Dear Library Patrons,
Libraries and books have always been, and continue to be, an important part of my life. As a small child, I was brought to the local library often and allowed to pick out books that interested me. I always wanted to check out more books than the number set by my parents. Subsequently, a major highlight in my young life was finally being able to write my name and obtain a coveted library card so that I could check out books on my own. To me the freedom the library card provided almost equaled the freedom a teenager experiences upon getting a driver’s license. At an early age I recall organizing my personal book collection by author, or begging my father to assign me a research paper over the summer just so I could spend my time at the local library surrounded by books, information and reference materials. To those who knew me, it came as no surprise that my love for books guided me to my future career as a librarian. As a librarian I seek to instill my love of the library onto others, to help young people discover the exciting world of reading, and to provide opportunities for established patrons of all ages to explore new information and technological advances. I believe that libraries should be the focal point of every town, serving as a vibrant center that inspires lifelong learning, access to information, and programs that enrich the community.
Since becoming Library Director at the Norfolk Public Library, I have met so many wonderful people and I wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone for a very warm welcome.
Looking ahead, it is a certainty that libraries will continue to reinvent themselves in order to stay relevant and exciting, while meeting the needs of each patron. As Director, one of my priorities is to create a new Strategic Plan for the Library, a blueprint for service enhancements over the next five years that sets the course for the future based on the trends, needs and wants of library patrons.
Playing a vital role in helping us to develop and deliver programs and services will be the people whom we serve. Your input and suggestions are important in order to provide direction for the library staff to implement new offerings and services. Currently, we are seeking volunteer community members to serve on a Strategic Planning Committee. For more information, or to apply, please email me at
eoneill@sailsinc.org.
In addition, we will be requesting feedback on our collections, programs and services through a survey, which will be available to the public online and in print at the library in the near future. This will be a great opportunity to voice your opinions, suggestions and wish lists for your local library. We want to hear from everyone!
I look forward to interacting with the entire community in an open and honest manner and I welcome your opinions. I’d love to have you drop by and discuss how the Norfolk Public Library can better serve the public!
Thank you,
Libby O’Neill
|
|
Coffee with the Director
Tuesday 2/5 and Tuesday 2/19, 10:00-11:00am
No registration is required.
Drop in to meet with library director Libby O'Neill between 10am – 11am. Ask questions, share feedback about the library, and learn more about library happenings. All are welcome!
|
|
|
Stress Reducing Meditation and Yoga Workshop
Saturday, 2/9, 11-12:30 registration required. Register
here
.
|
|
Are you looking for ways to reduce stress, experience greater harmony and balance, and cultivate deeper well-being?
Come join educator and yoga instructor Shari Engelbourg, and author and clinical psychologist Beth Kurland, in this workshop that is sure to leave you feeling more peaceful within. Through meditation, gentle yoga and movement, guided imagery and reflection you will not only feel renewed but will learn ways to carry this feeling with you through the winter season and beyond.
Sponsored by the Friends of the Library
|
|
Book to Film Movie Series
Tuesday 2/5 and 2/12, 11-1pm, no registration is required.
|
|
Join us for the last two session of the Book to Film movie series.
The last two titles will be:
2/5: Boy in the Striped Pajamas
2/12: Flowers for Algernon
Reading the book before the program is not required. Movies are shown through our e-resource Hoopla, which is sponsored by the Friends of the Norfolk Public Library.
|
|
TED Talks
Wednesday, 2/13 at 6:30pm. No registration is required.
|
TED Talks are recorded presentations that last 20 minutes or less on wide variety of topics including from science and technology to culture and arts. During each TED Talk session, we will watch at least two TED talks and discuss.
February's theme: Opioid Crisis
|
|
Local Author Visit: Richard T. Rook
Monday, 2/25, 7-8pm. No registration is required.
|
Richard T. Rook, Wrentham author & genealogist, discusses his first novel, Tiernan's Wake.
