Platt's 7th Anniversary Celebration marked my 28th wedding anniversary as well, and I couldn't have had a better party! Always a three-ring circus, this year's extravaganza was simply more. More events, more treats, more high spirits and good fun (not to mention Shel Schuster's amazing more books and more sales). More Quilts, too: the latest is now on view across from the checkout counter, thanks to Sue Schuster's talent and midnight stitchery. And I was even more impressed by Friends volunteers’ energy and coordination—especially Millie Berger's near-magical ability to pull it all together with such seeming ease. Many, many thanks to all for a celebration superbly executed!
But now back to library business because the hectic pace of our seventh year isn't over yet:
Jan Metzler, Senior Librarian
Platt's Young Adult programs continue to expand. Coming up this summer, we have several exciting events:
Cartoon Drawshop - Monday, June 24 at 2 pm, teens can learn how to draw cartoons and caricatures in a workshop conducted by Max Espinoza and Ruben Gerard. Step-by-step, Max will demonstrate cartooning characters such as Fred Flintstone, Tweety Bird, and The Tasmanian Devil, and Rubenwill show participants how they developed Ally, their comic strip superhero. Both instructors have been professional comic artists for over a decade, working for film studios and enlivening special events. For more details, browse their website at http://members.aol.com/califcaricature/index.html.
Hot Jazz for Teens - Thursday evening, July 18 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm, as part of Platt's "Rhythms and Reading" program, jazz singer and teacher Cathy Segal-Garcia will lead a talented group of jazz musicians. Musically inclined teens will be invited to join the creative process in a workshop-style jam session. Refreshments will be served after the program. Adults must be accompanied by a teenager.
Vicki Clarke, Young Adult Librarian
Children's Librarian Vicki Migliori created Platt's new Kids’ Book Club because, she told us, she'd always wanted a club where older kids could “play around” with books they'd read, find friends with the same interests, and—by the way—increase reading comprehension. Using Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone as the kick-off book, the club premiered April 25th with eighteen mostly middle schoolers in attendance. In addition to learning more about the author and sharing opinions, they played bookquiz (less active than quidditch, but less sedentary than Jeopardy) and took turns projecting themselves into the story.
Vicki said she began by sharing a short bio of the author. “I told how J. K. Rowling was well read as a young child and, as a result, grew up being imaginative, making up stories for friends and her younger sister.
“The real fun began with the bookquiz game. For each of the 16 questions about the book and author, kids scrambled to line up behind a letter corresponding to the answer. Those who answered correctly got a raffle ticket. Some were guessing, but most of them knew the answers.
“After the game, cookies and punch were served. By this time, the kids were talking among themselves, counting their tickets, resting on the carpet—ready to participate individually. At this point, I asked them a theoretical question with no right or wrong answer: ‘If you could have a magical ability like Harry Potter, what would it be?’ One boy raised his hand and said, ‘I would want to be invisible.’ He was then told to select from the free books displayed on the table. All of a sudden, they all raised their hands and wanted to be called on. At the end, all had received a free book.
“The final part was calling out the winning raffle numbers for additional prizes. Winners received Harry Potter Movie Books and posters. Before they dispersed, we told them to bring a friend to next month's Book Club meeting.
“Not only did the kids have fun and learn, I did too!”
The club meets once a month on Thursdays at 3:30 pm. Kids will be tackling Roald Dahl's Matilda as we go to press. The Secret of Platform 13 by Eva Ibbotson is scheduled for June 27, followed by Lemony Snicket's The Bad Beginning on August 1. Keep an eye on the Calendar of Events for future dates. Judging from the participation and positive comments received from participants, Vicki's format was a rollicking success. Way to go, Vicki!
Mr. Isaacman, the retired LAUSD teacher who did Platt's book discussion last year, deserves special thanks for helping launch this program. He'll be highlighting scenes at upcoming Kids’ Book Club meetings. Kudos also go to Nancy Brennan, our reassigned Children's Librarian; she helped refine the concept and caught the action on film.
Starting June 9, parents can pop into Platt Branch and enter their child in Pop Up For Reading!, LAPL's summer reading club for preschool and school children. Running June through August, this club offers jolly programs, Pop Up Reading folders, certificates, book bags, and other incentives to read great books. All fun! All free!
A free L.A. Kids Read Festival at the Central Library (630 W. Fifth Street) will kick-off this program on Saturday, June 8 from 12 to 4 pm. Parking is $1.00 with a library card. Platt Branch will provide free bus transportation for families. To reserve space on the bus, please call Children's Librarians Vicki Migliori or Nancy Brennan at (818) 340-9386.
The next time you visit the library, stop to admire the new appearance of library chairs. They have been reupholstered with beautiful, high-wear fabric chosen by Jan Metzler. Half of the chairs are covered in a small design pattern. The other half are upholstered with a darker modern motif. The fabrics are in colors designed to complement the library interior and show the least amount of soil. In the scope of the project, two chairs that had been relegated to storage because of huge holes in arms and cushions have also been put back into the library. This project represents completion of one more of the refurbishing requests funded by the Friends of Platt Library during this year.
Pure virtuosity marked the Pomegranate Guild's needlework display in May. And for furry exuberance, the Booth's award-winning pedigreed bunnies stole the show. They not only made a great April display, Julie Booth, her daughters Jenna and Becky, and their friend Megan Whitaker introduced them in the flesh at Platt's story time spring celebration. And they also attended our birthday party to the delight of every kid from 2 to 92. Thanks, all, for a year of great sharing.
The Friends of the Platt Library Newsletter is produced and maintained by Hearn/Perrell Art Associates. Editor: Therese Hearn
Artwork, photos and information are copyrighted by their respective Authors, the
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