Newsletter                                        July 2017
Greetings from the Director 

There are many activities for residents of all ages to enjoy at the Concord Free Public Library this summer. Children and teens are invited to join the Build a Better World Summer Reading Program.  Participants will receive prizes in recognition of their reading accomplishments. This year's program also includes an early literacy component called Rubber Ducky Readers for the earliest pre-readers birth - age 4.  The Library is pleased to offer a 4-week Mindful Baby Yoga series that will take place 7/10 - 7/31 from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. at the Fowler Branch. [Learn more about the benefits of summer reading]

In celebration of the bicentennial anniversary of Henry David Thoreau's birth, the Library will host a special exhibition titled, "Concord, which is my Rome": Henry Thoreau and His Home Town, July 7 - October 30, 2017 in the Library's Art Gallery.  All are invited to attend the exhibition opening on 7/14 at 7:00 p.m. in the Main Library Rotunda.   

Be sure to take a picnic dinner and come enjoy one of our outdoor concerts on the lawn sponsored by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library.  The Concord Players will also return to the Main Library with outdoor performances of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing during the weekends of 7/22 - 7/23 and 7/29 - 7/30.

Best wishes for a wonderful summer.  Have a happy 4th of July.

                                         ----- Kerry Cronin 
"Concord, which is my Rome": Henry Thoreau and His Home Town: Gala Opening
Join us for the gala opening of "Concord, which is my Rome": Henry Thoreau and His Home Town, an exhibition drawn from the William Munroe Special Collections of the Concord Free Public Library to celebrate the bicentennial anniversary of Thoreau's birth.

Our opening speaker will be Laura Dassow Walls, William P. and Hazel B. White Professor of English at the University of Notre Dame, where she is also affiliated with the History and Philosophy of Science program. A noted Thoreau scholar, Professor Walls is a prolific author whose works include the forthcoming Henry David Thoreau: A Life (University of Chicago Press, 2017). In her talk, "Our True Paradise": Thoreau's Concord and the Ecstasy of the Commons, Professor Walls asks, could recovering Thoreau's ideal of the commons renew our own vision of natural, political and cultural possibility-of the "true paradise" possessed by all?

The evening will also include music from the Thoreau family flute books held by Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House (featuring flautist Judith Sherry Braude), refreshments, and an opportunity to view the exhibit. If you would like to attend the opening, register here or call 978-318-3355.

Programming continues in September and October with lectures by Elizabeth Hall Witherell, Robert Thorson, Robert Gross, and Robert Hudspeth.

Gallery Tours with Curator Leslie Perrin Wilson

Wednesday, August 16, 10:00 a.m.
Saturday, September 9, 10:00 a.m.
Thursday, September 28, 7:00 p.m.
Monday, October 2, 3:00 p.m.

If you would like to request a tour, please contact Special Collections staff at 978-318-3342.
Adult Programs
Fake News: Media Consumption in the 21st Century
Monday, July 10, 7:00 p.m.
Fowler Branch
Join Assistant Professor Kyle Moody (Communications Media, Fitchburg  State University) as he covers a wide variety of topics, ranging from the history of yellow journalism to the role that reporters play in media consumption and circulation, along with how news is spread and affects us all in our modern times.  Finally, it will include a brief discussion of "what can we do?" that will cover some basic strategies for information literacy to enable us to become better consumers of news media.  Open to all. 

Shakespeare's Much Ado about Nothing 
Saturdays, July 22 & 29, 5:00 p.m.
Sundays, July 23 & 30, 5:00 p.m.
Main Library Front Lawn
Filled with hilarious deception, cracking word play, and truly dramatic consequences, Much Ado is Shakespeare's brilliant take on what true love really looks like.  Free and open to all.
Music on the Lawn Concert Series
Music on the Lawn concert series will feature two music groups in July. 

Lenny Gomulka and Chicago Push  
Wednesday, July 12, 7:00 p.m.
Lenny Gomulka is an American musician, singer, bandleader, composer, and publisher. His twelve-time Grammy Award Nominee band Lenny Gomulka and Chicago Push will perform Polish-style and Chicago-style polkas.  
 
Wednesday, July 26, 7:00 p.m.
Recognized as the most authentic representative of Mexican music and culture in New England, vocalist and dancer, Veronica Robles and her band will play Mexican music.

Generously sponsored by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library, the concerts are free and open to all.  (Rain Location: The Umbrella Community Arts Center, 40 Stow St.) 
Adult Book Groups
Tuesday Book Group
July 11, 9:30-11:15 a.m.
Main Library, Trustees' Room
We will read and discuss Flight of the sparrow: a novel of early America, by Amy Belding Brown.  Copies of the book are available at the Main Library. All are  welcome.

