Jefferson Market Library, in an effort to offer substantive courses that teach the subjects you want to learn, is thrilled to offer its Spring Semester! Each course offers multiple sessions so students can build their knowledge as the course advances, class by class, guided by an experienced professor! And it's all free! Take a look:

Remember (just like in college) — for all courses requiring pre-registration — students are expected to attend all sessions to achieve the maximum learning experience!

March Classes

Intro to Screenwriting: The Short Film

Instructor and filmmaker Helen Kaplan leads this immersive workshop that will demystify the art of screenwriting and give you the tools you need to write a great short script in a month. Emphasis will be placed on visual storytelling, the classic three-act structure, plot, character development, conflict, and dialogue. Registration closed - class is FULL.  Thank you!

Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
March 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31

April/May Classes

French for Beginners

Instructor Muriel Placet-Kouassi will guide first time learners in the basics of the French language — for beginners only! Textbook provided. Registration is closed - class is FULL.  Thank you!

Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
April 7, 14, 21 & 28; May 5, 12 & 19

Italian for Beginners

Instructor Caterina Bertolotto leads students through the basics of the Italian language — for beginners! Textbook provided. Registration is closed - class is FULL.  Thank you!

Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 12 noon
April 5, 12, 19 & 26; May 3, 10, 17 & 24

Food, Flavors, and Farming

Instructor Ann Yonetani: "This course aspires to be a fun introduction to the science underlying many different aspects of food in our culture. We will examine many current topics and trends in food and gastronomy with a critical eye and will build scientific background knowledge to help sort through today’s dizzying array of food choices. My hope is that this class will aid students in navigating these options, becoming better-informed consumers, and enjoying the daily act of eating." No pre-registration required.

Fridays, 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

April 6:  The Omnivore's Dilemma:  Food Choices and Nutritional Science

April 13:  The Wonders of Taste

April 20:  The Science of Cooking

April 27:  Farming and the Future of Food

Cinema Paradiso

History of Italian Cinema

Instructor Monica London introduces the world of Italian Cinema. Films will be screened in full followed by a conversation relating to the film topic and story, starting with masterpieces of postwar neorealism and continuing to the modern era. Films include Giuseppe Tornatore's Cinema Paradiso and Vittoria De Sica's The Bicycle Thief.  No pre-registration required.

Wednesdays, 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  April 18 & 25; May 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30; June 6

April 18:  The Bicylcle Thief (Vittorio DeSica, 1948)

April 25:  Divorce, Italian Style (Pietro Germi, 1961)

May 2:     Amarcord (Federico Fellini, 1973)

May 9:     A Special Day (Ettore Scola, 1977)

May 16:   Cinema Paradiso (Giuseppe Tornatore, 1988)

May 23:   Caro Diario (Nanni Moretti, 1993)

May 30:   The Hundred Steps (Marco Tullio Giordana, 2003))

June 6:    We Have a Pope (Nanni Moretti, 2011)