Early spring with the Springfield-Greene County Library brings two notable authors, a concert, and lessons in Black entrepreneurship.
Kwame Alexander, award-winning young adult author and educator, will talk to all ages about young adult literature at a free program at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 27, at the Springfield Art Museum, 1111 E. Brookside Drive. Books will be available for purchase and signing after the event.
Alexander is the author of “Crossover,” a verse novel that won the 2015 Newbery Award. He has written over 20 books with an emphasis on poetry and young adult fiction.
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That week of April 26-30, don’t miss shopping for bargain-priced books, CDs and DVDs, vinyl, puzzles and games at the big Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds E*Plex. Friends Night Preview Sale is 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, April 25. Friends members shop free; non-members can pay $5 at the door.
Adult, young adult and children’s books and most audiovisuals are $1 or less. Better books are $2 and up. Only cash or check accepted.
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Don’t miss the Queen City Blue J’s concert of soulful rock, blues and R&B at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 29, in the Library Station Frisco Room. Performers Jon and Jenna Swingle are part of the library’s spring concert series Good Vibrations at the Station sponsored by the Friends of the Library.
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Adults are invited to Lunch and Learn: Black Entrepreneurship in Springfield from noon-1:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 9, at the Schweitzer Brentwood Branch.
Stop by to learn stories, challenges, successes and advice from several Springfield Black entrepreneurs in this panel discussion, with lunch provided by the Library. Presented in partnership with SCORE. Registrations accepted April 18-May 2; call 417-883-1974.
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Ernie Bedell, author of “Generation B Music & Melodies” will tell the story of the Bedells, a Black musical family from Springfield that stretches back more than a century. He will speak at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 16, in the Library Center auditorium about the contributions of his family and other Black musicians rooted in Springfield. Books will be available for purchase and signing.
Kathleen O’Dell is community relations director of the Springfield-Greene County Library District. She can be reached at kathleeno@thelibrary.org.
