Brooklyn Libraries Usher in 2011 With Wide List of FREE Events
By: Robert Lawlor Dec. 02, 2010
Usher in 2011 with some of the most exciting programs ever offered in Brooklyn. As always, all events are free and open to the public; because times are subject to change, we recommend calling ahead or checking the website when planning your next visit.
Adults
Computer Basics Class
Learn basic skills. No experience necessary.
Monday, Jan 3, 11 AM
Gerritsen Beach Library, 2808 Gerritsen Avenue, 718.368.1435
Friday, Jan 7, 11 AM
Gravesend Library, 303 Avenue X, 718.382.5792
Monday, Jan 10, 10:30 AM
Crown Heights Library, 560 New York Avenue, 718.773.1180
Tuesday, Jan 11, 1 PM
Rugby Library, 1000 Utica Avenue, 718.566.0054
Friday, Jan 14, 11 AM
Mapleton Library. 1702 60th Street, 718.256.2117
Thursday, Jan 27, 1 PM
Central Library, Room 216, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100
Tuesday, Jan 25, 1:30 PM
Clarendon Library, 2035 Nostrand Avenue, 718.421.1159
Thursdays, 1:30 PM
Windsor Terrace Library, 160 East Fifth Street, 718.686.9707
Computer & Internet Basics Class in Spanish
Learn basic skills. No experience necessary.
Tuesday, Jan 4, 1 PM
Sunset Park Library, 5108 4th Avenue, 718.567.2806
Computer & Email Basics Class
Get an introduction to computers and email.
Wednesday, Jan 5, 1 PM
Registration required
Sunset Park Library, 5108 4th Avenue, 718.567.2806
Growing Dollars and Sense: Tax Planning
Get tips on filing taxes and a clear understanding of rules and requirements. Also, learn how different investments are taxed.
Thursday, Jan 6, 6 PM
Business Library, 280 Cadman Plaza West, 718.623.7000
Tuesday, Jan 18, 6 PM
New Utrecht Library, 1743 86th Street, 718.236.4086
Microsoft Word Class
Learn to create documents. Basic computer knowledge required.
Thursday, Jan 6, 7 PM
Central Library, Room 216, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100
Wednesday, Jan 12, 1 PM
Registration required
Sunset Park Library, 5108 4th Avenue, 718.567.2806
Tuesday, Jan 18, 1:30 PM
Clarendon Library, 2035 Nostrand Avenue, 718.421.1159
Philosophy Discussion Group
Discuss topics chosen by members of the group.
Fridays, Jan 7 & 21, 3:30 PM
New Utrecht Library, 1743 86th Street, 718.236.4086
Book Discussion
Call for this session's title.
Monday, Jan 10, 2 PM
Brighton Beach Library, 16 Brighton First Road, 718.946.2917
Monday, Jan 10, 6:30 PM
Sunset Park Library, 5108 4th Avenue, 718.567.2806
Thursday, Jan 20, 1:30 PM
Windsor Terrace Library, 160 East Fifth Street, 718.686.9707
Thursday, Jan 27, 2 PM
Homecrest Library, 2525 Coney Island Avenue, 718.382.5924
Knitting & Crocheting Circle
Bring your own materials: a size 8 knitting needle or a crochet hook, and acrylic worsted weight yarn.
Mondays, Jan 10 & 24, 4 PM
Registration required
Gravesend Library, 303 Avenue X, 718.382.5792
Email Class
Learn the basics of email. Basic computer knowledge required.
Tuesday, Jan 11, 1 PM
Central Library, Room 216, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100
Microsoft Word Class in Spanish
Learn to create documents. Basic computer knowledge required.
Tuesday, Jan 11, 12 PM
Sunset Park Library, 5108 4th Avenue, 718.567.2806
Computer Basics Class: Email IDs & Passwords
Wednesday, Jan 12, 10:30 AM
Crown Heights Library, 560 New York Avenue, 718.773.1180
Health & Fitness Information Online
Learn how to search health databases and websites.
Wednesday, Jan 12, 1 PM
Mapleton Library. 1702 60th Street, 718.256.2117
Poetry Fun
Practice poetry writing techniques.