Synopsis:
Michael Tiernan, a burned-out Boston lawyer, is contacted by the mysterious Irish historian Aedan Burns. He believes Michael's family history files contain a clue that will lead them to the only known portrait and missing treasure of the 16th-century Irish pirate Grace O'Malley. Aedan offers Michael and his artist wife Sara a partnership. Michael and Sara apply their different skills and solve the puzzle, or do they? In the process, they discover themselves, and that Grace O'Malley was more than just a pirate. And then they discover who Aedan is and what he was really up to.
Sponsored by the Charles River Questers Group and Friends of the Library.
|
|
Chess Playing with Game of Kings
Saturday, 2/9, 1-3pm
Other dates: 2nd Saturday of every month. No registration required.
|
|
The Game of Kings is coming to the Norfolk Library, all ages and abilities are welcome to join in and play a game of chess! You may bring your own chess board, but it is not required.
|
|
Joy of Coloring
NEW TIME! Wednesday, 2/27 and 3/27, 6:30-7:30pm, no registration required.
|
|
Take an hour for yourself and color your cares away. We will have some coloring pages and markers/colored pencils available, but you are encouraged to bring your own.
|
|
Knitting and Crochet Group
Thursday, 2/14 and 2/28, 10-11:30am, no registration required.
|
|
Do you love to knit or crochet? If so, bring your yarn and knitting needles for our informal knitting group where you can work on projects, socialize, and share advice. Please note that this is not a knitting class. No instruction will be provided, although participants are usually willing to help each other if issues occur.
|
|
|
|
Junior Advisory Board
Wednesday, 2/6, 5:15-6:15pm, Grades 4-6
|
Join the group just for grades 4-6! Brainstorm program ideas, give book recommendations, and much more! This is your library, help us make it what you want. Snacks will be provided.
|
|
Teen Advisory Board
Wednesday, 2/13, 4:30-5:30pm, Grades 7-12
Plan programs, give book suggestions, do volunteer work for the library, and take a break from your hectic lives. Food will be provided.
|
|
Drop-in Valentine's Day Fun
Thursday, 2/14, 2-3pm, open to all ages.
Drop by the library on Valentine's Day and play games, make a card, or take home a craft!
|
Drop in Bird Feeders
Tuesday, 2/19, 1-3pm, all ages.
Drop by and create a bird feeder from recycled materials for our feathered friends.
|
APCSM Animal Visit
Wednesday, 2/20, 11-12pm, Ages 5 and up.
Meet and interact with an adorable animal from the Animal Protection Center Of Southeastern Massachusetts!
|
Hygge Party
Wednesday, 2/20, 5-6pm, Grades 7-12
Chase away the winter blues the Danish way, with all things cozy. Wear your favorite comfy pajamas while drinking hot chocolate and learning how to live cozy.
|
Hero Kids Sports!
Thursday, 2/21, 10:30-11am, Ages 4-6. Register
here.
Be a HERO at the library! Join us for an exciting session of play, coaching kids in the fundamentals of sports one step at a time.
|
Tales to Tails
Wednesday, 2/27, 4-5pm, open to all ages, register
here
.
|
Anyone who can read independently is welcome to this additional session of reading to a dog! Just starting out, or an advanced reader, our pup Lucy would love to have you read to her. Register online for one 10 minute time slot. Registration opens February 13th.
(If you've already signed up for Paws to Read, please let others have a chance to register first. Thank you!)
|
|
Friends of the Library Annual Book and Bake Sale
|
|
Saturday, April 20th, 9 - 3pm
Preview Sale: Friday, April 19th, 6 - 9pm*
It's the most wonderful weekend of the year, the Annual Book and Bake Sale. Over 30,000 books priced from $0.50 to $2.00. There is something for everyone to enjoy! Norfolk, the small town with the very BIG book sale!
*Friends membership is required for admittance to the preview sale. Memberships start at $20 and are available at the door beginning at 5pm.
|
|
Please add your support by participating in our partnership with Amazon Smile... its easy, costs you nothing, and means a lot to us. We are an all-volunteer run organization and are able to provide significant program and services funding support to the library each year. Every penny counts!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
