Celebrate Jane Austen’s birthday at Omaha Public Library

Jane Austen’s 237th birthday will be celebrated at Omaha Public Library’s ninth annual Jane Austen Tea on Saturday, Dec. 8, 2-4 p.m., W. Dale Clark Main Library, 215 S. 15th St., 4th floor.

Guest speaker Sheryl Craig will present "The Torments of Rice Pudding and Apple Dumplings: Jane Austen and Food." Craig has a Ph.D. in British literature from the University of Kansas, where she wrote her dissertation on Jane Austen and economics. Craig has published more than two dozen articles in Jane Austen’s Regency World magazine and has also published in Persuasions: The Jane Austen Journal; Persuasions: The Jane Austen Journal On-Line; and literary criticism journal, The Explicator. Craig is a lifetime member of the Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA) and has served as the editor of JASNA News since 2009.

“Everyone is welcome to this special annual event,” said Omaha Public Library Executive Director Gary Wasdin. “What better way to escape from the holiday madness than for a brief civilized tea with light English fare, in celebration of one of the world’s finest writers?” 

Participants are encouraged to bring their favorite teacups. The Bookworm bookstore will have books and holiday gift items available for purchase.

Register for this free event online at omahalibrary.org or by calling 402.444.3399. This program is sponsored by the Friends of Omaha Public Library and the Nebraska Chapter of the Jane Austen Society of North America.

Visit omahalibrary.org for information on additional holiday events at Omaha Public Library’s 12 metro locations.