Highlights Include African-American History Month, Academy Award Shorts

All programs are free. Accommodations for those with special needs are available. Please request at (316) 261-8500 a minimum of 48 hours in advance of the event. Seating is limited. Thanks to the City of Wichita, Wichita Public Library Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities and Friends of the Wichita Public Library for making many of these programs possible.

Monthly Book Discussion Groups
Registration is not required. Check www.wichita.lib.ks.us for title information. (60 minutes)

Evergreen Branch Library - 1st Thursdays
6:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 3, Feb. 7, March 7, April 4, and May 2, Evergreen Branch Library, 2601 N. Arkansas, 303-8181

Orchard Park Branch Library - 1st Fridays
2:15 p.m., Friday, Jan. 4, Feb. 1, March 1, April 5, and May 3, Orchard Park Branch Library, 4808 W. 9th, 337-9084
 
Evergreen Branch Library - 1st Tuesdays
1 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 8, Feb. 5, March 5, April 2, and May 7, Evergreen Branch Library, 2601 N. Arkansas, 303-8181

NEW! The Big Read Master List Book Discussion (Central Library – 2nd Thursdays)
One great book a year is not enough! Work your way through the National Endowment for the Arts full list of Big Read titles at neabigread.org with this group.
6:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 10, Feb. 14, March 14, April 11, and May 9, Central Library, 223 S. Main, 261-8500

Westlink Branch Library - 3rd Tuesdays
1 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 15, Feb. 19, March 19, April 16, and May 21, Westlink Branch Library, 8515 Bekemeyer, 337-9456

On the Same Page - Central 3rd Tuesdays
6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 15, Feb. 19, March 19, April 16, and May 21, Central Library, 223 S. Main, 261-8500

Masters of Mystery (4th Wednesdays)
6 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 23, Feb. 27, March 27, April 24, and May 22, Alford Branch Library, 3447 S. Meridian, 337-9119

Mystery (Last Mondays)
1 p.m., Monday, Jan. 28, Feb. 25, March 25, April 29, and May 20, Rockwell Branch Library, 5939 E. 9th, 688-9361

Scrabble Fest
Are you a word nerd? Exercise your mind and join the fun as we play this classic board game. All level of players welcome, but you must be at least 16 years of age. Light refreshments will be provided. Registration required. (2 hours)

• 2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 5, Maya Angelou Northeast Branch Library, 3051 E. 21st, 688-9580 (Registration is required and begins Wednesday, Dec. 19; call 688-9580.)
• 2 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 24, Evergreen Branch Library, 2601 N. Arkansas, 303-8181 (Registration required and begins Wednesday, Feb. 6; call 303-8181.)

Senior Wednesdays
Senior Wednesdays are designed for active seniors age 55 or better and offered in cooperation with other institutions across Wichita. See www.seniorwednesday.org for complete details. (60 minutes)

A Stranger Abroad with Dr. Schuyler Jones
Dr. Schuyler Jones, grandson of one of Wichita’s founders J.R. Mead, has traveled the world extensively as an anthropologist, museum curator, Oxford professor and author. Learn more about his adventures from the man rumored to have been the inspiration behind “Indiana Jones.”

• 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 9, Central Library, 223 S. Main, 261-8500

The History of Wichita’s Black Media
Bonita Gooch, publisher of The Community Voice for the past 20 years, presents the journalistic history of Wichita’s black community and how current trends in publishing are affecting neighborhood publishers.

• 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 13, Central Library, 223 S. Main, 261-8500

Is 60 the New 40?
Society may be getting older, but seniors are getting more savvy about how to turn their golden years into healthy, productive ones. Dr. Jerry Old, physician and humorist, offers advice on how to make your senior years the best years of your life.

• 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 13, Central Library, 223 S. Main, 261-8500

Senior Safety
In this fun and informative presentation, Krista Lovette from the Central Plains Area Agency on Aging shares tips on how to prevent injuring yourself in a fall and how to protect your home and loved ones in case of fire.

• 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 10, Central Library, 223 S. Main, 261-8500

Welcome to Marion County, Kansas!
Take an armchair visit to one of our nearby countries and learn more about what interesting things there are to see and do in Marion County.

