Free Events at the NYPL Celebrate Culture, Kids Cooking, and 20 Years of the ADA in July

Throughout July, patrons will have the opportunity to attend a wide variety of free programs at the New York Public Library. Patrons will have the chance to experience programming celebrating the works of authors, artists and the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act with events such as the ADA Day at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building and readings and performances at branch libraries across the NYPL system.

The Library presents more than 20,000 free public programs throughout its 88 branches in the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island annually, complementing its broad collections and other services. A complete listing of events is available at http://www.nypl.org/events. More information on young adult programs at the Library is available at http://teenlink.nypl.org.

Highlighted Programming for the New York Public Library in July

ADA Day at NYPL: Commemorating the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act--On the Personal Level and Evening Arts Panels
Wednesday, July 8 -- 3:00PM
Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street, Manhattan
South Court Auditorium

In commemoration of the signing of the twentieth anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, The New York Public Library with host ADA Day on Wednesday, July 7 in the South Court Auditorium of the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building located at Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street. Throughout the afternoon there will be a series of free programs, screenings, and performances related to and about the disabled. All programs will have Real-time (CART) captioning, and assistive listening devices will be available. ASL interpreters will also be provided. At 3pm, Matthew Sapolin, Commissioner of the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities, will kick off the celebration by reflecting on the changes that the ADA has brought about as part of the panel The ADA: On the Personal Level. Participants include Ruth O'Brien, Professor, author and editor, will moderate a panel on the topic of the ADA and the difference it has made in the panelist's lives. Panelists: Leonard Kriegel, author of Flying Solo: Reimagining Manhood, Courage, and Loss; Stephen Kuusisto, author of Planet of the Blind; and Achim Nowak, author of Power Speaking: The Art of the Exceptional Public Speaker. At 6pm, there will be an Evening Arts Panel, including a screening of the Academy Award-winning film Music By Prudence, about a Zimbabwean band composed of people with disabilities. Panelists include, Roger Ross Williams, director of Music by Prudence, Gary Glazner, founder of the Alzheimer's Poetry Project, and Heidi Latsky, founder and choreographer of The GIMP Project. There will be a short performance, Two Men Walking (performed by Lawrence Carter-Long and Jeffrey Freeze, music by Sxip Shirey.) After the screening/performances, Roger Ross Williams, Gary Glazner, Heidi Latsky, Lawrence Carter-Long and Jeffrey Freeze will assemble on stage for audience questions.

Children's Literary Salon - Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About The Little Prince
Saturday, July 10, 2010 -- 2:00 PM
Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street, Manhattan
South Court Auditorium

Reexamine the beloved children's classic The Little Prince with new eyes and with New York perspective. The Children's Literary Salon, a monthly gathering of adults who are fans of children's literature will be discussing the remarkable sophistication of The Little Prince and the wartime exile of its author Antoine de Saint-Exupery to New York. Join Howard Scherry, author of Antoine de Saint-Exupery and 'The Little Prince:' You Can Go Home Again - In Your Memory as he leads the discussion and presents a "virtual walking tour" of de Saint-Exupery's New York era.This program is for adults only.

War & Peace in Sri Lanka Photos by Sri Walpola: An Opening Reception
Saturday, July 10 -- 2:00PM
St George Library Center, 5 Central Avenue, Staten Island

For their first time on display in the United States, the St. George's Library Center is home the to the photographs of Sri Lankan photojournalist Sri Walpoa's photographs of the Sri Lankan Civil War. Most of his photos were taken during the civil war between 1983-2006 and during the two-and-a-half years of cease-fire. The civil war ended in May 2009 on the island. The photos show the impact of the violence on civilians. Some of the photos were shot under dangerous circumstances. They tell a story of death, destruction, grief and the hardships of war along with contrasting images of hope and renewal.

Summer Reading 2010:On The Plate
Tuesday, July 13 -- 4:00PM
Pelham Bay Library, 3060 Middletown Road, Bronx

After all that summer reading works up an appetite in young readers, they're going to want to do some Summer Eating. Kids should join Summer Reading 2010: On The Plate at the Pelham Bay Library to cook up some tasty treats they can make themselves. Master chef Jailin Acevedo will take teens through baking, chopping, grilling, and melting to get kids excited about cooking, reading, and eating. Sponsored by the Rona Jeffe Foundation.

Can't make it on the 13th? You can also catch On The Plate at: Belmont Library and Enrico Fermi Cultural Center - July 8, 2010 4:00 PM EDT Edenwald Library - July 16 -- 3:00PM Throg's Neck Library - July 29 -- 4:00PM Eastchester Library - August 2 -- 3:00PM

Author Reading: Zelda Lockhart
Thursday, July 15 -- 6:00PM Harlem Library, 9 West 124th St, Manhattan

The Harlem Library and the Harlem Book Fair are proud to host acclaimed author Zelda Lockhart to read from her latest novel Fifth Born II: The Hundredth Turtle. The sequel to her critically acclaimed debut Fifth Born, The Hundredth Turtle moves from rural Mississippi to Harlem and examines the relationship between mother and estranged daughter fleeing south in the late 1970's.

