Current events lecture series continues in Nether Prov
NETHER PROVIDENCE >> Helen Kate Furness Free Library, 100 N. Providence Road, Wallingford, welcomes Professor Jim Caccamo for “Fake News and the Soul of Society” at 7:15 p.m. Monday, April 24.
The term “fake news” may be new, but the phenomenon has been around for a long time. But what exactly is “fake news” and why is it such a big deal? After all, isn’t everyone entitled to express their opinion? Isn’t everyone working an angle? In this talk, Prof. Caccamo explores the different media practices now referred to as “fake news,” and suggest that if society wants to see a world that supports flourishing rather than just winning, it needs to find, support and produce media that expresses the truth.
James Caccamo is Associate Professor of Social Ethics and Chair of the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at Saint Joseph’s University. His specializations include moral implications of technology and media practices.
The library welcomes author Fred Dixon for “The Road To and Through Impressionism” at 7:15 p.m. Wednesday, April 26. It has been said, “The road to Impressionism goes straight through the forest of Fontainebleau.” Learn how art history progresses as the art pendulum swung throughout the 19th century. View paintings by Manet, Morisot, Pissarro, Sisley, Renoir and Monet. Hear how Impressionism got its name and why it was considered vulgar and ridiculous early on.
Dixon is the author of “700 Years of Art History: Pre-Renaissance to Modernism.” Copies of Dixon’s book is available for $35 at the program. Dixon and his wife Martha began to collect art some 35 years ago. Their home in Chadds Ford has become a mini-museum with roughly 130 paintings and sculpture pieces by artists from 25 countries.
Both lectures are held in the Chadwick Auditorium on the library’s lower level. Advanced registration is requested; call the library at 610-566-9331.
Duffy’s Cut, more at Upper Chi
UPPER CHICHESTER >> Upper Chichester Library, 3374 Chichester Ave., #19, welcomes Prof. William E. Watson to discuss his book “The Ghost of Duffy’s Cut: The Irish who died building America’s most dangerous stretch of railroad,” at 1:30 p.m. April 26. The lecture is free and open to the public.
Duffy’s Cut is the name given to a stretch of railroad track 30 miles west of Philadelphia originally built for the Philadelphia and Columbia Railroads in the summer and fall of 1832 which became part of the Pennsylvania Railroad’s Main Line. Phillip Duffy hired 57 Irish immigrants to lay this line. Less than two months after their arrival, all 57 are believed to have died during the second cholera pandemic.
Watson is an associate professor and history department chairman at Immaculata University. “The Ghost of Duffy’s Cut” has been featured on National Public Radio, CNN, BBC Radio, The Wall Street Journal, a 60-minute documentary and dozens of newspaper, magazine, television and radio pieces. To register, call the library at 610485-0200.
Registration is open for “PA One Book Every Young Child Early Literacy Program,” sponsored by Chichester Rotary. Rotary members read “Daniel Finds A Poem” during five April sessions at the library. Remaining sessions are at 11 a.m. April 22 — one at Upper Chi, and one at Mary H. Campbell Library, Marcus Hook, at 11 a.m. April 22.
Upper Chichester Library Children’s Programmer Jen Buchanan and Marcus Hook Library Children’s Programmer Dawn O’Donnell create a special craft with the children as part of the program. Each child receives a copy of the book to take home.
Catch Egyptomania at Ridley April 19
RIDLEY TOWNSHIP >> Egyptomania is back at the library, 100 E. MacDade Blvd., Folsom, when Stephen Phillips, Ph.D., from the University of Penn Museum visits at 6:15 p.m. Wednesday, April 19. Egyptomania refers to the fascination with ancient Egyptian culture and history which is prevalent all over the world. Why are we so obsessed with ancient Egypt? References to ancient Egypt can be found everywhere: In television and movies, music, architecture, and more. Phillips, a popular guest at the library, explores this topic with his visit. Phillips is the Research Assistant in the Egyptian Section of the museum.
For information and registration, call 610-583-0593, email reference@ridleylibrary.org or visit the library.
Media-UP announces spring sale
MEDIA >> Media-Upper Providence Free Library’s Spring Book Sale debuts at its new location at the Media-Upper Providence Free Library, 1 E. Front St., running 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily Saturday, April 22-Monday, April 24.
The sale features fiction and non-fiction, children’s books, puzzles and games, CDs, DVDs and records, and special and collectible books. On Saturday, paperbacks are $1, trade paperbacks, most hardbacks are $2. and CDs and DVDs are $2. Sunday is half-price day (excludes specials). Monday is $5 a bag day and halfpriced specials.
For parking and other information, visit www.mediauplibrary.org/book-sale, search for “Media UP Book Sale” on Facebook, follow the sale on Twitter and Instagram (@mediaupbooksale), email librarysalemupl@gmail.com or call the library at 610-566-1918. In preparation for the sale, volunteers have temporarily stopped accepting donations and ask that additional book donations be held until May 1.
Busy April in Darby
DARBY BOROUGH >> Darby Free Library holds the following programs in April:
• Free poppy seeds provied by Destination Delco Tourist Bureau and Delaware County Council are available at the library as part of 100th anniversary of America’s entry into World War I remembrance.
• Pretzel Day is held April 20 with pretzels available for 50 percents each. At 7 p.m. April 20, Keith Lockhart presents “A Look into Darby’s Past” at the Edward Bacon Recreation Center, 1020 Ridge Ave. All proceeds benefit the 275th Darby Library Anniversary.
• Hear “Rosie Revere, Enginner” by Andrea Beaty at noon Saturday, April 22. The book is the current Longwood Garden’s Community Read book for young readers. Six lucky families receive four passes to Longwood Gardens at the event.
• Learn how to be part of the library’s new “Edible Garden” with an information session at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 29.
Spaghetti, gardening, more at Aston
ASTON >> Aston Public Library, 3720 Concord Road, hosts a performance from children’s magician Ari Paul Felber at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 27. The Ari Paul Felber children’s magic show is fun, funny, entertaining and interactive. Tricks and humor go hand in hand when Ari is around. The show is for all ages.
Friends of the Aston Public Library hold a Spaghetti Dinner from 4:30-7 p.m. Saturday, April 29, at the library. Costs of $10 for adults, $5 for children 12 and under, and $30 for a family of five, include beverages and dessert with choie of meatball or meatless sauce. Eat-in or takeout.
The library holds a viewing and discussion of the movie “Fences” at 11 a.m. Monday, April 24. A light lunch is provided. The screening is part of the library’s Movie Discussion Group montly meeting. To register, visit www.tinyurl. com/astonadultevents
The library welcomes Garden Designer Jason Butsch of Arrowhead Gardens at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 20, in parternship with Solar City for a free presentation on sustainability for homes and gardens.
The program features practical tips on garden design, composting, control and removal of invasive plants, gardening for pollinators and wildlife, and selection of site-appropriate native plant species. Learn about landscaping for home energy-efficiency and segue into a discussion of the many benefits of solar energy for homeowners, and the ins and outs of solar panel installation. To register, visit www.tinyurl.com/ astonadultevents
For information on the above programs, visit www. astonlibrary.org
May book sale in Swarthmomre
SWARTHMORE >> Friends of the Swarthmore Public Library holds its Spring Book and Bake Sale Thursday, May 4-Saturday, May 6. Sale hours are 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday-Friday and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. Saturday is $5 a bag day. The sale includes books, audio books and DVDs. Visit the Booktique for rare and unusual books. The Baker’s Table includes homemade