Celebrate National Library Week April 13-19 at your neighborhood library.
Celebrate National Library Week April 13-19 at your neighborhood library.
In alignment with the state Board of Education and Department of Education emphasis on student achievement, Hawaii’s public libraries will offer a variety of free educational STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts &Math)-related programs throughout this month.
The programs are suitable for ages 5 and older, unless noted otherwise, and all children must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver. National Library Week is a national observance sponsored each April by the American Library Association and libraries nationwide. It is intended to highlight the value of libraries, librarians and library workers.
“Lives change @ your library” is the theme selected by ALA for National Library Week 2014. Featured programs include “The Insect World,” with entomologist Ryan Caesar of the University of Hawaii at Manoa Department of Plant &Environmental Protection Sciences, who will discuss insect biology and native Hawaiian insect biodiversity and conservation.
Caesar will also share information about the University of Hawaii Insect Museum, which houses one of the largest collections of Hawaiian insects in the state, and is an important research facility. This one-hour interactive program will include live insects and preserved specimens from the museum.
On the Big Island, it will be presented at 2:45 p.m. Thursday, April 24, at Naalehu Public Library (phone: 939-2442), and 5 p.m. Monday, April 28, at North Kohala Public Library (phone: 889-6655).
In “The Science of Tools, Armor and Weapons” Greywolf, a Native American with more than 10 years of experience in weapons smithing and Hawaii’s only professional medieval armorer, will present a hands-on experience featuring authentic handcrafted weapons and antiques, period costumes, demonstrations, and audience participation.
The Big Island programs will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 19, at Thelma Parker Memorial Public &School Library (phone: 887-6067) and at 2 p.m. that day at the Kailua-Kona Public Library (phone: 327-4327).
In “Light and Spectra,” The University of Hawaii Institute for Astronomy will demonstrate how astronomers use the light given off by planets, stars and galaxies to understand their composition and temperature.
This 45-minute program is suitable for all ages and will be offered at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, April 16, at Pahala Public &School Library (phone: 928-2015).
In “A Tribute to Slack Key,” John Keawe, a multiple Na Hoku Hanohano and Hawaii Music Awards recipient, will offer a tribute to the slack key guitar style, performing selections from his original compositions as well as the music of Raymond Kane, Leonard Kwan and others. This 45-minute program is suitable for ages 5 and older and will be presented at 6:30 p.m. April 28 at Mountain View Public &School Library (phone: 968-2322).
In a “Search for Planets Outside Our Solar System,” astronomer Andrew Howard of the University of Hawaii Institute for Astronomy will offer an illuminating presentation about the hunt for exoplanets and the quest for another earth. This 45-minute program is suitable for ages 14 and older and will be presented 3 p.m. Wednesdayat Kailua-Kona Public Library (phone: 327-4327).
Contact the hosting library for each event as soon as possible if a sign language interpreter or other special accommodation is needed.
Programs are subject to change.
For more information, visit www.librarieshawaii.org for a complete listing of 2014 National Library Week programs or call your local library to find out what programs will be offered.