Wednesday, Jan 12, 2:15 PM
Gerritsen Beach Library, 2808 Gerritsen Avenue, 718.368.1435
Growing Dollars and Sense: Financial Workshop & Counseling
A workshop focusing on financial planning and tax-related issues, followed by a chance to meet one-on-one for assistance with your finances. No reservations necessary.
Wednesday, Jan 12, 5:30 PM
Thursday, Jan 13, 5:30 PM
Business Library, 280 Cadman Plaza West, 718.623.7000
Wednesday, Jan 19, 5:30 PM
Tuesday, Jan 25, 5:30 PM
New Utrecht Library, 1743 86th Street, 718.236.4086
Computer Basics Class: Sending & Receiving Emails
Monday, Jan 17, 10:30 AM
Wednesday, Jan 19, 10:30 AM
Crown Heights Library, 560 New York Avenue, 718.773.1180
Email Class in Spanish
Learn the basics of email. Basic computer knowledge required.
Tuesday, Jan 18, 12 PM
Sunset Park Library, 5108 4th Avenue, 718.567.2806
Internet for Beginners
A basic introduction to the internet.
Wednesday, Jan 19, 1 PM
Mapleton Library. 1702 60th Street, 718.256.2117
Microsoft PowerPoint Class
Learn to create presentations. Basic computer knowledge required.
Wednesday, Jan 19, 1 PM
Registration required
Sunset Park Library, 5108 4th Avenue, 718.567.2806
Wednesday, Jan 19, 2 PM
Central Library, Room 216, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100
Talking Circle
Share your stories and experiences with others.
Wednesday, Jan 19, 2 PM
Gravesend Library, 303 Avenue X, 718.382.5792
Movie: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Enjoy this free film screening.
Thursday, Jan 20, 2 PM
Kensington Library, 410 Ditmas, 718.435.9431
Movie
Enjoy free film screenings.
Thursday, Jan 20, 2:30 PM
New Utrecht Library, 1743 86th Street, 718.236.4086
Mondays, 1:30 PM
Homecrest Library, 2525 Coney Island Avenue, 718.382.5924
Movie: The Railroads that Tamed the West
Enjoy this free film screening.
Monday, Jan 24, 2 PM
Brighton Beach Library, 16 Brighton First Road, 718.946.2917
Japanese Conversation Group
Improve your Japanese.
Saturdays, 10:30 AM
Central Library, Multilingual Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100
Scrabble
Tuesdays, 11 AM
Windsor Terrace Library, 160 East Fifth Street, 718.686.9707
Knitting Workshop
Learn or perfect this skill.
Tuesdays, 2 PM
Cypress Hills Library, 1197 Sutter Avenue, 718.277.6004
Fridays, 3:30 PM
Rugby Library, 1000 Utica Avenue, 718.566.0054
Fridays, 3:30 PM
Sunset Park Library, 5108 4th Avenue, 718.567.2806
Chess
Tuesdays, 3:30 PM
Mapleton Library. 1702 60th Street, 718.256.2117
Wednesdays, 3 PM
Dyker Library, 8202 13th Avenue, 718.748.6261
Crocheting Circle
Work on current or new projects with others.
Tuesdays, 4 PM
Cypress Hills Library, 1197 Sutter Avenue, 718.277.6004
Thursdays, 2 PM
Midwood Library, 975 East 16th Street, 718.252.0967
Introduction to Computer Programs
Explore everything from Microsoft programs to email to Google Docs. Call for each class subject.
Wednesdays, 1:30 PM
Fridays, 10:30 AM
Cortelyou Library, 1305 Cortelyou Road, 718.693.7763
Knitting Circle
Work on current or new projects with others.
Wednesdays, 5 PM
No session Jan 5
Bedford Library, 496 Franklin Avenue, 718.623.0012
English Conversation Group
Improve your English.
Wednesdays, 6 PM
Cortelyou Library, 1305 Cortelyou Road, 718.693.7763
Thursdays, 6 PM
Sunset Park Library, 5108 4th Avenue, 718.567.2806
Blue Stocking Book Club
Call for each session's title.
