Events
Press March 18, 2024
Library Hours Changing In April
Spring is here and the library will be closed on Sundays after March 24. Hours are posted on our website.
News & Events for Kids and Families
Poetry Contest
Entries Due by Friday, March 22nd
Do you love poetry and writing? Enter the Manchester Public Library Poetry Contest! Selected poets will read their winning poems at a special poetry reading and reception on April 10th from 5:30-7 pm. Anyone ages 8 – 180 may submit their poetry. Entrance forms and contest rules can be found at the library or online at bit.ly/mbtspoetrycontest
Winter and Spring Storytime
Wednesdays 10:30—11:15AM
Join Miss Audrey for storytime for children ages 0-5 and their caregivers! We’ll share books, songs, and games. Join us every Wednesday starting January 24th at 10:30 am. This program runs through to April 24th.
*Graphic Novel Club
Wednesday, March 27 at 4:00—4:45PM
Join the graphic novel club! We meet once a month from January to June. Explore new and new-to-you graphic novels with friends, snacks and activities! Next meeting is March 27th at 4 pm. We will be discussing “Four Eyes” by Rex Ogle. Ask at the front desk for your copy now! This program is for grades 4-7, and registration is required.
News & Events for Teens and Young Adults
Make Way For Peeps!
Vote this Week March 16-22
The Manchester Library invites the public to view the entries through March 22nd and cast their vote for the Peeple’s Choice Award. A panel of library volunteers will judge and award additional prizes. Join us on March 23rd at 11 a.m. for a Peeps Party where we will announce all winners.
Free Friday Movies at MBTS Public Library
Friday, March 22 at 6:00—8:00PM
We will be showing a movie in the Reference Room on the 4th Friday of every month at 6:00PM. We will supply the popcorn. Feel free to bring covered, non-alcoholic beverages. The movie this month has a MPAA Rating: PG-13; for strong violent content and disturbing material. Visit manchesterpl.org/events to see what is playing. Although this movie is rated PG-13, adults are invited to attend!
Peeps Party!
Saturday, March 23 at 11:00 AM—12:30PM
Stop by the library to check out all of our 2024 Peeps Show dioramas. Enjoy some bunny trail mix and find out the winner of the Peeple’s Choice Award and other prizes!
News & Events for Adults
Library Renovation/Expansion Plans: Ask the Director
Weekly on Tuesdays Beginning March 26 at 11:00AM—12:00PM
The MBTS Library is in the process of applying for grant funding to renovate and expand the library. The Library Director will hold open table hours each Tuesday at 11am in the library. Drop in to ask questions and learn more about this project!
Haunted Happenings with DePaoli: Chat with Horror Film Producer and Horror Tabletop Games Creator, Anthony Masi (Virtual)
Thursday, March 21 at 6:30—7:30PM
The Dark Woods can’t make the interview so instead Jeff will be chatting with horror film producer and creator of horror themed tabletop games – Anthony Masi.
Although Anthony is a producer best known for his retrospectives for some of the biggest horror franchises (HALLOWEEN, FRIDAY THE 13th, SCREAM, PSYCHO and PARANORMAL ACTIVITY) under his company, MasiMedia, he is also the owner of Stop The Killer Games, a tabletop gaming company that is cornering the market on horror-themed board games. Some of the company’s titles include HALLOWEEN II, GHOST FACE, MY BLOODY VALENTINE, and SILENT NIGHT DEADLY NIGHT. He is currently working on a board game with Eli Roth for his THANKSGIVING franchise, and is releasing games for HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME, BASKET CASE and BLACK CHRISTMAS later this year. Join Anthony and Jeff DePaoli, Host of “That Halloween Podcast”, as they talk all about the work, the games, and the behind-the-scenes!
This session will be recorded. 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 many MA libraries.
Craft Supplies Swap
Tuesday, March 26 at 5:00—7:00PM
Drop in at the library with some crafting supplies you no longer want and go home with some new to you items. Don’t have anything to exchange? Come anyway and take some supplies the library is cleaning out. We will also have some crafting resources you can use either at the library or take home and use, including a Cricut cutting machine, food dehydrator, a ring light, and Creativebug – a free online crafting and art demo tutorial tool for Manchester Library card holders.
Please only bring supplies that are clean.
Diversity Matters Book Group : “If Beale Street Could Talk”
Tuesday, March 26 at 5:30—6:30PM
March’s Diversity Matters book group will watch and then discuss, “If Beale Street Could Talk” a 2019 movie adaptation of James Balwin’s 2006 novel of the same name. Both book and movie are available. Feel free to watch, read or both!
“A timeless love story set in early 1970s Harlem involving newly engaged nineteen-year- old Tish and her fiancé Fonny who have a beautiful future ahead. But their plans are derailed when Fonny is arrested for a crime he did not commit. Now the pair and their families must fight for justice in the name of love and the promise of the American dream.” -Catalog
Physical DVDs and book copies are available at the circulation desk.
A Formidable Woman: Stories from the life of MA Abolitionist Lucy Stone
Thursday, March 28 at 5:30—6:30PM
Lucy Stone devoted her life to (in her own words) “pleading the cause of the suffering and the outcast.” Where her world told women to be silent and obedient, she was an outspoken activist for freedom and equality for all. She also spoke in a voice that touched and changed even those who opposed her causes. Storyteller Merrill Kohlhofer brings this wonderful and formidable woman to life with these stories using her words and the words of those who loved and were touched by her.
This is a free, in-person program at the library and registration is requested as space is limited.
Mystery Book Group: “What Comes After”
Friday, March 29 at 10:30—11:30AM
The Manchester Mystery Book Group meets on the last Friday of the month at 10:30AM. March’s meeting will occur in the library’s reading room. Email mwillwerth@manchesterpl.org with any questions or to get connected with the group.
We will discuss “What Comes After” by Joanne Tompkins. “The grieving single parents of two recently deceased teenage boys forge an unexpected bond over the appearance of a mysterious pregnant girl who offers insight into the tragedy.” -Catalog
Physical copies will be available at the circulation desk in March and a ebook is available through the Libby app. Sign up using your Manchester library card. New members are always welcome.
Hearthside Book Group
Tuesday, April 2 at 4:00—5:00PM
On Tuesday, April 2 join us at 4:00 PM in person at the library or on ZOOM to discuss “Master Slave Husband Wife: An Epic Journey from Slavery to Freedom” by Ilyon Woo which “relates the daring escape from bondage in Georgia to freedom in the North by an enslaved couple disguised as a wealthy planter and his property.”
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 Libby.
Solar Eclipse Viewing Party
Monday, April 8 at 3:00—4:30PM
Join us on the front lawn of the library for the cosmic event of the year! We will have a good view of an almost complete eclipse so long as the weather cooperates. We have a limited number of eclipse glasses that will be handed out during the event, 1 per person on a 1st come 1st served basis starting at 3PM. We will stream the full totality eclipse inside on the big screen. Come enjoy a celestial themed snack.
We will also be announcing our keynote books and events for Manchester Reads 2024 – the theme this year is space!
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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