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Norristown Garden Club Horticultural Show

Jul 262024
 

Attention plant lovers!

This event is free and open to the public. It is an NGC Horticultural Specialty Flower Show. The public can enter flowers, fruits, and vegetables for judging, but there are specific guidelines for presentation. Stop by the library any time to pick up a packet with details. Not growing much this year? Stop by on August 14th or 15th to see how your neighbors did. Bring the kids for a little STEM exposure too. Guideline packets are available at the circulation desk and next to our gardening book display on the first floor.

Tuesday, August 13, 2024 – entries accepted 5-7pm

Wednesday, August 14, 2024 – entries accepted 9-11am

Wednesday, August 14, 2024 – Show open to the public 4-7pm

Thursday, August 15, 2024 – Show open to the public 10am-1pm

 

 

Norristown Garden Club member helps scoop dirt into potted plant.

 

Author Dhonielle Clayton Visit

Jul 222024
 

 

 

 

Join us for a live teen event with bestselling author Dhonielle Clayton. She will be in-person at Abington Free Library @ 4:30 pm and in-person at Indian Valley Public Library @ 7:30 pm on Wednesday, August 14, 2024. Livestreaming available at both times for this exciting Montgomery County Library District event.

Dhonielle Clayton is the New York Times bestselling author of The Conjureverse series, The Belles series, Shattered Midnight, co-author of Blackout, Whiteout, The Rumor Game, and of the Tiny Pretty Things duology, a Netflix original series. She is COO of the non-profit We Need Diverse Books. She is the President and founder of Cake Creative and Electric Postcard Entertainment, IP story companies creating diverse books for all ages where she’s concepted and sold over 55 books, including the Tristan Strong series, Promise Boys, Love Radio, the Love Sugar Magic series, and more. She’s an avid traveler, and always on the hunt for magic and mischief.

Montco Passport to Adventure

Jun 252024
 

Try the Montgomery County Libraries PASSPORT TO ADVENTURE challenge this summer! Find out what other Montgomery County libraries offer. Norristown Public Library is participating.

Visit our circulation desk to sign up and pick up your “passport”.

Visit libraries around the county that are on the passport and get stamped. Visitors to our library will get a honeycomb logo sticker and may do a quick scavenger hunt to engage with the library. The scavenger hunt starts at our reference desk on the first floor. Visiting kids can hunt for bees upstairs in our children’s department to earn a bookmark.

After you have visited 12 or more libraries, return your “passport” of stamps and stickers to your starting library and be entered to win a $20 gift card.  Questions about this program at the Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library can be answered at the circulation or reference desks.

Challenge ends August 30, 2024. Winner will be notified in the following week.

Visit the Montgomery County Library district page for information on libraries in our area: https://www.montcolibraries.org/

 

Summer Reading Club for Adults 2024

Jun 122024
 

June 15 – August 10, 2024

Why should kids have all the fun? By reading, adults can keep their brains sharp, lower their stress levels, and be entered to win prizes too!

(available June 15th)

Start by downloading the free Beanstack app and using it to log reading time. On Beanstack you can also tackle challenges and create book reviews. You will be entered to win prizes such as our reader’s basket full of booklover gifts, $25 gift cards, and passes to Longwood Gardens. In addition, visit the reference desk at the Norristown Public Library to complete puzzles for mini-prizes and chances on a small raffle basket. Earn extra chances by attending special events at the library.

Note: Beanstack will be available starting June 15th.

Adult events this summer:

Blitzkrieg Seminars (The Invasion of France 1940): Tuesdays June 4, 11, 18 at 2:30pm in the community room (no registration needed)

Make Music Day: Noon-4pm (plus evening events around Norristown)

The Ins & Outs of Self-Publishing with author Andrea Adore: 6pm Wednesday, June 26

AAA Activities: Thursdays at 2pm we offer activities appropriate for adults of all abilities. Anyone is welcome to join. We have a lot of fun. (This program continues into fall.)

