WESTFIELD — Early April at the Westfield Memorial Library provides entertainment and education for teens and adults as well as a Community Health Fair for all.
On Wednesday, April 8 from 6:308:30 p.m., the documentary-drama hybrid “The Social Dilemma” will be shown, followed by a community conversation. The film asks: What are the consequences of our growing dependence on social media? As digital platforms increasingly become a lifeline to stay connected, Silicon Valley insiders reveal how social media is reprogramming civilization by exposing what’s hiding on the other side of the screen.
The Social Dilemma explores the dangerous human impact of social networking, with tech experts sounding the alarm on their own creations.After the film, which is rated PG-13, students and parents are invited to stay for a judgment-free community conversation. Children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by a parent.
Members of “Wait Until 8th Westfield”–an organization that empowers parents to rally together to delay giving children a smartphone until the end of 8th grade, and social media until age 16–will be available should you have any questions about the Wait Until 8th pledge, and device alternatives that avoid many of the distractions and dangers of the smartphone.
OnThursday,April 9 from 6:30-8:30 p.m., the library will host “College Admissions 101: What do Selective Colleges Want” presented by Susana MacLean, an experienced independent education consultant.
She will provide an overview of selective college admissions, including: how do selective colleges evaluate applicants; what are “by the numbers” vs. “holistic” admissions; what is an application “narrative”; do honors and AP classes make a difference; how should students choose extracurricular activities; and do teacher and counselor recommendations matter.
The program is open to high school students and parents; additionally, representatives of the CollegeWomen’s Club of Westfield will be in attendance to provide information about their scholarship opportunities.
On Saturday, April 11, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00p.m., the library, along with the Westfield Regional Health Department, will host a Community Health Fair in the library’s Meeting Room. This fair will feature various organizations from Westfield and the surrounding area: RWJBarnabas, Atlantic Health, Izabella Home Care, Westfield Regional Health Department, Westfield Recreation Department, Westfield Fire Department, Westfield Police Department, Healthy Homes = Healthy Families Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, Community Coordinated Child Care of Union County and the Westfield Area YMCA.
Two organizations will hold demonstrations. EzRide will provide Bike Safety (10:30-11:30 a.m. and 12:001:00 p.m.) in the parking lot, and Out Run Your Fork will provide cooking demonstrations (10:00-10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m., 12:30-1 p.m.) on the library’s patio.
Mental health-related groups will have tables in the library’s Gallery area: the Westfield Mental Health Council; Imagine, A Center for Grief & Loss; Caring Contact (National Suicide Prevention LifeLine), and the Network for Enriching Women’s Health (NEWH). On Sunday, April 12, between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m., the community is invited to a conversation with William Palm, the firth Artist-in-Residence to serve at Westfield Memorial Library.
Mr. Palm is a New Jersey– based painter working in watercolor, ink, and oil. His work explores light, atmosphere, and memory through scenes of coastlines, railroads, and everyday landscapes.
Blending traditional techniques with a contemporary sense of color and mood, Palm invites viewers to pause and reflect on familiar places and quiet moments. During his residency, he will develop a spring series of ink and watercolor paintings created on-site. His website is www.williamjpalm.com.
Mr. Palm’s studio sessions at the library will be Mondays, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 1:30 3:30p.m. He will offer the classes Simple Coastal Scene in Watercolor for Adults/Seniors on Monday, April 20 at 11:00 a.m., and Cherry Blossoms/ Blooming Flowers in Watercolor for Children (grades 3-5) on Saturday, May 9 at 10:00 a.m. Visit the library’s website www.wmlnj.org to register.
The Artist-in-Residence program brings Westfield’s talented local artists to the library for the entire community to enjoy through talks, hands-on workshops, studio hours and exhibitions. The WestfieldArtAssociation is a non-profit volunteer organization founded in 1922 that provides public art education and public exhibitions with work from its member artists.
For more information about upcoming programs, reading challenges, and services, or to register for programs, visit wmlnj.org or call 908-789-4090. The library is located at 550 East Broad Street.
Westfield Memorial Library is a public library dedicated to providing free and equitable access to information, resources, and cultural experiences for residents of Westfield and the surrounding community. Through innovative programming and responsive services, the library advances literacy, lifelong learning, and civic engagement.
