What’s Happening at the Library: Reading groups, origami programs start July

Published 9:49 am Monday, July 2, 2018

By John Maruskin

Three nifty Adult Summer Reading programs are happening this month. Two of them will happen next week, July 11 and 12, and the third, a special book group, will occur on Tuesday, July 24.

Both programs next week have to do with the art and science of origami.

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The Clark County Public Library will present a movie entitled “The Origami Revolution” at 6:30 p.m Wednesday, July 11. The centuries-old tradition of folding two-dimensional paper into three-dimensional shapes is inspiring a scientific revolution. Artists and scientists discovered the rules of folding are at the heart of many natural phenomena, from how leaves blossom to how beetles fly.

Now, engineers and designers are applying origami principles to reshape the world around us — and even within us, designing new drugs, micro-robots, and future space missions. The question is: can the mathematics of origami be boiled down to one elegant algorithm — a fail-proof formula to make an object out of a flat surface, just by folding? If so, what will that mean for the future of design?

“The Origami Revolution” explores the high-tech future of this age-old art. Get ready for starships that unfold in space and travel on solar breezes. This is a truly fascinating exploration of the intersections of art, science, mathematics and nature.

This program is free and open to the public. Please register to attend.

You can try your hand at creating origami figures from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, July 12.

Reference Librarian Brad Allard will show you how to fold three-dimensional objects out of origami paper. Allard will describe the origami process step-by-step. Traditional origami papers will be provided.

Even beginning origami pieces are astonishing for their beauty and learning the process will show you a lot about art and design.

The library will supply origami paper. This class is limited to eight, so you must register to attend.

You can do that by calling the library at 859-744-5661, or by using the Evanced online registration system at www.clarkbooks.org.

If you have any questions about this origami class, call the library, connect to extension 111, and ask for Brad Allard.

Tim Janes, director of Brooks Place here in Winchester, will present a special library reading group about Robert Penn Warren’s classic novel “All the King’s Men” at 6 p.m. July 24.

Tim couldn’t have picked a better time to do this because The Kentucky Humanities Council recently selected “All the King’s Men” as their Kentucky Reads selection for the summer of 2018.

Kentucky Reads centers around community discussions taking place in five cities across the Commonwealth: Bowling Green, Highland Heights, Lexington, Louisville and Paducah, according to a statement from Kentucky Humanities.

Ah, make that six cities, KHC, add Winchester to the list.

“All The Kings Men” is the Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece from Kentuckian Robert Penn Warren. This American classic examines themes of cynical populism, personal responsibility, and the unstoppable movement of time. It has been called the unequaled, definitive American political novel.

Tim Janes is one of the library’s best and most eclectic readers. His enthusiasm for books and his understanding of how literature works make him a natural book group moderator. He is a graduate of Western Kentucky University with a major in English Literature, and he leads the Sherlock Holmes Reading Group at Rose Mary C. Brooks Place.

Copies of “All the King’s Men” are available at the library’s circulation desk. Come in soon and get a copy to give yourself time for careful reading. This group is limited to 12, so please register to attend. Refreshments will be served.

No Kentucky Picture Show this week because the library will be closed for the Fourth of July. Have a star-spangled holiday.

John Maruskin is director of adult services at the Clark County Public Library. He can be reached at john.clarkbooks@gmail.com.