June 13 – Art     June 20 – Karaoke     June 27 – Bingo     July 11 – Art     July 18 – Karaoke     July 25 – Bingo     August 1 – Movement     August 8 – Art

Book Clubs:

Mystery Tuesday Afternoon Book Club – 2pm July 2 (The 6:20 Man) & August 6 (One of Us Is Lying)

Saturday(general) Book Club – 2pm June 15 (The Wager), July 20 (King of the Armadillos), & August 17 (Who Is Maud Dixon?)

Mostly Lesbian Monday Night Book Club – 6:30pm June 17 (Skye Falling), July 15 (She Who Became the Sun), & August 19 (to be determined at June meeting)

Craft Nights: 6pm Mondays 6/24 (tassel & beaded earrings), 7/22 (napkin decoupage), 8/26 (map coasters & crafts) Register under the events tab on this website.

Video gaming:

Novel Knockout Smash Bros Tournament – 12:30pm-4 July 20 & August 17

Comic Fest: 10am-3pm Saturday, August 3, 2024

Pick Up Chess: Every Tuesday afternoon at 2pm in the magazine area near the front entrances

Team Jigsaw Puzzle Contest: 6pm Monday, August 5 Register under the events tab on this website.

Horticultural Show sponsored by the Norristown Garden Club: Wednesday, August 14, 2024 (public encouraged to enter)

Comic Fest 2024

May 102024
 

 

 

 

 

 

Don’t miss our annual COMIC FEST at Norristown Public Library SATURDAY, AUGUST 3, 2024!

Back by popular demand we will have the cosplay contest, trivia, fan voting, crafts for all ages, character visits, artist alley, and more! New this year: a gaming truck!

 

 

GET READY:

Prepare your cosplay outfits for our Comic Fest cosplay contest now (all ages). If you need help drop by on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at 11am and consult with our volunteer costume expert, Cali. Create your own character or imitate your favorites from Marvel, DC, Manga, Anime, Disney, etc.

Submit entries for the art contest by July 31st (all ages). All residents of Montgomery County are eligible to enter our Comic Fest Art Contest. $50 will be awarded to winners in each of the following categories: Fan Art, Original Character, Short Comic Strip, People’s Choice. There are no restrictions on age, media used, or size of artwork. Submissions can be brought to the library or emailed to JCove@mclinc.org. Submissions will be put on the library’s social media for people’s choice voting after the event.

Register for and attend our lightsaber workshop on Monday, July 29th at 3pm (kids & teens).  https://mnl.libcal.com/event/12589463

Save your money so you can buy some cool merch at Artists Alley.

Tell you friends to save the date so you can go to Comic Fest together.

ATTEND THE ACTUAL EVENT SATURDAY, AUGUST 3, 2024:

The event is from 10am-3pm at Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library, 1001 Powell Street, Norristown, PA 19401  610-278-5100.  Comic Fest is fun for kids, teens, & adults. All are welcome. Entry is free. Spanish speaking staff will be on-site.  Park in the lot below the library building, accessed off Swede Street.

Stop at the registration table when you arrive to receive your program, free lanyard, and snack tickets. Wander the festival between scheduled programs to see costumes & characters, vote your fandom, shop artist alley, play games, create your own buttons & comic books, admire fan art, and more.  Members of Kyber Base will be here in Star Wars costume. Sonic, Pikachu, and Belle will also make appearances. Don’t miss the GameTruck outside until 1:30pm. Separate gaming will be set up for younger children in the children’s department upstairs. All day teen and adult gaming will be held in the community room. See below for timed elements of the day.

10-11am: Sonic character visit

10am-1:30pm: GameTruck will be outside our Powell Street entrance. (Gaming will also happen upstairs and in the community room throughout the day.)

