- The Concord Free Public Library will close on Tuesday, July 4.
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The Main Library is closed on Sundays in July, August & September. The Fowler Branch is closed on Saturdays in July and August. [View Hours]
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In this issue: Adult Events - Virtual Films at Fowler - Makerspace Programs - Teen Events - Children's Events - Highlights from Special Collections
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GLORY for George! Understanding the Massachusetts 54th
Wednesday, July 12, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Goodwin Forum, Main Library
This event kicks off the weekend of honoring Concord's native son George Washington Dugan on the 160th anniversary of his heroic sacrifice with the Massachusetts 54th during the assault of Fort Wagner. Marvin Alonso Greer noted historical interpreter will trace the connections made between these two conflicts and the growing struggle to expand the rights of life, liberty, and dignity to all people of our nation. This event is sponsored by the Town of Concord DEI Commission. [Register]
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Papercut Workshop with Multimedia Artist Zhonghe (Elena) Li
Thursday, July 13, 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Goodwin Forum, Main Library
To accompany her exhibition of papercuts and watercolors in July in the Main Library's Art Gallery, multimedia artist Zhonghe (Elena) Li will also give a Chinese traditional papercutting workshop. She will give a brief introduction of the aesthetics and philosophy in this ancient art form and you will create your own pieces as she walks you through the basic techniques. [Register]
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Virtual Films at Fowler Summer 2023 | |
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Virtual Films at Fowler continues in summer 2023 with the theme of Finding Family. These selected movies are in some way about the varied pleasures, problems, and pitfalls of belonging to a family, whether conventional or unconventional. Please watch the films on Kanopy and participate in discussions on Zoom.
The Miracle at Morgan's Creek (1944)
Wednesday, July 5, 7:00 p.m. (Discussion Date on Zoom)
A small-town girl with an awkward boyfriend wakes up to find herself married and pregnant, but with no memory of her husband’s identity.
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 series is sponsored by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library.
[View Updated Summer 2023 Virtual Film at Fowler Schedules]
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Metal-Stamped Bookmarks
Monday, July 3, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
The Workshop, Main Library
Learn to use the Workshop's metal-stamping tools by creating your own custom metal-stamped bookmark. Recommended for ages 10-110. [Register]
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Make-It Club
Wednesday, July 5, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
The Workshop, Main Library
Join us every Wednesday afternoon for an awesome craft project or engineering puzzle geared towards kids ages 5 to 10 and their caregivers. No registration required.
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Knitters' Workshop
Thursday, July 6, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
The Workshop, Main Library
Stop by the Workshop every Thursday morning for a cup of coffee and two hours of informal and self-guided knitting with fellow Concord crafters. Needles and yarn scrap swap available for new knitters. All ages and experiences welcome. No registration required.
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Teen Board Game Advisory Board
Thursday, July 6, 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Teen Lounge, Main Library
Teens - Join The Board Game Advisory Board. Receive your very own Board Game Board Member membership card. Choose from our game selection at the library, plan which games we purchase in the future, or bring your own from home (board games, table top role playing, card games [Magic, Pokemon, etc]). Popcorn will always be provided. No registration required.
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CCHS Weekend Chess Club
Saturday, July 8, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Teen Lounge, Main Library
For beginners and pros alike - Play chess with the Concord-Carlisle High School (CCHS) Weekend Chess Club. Ages 11-18. No registration required.
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Children's Events at the Main Library | |
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StoryWalk
24/7
Sidewalk Leading to the Children's Library
For the month of July the Library's StoryWalk presents Lobstah Gahden: Speak Out Against Pollution with a Wicked Awesome Boston Accent with words by Alli Brydon and illustrations by EG Keller. This delightfully punny story about ocean life, conservation, and cooperation is perfect for sparking conversations in the classroom and at home.
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Musical Mondays: Singalong with Sara
Monday, July 3, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Goodwin Forum, Main Library
Join Sara to sing some old favorites and even learn some new songs too. No registration required.
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Toddler Time at Main (Ages 3 and under)
Wednesday, July 5, 10:30 - 11:00 a.m.
Children's Activity Room, Main Library
Get your wiggles out with songs, rhymes, shorter stories, and a ton of movement at this storytime perfect for busy toddlers. No registration required.
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Summer Scavenger Hunt (All ages)
Thursday, July 6, All Day
Children's Activity Room, Main Library
Find the stuffed animals hidden on the first floor of the library and come back to the Children's Desk for a prize. No registration required.
For more Children's events at the Main Library, visit here.
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Fowler Branch Children's Events | |
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Fowler Baby Time, Ages 0-12 months
Monday, July 3, 11:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Meeting Room, Fowler Branch
Join us for songs, stories, and a chance to chat with other parents. No registration required.
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Craft Lab at Fowler (Ages 12 and under)
Wednesday, July 5, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Meeting Room, Fowler Branch
Drop by Fowler to craft, experiment, and create. Join us each week for hands-on artistic exploration. No registration required.
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Lego Club at Fowler (Ages 12 and under)
Friday, July 7, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Meeting Room, Fowler Branch
Come play with us - Join fellow builders to construct from our Lego collection. Try out weekly challenges or work on your own project. Drop in at any time during Lego Club to join the fun. No registration required.
For more Children's events at Fowler, visit here.
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Highlights from Special Collections: Early Libraries | |
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As the Concord Free Public Library (CFPL) prepares to celebrate its 150th anniversary, we are looking back at important points in our history. When William Munroe decided to gift a public library to his hometown, he continued the long tradition of libraries in Concord. While a variety of libraries have existed here, three in particular provide a direct line of succession to the creation of the CFPL.
Formed on May 25, 1795, the Charitable Library Society was a subscription library supported by membership fees. The collection was augmented by donations of books and money. While it was created with a membership model, the Charitable Library Society allowed non-member residents of Concord to use the collection. While no women were officially listed as members, women did donate to and use the books.
In 1821, the collection and membership were absorbed into the new Concord Social Library. The new library was a proprietary model, which were owned jointly and used by shareholders. This type of organization was common in New England before the public library movement. John Stacy, a business owner on the Mill Dam, was the librarian as the collection was housed in his bookstore. Ralph Waldo Emerson was a member and president of the Standing Committee.
In 1851, the Commonwealth passed an act to authorize Massachusetts cities and towns to establish and maintain public libraries. During the Town meeting on November 10, 1851, Concord approved the creation of the Concord Town Library, which would be its first public library. The Library never had its own permanent location, with items kept first in the Court House and then the Town House on Monument Square. Duties were pretty light for the librarian, who only had to open the Library one afternoon and one evening a week, on Saturdays. The Library was also open occasionally just before a Lyceum lecture. During the twenty-two years it was open, nine different librarians managed the Library, including Charles Hosmer Walcott and Ephraim Bull, Jr. Ralph Waldo Emerson maintained his connection through his seat on the Library Committee.
The Town Library began with approximately 1,300 books that came from the Concord Social Library. In 1873, the Town Library transferred nearly 7,000 items to the new Concord Free Public Library. Currently, the Library has over 224,000 books in its collection.
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The William Munroe Special Collections hosted a series of on-site and virtual programs in 2023 to celebrate the Library's 150th anniversary. If you missed any recent events, or would like to enjoy seeing them again, we invite you to view them here.
Coming Soon -
Film Premiere: Ralph Waldo Emerson: Give All to Love – A New Film by Michael
Maglaras will be held on Saturday, September 30, 2023, 2:00 - 4:30 p.m. in the Goodwin Forum of the Main Library.
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