Enjoy a Free Family Pass to the History Museum on the Square
Families can check out a free pass to explore all the hands-on exhibits about Springfield’s early days and infamous characters. Become part of the story as you “ride’ on the passenger train, encounter a Wild Bill Hickok shootout, and immerse yourself in the Birthplace of Route 66. All you need is your library card, and you can check out a pass at any Springfield-Greene County Library branch, the Mobile Library, or Library Express East and Library Express West 24-hour kiosks. Passes admit up to six people and are valid for seven days. Don’t forget – you can also check out a free pass to the Discovery Center of Springfield. Just look for the display in the libraries to check out a pass for either museum with your valid library card. For more information and guidelines, about the passes, visit thelibrary.org/passes. The History Museum on the Square is at 154 Park Central Square. Discovery Center of Springfield is at 438 E. St. Louis St.
Author Diane Wilson Presents “The Seed Keeper” During Library’s Community One Read
The public is invited to hear author Diane Wilson discuss her book “The Seed Keeper” at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 13, on the main floor of the Library Center, 4653 S. Campbell Ave. The novel spans several generations, following a Dakota family’s struggles and sacrifices to preserve their way of life and protect what matters most. Her visit is part of the March-April One Read, that encourages the whole community to read the same title and attend related programs. The Library will host a range of programs with the Springfield American Indian Center about sustainable gardening, the Three Sisters seed plantings, and Native American culture. The full schedule is at thelibrary.org/oneread.
Ozarks Life Stories — A Study of the People Who Shaped Our Culture, is a series at the Library Center April 20-May 25 that features topics ranging from Max Hunter: Ozarks Folk Song Collector, to the legacy of golfer Horton Smith, to Ernie Bedell on “Generation B Music & Melodies. The series rounds out with an evening with photographer Bob Linder on Life Though a Lens, and video journalist Ed Fillmer with a collection of his Ozark Life Stories. Visit thelibrary.org/programs for details.
Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale is April 26-30
Spring sale shoppers will find a giant collection of children’s board books, Elvis Presley books, romance, mystery and food at the Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale April 26-30 at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds E*Plex, 3001 N. Grant Ave.
The Friends Night Preview Sale has been extended an hour to run 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, April 25. Friends members can shop that night for free; non-members can pay $5 at the door to shop and join the Friends.
Admission is always free the rest of the sale:
• Wednesday-Friday, April 26-28, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Saturday, April 29, Half-Price Day, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Sunday, April 30, Bag Day, 1-5 p.m.
Adult, young adult and children’s books and most audiovisuals are $1 or less. Better books are priced $2 and up. Friends accept cash or check only, and there is no tax.
Author Kwame Alexander Visits Springfield April 27
Kwame Alexander, the award-winning young adult author of 36 books including “Crossover,” will speak to students, adults and educators on Thursday, April 27, at the Springfield Art Museum, 1111 E. Brookside Drive. From 7-8 p.m. during the free event in the auditorium, he will discuss his works and young adult literature. Books will be available for purchase and signing.
From 3:30-5 p.m. in the community room, Alexander will give a workshop for K-12 teachers on teaching writing to youth. Registration and fee required; call Rhonda Hittenberger Ortiz, instructional dpecialist, MSU Agency for Teaching, Leading and Learning, at 417-836-4090.
In addition to “Crossover,” a verse novel that won the 2015 Newbery Award, Alexander is the No.1 New York Times Bestselling author of books including “The Door of No Return,” “An American Story,” and the Caldecott Medal and Newbery Honor-winning picture book “The Undefeated,” illustrated by Kadir Nelson. A regular contributor to NPR’s Morning Edition, Alexander is the recipient of the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award and The Coretta Scott King Author Honor.
Alexander’s presentations are sponsored through a partnership of the Springfield Art Museum, MSU Agency for Teaching, Leading, and Learning, and the African American Read-In, a collaborative of the MSU Libraries, the Springfield-Greene County Library District, Drury University, Springfield Public Schools; and the Springfield NAACP.
The author’s presentations are supported in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by the Missouri State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State.