Hours:
- Main Library - 10-8 (Mon.), 9-8 (Tues.-Thurs.), 9-6 (Fri.), 9-5 (Sat.) and closed on Sun.
- Fowler Branch - 10-6 (Mon.-Thurs.), 10-5 (Fri. & Sat.) and closed on Sun.
- Special Collections - 10-6 (Mon.), 9-5 (Tues.-Fri.) and closed on weekends.
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2021 Concord Festival of Authors is Oct. 15 - 31 |
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The Friends of the Concord Free Public Library are pleased to announce the 2021 Concord Festival of Authors (CFA), a town-wide celebration of the written and spoken word featuring over 30 town-wide events October 15 - 31. Programs will be a combination of virtual and in-person.
These following events are sponsored by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library, the Concord Free Public Library (CFPL), and the Concord Free Public Library Corporation, as well as other local organizations and businesses. [View Printable Festival Event Calendar]
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2021 Ruth Ratner Miller Memorial Award for Excellence in American History
Saturday, October 16, 7:00 p.m.
Join us to honor the 2021 Miller Award Winner Heather Cox Richardson, professor of American History at Boston College and esteemed author. [Register]
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Young Adult Authors
Sunday, October 17, 7:00 p.m.
The Friends of the Concord Free Public Library present Concord Festival of Authors: Young Adult Authors, featuring Jennifer De Leon, Desmond Hall, and Margo Rabb. [Register]
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Storytelling from the Heart of Medicine
Monday, October 18, 7:00 p.m.
Join Dr. Suzanne Koven, as she discusses her new book, Letter to a Young Female Physician: Notes from a Medical Life. Dr. Koven will be joined in conversation by New York Times bestselling author Dani Shapiro. [Register]
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Concord Festival of Authors: Debut Authors Panel
Wednesday, October 20, 7:30 p.m.
Join us for a conversation with new novelists Lisa Braxton, Julie Carrick Dalton, and Dariel Suarez. [Register]
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Leslie Riedel Memorial Award
Friday, October 22, 7:00 p.m.
Join us for the 2021 Leslie Riedel Memorial Lecture for Young People featuring Robert Sabuda. [Register]
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Breakfast with the Authors
Saturday, October 23, 10:00 a.m.
Dr. Suzanne Koven will moderate the annual Concord Festival of Authors event Breakfast with the Authors, as we discuss the literary life with Meredith Hall, Chaney Kwak, and Shawna Kay Rodenberg. [Register]
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Native Nations Poetry Panel
Sunday, October 24, 3:00 p.m.
Join panelists Kimberly M. Blaeser, Jennifer Elise Foerster, and Heid E. Erdrich, award-winning poets and contributing editors of the landmark anthology When the Light of the World Was Subdued, Our Songs Came Through, the first comprehensive anthology of Native Poetry, edited by U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo. [Register]
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The Transcendentalists and Their World
Monday, October 25, 7:00 p.m.
Join Author and Historian Robert A. Gross in conversation with Anke Voss, Curator of the Concord Free Public Library William Munroe Special Collections. This session will feature The Transcendentalists and Their World, Robert Gross’s long-awaited study of Concord in the era of Emerson and Thoreau. [Register]
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Mindful Memoirs about Grief, Loss and Love
Wednesday, October 27, 7:30 p.m.
The Friends of the Concord Free Public Library present a virtual conversation with authors Maryanne O'Hara and Faith Fuller Wilcox. [Register]
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Mystery Night - Keeping The Pages Turning: How Crime Writers Create Suspense
Sunday, October 31, 7:00 p.m.
Join the Festival Mystery Night emcee and celebrated author Kate Flora to discover how to create suspense in fiction with mystery writers Susan Oleksiw, Dale Phillips and Susan Smith. [Register]
Please visit ConcordFestivalofAuthors.org for a complete listing of the Festival events. Event flyers are available at the kiosk near the Reference Desk at the Main Library.
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Stitch Circle at Fowler
Tuesday, October 19, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Large Meeting Room, Fowler Branch
Join fellow knitting, crocheting, needlework, etc. enthusiasts for an hour of social crafting. Help each other out of tough spots, share patterns and tips, and enjoy crafting together. We will meet in the backyard, weather permitting; or in the large meeting room if necessary. Face masks are required if we meet indoor. No registration required.
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Book-A-Mystery at Fowler
Wednesday, October 20, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Fowler Backyard, Fowler Branch
Join Madeline from Fowler on the 3rd Wednesday of each month to discuss a range of mysteries, from thrillers to whodunnits. Copies of the selected book are available at Fowler. The title for the October discussion is The Huntress by Kate Quinn. Weather permitting, we will meet in person in our backyard. Please register so that we can provide updates and a Zoom link if we need to meet virtually. [ Register] |
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Free Online Group Meditation with Be Well Be Here
Thursday, October 21, 8:30 - 9:00 a.m.
