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Library Hours

Main Library
Mon-Thu: 9:30 am - 9 pm
Fri-Sat: 9:30 am - 5:30 pm
Sun: 1:00 - 5:00 pm

CLOSED on Columbus Day -  Monday, Oct 8

OPEN on Sundays beginning October 14

MacKay Branch
Mon: 1 pm - 5 pm
Wed: 1 pm - 8 pm
Fri: 10 am - 5 pm
Closed Sun, Tue, Thu, & Sat 

All of our book groups are free and open to all!
Evening Book Group Lucky Boy by Shanthi Sekaran
Lucky Boy  
by Shanthi Sekaran
Novel Conversations Book Group
 
Homegoing by Yaya Gyasi
by Yaya Gyasi
Knit Lit Book Group Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs
by Kate Jacobs
Morning Book Group
Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See
MacKay Mystery Book Group
History Book Group
Valiant Ambition by Nathaniel Philbrick
by Nathaniel Philbrick
Bibliobites Book Group

by Julee Rosso
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  Ebooks, magazines, movies, TV shows, music, and audiobooks are available anytime on your computer or mobile device!    
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The Chelmsford Library is embarking on a yearlong project to promote civic participation and education. Join us as we explore six key issues that most impact our community and society as a whole, through engaging programming, in depth, moderated discussions, films, readings, and quality resources. You won't want to miss what we have in store, so keep your eye on our calendar and website for more REACT programming. 

Tuesday, October 2 at 7:00 p.m.
genealogy club logo Interested in your family history? Want to find out when they came to America and what their lives were like before? Join the Genealogy Club to find out how to get started with your own research and learn about their breakout groups that address questions of English, Irish, and Maritime history and examine DNA analysis.

Tuesday, October 9 at 7:00 p.m.
REACT_ Let_s Talk Civility Read, Engage, And Come Together! 
Are you hoping to make it through Thanksgiving this year without the usual conversation meltdowns? Join Keith West for an informative discussion on ways to improve dialog and actually move forward on a topic with others. Also learn about some of the exciting plans we have for a series of discussions on some of the important issues facing our country. Advance registration is requested but not mandatory. 

Thursday, October 11 at 10:00 a.m.
One of the hardest things about learning computers is learning the associated vocabulary, and all too often the explanation for a computer term is as cryptic as the term itself. We'll talk about some of the commonly misunderstood, or not understood, terms that people ask about at the library.

Friday, October 12 at 1:00 p.m.
Global US Military Bases How does the military function in today's international order, and how might it be balanced with diplomatic and foreign assistance capabilities?  Expert Keith West returns to Chelmsford to present on topics aligned with the Foreign Policy Association's Great Decisions Series. This program brought to the library in partnership with UMASS Lowell's Learning in Retirement Association (LIRA). 

Friday, October 12 through Sunday, October 14
Hidden Figures arrangement from Books and Blooms 2017 Come to the library all weekend long to view beautiful flower arrangements created by members of our local garden clubs and inspired by favorite books. Arrangements will be on display throughout the library. Visit the main circulation desk in the week before for a map of arrangement locations and a scavenger hunt!

Sunday, October 14 at 1:00 pm
Voter Registration Drive The deadline to register in Massachusetts for this year's election is Wednesday, October 17! You are eligible as long as you are a US citizen, a Massachusetts resident, and will be 18 years old by Tuesday, November 6. You can check your current registration status here.

Sunday, October 14 at 2:00 pm
Won_t You Be My Neighbor For over thirty years, Fred Rogers , an unassuming minister, puppeteer, writer and producer was beamed daily into homes across America. In his beloved television program, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood , Fred and his cast of puppets and friends spoke directly to young children about some of life's weightiest issues, in a simple, direct fashion. There hadn't been anything like Mr. Rogers on television before and there hasn't been since.

Thursday, October 18 at 7:00 p.m.
The Swagger Sword by David Brody The murder of Pope John Paul I, an ancient Freemason conspiracy, and a sword with a map pointing to a religious treasure! Boston Globe bestselling local author David Brody will talk about his latest novel and the historical research that inspired it. Copies of the book will be available for sale.

Friday, October 19 at 7:00 pm
Ukulele Scramble Join us for a concert featuring  The Ukulele Scramble , consisting of Richard Perlmutter and Robin Hoffman. They sing and play rare, obscure and underperformed songs from the past 500 years; especially works from the Renaissance, and Parlor and Art Songs from the 19th Century. They update, revise and rewrite lyrics for many of these songs, often humorously, and perform them on ukuleles and other small stringed instruments.

Saturday, October 20 at 2:00 p.m.
Artwork by Donna Berger_ Trina Teele_ and Rita Thompson This month's art exhibit presents the work of the three Artists in Residence at the Chelmsford Center for the Arts, Donna Berger, Trina Teele, and Rita Thompson. Each offers a unique perspective on the world using different techniques and informed by different backgrounds. Come and meet them on Saturday and learn more about their work and their lives.

Saturday, October 21 at 2:00 p.m.
John S Adams silhouetted in the Montana Capitol building_ from DARK MONEY a PBS Distribution release In the wake of the Citizens United ruling, dark money floods elections nationwide, but Montanans are standing up to stop history from repeating itself in a struggle that has the potential to change the way campaigns are funded across the U.S. The documentary by Kimberly Reed highlights an important issue for all voters in the lead up to the 2018 election.   This event is a collaboration with the award-winning documentary series POV on PBS.

Monday, October 22 at 7:00 p.m.
Dyan deNapoli is an internationally recognized penguin expert and award-winning author. A former Senior Penguin Aquarist at Boston's New England Aquarium, Dyan has been teaching audiences worldwide about penguins for more than 20 years. The Great Penguin Rescue, her best-selling book about saving 40,000 penguins from an oil spill, will be available for purchase and signing.

