Adult Services | Lower Providence Community Library

Welcome to the Adult Services page of the Lower Providence Community Library website. Find upcoming Programs & Events, check out our Resources for Readers, and send us your recommendations for books, DVDs, and other materials you would like to have in the library. Also, please let us know if you have any ideas for programming. We would love to hear from you!

To register for programs, email Barbara Loewengart or call the library at 610-666-6640 for the Circulation Desk.

Adult Yoga

Classes for December: Mondays: December 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 from 5:45- 6:45 pm. Fridays: December 6, 13, 20 & 27 from 3:15 – 4:15 pm.

Taught by certified yoga instructor Kamini Patel. Bring a mat or a towel and a $5 donation. Funds provide books and supplies to children in India.

Chair Yoga for Adults

Classes in December: Wednesdays at 1:30 pm, December 4, 11 & 18.

Gentle yoga for people with less mobility, led by certified yoga instructor Kamini Patel. Cost is $5/session. Funds provide books and supplies to children in India.

Meditation Sessions

Classes for December: Mondays at 7:15 pm., December 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30.

Please join us for FREE meditation sessions. Open to all levels. Bring your active mind and wear comfortable clothing. Taught by Roger Shaughnessy, YT-200.

Movie Matinee

Monday, January 13 at 1:30pm. Downton Abbey. All-star cast. Rated PG.
Monday, January 27 at 1:30pm. Judy. Starring Renee Zellweger. Rated PG-13.

Come to the Movie Matinee and enjoy a free showing of a hit movie! This program is free and open to the public, but registration is required.

Evening Book Discussion Group

On Wednesday, January 8 at 7:00pm the evening book group will be discussing The House of Broken Angels by Luis Alberto Urrea. Evening Book Discussion meets at 7:00pm the 2nd Wednesday of each month, September through June.

The definitive Mexican-American immigrant story, a sprawling and deeply felt portrait of a Mexican-American family occasioned by the impending loss of its patriarch, from one of the country’s most beloved authors. (From Amazon.)

Book Discussion Questions

Discussion questions:

An epigraph to this book comes from singer/songwriter Rick Elias: “This is my confession of love.” Why do you think Urrea began the book this way?

From the start, it’s clear this book will revolve around both a party and a funeral. How is this story both a tragedy and a comedy?

Why do you think Urrea chose the title “The House of Broken Angels”?

Where do Big Angel’s insecurities come from? Where do Little Angel’s?

Many characters wander through this book. Which one did you identify with most?

Urrea uses vivid language, description and metaphor throughout the text. Write down a sentence you particularly enjoyed.

Urrea writes that he loved reading “The Godfather” growing up, because it was about “La Familia.” How is “The House of Broken Angels” his own take on this theme?

What about this family reminded you of your own?

Urrea said this book was inspired by the death of his eldest brother, for whom his family gave a funeral that was actually more like a big party. Does this book read as deeply personal to you?

Urrea was born in Tijuana, Mexico, before moving across the border, and then to San Diego, where this book is set. What are the sights, smells, sounds that stick with you from scenes on both sides of the border?

In light of the current political debate around immigrant families, what did you learn about migration from this fictional Mexican-American family?

At one point in the novel, Little Angel says: “If only the dominant culture could see these small moments, they would see their own human lives reflected in the other.” Do you believe this to be true?
(Questions from PBS NewsHour.)

Evening Book Discussion List

Evening Book Discussion List 2019 – 2020

September – Transcription by Kate Atkinson
October – An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
November – Where’d You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple
December – Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok
January – The House of Broken Angels by Luis Alberto Urrea
February – My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
March –
April –
May –
June –

Adult Coloring Book Class

Monday, January 6 at 1:00pm

De-stress and get creative! Join in for a fun, relaxed afternoon with pencils and markers at our Adult Coloring Book Class. We have lots of beautiful coloring book pages to choose from. You’re never too old to color! All materials provided. For more information, contact Barbara Loewengart.

