Weekly Updates

January 31, 2025

  • In this issue: From Special Collections - Munroe Gallery Exhibition - Poetry at the Library - Adult Programs - Virtual Films at Fowler - Teen Programs - Children's Programs



From Special Collections

Art on the Move



This week, the Bust of Nathaniel Hawthorne, by Maria Louisa Lander, was shipped to Brunswick, Maine, for the upcoming exhibition Poetic Truths: Hawthorne, Longfellow, and American Visual Culture, 1840-1880, February 6 - July 20, 2025, in the Markell Gallery at the Bowdoin College Museum of Art. 

Unsettling Thoreau - with John J. Kucich 

Sunday, February 9, 2:00—3:30 PM

Goodwin Forum, Main Library and on Zoom


Linda Coombs (Aquinnah Wampanoag), author and historian from the Wampanoag Tribe of Aquinnah, will join John Kucich, president of the Thoreau Society, in a conversation about Thoreau and Native Americans and John's new book Unsettling Thoreau: Native Americans, Settler Colonialism, and the Power of Place (University of Massachusetts Press, 2024).


Register to attend in person or on Zoom.

Munroe Gallery February Exhibition

Down to Earth - An Exhibition by Susan McGillicuddy

February 1 - 28, 2025

Munroe Gallery, Main Library


Open reception: Saturday, February 1, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.


From the Artist - Much of my inspiration comes from humble, everyday items and experiences in my life. Whether the subject is a bunch of radishes, a basket of yarn waiting for my next knitting project, or the view from a kitchen window, these paintings are intended to celebrate life’s simple pleasures. I have always loved flowers and plants, and living in a farming community and working for many years at a garden center have provided me with an infinite supply of subjects to study and paint.

Poetry at the Library

Nathan McClain: Reimagining Inheritance, Leaving Our Children A Different Song

Sunday, February 2, 3:00 - 4:15 p.m.

Goodwin Forum, Main Library


Join us for an afternoon of celebrating Black History Month with multi-honored poet, editor, and educator Nathan McClain who will read and engage in a Q & A about his daring sophomore collection, Previously Owned (Four Way Books, 2022), longlisted for the Massachusetts Book Award. In these poems McClain interrogates his speaker’s American heritage, history, and responsibility, investigating myth, popular culture, governance, and more. Book signings and light refreshments to follow the talk. Sponsored by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library.


[Register for Poetry from the Library]

Adult Programs

Ancient Wisdom Today: Practice and Principles

Tuesday, February 4, 7:15 - 8:00 p.m.

Zoom

How might our modern ways benefit from ancient wisdom practices based on compassion and interconnection? Join us to discuss short readings from the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tsu as well as aspects of Buddhist, Indigenous and Zen teachings, among others. This 10-week online offering began on Tuesday, January 21 and runs on consecutive Tuesday nights until March 25. Led by the Library's mindful wellness educator, Lara Wilson with meditation teacher, Jacob Millendorf. [Register for Zoom Link]

Author Talk: Liz Kinchen, Author of Light in Bandaged Places

Thursday, February 6, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Goodwin Forum, Main Library

Join author Liz Kinchen for a discussion of her book Light in Bandaged Places : Healing in the Wake of Young Betrayal. When a lonely young girl meets a teacher twice her age, she is seduced into a web of deceit and secrecy; an experience that teaches her that sex in exchange for attention feels like love, even as it destroys her self-worth. Here, Liz Kinchen offers a detailed view of exactly how this abusive experience influenced her adult relationships, and how her eventual healing unfolded. [Register for Liz Kinchen Author Talk]

League of Women Voters First Friday: How will the Concord250 Celebrations Impact Our Town?

Friday, February 7, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.

Goodwin Forum, Main Library and on Zoom

Join the League of Women Voters of Concord-Carlisle to hear from the Concord250 Committee and Town Officials and get answers to your questions. We will cover everything from street closures, crowd management, and emergency response to volunteer opportunities and special events beyond the big parade. This hybrid event is open to the public. Join us in person at the library or on Zoom.

