DOVER – The Kent County Public Library will offer the following programs and events during the month of May 2023.

All programs are free, open to the public, and will be held at the library, unless stated differently.

Preregistration is required as noted. To register, stop by the circulation desk, call the library at (302) 744-1919 or online at tinyurl.com/KCPLcalendar. Parent or other responsible adult must be present in the library, including during programs, for any child/youth under the age of 16.

• Preschool Story Time – Thursdays 10 a.m. Children age 6 and under are invited for stories, songs, activities, crafts and more with a new theme each week. For groups of five or more, give advance notice.
• Booked for Lunch – Monday, May 1 at 12:30 p.m. Ages 16 and up. Bring a brown bag lunch and discuss current reads with the group – no assigned book.
• Arts & Letters Book Club – Wednesday, May 3 at 12:30 p.m. Ages 16 and up. Join the discussion group on fiction and non-fiction books related to the various arts. This month’s selected title is “White Teeth” by Zadie Smith. Participants should have read the book before the discussion.
• Lazy Genius Book Club – Wednesday, May 3 at 2 p.m. Ages 16 and up. Join the new discussion group focusing on self-care/self-improvement/wellness books. This month’s featured title is “How Not to Hate Your Husband After Kids” by Jancee Dunn. Participants should have read the book before the discussion.
• PAWS for Reading – Thursdays, May 4 and 18 at 6:30 p.m. Read aloud for 10 minutes to a friendly therapy dog provided by PAWS for People. Studies have shown that reading aloud to animals can help children improve their reading skills. This is a great opportunity for beginner, reluctant, and even beginning English learners to practice in a non-judgmental environment with a book of their choice. Teens and adults are welcome to read too. One reader per dog, per 10-minutes reading session. First come, first served.
• Around the World Book Club – Monday, May 8 at 4 p.m. Inspired by Mango Languages (a free online language learning program available with KCPL library card), readers are invited to read a book of their choice (fiction or non-fiction) set in the month’s selected country, and then share it with the group. This month’s country is England.
• Friday Night Music Box presents Mid-Del Sax Quartet– Friday, May 12 at 6:30 p.m. Limited seating, first come, first served.
• Delaware Anime Society – Saturday, May 13 from 1 – 4 p.m. Ages 13 and over. The Delaware Anime Society is for those with an interest in Japanese anime, manga, cosplay, music and pop culture to meet.
• “Meet” Pirate Queen, Grace O’Malley – Wednesday, May 24 at 6:30 p.m. Ages 16 and over. Award-winning actress and historical presenter Mary Ann Jung of History Alive! will portray legendary 17th female pirate, Grace O’Malley who parlayed with Queen Elizabeth I for Irish rights. Limited seating. Preregistration is required.
• Library Open House – Thursday, May 25 from 4 – 7 p.m. Come meet community partners, find out more about the Summer Reading Program, and everything else that Kent County Public Library has to offer including books, audio/visual materials, literacy and special interest programs, mobile library, and KCPL-exclusive online services. Live music from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Everyone who attends will have the opportunity to enter a drawing for a special door prize.
• Summer Arts in the Park presents Reunion – Wednesday, May 31 at 6:30 p.m. at Brecknock County Park, 80 Old Camden Road in Camden. Pack a picnic basket, bring a blanket or lawn chair, and for free live music featuring the classic rock and soul sounds of local favorites, Reunion. In case of inclement weather, the program will move to the Kent County Public Library. The status will be available on the Facebook page (search “KCPLibrary”), or by calling (302) 744-1919 after 4 p.m.