Hours:
- Main Library - 10-8 (Mon.), 9-8 (Tues.-Thurs.), 9-6 (Fri.), 9-5 (Sat.) and closed on Sun.
- Fowler Branch - 10-6 (Mon.-Thurs.), 10-5 (Fri. & Sat.) and closed on Sun.
- Special Collections - 10-6 (Mon.), 9-5 (Tues.-Fri.) and closed on weekends.
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2021 Concord Festival of Authors Continues |
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The 2021 Concord Festival of Authors started on October 15 and will end on October 31. It is a town-wide celebration of the written and spoken word featuring over 30 town-wide events.
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Breakfast with the Authors
Saturday, October 23, 10:00 a.m.
Dr. Suzanne Koven will moderate the annual Concord Festival of Authors event Breakfast with the Authors, as we discuss the literary life with Meredith Hall, Chaney Kwak, and Shawna Kay Rodenberg. [Register]
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Native Nations Poetry Panel
Sunday, October 24, 3:00 p.m.
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The Transcendentalists and Their World
Monday, October 25, 7:00 p.m.
Join Author and Historian Robert A. Gross in conversation with Anke Voss, Curator of the Concord Free Public Library William Munroe Special Collections. This session will feature The Transcendentalists and Their World, Robert Gross’s long-awaited study of Concord in the era of Emerson and Thoreau. [Register]
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Mindful Memoirs about Grief, Loss and Love
Wednesday, October 27, 7:30 p.m.
The Friends of the Concord Free Public Library present a virtual conversation with authors Maryanne O'Hara and Faith Fuller Wilcox. [Register]
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Halloween Author Reading with Jenna Blum
Sunday, October 31, 11:00 a.m.
Front Lawn, Main Library
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Mystery Night - Keeping The Pages Turning: How Crime Writers Create Suspense
Sunday, October 31, 7:00 p.m.
Join the Festival Mystery Night emcee and celebrated author Kate Flora to discover how to create suspense in fiction with mystery writers Susan Oleksiw, Dale Phillips and Susan Smith. [Register]
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Stitch Circle at Fowler
Tuesday, October 26, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Large Meeting Room, Fowler Branch
Join fellow knitting, crocheting, needlework, etc. enthusiasts for an hour of social crafting. Help each other out of tough spots, share patterns and tips, and enjoy crafting together. We will meet in the backyard, weather permitting; or in the large meeting room if necessary. Face masks are required if we meet indoor. No registration required.
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Free Online Group Meditation with Be Well Be Here
Thursday, October 28, 8:30 - 9:00 a.m.
Zoom
Join Be Well Be Here with the Library for a 30-minute morning meditation practice and start your day with a moment of ease. Discover mindful tools that center the body, settle the mind, and open the door to wellbeing. [ Register for Zoom Link] |
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Tuesday Book Discussion Group
Tuesday, November 9, 9:30 - 11:15 a.m.
Zoom
Each month, join other readers to discuss a range of books, from classics to contemporary. For November, we will discuss Tess of the D'Urbervilles, by Thomas Hardy. Copies of the book are available at the Main Library circulation desk. Please call 978-318-3301 to check if copies are currently available. [ Register for Zoom Link] |
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Genealogy Research for Beginners: A Six-Week Series |
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Genealogy Research for Beginners - A Six-Week Series
Wednesdays, November 10 - December 22, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Zoom
Join educator, lecturer, and genealogy researcher Linda MacIver for a 6-week genealogy series via Zoom. The class will meet every Wednesday at 2 p.m. from November 10 - December 22. There will be no class on November 24. The series will include an introduction to researching your family tree, using the library's resources, and finding your immigrant ancestors. Registration is required, and is limited to 20 participants. Commitment to attending the first two classes is mandatory.
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Virtual Films at Fowler Fall Series: Fearless Features |
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The Films at Fowler Series continues in the fall with five more movies and discussion dates. The new theme for the fall is Fearless Features, and the five movies are all admired and recognized for their fierce originality and cinematic innovations in form, style, or content. They are each so unique you will wonder how they ever got funded in the first place. Please watch—on your own time schedule—the selected movies on Kanopy, a free streaming service available to Concord patrons. We will then gather on Zoom on scheduled evenings (shown below) for a lively movie discussion.
Wednesday, November 3, 7:00 p.m. (Discussion date on Zoom)
Cynthia Nixon’s performance as poet Emily Dickinson brilliantly personifies the literary artist whose genius was recognized only after her death. The film evokes Dickinson’s quiet life, her attachment to her family, and the restrained manners of her time. [Watch Film on Kanopy]
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Halloween Party & Sneak Peek of Our New Children's Library |
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It's Halloween! Party & Sneak Peek of Future Children's Library
Friday, October 29, 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Main Library
Join us for a festive Halloween celebration! Come in costume. Get a sneak peek at the new Children’s Library and Makerspace. See the new Children’s Garden. We will have spooky stories, crafts, and cookies. There will be a pumpkin decorating contest. All ages are welcome! No registration required.