Her debut novel, Fifth Born was a 2002 Barnes & Noble Discovery selection and won a finalist award for debut fiction from the Zora Neale Hurston/Richard Wright Legacy Foundation. Ms. Lockhart holds a Bachelor's Degree from Norfolk State University, a Master's in English from Old Dominion University, and a certificate in writing, directing and editing film from the New York Film Academy. Her other works of fiction, poetry and essays can be found in anthologies, journals and magazines. Lockhart is also the author of The Evolution, a serial novella, currently appearing in the archives of USAToday.com's Open Book series. Her second novel, Cold Running Creek, publication January 2007, is a work of historical fiction that has already garnered the attention of noteworthy literary organizations, such as the Historical Novel Society, and has won a 2008 Honor Fiction Award from the Black Caucus of the American Library Association.

Unsinkable Women: Stories and Songs from the Titanic
Saturday, July 24 -- 2:00PM
Baychester Library, 2049 Asch Loop North (north of Bartow Ave.), Bronx

he lives of eight passengers on the Titanic are revived from history by actress Debora Jean Templin in her one-woman production Unsinkable Women: Songs & Stories from the Titanic on July 24th at the Baychester Library. Based on the actual diaries, letters, and interviews of her eight subjects, Templin recreates the characters of Madeline Astor, Margaret Tobin Brown (the "Unsinkable Molly"), stewardess Violet Jessup, and five other passengers of the doomed ship. Unsinkable Women offers a variety of contrasting moods and impressions. But, it's also punctuated with period songs ranging from vaudeville numbers to Victor Herbert's Toyland. See the Titanic story brought to life before your eyes through the lives of these eight remarkable women at the Baychester Library.

The Instant Shakespeare Company Presents: Othello
Saturday, July 31 -- 1:00PM
St. Agnes Library, 444 Amsterdam Avenue, Manhattan

The Instant Shakespeare Company is on a mission to make Shakespeare for everyone - or rather people aware that the works of Shakespeare are already for Everyone. Join them as they read from Shakespeare's original texts - the Folio and Quarto - in reading Othello (St. Agnes - July 31 at 1pm). For the past 10 years, the Instant Shakespeare Company has been staging public readings of ALL the Bard's plays throughout New York City under the leadership of Paul Sugarman, and if you can't make their showing of Othello at St. Agnes, they'll be performing throughout the NYPL throughout the summer. Check NYPL.org for more details on their other productions.

Selected Movie Calendar

LPA Cinema Series: Screening of "The Fatal Glass of Beer" (1933) and "The Bank Dick" (1940)
Tuesday, July 6 -- 2:30PM
New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center, 40 Lincoln Center Plaza, Manhattan
Bruno Walter Auditorium - Amsterdam Level

The Fatal Glass of Beer directed by Clyde Bruckman (21 min.) The Bank Dick directed by Edward F. Cline (72 min.) Part of the series It's a Gift: W.C. Fields in the Movies

Jazz on a Summer's Day (1958) Tuesday, July 6 -- 6:00PM
Ottendorfer Library, 135 2nd Avenue, Manhattan

Take a look at the music, musicians, and spectators at the Newport Jazz Festival, 1958. Performances include Louis Armstrong, Mahalia Jackson, Gerry Mulligan, and Dinah Washington. Directed by Aram Avakian and Bert Stein. Free popcorn.

The Princess Bride (1987)
Thursday, July 8 -- 2:00PM
96th St. Library, 112 East 96th St, Manhattan

In a modern-day vignette, a grandfather tells his resistant 10-year-old grandson the story of "The Princess Bride." Directed by Rob Reiner, starring Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, Chris Sarandon, Christopher Guest, Wallace Shawn, Andre the Giant, Fred Savage, Robin Wright, Peter Falk, Peter cook, Mel Smith, Carol Kane, Billy Crystal, Anny Dyson, Margery Mason.

Classic Film Screening: Night of the Hunter
Saturday, July 10 -- 1:00PM
Spuyten Duyvil Library, 650 West 235th Street, Bronx

The 1955 film directed by Charles Laughton stars Robert Mitchum in an unforgettable role as a psychopathic preacher in relentless pursuit of two children who have their dead father's stolen fortune hidden in a doll. Shelley Winters co-stars.

