En Garde! Swashbuckling Arrives at the New York Public Library

When you pop by the main branch of the New York Public Library, you can read about the escapades of the Three Musketeers and other daring adventurers—or you can (sort of) live them.
Friday afternoons at 1 pm until June 25, free, hour-long fencing classes are being offered outside the Fifth Avenue branch of the library.
When New York was competing to be the home of the 2012 Olympics, fencing demonstrations were given outside the library in order to to raise interest in and awareness of the sport, and the idea grew from there.
Instructors from the Manhattan Fencing Center provide the equipment and teach the classes.
Swordfighting, in one form or another, has existed for thousands of years; the history of fencing is both complicated and multi-faceted. Fencing made its debut at the 1896 Summer Olympics; unlike other sports, professionals were allowed to compete. (Ah, if they had only known about NBA players…) They were considered to be the first Olympic Games held in the modern era; fencing is one of the four sports that have been held at every Modern Olympic Games.
Three types of weapons are used in fencing: Foil (a light thrusting weapon); Epée (a heavy thrusting weapon); and Sabre (a light cutting and thrusting weapon.) Rules about when and how they are allowed to be used are plentiful.
Fencing competitions at the 2012 Olympics in London will be held from July 28-August 5 at the ExCel Exhibition Centre. Ten events are tentatively scheduled.
Suffice it to say, it’s harder than it looks.
Call (212) 382-2255 in order to register for the classes ouide the library(registration opens a week before the class date.)

Scandal and Satire Never Go Out of Style, as a New Exhibition Attests

Voltaire’s “Candide,” the rollicking, ironic, effervescent commentary on 18th-century Europe, turns 250 this year, and the New York Public Library is celebrating with not one, but two exhibitions.
The book’s sharp-eyed mix of satire and social commentary made it both widely popular as well as a target for its scandalous nature from the Vatican. It has been made into a superb and well-loved operatic musical, and the story has been illustrated more than 100 times; other authors have even tried their hands at adding to our hero’s adventures.
Now, the Stephen A. Schwartzsmann Building of the New York Public Library (Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street; 917-275-6975) hosts the exhibition "Candide at 250: Scandal and Success” in its Sue and Edgar Wachenheim III Gallery, though April 25.
The exhibition includes all 17 of the (known) 1759 editions of the book, as well the original manuscript of "Candide,” on loan from the Bibliotheque Nationale de France.
But wait...there’s more! In conjunction with the physical library exhibition, an online exhibition is also being presented. (candide.nypl.org). “On the Road with Candide” offers an “online journey” that takes viewers/readers though commentary, illustrations, videos and even a lesson plan concerning the novel. It’s a lively and in-depth look at the novel that even includes a project done by Brooklyn 10th graders, as well blog posts by NYPL curators and guest artists. (How modern of the Library!)
Scandal and satire? It was as modern then as it is now.

Going Green's in Fashion, Even at the Library

It’s a big week for going green--and we don’t just mean because of Saint Patrick’s Day.
A new Public Library opened yesterday in Battery Park City, and it will be one of the city’s “greenest” libraries. An all-day series of events celebrated the library’s official opening.
The branch, the city’s 88th, incorporates such green technology as energy-efficient heating and cooling systems and lighting; it was built with recycled and renewable materials. The floor? Made from wood scraps from window-frame manufacturing. The upstairs carpet? Car tires. If you were wondering, the sanitary fixtures are low-flow, which reduce water consumption. It will receive LEED Gold certification from the US Green Building Council.
We’re not sure what that means, but doesn’t it sound impressive?
The $6.7 million enterprise includes a two-story, 10,000 square-foot library with 24,000 items. It offers three dozen public computers, a large space for various programs, and separate reading areas for kids, teens and adults. Another groovy feature: two self-checkout machines—plus plenty of windows. It’s a heartening development in an economically troubled time; especially when so many public services are being shuttered. (More good news: This branch is actually open until 8pm Tuesdays and Thursdays.)
The library will offer a wide range of classes, workshops, and community programs.
It’s located at 175 North End Avenue at Murray Street. Call (212) 790-3499 for more information.
Another welcoming fact about the library? It plays host, rising many stories above it, to the city’s newest--and greenest--residential high-rise.

Hey, New York, Now There's Somewhere Else to Read

New York loves its libraries. New hardcovers that you don’t have to buy! A place that’s not your cramped living room to sit and read! Surreptitious glances at People Magazine!
Now New Yorkers have somewhere old-but-new-again to hang out and read.
One of New York’s City original libraries is reopening to the public after a 2-year, $9.5 million renovation. The St. Agnes Branch, on New York’s Upper West Side (44 Amsterdam Avenue, near 81st Street; 212 621-0619) opened its doors to the public in 1906. Before that, it was a parish library; it also housed a collection of books for the blind. It’s one of New York’s 67 original branch libraries, and has been in is present location since 1906.
Although the official opening ceremony is next week (Feb. 11); the branch is already open.
The three-story building was built with funds given to the city by steel magnate and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie; they were designated for library branches to be built across the city. It was built by the firm of Babb, Cook and Willard. (In 1901, they also designed a mansion for Andrew Carnegie; it now houses the Cooper Hewitt Design Museum.)
What’s new? An entire floor dedicated to children’s books; 40 public computers; and a new story-hour room.
The Feb. 11 event will include a day of free events, from a morning ceremony to a branch tour to programs for kids and teens (balloon animas; magic; a singing program for preschoolers; gaming with Nintendo Wii) to a neighborhood history talk and job workshops.
So get out there and welcome back an old friend--with some great new facilities.