Check out what’s happening soon in the Peninsula library system

Lynne Zeiher

special to the Gateway

Over the past few months, there has been a lot of buzz about the Uptown Gig Harbor shopping center, but long before it was conceived, the Peninsula Pierce County Library has been the place to go on Point Fosdick Drive.

It’s fun, friendly and free. What’s not to love?

There is something for everyone at the library: Movies on DVD, Internet access, magazines, talking books, answers to your questions and books for every taste. There are also events such as story times, workshops and special speakers.

Here’s a bit of what’s going on:

Washington Poet Laureate

As a wrapup to National Library Week, the Friends of the Peninsula Library are presenting a poetry reading by Samuel Green, Washington State’s first poet laureate.

Green will read from his numerous published works, and he will sign copies of his latest book, “The Grace of Necessity,” at 7 p.m. Thursday.

As poet laureate, Green’s mission is to build awareness and appreciation of poetry throughout his home state.

Green lives and breathes poetry on the small island of Waldron in the San Juans, in a log house he built himself.

He moved there with his wife, Sally, 25 years ago so poetry could be the center of their lives.

In addition to writing, he is co-editor of Brooding Heron Press, which specialized in the publication of fine letterpress poetry books. His own poetry reflects his lifestyle and his love of nature.

“Sam Green’s poems, like his life, fall naturally, smoothly, and uniquely into his days. They are a calendar of events in nature,” author Hayden Carruth said.

Learn more about Green at www.washingtonpoetlaureate.org, which includes a number of his poems, biographical information and a link to the presentation he gave for Arts Day in Olympia on Feb. 19.

Japanese culture

A taste of Japanese culture will be coming to the Key Center Pierce County Library branch.

Japanese folktales and music will be featured in the program Koto Tales at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. Koto master Dr. Elizabeth Falconer will accompany her stories with her traditional koto, a Japanese floor harp.

It’s a rare treat to hear live music, especially from such an unusual instrument, and it will be even more special when paired with stories from Japan.

The program should delight all ages.

Anime

The more recent Japanese art form, Anime, will be featured at the Peninsula Branch on May 21. The showings are at 4:30 p.m. for teens and young adults.

Anime films, the motion picture version of manga illustrated books, are shown every third Wednesday of each month. The characters usually have big eyes and spiky hair. Snacks and movies are free.

Library staff in the community

You may be familiar with the semi-annual used book sales sponsored by the Friends of the Peninsula library, but you may not know that we also have a plant sale.

Once a year, the meeting room starts to look a bit like a jungle full of perennials, herbs, shrubs and more. The green thumb members of the Peninsula staff donate their plants, time and expertise as a fundraiser for the Gig Harbor Relay for Life.

Not only does the staff provide some great gardening advice, but they arrange for a master gardener to be there to help the “black thumbs” among us.

Plants are really a bargain, so it’s a great place to try out something new and see if it will flourish.

Of course, after purchasing your plants, you’ll be in perfect position to check out a few landscaping and gardening books to help plant them in just the right place in your yard.

The next sale will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 17. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Those who are interested can also help by donating healthy plants from their yards. Each year, many of our patrons and friends help make the event a success by contributing plants from their garden. It’s a great place for those perennials that are trying to take over a bit too much space.

Livable Community Fair coming May 10

On the Key Peninsula, the library will have a booth at the Key Peninsula Livable Community Fair on May 10.

Staff are looking forward to venturing out of the library to meet and talk to more members of the community. Visit us from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the civic center.

Next time you are out and about in Gig Harbor or the Key Peninsula, drop by your library to see what else is happening, or visit www.piercecountylibrary.org.

Lynne Zeiher can be reached at LZeiher@piercecountylibrary.org.