Fridays, 12 PM
Gerritsen Beach Library, 2808 Gerritsen Avenue, 718.368.1435
Art, Music and Culture
Poetry of Bella Akhmadulina
Commemorate the life and poetry of Bella Akhmadulina, one of the most important Russian poets who passed away on November 29th. The program will feature memories by family members and fellow poets and video footage of Bella Akhmadulina
Saturday, Jan 8, 3 PM
Central Library, Dweck Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100
South Africa in Focus: Film & Discussion Series: The Road to Resistance
This documentary, the first in the seven-part series Have You Heard from Johannesburg?, is about South Africa's institution of apartheid, a system of segregation that infiltrates every aspect of life.
Tuesday, Jan 18, 6:30 PM
Central Library, Dweck Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100
Russian Film Series: Woe to Wit, or Eisenstein and Meyerhold: A Double Portrait on the Backdrop of the Epoch
This documentary delves into the complicated relationship between two titans of Russian culture: revolutionary theater director Vsevolod Meyerhold and filmmaker Sergei Eisenstein. This film is in Russian with English subtitles.
Wednesday, Jan 19, 7 PM
Central Library, Dweck Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100
In Conversation: Amanda Hesser & Frank Bruni
Hesser is the author of The Essential New York Times Cookbook: Classic Recipes for a New Century and Bruni is the author of Born Round: A Story of Family, Food, and a Ferocious Appetite.
Thursday, Jan 20, 7 PM
Central Library, Dweck Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100
Award-Winning Short Stories
Come to the awards ceremony for Gifts of the Magi, the first international literary short story contest established by the weekly Novoe Russkoe Slovo and quarterly literary magazine Novyi Zhurnal (The New Review). This event is in Russian.
Saturday, Jan 22, 1 PM
Central Library, Dweck Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100
Russian Literary Series: Irina Muravyova
Muravyova, a Pushkin scholar, started writing fiction after she emigrated and settled in Boston in 1985. Her work focuses on lives of Russian immigrants and on inevitable cross-cultural dramas. Her novel "Merry Fellows" was shortlisted for a Russian Booker Prize. This event is in Russian. Please RSVP by calling 718.230.2222. Limit two tickets per person.
Saturday, Jan 22, 4 PM
Central Library, Dweck Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100
The Encyclopedia of New York City
Editor Kenneth T. Jackson discusses this revision to the 1995 classic that includes 800 new entries that help complete the story of New York.
Sunday, Jan 23, 1:30 PM
Central Library, Dweck Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100
Classical Interludes: Escher String Quartet with Andrew Nolen*
Adam Barnett-Hart and Wu Jie (violins), Pierre Lapointe (viola), Dane Johansen (cello) and guest baritone Andrew Nolen perform Eugene Drucker's Five Sonatas and a Soliloquy (text by Shakespeare), Barber's Dover Beach (text by Matthew Arnold) and Smetana's String Quartet no. 1, From My Life.
Sunday, Jan 23, 4 PM
Central Library, Dweck Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100
South Africa in Focus: Film & Discussion Series: Hell of a Job
This documentary, the second in the seven-part series Have You Heard from Johannesburg?, is about Oliver Tambo, the leader of resistance against apartheid in South Africa, and the worldwide movement that began with support from the Soviet Union and Sweden.
Tuesday, Jan 25, 6:30 PM
Central Library, Dweck Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100
Haiti Noir
Haitian-born authors Edwidge Danticat, Marie Lily Cerat and Ibi Aanu Zoboi read from this collection of short fiction.
Thursday, Jan 27, 7 PM
Central Library, Dweck Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100
Celebrating Louvinia Pointer and the Great Day Chorale
Core members of the Chorale celebrate Pointer, their founder and leader, in a discussion of the spirituals they sang, which revealed the qualities that enabled enslaved African Americans to endure extreme cruelty with faith and perseverance.
Saturday, Jan 29, 4 PM
Central Library, Dweck Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100
W.E.B. Du Bois: The Man and his Times
Pulse Theatre Ensemble presents a one-man show about William Edward Burghardt (W.E.B.) Du Bois, based on Du Bois's own writings. Du Bois was an American civil rights activist, Pan-Africanist, scholar and author of The Philadelphia Negro and The Souls of Black Folk, among other ground-breaking works.
Sunday, Jan 30, 1:30 PM
Central Library, Dweck Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100
Classical Interludes: Music Off the Shelves*
The Brooklyn Philharmonic and the magazine A Public Space come together for a performance of chamber music that explores and amplifies a selection from the journal's recent issue.
