Dungeons & Dragons – March

Gather your travel companions!

Choose wisely before starting your latest quest. Join us at the Main Library every Monday in March between 4:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. for Dungeons and Dragons.

Stock up your inventory with supplies and rest well for the fight against dark magic and evil minions to face the ultimate boss that lies ahead.

Email jwhitman@gallupnm.gov or call 505-863-1291 for more information.

Battle of the Brains Trivia Night – February

Compete with other members of the community in a battle of the brains!

Join us for Downtown Night Out at Sammy C’s on Saturday, February 29th at 7:30 p.m. for an evening of trivia. Discover many fun facts and win great prizes!

Email bmartin@gallupnm.gov or call 505-863-1291 for more information.

Friends of the Library Open House

OFPL is recruiting volunteers to create a Friends of the Library Group. If you are passionate about the resources and programming that our local library offers to the community, join us at the Main Library on Saturday, February 22nd at 3:30 p.m. to learn more about joining the group.

Friends groups work towards public support of libraries, including government advocacy and spreading information about library services.

Email bmartin@gallupnm.gov or call 505-863-1291 for more information

Roaring ’20s Day

Join us at the Main Library on Thursday, February 20th for a day to celebrate the Roaring 1920s. There will be ’20s era music, documentaries on the 1920s, and a special showing of The Great Gatsby at 5:30 p.m.

Come in your best 1920s outfit and relive the Roaring Twenties.

Email mdchavez@gallupnm.gov or call 505-863-1291 for more information.

The Great Gatsby (2013)

Synopsis:

A writer and wall street trader, Nick, finds himself drawn to the past and lifestyle of his millionaire neighbor, Jay Gatsby.

About the Film:
  • Rating: PG-13
  • Duration: 2 hrs. 23 mins.
  • Genre: Drama, Romance
OFPL does not own the rights to this video. Courtesy of YouTube.

We READ, We TALK Book Club – February/March

The Woman Warrior: Memoirs of a Girlhood Among Ghosts

By Maxine Hong Kingston

An exhilarating blend of autobiography and mythology, of world and self, of hot rage and cool analysis. As a girl, Kingston lives in two confounding worlds: California to which her parents have immigrated and China of her mother’s “talk stories.”

The fierce and wily women warriors of her mother’s tales clash jarringly with the harsh reality of female oppression out of which they come.

Get ready for some great conversations, good food and tons of fun!

Email bmartin@gallupnm.gov or call 505-863-1291 for more information.

MUST BE ABLE TO ATTEND ONE (1) OF THE FOLLOWING BOOK CLUB DISCUSSION MEETINGS:

  • Saturday, February 22nd at 2:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, March 7th at 2:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, March 21st at 2:00 p.m.

Discussion Questions:

  • “The Woman Warrior” opens with the dramatic story of the “no-name woman,” Kingston’s deceased aunt who was shamed and ultimately lost her life, for having a child with a man who wasn’t her husband. What do you think Kingston wants us to take away from this story?
  • Early on, Kingston asks how Chinese-Americans like herself can separate what is peculiar to her own family’s stories vs. what is Chinese. What are some of the other challenges of growing up as a second-generation immigrant?
  • The original title Kingston chose for this book was “Gold Mountain Stories.” What does “Gold Mountain” signify, and why would she have picked that name?
  • ”Women in the old China do not choose,” Kingston writes. What are some of the ways women were oppressed in her parents’ and parents’ parents’ generations? What about her own?
  • What role does disgrace and shame play in the book? Where does it come from?
  • What do you make of Kingston’s mother’s “talk stories,” which are a mix of folk tales and family lore? Do you believe them? Does it matter?
  • Who is Fa Mu Lan? How does Kingston become her, or imagine becoming her?
  • How does the urban renewal that tore down her parents’ laundry business affect their family?
  • Kingston’s mother teaches her that all white people are “ghosts.” What does she mean by this?
  • Why is Kingston’s mother, Brave Orchid, so intent on her sister, Moon Orchid, finding her husband in America and demanding more from him?
  • The last of the book’s five interconnected stories is about speaking and not speaking, and the theme of rebellion. Why do you think Kingston closes the book this way?
  • “The Woman Warrior” was written in 1976. How does it remain timely or relevant today? Does it also feel dated?
  • Since its publication, “The Woman Warrior” has sparked controversy by Asian American scholars who say it presented a distorted view of Chinese culture in its blending of fiction and fact. What do you make of that critique?
  • How was the writing style, and the experience of reading this book, different from other selections in our book club? 

Email bmartin@gallupnm.gov or call 505-863-1291 for more information.

January Film Series – Jexi

Wednesday, January 29th at 5:30 p.m.

Join us at the Main Library for a FREE film screening. Free popcorn and drinks are provided.

Synopsis:

A comedy about what can happen when you love your phone more than anything else in your life.

About the Film:
  • Year Released: 2019
  • Rating: R
  • Duration: 1 hr. 24 mins.
  • Genre: Comedy
OFPL does not own the rights to this video. Courtesy of YouTube.

Bullet Journal 101

Get organized!

Join us at the Main Library on Tuesday, January 28th at 5:30 p.m. for an interactive workshop and learn more about bullet journaling.

Keep yourself organized this upcoming year with monthly and weekly calendar layouts. Design your own pages to keep track of your Netflix tv shows, water consumption, and more.*Supplies provided.*

Email jwhitman@gallupnm.gov or call 505-863-1291 for more information.

Coloring & Mocktails

In case you missed our first coloring afternoon.

Join us at the Main Library on Saturday, January 25th at 2:00 p.m. for an afternoon of childhood throwback as you color different pages from scenes to mandalas.

Contribute to our community coloring mandala that we will display once finished. Mocktails will be provided for added fun! 

Email jwhitman@gallupnm.gov or call 505-863-1291 for more information.

January Film Series – Gemini Man

Wednesday, January 22nd at 5:30 p.m.

Join us at the Main Library for a FREE film screening. Free popcorn and drinks are provided.

Synopsis:

An over-the-hill hitman faces off against a younger clone of himself.

About the Film:
  • Year Released: 2019
  • Rating: PG-13
  • Duration: 1 hr. 57 mins.
  • Genre: Action, Drama, Sci-Fi
OFPL does not own the rights to this video. Courtesy of YouTube.

DIY Terrariums

New Year, start with something fresh! Make your very own miniature biome to brighten up your office desk or home atmosphere.

Join us at the Main Library on Tuesday, January 21st at 5:30 p.m. to make your very own terrarium. *Supplies provided.*

Email jwhitman@gallupnm.gov or call 505-863-1291 for more information.

OFPL does not own this video. Courtesy of YouTube.