Automatic Renewals!

Now, when you check out items at the West Newbury Library, all eligible items will be automatically renewed! For more information on automatic renewals click here.
Curbside Pickup Hours

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 10 - 7
Thursday 10 - 4
Friday 10 - 2
Saturday 9 - 1

Please visit this page for details about how curbside pickup works. We are always happy to put together a package of books, movies, etc. for you, just give us a call or email.
Reminder: Please return all items in our book drop, even DVDs.
Yes, it's back! Commonwealth Catalog has restarted and you may now request items statewide as well as from our consortium.

Submit to our Poet Tree
Come see how our tree has leafed out!

Thanks to everyone who submitted a poem for our Poet Tree! If you haven't already, stop by and sit a spell and enjoy the wonderful variety of poems dangling from our tree! We're still accepting submissions. Please email us your favorite poem or a poem you wrote yourself and we will add it to our Poet Tree outside the library. Poems for all ages encouraged; we'd love to see some of your kids' favorite poems! Send submissions to: [email protected].

Blackout Poetry
You know what terrifies librarians? When people write all over books. So why not terrify your local librarians this month by making some blackout poetry?!
What exactly is blackout poetry? Blackout poetry is when you take a written piece of text from a book, newspaper, or magazine, and redact words in order to come up with your very own poem. In other words - you black them out!
For the month of October, TAG (Teen Advisory Group) will be supplying kits to make your very own blackout poetry! Kits include pages from books, a black sharpie, and blackout poetry examples.
Pick up your kit from the Library starting on October 1st. Kits will be available as long as supplies last.
*For ages 12 and up* Adults encouraged!
Take a picture of your poem and email it to [email protected].

And while you're here enjoy our new Story Walk.
It's unbe-leaf-able :)

A man made of leaves blows away, traveling wherever the wind may take him.

After you read it - please let Miss Kate know.
You can knock on the door or email her at [email protected]

What's Happening?

October Movies of the Month on Hoopla! From romantic comedies (You Cast a Spell On Me, Madame) to intriguing mysteries (The Illusionist), we have curated a collection for patrons of all ages! This month hoopla is spotlighting films that are perfect for the Halloween season, including Dark Places and Spookey the Square Pumpkin as part of their October Movies of the Month collection. All of these titles are available now with no holds or waiting.

It’s that time of year for things to go bump in the night. What better way to get into the holiday spirit on these chilling nights than reading some poetry by candlelight?

Join the Boston Book Festival from October 5–25 for dozens of events and activities, online and outside! The virtual festival features 150+ world-class authors and 50+ live and pre-recorded sessions, plus a virtual marketplace with 70 vendors. Outside, book lovers of all ages can participate in a real-world #BBFBookHunt, One City One Story, Story Walks, an art installation, and more! And the best part? It's all free. Click here for all the Boston Book Fest info.

With over 5000 videos and 700 patterns there's sure to be something for everyone to try on Creative Bug. Creative Bug has their new October LookBook with lots of classes to try and great ideas for everything crafty.

Have you read Echo Mountain? Enjoy Tracy's updated reviews and recommendations of some of the newest books and audiobooks - Visit her Joy of Books blog.

The October issue of BookPage is here. If you'd like a paper copy, contact the library and we can put a copy in your next pickup.
Fun Fall Activities for All
October Programs

All programs are virtual and require registration. Please visit our website (www.westnewburylibrary.org) and register via our event calendar or call (978-363-1105) or email ([email protected]) the library.


Monday, October 5
G.A.R. Book Group - 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
This longstanding book club meets on the first Monday of each month. October’s read is Circe by Madeline Miller. All are welcome!

Tuesdays October 6 thru November 16
Family Storytime - 10:00 AM - 10:25 AM
Join Miss Kate on Zoom for a fun story time! Miss Kate’s has some great books, songs and fingerplays you can enjoy together. Sign up each week for the link! Ages infant and up.

Tuesday, October 6
Stories, Stones and Superstitions of New England - 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
We're excited to welcome Roxie Zwicker, virtually! Paid for with funds from The West Newbury Cultural Council. Take a virtual tour directly from the pages of Roxie’s books on New England’s legendary graveyards. Learn about Colonial and Victorian burial customs and beliefs and the ghost stories from some of the most beautiful and some long forgotten cemeteries in the northeast. Learn the symbolism and stories behind some of New England’s oldest gravestones.

Thursday, October 8
Who Done It? Mystery Book Group - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Are you a Mystery fan? Ready to figure out who done it? Join this lively group and tackle a new kind of mystery each month. October’s read is Tourist Season by Carl Hiaasen. Please contact the library by phone or email to sign up and join this group. All are welcome.

Tuesday, October 13 – November 17
Memoir Basics: Finding your Story - 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
What is memoir? What's a theme and why does it matter? What would be the story of my memoir? Find answers to these questions and more with published writer and instructor Artemis Savory. The focus of this class is to begin brainstorming and outlining the story you want to write with other beginning writers. Sign up and prepare to learn all things memoir, perform writing exercises, and find your story. This is a 6 week Zoom class running on Tuesdays from October 13 - November 17. Class size is limited. Click here to register.

Fridays, October 16, 23 and 30
Friday Night Frights - 7:00 PM
Get into the Halloween Spirit with the Teen Advisory Group's Friday Night Frights! This is a doubly virtual event - a Zoom party to premier a YouTube performance! Register to join the party and watch one of the Tri-Town Teen Librarians read a scary, creepy, and unforgettable tale. Each Friday at 7pm a new video will be premiered. For students in grades 6-12.
Email Kristen at [email protected] for the link.

Wednesday, October 21
Creative Writing - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Do you write for fun? Then join the Creative Writing Club and meet fellow writers! We will be discussing what we like to write, the craft itself, and even have an in-club writing exercise. Email Kristen at ​[email protected] if you’re interested. We will be meeting via zoom.

Thursday, October 22
The Ultimate Red Sox Presentation - 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
The World Series is just around the corner! Take a fun and enlightening journey through Boston Red Sox history with Martin Gitlin, author of The Ultimate Boston Red Sox Time Machine Book for an evening of fun facts, stories and trivia that cover Sox history from the Royal Rooters all the way to the four World Series championships and beyond. This is a Zoom event. Register here.

Many thanks to the Friends of the West Newbury Library for their generous support!