Sunday, Jan 30, 4 PM
Central Library, Dweck Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100
Babies and Toddlers Events
Story Play with FirstRIF
Play with toys and hear stories with babies and toddlers, birth to age 5. Also earn free books by reading! See your librarian for details.
Mondays, 11 AM
Gerritsen Beach Library, 2808 Gerritsen Avenue, 718.368.1435
Tuesdays, Jan 4, 11 & 18, 11 AM
Mapleton Library. 1702 60th Street, 718.256.2117
Tuesdays, 2 PM
Pacific Library, 25 Fourth Avenue, 718.638.1531
Fridays, 11:30 AM
Crown Heights Library, 560 New York Avenue, 718.773.1180
Fridays, 2 PM
Clarendon Library, 2035 Nostrand Avenue, 718.421.1159
Toddler Time with FirstRIF
Engage in interactive play and enjoy stories with toddlers, 18 to 36 months. Also earn free books by reading! See your librarian for details
Tuesdays, Jan 4 & 18, 10:30 AM
Sunset Park Library, 5108 4th Avenue, 718.567.2806
Wednesdays, 1:30 PM
Brooklyn Heights Library, 280 Cadman Plaza West, 718.623.7000
Fridays, 11 AM
Clinton Hill Library, 380 Washington Avenue, 718.398.8713
Babies & Books with FirstRIF
Enjoy books, songs and rhymes with babies, birth to 18 months. Also earn free books by reading! See your librarian for details.
Friday, Jan 7, 10:30 AM
Windsor Terrace Library, 160 East Fifth Street, 718.686.9707
Tuesday, Jan 11, 10:30 AM
Sunset Park Library, 5108 4th Avenue, 718.567.2806
Friday, Jan 21, 10:30 AM
Windsor Terrace Library, 160 East Fifth Street, 718.686.9707
Tuesdays, 1:30 PM
Brooklyn Heights Library, 280 Cadman Plaza West, 718.623.7000
Tuesdays, 4:15 PM
Clinton Hill Library, 380 Washington Avenue, 718.398.8713
Babies & Books
Enjoy books, songs and rhymes with babies, birth to 18 months.
Tuesday, Jan 25, 10:30 AM
Sunset Park Library, 5108 4th Avenue, 718.567.2806
Wednesdays, 3:30 PM
Flatlands Library, 2065 Flatbush Avenue, 718.253.4409
Fridays, 10:30 AM
Cortelyou Library, 1305 Cortelyou Road, 718.693.7763
Toddler Time
Engage in interactive play and enjoy stories with toddlers, 18 to 36 months.
Mondays, 10:30 AM
Pacific Library, 25 Fourth Avenue, 718.638.1531
Fridays, 11 AM
Flatlands Library, 2065 Flatbush Avenue, 718.253.4409
Preschool Story Time
Enjoy classic books and songs with others, ages 3 to 5.
Fridays, 10:30 AM
Pacific Library, 25 Fourth Avenue, 718.638.1531
Kids Events
Arts & Crafts
Thursday, Jan 13, 4 PM
Homecrest Library, 2525 Coney Island Avenue, 718.382.5924
Friday, Jan 14, 4 PM
Brighton Beach Library, 16 Brighton First Road, 718.946.2917
Friday, Jan 14, 4 PM
Cortelyou Library, 1305 Cortelyou Road, 718.693.7763
Friday, Jan 14, 4 PM
Gerritsen Beach Library, 2808 Gerritsen Avenue, 718.368.1435
Fridays, 4 PM
Pacific Library, 25 Fourth Avenue, 718.638.1531
Origami
Friday, Jan 28, 4 PM
Brighton Beach Library, 16 Brighton First Road, 718.946.2917
Miracles of Magic
Myron the Magnificent astounds by producing items from thin air, reading unknown thoughts, creating mysterious transformations and more!
Saturday, Jan 29, 1 PM
Central Library, Dweck Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100
Wednesdays, 3:30 PM
Pacific Library, 25 Fourth Avenue, 718.638.1531
After-School Homework Help
Get free help from trained adult volunteers.
Thursdays, 3:30 PM
Cortelyou Library, 1305 Cortelyou Road, 718.693.7763
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
Tutoring by B.U.P.H.
