WESTFIELD — The month of June will feature various programs at the Westfield Memorial Library, among them book discussions, information for senior citizens, and a special craft program for children. The library is located at 550 East Broad Street.
The Banned Book Discussion Group will meet on Monday, June 10, at 7 p.m., to discuss “All Boys Aren’t Blue,” by George M. Johnson. A prominent journalist and LGBTQIA+ activist, Mr. Johnson explores in a series of personal essays his childhood, adolescence and college years in New Jersey and Virginia. From the memories of getting his teeth kicked out by bullies at age 5, to flea marketing with his loving grandmother, to his first sexual relationships, this young-adult memoir weaves together the trials and triumphs faced by Black queer boys.
While praise has been heaped on Mr. Johnson’s collection of essays for young adults, it also received a reported 82 challenges in 2023 for “LGBTQIA+ content” and “claimed to be sexually explicit,” making it the number-two most challenged book of 2023. It also has been reported to be banned in more than 29 school districts across the country.
The group will be joined by Layla Orlando, director of Health Equity and Wellness for Garden State Equality. Copies of the book can be obtained at the library Circulation Desk and registration is required.
On Thursday, June 13, at 8 p.m., the library will host another livestreaming of a virtual author: “Psychological Thrillers and the Queen of Twists” — a Talk with Freida McFadden. Ms. McFadden will join viewers to chat about writing psychological thrillers and her mega-bestselling hit, “The Housemaid” series, in particular her third installment, “The Housemaid Is Watching,” which comes out this month. A number-one New York Times, Amazon Charts, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Sunday Times and Publishers Weekly bestselling author, Ms. McFadden is a practicing physician specializing in brain injury who has penned multiple bestselling psychological thrillers and medical humor novels. The Aging Services Kiosk (ASK) will be at the library in the Gallery on Friday, June 14, from 10 a.m. to noon. Hosted by the Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection, this is a drop-in event with no registration or appointments required.
Seniors and/or their caregivers can speak to a specialist and get answers to their questions about pharmaceutical assistance, home energy assistance/USF, cooling assistance, home care, home-delivered or congregate meals, Medicaid eligibility, Social Security, caregiver-relief programs, transportation and more.
A special workshop entitled “Pop Go the Butterflies” will be offered on Saturday, June 15, from 10 to 11 a.m. Presented by the library’s inaugural artist-in-residence, Westfield resident Jenn Wilner, this workshop is for children in kindergarten through grade 5 and is special-needs friendly. Youngsters will make special butterflies.Adult supervision and registration are required.
To register for programs, sign up for a library card, or learn more about the library’s resources, visit the library’s website at https://wmlnj.org/ . Library hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m. The library will be closed on Sunday, June 16, for Father’s Day and Wednesday, June 19, for Juneteenth.
