Category: General

Magical Month with Fairy Tale Festival

Posted on by Meghan McCorkell

Live happily ever after at the Enoch Pratt Free Library’s 16th annual Fairy Tale Festival.

This year, the Pratt is partnering with Light City Baltimore to spread the joy of fairy tales across the city.

A month of enchanted events kicks off with the Fairy Tale Extravaganza, where the Maryland Historical Society will be transformed into an enchanted forest.

 

Fairy Tale Extravaganza

Saturday, April 7, 10am-3pm

Maryland Historical Society

201 W. Monument St.

Baltimore, MD 21201

 

As part of Light City, this year’s Extravaganza will include an illuminated tree house.  Families can take pictures on the throne surrounded by fairy lights. Storytelling with TAHIRA begins at noon, followed by a Fairy Tale Ball with a live string quartet and dancing.  Crafts, magic, face painting and other fairy tale fun will entertain crowds throughout the day.

The magical month continues throughout April with Fairy Tale Balls and events at branches across the Pratt Kingdom. “Fairy tales are an introduction to reading for many children,” says Pratt Library President & CEO Heidi Daniel. “We want to help spark their imagination by bringing those books to life and hopefully inspire a lifelong love of learning.”

The Enoch Pratt Free Library’s Fairy Tale Festival is sponsored by Transamerica.

Tell Us What You Love #atthepratt

Posted on by Meghan McCorkell

We’ve launched a new hashtag so you can post your library love!

Share what you love about the Pratt Library on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter and it could wind up on our new social hub, atthepratt.org. 

Do you have a story about how the Pratt impacted your life?  What surprises you about the Pratt? What books are you reading? Did you love a program you attended?  Share your story on social media with #atthepratt. 

You can also check out the new social hub to find resources that can help you tell your Pratt story.

So, show the Pratt Library some love and use #atthepratt.

 

#TakeoverTuesday: Pennsylvania Avenue Branch

Posted on by Meghan McCorkell

It’s #TakeoverTuesday.  Today we’re going inside the Pennsylvania Avenue branch.

The Pennsylvania Avenue Branch is located at the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and North Avenue in West Baltimore. The branch opened its doors in 1953, when it was known as Branch 17.  It replaced the original Easterwood Park location that operated from 1914 to 1953.  The branch was remodeled in 1983 and housed the system’s first computer center.  In that first year, more than 500 adults completed computer education courses.

Today, as visitors approach the outside the branch they are greeted by Penny, a mural of a girl reading.

Just recently, Pennsylvania Avenue was designated the anchor library of West Baltimore, with expanded hours to serve the community. 

Pennsylvania Avenue is one of four Pratt locations that offer Social Worker in the Library.   Social Work graduate students from the University of Maryland School of Social Work offer customers help in areas like SNAP benefits, shelter, addiction, immigration, learning differences, health concerns and safety.

The Pratt and Maryland Legal Aid also offer Lawyer in the Library.  The program has helped thousands of people resolve legal issues, such as expungements, child custody, bankruptcy, wills and more.

This spring, the branch is also offering Yoga for Everyone  and Zumba classes, computer courses in the lab, story times for children,  painting and pastry, and so much more.

So pop on over to Pennsylvania Avenue and check out all we have to offer.