Free tutoring services provided by Black United and Proud of Our Heritage. For children in grades 1 through 6.
Saturdays, 2:30 PM
Registration required
Rugby Library, 1000 Utica Avenue, 718.566.0054
Art Workshops with Illustrators
Kids ages 8 to 12 can learn to create art alongside their favorite illustrators!
These workshops can only accommodate 25 kids, so they are first come, first served.
Paper Jungle with Yunmee Kyong
Artist Yunmee Kyong and participants will use papier-mache to make four-legged, two-legged or no legged animals!
Saturday, Jan 8, 2:30 PM.
Central Library - Second Floor Meeting Room,10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100
Masks from Around the World with Sam Tomasello
Masks have been an important part of many cultures around the world, including the Pacific Northwest Coast, Japan, Africa, and Brazil. Workshop participants will receive a blank paper mask form to decorate with oil pastels or construction paper, and feathers. Artist SAm Tomasello will demonstrate how to create paper sculpture elements to glue onto masks. After the decoration process is finished, we will make the masks three-dimensional so that they can be worn.
Saturday, Jan 15, 2:30 PM
Central Library, Second Floor Meeting Room,10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100
Children Make Terrible Pets...but Terrific Artists with Peter Brown
Artist Peter Brown will discuss how he combined wood grains, cut papers and drawings to make the art for his newest picture book, Children Make Terrible Pets. Then he'll help the kids use those same materials to make their own woodsy works of art.
Saturday, Jan 22, 2:30 PM
Central Library, Second Floor Meeting Room, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100
Teen Events
Wii Gaming
Join your friends and make new ones while playing video games.
Wednesdays, Jan 5 & 26, 3:30 PM
Clarendon Library, 2035 Nostrand Avenue, 718.421.1159
Karaoke & Dance Dance Revolution
Join your friends and meet new ones while playing these games.
Thursdays, Jan 6 & 20, 3:30 PM
Clarendon Library, 2035 Nostrand Avenue, 718.421.1159
Anime & Manga
Enjoy fun activities and screenings of cool anime features.
Fridays, Jan 7 & 21, 3:30 PM
Cortelyou Library, 1305 Cortelyou Road, 718.693.7763
Internet Workshop: Free Money for College
Learn how to search online for grants, scholarships and other financial assistance for college.
Wednesday, Jan 12, 1:30 PM
Clarendon Library, 2035 Nostrand Avenue, 718.421.1159
PlayStation Gaming
Join your friends and meet new ones while playing video games.
Wednesday, Jan 12, 3:30 PM
Clarendon Library, 2035 Nostrand Avenue, 718.421.1159
Thursdays, 3:30 PM
Flatlands Library, 2065 Flatbush Avenue, 718.253.4409
Thursdays, 4 PM
Gerritsen Beach Library, 2808 Gerritsen Avenue, 718.368.1435
Fridays, 3:30 PM
Homecrest Library, 2525 Coney Island Avenue, 718.382.5924
Growing Dollars and Sense: Banking Basics Workshop
Thursday, Jan 13, 4 PM
Rugby Library, 1000 Utica Avenue, 718.566.0054
Growing Dollars and Sense: Credit and Debit Workshop
Thursday, Jan 20, 4 PM
Rugby Library, 1000 Utica Avenue, 718.566.0054
Growing Dollars and Sense: Budgeting and Smart Shopping Workshop
Thursday, Jan 27, 4 PM
Rugby Library, 1000 Utica Avenue, 718.566.0054
Chess
Wednesdays, 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
Mapleton Library. 1702 60th Street, 718.256.2117
Tween & Teen Time
Hang out and enjoy books, games and music. Ages 11 to 17.
Fridays, 3:30 PM
Sunset Park Library, 5108 4th Avenue, 718.567.2806
Exhibitions
All exhibitions run September 21, 2010 - January 23, 2011 at Central Library, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 718.230.2100
Drawn in Brooklyn • curated by John Bemelmans Marciano
Brooklyn Public Library presents a festival and exhibition of children's book art curated by John Bemelmans Marciano and featuring the work of over 30 illustrators who live and work in Brooklyn, from the most exciting newcomers in publishing to the legends of the business.
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