Wimpy Kid Party

The Broome County Public Library invites kids to a Wimpy Kid Party on Saturday, May
15, 2:30pm. The party will celebrate the Diary of a Wimpy Kid book series with games,
snacks and wimpy prizes! This event is suggested for kids ages 7-12, and free registration
is required. For more information, or to register, please call the Youth Services Department
at 607-778-6456.

Music in the Garden

In celebration of the spring opening of the Library Garden, the Broome County Public Library will host a musical program on Friday, May 7, 6:00-8:00pm. Charlene Thomson and Robert Siegers will perform American Folk music, including reels and jigs, waltzes and polkas, and familiar patriotic songs that reflect our American heritage. The program will also feature a performance by the B.F. Harridans Dancers, who will present a variety of traditional Morris dances. The program is free and open to the public, and it will take place in the Library Garden (185 Court Street, Binghamton). For more information, please call the Library at 607-778-6400.

Spring Cleaning Drop-By Craft Time

We have lots of leftover crafts from our spring story times, and we'd love it if you would come and help us use them up! On Saturday, May 1, 2:00-4:00pm, we'll be having a Spring Cleaning Drop-By Craft Time, so stop by and join in the fun!

This event is suggested for kids age 3 and older. For more information, please call Youth Services at 607-778-6456.

Career Alternatives in Business Ownership through Franchising

In conjunction with FranNet, the Broome County Public Library will host a free workshop entitled “Career Alternatives in Business Ownership through Franchising.” FranNet provides no-cost guidance to qualified clients who are interested in exploring self-employment as a career option through franchised business ownership. This workshop will include information concerning the risks and rewards of business ownership through franchising; franchising vs. start-ups vs. existing businesses; franchise costs and financing options; the franchising research, validation and selection process. It will take place on Tuesday, May 18, 3:30-4:30pm in the Library’s Ahearn Business Center. The workshop is open to the public, but registration is required. For more information, or to register, please call the Library’s Reference Desk at 607-778-6451.

Picturing America for Homeschoolers

The Youth Services Department of the Library will begin offering programs for homeschoolers this spring. We hope to have programs once a month during the regular school year, and we'll offer programs for different age groups and on a variety of topics.

The first program that will be offered is Picturing America, and it will take place on Tuesday, April 27, 2:00pm. Picturing America is a program from the National Endowment for the Humanities in cooperation with the American Library Association; the program uses great works of art as a means for studying America’s history and culture. During this Picturing America session, we will be using the work of photographer Dorothea Lange. We’ll focus on her piece Migrant Mother and talk about experiences of Americans during the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression.

This program is intended for home educated youth ages 8 and older. Registration is encouraged; for more information, or to register, please call the Library’s Youth Services Department at 607-778-6456.

Earth Day Celebration for Kids

Dr. Seuss’s classic book, The Lorax, will be read and acted out by Binghamton University’s Student Environment Awareness Club, followed by seed planting and refreshments. This free event is for children ages 5 and older, and registration is requested. For more information, or to register, please call the Library’s Youth Services Department at 607-778-6456.

Dramatic Reading Program to be Held at the Library

The Broome County Public Library invites area residents to The Hungry Ear, a monthly program celebrating the art of the short story, on Monday, April 26, 5:30pm. April’s program will be a blend of the classic and the contemporary with dramatic readings of Guy De Maupassant's poignant “The Necklace” and the hilarious “Aren’t You Happy for Me” by Richard Bausch. The Hungry Ear Readers invite you to come and be transported. This free program will be held in the Library’s Exhibit Room (185 Court Street, Binghamton). For more information, please call the Library’s Information Desk at 607-778-6451.

Knitters Invited to Library Knitting Group

Knitting enthusiasts are invited to join the Broome County Public Library’s Knitting Group, which meets the third Wednesday of each month. Upcoming meetings are on April 21 and May 19, 6:00-7:30pm. The group is open to knitters of all skill levels, and participants should bring a project to work on. Registration is not required. For more details, you may call the Library’s Information Desk at 607-778-6451.

Acting Up @ the Library!

Do you have a flair for the dramatic? Then come join us for fun improvisational and theater activities...and lots of laughs!

This workshop will be led by Amoreena Wade, who has studied acting and performing for two decades. She has been in many small films, commercials, and stage productions, and she is eligible for the Screen Actors Guild.

Suggested for ages 8-14. Signing up for this event is encouraged. For more information or to sign up, please call 607-778-6456, or email youth@bclibrary.info.

Free Workshop: "Your Annual Legal Checklist"

In honor of Mitchell Rabbino National Healthcare Decisions Day, the Broome County Public Library will host a free workshop entitled “Your Annual Legal Checklist” on Friday, April 16, 10:00am. Jamye Lindsey, Esq., will give a presentation about legal documents that every New Yorker should know about. Highlights of this workshop include the following: Powers of Attorney, Health Care Proxy and Living Wills, DNR, Organ Donations, and Probate. This workshop, sponsored by the Elder Law Section of the New York State Bar Association, will take place in the Ahearn Room of the Broome County Public Library (185 Court Street, Binghamton). Registration is requested. For more information, or to register, please call the Library’s Information Services Department at 607-778-6451.

Library Board Vacancies

The Broome County Public Library Board of Trustees is now accepting resumes for two positions on the Library Board. One must be a Broome County resident, and the other must be a resident of the City of Binghamton. Resumes may be submitted through April 16, 2010, to the Broome County Public Library Administrative Offices at 185 Court Street, Binghamton, NY 13901.