Press July 22, 2024

Library Closing 1 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 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

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. 

Library Olympics!

Thursday, August 8 at 3:00—4:15 PM

Do you have what it takes to be a librarian? Come test yourself with feats of strength, agility, and bravery during the first annual Library Olympics! Athletes will race book carts, balance books, and more! This event is for ages 8-12. Register on the library website. 

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 Teens and Young Adults

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. 

News & Events for Adults

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. 

Shut Up and Write! (Virtual)

Thursdays at 10:30AM—12:30 PM

Remember that novel you started writing seven years ago? Is it time to finish it? Maybe you want to write your first screenplay? Pour some poems onto the page? Settle into a daily writing habit? 

Join a community of writers and artists who just want to write (part of a larger community you can explore at https://shutupwrite.com). Come any time. No need to share, no need to critique or be critiqued. Just write in the company of other writers. 

To join the group any time, contact Maddy Willwerth at mwillwerth@manchesterpl.org 

Hearthside Book Group: “Mercury Pictures Presents”

Tuesday, August 6 at 4:00—5:00 PM

Join in person at the library or on ZOOM to discuss “Mercury Pictures Presents” by Anthony Marra. 

“When we first meet Maria Lagana, she’s rewriting scripts at Mercury Pictures, a failing Hollywood studio known for its schlock. Maria’s job is to re-craft dialogue and action to circumvent the censors, a skill she’s mysteriously adept at. Born in Italy, as a teenager Maria witnessed Mussolini’s censors arrest her father, an event that will destroy her family and burden Maria with questions of guilt and responsibility she will carry with her throughout this wondrous, far-reaching novel. Like many before her, Maria has come to Hollywood to outrun her past. Despite its cheap production values and factory-approach to making movies, Mercury Pictures is a nexus of refugees and emigres, each struggling to reinvent themselves in the land of celluloid. There’s Artie, the studio boss, a man of many toupees who barely escaped the pogroms of Eastern Europe; there’s Anna, a set designer, who ran afoul of Hitler; and there’s Eddie Lu, a struggling actor and Maria’s boyfriend, who despite being born in Los Angeles encounters the worst of America’s xenophobia. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, everything changes for Maria and her world, forcing her come to terms with her father’s fate–and her own” -Catalog  

Copies are available at the circulation desk, by home delivery, and curbside pick. They are also available as an ebook and digital audiobook on the Libby app. 

Contact Lori Dumont at ldumont@manchesterpl.org or at 978-526-7711 for further information. 

“50 Hikes in Eastern Massachusetts” with Author M. Bilis (Virtual)

Tuesday, August 6 at 7:00—8:00 PM

Author, Madeline Bilis will join us to chat about her book “50 Hikes in Eastern Massachusetts”. We’ll focus on coastal view walks.

About the book: In this first-edition guide, Madeline Bilis shares her years of outdoors experience in the Boston area, providing 50 hikes for people of all skill and experience levels. While the Berkshires tend to get all recognition when it comes to hiking in Massachusetts, the eastern part of the state is packed with treasures for lovers of the outdoors. 

This program is made possible through a partnership with the Ashland Public Library and is hosted in collaboration with a multitude of MA & NH libraries.  

Dungeons and Dragons for Adults (Virtual)

Mondays, 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. 

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

Connect with the MBTS Public Library

www.manchesterpl.org
linktr.ee/manchesterpl
facebook.com/manchesterbytheseapl
Email: info@manchesterpl.org
Phone: 978-526-7711

Public Wifi: MBTSLibraryWifi / Password: library1887