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Children's, Tween & Teen Events |
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6th Annual Scarecrow Festival
Saturday, October 16 - Sunday, October 31, ALL DAY
Main Library and Fowler Branch Library Lawns
The Concord Free Public Library is hosting the 6th annual Scarecrow Festival October 16 - 31. Gather your family! Visit the Main Library's front lawn and the Fowler Branch lawn to enjoy all the creative scarecrows made by local organizations! This year’s participants include: Appleton Design Group, Artscape at Bradford Mill, Beede Center, Children’s Meeting House Preschool, Colonial Inn, Concord Conservatory of Music, Concord Middle School, Concord Police Department, the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library, Magic Garden Preschool, Nashoba Brook Bakery, Nashoba Brooks School, Open Table, Orangetheory, TimberNook Middlesex County, Village Art Room, and the Visitor Center.
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Outdoor Storytime at the Main, Ages 5 and under
Monday, October 25, 10:30-11:00 a.m.
Sudbury Road Garden, Main Library
Join us on the Sudbury Street garden of the Main Library for an in-person storytime. We will enjoy stories, songs & rhymes! In the case of poor weather, outdoor programs may be canceled. No registration required.
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Baby Time by Fowler, Ages 0-12 months
Monday, October 25, 11:00-11:45 a.m.
Labyrinth Garden at West Concord Union Church
Join Fowler Branch Librarian Dorrie at the labyrinth garden at the West Concord Union Church (1317 Main St), across the street from Fowler, for an in person Baby Time! We will share stories, songs, and bouncing rhymes. Bring a blanket or something comfortable to sit on. If anyone in your group is experiencing Covid-like symptoms, please do not attend. In the case of poor weather, Baby Time may be canceled. Please look at the calendar or social media for updates, or you may call Fowler at 978-318-3350. No registration required.
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Craft a Family Tree
Monday, Oct 25, 4:00 p.m.
Lower Level Meeting Room, Main Library
Calling all teens and tweens! The Concord Free Public Library is hosting three drop-in craft programs for middle schoolers and high school students to create a tree for Concord Museum’s annual Family Trees celebration. The tree will be inspired by the book Let's Taco About How Great You Are by Bob Holt. The Library will provide all craft materials as well as snacks. You provide your imagination! No registration required. |
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Read to Luna at Fowler!
Monday, October 25, 4:30- 5:30 p.m.
Fowler Backyard, Fowler Branch
Luna is now visiting Fowler, too! Come boost your reading skills with some one-on-one reading time with this lovable yellow lab. When you arrive, sign in with library staff and Luna will see you in the order that you arrive. Each participant will have 10-15 minutes to read to Luna. This event is held outside. We will contact registrants with any weather-related updates! [ Register] |
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PJ Storytime on Zoom, Ages 5 and under
Monday, October 25, 5:00- 5:30 p.m.
Zoom
Get a jumpstart on bedtime with songs, stories, and rhymes. Registration is required for this event. If this event is cancelled, we will use the contact information you enter here to get in touch with you. [ Register for Zoom Link] |
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Outdoor Storytime by Fowler
Tuesday, October 26, 10:00 - 10:45 a.m. & 11:00 - 11:45 a.m.
Labyrinth Garden at West Concord Union Church
Join Fowler Branch Librarian Dorrie at the labyrinth garden at the West Concord Union Church (1317 Main St), across the street from Fowler, for an in person storytime! We will share stories, songs, and rhymes and do a simple craft. If anyone in your group is experiencing Covid-like symptoms, please do not attend. In the case of poor weather, storytime may be canceled.
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Bird Finger Puppets @ Early Bird Craft Time
Tuesday, October 26, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Sudbury Road Garden, Main Library
Join us for a fun craft project that is perfect for ages 5 and under. We will provide the supplies and you bring the creativity to make your own masterpiece! No registration required.
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Halloween Harvest: Ghosts, Goblins & More with Storyteller, Davis Bates
Tuesday, October 26, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Front Lawn, Main Library
Join us for a Halloween storytelling program with Davis Bates. This is the perfect way to celebrate the fall season, with traditional and true life ghost stories, supernatural tales and songs about the harvest and turning of the earth. The program will include both traditional and contemporary material, spoon playing, humor and warmth. The program is recommended for ages 5 years and older, as well as adults. In case of inclement weather, the program will take place at Hunt Recreation Center, 90 Stow St, Concord, MA. No Registration required.
