Arts, Books & Culture Ongoing Series and Events

WALLA Film Series

Nick Schenkel reviews "The Booklover's Guide to the Midwest" on WBAA radio's website

Released September 06, 2010

Click here to hear Library Director Nick Schenkel's review of "The Booklover's Guide to the Midwest: a Literary Tour". 

SUMMER READING (for all ages) is here and it runs until July 31st!

Released July 21, 2010

People of all ages can participate in Summer Reading at the West Lafayette Public Library :)

There are programs for children, teens and adults.  Sign-up began on Friday May 28th and the programs run until July 31.  Children must sign up by the end of June while adults and teens can sign-up until July 30th.

This year's themes are water based:

  Make a Splash for children,

Make Waves for the teens,

and Water Your Mind for adults.

The teens had a special kick-off party from 4:30 - 8 pm on Friday May 28th.  They enjoyed games, movies and painting water themes on the windows of the teen room.

The teens and adults can read the One Great Read book and also participate in One Great Read events for extra credit on their reading logs. The One Great Read book for this summer is Mark Twain's Complete Short Stories.

One Great Read Mark Twain Film Series - Thursday, September 9th at 6:00 p.m.

Released September 06, 2010

One Great Read Mark Twain Film Series every other Thursday in July, August & September at 6:00 PM starting July 15th

Released in 1949 and featuring Bing Crosby Rhonda Fleming, Cedric Hardwicke, and William Bendix, this adaptation of Mark Twain’s time-traveling novel follows the adventures of an auto mechanic who finds himself transported to Arthurian Britain. Shown at 6 p.m. on Thursday, September 9th at the West Lafayette Public Library, this is the fifth film in our One Great Read Summer Film Series. (106 minutes)

Thursday, September 23 at 6 p.m. the West Lafayette Public Library will present the last feature in our One Great Read Summer Film Series. This film consists of ninety-minute performance by Hal Holbrook who portrays a writer who used a phrase he used regularly when working as a riverboat pilot on the Mississippi as his pen name. Over the course of three acts, the audience will be treated to a number of this author’s most memorable stories and anecdotes, as well as a short dramatic reading from one from one of his most beloved novels. (90 minutes)

Due to our licensing restrictions we cannot post the titles of the films on our website.  Please call the library at 765-743-2261 for the titles and more information. 

PAST FILMS INCLUDE: Released in 1978 and starring Oliver Reed, Mark Lester, George C. Scott, Rex Harrison, and Raquel Welch, this adaptation of Mark Twain’s most famous historical novel follows the adventures of two boys who come from very different stations in life but possess uncannily similar features—a problem which causes them no little amount of trouble. Shown at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 15^th at West Lafayette Public Library, this film is the first feature in our One Great Read Summer Film Series. (121 minutes)  

Thursday, July 29th at 6:00 p.m., the West Lafayette Public Library will present the second feature in our One Great Read Summer Film Series. The titular character of this 1938 film produced by David O. Selznick is a boy who lives in a small town on the Mississippi in the 1840s. Known for both his habit of causing mischief and his good heart, accompany this lad and his friends—including Huckleberry Finn—as they play pirates, solve mysteries, and revel in childhood adventures that could only be penned by Mark Twain. (91 minutes)

Thursday, August 26th at 6 p.m. the West Lafayette Public Library will present a truly magical adaptation. Watch what happens when a ten-year-old girl discovers the circus has rolled into town, bringing with it a squad of extremely talented clowns and a very talented elephant. Starring Remy Ryan, Priscilla Barnes, Kaye Ballard, David L. Lander, and Patrick Dempsey, this film is the fourth feature in our One Great Read Summer Film Series. (97 minutes) 

Author Rita Kohn Talk with Beer & Food Tasting at the Library - SATURDAY, July 24 6:00 pm

Released July 22, 2010

Saturday July 24, 2010 at 6:00 PM in the Walnut & Elm Rooms, the West Lafayette Public Library is celebrating Rita Kohn’s new book TRUE BREW: A GUIDE TO CRAFT BEER IN INDIANA. Rita will be talking about her book and the craft beer movement in Indiana. Copies of her book will be available for purchase and signing.  Immediately following Ms. Kohn's talk, a beer and food tasting, featuring local craft beers from Lafayette Brewing Company and People’s Brewing Company will be offered.

 
Tickets for the Rita Kohn talk/craft beer and food tasting event are $25 per person. Tickets are available at the library (in person or by phone: 765-743-2261) or at either brewery.  Attendance limited to 70 people.

All proceeds will provide matching funds for the Library’s Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation grant for new public access computers.

There is also a free brewing demonstration by our local homebrewer's club, the Tippecanoe Homebrewers’ Circle, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. 

This event is sponsored by Lafayette Brewing Company, People’s Brewing Company, Kathy's Kandies and Noodles & Company.

* ALL ATTENDEES MUST BE 21 OR OLDER. PHOTO ID WITH PROOF OF AGE REQUIRED *

Exhibits

Christine & Joann Kidwell Gallery Exhibit in the Elm & Walnut Rooms - July 1 - 31

Released July 24, 2010

Christine and her mother, Joann, present a joint gallery exhibit of pottery, sculpture and quilting throughout the month of July at the West Lafayette Public Library.

Christine is displaying clay pottery inspired by movement and color of the ocean and its dynamic nature.

Joann is displaying her quilting. 

In addition, they’ve added a limestone sculpture created by Joann in the 1960’s, demonstrating the connection between mothers and daughters and the foundation passed on from one generation to the next.

More information about the Library Quilt