Meet the Writer-in-Residence

Friday, February 7, 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Commons, Main Library

The Library's 2025 Writer-in-Residence, Steve Edwards, will spend the noon hour in the Commons each Friday, and invites the public to join him for friendly conversation. Bring questions and thoughts about writing, books, nature, or whatever else is on your mind. No registration required.

Tuesday Book Discussion: Sing, Unburied, Sing, by Jesmyn Ward

Tuesday, February 11, 10:00 - 11:45 a.m.

Trustees Room, Main Library

Each month, join other readers to discuss a range of books, from classics to contemporary. For February, we will discuss Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward. Copies of the book are available at the Main Library. [Register for Tuesday Book Discussion]

Virtual Films at Fowler

Dodsworth (1936)

Wednesday, February 12, 7:00 p.m.

(Discussion Date on Zoom)


A retired auto manufacturer (Walter Huston) and his wife take a long-planned European vacation only to find that they want very different things from life.


Please watch the film on Kanopy before the discussion. To register for the discussion and receive a Zoom link, send an email to the Coordinator of the program Randall Warniers at FilmsatFowler@concordlibrary.org. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library.


[View Winter 2025 Film Discussion Schedule]

Teen Programs

Fowler Teen Crafternoon (Grades 6-12)

Monday, February 3, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Meeting Room, Fowler Branch

Stop by after school to unwind and craft. Bring something you are working on, or learn something new from your peers. Crafts may include origami, crochet, friendship bracelets, and more. Snacks will be provided. No registration required.

Teen Dungeons and Dragons (For high schoolers)

Wednesday, February 5, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Teen Lounge, Main Library

Our older player game: Seven Plunders of the World! Join the high seas hijinks and lay waste to nasty critters with a roll of the dice. Please note - If you wish to drop in, please have a level 3 character ready to go, or, see Erick at the Teen Desk (sometime before game day) to build one.


For more Teen programs, visit here.

Main Library Children's Programs

Weekly Storytime Schedule

All storytimes are drop-in unless otherwise noted.

Crafty Tuesday, Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m.

Toddler Time, Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.

Baby Snugglebugs Storytime, Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m.

Storytime at Main, Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.

Alphabet Storytime, Fridays, 10:30 a.m.

Yoga & Movement Storytime, Saturdays, 10:30 a.m.

Musical Monday: Move & Play with Molly Delehey

Monday, February 3, 10:30 - 11:15 a.m.

Goodwin Forum, Main Library

Join us for a lively expressive movement and music experience for children and their caretakers. Led by Molly Delehey, a creative dramatics and movement teacher with over 30 years of experience inspiring joy and delight. This event is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library. No registration required. 

Make-It! Club (Ages 5+)

Wednesday, February 5, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

The Workshop, Main Library

Join us every Wednesday afternoon for an awesome craft, art project, or engineering puzzle. Recommended for kids ages 5-10 and their caregivers. If your child is ages 5-9, please be prepared to stay with your child for the duration of the event. No registration required.


For more Children's programs at the Main Library, visit here.

Fowler Branch Children's Programs

Fowler Storytime (Ages 5 & under)

Tuesday, February 4, 10:00-10:45 a.m. & 11:00-11:45 a.m.

Meeting Room, Fowler Branch

Join us at Fowler for storytime - We will share stories, songs and rhymes and do a simple hands-on activity. No registration required.

Thoreau Walk to School (Fowler)

Wednesday, February 5, 8:15 - 8:50 a.m.

Parking Lot, Fowler Branch

Thoreau School families are invited to gather in the Fowler Branch parking lot to walk together to school. Join us to celebrate our community and practice sustainable alternatives in this second annual event, offered in collaboration with the Concord Public Schools, the Thoreau PTG, Safe Routes to Schools, and Mothers Out Front. Rain date: Wednesday, February 12. The Thoreau principal and PTG will share updates. Please note - This is not a drop-off event. Your child needs to be accompanied by you or another adult. No registration required. 


For more Children's programs at the Fowler Branch, visit here.

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