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Alphabet Storytime
Wednesday, October 27, 10:30- 11:00 a.m.
Sudbury Road Garden, Main Library
Join in the fun learning the alphabet with stories, songs and crafts. Each week we will focus on a different letter of the alphabet. Recommended for ages 5 years and below. No registration required.
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Craft Lab at Fowler, Ages 12 and Under
Wednesday, October 27, 2:00- 3:00 p.m.
Fowler Backyard, Fowler Branch
Drop by Fowler to craft, experiment, and create. Join us each week for hands-on artistic exploration. We will test our ability to create in all kinds of weather, but we have our limits! Please look here and on our social media with any updates, or call Fowler at 978-318-3350 with questions. Please note we will not meet on the third Wednesday of each month!
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College Essay Bootcamp (Essay Editing Workshop)
Wednesday, October 27, 4:30- 5:30 p.m.
Teen Room, Main Library
Join two-time successful college graduate, published writer, and Library staff member Cary Stough for a four-week COLLEGE ESSAY BOOTCAMP. Learn the basics of 1) Editing, 2) Revision, 3) Rewriting. Registration is limited, so sign up now. [ Register] |
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Storytime on Zoom, Ages 5 and under
Thursday, October 28, 10:00 - 10:30 a.m.
Zoom
Join storytime from the comfort of your own home. Share stories, songs, and rhymes in this weekly virtual program. [Register for Zoom Link]
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Story Time - Picture Books 101
Thursday, October 28, 10:30 - 11:00 a.m.
Sudbury Road Garden, Main Library
Come enjoy our favorite new picture books and learn how you can participate in our early literacy campaign called 101 Picture Books Concord Free Public Library Loves! These storytimes will feature our favorite new picture books and promote early literacy skills to newborns, infants, toddlers and preschoolers. No registration required.
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Messy Fun at Fowler, Ages 5 and under
Thursday, October 28, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Fowler Backyard, Fowler Branch
What's more fun than getting messy? Getting messy somewhere that isn't in your house! Drop by the Fowler backyard weekly for a range of activities from play dough to blocks. Stay for 15 minutes or for the full hour. We will have different stations, allowing for child-guided play and social distancing. Weather permitting. Look here or visit our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for updates, or call Fowler at 978-318-3350. No registration required. |
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Selecting Colleges
Thursday, October 28, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Periodical Room, Main Library
Richard Montauk, education consultant, will discuss the key differences between colleges and how to evaluate them. He will focus particular attention on understanding the chances of admission at a school, determining whether a student should apply early decision, early action, or regular decision, and the important implications of this decision, and understanding the career implications of college choice. Face masks are required of all participants. No registration required.
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Concord Puppet Theatre: Live!
Friday, October 29, 10:30 - 11:00 a.m.
Sudbury Road Garden, Main Library
Each week we will feature different puppets, new songs to learn and sing along to, and occasional crafts, all under the blue tents. Feel free to bring your own puppet (sock or otherwise) or instruments from home to join in on the fun. No registration required.
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Saturday Studio, Ages 5 and under
Saturday, October 30, 11:00 - 11:45 a.m.
Fowler Backyard, Fowler Branch
Join Fowler staff each week for a mix of stories, crafting, and other hands-on activities. No registration required.
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Special Collections Highlights: Another Perspective: Exploring Our Map Collection |
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Special Collections’ Map Collection consists of over 250 maps, plans, and guides, from the 18th to the 21st century, including topographical maps, cadastral maps, illustrated maps, and photomaps. Maps in our collection primarily depict Concord, Massachusetts, and its neighboring communities.
The primary collection is organized into nine categories, including Town Maps, Time-Frame Composite Maps, Cemetery Maps (Main Street Burying Ground, New Hill Burying Ground, Sleepy Hollow), Directories and Tourist Maps, Planning Maps, Railroad Maps, Revolutionary War History Maps (19th of April, Battle of Bunker Hill, Miscellaneous Revolutionary War Maps), Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps, and USGS Maps.
Our large-format maps consist of plans, including building plans of the Trinitarian Congregational Church (1925-1966), the First Parish in Concord (1933-1961), the Concord Free Public Library (1933-1990), the Concord Town Hall (1928-1930), Concord Bicentennial plans (1974-1975), and several other site plans. Other items include maps of town lines, roads, bridges, and railroad alterations (1839-1975), maps of the Sleepy Hollow and Main Street Burying Grounds (1888-1934), and several Massachusetts maps (1926-1962).
You can access our map collection in our reading room. There are also institutions with copies of several maps in our collection that have made them available online.
Our collection is continually growing! Our most recent acquisition is a 1902 Cyclists’ Road Map of the North Shore and Part of Middlesex County. Northwestern University digitized the map and you can view it here.
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