Thursday, October 25 at 7:00 p.m.
Tech Talks logo
From managing an address book to balancing your budget, spreadsheets can help you stay organized! Learn the basics of Microsoft Excel as our reference librarian walks you through everyday tips for one of the most useful computer programs.

Sunday, October 28 at 1:00 p.m.
Pie
More cinnamon or more nutmeg? Macintosh, Granny Smith, or Braeburn? Show off your baking prowess or just come to feast on the delicious results! Register online if you'd like to enter. Visit the link for full rules and instructions.

Teen Highlights
REACT Book Discussion: The Misfits
Tuesday, October 9 at 4:00 p.m.
Misfits by James Howe
Join us for our Middle School REACT Book Discussion! Each session will involve discussing a book around a civic engagement theme, and doing a related activity. This program is designed for students in grades 5-8, or homeschool equivalent.  Our theme for this month is elections. We will be discussing The Misfits by James Howe and making campaign buttons!

Play with Your Food!
Tuesday, October 16 at 4:00 p.m.
Marshmallow Penguins
Come to the Main Library to learn how to make a new and delicious piece of edible art every month. Open to middle and high school students and the homeschool equivalent. This month m ake marshmallow penguins, rice krispie sheep, and more!  Register now!
DIY Halloween: Light-Up Mini Coffins
Tuesday, October 23 at 4:00 p.m.
Mini Coffins
Get in the Halloween spirit by painting your own light up mini-coffin! Choose from five different designs. This event is open to middle and high schoolers and the homeschool equivalent.  Register now!
Thursday, October 25 at 4:00 p.m. at the Main Library
Candy Apples Welcome to The MIC (Make It! Club), where you'll be able to make and take home an awesome DIY project, snack, or dessert each month. Youth entering grades 5-8 and homeschooled teens welcome!  This month, we'll be making Candy Apples, so bring your sweet tooth! Registration begins October 4.

   
Check out our online calendar for complete program details, or the overview schedule below. Fall storytimes continue through December!

Mondays
10:00 a.m. 
Toddler Rhyme Time (ages 1-2)

11:00 a.m.
Preschool Storytime (ages 3-6)
Tuesdays
10:00 a.m.
Stay and Play (ages 1+)
Wednesdays
10:00 a.m.
Yoga Storytime (ages 3-5)

11:00 a.m.
Merrily We Sing Along (all ages)
Thursdays 10:00 a.m. Play Space (ages 2-3)

 7:00 p.m. Peace Out Pajama
Drop-in Storytime (all ages)

Fridays
10:00 a.m. Drop-in Baby Storytime (infants)

10:30 a.m. Drop-in Storytime at MacKay (ages 2-6)

11:00 a.m. Toddler Rhyme Time (ages 1-2)

Special Saturday morning fun! 
October 6, 10:30 
The Construction Zone (Drop in play for ages 3+)
October 13, 10:30
Dads & Donuts (Storytime for ages 2+)
October 20
Intro to Chess
Beginners, 9:30
Advanced, 11:30
fun pumpkin October 27, 10:30
Halloween Stories
Featured Kids' Programs

Wednesday, October 3 at 4:00 p.m.
Tiny treats Drop in for a quick craft at the MacKay Branch Library that will be fun for the whole family! All ages welcome; children under 6 must be accompanied by a parent. This month, learn how to make mini versions of treats like cakes and donuts using edible materials!
Wednesday, October 10 at 4:15 p.m.
Join us for REACT Storytime where we will read stories, have a discussion, and do a fun collaborative activity surrounding a different theme each session! Recommended for ages 5-10.  This month, we will be discussing elections and the impact that even the yougest citizen can have on their community!

Pajama Jam with Bernadette Baird
Tuesday, October 16 at 6:30 p.m.
Kindermusik with Bernadette Baird
Bernadette Baird returns with singing, dancing, and stories!  Drop in for all ages.  Sponsored by the Family Resource Network. 



Tales with Tails!
Thursday, October 18 at 1:00 p.m.
Practice your reading with Friday the Labrador retriever! Four lucky winners of the raffle from 10/1 - 10/15 will be able to read to Friday the Therapy Dog. Fifteen minute timeslots will be awarded to winners on a first-come, first-served basis.

Saturday, October 27 at 4:00 p.m.
Pumpkin
Enter your story by Saturday, 
October 13 for your chance to win!

Authors must be in grades K - 8
One author per story; one story each
Stories must be typed or neatly written
Stories must have a beginning, a middle, and an end
Stories do not need illustrations
Stories should be spooky and/or scary!

 
On Saturday, October 27, we'll tell a tale or two, and read selections from the winners of the competition. Everyone who enters a spooky story will win a prize, so come on down!  

   
 
There's always a fun project going on - join us!
Thursday, October 4 at 7:00 pm
Join the Friends to become more involved in your public library and to make new friends! The Friends meet on the first Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the McCarthy Meeting Room at the library. 
 
The CFOL can benefit when you shop at Amazon - at no additional cost to you! Please designate the Chelmsford Friends of the Library as the nonprofit you wish to support and the CFOL will receive 0.5% of the purchase price from your eligible AmazonSmile purchases.


Message from the Trustees
 
This year's Make Your Impact Campaign will focus on community outreach - On the Move with CPL. With your help, we will fund a mobile Pop-up Library van that will visit schools, playgrounds, senior housing, farmer's markets and community events.

CPL Pop Up Library van model
Our Make Your Impact campaign kicks off on November 27th, 2018, as part of the nation-wide "Giving Tuesday" movement. Get the wheels rolling and make your donation now!