Afternoon Book Discussion Group

Monday, December 16 at 1:00pm, we will be discussing Circe by Madeline Miller.

In the house of Helios, god of the sun and mightiest of the Titans, a daughter is born.
But Circe is a strange child—not powerful, like her father, nor viciously alluring like her mother. Turning to the world of mortals for companionship, she discovers that she does possess power—the power of witchcraft, which can transform rivals into monsters and menace the gods themselves.
Threatened, Zeus banishes her to a deserted island, where she hones her occult craft, tames wild beasts and crosses paths with many of the most famous figures in all of mythology, including the Minotaur, Daedalus and his doomed son Icarus, the murderous Medea, and, of course, wily Odysseus.
But there is danger, too, for a woman who stands alone, and Circe unwittingly draws the wrath of both men and gods, ultimately finding herself pitted against one of the most terrifying and vengeful of the Olympians.
To protect what she loves most, Circe must summon all her strength and choose, once and for all, whether she belongs with the gods she is born from, or the mortals she has come to love.
With unforgettably vivid characters, mesmerizing language and page-turning suspense, Circe is a triumph of storytelling, an intoxicating epic of family rivalry, palace intrigue, love and loss, as well as a celebration of indomitable female strength in a man’s world. (From the publisher.)

Book Discussion Questions

Discussion Questions:

1. How would you describe the personality that Madeline Miller crafts for Circe? Why is she so roundly dismissed, bullied, and belittled by her fellow immortals? Talk about the ways in which this treatment shapes her character. Despite her ancient, mythological roots, do you relate to Circe?

2. Follow-up to Question 1: In what way is Circe’s desire for vengeance at odds with her inherent compassion?

3. How does the ancient Greek society, at least in the realm of the deities, view and treat women.

4. Follow-up to Question 3: Circe tells us:
It is a common saying that women are delicate creatures—flowers, eggs, anything that may be crushed in a moment’s carelessness. If I had ever believed it, I no longer did. How does Circe disprove the widespread view of women as fragile?

5. Talk about Circe’s attitude toward motherhood: as she says, despite all her military style preparations, it was “not enough.” What does she mean, and what kind of a mother does Circe end up becoming?

6. What does Circe mean when she says, “All my life had been murk and depths, but I was not a part of that dark water. I was a creature within it”?

7. How does the author portray the love affair between Circe and Odysseus? If you are familiar with The Odyssey, how does the novel differ from Homer’s telling (or does it)?

8. How does Miller depict many of the legendary characters of Greek mythology, including Odysseus, Daedalus, Hermes, among others? In other words, how does she flesh out their “human” traits as distinct from their godlike or heroic ones?

9. What did you know of Greek mythology before reading Circe? If you had some prior familiarity with the mythical figures and their stories, has Miller’s novel added to or changed your understanding or appreciation of them?

(Questions by LitLovers.)

Crochet Meet-Up

Wednesday, December 4 & 18 from 6:30 – 8:00 pm.

Join Colleen Ochotny, certified crochet instructor, for a casual crochet meet-up. Bring your projects and/or ideas and talk with other crochet enthusiasts. All are welcome.
Colleen Ochotny is a certified crochet instructor through the Craft Yarn Council. She has been teaching crochet for more than 6 years has been crocheting for more than 30 years.

A Different Kind of Book Club

Tuesday, December 17 at 6:30pm.

A Different Kind of Book Club will focus on reading books with happy endings (romance, light fantasy, cozy mysteries and the occasional nonfiction). The group will meet the third Tuesday of the month at 6:30pm. On December 17, the club will be discussing Christmas Bells by Jennifer Chiaverini.

The Sleeping Mat Project

Wednesday, December 18 10: am – 11:30 am

Did you know those plastic bags taking up space in your closet can be woven into sleeping mats for people who are experiencing homelessness in our community?

