Film Festival, Science Programs, Tempt Library Goers This Spring

Candace Braun

The arrival of spring marks the start of Princeton Public Library's second year at its new facility on Witherspoon Street and a new line-up of events for residents, which includes learning about Einstein's theories of time travel, dancing with the Princeton Country Dancers, and singing along with popular children's entertainers.

Highlighting upcoming events is the Princeton Human Rights Film Festival, which will present documentary films, speakers, and musicians to broaden awareness of peace, justice, and human rights issues. Fifteen of the most noteworthy national and international documentaries will be shown over the course of four days, several of which will be followed by discussions with filmmakers.

The films include How Do You Spell Murder, Every Mother's Son, Pote Mak Sonie: The Raboteau Trial, Ryan's Well, Promises, and Thirst. The festival will be taking place from Thursday, May 12, through Sunday, May 15. Specific film times can be found at www.princeton library.org/phrff.

To help celebrate the 100th anniversary of Einstein's Miracle Year, when he published five major papers, including the beginnings of the Theory of Relativity, the library will host "Time Travel in Einstein's Universe," on Monday, April 11, at 7:30 p.m.

For this program, J. Richard Gott III, a Princeton University professor of astrophysical sciences, will speak on theories of time travel and describe how travel to the future is not only possible, but has already happened. The author of Time Travel in Einstein's Universe, Mr. Gott, builds on theories of Albert Einstein, Stephen Hawking, and Kip Thorne. He will take audience questions and be available to sign his book.

Keeping with the science theme, the library brings back Dave Maiullo, a physics support specialist from Rutgers University, and other commentators on the natural and scientific world during Spring Break Science week. The programs – for children ages five to 12 – include "Strange World of Reptiles," a speaker on plants and ecosystems, a chemistry session on Wednesday, a speaker from the New Jersey Audubon Society on Thursday, and on Friday, Mr. Maiullo's "The Physics Guy: The Force is With You."

Spring Break Science sessions take place at 2:30 p.m. this week Monday through Friday in the community room on the first floor. There is a waiting list for some sessions. To register, call (609) 924-9529, ext. 240, e-mail kids@princetonlibrary.org, or visit the third floor Youth Services Desk.

Also for children, singer and songwriter mr. RAY will be visiting the library on Saturday, April 23, at 3 p.m., as part of the Arts Council's Communiversity celebration. Entertaining children and their families with rock and popular tunes for more than a decade, mr. RAY co-produced his own album, Start Dreaming!, and has been featured in Parenting, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal.

Yosi, another children's performer and musician, will visit the library with his latest, award-winning CD, Under a Big Bright Yellow Umbrella. Children can sing along with Yosi at the library on Saturday, April 9, at 3 p.m.

Programs for Teens

Special events available for teens at the library this spring include a screening of the classic film, To Kill a Mockingbird, open to all middle and high school students. The event is part of the Best Books Club at John Witherspoon Middle School and Tiger Books at Princeton High School, two after-school reading programs.

Librarian Ann Woodrow and Teen Services Librarian Susan Conlon will meet with students throughout the spring to read different books that have a youth focus.

On Wednesday, March 30, the library will hold a book discussion of To Kill a Mockingbird, this year's selection by One Book New Jersey, which will be followed by a film screening. For more information on meeting dates and times for the book clubs, call (609) 924-9529, ext. 240.

Two other upcoming library programs for teens will provide kids the opportunity to flex their creative muscles. They include Comedy Improv Night, a night of comic skits for those in grades six and over, to take place on Friday, April 29, and the Summer 2005 Student Film and Video Festival on July 28, for which students should be thinking ahead. Registration is required for the Improv Night and submission guidelines and entry forms for the Film and Video Festival can be downloaded from the library's website, at www.princetonlibrary.org/teens.

Finally, something that should prove fun for the whole family, the Princeton Country Dancers will be featured on Friday, May 20, as part of the library's Unquiet Friday series. Residents of all ages, with or without a dancing partner, are encouraged to come out as the dancers teach some of the traditional dances of the U.S. and England.

Details on all upcoming events at the library this spring can be found inside Connections, The Princeton Public Library Newsletter, or by visiting the library's website, http://www.princeton library.org.