Zoom
Join Be Well Be Here with the Library for a 30-minute morning meditation practice and start your day with a moment of ease. Discover mindful tools that center the body, settle the mind, and open the door to wellbeing. [ Register for Zoom Link] |
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Virtual Films at Fowler Fall Series: Fearless Features |
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The Films at Fowler Series continues in the fall with five more movies and discussion dates. The new theme for the fall is Fearless Features, and the five movies are all admired and recognized for their fierce originality and cinematic innovations in form, style, or content. They are each so unique you will wonder how they ever got funded in the first place. Please watch—on your own time schedule—the selected movies on Kanopy, a free streaming service available to Concord patrons. We will then gather on Zoom on scheduled evenings (shown below) for a lively movie discussion.
Wednesday, October 20, 7:00 p.m. (Discussion date on Zoom)
Set in New England in 1630, and using the language of the period, a couple with five children try to lead a devout Christian life when a mysterious event brings a terrible evil into their lives. The breakout film for actress Anya Taylor-Joy (“The Queen’s Gambit”). [ Watch Film on Kanopy]
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Children's, Tween & Teen Events |
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Outdoor Storytime at the Main, Ages 5 and under
Monday, October 18, 10:30-11:00 a.m.
Sudbury Road Garden, Main Library
Join us on the Sudbury Street garden of the Main Library for an in-person storytime. We will enjoy stories, songs & rhymes! In the case of poor weather, outdoor programs may be canceled. No registration required.
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Baby Time by Fowler, Ages 0-12 months
Monday, October 18, 11:00-11:45 a.m.
Labyrinth Garden at West Concord Union Church
Join Fowler Branch Librarian Dorrie at the labyrinth garden at the West Concord Union Church (1317 Main St), across the street from Fowler, for an in person Baby Time! We will share stories, songs, and bouncing rhymes. Bring a blanket or something comfortable to sit on. If anyone in your group is experiencing Covid-like symptoms, please do not attend. In the case of poor weather, Baby Time may be canceled. Please look at the calendar or social media for updates, or you may call Fowler at 978-318-3350. No registration required.
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Craft a Family Tree
Monday, October 18, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct 20, 1:00 p.m. &
Monday, Oct 25, 4:00 p.m.
Lower Level Meeting Room, Main Library
Calling all teens and tweens! The Concord Free Public Library is hosting three drop-in craft programs for middle schoolers and high school students to create a tree for Concord Museum’s annual Family Trees celebration. The tree will be inspired by the book Let's Taco About How Great You Are by Bob Holt. The Library will provide all craft materials as well as snacks. You provide your imagination! No registration required. |
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PJ Storytime on Zoom, Ages 5 and under
Monday, October 18, 5:00- 5:30 p.m.
Zoom
Get a jumpstart on bedtime with songs, stories, and rhymes. Registration is required for this event. If this event is cancelled, we will use the contact information you enter here to get in touch with you. [ Register for Zoom Link] |
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Outdoor Storytime by Fowler
Tuesday, October 19, 10:00 - 10:45 a.m. & 11:00 - 11:45 a.m.
Labyrinth Garden at West Concord Union Church
Join Fowler Branch Librarian Dorrie at the labyrinth garden at the West Concord Union Church (1317 Main St), across the street from Fowler, for an in person storytime! We will share stories, songs, and rhymes and do a simple craft. If anyone in your group is experiencing Covid-like symptoms, please do not attend. In the case of poor weather, storytime may be canceled.
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Pumpkin Decorating @ Early Bird Craft Time
Tuesday, October 19, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Sudbury Road Garden, Main Library
Everyone gets a free pumpkin - courtesy of our generous Friends of the Concord Free Public Library! We will provide some fun decorations and kids bring their creativity to decorate their own pumpkin. If you wish, you can enter your pumpkin in our Pumpkin Decorating contest on Oct 29 at our It's Halloween party! This craft project is perfect for ages 5 and under. No registration required.
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Alphabet Storytime
Wednesday, October 20, 10:30- 11:00 a.m.
Sudbury Road Garden, Main Library
Join in the fun learning the alphabet with stories, songs and crafts. Each week we will focus on a different letter of the alphabet. Recommended for ages 5 years and below. No registration required.
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Read to Luna at the Main, ages 5 and up
Wednesday, October 20, 3:00- 4:00 p.m.
