The Springfield Library has scheduled virtual lectures by Gerard Amsellem, scheduled for 7:00 PM one Thursday evening a month from September through December.

October 8: Italian Cinema, with a specific focus on the 1988 film Cinema Paradiso

Springfield Library patrons have free access to all four of these films through the library’s participation in Hoopla.  People interested in viewing these films are encouraged to watch them in advance of each of the scheduled programs and there are no limits on the number of library patrons who are able to view the film through the library’s Hoopla account at any one time.  For library patrons who already have a library card but are not yet registered with Hoopla, registration can be accomplished within about thirty seconds by going to https://www.hoopladigital.com/ and then clicking on the link to get started.    If you are not already registered as a patron at the Springfield Free Public Library, you must first go to www.springfieldpubliclibrary.com where you will see a link on the picture stream that will get you started with a temporary library card.  

 These films are accessible through Hoopla to residents of other communities that belong to the Libraries of Middlesex Automation Consortium (LMxAC).  In addition to Springfield, other libraries in Union County that are members of LMxAC include Elizabeth, Kenilworth, Plainfield, Roselle, and Roselle Park.   Residents of other communities may check with their libraries to see if these films are available for viewing through digital or streaming services or in DVD format.

Each of the four sessions will cover the history of cinema in the country being spotlighted, followed by a discussion of the film itself, including the background of the director.   This will be followed by a question and answer session.

This program is made possible by funding from the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.   Funding is also provided by a generous donation from the Friends of the Springfield Free Public Library.

For more information, please contact Library Director Dale Spindel at dspindel@sfplnj.org.