West Avenue Library offers full library services at the corner of 30th Street and West Avenue in downtown Newport News.  Watch for details to come on the celebration of the Library's 80th anniversary this fall.

Main Street Library hosted "Tell Us Your Tall Tales," a free program featuring performances by the Emmy-award-winning storyteller Bobby Norfolk, as well as Library patrons on April 25. Sharon Rogers took first place in the storytelling contest and won a digital voice recorder and Norfolk's book, "Moral of the Story." She is pictured at center right with her mother Edna Palmer, right, and her aunt, Linda Shoun, left, as they react to stories told by Bobby Norfolk. Barbara Drucker Smith took second place in the contest, and Mike Ream placed third. They received storytelling CDs.

Prices: Hardbacks: $1 each; paperbacks: 50 cents each; children's books: 25 cents each; audio books: 10-25 cents each; VHS tapes: 50 cents each; CD/DVDs:  $1 each; Bargain Corner Books: 10-25 cents each; and collectibles, out of print books and current best sellers are individually priced.

 

New hours at Bookstore: The Friends of the Newport News Public Library Bookstore, located inside Main Street Library, is now open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Sunday  2 - 4 p.m.

Open Mic and Oral Histories
The What's Your Story? Share It at Your Library! series concludes with a free "story-sharing" festival, 3-5 p.m., Saturday, June 6, at Main Street Library, where you have three ways to share your story:

1. Perform your story for the Library community with help from professional storyteller Dylan Pritchett. Reserve your 10-minute "open mic" session now.
2. Have your oral history privately recorded for your own use as well as for the library's collections.  Reserve a 15-minute recording session by calling Rob Morrisette at Grissom Library at 757-369-3190.
3. Create artwork based on your life story, courtesy of the Peninsula Fine Arts Center. 

 

June 2, Yu Gi Oh Card Club: Youth ages 9 to 18 can learn the basic rules to play Yu Gi Oh, 4-6 p.m., Tuesday, June 2.

June 3, 'Yes, You Can Go to College': Diana Durham, with Thomas Nelson Community College, discusses the steps necessary for teens ages 14-18 to prepare for college, 4-5:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 3.

June 10, Advisory Committee: Teens ages 12-18 are invited to attend the monthly meeting of the Teen Advisory Committee, 5-6 p.m., Wednesday, June 10, at Pearl Bailey Library. Teens help advise Library staff on ways to improve Library services and programs for teens.

 

June 23, Healthy Weight, Healthy Teens: Jacqueline Simmons, with 4-H Family Nutrition Program, shares information and foods for healthy living practices, 4-5:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 23.

June 24, Teen Urban Lit Book Club: Teens ages 12 to 17 meet to discuss books from the Bluford Series, "Lost and Found," 4:30-5:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 24. An ice cream sundae bar will be offered after the event.

Summer Bookmobile schedule: The Library System's Bookmobile makes scheduled stops Mondays through Thursdays, except for holidays. Check out the summer schedule online or call 757-591-4858 for information. The Bookmobile is wheelchair accessible.

First and third Thursdays, Loosely Knit Group: Everyone is welcome to join the Loosely Knit Group, which meets 9:30-11:30 a.m. every first and third Thursday of each month at Grissom Library. No registration is required.

June 6, Paws to Read: The next Paws to Read program is 3-4 p.m. on Saturday, June 6, at Grissom Library. Parents are required to fill out a permission slip and may accompany their children, as well, as they read to therapy dogs to increase their confidence. No registration is required.

June 10, "Up For Discussion ...," Book Club: The Book Club will meet 7-8 p.m., Wednesday, June 10, at Main Street Library to discuss the first book in the "No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" series by Alexander McCall Smith. No registration is required.
 

June 13, Introduction to Primitive Folk Art: Instructor Ruthann Grabowski will provide a brief introduction to primitive folk art painting, 2-4 p.m., Saturday, June 13, at Grissom Library. Participants will have the opportunity to create their own primitive folk art painting of their home or a home they once lived in. Register now.