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Library conjures up ‘Harry Potter’ party
Photo
WATCHFUL WIZARD: John Waller, a teen librarian dressed as the Albus Dumbledore character from the “Harry Potter” book series, watches Justin Kalinary, 18, of Youngstown participate in an activity at the party at the Boardman library.
Movie
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Voldemort is tightening his grip on both the Muggle and wizarding worlds and Hogwarts is no longer the safe haven it once was. Harry suspects that dangers may even lie within the castle, but Dumbledore is more intent upon preparing him for the final battle that he knows is fast approaching. Together they work to find the key to unlock Voldemort's defenses and, to this end, Dumbledore recruits his old friend and colleague, the well-connected and unsuspecting bon vivant Professor Horace Slughorn, whom he believes holds crucial information. Meanwhile, the students are under attack from a very different adversary as teenage hormones rage across the ramparts. Harry finds himself more and more drawn to Ginny, but so is Dean Thomas. And Lavender Brown has decided that Ron is the one for her, only she hadn't counted on Romilda Vane's chocolates! And then there's Hermione, simmering with jealousy but determined not to show her feelings. As romance blossoms, one student remains aloof. He is determined to make his mark, albeit a dark one. Love is in the air, but tragedy lies ahead and Hogwarts may never be the same again.
The book series has inspired teens to read, library officials said.
By Jon Moffett
BOARDMAN — Though many are having trouble obtaining tickets to the newest Harry Potter movie, a special group was treated to a visit to Hogwarts School.
The Boardman branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County had a “Harry Potter” party to celebrate the movie release and encourage teens to read. John Waller, a teen librarian, donned a white beard and wig to portray the Albus Dumbledore character from the book series.
“Plus, Harry’s birthday is on July 31, so it’s kind of commemorative of that, too,” he said.
About 45 teens, many dressed as their favorite character, took part in games, contests and other activities themed after the books. And the lucky attendees expressed their enjoyment of the witchcraft and wizardry the books bring readers.
“I like most of the books, especially the last one,” said Maria Kenner, 14, of Boardman, who has read the entire series and seen the movies.
Her brother, Eric, 12, has read the first book and looks forward to moving on to the second.
“It kind of flows once you get started,” he said.
The event was organized by the Teen Advisory Board of the library, which acted as “prefects” to the guests.
“In the book, a prefect is a student who is upgraded to maybe being someone who helps patrol hallways or stuff like that,” said Lauren Blake, 17, of Poland. “They help keep order.”
This is the second time the library has had this type of event. The last event was in 2007 for the release of the final book and occurred at the Poland library. The 2007 event brought in about 75 attendees.
Waller said the event is to give readers a fun atmosphere to express their love of the book series and its characters. But the books have also inspired many teens to put down the video games and pick up a book.
“For one thing, the Harry Potter books have been instrumental in getting a lot of younger people to read,” he said. “Of course they’ve been extremely popular, and they’re well-written books. A lot of the kids I’ve talked to have said they’re the books that got them started and interested in reading. Anything to help promote that is good.”
Waller has read all the books and enjoys them himself. He said if he had to choose to have a wizard power for a day, he’d pick flying.
“I’d pick levitation because just being able to fly would be a nice thing,” he said. He added that he’d travel and “just sort of roam around” and not go anywhere specific.
Blake had a more definite idea for her power.
“I would become invisible,” she said. “That way, if people were making me mad, I could just disappear and walk away, Or, if a teacher asked me to do something, I could just disappear.”
jmoffett@vindy.com