Christopher Nelson: Summer Programming for Adults at Neuse Regional Libraries
By Christopher Nelson, Engagement Librarian
It is that time of year again! As the summer season fast approaches, the Kinston-Lenoir County Public Library is planning to offer more awesome recreational and cultural programs for our community members!
As we have for years previous, we have planned another set of Coming Together programs this year, which we intend to set the stage for our upcoming Juneteenth Community Celebration. Our theme for this year is “Expressing Cultural Heritage Through the Arts”, and our programs will be centered on artistic expression and connecting with one’s roots.
On Thursday, June 1 at 6:30 p.m., Dr. Rita Joyner will lead a presentation entitled “The Murals of Kinston” where she will discuss the completion and significance of the murals featured in the City of Kinston’s Downtown Kinston Mural Project. Dr. Joyner will be joined alongside artists Jamil Burton, Maximilian Mozingo, Broderick Flanagan, and Maxx Moses, who will share their experiences in completing the project. This program will be held in person and broadcast live through Zoom. Sign up by sending an email to cnelson@neuselibrary.org to receive the Zoom meeting link.
Our second program is entitled “Poetically Coloring in the Lines”, and will take place on Thursday, June 8 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.. Kinston Poet Laureate Clevette Roberts will offer a one-time-only creative poetry workshop in our Schechter Auditorium. Ms. Roberts has been an awesome host of our library’s many previous Open Mic Poetry Slams, and we are excited to have her share her talents with our community members. Ms. Roberts will also bring along copies of her books to sell to those who are interested. Due to limited supplies, pre-registration is required for this program, so please make sure to call 252.527.7066 ext. 134 to reserve a seat.
Our Adult Summer Reading Program will also be returning! Our Adult Summer Reading Program this year will run from Thursday, June 15 to Thursday, August 17. The theme for this year is “Connecting With The Past”, and those who participate will be given the option to read three novels that feature time travel narratives. Participants can complete a self-paced activity booklet and attend book discussions, music bingo nights, a retro cooking demonstration and a retro dance class. Completion of and/or attending activities will allow participants to compete to win their choice of three gift baskets. Registration will begin at each Neuse Regional Library on Thursday, June 1.
The Neuse Regional Libraries’ annual Juneteenth Community Celebration will be held once again this year, and we have aimed to make it bigger and better than last year’s event. This year’s festival will take place on Saturday, June 17, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., and it will be held at the African-American Music Trail Park, located at the corner of South Queen Street and Springhill Street. This festival is open free to the public, and it will feature storytellers, musical acts, local businesses, artists, and vendors. Stay tuned for more information.
We would like to thank the City of Kinston, Lenoir County Government, the Kinston-Lenoir County Friends of the Library, and the Kinston-Lenoir County Parks and Recreation Department for their sponsorship of our Juneteenth celebration. We would also like to thank Lenoir County Public Schools, Lenoir Community College, the North Carolina Arts Council, the North Carolina African American Heritage Commission, the African-American Museum and Cultural Center, and the Kinston Community Council of the Arts for their continued sponsorship as well. For more information regarding all of these programs, call 252.527.7066 ext. 134 or contact Engagement Librarian Christopher Nelson at 252.527.7066 ext. 140.
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