Weekly Updates From Concord Library - July 20

Weekly Updates

July 20 - 26, 2020

Curbside pickup of library materials is available at the Main Library by appointment only. Pickup times are Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. - 5:45 p.m. [ Read More About the Curbside Service ] [ Make an Appointment ]

The Main Library's Book Drops are open 5 days a week (Monday through Friday) between 9:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

The Fowler Branch Library’s book drop remains closed until further notice. Items checked out from the Fowler Branch can be returned to the Main Library's Book Drops during the above hours.

Returned items are placed in quarantine for up to 72 hours. Fines will not accrue during this time. Due dates for Concord items borrowed prior to the Library’s closure have been extended to July 31.

Patrons can now request items owned by other Minuteman Library Network libraries via the statewide delivery service. Please select the Main Library as your pickup location.

The Concord Free Public Library is unable to accept book donations at this time.

NEW: Currently the only museums that honor discount library passes are the Boston Children's Museum, the New England Aquarium and the Boston Harbor Islands Ferry. [ Reserve a Museum Pass ]

Please email all inquiries to [email protected] .

N ew Arrivals: Browse and Request

When in-library browsing is not available, please be sure to check out our virtual new book display. We have resumed book and DVD movie orders and new books have begun to arrive each week. Staff members are working as fast as possible to get the new arrivals ready for circulation. Click here to browse the new book display and place a reserve for curbside pickup.

New Tables & Chairs on the Front Lawn

Have you noticed the multiple sets of café tables and chairs on the Main Library front lawn recently? They were purchased by the Concord Free Public Library Corporation to invite our patrons to sit outside of the Library to meet, read or study while practicing social distance. You may also access the Library's wifi from the front lawn.

Come and enjoy!

READ ALOUD TOGETHER - Middle Schoolers Read Big 6

Join us every Friday in July at 11:00 a.m. as we read aloud from the Concord Middle School’s Big 6 Recommended Reading List .

This week we will read together Echo Mountain by Lauren Wolk. When 12 year-old Ellie and her family lose their livelihood and move to a mountain cabin in 1934, she quickly learns to be an outdoors woman and, when needed, a healer. Students can also request an eBook or audiobook of the title via OverDrive with a Minuteman Library Card.

2020 Summer Learning Program

The Concord Free Public Library invites kids and teens to join the 2020 online Summer Learning Program, ” Imagine Your Story .”

The program runs June 15 - August 31 and is free and open to children from preschool through high school. The goal of the Summer Learning Program is to keep kids and teens reading and learning during summer, ensuring that they maintain or gain skills and start the next school year on track and ready to learn. The program focuses on STEAM-related, educational, fun and enriching activities.

The Summer Learning Program is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library and the Concord Free Public Library Corporation .

[ Register for the Summer Learning Program ] [ Read More About Kids Summer Learning Program Including Reading Lists ] [ Teen Summer Learning Program Including Reading Lists ]

Online Teen, Tween & Children's Events

TAKE & MAKE Craft Kits Every Monday in July

The Children's Department is offering weekly craft kits for kids ages 3 - 12 years old. Every Monday through the summer, a new craft kit will be available for curbside pickup while supplies last. Each kit contains most of the materials children need to complete the craft. Kits do not include basic supplies like scissors, glue, and tape. Reserve your craft kit by calling the Main Library at (978) 318-3301 to pick it up via our curbside service. Reservations will be accepted starting Monday of each week as long as supplies last.

How-To's Day

Tuesdays, July 21 & 28, 10:00 a.m.

All ages

Excuse me, do you have two minutes to spare every Tuesday for a little How-To fun? It's How-To's Day! Every Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. on the Library's Facebook page, tune in for totally awesome mini-tutorials by Children's Library Assistant Cary Stough. Make an envelope out of scrap paper. Use a hammer properly. Cook the most gorgeous fried egg. How can Cary help? Send How-To suggestions to Cary at [email protected].

Weekly Learning Challenge Series: Photography Workshop for Kids

Tuesday, July 21, 2:00 p.m. [ Register for Zoom Link ]

All ages

Dust off your cameras! The Weekly Challenge for the week of 7/20 - 7/26 is to photograph images of life during this pandemic. Steve McGrath will teach kids basic photography skills so kids feel empowered to go out into the community and use photography as a means to express and document their experience Chronicling Concord Through COVID-19 project . Steve is an accomplished, passionate and devoted professional photographer with over 30 years’ experience. This event is for Grades 3 and up. Students will have a chance to share their photographs via Zoom on July 27 @ 10 am. Sponsored by The Friends of the Concord Free Public Library.

Virtual Family Concert with Rockabye Beats

Wednesday, July 22, 10:00 a.m.

Rockabye Beats is a fun family group whose music is reminiscent of founder’s Marcos Valles’s Puerto Rico. Join us on Zoom for an interactive 30-minute concert that includes movement/dancing, counting, singing, a little bit of Spanish vocabulary, and an instrument show and tell (drum, guitar, rhythm instruments, xylophone, etc.). Sponsored by The Friends of the Concord Free Public Library. [ Register for Zoom Link ]

Cooking Program for Teens and Tweens

Wednesday, July 22, 4:00 - 4:30 p.m.

