Lincoln's 200th Birthday and The Life of George Washington Carver Are Discussed Among Other Free February Programs for Young Adults and Children at The New York Public Library

Children and young adults celebrate the 200th birthday of President Abraham Lincoln with a series of programs at the Humanities and Social Sciences Library Children’s Center at 42nd Street on Saturday, February 7. Another figure from American history that children can learn about throughout the branches in February is George Washington Carver, in the stage production “The Peanut Prince: George Washington Carver”. The Library presents more than 20,000 free public programs throughout its 87 branches in the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island annually, complementing its broad collections and other services.A complete listing of events is available atwww.nypl.org/events .

Highlights of Young Adult and Children Programs for February at The New York Public Library Branches

The Thespian’s Gym

Monday, February 2 & 9, 4:00 p.m., Bronx Library Center, 310 East Kingsbridge Road, Bronx

Students learn to write monologues and short one-person pieces. Elements of hip-hop music and multicultural storytelling, as well as improvisation acting exercises are used to inspire students to create their own theatrical works.This workshop is presented by Shaun Neblett of Urban Stages, a playwright, teacher and youth theater coordinator. He has taught theater throughout New York City for the past ten years. This program is recommended for children ages 7 to 12. Preregistration is required. Funding for more children's programs at The New York Public Library's neighborhood hubs has been generously provided by the New York Life Foundation.

Moey’s Music Party

Tuesday, February 3, 4:00 p.m., 96th Street Branch, 112 East 96th Street, Manhattan

Tuesday, February 10, 3:30 p.m., Jefferson Market Branch, 425 Avenue of the Americas, Manhattan

Friday, February 13, 3:30 p.m., Pelham Bay Branch, 3060 Middletown Road, Bronx

Tuesday, February 24, 4:00 p.m., Ottendorfer Branch, 135 Second Avenue, Manhattan

Friday, February 27, 3:30 p.m., Morningside Heights, 2900 Broadway, Manhattan

Moey is Melissa Levis, an award-winning Off Broadway songwriter who introduces children to a medley of musical styles - Calypso, Rock, Country, Disco, 50s, Broadway show tunes and Pop. This program is recommended for children ages 2 to 6 with parent/ caregiver.

The Peanut Prince: George Washington Carver

Wednesday, February 4, 4:00 p.m., Todt Hill-Westerleigh, 2550 Victory Boulevard, Staten Island

Wednesday, February 11, 4:00 p.m., Kingsbridge Branch, 280 West 231st Street, Bronx

Thursday, February 12, 4:00 p.m., Grand Concourse Branch, 155 East 173rd Street, Bronx

Saturday, February 21, 3:00 p.m., Humanities and Social Sciences Library, Children’s Center at 42nd Street, Manhattan

Sunday, February 22, 2:00 p.m., Bronx Library Center, 310 East Kingsbridge Road, Bronx

Monday, February 23, 3:30 p.m., Baychester Branch, 2049 Asch Loop North, Bronx

Thursday, February 26, 4:00 p.m., St. George Library Center, 5 Central Avenue, Staten Island

Children ages 8 and older are invited to attend this show about the life of George Washington Carver.

George Washington Carver found over 300 ways to use peanuts, including as laundry soap and "peanut orange punch." Mr. Carver was a former slave who spent his life researching plants. He was world famous and beloved; presidents consulted with him, and Thomas Edison offered him the equivalent of a millions dollars a year to work for him - and Carver said no! This program is presented by Urban Stages.

Family Matter

Saturday, February 7, 12:00 p.m., Andrew Heiskell Braille & Talking Book Library, 40 West 20th Street, Manhattan

This family-centered event will feature guest speakers addressing disability-related topics. Directed discussion groups for adults, kids, and teens will follow. Story-time, kids' crafts, and a surprise family event will provide the fun!

Happy Birthday, Mr. Lincoln

Saturday, February 7, 1:00 p.m., Humanities and Social Sciences Library, Children’s Center at 42nd Street, Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street, Manhattan

Children are invited to celebrate the 200th birthday of our nation’s sixteenth President, Abraham Lincoln with an afternoon of Lincoln-related events at the Humanities and Social Sciences Library. The events’ include:

Author Barry Denenberg

1:00 p.m., South Court Auditorium

Barry Denenberg, author of the outstanding new book Lincoln Shot! presents an exciting account of Lincoln’s life and career conceived as a one-year anniversary newspaper edition of Lincoln's assassination. This program is recommended for children, ages 6 and up, and their families.

