Library transforms to Hogwarts this Saturday

By ETHAN HARTLEY
Posted 3/19/19

By ETHAN HARTLEY The Warwick Public Library's main branch (located at 600 Sandy Lane) will transform into a magical world of wonder on Saturday, March 23, as it will spread its castle doors wide to allow entrance to the first Hogwarts Open House - an

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Library transforms to Hogwarts this Saturday

Posted

The Warwick Public Library’s main branch (located at 600 Sandy Lane) will transform into a magical world of wonder on Saturday, March 23, as it will spread its castle doors wide to allow entrance to the first Hogwarts Open House – an event already generating enthusiasm throughout the community.

Library staff have coordinated their efforts to bring the iconic Harry Potter series to life in a big way – with multiple public demonstrations of wizarding and opportunities for visitors to join in the festivities that will begin from the very moment you enter the “castle” – by picking up a Marauders Map that contains a scavenger hunt and a list of all the events to participate in and things to see.

Fans of the series will likely imagine that the entire library has gulped an extra-large Polyjuice Potion and morphed into something else entirely – as the normal library rooms will be hosting different Harry Potter-themed activities.

“We’ve tried to bring a bit of Hogwarts to the entire library, even the bathrooms,” said Ellen O’Brien, Coordinator of Children’s Services for the library, and a steering member of the team planning its upcoming transformation into the famed otherworldly academy of occultism.

Fans of the series will recognize scenes such as Kings Cross Station (found in the library’s Idea Studio), where guests can pose for photos, or the Great Hall, which may resemble the large library meeting room, where they can make their own treasure tote to haul the items they conjure during their visit. The library teen space will transition into a version of Borgin and Burkes – a reference to the dark and dreary store from the books that sells various (possibly cursed) oddities and controversial mystical items.

Athletically minded guests can try their hand at Quidditch-themed corn hole, where the beanbags are colored by the main houses of Hogwarts, and you can aim for the golden snitch to earn additional points. The Imaginorium Education Collective – a group whose mission is to encourage imagination, acceptance of others’ differences, and a desire to learn in children, youth, and adults using mythic-themed setups – will be on hand to help run two puppet shows in the children’s area and three “wizard duels” elsewhere in the library.

Library staff will be in costume for the event, and they hope all visitors will use their imaginations and creativity to help foster an even more wondrous environment – so donning costumes and bringing your own wands and assorted Harry Potter gear is greatly encouraged. There are many more surprises we won’t spoil here.

The open house is available to all citizens – wizards of all ages – at no cost and will run from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, March 23. There will be additional parking available at Warwick Veterans Middle School should parking become unavailable at the library. A shuttle bus will be available to ferry folk from the school to the library, running from noon until the library’s closing time at 5 p.m.

“I would like to credit the Children’s Library staff for their enthusiasm, creativity, and hard work over the last few months to bring the magic of J.K. Rowling’s books to life for our community,” O’Brien said in anticipation of the event.

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  • Justanidiot

    hopefully dey will stay as hopwarts and we can eliminates dis anchor from around da cities budget

    Wednesday, March 20, 2019 Report this

  • KatefromGP

    Hi, justanidiot! Have a look at Page 1 of the City’s FY19 Budget!

    https://www.warwickri.gov/sites/warwickri/files/pages/fy19_adopted_general_fund_budget.pdf

    Note that the “Social Services” line (which includes the Library, Parks & Rec, Thayer & Warburton, McDermott Pool, Human Services, Senior Centers, and Senior Transportation) reads $6,521,213...the LOWEST expense that the City has. Maybe you would benefit from the Library’s services.

    They have books, magazines, graphic novels, newspapers, DVD and Blu-Ray (which you can borrow from Warwick or anywhere in the state), downloadable e-books, audiobooks, music, movies, and TV shows. Not to mention public meeting space and cultural programming for adults, teens, and kids; both of which promote the growth of our community. For the smallest amount spent, the Warwick community gains so much more from the Library, and we should all be grateful for it.

    Friday, March 22, 2019 Report this