Farmington Public Library plans busy spring
For the Farmington Public Library, April brings a great deal of buzz to its typically quiet hallways as its spring season continues with a host of events.
Tonight, the library presents an evening filled with wizards and magic as Family Movie Night offers J.K. Rowling’s newest film, “Fantastic Beasts.”
“I think this month’s Family Movie Night will be a big hit,” said Travis Trokey, the library’s director. “We had around 45 people at last month’s movie, but I think we will have more this month. ‘Fantastic Beasts’ is a very popular film based on J.K. Rowling latest book by the same title.”
According to Trokey, the free event begins at 6 p.m. in the community center and the library will be providing popcorn and refreshments to the evening’s participants.
Following Family Movie Night, the library will host an evening in honor of Holocaust Remembrance Day on April 24 as local author and Holocaust survivor Edith Rogers tells her life story of living through one of the world’s darkest times.
The 85-year-old grandmother discusses what life was like for a Jewish girl from Saarbruecken, Germany in the 1930s. Over the last few years, Rogers has spoken at several events about the reign of terror she witnessed during Adolph Hitler’s reign of terror.
“I’ve known Edith for a long time,” Trokey said. “She was more than willing to come speak about her experience.”
Rogers will begin talking at 6 p.m. in the community room of the library. The event is free to the public, but those 16-years-old and younger are asked to bring a parent or a guardian along.
For those who missed it the last time it was offered, the library is once again offering one of its most successful classes, the mushroom hunting seminar at 6 p.m. on April 25 in the library’s community room.
“The last time we held the class, we had 78 people participating,” Trokey said. “We got a ton of phone calls the next day asking us when we were going to offer the class again. So, since there was so much interest, we decide to offer it again this month.”
According to Trokey, the popularity of the mushroom hunting class has been a big surprise. The library has held the class four different times with 50 people being the fewest in attendance.
“People just seem to love this class,” Trokey said. “So we are going to keep offering it.”
One hope that Trokey has for the library is offering something for everyone in the family, which can sometimes be rather difficult for teens. Trokey believes the library staff has the right event for them – Teen Movie night. This month’s feature will be the epic Star Wars movie, “Rogue One “showing in the community room at 5:30 p.m. on April 27.
“We try to find something for everyone,” Trokey said. “Teen Movie Night is only for teens. We try to give them their own space. We are pretty strict about it being teens only, so they don’t have to watch a movie with their parents or one of their siblings.”
With April being National Poetry Month, the library will be hosting an evening for anyone who enjoys poetry. Whether a poet or just enjoy listening to verse, the evening is designed for anyone with an interest in poetry.
When April draws to an end, the library will have hosted 24 events – the most they have ever done in one month. As a result, May will not be as hectic. According to Trokey, May is typically a slower month.
“We have never had a month as busy as April before. We had 24 scheduled events,” Trokey said. “So in May, we are going to try and catch our breath. Last year, May was a bit slower with the end of the school year, graduation and people going on trips, but we still have a few thing to offer.’
May will still have 16 events to offer including Candy Construction at 4 p.m. on May 8 with a Mother’s Day theme.
“Candy Construction will be held the week before Mother’s Day,” Trokey said. “They will be creating what looks like a potted flower all done with candy. It will be something for dads to bring their kids to make mom a Mothers’ Day gift.”
The other big May event, according to Trokey, will be Minecraft Madness: Teen Edition at 6 p.m. on May 12.
For more information on any event, contact the library at 756-5779 or through the website at Farmington-mo.gov/library.
Trying to offer something for everyone, the Farmington Public Library has an abundance of options for people looking for something to do. During April, the library has schedule 24 events and another 16 events scheduled for May.
Craig Vaughn is a reporter for the Farmington Press and can be reached at 573-518-3629 or at cvaughn@farmingtonpressonline.com
