Events
Press May 13, 2024
Library Closed Memorial Day
The library will be closed Monday, May 27 in observance of Memorial Day.
Manchester Reads May 2024
This May discover the stars with a space-themed Manchester Reads. Grades 4-6, discover the planet Mars and embody the Mars Rover and work together as a team of mission control and rover to navigate the surface of the red planet on May 23.
A NASA Ambassador will present a hands-on Mars exploration demonstration for all ages on May 29.
Discuss the adult keynote book on May 24, snacks included.
Teens, come on by to talk about the YA pick, “Star Splitter” – and grab some pizza – on May 30 at 4:00.
Manchester Reads keynote program is a visit from Kelly Weinersmith on May 28 at the annual meeting of the Friends of the Library. Weinersmith is co-author of our keynote book, “A City on Mars: Can We Settle Space, Should We Settle Space and Have We Really Thought this Through?”, a NY Times bestseller and Scientific American’s #1 book for 2023. Our website has loads more information.
Friends of the Library Are Taking Book Donations
Help support the annual book sale on the library lawn during Festival by the Sea on August 3. Please donate books you no longer want but are in good enough shape that you would buy them! Note that our collection location is at MERHS, not the library. Drop off on May 18 and June 15 from 9AM – 12PM.
News & Events for Kids and Families
MBTS READS 2024: Exploring Mars
Thursday, May 23 at 5:30—6:45PM
Let’s learn about Mars and Mars rovers, then we’ll play a game where some kids are “Mission Control”, and others are “Rovers”. Can we work together to navigate on the surface of Mars? For grades 4-6. Register online.
Graphic Novel Club
Wednesday, May 29 at 4:00—4:45PM
Join the graphic novel club! We meet once a month to explore new and new-to-you graphic novels with friends, snacks and activities! Next meeting is May 29th at 4 pm. We will be discussing “Red’s Planet” by Eddie Pittman. Ask at the front desk for your copy now! This program is for grades 4-7, and registration is required.
News & Events for Adults
Haunted Experiences: Midsummer Scream with Co-Founder, D. Markland (Virtual)
Thursday, May 16 at 6:30—7:30 PM
Who doesn’t love a great convention? Midsummer Scream is the world’s largest Halloween and Horror Convention, often described as Southern California’s kick-off of the Halloween season. Join David Markland, Executive Director & Co-Founder of Midsummer Scream, and Jeff DePaoli, host of “That Halloween Podcast”, as they talk all about these fantastic haunted experiences around the country!
This session will be recorded, and all registrants will receive the video link soon after the program.
This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Manchester-by-the-Sea Public Library and made possible through a partnership with the Ashland Public Library and a multitude of MA libraries.
Cookbook Club: “Milk Street Vegetables”
Tuesday, May 21 at 5:30—6:30 PM
The Cookbook Club meets once a month to share recipes from a new cookbook off our library shelves. May’s pick is Milk Street Vegetables : 250 Bold, Simple Recipes for Every Season by Christopher Kimball.
How it works:
- Pick up a copy of the book. We have copies at the circulation desk or as an eBook on the Libby app.
- Register for any recipe in the book online or call 978-526-7711.
- Make enough to share (for about 5-10 people) and bring your own serving utensils.
- Come to the library and be prepared to eat, share, chat, and connect over food. We’ll be talking about what you liked or didn’t like about the cookbook, how you picked your recipe, and if you modified it at all.
Diversity Matters Book Group: “We Were Eight Years in Power”
Tuesday, May 22 at 6:00—7:00 PM
May’s Diversity Matters book group’s pick is “We Were Eight Years in Power” by Ta-Nehisi Coates.
About the Book: ‘We were eight years in power’ was the lament of Reconstruction-era black politicians as the American experiment in multiracial democracy ended with the return of white supremacist rule in the South. In this sweeping collection of new and selected essays, Ta-Nehisi Coates explores the tragic echoes of that history in our own time: the unprecedented election of a black president followed by a vicious backlash that fueled the election of the man Coates argues is America’s ‘first white president.’ But the story of these present-day eight years is not just about presidential politics. This book also examines the new voices, ideas, and movements for justice that emerged over this period–and the effects of the persistent, haunting shadow of our nation’s old and unreconciled history.”–Catalog
Physical book copies are available at the circulation desk and as an eBook and digital audiobook on the Libby app., Email mwillwerth@manchesterpl.org for more info and to get connected to the group.
