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The Main Library will reopen on Sundays on October 1. [View All Hours]
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In this issue: The Library's 150th Celebration - Highlights from Special Collections - Climate Prep Week - Our Green Team - Adult Programs - After Hours @ the Library - Makerspace Programs - Teen Programs - Children's Programs
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Join Us to Celebrate the Library's 150th Birthday | |
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Celebrate the Library’s 150th with a Swing Era Concert
Friday, September 29, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Rotunda, Main Library
The Friends of the Concord Free Public Library in collaboration with the Concord Conservatory of Music present music from the midpoint of the Library history – the Swing Era. The Easy Winners will perform tunes by the great jazz masters – including Louis Armstrong, Jack Teagarden, Bobby Hackett, and Benny Goodman. This New Orleans revival quintet features Concord Conservatory of Music faculty member and bassist Justin Meyer along with Billy Novick, clarinet and saxophone; Jeff Stout, trumpet; Jack Senier, piano; and Mark Holovnia, drums. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Free Admission. Seating is limited. [Register]
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The Big Celebration
Sunday, October 1, 2:00 -4:00 p.m.
Town House and Main Library
Come to the Town House at 2:00 p.m. to hear local and state officials commemorate this historic day and hear special guest “Ralph Waldo Emerson” re-enact excerpts from his original Library Dedication speech on October 1, 1873. Immediately following, the Concord-Carlisle Regional High School Pep Band will kick off a parade to the Main Library’s Front Lawn, where the celebration will continue with special guests, music, cake, activities, and giveaways for all ages.
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The History of Cinema Since 1873 : a Talk by Randall Warniers
Monday, October 2, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Goodwin Forum, Main Library
Randall Warniers, coordinator of the Library's Virtual Films at Fowler, presents the History of Cinema since 1873 with a one-hour talk illustrated with images from iconic films. This one-hour presentation—with illustrations—will look at the broad history of cinema from its earliest origins to modern blockbusters, and describe the technological innovations and advances in storytelling that have transformed “moving pictures” into the industry that dominates the world today. All attendees will receive a handout summarizing the iconic movies and important milestones mentioned in the presentation. This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library. [Register]
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Highlights from Special Collections: 150th Celebration | |
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Connecting the Community: An Exhibition to Celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Concord Free Public Library
October 1 - December 22, 2023
Art Gallery, Main Library
Visit the newly renovated Art Gallery to view Connecting the Community: An Exhibition to Celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Concord Free Public Library, a special exhibition curated by the William Munroe Special Collections, highlighting the history of the Library's buildings, services, and staff. Special Collections will also feature displays on the first floor on early circulation procedures, conservation of the Library's First Collection, and a selection of books checked out to Concord residents, including Louisa May Alcott, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Ebenezer Rockwood Hoar, in the first decade of the Library's operation.
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Climate Preparedness Week 2023 | |
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September 24 – 30, 2023 is Climate Preparedness Week. This year's theme is Intersection of Climate Change and the Broader Social Justice Movement.
Climate Preparedness Week is held every year at the end of September to raise awareness and provide educational programs to help prepare communities for extreme weather events.
The Concord Free Public Library, in partnership with the Massachusetts Library System and the Blue Marble Librarians, joined in this initiative of Communities Responding to Extreme Weather (CREW) in 2019. This is the Concord Free Public Library’s fifth year participating in Climate Preparedness Week.
[View the Library's Climate Prep Week Events]
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The Library's Green Team Launches Newsletter | |
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The Concord Free Public Library's Green Team welcomes the launch of the Library Sustainability Newsletter - the Climate Corner, a quarterly publication, which can be found online here.
The highlights of the Fall 2023 issue include the Concord Free Public Library Corporation working to identify options for decarbonization and the Library staff offsetting the equivalent of 83,333 pages of paper consumption to date by going date due slip/receipt-free and replaced the Keurig cups in the staff lounge with a commercially compostable alternative, among other activities.
During last year’s Climate Prep Week, the Green Team planted a pollinator garden in the backyard at Fowler. Choosing the native plants, preparing the site, and decorating bricks to line the border was a fun community effort and learning experience for all. The garden continues to thrive, thanks to this collaboration with staff, patrons, pollinator committee members, high school students, the Natural Resources Division, the Land Trust, and more.
[Read Our Green Team Newsletter]
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Signs of Wellbeing
Tuesday, September 26, 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Meeting Room, Fowler Branch
Make mini-murals with Art for All - Join us to repurpose campaign yard signs and paint them with the theme of Art for Wellbeing. Raise awareness of mental health needs and the power of art to contribute to wellbeing. [Register]
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Virtual Writing Workshop
Thursday, September 28, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Zoom
The Library's Writer-In-Residence, George Jreije, invites you to join him for a virtual writing session. Participants can spend the time working on their own writing, asking questions, and engaging in friendly conversation. This event is open to writers of all ages and will take place weekly on Thursdays through October 12. Registration is required for each date you wish to attend. Registered participants will receive the Google Meet link on the day of the event. [Register for Zoom Link]
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After Hours @ the Library: a Special Fundraising Event | |
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After-Hours @ the Library
Saturday, October 14, 7:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Main Library
Celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Concord Free Public Library with an evening of food & drink & merriment for patrons 21+.