• 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, May 8, Central Library, 223 S. Main, 261-8500

Kid Lit for Adults
Parents, grandparents, teachers, media specialists, librarians and all adults who enjoy reading children's books will enjoy this informal discussion of quality literature. Hear different perspectives and enhance your understanding of children's literature. Approved for professional development credit by Wichita Public Schools and in-service hours by Kansas Department of Health & Environment. Registration is required; see individual listings for details. (2 hours)

• Virginia Lee Burton
  10:15 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 12, Evergreen Branch Library, 2601 N. Arkansas, 303-8181 (Registration required and begins Wednesday, Dec. 26; call 303-8181.)
• Jerry Pinkney
  10:15 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 9, Evergreen Branch Library, 2601 N. Arkansas, 303-8181 (Registration required and begins Wednesday, Jan. 23; call 303-8181.)
• Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel
  10:15 a.m., Saturday, March 9, Evergreen Branch Library, 2601 N. Arkansas, 303-8181 (Registration required and begins Wednesday, Feb. 20; call 303-8181.)
• Chris Raschka
  10:15 a.m., Saturday, April 13, Evergreen Branch Library, 2601 N. Arkansas, 303-8181 (Registration required and begins Wednesday, March 27; call 303-8181.)

Crafts 4 Fun
Add creativity to your life: come and learn a new craft each month. Registration is required so enough supplies can be assured for class members. Open to ages 14 and up. (60 minutes)

Pop-up Cards
Make greetings that just can’t stay on the page! Registration begins Wednesday, Dec. 26; call 261-8506.
10:30 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 12, Central Library, 223 S. Main, 261-8500

Paper Marbling
Explore this ancient craft with examples of medieval methods and nifty new ways of marbling. Registration begins Wednesday, Jan. 23; call 261-8506.
10:30 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 9, Central Library, 223 S. Main, 261-8500

Jewelry Basics
Learn how to use materials to make and take a necklace or bracelet and earring set. Registration begins Wednesday, Feb. 20; call 261-8506.
10:30 a.m., Saturday, March 9, Central Library, 223 S. Main, 261-8500

Garden Lanterns
Decorate a recycled jar in the style of stained glass, then embellish with beads and wire. Registration begins Wednesday, March 27; call 261-8506.
10:30 a.m., Saturday, April 13, Central Library, 223 S. Main, 261-8500

Wichita Genealogical Society Programs
Each month, the Wichita Genealogical Society cosponsors events of interest to family historians and local researchers. For more information about the Society and their programs, visit www.wichitagensoc.org. (2 hours)

Census Records: A New Look at Old Sources
What are you missing when you look at census records? Look at 200 years of U.S. census taking, population and housing questions, as well as the background and details of the census-taking process.

• 1 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 19, Alford Branch Library, 3447 S. Meridian, 337-9119

Quarterly Meeting: To Be Announced
1 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 16, Alford Branch Library, 3447 S. Meridian, 337-9119

A Fast Ride Through Texas History
Until 1822, the Texas population remained about the same. Then there was a large Anglo immigration with the founding of the Austin Colony and population grew quickly. Learn more about the Lone Star State with this presentation.

• 1 p.m., Saturday, March 16, Alford Branch Library, 3447 S. Meridian, 337-9119

Amazing Records Created by Federal Land Records
Learn which states were public land states – and what that means. We will review tract books, plat and field notes, as well as case files.

• 1 p.m., Saturday, April 20, Alford Branch Library, 3447 S. Meridian, 337-9119

Quarterly Meeting: To Be Announced
1 p.m., Saturday, May 18, Alford Branch Library, 3447 S. Meridian, 337-9119

Hands-on Help
Visit the Technology Training Center at the Central Library anytime during the session for assistance with your individual computer needs. Struggling with formatting your résumé? Don’t know the best way to manage your digital photos? Need help finding reliable information on the Internet? We can help. Bring your specific question or project. (60 minutes)

• 2:30 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 16, Central Library, 223 S. Main, 261-8500
• 2:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 20, Central Library, 223 S. Main, 261-8500
• 2:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 20, Central Library, 223 S. Main, 261-8500
• 2:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 17, Central Library, 223 S. Main, 261-8500
• 2:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 15, Central Library, 223 S. Main, 261-8500

Tuesday Topics
Learn more about current topics of local interest on the fourth Tuesday of every month. This is your chance to ask questions from area decision-makers on newsworthy events. Room opens at 11:30 a.m. for those with brown bag lunches. Drinks will be provided. Cosponsored by the League of Women Voters Wichita - Metro. (60 minutes)

Kansas Judge Selection
Should Kansas’s system for selecting Supreme Court and Appeals Court judges be changed to a system that mirrors the federal model of executive appointment with legislative approval? Attorney Jay Fowler and Paul Babich, both of whom serve on the Kansas Supreme Court Nominating Commission, review Kansas’s current system and the changes proposed by Governor Brownback.

• 12 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 22, Central Library, 223 S. Main, 261-8500

Libraries of the Future
As interest in digital reading grows, will the institution of the public library remain relevant or go the way of the dial telephone? How can a community anticipate what to expect from libraries of the future? Join Director of Libraries Cynthia Berner Harris as she explains the process being used by the Wichita Public Library to anticipate and develop facilities and services for Wichita’s present and future.