Wellness coach Julie Manning will lead tweens and teens in a microwave cooking class and teach them how to make a variety of comfort foods in a mug! On July 22 we will make cheesecake in a mug. On July 29 we will conclude the series with mac n' cheese in a mug. The virtual cooking program will be held on Zoom. The ingredient list will be shared with all participants before the program. Sponsored by The Friends of the Concord Free Public Library.

Teen/Tween Book Group

Wednesday, July 22, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. [ Register for Zoom Link]

Join our Children's Department staff members Fiona and Emily for a fun discussion of Laurie Halse Anderson's Wonder Woman: Tempest Tossed . We will discuss the new Diana Prince origin story and latest DC YA graphic novel Wonder Woman: Tempest Tossed . Sixteen-y ear-old Diana (who isn’t yet Wonder Woman) is suddenly separated from her idyllic home island of Themyscira and tossed into a terrifying, strange world. The book tells a story about growing into your strength, battling for justice, and the power of friendship. Readers can instantly download the graphic novel on Hoopla with a Minuteman Library card. The novel is intended for ages 13 and up.

Hamilton Trivia Night

Thursday, July 23, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.

Join hosts Cary Stough (our Children's Library Assistant) and Emily Aldous (Library Page) for a family-friendly trivia night. Based on the very popular Broadway musical, Hamilton, and in conjunction with its televised release to the public, join us for a night of fun and the chance to win one of three gift cards to local Concord businesses. Please limit registration to teams/groups, not individuals. Or contact Cary at [email protected] to be placed on a team. [ Register for Zoom Link ]

Story Time with Royce on Zoom

Wednesdays @ 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

All ages

Missing storytime at the Library? Join us on Zoom for some short stories, songs, & rhymes. This is a great way to build early literacy skills. Children of all ages are welcome. Register to receive the Zoom link. [ Sign up for July 29] [ August 5] [ August 12]

Read to Luna the Dog on Zoom

Every Thursday @ 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Ages 5 and up

Did you know that reading to dogs boosts reading skills & emotional & social skills for children? Join us for a "Read around the Zoom" group reading experience. Using Zoom meeting platform, we will all take turns reading aloud to Luna and to each other. Bring some of your favorite poems or short stories. [ Sign Up for July 23] [ July 30] [ August 6]

Join the Party with Spiderman!

Monday, Aug 3, 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.

All ages.

Dress up in your favorite superhero costume and immerse yourself in a fantastical world! You will be taken through superhero training and games that will make you feel like an actual hero. For kids who participated in last week's learning challenge and created their own superhero costume, this will give you a chance to show off your creation! Everyone is welcome, whether your costume is homemade, store-bought or no costume. Register in advance for the Zoom link . Sponsored by The Friends of the Concord Free Public Library

Paper-clay Dragonfly Workshop on Zoom

Wednesday, Aug 5, 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.

Ages 10 & up

Join artist Besti Madrioli and create your own paper-clay dragonfly in this Zoom workshop! Betsi will teach kids how to sand, paint and glaze your form to make your own beautiful dragonfly! Each child will receive a clay-form and pre-packaged kit with your own brushes/ paints before the workshop. Sponsored by The Friends of the Concord Free Public Library. [ Register for Zoom Link ]

Sing-along with Ed Morgan

Join us on Zoom for an interactive sing-along with Ed Morgan, "The Music Man". Learn fun ways to connect

with your family through music. This family-friendly performance will have everyone up and moving, dancing and singing. Monthly this summer. Generously sponsored by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library. [ Register for Friday, August 21]

Virtual Talent Show for Kids and Teens

Imagine...create...write...perform...your story!

Share your talents with your peers and the community in our Virtual Talent Show for Kids and Teens !

HOW TO SIGN UP

WHERE TO SEND SUBMISSIONS

Once you have heard back from us and we have received your permission form, send us a video no longer than 3 minutes via WeTransfer to [email protected].

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Must be a video no longer than 3 minutes.
Video file type must be .MOV or .MP4.
The deadline for submissions is Saturday, August 1 at 11:59 p.m.

HOW TO VIEW THE TALENT SHOW

The Talent Show will premiere on Saturday, August 29, in celebration of the Summer Learning Program, on Zoom and the Library's YouTube page (in a private link). After the premiere, the video will remain on YouTube for a week for participants to view at their leisure.

Virtual Adult Events

The Practice of Presence

Tuesday, July 21, 7:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Explore simple mindful wellness practices that settle the mind, honor the body and enhance overall well-being. Together, we will examine the path toward freedom from stress and experience the power of the pause in a time of crisis. Lara Wilson, founder of Be Well Be Here , will share ways to integrate mindfulness into daily life through meditation and movement tailored to your natural way of BEing. Free and open to all! [ Register for Zoom Link ]

Thursday Morning Meditation Classes

July 23 & 30, 8:30 - 9:00 a.m.

Join Be Well Be Here on Thursdays for a 30-minute morning meditation practice with the Concord Free Public Library, and start your day with a moment of ease. Discover mindful tools that center the body, settle the mind, and open the door to well-being. [ Register for Zoom Link]

Mindful Writing Workshop with CFPL

Sunday, July 26, 7:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Join Concord Festival of Authors curator Lara Wilson, MA, for this Concord Free Public Library (CFPL) Writing Workshop. Explore how writing not only allows us to record our experiences, but reveals what evidence-based research unveils: writing quiets anxious thoughts, boosts the immune system and enhances healthy mind/body connections. [ Register for Zoom link ]