The Main Library will come alive after-hours with a mix of music, art, puppetry, theater, and storytelling. Groove to tunes by local singer/songwriters Sawyer Lawson and Britt Connors and the Lori Zuroff Jazz Trio. Expect the unexpected from the Concord Players and puppet master Harry LaCoste. Get creative with Art for All and appreciate real-life stories told live with Fugitive Productions.
Your ticket includes food (apps and sweets) and drink (open bar) from local purveyors including Saltbox Kitchen, 80 Thoreau, Nosh, Karma, Verrill Farm, Crosby’s, and West Concord Liquors. Dressy casual attire is encouraged.
This event is a collaboration between the Concord Free Public Library Corporation and the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library.
Your ticket ($75 suggested donation) includes all food, drink, and entertainment. Your donation will benefit the new makerspace the Workshop of the Library. Tickets are sold online only. Click here to purchase tickets.
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Makerspace Workshop Programs | |
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Craft Our Parade
Saturday, September 23, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
The Workshop, Main Library
Drop in to make banners and flags for the Library's 150th birthday parade on October 1st. All ages welcome. No registration required.
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Make-it! Club
Wednesday, September 27, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
The Workshop, Main Library
Join us every Wednesday afternoon for an awesome craft, art project, or engineering puzzle. Projects are recommended for kids ages 5-10 who must attend with caregiver over the age of 13. No registration required.
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Girls Who Code 2023-24 Info Session
Wednesday, September 27, 5:00 p.m.
The Workshop, Main Library
Learn to code, make friends, and make a difference in the Library's long-running Girls Who Code Club. Participants (ages 10 to 14) meet weekly on Wednesdays from 5 to 6 p.m. from October to May to learn programming languages from local women working in STEM fields, work together to design and complete community-oriented projects that matter to them, and have fun. Browse past projects and learn more. [Register]
For more Makerspace Fall programs, visit here.
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Teen Programs at the Main Library | |
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Navigating College Admissions Successfully
Wednesday, September 27, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Zoom
Join Ron Feuchs and Jackie Tepper of Stand Out for College, LLC to learn about current college admissions trends, the importance of researching and visiting colleges to find schools that can be a good fit, a timeline and other action steps that can be taken to make this school year productive and help reduce the stress around the college admissions process. This program is recommended for parents/caregivers and high school teens. [Register for Zoom Link]
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Children's Programs at the Main Library | |
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Musical Monday: Music & Movement with Julie Stepanek
Monday, September 25, 10:30 - 11:15 a.m.
Goodwin Forum, Main Library
Start your week off right by dancing, singing, and having some fun at Musical Monday - featuring songs you know and some songs you might not know. Join musician Julie Stepanek and stretch, stomp, sing, and shake out your sillies--all to the sweet sounds of the ukulele. Sponsored by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library. No registration required.
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Beede & Books
Monday, September 25, 1:30 - 2:00 p.m.
Beede Center, 498 Walden St.
Join us at the Beede Center for an afternoon of reading and swimming. We will have storytime at 1:30 and then we transition to the Children’s Pool for 30 minutes of water fun. This program is free and open to all - families do not need to have a Beede membership. Register to participate via the Concord Recreation MyRec Portal.
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Adopt a Reading Pal
Monday, October 2, 4:15 p.m.
Children's Library, Main Library
Join the Adopt a Reading Pal program to adopt your very own special stuffed reading dog. Over the course of 5 weeks, kids will be encouraged to read to their pal while learning the importance of caring for pets. Registration required for kids in grades K-5. [Register]
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The Right to Read: Film Screening
Tuesday, October 3, 6:00 p.m.
Goodwin Forum, Main Library
In collaboration with Decoding Dyslexia Concord-Carlisle and in recognition of Dyslexia Awareness Month, the Concord Free Public Library is screening the impactful documentary The Right to Read. The Right to Read shares the stories of an activist, a teacher, and two American families who fight to provide our youngest generation with the most foundational indicator of life-long success: the ability to read. No registration required.
For more Children's programs at the Main Library, visit here.
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Fowler Branch Children's Programs | |
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Fowler Storytime (Ages 5 and under)
Tuesday, September 26, 10:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.
Labyrinth Garden at West Concord Union Church or the
Fowler Branch (Rain location)
Join us at Fowler for storytime - We will share stories, songs, and rhymes and do a simple hands-on activity. No registration required.
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Family Hindi Storytime
Thursday, September 28, 4:30 - 5:15 p.m.
Backyard or Meeting Room, Fowler Branch
Join Fowler Staff for Hindi stories, songs, and a hands-on activity. Families with children ages 12 and under are welcome to join, whether you speak Hindi or wish to learn a new language. No registration required.
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NEW! MCBA Book Club at Fowler
Wednesday, October 4, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Meeting Room, Fowler Branch
Do you love to read? Would you like to meet new friends and discuss interesting books? The Massachusetts Children's Book Award (MCBA) 2023-24 list is out and showcases an amazing selection of books. Each month, we will discuss a new title from the list. The MCBA is awarded by readers in the 4th, 5th and 6th grades. At the end of the program, participants can vote for their favorite book from the list. We will meet on the first Wednesday of each month at 2 pm. An array of snacks will be provided. [Register]
For more Children's programs at Fowler, visit here.
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