• 12 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 26, Central Library, 223 S. Main, 261-8500

What’s Behind the Water Rate?
Consumers are increasingly feeling the pinch of higher water rates. What factors cause these rate increases to be necessary? Join us as Cheryl Busada from Wichita’s Public Works & Utilities Department shares how local water rates are determined and the conditions that are forcing prices to rise.

• 12 p.m., Tuesday, March 26, Central Library, 223 S. Main, 261-8500

Brown Bag Books
“What do I read next?” Are you ever stumped by what book to delve into next, or do you already have something in mind? This is not a book club, but an opportunity to learn about books (old and new). Bring your brown bag lunch and favorite books. We’ll talk about new books, books we’re currently reading, books we want to read and just haven’t found time to yet – the possibilities are endless! (60 minutes)

• 12 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 24, Central Library, 223 S. Main, 261-8500
• 12 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 28, Central Library, 223 S. Main, 261-8500
• 12 p.m., Thursday, March 28, Central Library, 223 S. Main, 261-8500
• 12 p.m., Thursday, April 25, Central Library, 223 S. Main, 261-8500

Start Your Business Workshops
Presented by SCORE, These programs are designed for those who want to start or are currently running a small business. Get practical advice from entrepreneurs with real-world experience. Come to one or all sessions! Registration is requested to ensure space availability. (90 minutes)

• Writing a Business Plan: 1 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 26, Central Library, 223 S. Main, 261-8500 (Registration begins Wednesday, Jan. 9; call 261-8500.)
• Financing Your Business: 1 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 23, Central Library, 223 S. Main, 261-8500 (Registration begins Wednesday, Feb. 6; call 261-8500.)
• Insuring Your Business: 1 p.m., Saturday, March 23, Central Library, 223 S. Main, 261-8500 (Registration begins Wednesday, March 6; call 261-8500.)
• Using Social Media to Promote Your Business: 1 p.m., Saturday, April 27, Central Library, 223 S. Main, 261-8500 (Registration begins Wednesday, April 10; call 261-8500.)

Parents and Toddlers and Tablets - Oh My!
Preview some of the best apps for children aged 3-6. Discover titles you’ll love to share together, learn tips and techniques for making the most of screen time, and reinforce early literacy skills through new media. We’ll talk about the best-reviewed book apps for youth and how to find great new titles from the comfort of your own home. Feel free to bring your own tablet and get ready to tap, swipe, and pinch your way through a fun time. Registration is required and begins Wednesday, Jan. 16; call 261-8512. (90 minutes)

• 6 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 31, Central Library, 223 S. Main, 261-8500

African American Women Domestics: The Story of Two Kansans
Angela Bates shares the story of the Williams sisters from rural Nicodemus, Kansas. Ernestine and Charlesetta learned cleaning and cooking skills from their mother and grandmother, who had been enslaved in Kentucky by the family of Vice President Richard M. Johnson. When the sisters moved to California in the 1950s, their skills led to cooking for Walt Disney and John Wayne before Ernestine opened her own restaurant. Learn about the family legacy of domestic work through Ernestine’s cookbook and Charlesetta’s work scrapbook in this unique presentation. Co-presented by the Kansas Humanities Council. (60 minutes)

• 6 p.m., Monday, Feb. 4, Rockwell Branch Library, 5939 E. 9th St., 688-9361

United We Stand, Together We Read
This interactive storytelling session with Oba William King, the Poetic Storyteller, will feature African folktales and poetry in the tradition of the African Griot. Join us for a fine evening with the family. All ages, all cultures -- all are welcome. (60 minutes)

• 7 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 7, Maya Angelou Northeast Branch Library, 3051 E. 21st, 688-9580 (After-hours event, doors open at 6:30 p.m.)

Awareness and Rhythm: The Stories Within
This workshop with Chicago-area storyteller Oba William King, the Poetic Storyteller, will help you develop your storytelling voice. Look at basic presentation skills including phrasing, accentuation, dramatic pauses, tone, rhythm, voice, and diction. Whether used for teaching, preaching, business presentations, dramatic performance, or personal storytelling, these skills will help you to use your voice to create the desired effect. Registration is required and begins Wednesday, Jan. 17; call 688-9580. (2 hours)

• 9 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 9, Maya Angelou Northeast Branch Library, 3051 E. 21st, 688-9580 (Before-hours event, doors open at 8:45 a.m.)

