Press July 15, 2024

Library Closing 1:00 PM Friday, August 2

The Manchester Library will close early at 1:00 PM on Friday, August 2nd to prepare for the Manchester Friends of the Library’s Annual Summer Book Sale being held this year on the front lawn. 

Friends of the Library Book Sale 

Saturday, August 3 from 9:00AM–4:00PM 

It’s back! The ever-popular Manchester Friends of the Library Book Sale returns this August 3rd during Festival by the Sea. Come to the Manchester Library and take advantage of deals and steals in hardcover fiction, nonfiction, children’s books, DVDs, puzzles and more! Both cash and checks are accepted. All proceeds benefit the Manchester-by-the-Sea Public Library.  

Don’t miss this chance to get amazing books and more while supporting the Friends of the Library who have sponsored the permanent StoryWalk, beautiful landscaping, library lawn furniture, new Reference Room furniture, museum passes and countless library programs through decades of support. Our Library could not do any of these amazing things without them! 

MBTS Public Library Summer Reading

It’s summer reading time at the library, so game on with our Bookopoly activity boards. All ages can stop in to pick up a Bookopoly board and complete activities for a chance to win amazing prizes. All kids, age 0-12 who return a completed board will win a Topsfield Fair prize pack. Teens will be entered into a raffle to win Canobie Lake Park passes and adults have a chance to win The Castle: Gaming Café and Restaurant gift certificates. Come and enjoy a community game night, escape room and events for all ages. Check out manchesterpl.org/kids-teens-adults/summer-reading for more info and get in the game! 

News & Events for Kids and Families

Graphic Novel Club

Wednesday, July 24 at 4:00—4:45 PM

Join us as we read and discuss great graphic novels, snack and activity included! This program is for grades 4-7. This month we are reading “Saving Sunshine” by Saadia Faruqi and Shazleen Khan. Copies are available at the circulation desk or as an ebook on the Libby App. Sign up for Libby for free with your library card. 

Arthropod Petting Zoo

Thursday, July 25 at 2:00—3:00 PM

Kids learn all about Arthropods, the most diverse group of animal life on the planet, during this exciting show-and-tell-and-touch program from Professor Bugman!! This program is perfect for adventurous kids ages 3-11. Registration is required online or call the library at 978-526-7711. 

Family Concert at Masconomo Park!

Monday, August 5 at 11:00—11:45 AM

Ants on a Log plays music for children and other childlike people. Their award-winning music centers positivity, social justice, and silliness. Full of humor and harmony, Ants concerts are energetic, interactive, and a delight for children and adults. This concert will be at Masconomo Park, 60 Beach St, Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA 01944 with a rain location of Rockport Public Library, 17 School Street, Rockport, MA 01966. 

This program is presented in collaboration with Rockport Public Library and Sawyer Free Library. 

Summer Storytimes

Wednesdays at 10:30—11:15 AM

Join Miss Audrey for Summer Storytime every Wednesday at 10:30! This program is for ages 0-3 and runs until September.

Summer Art and Sensory

Wednesdays at 3:00—4:00 PM

Art & Sensory encourages students to explore their creativity through the fun of using many different art materials. The projects are always step by step, hands on to encourage sensory guidance/fine motor skills and to help create individual masterpieces! Come get messy with us this summer! For grades preschool through grade five. Registration is required online as space is limited.  

News & Events for Adults

Dungeons and Dragons for Adults (Virtual)

Mondays, July 22, August 12 and 26 at 7:00—9:00 PM

Have you ever wanted to try playing Dungeons and Dragons and don’t know where to start? Or maybe you’ve played before but don’t have a regular group? Whatever your level of experience come join us for a one-shot adventure! Hamilton Wenham’s Reference and Technology Librarian – Lindley and Manchester-by-the-Sea’s Head of Adult and Reference Services Maddy Willwerth will alternate being your Game Master for this two hour session. 

Feel free to bring your own level 1 character and dice, but neither are required. Pre-made characters and an online dice roller will be available. 

This event is made possible through a partnership with the Hamilton Wenham Public Library. 

Cookbook Club: “Zaytinya”

Tuesday, July 23 at 5:30—6:30 PM

The Cookbook Club meets once a month to share recipes from a cookbook off our library shelves. July’s pick is “Zaytinya : delicious Mediterranean dishes from Greece, Turkey, and Lebanon” by José Andrés with Michael Costa. 

Register for any recipe from the cookbook. We will email you a recipe and/or put a cookbook on hold for you. Please register so we know how much cutlery to have on hand. Please note statement per the Public Health Department:

• This is a potluck event, the food is donated and shared, it does not come from a licensed kitchen.
• The library is not liable for allergies but all cooks are encouraged to bring an ingredient card with their food so we can be aware of allergens.

Email mwillwerth@manchesterpl.org with any questions. 

Mystery Book Group: “The River We Remember”

Friday, July 26 at 10:30—11:30 AM

The Manchester Mystery Book Group meets on the last Friday of the month at 10:30AM. This July we are reading “The River We Remember” by William Kent Krueger. July’s meeting will occur in person the library’s reference Room. Email mwillwerth@manchesterpl.org if you have any questions. 

Physical copies will be available at the circulation desk in July.  Digital audiobook and ebook are available through the Libby App. Don’t have a card yet? Sign up online. 

New members are always welcome.  

Shipwreck Escape Room

Monday, July 29—Friday, August 2 – During Library’s Open Hours

All week we are challenging you to escape from a ship wreck at the Manchester by the Sea Public Library. While the library is open you and your team of up to 6 can solve puzzles and find clues to see if you can escape in time. Can you escape in 15 minutes? Register for a slot online or walk in and sign up. 

This event is for all ages. Come back again and again and see if you can beat your previous time. 

Diversity Matters Book Group : “Malcolm X : A Life of Reinvention”

Tuesday, July 30 at 6:00—7:00 PM

July and August’s Diversity Matters book group’s pick is “Malcolm X : A Life of Reinvention ” by Manning Marable. We will be reading the 1st 300 pages for July and the last 300+ for August 27. Please join wherever you are in your reading. This event is a hybrid event and you can attend via Zoom or in-person. Please register if you would like to attend virtually. 

Physical book copies are available at the circulation desk and as an eBook on the Libby app. Email mwillwerth@manchesterpl.org for more info and to get connected to the group. 

Connect with the MBTS Public Library

www.manchesterpl.org
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Email: info@manchesterpl.org
Phone: 978-526-7711

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