Go There: Your Local Library

Go There is a feature in which our writers tell you about tourist attractions and other places of interest around the city.

Wednesdays at 7 pm the Central Branch of the Municipal Public Library System (Johnston and Walker Streets, diagonally across from the City Hall Annex) hosts a variety of events, free of charge, in the William Johnson Kramer room on the 2nd Level. Here is a look at their summer schedule-

:: Weekend sports anchor and occasional stand-up comedian Tad Martinelli will present “Hey, Jude,” an examination of the wit and humor of English author and poet Thomas Hardy (1840 – 1928). Martinelli will also be autographing copies of his book Taking Your Lumpes, a biography of journeyman second baseman Jerry Lumpe (pronounced ‘lumpy’), about whom Casey Stengel famously said in 1959 “He looks like the greatest hitter in the world, until you play him.”
June 6

:: Local historian and Head Librarian (1953–67) Emeritus Cornelia “Connie” DuBois will lead a discussion of female authors in the 19th century, focusing on their contributions to erotic literature. Seating capacity is 120, so plan to arrive early. Children under 16 years of age must be accompanied by a parent.
June 20

:: Clifford’s Notes, the barbershop quartet fronted by School Board Treasurer Clifford Detweiler, will present selections from their new CD Christmas Rapping, a collection of traditional holiday favorites done in barbershop style with a “surprisingly modern beat.” Copies of the CD autographed by all four ‘Notes’ will be available for $10.00, with proceeds donated to “Free the Children,” an organization that builds schools in impoverished areas around the world.
July 25, part of the City’s “Christmas In July” festival.

:: Local activist Carolyn Cartwright will talk about her book Tangled Web, an expose of corruption in city government since 1860. Mrs. Cartwright is the first wife of the late Eugene Cartwright, long time City Comptroller (1987-2001) and later Deputy CAO of the federal Government Accountability Office (2001-2005).
August 1

:: The Knotts High School Show Choir will perform a sampling from their upcoming “Spring into Spring” extravaganza, schedule for Friday, June 8th. Seasonal selections include “Roots and Leaves Themselves Alone,” a choral version of the famous Walt Whitman poem, and “Sunshine Day,” a medley of the three songs by that name made famous by Osibisa, Jethro Tull and the Brady Bunch.
August 15

:: Ohio congressman and presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich will present his case for national office, and sign copies of his book A Prayer for America, a collection of speeches and essays by the former ‘boy mayor’ of Cleveland. Publishers Weekly says, “A thoughtful explanation and defense of Kucinich’s views would be an important contribution to the national debate. Unfortunately, this hastily assembled collection of speeches doesn’t fit the bill. Short on logic, analysis and detail, these addresses, delivered to such friendly audiences as labor unions and peace groups, are filled with applause lines that may work as oratory but make tedious reading.”
August 29

Full schedules for this series and other library events across the city may be found at your local branch.
– D. Andrews