Cookbook Club 
Wednesday, July 12, 12:00-1:30 p.m.
Fowler Branch
Check out a copy of The Soul of a New Cuisine: a discovery of the foods and flavors of Africa, by Marcus Samuelsson at the Circulation Desk, pick a recipe, and prepare it for the program. We will sample lots of good food, talk about what worked and what did not, and select future cookbooks. Advance registration is required. [ Register]
 
Book-A-Mystery Discussion
Wednesday, July 19, 2:00-3:00 p.m.
Fowler Branch Library
Love a good mystery? All are welcome to join the discussion. Copies of this month's title, Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. Watson, are available at the Fowler to check out.
Children's and Family Programs 
Toddler Time  
Thursdays, 10:00 a.m.
Fowler Branch
Join us for stories, songs, rhymes, and play! This interactive storytime is designed for busy toddlers and their caregivers. No sign up required. For children ages 2 & 3 and their caregivers.

Wednesday Morning Storytime
Wednesdays, July 12, 19 & 26, 10:00 a.m. 
Main Library
No sign up required. For children ages 3+.

Mindful Baby Yoga

Mondays, July 10, 17, 24 & 31, 10:00 a.m.
Fowler Branch
This 4-week series offers a warm and supportive environment to develop a more mindful relationship and connection with your little one. Parents/guardians will engage with their infants and toddlers through gentle mindful movement, deep breathing exercises, relaxation techniques and mindful games. This free program is open to parents/guardians and babies/infants/toddlers up to 4 years old.  Registration is required  [Register]

Toddler Sing-a-long with Ed Morgan 
Fridays, July 14 & 21, 10:00 a.m. (Fowler Branch)
Friday, July 28, 3:00 p.m. (Main Library)
Come sing and dance along with The Music Man, singer and musician Ed Morgan. Families are invited to enjoy this family friendly concert sponsored by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library.

Lego Challenge
Tuesday, July 11, 3:00 p.m.
Fowler Branch
Kids in grades K - 5 are invited to come and build with Fowler's collection of Legos. 

Backyard Astronomy with Aldrich Astronomical Society, Inc.  
(followed by stargazing at the Rideout Field)
Monday, July 31, 7:00 p.m.
Fowler Branch
Aldrich Astronomical Society will lead this family program all about the night sky! The program will begin with a 45-minute talk that will include information about the upcoming solar eclipse and then proceed to Rideout Field for approximately 25 minutes of stargazing (weather permitting).
Summer Reading Activities
Family Movie: Norm of the North (PG)
Friday, July 14, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Main Library
Displaced from their Arctic home, a polar bear named Norm and his three lemming friends wind up in New York City.
Free admission. Open to all.

Maasai Inspired Bead Workshop
Monday, July 17, 7:00 p.m.
Main Library
Create a Maasai inspired beaded bracelet with Artist Kristina Joyce. For kids ages 10 years and up. Sponsored by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library.  Registration Required. [Register]

Visit to Gaining Ground Farm
Wednesday, July 19, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: Gaining Ground Farm, 317 Virginia Rd. 
Kids from age 5 - 14 plus caregivers will learn about Gaining Ground's mission to grow healthy food for area food banks. A small volunteering task will be given to the group. Registration Required. [Register]

Origami with Origami Master Michael LaFosse
Wednesday, July 19, 7:00 p.m.
Main Library
Kids age 8 + and adults who are interested in learning about Origami that is based on this summer's reading club theme Build a Better World.   Sponsored by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library.  No registration needed. 

Family Movie: Lego Batman (PG)
Tuesday, July 25, 3:00 p.m.
Fowler Branch
Come and enjoy this 3D computer-animated superhero comedy film.  Free and open to all.

Origami Birds
Wednesday, July 26, 4:00 p.m.
Fowler Branch
Kids in grades 3 and up will learn to fold a variety of origami birds, with demonstrations and individual instruction. All experience levels are welcome, from beginners to more advanced origami artists. 

Storytime with Clifford the Big Red Dog
Friday, July 28, 10:30 a.m.
Fowler Branch
Join us for a Family Storytime with special guest: Clifford the Big Red Dog! Bring your camera for pictures after the program. Presented by the MEFA U.Fund Start U. Reading series.
July Classes & Drop-In Tech Help
Commonwealth eBook Collections  (NEW!)
Wednesday, July 12, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Main Library Lower Level Meeting Room
Learn how to use the Commonwealth eBook Collection, a new service available to Concord residents. Open to all. [ Register]

Introduction to Word 2016
Wednesday, July 26, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Main Library Lower Level Meeting Room
In this one hour class we will demonstrate the new features in Word 2016 and answer any questions you may have about Word.  Open to all.  [ Register]
 
Drop-In Tech Help at 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Mondays, July 10 & 31
Main Library Lobby
Stop in with any questions you may have about your mobile devices,  laptops and/or Library's eBooks etc.  Open to all.
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