Umoja Day Program with the Poetic Storyteller
In the Kiswahili language, “umoja” means “unity.” This program is designed to bring anyone and everyone together in a celebration of story, drum, and dance. Oba William King leads a special finale that invites participants to join in the festivities in multiple ways. As an African proverb tells us, “Many spiders working together can bring down an elephant.” (60 minutes)

• 4 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 9, Rockwell Branch Library, 5939 E. 9th St., 688-9361

The 27th Annual Academy Award® Nominated Short Films
See Academy Award®-nominated short subjects—films running 40 minutes or less—in animated, live action and documentary categories. One of the first places in the nation to offer this program, Wichita’s series attracts hundreds of film fans annually. Enjoy animated, live action and documentary categories at the 21st Street Warren Theatre (9150 W. 21st St.) and the Orpheum Theatre (200 N. Broadway). Check www.wichita.lib.ks.us for more information as nominees are announced. Vote for your favorites so we can determine if Wichita's favorites match the Academy's winners. All showings are FREE! Films are not rated and may not be suitable for all audiences. (Running times vary)

• 10 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 16, 21st Street Warren Theatre, 9150 W. 21st St. (all categories)
• 1 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 17, Alford Branch Library, 3447 S. Meridian, 337-9119 (animated & live action)
• 5 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 19, Westlink Branch Library, 8515 Bekemeyer, 337-9456 (animated only)
• 12 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 20, Evergreen Branch Library, 2601 N. Arkansas, 303-8181 (live action / animated / live action)
• 4 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 21, Rockwell Branch Library, 5939 E. 9th St., 688-9361 (documentaries)
• 1 p.m., Friday, Feb. 22, Maya Angelou Northeast Branch Library, 3051 E. 21st, 688-9580 (live action & animated)
• 10 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 23, The Orpheum Theatre, 200 N. Broadway (all categories)

Col. George M. Boyd Remembers the Tuskegee Airmen
Meet Col. George M. Boyd, one of the original Tuskegee Airmen, who went on to become one of the first African Americans to attain the rank of four-star general in the U. S. Air Force. Col. Boyd will discuss his personal experiences and accomplishments, as well as the opportunities available to all American citizens. (60 minutes)

• 2:30 p.m., Saturday, March 9, Maya Angelou Northeast Branch Library, 3051 E. 21st, 688-9580

Kansas Women, Work, and the Civil War
Independent historian Diane Eickhoff uses historical photographs and current research to tell the fascinating story of women’s work during the Civil War, with special emphasis on notable Kansas women. As the war raged, employment opportunities for women opened up, from army laundresses to spies! Women assumed clerical positions in the U.S. government; turned their homes into cottage factories to make blankets and bandages, and even disguised themselves as men in order to serve as combat soldiers on the battlefield. Co-presented by the Kansas Humanities Council. (60 minutes)

• 6 p.m., Monday, March 11, Rockwell Branch Library, 5939 E. 9th St., 688-9361

Let’s Talk Mysteries
Looking for a good mystery? We’ll explore different mystery styles and offer tips for finding a good mystery to read in this brief overview. This session will provide lots of ideas and book talks, including some of the hottest new titles. (60 minutes)

• 6 p.m., Wednesday, March 27, Alford Branch Library, 3447 S. Meridian, 337-9119

Helping Your Child Get Ready to Read
Children’s minds get ready to read long before they start school. Come learn about the six literacy skills children need to acquire before they are six, and the fun ways you can help children get ready to read. We will discuss some of the best books and activities to engage children’s minds and encourage a love of literacy. (Childcare is not provided.) Registration begins Wednesday, March 13; call 337-9456 to register. (75 minutes)

• 6:15 p.m., Thursday, March 28, Westlink Branch Library, 8515 Bekemeyer, 337-9456

Alford Branch Library 10th Anniversary Celebration
Join in a special birthday party for the Lionel D. Alford Regional Branch Library! Take part in a trivia challenge, meet Clifford, make crafts, and enjoy more special events all day long to honor this special day. Watch www.wichita.lib.ks.us for a complete schedule of activities.

• 10 a.m., Saturday, April 13, Alford Branch Library, 3447 S. Meridian, 337-9119

How a Poet Works
“I loafe and invite my soul, / I lean and loafe at my ease observing a spear of summer grass”: so Walt Whitman describes the work of a poet who activates the subtle machinations of the mind, heart, and soul. We may see the poet chewing grass, lost in a Kansas field, studying Lewis and Clark’s impressions of the Missouri River, or addressing a legislative committee. Susan Rieke explores the notions of work, the relevance of poetry, the “busy” life of a person who appears “lazy,” and the importance of art to the soul of a nation. Rieke is a professor of English at the University of St. Mary. Co-presented by the Kansas Humanities Council. (60 minutes)

• 6 p.m., Monday, April 22, Rockwell Branch Library, 5939 E. 9th St., 688-9361

Water Wise Gardening
Water is a precious natural resource, and the past couple of years have demonstrated just how scarce it can be. Learn expert advice from the Sedgwick County Extension Office about how to have a great lawn and garden while still conserving water.

• 6 p.m., Monday, May 6, Rockwell Branch Library, 5939 E. 9th St., 688-9361