Free screening of documentary among April library events

Ozaukee County libraries will celebrate National Library Week by sponsoring a free screening of the documentary “The Librarians” on Wednesday, April 23, at Inventors Brewpub in Port Washington.

The acclaimed film directed by Kim Snyder examines the impact of book bans throughout the country and follows the librarians who find themselves on the front lines of a national battle over library collection standards that include restrictions on race-related and LGBTQIA+ content.

The doors open at 6 p.m. and the screening begins at 6:30 p.m. Inventors Brewpub is at 305 E. Washington St.

Also in April, the Oscar Grady Library in Saukville has a full calendar of events planned, which for adults begins with gentle chair yoga at 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays, April 1, 8 and 22.

Library Director Emily Laws will lead participants through 30 minutes of relaxing chair stretches and deep breathing using the Down Dog app on the library’s big screen.

Oscar Grady Weekly Walks will be held at 9 a.m. Mondays, April 6 through May 18.

A library staff member will meet participants on the library patio and lead them on a one-mile, two-hour walk through the neighborhood. The walks, which offer opportunities not just for exercise but also socialization, will be held rain or shine.

The Morning Fiction Book Club will meet at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 2, to discuss “The Women” by Kristin Hannah. Copies of the book are available for check out at the library. 

The Fiber Arts Group will meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 9, to work on individual projects in a group environment. Participants should bring their own projects to work on. There is no instructor, but the group offers an opportunity to share ideas, tips and inspiration.

The Oscar Grady Library Board will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 14. The meeting is open to the public. 

The Love and Lore Book Club will meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 16, to discuss “From Blood and Ash” by Jennifer Armentrout. Copies of the book are available for checkout at the library.

This patron-hosted group is for book lovers in their 20s looking for conversation, connections and captivating reads.

The Afternoon Fiber Arts Group will meet at 2 p.m. Friday, April 17. Like the evening version of this program, participants work on individual projects they bring with them in a group environment.

A program on the Wisconsin Historical Society Library and Archives genealogy collections will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, April 20.

Wisconsin Historical Society Reference Librarian Jill Fuller will introduce participants to the organization’s extensive family history collection, from historic newspapers and family history books to court records and rare documents, and show them how to navigate the Wisconsin Historical Society catalog and website, plan a research visit and offer tips for accessing documents remotely. 

At 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 21, the Evening Nonfiction Book Club will meet to discuss “Cloistered: My Years as a Nun” by Catherine Coldstream. Copies of the book are available for checkout at the library.

For teenagers, the library will offer a free practice ACT exam to help students improve their scores on the college entrance test at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 18. 

All students will receive a full score report, which will flag specific areas for improvement.

Events for children include spring storytimes at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesdays  through April 28.

The sessions, which are designed for children 2 to 5 years old, include not only stories but songs and activities and explore a new theme each week. Registration is not required.

The after-school Lego Club meets at 3:45 p.m. Wednesdays through April 29.

The club gives children in kindergarten through fifth grade the opportunity to use the library’s blocks to make creations that may be displayed at the library for all to see.

The STEM Club for children in first through fifth grades will present Whatever Floats Your Boat at 1 p.m. Monday, April 6.

Children will explore gravity and buoyancy by building aluminum foil boats and seeing which one can hold the most marbles.

Registration is required and can be done at www.oscargradylibrary.org.

The STEM Club meets monthly and allows children to explore the principles of science, technology, engineering and math through experiments and lessons led by library staff members and guest experts.

An Art Sparks program for children in kindergarten through fifth grade will be held at 3:45 p.m. Thursday, April 30. Children will work on four sections of a flower, then combine the sections to make a giant sunflower that will used as a decoration for the summer reading program. Participants are asked to register at www.oscargradylibrary.org.

The Oscar Grady Library is at 151 S. Main St.