JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas –
The publication of British author J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” more than 20 years ago sparked a literary and cultural phenomenon that had a huge impact on children and adults alike, introducing them to a magical world of wizards, witches and muggles.
That world will come to Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston’s Sam Houston Community Center as the JBSA libraries join a global celebration from 5-8 p.m. Feb. 6.
“Harry Potter Book Night is an event that takes place annually all over the world,” said Nikkie Sierra, JBSA-Lackland Library supervisory librarian. “The Wizarding World is so vast that each year they celebrate a different part of it. This year’s theme is the Tri-Wizard Tournament. We at JBSA libraries got excited about joining in on an event that takes place in libraries and book shops around the world on the same day.”
The event will feature Harry Potter-themed games, crafts and activities, said Darrell Hankins, JBSA-Fort Sam Houston Keith A. Campbell Memorial Library lead supervisory librarian
“We welcome people in their wizard attire,” he said. “We will be giving out wands while supplies last.”
The staffs of the JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, JBSA-Lackland and JBSA-Randolph libraries are collaborating to support the event, Hankins said. As a result, all three libraries will have shorter hours that day – 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“It is a joint venture,” he said. “All staff members from the three locations are part of the event and have created all the materials necessary to put on the event to include custom-made banners, wands and all the activities needed to create the event.”
A past Harry Potter event at the JBSA-Lackland provided the impetus for the collaboration, Hankins said. Diana Lisenbee, current supervisory librarian at the JBSA-Randolph Library, helped spearhead that event when she was assigned to the Lackland library.
“That event was very successful, so with that in mind we collectively decided to do this joint library event to build team spirit and the library community throughout the JBSA locations,” he said.
The seven-volume Harry Potter series and the movies that followed continue to have an influence, Hankins said.
“The Harry Potter books sparked a renewed interest in reading by young adults and children alike when they first were published,” he said. “These readers have grown up with Harry Potter and have continued the interest by reading to their own children, thus continuing the Harry Potter phenomenon.”
The books and movies based on the books are still in demand at the JBSA libraries.
“They’re among our highest circulated items in young adult fiction titles,” Hankins said.