James Baldwin’s America

Sept. 19, Oct. 16, Nov. 14, & Dec. 12 from 7:00-8:30 PM

A reading and discussion program funded by a grant from Humanities New York that focuses on James Baldwin’s early novels, stories, and essays. Baldwin’s essay “Many Thousands Gone” included in Notes of a Native Son, first published 60 years ago, is particularly relevant in today’s society. Dr. Kathleen M. Donovan, Asst. Professor of Political Science at St. John Fisher College, will facilitate the four-part series. Copies of the two texts, The Early Novels and Stories of James Baldwin and The Collected Essays of James Baldwin, will be available. Registration is full for this series.

The Rochester Subway

Sunday, September 22 from 2:30-3:30 PM

Jim Dierks, a long-time trustee of the New York Museum of Transportation, will discuss the construction, operation, and eventual demise of this state-of-the-art transit system built in the abandoned Erie Canal bed. Register here

College 101

Wednesday, September 25 from 7:00-8:00 PM

For high-schoolers and parents. Applying to college can be an overwhelming and challenging time. Course selection, standardized testing, and extracurricular activities are all just part of the process. When and how does a family begin the process together? Large school or small? Far away or close to home? How do family values, finances, and vision impact this choice? Join us as Jodi Rosenshein Atkin, MA, LLC, an independent college admissions counselor, helps you develop a road map to the process. Learn how to begin the family discussion, maximize the value of college visits, explore the different cultures that schools may reflect, and discover what life may be like for a student on those campuses. Register here

Health Care Navigator Session

Tuesday, October 1 from 4:30-8:00 PM

A certified application counselor will be present to help individuals enroll in health insurance through the NY State of Health Marketplace. Call (585) 613-7662 to register for an appointment and to find out what you need to bring.

Reversing Global Warming: Intro to Drawdown

Thursday, October 3 from 2:30-3:30 PM

The Pachamama Alliance of Rochester invites everyone to learn all about Project Drawdown, a scientific study that identified 100 solutions that, together, could actually reverse global warming by 2050. Two introductory sessions are offered and you may attend either one. Register here

Save the dates for “Drawdown Solutions: Getting Into Action Workshop”: Thursdays, October 10, 17, 24, and November 21, 6:00-8:30 PM

Did you know that Penfield Public Library has an Instagram account just for teens? You can find out about cool programs, fun projects, and the wild poses your friends may be striking at Teen Tuesdays! Check it out here

“The Library is accessible to all, including those patrons with sensory or mobility challenges. We offer devices and installations to assist challenged patrons to enjoy our programs and services. To find out more, visit the Library or call (585) 340-8720.”

You’ll be the first to know about upcoming programs at Penfield Public Library when you subscribe to our monthly library program email newsletter. Every issue contains a link to register for programs online.

Supports Penfield Library Volunteers:

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Registration for Fall Story Times

Thursday, September 5 for residents & September 12 for all others

Register online or by phone at 340-8720 beginning September 5 at 10 AM. Walk-ins welcome. Due to the volume of calls the first day of registration, we may experience phone difficulties.

Baby Story Time (infants & pre-walkers): Fridays, October 4-December 6, 10:00-10:30 AM – Register

Wee Walkers Play Time (ages 12-23 months): Fridays, October 4-December 6, 11:30 AM-12:15 PM – Register

Terrific Twos (age 2): Mondays, Tuesdays, or Wednesdays, September 30-December 11, 9:40-10:05 AM – Register: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays

Preschool Story Time (ages 3-5): September 23-April, 2020, Mondays or Thursdays, 10:30-11:00 AM (Tuesday session cancelled due to low registration) – Register: Mondays, Thursdays

Evening Preschool Story Time (ages 3-5): Tuesdays, October 1-April, 2020, 6:45-7:15 PM – Register

*We reserve the right to cancel a story time if fewer than ten children register for it.

Baby Sing, Sign, & Play

Fridays, September 20 & 27 from 10:30-11:00 AM

For hearing babies up to 24 months, with an adult. Presented by signing instructor Linda Schmackpfeffer. Join us for a fun and interactive class for hearing babies! We will use music, books, and playful activities to promote preverbal communication using ASL signs. Babies who use a few simple signs actually speak sooner and are less frustrated than their non-signing peers. Register here

Put Your Garden to Bed So It Wakes Up Fresh as a Daisy

Tuesday, September 24 from 7:00-8:30 PM

Share some time with Mary Jo Lane as she walks you through the tips and tricks of planting bulbs, herbs, shrubs, and perennials for an easy spring explosion of color. Register here

Road to the 2020 Census

Thursday, September 26 from 7:00-8:00 PM

Susan Perry, Partnership Specialist of the Greater Rochester Area, NY Regional Census Division, will discuss the upcoming 2020 census and how it benefits our community. Register here

Sweet Bites: A Taste of Poetry Over the Lunch Hour

Tuesday, October 1 from Noon-1:00 PM

In the tradition of an informal literary “salon”, the library is providing an opportunity to taste the sweetness of poetry paired with dessert and coffee. Poet and teach Kathleen Wakefield will read a selection of poems to get us thinking about the relation of poetry to the lived life. Participants will be welcomed to share their own literary and life experiences as they explore why poetry matters. Dessert and coffee will be provided; participants may bring bagged lunches if desired. Register here

BookBrowse: Your Guide to Exceptional Books

Penfield Public Library now offers our members free access to BookBrowse.com, a leading book recommendation and review website. BookBrowse believes that the very best books entertain, uplift, and educate. They wrap us in their world, giving us a window into the lives of others or a mirror to reflect on ourselves. These are the books you’ll find on BookBrowse.

Some of BookBrowse’s content is publicly available, but many premium features are accessible only by subscription. Library patrons can now use their library card to access members-only content!

Did you know that whenever you shop on Amazon, you can benefit the library at the same time? Log into smile.amazon.com. You will be prompted to select a benefitting organization. We hope you’ll choose Penfield Public Library. You may then shop as usual and 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible items will be donated to your designated nonprofit organization!

We now offer wireless printing! Whether inside or outside the library, just go to http://www.printeron.net/ppl/main , upload your document, then pick it up using our document station. Our station will remember your document for 3 days.  The cost is 15¢ per black and white side and $1.00 per color side.