

Thursday, Oct. 10, 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 two beautiful layered cards with Alyson Esposito. There will be one Fall birthday and one pumpkin border card, perfect for Halloween or Thanksgiving. Complete the designs using rubber stamps and colored pencils and your choice of several sentiments. All supplies provided. Registration is required to ensure enough supplies are prepared. Each class size is limited to ten participants.

Art Class for Kids

Saturday, Oct. 12, 11 to noon. Please bring $5 supply fee to class. Registration required. For ages 7 to 12. Presented by Kaley McHale.

Check online to see what this month’s project will be.

Genealogy Roundtable

Wednesday, Oct. 16, 1 to 3 p.m. FamilySearch. 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 how to use FamilySearch.org, the world’s largest collection of free family trees, genealogy records and resources.

Friends of Maxwell Library Open House

Saturday, Oct. 19, noon to 2 p.m. Free. No registration.

The public is invited to the annual Friends of Maxwell Memorial Library Open House. Learn more about the group of dedicated volunteers who have been advocating for and supporting your library for over 25 years.

Genealogy Lock-In

Saturday, Oct. 19, 2 to 6 p.m. Free. Registration required.

Use library databases and resources to work on your personal genealogy research after hours with genealogist and Maxwell Director Amanda Perrine. Bring your laptop or use the library’s PCs; bring all personal passwords for email, databases, and other sites you might use.

Beginner’s Genealogy Workshop

Monday, Oct. 21, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Free. Registration required.

Want to learn more about where your family came from? This class will teach you how to start with yourself and move back through your family tree. Using a Central New York family as an example, you will practice filling out pedigree and family group sheets, look at census and vital records, see how to use online sites such as Ancestry.com (free at Maxwell Library) and FamilySearch.org, and discuss DNA tests, which sites to test through, and what to do with the results. There will be ample time at the end of the presentation for questions.

Tech Class—Internet Reference Tips

Thursday, Oct. 24, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Free. Registration preferred. You may bring your personal laptop, tablet, or phone.

The internet provides ready access to a lot of information, both useful and suspect. In this month’s tech program, Tech Librarian Pete Schult will look at ways to improve your web searches. This will include technical tips for crafting search engine searches as well as tips for evaluating the various pages that a search engine returns.

Celtic and Germanic Stories, Songs, and Poems of Antiquity

Thursday, Oct. 24, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Free. Registration preferred as space is limited.

Terry McMaster returns to Maxwell Library to present stories, songs, and poetry from Irish, Welsh, Scottish, and German traditions. Included will be the ancient Song of Amergin, the Welsh tale of shape-shifting transformation The Birth of Taliesin, and the Irish tune of love and longing Star of the County Down. McMaster will teach Lewis Carroll’s Jabberwocky in German, as well as the medieval Charm Against the Night-Mare, and will perform The Deer’s Cry/St. Patrick’s Breastplate in Medieval Irish. McMaster is an independent researcher specializing in the immigration of Scots-Irish pioneers to the New York frontier and their participation in the American Revolution. He is an addiction therapist at Professional Counseling Services in Camillus.

Between the Lines Book Club

Monday, Oct. 28, 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, Chris Bohjalian’s The Sleepwalker, and reading guides are available at the desk. Everyone is welcome.

Maxwell Library Board Meeting

Monday, Oct. 28, 6 p.m.

The board of trustees meets on the third Monday of each month unless stated otherwise. The public is welcome to attend. The agenda is posted online one week before. If you are interested in serving on Maxwell’s board, please fill out a simple form (available on the library’s website) and mail it to: ATTN: Board of Trustees, Maxwell Memorial Library, 14 Genesee Street, Camillus, New York 13031. New members are welcome!

Safe Place to Game

Wednesday, Oct. 30, 4 to 6 p.m. Free. Registration preferred. For ages 7 to 18.

Safe Place to Game is a community program presented by TCGplayer where students and families can learn and play trading card games like Pokemon, Magic: The Gathering, and Yu-Gi-Oh.

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, Oct. 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, and 30, 10:30 to 11:15 a.m.

Sally’s Story Time, for preschoolers ages 3 to 5.

Tuesdays, Oct. 8, 15, 22, and 29, 10:30 to 11 a.m.

Preschool Story Time with Ms. Melissa

Thursdays, Oct. 10, 17, 24, and 31, 10:30 to 11 a.m. 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. Oct. 10—Moose Tracks; Oct. 17—Pete the Cat and the Perfect Pizza Party; Oct. 24—Messy Jesse; Oct. 31—Halloween story and craft; wear your costume.

Tuesday Crafternoons

Tuesdays, Oct. 8, 15, 22, and 29, 3:30 to 7 p.m. For children ages 3 to 10.

Drop in at Maxwell to make the week’s planned craft or one of your own choosing. Oct. 8—Leaf people; Oct. 15—Jack-o’-lantern garland.; Oct. 22—Handprint spider; Oct. 29—Halloween craft; wear your costume.

Homeschool Family Fun

Monday, Oct. 14, 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. Bring your ideas for what you would like to see offered and look for more programs to start soon.

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!

With OverDrive and Hoopla, great entertainment is only a click away on your computer or mobile device. We have ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, music and videos, with new titles added daily. It’s easy, fun, and free! Call to set up a help session.

Get tech savvy by attending Tech Librarian Pete’s monthly classes. Catch up on what you missed with Handouts and Other Resources through the Digital tab on our website.

Your library card is the key to amazing free online encyclopedias, newspapers, magazines, archives, tutorials, and courses. Go to the Digital tab on Maxwell’s website, or to onlib.org/research/databases.

Ask about the variety of digital devices available for borrowing or in-library use.

Sign up for Maxwell’s monthly e-newsletter through our website, Facebook page, or at the circulation desk.

See upcoming events and register as needed through our online events calendar.

You can support Maxwell Library online through the PayPal Donate feature on our website.

Being a Friend of Maxwell is a great way to support the library. The group sponsors library programs and fundraising events. Click the Friends tab on maxwellmemoriallibrary.org for news and updates of meetings and special events.

Are you planning on visiting a New York State or an Onondaga County park? Borrow a NYS Empire Pass or an Onondaga County Park Pass from Maxwell Library before your trip. Both passes are available on a first-come, first-served basis to patrons over the age of 18 with OCPL library accounts in good standing. They may be checked out for three days, and must be returned in person at Maxwell. Call or stop in for more details.

Maxwell Memorial Library is located at 14 Genesee St., Camillus. The library is open Monday through Thursday, 10 to 8 p.m.; Friday, 10 to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 to 3 p.m.; closed Sundays. Please call 315-672-3661 for additional information about any of our programs, visit our website at maxwellmemoriallibrary.org, like us on Facebook, or find us on Instagram and Twitter @maxmemlib.