Birthday Crafts

2:00 p.m., Children's Center at 42nd St.

Children will make fun fabulous crafts celebrating the life and 200th birthday of everyone’s favorite President, Abraham Lincoln. Penny rubbings, Abraham paper dolls, and a Lincoln loghouse made out of popsicle sticks will be among the crafts presented. For children ages 4 and up and their caregivers.

Author and Illustrator Candace Fleming

3:00 p.m., South Court Auditorium

Author/illustrator Candace Fleming will offer a multimedia presentation about the Lincolns, based on her new book, The Lincolns: A Scrapbook Look at Abraham and Mary, a combination of photographs, letters, engravings, cartoons and text that weave together the tale of one of America's most famous couples. Candace Fleming is the author of everything from picture books and biographies to novels and non-fiction. This program is recommended for children ages 5 and up, and their families.

Petunia Penguin Goes to School

Monday, February 9, 4:00 p.m., 67th Street Branch, 328 East 67th Street, Manhattan

Costume character Petunia Penguin and polar explorer Admiral Bird will transform children ages 3 to 6 into a team of Antarctic scientists. With drama, games, and songs, children will be led on a chilly exploration. Using literacy development skills, children discover the adaptations penguins need to survive their harsh polar habitat. This program is presented by the Wildlife Theater from the Central Park Zoo.

Black and Blue Oceans

Wednesday, February 11, 4:00 p.m., Grand Concourse Branch, 155 East 173rd Street, Bronx

Tuesday, February 17, 4:00 p.m., Seward Park Branch, 192 East Broadway, Manhattan

Wednesday, February 18, 4:00 p.m., Eastchester Branch, 1385 East Gun Hill Road, Bronx

Children ages 7 to 12 investigate an oil spill and focus on the impact of water pollution. Presented by Mad Science of Manhattan and Westchester. Funding for more children's programs at The New York Public Library's neighborhood hubs has been generously provided by the New York Life Foundation.

HIV/AIDS Awareness and Safety

Wednesday, February 18, 4:00 p.m., Clason’s Point Branch, 1215 Morris Avenue, Bronx

Thursday, February 19, 4:00 p.m., Hunt’s Point Branch, 877 Southern Boulevard, Bronx

Teenagers ages 12 to 18 learn facts and strategies to protect themselves from AIDS. Mara Gottlieb, LMSW, will answer questions on education, prevention, and everything in between about the AIDS virus. Initial funding for this program is provided by Time Warner.

Fire & Ice

Thursday, February 19, 5:30 p.m., Francis Martin Branch, 2150 University Avenue, Bronx

Children of all ages should get ready for some sizzlin’ and scientific fun with fire and ice! Children learn about the amazing properties of fire and combustion. Then, they cool off with spectacular demonstrations involving dry ice! Kids can check out the “Big Burp”, the “Screwdriver Sizzle” and the famous “Mad Science Bath”, as the science behind this amazing frozen gas is explored. All Mad Science shows provide live, interactive and compelling educational experiences that make learning a blast! For all ages.

Teen Yoga with Grace Grochowski

Monday, February 23, 6:30 p.m., South Beach Branch, 21-25 Robin Road, Staten Island

Inhale...exhale...and Warrior Pose. Teenagers ages 12 to 18 are invited to learn moves to develop strength and flexibility with yoga instructor Grace Grochowski. Pre-registration is required. Loose and comfortable clothing is recommended.

What’s Love Got To Do With It?

Thursday, February 26, 4:00 p.m., Hunt’s Point Branch, 877 Southern Boulevard, Bronx

Teenagers who are thinking about dating, or are already connected with that special someone, canbring their questions to relationship expert Mara Gottlieb, LMSW. Ms. Gottlieb will answer questions about first dates, first loves and everything in between. This program is for children ages 12 to 18. Initial funding for this program is provided by Time Warner.

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. It comprises four research centers - the Humanities and Social Sciences Library; The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts; the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture; and the Science, Industry and Business Library - and 87 Branch Libraries in 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 as a second language. The New York Public Library serves over 16 million patrons who come through its doors annually and another 25 million users internationally, who access collections and services through its website, www.nypl.org.

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Contact: Jonathan Pace| 212.592.7700 | Jonathan_Pace@nypl.org

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