Halifax Central Library
Halifax, Nova Scotia
schmidt hammer lassen, 2014

Located at a crossroads in one of the city's most historic neighborhoods, the Halifax Central Library received the prestigious Governor General’s Medal in Architecture for its civic building design in 2016. The exterior of the library appears as four rectangular shapes placed on top of one another and horizontally twisted to follow the two diagonal directions that are dominant in the otherwise rectangular grid of the city. Founding Partner Morten Schmidt of the Danish firm schmidt hammer lassen architects explained: “Halifax is a city whose maritime heritage calls for attention when designing a new public building. Therefore, the historical axis between the Halifax Citadel and the Halifax Harbour, crossing right through the library site, is reflected in the orientation of the fifth floor of the building containing the Halifax Living Room hereby providing not only a unique view but also an understanding of the city’s historical heritage.” The so-called Halifax Living Room is pictured below.

The composition of the Halifax Central Library with its stacked glass boxes reminded us of the Contertainer Library on the other side of the world in East Jawa, Indonesia (see below). This Indonesian library was featured in an earlier Night Owl for its colorful stacked shipping containers, an economical use of repurposed materials.

The Teen Advisory Council invites teens to a double feature movie night: Knives Out, followed by Glass Onion. Start the night off with our hot chocolate bar at 5 p.m. Knives Out begins at 5:30 p.m. Pizza will be served in between movies.  No registration required.

Music Among Neighbors: Trina Hamlin
Saturday, January 21, 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.

“A powerhouse voice, sizzling harmonica chops and a gift for blending blues, folk, pop and rock …” [Ithaca Journal]

A resident of Norfolk, Trina Hamlin will perform at the Library on Saturday, January 21, at 5:00 p.m. With a rich, powerful voice, Hamlin reveals a rare confluence of Midwestern innocence, contemplative focus, and raw passion while adding a disarmingly sharp wit in her stage banter. She seamlessly moves from guitar to piano with self-accompaniment on harmonica leaving many who have seen her wondering what she can't do. Regarded as one of the best harmonica players around, she presents a driving, sensuous rhythm in her performance reawakening audiences to the art of the instrument. Her unique combination of ballads, folk-rock and blues has earned her a steady national following. Trina tours full-time throughout the United States and Europe. Additionally, she is a much sought after harmonica player and percussionist, accompanying numerous nationally recognized singer/songwriters in the studio and live on stage. Please register here for this free concert and join us for an evening of music among neighbors.

Tea Party & Tea Exchange
Sunday, January 22, 2:00 p.m.

Join us as we celebrate National Tea Month with a tea party and tea exchange. We'll have a fire in the Great Hall, sweet and savory snacks, and staff favorite teas to drink. Anyone who would like to participate in the exchange is asked to bring a package of bagged tea to share with others. Visit here to register. Registration is appreciated, but not required.

Evening Embers

Monday and Thursday evenings through the winter
4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

The weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful... and if you've no place to go, enjoy a book, newspaper, or magazine by the warmth of the fire in the Great Hall.

Corner Club: Li Liu, Acrobat
Wednesday, January 25, 3:30 - 4:00 p.m.

Celebrate the Chinese New Year with Li Liu! Li Liu was born in the city of Shenyang in Northeast China. At the age of six, she began her acrobatic training, and the following year she was chosen to attend the Chinese National Circus School in Beijing. While in Beijing she trained for eight hours a day until she was 16. In 1984 her artistic cycling act won a gold medal at the prestigious Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain in Paris, France. She often teamed with her sister Liu Ying to create duo acts that were conceived by her coach and father Liu Gui Ting. In 1995 their duo hand balancing act was selected to perform at The Wu Qiao International Circus Festival where they were awarded “The Golden Lion” prize. Li came to the United States in 2000 with Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus and has been working as a freelance performer since 2003. Children will need a note to get off the school bus at the Library. All are welcome to come see Li perform! Visit here to register.

Tips to Optimize Your Well-Being with Dr. Wendy Hurwitz, MD
Thursday, January 26, 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. via Zoom

Did you know that there is growing scientific evidence that cognitive decline, Alzheimer's Disease, and dementia may be prevented, reduced, or reversed? Learn easy, simple, drug-free things you can do that may help prevent, reduce, or reverse cognitive decline, and strategies to promote healthy aging.

We have invited Dr. Wendy Hurwitz to share tips on ways to optimize your well-being. Topics will include not just cognition, but also eyesight (including macular degeneration and cataracts), arthritis, hypertension, heart disease, and other aspects of well-being. It's never too early or too late to begin.

Dr. Hurwitz is a graduate of the Yale University School of Medicine and a nationally-recognized expert in mind/body medicine. Visit here to find out more and to register for the Zoom link.

Book Discussion: Consumed. The Need for Collective Change
Monday, February 6, 7:00 p.m.

In recognition of Black History Month, we invite you to join us in a discussion of Aja Barber’s Consumed. The Need for Collective Change: Colonialism, Climate Change, and Consumerism. We'll meet in the Great Hall and discuss how Barber exposes the endemic injustices in our consumer industries and the uncomfortable history of the textile industry, one which brokered slavery, racism, and today’s wealth inequality. This program is in partnership with the Norfolk Church of Christ and the Norfolk Land Trust. Please note this is a discussion-centered program and the author will not be in attendance. The first 10 people to register for this program will receive a free copy of the book to keep. Visit here to register.

Mindfulness with Miranda Lee
Fridays, 9:15 - 10:15 via Zoom

Mindfulness can be defined as “paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally.” In this series, mindfulness practitioner Miranda Lee will teach participants how to live a more mindful life and equip them with the tools they need to help build resilience against the challenges of day-to-day life. Miranda's theme for January is "Rest & Renew." Visit here to register for the Zoom link. Anyone can join at any time.

See what's new at the Norfolk Library ...

Find our full list here.