As the Rowley Public Library celebrates the quasquicentennial (125th) anniversary of its founding in 1891, we’ll be looking both forwards and backwards in time. HG Wells’ classic The Time Machine, first published in 1895, will be our Rowley Reads selection. It is available as a free audiobook or ebook download from Project Gutenberg. There are also copies available at the library. You may reserve your copy here.
Rowley Reads kicks off with the opportunity to compare and contrast the two film adaptations. On Thursday March 10 we’ll screen the 1960 version starring Rod Taylor, and on Monday March 14 we’ll show the 2002 version, which was directed by Simon Wells, great-grandson of author HG Wells. Both movies start at 6 pm and pizza and beverages will be served.
On Saturday March 19 at 1 pm, join us for the PG-13 rated “Land of the Lost,” in which Will Ferrell’s Dr. Marshall builds a time machine and travels to an alternate universe – one with dinosaurs! Then on Monday March 28 at 6 pm we’ll screen the 1979 “Time after Time,” starring Malcolm McDowell as HG Wells, whose time machine is stolen by Jack the Ripper. Our time travel themed Pizza & a Movie series concludes on Thursday April 14 at 6 pm with the 1985 classic “Back to the Future” in which Marty McFly travels back in time in a DeLorean.
Saturday April 2 is Dr. Who day! Join us from 1-4 pm as we celebrate our favorite Time Lord! Pose for a selfie with a life-size TARDIS, play adipose toss and other games, challenge yourself with trivia, enjoy snacks, crafts, and activities for all ages. Dr. Who themed door prizes will be awarded. Come in costume for even more fun! Special guest Brittney Lezon will be here for a Q & A. Brittney Lezon, of Ipswich MA, is a web graphic designer at Christianbook.com in Peabody, MA. In her personal time, she is most often making digital paintings or costumes of characters she’s obsessed with. She has created various fanarts and cosplays from Doctor Who, Final Fantasy, Kingdom Hearts and The Last of Us. Watch her collaborative fan scene reenactment of the Doctor and Rose’s tearful goodbye here.
Monday April 4 Library Staff will visit the Rowley Senior Center in the Town Hall Annex on Central Street for a book discussion at 10 am. All are welcome!
Tuesday, April 12 at 7 pm we will be joined by Dr. Robert Crossley, professor emeritus of UMass Boston, Wells Scholar, and author of Imagining Mars: A Literary History (Early Classics of Science Fiction) for a book discussion in the Community Room at the Rowley Library, 141 Main St.
Save the date! May Day (Sunday May 1) join us for the finale of Rowley Reads 2016, Afternoon Tea from 2-4 pm. Live music will be provided by harpist Carol Littlefield McIntyre. All the traditional snacks & sweets will be served.