Join Bev Weinberg for this innovative, hands-on project. People of all ages and abilities are welcome. You will learn how to make plarn (plastic yarn) and weave it into colorful mats to make a difference for homeless people in our area. This project is sponsored by Integrate for Good, a project designed to expand opportunities for individuals of all abilities to share their time and talent through volunteerism in Montgomery County.

Bev Weinberg received her Bachelor’s degree in Urban Studies from the University of Pittsburgh and her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Temple University. Bev returned to and received her clinical doctoral degree in Occupational Therapy in 2016, along with a Certificate in Innovation and Entrepreneurship from the Fox School of Business.

Bev is the project director of Integrate for Good, an innovative initiative designed to expand opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities to contribute their time and talent through civic engagement.

Memoir Writing Circle

Monday, January 6 at 6:30 pm.

Join writers in finding their voice through memoir writing. The group will use writing prompts, poems, journal entries and images to discover the compelling themes and stories that comprise a memoir. The Circle will share their writing and read aloud to each other. Suitable for writers of all levels and experience.

Holiday Card Making

Monday, December 2 @ 7:00 pm RESCHEUDLED TO THURSDAY, DEC. 19 @ 7:00 PM

Sheetal Wagh will show you how to create holiday cards for you to take home. All materials provided.
Limited to 15 participants. Registration required.

2020 Census Information and Job Application Session

Monday, January 13 from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Friday, January 31 from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

A recruiter for the 2020 Census will be available at Lower Providence Library to answer your questions and assist with applications for the 1000s of census jobs available in Montgomery County.

Mastering Your iPhone

Friday, January 24 @ 10:30 am

Do you have an iPhone? Chances are, you use it mostly for calls and photos, but there is so much more that this wonderful device can do for you! This course will help you set up your phone correctly and take advantage of some of the many features the iPhone has to offer. If you are having problems with your phone, there will be a period after the class for you to get individual help. This is a hands-on class. Please bring your iPhone with you.
Mitch Morgan has a Masters in Physics from Cornell University, and a BA from the University of Pennsylvania. He is currently retired. For 30 years he worked as a computer consultant and was the Chairman of the Math and Science department at Peirce College in Philadelphia, where he taught Math, Physics, and Computer Programming.
This program is free and limited to 30 participants. Registration required.

Social Security

Tuesday, February 11 @ 6:15 pm

This informative workshop covers the basics of social security and reveals strategies for maximizing your benefits. Learn the answers to your questions:
Will social security be there for me?
How much can I expect to receive?
When should I apply for social security?
How can I maximize my benefits?
Will social security be enough to live on in retirement?
Other information offered includes how to minimize taxes on social security benefits, how to coordinate benefits with your spouse, why you should check your earnings record for accuracy, and how to decide whether or not to delay your benefits. This program is most beneficial to those between the ages of 58 & 67. Presented by John J. Crowley, MBA

Cercle Francais

Every Tuesday at 10:30am until 12 noon.

This is not a formal language instruction class, but is for individuals wishing to practice and improve their French language conversation skills. Native speakers are most welcome. We need you, too! Please register and we will notify you three days prior to each weekly meeting.

Canasta

Meets every Thursday at 11:45 until 2:00 in the Main Library.

Join us each Thursday to play and learn the social and exciting game of Canasta. Newcomers and experienced players welcomed! For more information, email Barbara Loewengart.

Mahjong Club

Meets every Tuesday at 12:30pm in the Community Room.

Are you interested in playing Mahjong? You are welcome to join our Mahjong club! You will need a playing card, available for purchase ($7.00) at http://www.nationalmahjonggleague.org For more information, email Barbara Loewengart.

Crafter’s Club

Meets every Wednesday at 10:00 am in the upstairs Board Room.

Do you have a craft you enjoy, or are you trying to finish a project? Meet with other knitting, crochet, jewelry making and cross stitching enthusiasts. All crafts welcome. Bring your own supplies. Learn and share ideas. All are welcome! For more information, email Barbara Loewengart.