Press September 23, 2024

Banned Books Week 

September 22 – 28

Banned Books Week is an important time for libraries in September. According to the American Library Association’s Office of Intellectual Freedom, 1,247 demands to censor library books and materials were made in 2023, and those numbers are increasing rapidly. So, one week each year, libraries shine a light on this activity, and we encourage people to read challenged and banned books. The theme for Banned Books Week 2024 (September 22-28) is “Freed Between the Lines.” We encourage you to visit the library this week to check out our display, and to celebrate your own freedom to read! 

September is Library Card Sign-up Month 

Manchester Public Library joins the American Library Association and libraries nationwide to remind everyone about the valuable resources available with a library card. From borrowing books, ebooks and audiobooks to getting tech help, learning new skills, or attending a book club or storytime, a library card helps everyone do more of what they enjoy.    

To sign up for a library card or to learn more about the library’s resources and programs, please stop by the library or visit manchesterpl.org/services/get-a-library-card/ Replacement library cards are offered free of charge for the month of September and your 1st card is always free. Those who sign up in person at the library for a new card will receive a free book bag and lanyard – so this month is the perfect time to explore what the library has to offer. 

Since 1987, Library Card Sign-up Month has been held each September to mark the beginning of the school year to ensure every child signs up for their own library card. 

Calling All Local Artists 

For the Friends of the Library’s 2nd Annual Falling For Art Exhibit and Sale, October 18-20, 2024 

Artists are invited to submit 3-5 digital jpeg images by September 30 to fallingforartmbts@gmail.com. Photos must be labeled: Last Name_First Name_Title of the Piece_Price. 50% of the proceeds benefit The Friends of the Manchester Library. 

For Kids and Families

Touch-a-Truck

Saturday, September 28 at 11:00 AM—12:30 PM 

Get up close and personal with trucks and other vehicles, thanks to our friends in public works and fire and police departments.  

Pajama Storytime

Thursday, October 3 at 6:00—7:00 PM

Join Miss Audrey for a cozy pajama storytime and craft the first Thursday of every month from 6-7PM. This program is for kids ages 4 and up and their families. 

Fall and Winter Storytime

Wednesdays at 10:30—11:15 AM

Join Miss Audrey for Fall and Winter Storytime every Wednesday at 10:30! This program is for ages 0-3. 

Little Learners Playgroup

Thursdays at 10:00—11:00 AM

Join this weekly playgroup presented by Early Childhood Partners CFCE! This program runs every Thursday from 10-11. Please register at www.earlychildhoodpartners.com. 

Lego Time

Mondays at 3:30—4:30 PM

Drop-in, unstructured Lego building fun! Come with friends or come to make new ones, this program is for kids ages six and up. 

For Teens

Join the Teen Advisory Board (TAB)

Tuesday, October 8 at 5:30—6:30 PM

High school students who join the group will be involved in adding items to the library’s collection, promoting special events, planning the annual Haunted Library, and more. (Plus you’ll get community service hours for school and pizza!) For more info contact Tom Russo, the YA librarian at trusso@manchesterpl.org. 

Pop Up Art School: Felted Ghost

Tuesday, October 15 at 4:00—5:30 PM

Get in the Halloween spirit with the library and Pop Up Art!  Using just wool and a needle, you’ll craft a decoration that’ll put the “ooooo” in booooo!  Recommended for ages 11 and up. 

For Adults

MBTS Zero Waste Challenge

September 21-27

Weigh-In, Friday, September 27 at 3:00—5:00PM

You can register online at anytime for the Zero Waste Challenge. Stop by with your bag of trash on Friday 9/27 between 3-5PM to have it weighed.  

Thanks to our event and prize sponsors: Essex River Cruises and Charters, 7 Seas Whale Watch, Unpacked Living, Black Earth Compost, Cider Hill Farm, Captain Dusty’s Ice Cream and Bravo by the Sea. 

Register at bit.ly/mbts_zerowaste_2024 or in person at the library and begin trying to recycle and reuse as much as possible whenever you register. You don’t have to be perfect to be better at recycling!  

