Newport libraries to host events during National Library Week

The Newport Beach Public Library will celebrate National Library Week with events next week at all four of its branches, starting Sunday.

Highlights include:

• Lynne Cox, a long-distance swimmer and an author, will speak about her swims across the English Channel, around the Strait of Magellan and across the Bering Strait from 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday at the Central Library Children’s Room, 1000 Avocado Ave. She also will talk about her new book, “Elizabeth, Queen of the Seas,” about a real-life elephant seal in New Zealand.

• The Upside, a classical/jazz crossover ensemble, will perform from 3 to 4 p.m. Sunday in the Central Library Friends Room.

• Children’s crafts and games will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Tuesday at the Central Library Storytime Room.

• Magic by Eli will be presented from 3 to 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Corona del Mar branch, 420 Marigold Ave.

• Jack and the Beanstalk Puppet Show will entertain from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Thursday at the Balboa branch, 100 E. Balboa Blvd.

• A reception for artist Agnes Schenk will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday in the Central Library Friends Room as part of the library’s exhibition of her work through May 5.

• Former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm will speak about “Cracking the Code on How to Grow Jobs in the U.S.” from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday and 2 to 3:30 p.m. April 18 at the Central Library Friends Room. Tickets are $50 for Friday and $35 for April 18 and are available at nbplfoundation.org/onlineorder/events.cfm.

• Balloon storyteller Annie Banannie will on hand from 3 to 3:45 p.m. April 18 in the Vincent Jorgensen Community Meeting Room at the Mariners branch, 1300 Irvine Ave.

For more information, visit https://www.newportbeachlibrary.orghttps://www.newportbeachlibrary.org.

—Rob Vardon