11am-12noon: Pikachu character visit, trading card game tournaments

11:30: Comic Writing Workshop with Keville Bowen

12noon: Comic Art Drawing Class with Jason Rodriguez (ages 9-15)

1pm: Trivia

1:30: Artist Showdown

2pm: Cosplay Contest ($50 prizes in three age categories)

Artists in attendance will include: Keville Bowen, Jason Rodriguez, Dawn Griffin, Jun Yi, Nic Hwang, Connor Peterson, Rose Moran, Zeta230, Steve Peters, and cosplay designer Cali Eisele.

Check out some photos from last year’s Comic Fest…

       

 

2024 ART CONTEST GUIDELINES:

Who: Montgomery County residents of any age are welcome to participate. Participants can work independently or in teams of no more than 3 people. Only one entry per contestant/team.

What: Comic Fest is a free, annual celebration of comics fandom focusing on local artists’ work, Star Wars, superheroes, anime, manga, Disney, etc. The art contest is part of this day-long event including free art classes, a cosplay contest, trivia games, crafts, gaming, character visits and more. There is no cost to participate in Comic Fest or Comic Fest art classes. Visit mc-npl.org for details. 

A $50 prize will be awarded in each of the following categories followed by an additional prize for “people’s choice”.

         1. Fan Art (established characters)         2. Original Character           3. Short comic strip

Size and media may be chosen by the artists, but artwork must be original work of the artist or team. Only one submission per artist or team. 

When: Submissions are due by July 31st. They can be brought to the library or emailed to JCove@mclinc.org. Prizes will be awarded at Comic Fest on Saturday, August 3, 2024, before the cosplay fashion show at 2pm. 

Where: Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library is located at 1001 Powell St., Norristown, PA 19401. 

Comics will be judged based on storytelling, character design, backgrounds, and composition. Category awards will be announced at Comic Fest. People’s choice will be voted by attendees to the event and announced afterward. 

Rights to Artwork: Through the submission of artwork, contestants and their legal guardians grant non-exclusive reproduction and publication rights to the works submitted. We will attempt to return artwork if desired, but please know we cannot 100% guarantee no damage will occur during public viewing. 

Make sure to include your name and contact information with your submission! Include information about media used and theme if you’d like. 

 

2024 COSPLAY GUIDELINES:

The show will be held at Comic Fest on Saturday, August 3, 2024, at the Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library, 1001 Powell Street, Norristown, PA 19401. 

Participants should register between 10am and 1pm at the welcome table. Please line up between 1:30-1:45 for the contest. The cosplay fashion show will begin at 2pm.  Comic Fest is from 10am-3pm. 

All ages may participate. Prizes will be awarded, but we encourage everyone, regardless of cosplay level or experience, to participate in the spirit of fun.  

A $50 prize will be awarded in each of the following three age categories: 

                 10-years-old and under         11-17-years-old         18+ 

Cookbook Club

Apr 102024
 

The cookbook club is back by popular demand. Each month we choose a cookbook. It is put on display at the circulation desk at the Norristown Public Library. Choose a recipe, make free copies or order the book from another library (or find an ebook copy if available). Make the recipe at home and bring it to cookbook club to share. We will taste and discuss the chosen recipes.  Register by emailing Jeanne at JCove@mclinc.org or using the events tab on this website (click on the event listed in the July 8th block and look for the register button).

Meets Monday, August 12, 2024 – 660 Curries by Raghavan Iyer (bring a plate, bowl, and silverware for yourself along with your dish to share)

Curry is Salmon with Garlic and Turmeric. Curry is Grilled Chicken with Cashew-Tomato Sauce. Curry is Asparagus with Tomato and Crumbled Paneer. Curry is Lamb with Yellow Split Peas, Chunky Potatoes with Spinach, Tamarind Shrimp with Coconut Milk, Baby Back Ribs with a Sweet-Sour Glaze and Vinegar Sauce, Basmati Rice with Fragrant Curry Leaves. Curry is vivid flavors, seasonal ingredients, a kaleidoscope of spices and unexpected combinations. And 660 Curries is the gateway to the world of Indian cooking, demystifying one of the world’s great cuisines.

