Published on Saturday, February 11, 2012
Langston Hughes was born in the Midwest. He spent a year at Columbia University and then worked on tramp steamships in Africa and Europe. After finishing college at Lincoln University, he traveled to Cuba, Haiti and Russia. A participant in the Harlem Renaissance, he was good friends with Countee Cullen and Zora Neale Hurston. In the 1920s, Hughes worked for Carter Woodson in Washington, D.C. In celebration of Black History Month and Hughes' February birthday, Petworth Library has a display of books about Hughes and the Harlem Renaissance, including:
A Unique Opportunity with the Phillips Collection
Published on Saturday, January 28, 2012
The Phillips Collection will host a program where children hone their visual literacy skills, learn about Jacob Lawrence's artistic process and the history of the Great Migration. Join us Saturday, February 11, at 1 p.m. in the Meeting Room on the lower level.
Ages 8-12. Groups, please call 202-243-1188 to register.
Read about Jacob Lawrence and the Great Migration:
Jacob Lawrence: American Scenes/American Struggles
An Oral History Collaboration with WAMU 88.5
Published on Saturday, January 28, 2012
Celebrate Chinese New Year in the Petworth Library's Children's Room
Published on Thursday, January 12, 2012
According to the Chinese zodiac, 2012 is the year of the dragon.
Children of all ages, please join us at the Petworth Neighborhood Library on Monday, January 23, at 4 p.m. to celebrate the Chinese New Year! We will learn about Chinese New Year traditions and make dragon puppets. Each child will receive special Chinese treats!
While all ages are welcome, young children will need assistance with the craft. We will meet in the children's programming room on the second floor of the library.
Groups, please call to register: 202-243-1188.
There and Back Again with Hobbits and Wizards
Published on Wednesday, January 11, 2012
J. R. R. Tolkien was born in January, 1892. He and C. S. Lewis, author of The Chronicles of Narnia, were friends, members of the Inklings literary group, and colleagues at Oxford University. Tolkien, a professor of English, was very interested in mythology and philology (the study of written languages). Petworth Neighborhood Library has mounted a display of books by and about Tolkien, including:
Yoga @ Your Library Becomes a Weekly Class in 2012!
Published on Thursday, December 29, 2011
This Saturday's yoga class (December 31, 2011) has been canceled. However, starting in January 2012, the yoga class will meet every week instead of just twice a month! Join us Saturdays at 11 a.m. for Yoga @ Your Library. This is a beginner level class, no experience necessary, free of charge, no need to register.
Yoga mats are available for use during the class.
Published on Tuesday, December 27, 2011
On Thursday, December 22, we had over 50 children at our Gingerbread Party. We read
The Gingerbread Man, and children decorated gingerbread cookies with icing and candy.
Some children couldn't wait to get home to eat their cookies!
It was a wonderful way for us to spend time with our neighbors, and we look forward to doing it again next year.
Published on Tuesday, December 20, 2011
There will be no English Conversation Circle for English Language Learners on Thursday, December 22. After this holiday hiatus, English Conversation Circles will return on Tuesday, December 27, and continue every Tuesday and Thursday at 10 a.m.
Please join us to practice your conversation skills!
Published on Saturday, December 10, 2011
Jane Austen was born in December 1775. Austen's work fell into obscurity after her death in 1817, but renewed interest in Austen's novels began to develop in the 20th century. This interest intensified after Colin Firth played Mr. Darcy in a 1995 BBC serialization of Pride and Prejudice.
Austen's work has inspired numerous authors. Petworth Library has a display of Austen's work and some of the authors inspired by her, including:
Published on Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Looking for new cookie recipes? Need some ideas for a cookie swap? Want to channel Martha Stewart or Julia Child?
The "Food" section of the December 7, 2011, Washington Post lists 25 cookie recipes.
For more ideas, see the display at Petworth Library, which includes the books below (among others):
