Press April 10, 2023
MBTS Library’s Last Open Sunday Before the Summer is April 16
& the Library will be Closed on April 17
Visit us this Sunday and bring a craft you are working on from 2-3pm for our last open Sunday before the summer. The library will be closed the next day in observance of Patriots’ Day. We will reopen at 10AM on Tuesday, April 18. Our virtual library is open 24/7 from anywhere at www.manchesterpl.org/resources
Manchester READS 2023 April 1 – April 29
We will be celebrating laughter, humor and joy with the theme “Lighten Up at the Library.” Join us Wednesday, April 26 at 4PM for a Mocktail Happy Hour. In honor of Manchester Reads 2023, fun books, National Library Week, and a proclivity for mocktails, Lori and Sara will present books that have comic stories, characters, and or authors that tickle the funny bone. Join us in-person and enjoy book recommendations and a mocktail or two!
Friends of the Manchester Library Accepting Book Donations for Annual Summer Book Sale
The time has come to bring all those books you have been saving for the annual used book sale on August 5. Bring your books to the Manchester Middle High School parking lot on April 29, May 20 or June 10 between 9AM-12PM. Please only donate books you would be willing to buy, no ripped pages, mold or broken spines.
Children’s News & Events
*Please register for all programs on our website: https://www.manchesterpl.org/events/
A New Story Walk is Here!
Enjoy a new story that takes flight into spring: “Luke on the Loose” by our Manchester Reads author / illustrator Harry Bliss. Readers of all ages will enjoy this comic-style reader featuring a young boy happily lost in NYC.
Seaside Saturday in the Children’s Room
Saturday, April 15 at 10AM
Join Ms. Julie for themed stories, crafts and activities. Please register on their website or call: www.EarlyChildhoodPartners.com / 978-468-5489.
Register Early & Save the DATE for this School Vacation Special!
*Buildwave: a hands-on building game for kids grades K-6.
Tuesday, April 18 at 2PM
An exciting STEM-based workshop, Buildwave is a creative building program that is structured like a video-game, with audiovisual set-up featuring animations and music.
Silly Shorts & Clay Critters at the Library
Wednesday, April 19th from 1-3PM
Watch silly animated picture book stories Diary of a Spider & Diary of a Fly by Doreen Cronin and illustrated by our featured author / illustrator for Manchester Reads 2023 Harry Bliss. We will then make clay bugs out of modeling clay. For ages 4+
PJ Family Story Time
Thursday, April 20th at 5:30PM
Join Ms. Carol for bedtime stories. It’s fun to bring a stuffed animal friend and wear your PJs!
Teen Loft Announcements & Events
*To register for the programs below and more: manchesterpl.org/events
*Teen Writers Workshop
Friday, April 14 at 5:30—7:00PM
Come write! Anyone in grades 7-12 is welcome to join the Teen Writers Workshop. Play games, write to prompts, share your stuff, and become a part of the local writing community. Snacks! REGISTRATION REQUIRED.
*College Essay Brainstorming Workshop
Tuesday, April 25 at 6:30-8:00PM
College will be here before you know it, high school juniors! Get an early jump on writing your application essays by attending this helpful brainstorming session with local high school English teacher Tracy Stephens. You know you’ve got great personal stories to share — get some expert tips on how to put them into words. REGISTRATION REQUIRED.
News & Events for Adults
*To register for the programs below and more: manchesterpl.org/events
Mindfulness Meditation
Every Other Thursday, April 13 & 27 at 11AM—12PM
Alida Bryant is a Dharma Leader and meditation instructor under the guidance of Anam Thubten Rinpoche. She has been meditating for over 30 years (still very much a beginner!) and studying and practicing with lineage holders in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Beginners and experienced meditators are welcome. There will be guided meditation, some silence, and discussion. Registration is requested but not required.
*MBTS Reads 2023: Comic Chat with Cartoonist Harry Bliss (Virtual)
Thursday, April 13 at 7:00—8:00PM
Join MBTS Public Library Director Sara Collins and Librarian Maddy Willwerth as we chat with cartoonist Harry Bliss about his career, humor, comics and his recent collaboration with Steve Martin in this webinar.
Harry Bliss is a cartoonist and cover artist for The New Yorker magazine. His self-titled single panel gag cartoon ‘Bliss’ appears in newspapers nationally and internationally. Bliss has illustrated 26 books for children and most recently published his second New York Times best-selling collaboration with entertainer, Steve Martin: “Number one is walking : my life in the movies and other diversions”.
*Author Morash Discusses “Dublin – The Place and the Literati! (Virtual)
Saturday, April 15 at 10:00—11:15AM
If you are a fan of classic literature and love a pint o’ Guinness while you’re reading, join us for this conversation with author & professor at Trinity College, Christopher Morash as he discusses his book “Dublin: A Writer’s City” which unfolds a book-lover’s map of this unique city, inviting us to experience what it means to live in a great city of literature.
*Author Louise Gray discusses “Avocado Anxiety …” (Virtual)
Saturday, April 22 at 10:00—11:00AM
Have you ever wondered who picked your Fairtrade banana? Or why we can buy British strawberries in April? How far do you think your green beans travelled to get to your plate? And where do all the wonky carrots go? Above all, how do we stop worrying about our food choices and start making decisions that make a difference? In an effort to make sense of the complex food system we are all part of, Louise Gray decides to track the stories of our five-a-day, from farm to fruit bowl, and discover the impact that growing fruits and vegetables has on the planet.
Diversity Book Group
Tuesday, April 25th at 5:30PM
The group will finish a two-month read of “Born in Blackness: Africa, Africans, and the Making of the Modern World, 1471 to the Second World War” by Howard French.