End-of-Life Doulas: What Do They Do & Why Would I Want One? (virtual)
Thursday, May 23 at 7:00—8:00pm
This virtual presentation will teach you about End-of-Life doulas – trained non-medical providers, who can be present from an initial diagnosis to ultimate death.
While we may understand and hopefully accept the certainty of our own demise, its time, place, and manner are far more obscure and unknown. Understanding the resources, options, and support systems that may be available to us is an important part of that process. End-of-Life doulas provide support to the individual and their loved ones, are knowledgeable on matters ranging from practical to spiritual, and help people identify how they want to live well, with choice, healing and thoughtfulness, as they near their death.
In this program we have a panel of three such practitioners, all with different backgrounds, experience, and practices. Join them for a compelling evening of discussion and an opportunity to have your questions and concerns answered.
This program will be recorded and is made possible through a partnership with the Memorial Hall Library. A link to the recording will be shared with everyone who registers.
MBTS READS 2024: Book Group: ” A City on Mars: Can We Settle Space, Should We Settle Space and Have We Really Thought this Through? ”
Friday, May 24 at 4:00—5:00 PM
Discuss this year’s keynote nook with your community. Snacks provided. You don’t need to have finished the book to attend. Attend this hybrid program via Zoom! Register online or mwillwerth@manchesterpl.org for more info and to get connected to the group.
About the Book: Earth is not well. The promise of starting life anew somewhere far, far away—no climate change, no war, no Twitter—beckons, and settling the stars finally seems within our grasp. Or is it? Kelly and Zach Weinersmith set out to write the essential guide to a glorious future of space settlements, but after years of research, they aren’t so sure it’s a good idea. “A City on Mars” investigates perhaps the biggest questions humanity will ever ask itself—whether and how to become multiplanetary.
Physical book copies are available at the circulation desk and as an eBook and digital audiobook on the Libby app.
MBTS Reads 2024: Author K. Weinersmith Discusses “City on Mars” and Annual Meeting of the FOL
Tuesday, May 28 at 5:30—7:30 PM
Meet one of the authors of our keynote book, “A City on Mars: Can we Settle Space, Should we Settle Space, and Have we Really Thought this Through?”. Kelly Weinersmith will be discussing her newest book at the annual meeting of the Friends of the Library. Come to meet Kelly, stay to meet the Friends of the library who will provide snacks and beverages. This event will be held at the FPC Community Hall behind Santander Bank. Please register online or call 978-526-7711 so we know how much food and drinks to provide.
This program was made possible through the support of the Friends of the MBTS Library.
MBTS READS 2024: Explore Mars with a NASA Ambassador
Wednesday, May 29 at 5:00—6:00 PM
Discover more about the planet Mars. “Astronauts” will experience a hands-on sensory experience of Mars and spend time experiencing/playing with the tools of the Mars Exploration Program (rovers, landers, and other activities). This is an all-ages program. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed like astronauts (gloves, hat or helmet, and thick puffy coat). Have a beekeeper’s suit? Wear it! Registration is required as space is limited.
Hearthside Book Group
Tuesday, June 4 at 4:00—5:00 PM
Join in person at the library or on ZOOM to discuss selections of your choice from “Dinner With The President: Food, Politics, and a History of Breaking Bread at the White House” by Alex Prud’homme. A sumptuous narrative history of presidential food–from Washington starving at Valley Forge to Trump’s well-done steaks with ketchup–from the co-author of “My Life in France.”
Contact Lori Dumont at ldumont@manchesterpl.org or at 978-526-7711 for further information. Copies of this book are available at the circulation desk, curbside pickup, by home delivery, and on the Hoopla and Libby apps.
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