LPA Cinema Series: Screening of "In the Good Old Summertime" (1949)
Saturday, July 10 -- 2:30PM
New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center, 40 Lincoln Center Plaza, Manhattan
Bruno Walter Auditorium

Directed by Robert Z. Leonard, 102 min. Starring Van Johnson and Judy Garland.

Kung Fu Hustle
Monday, July 12 -- 6:00PM
Mulberry Street Library, 10 Jersey Street (between Lafayette & Mulberry Streets), Manhattan

(2004, R, 100 minutes) Sing is a hapless, small-time gangster who is desperate to join the evil Axe Gang. When he stumbles into a local slum, his cocky behavior sparks an epic Kung Fu showdown. The film will be shown with dubbed English or subtitles-audience's choice.

The Trial (1962)
Tuesday, July 13 -- 6:00PM Battery Park City Library, 175 North End Avenue (at Murray Street), Manhattan

A man awakens one morning to find himself arrested for undisclosed charges. To uncover the reasons behind his charges and to protest his innocence, he tries to look behind the facade of the judicial systems, all to no avail. Based on the story by Franz Kafka. Starring Anthony Perkins, Jeanne Moreau, and Romy Schneider.Directed by Orson Welles. (192 mins.)

American Splendor
Thursday, July 15 -- 11:00AM
Columbus Library, 742 10th Avenue, Manhattan

A frustrated file clerk befriends a young illustrator and is soon inspired to write his own comic book based on his life. Based on the comic book series, "American Splendor." Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize winner. Starring Paul Giamatti and Hope Davis. Free movie, popcorn, and soda.

LPA Cinema Series: "A Midsummer Night's Dream" (1935)
Saturday, July 17 -- 2:30PM
New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center, 40 Lincoln Center Plaza, Manhattan
Bruno Walter Auditorium - Amsterdam Level

Directed by William Dieterle, Max Reinhardt, 117 min. With Dick Powell, Olivia de Havilland, Mickey Rooney.

Best Foot Forward (1943) Tuesday, July 20 -- 6:00PM
Ottendorfer Library, 135 2nd Avenue, Manhattan

In order to boost her waning popularity, a movie queen accepts the invitation of a young cadet to be his date at the senior prom. Directed by Charles Walter, starring Lucille Ball.

Following (1999) Tuesday, July 20 -- 6:00PM Battery Park City Library, 175 North End Avenue (at Murray Street), Manhattan

A story about a young man's obsession with following strangers at random on the street. This life leads him into a dark underworld, when he is caught in the act by a man who becomes part mentor, part confessor and part evil twin. Together they break into flats and pry into the personal lives of their victims. Directed by Christopher Nolan.

The Muppet Christmas Carol
Thursday, July 22 -- 5:00PM
Huguenot Park Library, 830 Huguenot Avenue, Staten Island

Come celebrate Christmas in July with the muppets. Parents bring your children for a relaxing night out at the library. Free popcorn, snacks, beverages and an extra basket of fun!!!!!

Mrs. Doubtfire
Friday, July 23 -- 2:00PM 58th Street Library, 127 East 58th Street, Manhattan
Community Reading Room

A comedy about a divorced and out of work father who answers his ex-wife's newspaper ad for a female housekeeper so that he could spend more time with his children. (1993, 125 mins, color)

Raiders of the Lost Ark
Saturday, July 24 -- 2:00PM
96th Street Library, 112 East 96th Street, Manhatan

Directed by Steven Spielberg (1981), starring Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman, Ronald Lacey, John Rhys-Davies, Denholm Elliott, Alfred Molina, Wolf Kahler, Anthony Higgins, Vic Tablian, Don Fellows, William Hootkins.
In the 1930's, an American archaeologist and explorer is assigned by the U.S. Government to find the mystically empowered Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis can obtain it for their own evil purposes.

LPA Cinema Series: Summertime (1955) Saturday, July 24 -- 2:00PM
New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center, 40 Lincoln Center Plaza, Manhattan
Bruno Walter Auditorium

Directed by David Lean, 100 min. With Katharine Hepburn, Rossano Brazzi.

About The New York Public Library
The New York Public Library was created in 1895 with the consolidation of the private libraries of John Jacob Astor and James Lenox with the Samuel Jones Tilden Trust. The Library provides free and open access to its physical and electronic collections and information, as well as to its services. Its renowned research collections are located in the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street; The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center; the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem; and the Science, Industry and Business Library at 34th Street and Madison Avenue. Eighty-eight branch libraries provide access to circulating collections and a wide range of other services in neighborhoods throughout the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island. Research and circulating collections combined total more than 50 million items. In addition, each year the Library presents thousands of exhibitions and public programs, which include classes in technology, literacy, and English for speakers of other languages. All in all The New York Public Library serves more than 17 million patrons who come through its doors annually and millions more around the globe who use its resources at http://www.nypl.org.