Escondido Library’s offerings revealed

Writer’s Group now forming

Time for a first at the Escondido Public Library from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 5. The Escondido Writers Group meets for the first time. The group is free and open to all who would write. Since this notice is last-minute, perhaps the group won;t mind you not pre-registering first.

Writers of fiction, non-fiction and memoirs are all invited to join the group for an opportunity to improve their writing by participating in monthly readings and group critiques. Participants are encouraged to bring samples of their current writing projects to share and receive constructive feedback. Pre-registration is required, please register at library.escondido.org/register.

For more information about future Escondido Writers Group meetings, visit http://library.escondido.org or contact Cecy Rayphole, Senior Library Associate, at (760) 839-4289 or at crayphole@escondido.org.

String Quartet Quartetto Sorrento

String Quartet Quartetto Sorrento is scheduled to play its Escondido Public Library’s 2nd Saturday Concert series heart out  3 p.m. April 9 at the Turrentine Room. Violinists Paula Simmons, Ondrei Lewitt, Michael Dvoskin and cellist Gordon Grubbs perform classical music by composers ranging from Haydn and Mozart to Shostakovich, Debussy, and Thompson.

The concert series featuring an array of classical, jazz, and other diverse musical styles runs through May when mandolin duo MandoBasso makes an appearance. performances are free and open to the public.

For more information, contact librarian David Frazee at (760) 839-4839 or visit library.escondido.org/concerts.

National Library Week meet Escondido Library Month

It’s that time of year.

National Library Week seemed like such a good deal as it happens from April 10 to 16 that Escondido Public Library officials decided to turn it into a monthlong celebration of all things library.

“Service to the community has always been the focus of the Library,” assistant library director Cynthia Smith said. “Libraries level the playing field for people of any age who are seeking information and access to technologies that will improve their quality of life.

“Escondido Public Library invites everyone in our community to discover the treasure chest of learning and cultural opportunities during National Library Month,” Smith said. “I hope you’ll come visit!”

To that end projected highlights include:

• April 2, 2016, 9:00 a.m. – April Pools Day – Join Library and Recreation staff at James A. Stone Pool (131 Woodward Ave, Escondido) for a free water safety expo.
• April 5, 2016, 1:00 p.m. – Escondido Writers Group – Aspiring writers share samples of their work and receive constructive feedback at this new monthly workshop.
• April 9, 2016, 3:00 p.m. – 2^nd Saturday Concert Series Presents: Quartetto Sorrento, a classical string quartet.
• April 13, 2016, 10 a.m. – National Bookmobile Day – participate in pop-up programs for all ages throughout the day in the Library’s parking lot.
• April 28, 2016, 3:30 p.m. – Día de los Ninos, Día de los Libros (Children’s Day, Book Day) Celebration with music, storytelling, and crafts honoring children families, books, and reading.

El Dia de los Ninos, El Dia de los Libres

Kids love the library.

Come one, come all, kids that is, to Children’s Day, Book Day from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, April 28 at the Turrentine Room. This interactive program with storytelling and crafts connects families and children of all ages to books and reading, and celebrates the diversity of cultures in our community, according to Rayphole.

El Día, as it is commonly known, is inspired by Mexico’s annual El Día del Niño (Day of the Child) and serves as an introduction to the rich family traditions preserved in the Latin community. It is also a nationally recognized initiative, especially celebrated by libraries, that emphasizes the importance of literacy for all children from all backgrounds.

The program encourages parents to celebrate their children by making a daily commitment to promoting reading at home. Escondido Public Library’s program will feature story-time beginning at 3:30 p.m., followed by a variety of craft stations for puppet-making, tissue paper flower creation, water color painting, and chalk art.

Star Wars May the 4th be with you

Calling George Lucas.

This interactive event for all ages celebrates the Star Wars culture in books and cinema takes off from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 4.

Children and adults are encouraged to wear Star Wars themed costumes and participate in a contest which will begin at 5 p.m. Special guests from the international Star Wars costume enthusiasts’ organization, the 501st Legion, will be dressed in authentic Star Wars regalia to provide character meet-and-greets.

Escondido Public Library is located at 239 South Kalmia Street in Escondido. All Library programs are free and open to the public. This program is sponsored by Friends of the Escondido Public Library.

Registration is not required, but early arrival is encouraged as space and supplies may be limited. For more information about the Star Wars May the 4th Be With You program, contact Adult Services Librarian, Monica Barrette, at (760) 839-4836 or at mbarrette@escondido.org. Additional information about the Library’s programs can be found at library.escondido.org.