Celebrate Harry Potter at the Port Jefferson Free Library!

It is hard to believe that Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b2932805~S50 is celebrating the 15th anniversary of its publication.

When Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone was first was published it is likely that no one had any idea about how popular the series would become and how extensive impact would be on millions of readers young and old.

There have always been books that adults have read to children, but the Harry Potter series is the a book that transcends its younger target audience. It has become a series that people of all ages can enjoy. From the charm and delight of the first books with the Quidditch games and Wesley antics to the heavier aspects of life seen in the later volumes, fans have watched Harry, Ron, and Hermione grow up both in print and on screen.

To celebrate this important birthday milestone and to introduce Harry Potter to a whole new audience of young fans. Scholastic, the publisher of the Harry Potter Books in the United States commissioned a complete cover re-design.

Eisner award nominated comic artist/author Kazu Kibuishi was given the job. Mary Grandpre, who had designed the original covers, would be a hard act to follow, but Kibuishi had some new ideas. Kibuishi not only designed front covers, but also back covers as well. He looked at the work as not just a set of individual covers, but as a unified whole. While the works are a redesign they remain true to the spirit of Harry Potter.

To celebrate this momentous occasion Scholastic hosted a contest. 15 Libraries each of which submitted the best Harry Potter celebration plan would win. The prize pack included copies of the new books and more party essentials. The Port Jefferson Free Library’s entry was one of the 15 selected. The PJFL is the only library in New York State named a winner.

On August 27, 2013 the Port Jefferson Free Library will be hosting itsr entry winning Harry Potter Party. Get ready to play some quidditch, quaff some butterbeer and celebrate everything Harry! The program for grades 3-5 is at 2pm   http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=g1040547~S50 and the grades 6-12 program is at 3:30pm.http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=g1040553~S50 The links will take users to the program registration page.  Participants are welcome to come in costume. Both programs will be hosted in the Main Library in the Meeting Room. Please note, you must be signed up to attend. Participation is limited to Port Jefferson Free Library Cardholders only.

Don’t forget to participate in the Horcrux hunt! The Library staff have hidden horcruxes in the Teen Center and the other hunt is in the Children’s Department. Pick up one of the hunt sheets and tell us where you found the horcruxes. For those who want to get creative pick up a sheet and and show the Library how you would redesign the Harry Potter book covers. Please bring your submission to the librarians in the Teen Center or the Children’s department. Winners of the hunt and cover redesign will each win a copy of the new book.