Events

Press October 8, 2024

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The library will be closed October 14th for Indigenous Peoples Day


Library will be open Sundays beginning October 20 from 1:00—4:00 PM

Fall is here and the library will be open on Sundays until April, 2025. Hours are posted on our website. 


Friends of the Library’s 2nd Annual Falling For Art Exhibit and Sale 

Friday, October 18 – Sunday, October 20, 2024

Times: Friday 6pm-8pm, Saturday 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Sunday 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Opening Party: Friday, October 18, 2024, at 6:00 PM

The Friends of the Manchester Library are thrilled to announce the 2024 Falling For Art event, taking place at the Manchester-by-the-Sea Public Library. This highly anticipated event will feature a diverse collection of over 100 pieces of artwork from many local artists, making it an unmissable celebration of creativity, community, and support for the library. 

The Falling For Art event is more than just an art show—it’s an opportunity for the community to come together, appreciate the immense talent of local artists, and support the Library. 50% of all proceeds from the event will directly benefit the library, funding essential programs, services, and improvements that enhance the experience for all patrons. 


For Kids and Families

Kids Plein Air Paint Out!

Saturday, October 12 at 10:00 AM—12:00 PM

A free, family friendly plein air paint out with Cape Ann Art Haven at the Manchester-by-the-Sea Public Library, during Cape Ann Plein Air’s 2024 Quick Draw! 

Kids learn the techniques plein air painters use to create beautiful outdoor scenes like the ones in the festival! Register with our partners at www.capeannpleinair.org/2024-events-calendar 

STEM Club

Thursday, October 24 at 4:00—5:00 PM

Have some coding fun with Ozo Bots. Together we will code an Ozo Bot to do mazes, challenges, and more. This group meets every third Thursday from 4-5 and is for grades 4-6. 

Graphic Novel Club

Wednesday, October 30 at 4:00—4:45 PM

Kids in grades 4-7 are invited to join the Graphic Novel Club. We’ll talk about books, eat a snack, and do an activity based on the month’s selection. This month’s pick is “Saving Sunshine” by Saadia Faruqi. Copies can be picked up at the circulation desk. 

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

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. 

Community Game Night

Thursday, October 17 at 4:00—6:00 PM

Come on by with your game face on! Drop In. All ages welcome! Snacks provided. Registration is requested but not required. 

For Adults

Shut Up and Write!(Virtual)

Thursdays at 10:00AM—12:00PM

To join the group any time, email mwillwerth@manchesterpl.org

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. 

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. 

Come hear Katherine Howe, #1 New York Times bestselling and award-winning writer of historical fiction and nonfiction, speak about her writing career. 

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. 

Tai Chi Location Changes

Every Wednesday from 9:45-10:45 AM 

Manchester local Susan Halpern will continue her weekly Tai Chi class for ages 18 and older. The class will be moving locations as the weather changes and only those who have completed the Safety Release Registration Form on the library’s website, manchesterpl.org/events, will get weekly location emails.  

Haunted Experiences: Brett Bertolino at Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group (Virtual)

Thursday, October 17 at 6:30—7:30 PM

All registrants will receive the recorded video link soon after the program. 

Join Brett Bertolino, Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group’s Director of Special Projects, and Jeff DePaoli, host of “That Halloween Podcast”, as they talk all about The Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor which has been named one of the Top 10 Most Haunted Places in America by Time Magazine! 

This program is sponsored by the Friends of the MBTS Library. Registration is required online or by calling 978-526-7711. 

Planning for Medicare 101

Tuesday, October 22 at 5:30—6:30 PM

Medicare Open Enrollment is October 15- December 7.  

Planning for Medicare-Countdown to 65 is a no-cost seminar that helps you understand your Medicare health insurance options outside of your employer-sponsored coverage, whether or not you’re planning to retire. This is a presentation and discussion led by a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts representative, but you do not need to have BCBS to attend.  

Registration is encouraged but not required on our website or call the library at 978-526-7711. 

The Origins and Evolution of Project 2025 (Virtual)

Wednesday, October 23 at 7:00—8:00 PM

Registrants will receive a video link of the recording within 48 hours of the event. 

Project 2025 has been in the news lately but, for some, it seemed to come out of nowhere. Join Professor Brian Conley of Suffolk University, as we delve into the history of this document and it’s origins during the Reagan Years. For instance, called, “Mandate for Leadership”, Edwin Feulner, who led the Heritage Foundation when it was first written, explains that the idea for such a policy book originated at a 1979 meeting of Heritage’s Board. Professor Conley will help us understand the origins of the Mandate which led to the current Project 2025 document. 

This program is made possible through a partnership with the Ashland Public Library. Registration is required online or by calling 978-526-7711. 

A History of Shipwrecks with Retired Captain Greg Ketchen (Virtual)

Thursday, October 24 at 1:00—2:00 PM

All registrants will receive the recording via email within 48 hours of the program. 

This talk will focus primarily on, but not be limited to, historic shipwrecks that have occurred south and east of Massachusetts. The region has been called the Graveyard of the North Atlantic with over 3,000 wrecks here since European sailors first began exploring the shores of the western Atlantic. Because of the hazards experienced by early coastal and trans-Atlantic shipping while sailing these waters, Massachusetts was the 18th century birthplace of the modern United States Coast Guard. Advances in navigation, weather forecasting, response resources, and vessel technology over the past two centuries may have reduced the risks but have not eliminated them. The presentation will include an overview of shipwrecks, their causes, and the evolution of response resources and programs.  

This program is made possible through a partnership with the Ashland Public Library. Registration is required online or by calling 978-526-7711. 

Mystery Book Group: “Devil’s Corner”

Friday, October 25 at 10:30—11:30 AM

The MBTS Mystery Book Group meets on the last Friday of the month at 10:30AM. This October we are reading “Devil’s Corner” by Lisa Scottoline. This meeting will occur in-person at the library and over Zoom. Email mwillwerth@manchesterpl.org if you have any questions. 

Physical copies will be available at the circulation desk in October. Ebooks and digital audiobooks are available for free, to Manchester residents through the Hoopla App. Use your library card to sign up and read and listen for free. 

New members are always welcome. 

Connect with the MBTS Public Library

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

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