This event is made possible through a partnership with the MBTS Sustainability Commitee and is a part of Communities Responding to Extreme Weather or CREW’s Climate Prep Week. The week is from September 24-30th. This year’s theme is “Reimagining our relationship with the land.” To see more info and events occurring all across the country for Climate Prep Week visit: climatecrew.org/climate_prep_week. 

Intro to Saving Seeds

Thursday, September 26 at 6:00—7:00 PM

Saving seeds from the plants around us connects us to our roots as ecosystem stewards and challenges us to plan for the next generation. Being a seed steward can be both simple and immensely complex so let’s start digging into the details. We will discuss basic plant and seed physiology of several familiar garden plants, explore which plants might be the best to start with, best storage practices and germination testing. We will have some hands-on demonstration of winnowing techniques and seeds to share. Registration is incouraged but not required. 

Blues Stories: Culture & History told through Song & Narrative

Tuesday, October 1 at 6:00—7:30 PM

Location: Crowell Chapel

Join Boston-based Blues Singer/Guitarist Barrett Anderson for a vibrant evening of story and song, telling the story of early Blues music, a distinctly American form that has shaped all music and culture that followed. 

Told through narrative, live performance on guitar and vocals, and an accompanying digital slideshow, Barrett focuses on the story of early blues heroes Charlie Patton, Son House, Skip James, Robert Johnson, and Muddy Waters, and crafts a narrative that celebrates the lives and art of these music pioneers, while telling a story of freedom and empowerment through artistic expression that rocked the world. 

This program is funded in part by a grant from the Manchester Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. You can connect with the Manchester Cultural Council on Facebook. 

Registrations are required for this event as space is limited.  

This program is made possible through a partnership with the Manchester Parks and Recreation. 

Ways to Have a Green Holiday Season For Families (Virtual)

Monday, October 7 at 7:00—8:00 PM

This program will be recorded and all registrants will receive the recording via email within 48 hours of the program.  

Embracing the rhythms of winter is key to creating eco-conscious holiday traditions. Rather than getting carried away by the holiday rush, use this time as an opportunity to create the kind of holiday season you truly want – one focused on the magic of family and togetherness instead of stuff. A low waste holiday season is possible. Whether you have kids of your own, kids in your life, or love being a kid yourself during the holidays, Sarah has some suggestions for how to lower your ecological footprint this year.  

This program is made possible through a partnership with the Ashland, Chelmsford, Groton, and Tewksbury Public Libraries. 

Hearthside Book Club: “The Country Of The Pointed Firs”

Tuesday, October 8 at 4:00—5:00 PM

Join us in person at the library or on ZOOM to discuss “The Country Of The Pointed Firs” by Sarah Orne Jewett. “Set in the fictional small coastal town of Dunnet Landing, Maine, this is as much a series of small, intimate sketches as a sustained narrative.” “The Country of the Pointed Firs” is an 1896 short story sequence by Sarah Orne Jewett which is considered by some literary critics to be her finest work. Henry James described it as her “beautiful little quantum of achievement.” 

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 Hoopla. 

Author Katherine Howe Visits MBTS

Thursday, October 10 at 5:30—6:30 PM

Location: Crowell Chapel

The Manchester-by-the-Sea Cultural Council in partnership with the MBTS Public Library are excited to host local author, Katherine Howe. 

Katherine Howe is a #1 New York Times bestselling and award-winning writer of historical fiction and nonfiction. Her best known books are “The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane”, which debuted at #2 on the NYT bestseller list in 2009 and was named USA Today’s top ten books of the year, and “Conversion”, which received the 2015 Mass Book Award in YA literature.  

Katherine has appeared on “Good Morning America,” “CBS This Morning,” NPR’s “Weekend Edition,” the BBC, the History Channel, Smithsonian TV, the Travel Channel, and she hosted “Salem: Unmasking the Devil” for National Geographic. Her fiction has been translated into over twenty languages. She holds a BA in art history and philosophy from Columbia and an MA in American and New England studies from Boston University. A native Houstonian and avid sailor, she lives in New England with her family, where she is at work on her next book.  

Registrations are required for this event as space is limited. Due to the registration volume, we will be hosting this event at the Crowell Chapel.  

Connect with the MBTS Public Library

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

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