Presented by the IACP award–winning Cooking Teacher of the Year (2004), Raghavan Iyer, 660 Curries is a joyous food-lover’s extravaganza. Mr. Iyer first grounds us in the building blocks of Indian flavors—the interplay of sour (like tomatoes or yogurt), salty, sweet, pungent (peppercorns, chiles), bitter, and the quality of unami (seeds, coconuts, and the like). Then, from this basic palette, he unveils an infinite art. There are appetizers—Spinach Fritters, Lentil Dumplings in a Buttermilk Coconut Sauce—and main courses—Chicken with Lemongrass and Kaffir-Lime Leaves, Lamb Loin Chops with an Apricot Sauce. Cheese dishes—Pan-Fried Cheese with Cauliflower and Cilantro; bean dishes—Lentil Stew with Cumin and Cayenne. And hundreds of vegetable dishes—Sweet Corn with Cumin and Chiles, Chunky Potatoes with Golden Raisins, Baby Eggplant Stuffed with Cashew Nuts and Spices. There are traditional, regional curries from around the subcontinent and contemporary curries. Plus all the extras: biryanis, breads, rice dishes, raitas, spice pastes and blends, and rubs.

 

Previous Cookbooks Discussed/Tasted at Norristown Public Library’s Cookbook Club:

July 8, 2024 – French Comfort Food by Hillary Davis

June 10, 2024 – Vegetable Revelations by Steven Satterfield & Salad Seasons by Sheela Prakash

May 13, 2024 – The World Central Kitchen Cookbook by José Andrés

 

Mostly Lesbian Books Club

Feb 272024
 

Join us for the Mostly Lesbian Books Club on the third Monday of each month at 6:30pm at the Norristown Public Library. All are welcome to attend this book club focusing on books with lesbian themes, characters, or authors.  You can borrow copies of the book through the library or get it elsewhere.  The group will decides on titles together two months ahead.  Questions? Email Jeanne at JCove@mclinc.org or call 610-278-5100 x400.

March 2024: The Librarian of Burned Books by Brianna Labuskes

April 2024: One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston

May 2024:  Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield

June 2024: Skye Falling by Mia McKenzie

Monday, July 15, 2024 at 6:30-7:30pm: She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan

In a famine-stricken village on a dusty yellow plain, two children are given two fates. A boy, greatness. A girl, nothingness. In 1345, China lies under harsh Mongol rule. For the starving peasants of the Central Plains, greatness is something found only in stories. When the Zhu family’s eighth-born son, Zhu Chongba, is given a fate of greatness, everyone is mystified as to how it will come to pass. The fate of nothingness received by the family’s clever and capable second daughter, on the other hand, is only as expected. When a bandit attack orphans the two children, though, it is Zhu Chongba who succumbs to despair and dies. Desperate to escape her own fated death, the girl uses her brother’s identity to enter a monastery as a young male novice. There, propelled by her burning desire to survive, Zhu learns she is capable of doing whatever it takes, no matter how callous, to stay hidden from her fate. After her sanctuary is destroyed for supporting the rebellion against Mongol rule, Zhu takes the chance to claim another future altogether: her brother’s abandoned greatness.

Monday, August 19, 2024 at 6:30-7:30pm: The Memory Librarian by Janelle Monáe

In The Memory Librarian: And Other Stories of Dirty Computer, singer-songwriter, actor, fashion icon, futurist, and worldwide superstar Janelle Monáe and an esteemed cohort of collaborating writers bring to the written page the Afrofuturistic world of her critically acclaimed album, exploring how different threads of liberation — queerness, race, gender plurality and love—become tangled with future possibilities of memory and time in such a totalitarian landscape … and what the costs might be when trying to unravel and weave them into freedoms.

Monday, September 16, 2024 at 6:30-7:30pm: TBD

 

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