HARVARD — Check out what’s new at Harvard Public Library:
The Friends of the Harvard Public Library Annual Book Sale is the group’s main fund-raising event. Proceeds support the library. Funds have been used help build the new library, buy computer equipment, purchase museum passes, provide children’s programs and produce events organized by the Harvard Friends of the Arts. The group also awards a $500 scholarship each year to local high school junior through the annual Whitcomb Poetry Award.
A preview sale will be held May 16, from 6 to 8 p.m., for members of the friends only. All are invited May 17 for the early-bird admission from 8 to 9 a.m. at a cost of $10 and regular, free admission from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Another sale, with free admission, will be held May 18 from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The sale will be held at the old library on Fairbank Street.
The group will accept donated books for the sale each Saturday until May 10, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the old library. Do not drop off books at the new library on Pond Road.
Children’s programs
Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m., Infant Storytime for children aged 0 to 2. This 20-minute program of stories, songs and fingerplays. You do not need to sign up.
Mondays, 10:30 a.m., Toddler Storytime for children aged 2 to 3. Half-hour of stories, songs and fingerplays. No sign up.
Thursdays, 10 a.m., Preschool Storytime for children aged 4 to 7. Half-hour of quiet and interactive stories and fingerplays with occasional crafts and special appearances from the library’s puppets. No sign up.
Saturdays, 11 a.m., Storytimes for children aged 3 to 7. Teen volunteers lead these fun, drop-in, half-hour storytimes. No sign up.
Saturdays, 4 to 5 p.m., Game Hour for third- to sixth-graders. Drop-in, after-school game hour facilitated by teen volunteers. Play an assortment of fun games.
April 15, Bagels’n’Books Group for fifth-graders; April 29, Bagels’n’Books Group for sixth-graders; 4 to 4:45 p.m. The fifth-grade book is “Castaways of the Flying Dutchman,” by Brian Jacques. The sixth-grade book is “The Falconer’s Malteser: A Diamond Brothers Mystery” by Anthony Horowitz. Snacks will be offered. Members should read all of the book prior to the meeting. Preregister and we’ll request a copy of the book for you.
April 30, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., Balloon Sculpting Workshop with Ed Popielarczyk. Popielarczyk, a professional magician, balloon sculptor and storyteller with 25 years of entertainment experience, will run a balloon-sculpting workshop for a group of 30 kids in third grade or higher. He will talk about balloon safety and show the different types of balloons that he uses. He’ll also teach the group how to make a puppy dog, a weenie dog, a giraffe and a mouse before moving on to balloon hats. Preregistration is required. For information or to sign up call (978) 456-2381.
Adult programs
The Brown Bag Book Club
The Brown Bag Book Club is held on the third Wednesday of every month at noon. The next meeting will be April in the Elizabeth Turner Room — the anteroom to Volunteers Hall — to discuss “Tolstoy Lied: A Love Story” by Rachel Kadish. Bring a lunch and the coffee is on us. Drop-ins are welcome.