Front Lawn, Main Library
Did you know that reading to dogs boosts reading skills & emotional & social skills for children? Read to a good listener who loves stories! Register for your own 15-minute session with Luna, and she will meet you outside on the Main Library lawn. She will even do a few tricks just for you! [ Register] |
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College Essay Bootcamp (Essay Editing Workshop)
Wednesday, October 20, 4:30- 5:30 p.m.
Teen Room, Main Library
Join two-time successful college graduate, published writer, and Library staff member Cary Stough for a four-week COLLEGE ESSAY BOOTCAMP. Learn the basics of 1) Editing, 2) Revision, 3) Rewriting. Registration is limited, so sign up now! Feel free to register after the starting date. [ Register] |
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Navigating College Admissions Successfully and the Importance of Community Service
Wednesday, October 20, 7:00- 8:00 p.m.
Zoom
This Zoom presentation is intended to help families understand how COVID-19 has changed the college admissions landscape. It covers how admissions officers are handling the current situation and how students can position themselves to develop a compelling narrative to increase their chances for admission. The presenters will also discuss the importance of community service, how it can provide an opportunity for personal growth and an opportunity to showcase a student’s character. Admissions officers place great emphasis on a student’s character and how the student has been able to give back and help others, especially during these challenging times. The presentation will be led by Ron Feuchs and Jackie Tepper, partners at Stand Out For College, LLC. [ Register for Zoom Link] |
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Storytime on Zoom, Ages 5 and under
Thursday, October 21, 10:00 - 10:30 a.m.
Zoom
Join storytime from the comfort of your own home! Share stories, songs, and rhymes in this weekly virtual program. [Register for Zoom Link]
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Story Time - Picture Books 101
Thursday, October 21, 10:30 - 11:00 a.m.
Sudbury Road Garden, Main Library
Come enjoy our favorite new picture books and learn how you can participate in our early literacy campaign called 101 Picture Books Concord Free Public Library Loves! These storytimes will feature our favorite new picture books and promote early literacy skills to newborns, infants, toddlers and preschoolers. No registration required.
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Messy Fun at Fowler, Ages 5 and under
Thursday, October 21, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Fowler Backyard, Fowler Branch
What's more fun than getting messy? Getting messy somewhere that isn't in your house! Drop by the Fowler backyard weekly for a range of activities from play dough to blocks. Stay for 15 minutes or for the full hour. We will have different stations, allowing for child-guided play and social distancing. While we will do our best to work in all weather, we have our limits. Look here or to our social media (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) for updates, or call Fowler at 978-318-3350. No registration required.
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Crushing Your College Essays
Thursday, October 21, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Periodical Room, Main Library
Writing the Common Application and supplement essays is often a source of tension and anxiety for both parents and students. This presentation, given by Renate Gundermann, will provide you with the tools to calmly and confidently write distinctive and compelling college essays. Students can expect to leave this example-filled session empowered with the enthusiasm and tools to write outstanding college essays. Face masks are required of all participants. There will be time for questions and answers throughout and after the presentation. Audience participation and questions are encouraged. No registration required.
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Concord Puppet Theatre: Live!
Friday, October 22, 10:30 - 11:00 a.m.
Sudbury Road Garden, Main Library
Each week we will feature different puppets, new songs to learn and sing along to, and occasional crafts, all under the blue tents. Feel free to bring your own puppet (sock or otherwise) or instruments from home to join in on the fun. No registration required.
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BEEDE & BOOKS
Friday, October 22, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Beede Center
The Beede Swim and Fitness Center and the Concord Free Public Library are teaming up to bring you BEEDE AND BOOKS. Join us in the Beede Center lobby and Kiddie Pool for a collaboration of reading and swimming. A librarian will read books at 11:30 am. Then children get a half hour of swimming fun from 12 pm-12:30 pm in the Children’s Play Pool. All are welcome! Families do not need to have a Beede membership, but caregivers do need to be in the water with their child for the 30 minutes of Children’s Pool time. Registration is required. Please register here.
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Saturday Studio, Ages 5 and under
Saturday, October 23, 11:00 - 11:45 a.m.
Fowler Backyard, Fowler Branch
Join Fowler staff each week for a mix of stories, crafting, and other hands-on activities. No registration required.
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6th Annual Scarecrow Festival
Saturday, October 16 - Sunday, October 31, ALL DAY
Main Library and Fowler Branch Library Lawns
The Concord Free Public Library is hosting the 6th annual Scarecrow Festival October 16 - 31. Gather your family! Visit the Main Library's front lawn and the Fowler Branch lawn to enjoy all the creative scarecrows made by local organizations! This year’s participants include: Appleton Design Group, Artscape at Bradford Mill, Beede Center, Children’s Meeting House Preschool, Colonial Inn, Concord Conservatory of Music, Concord Middle School, Concord Police Department, the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library, Magic Garden Preschool, Nashoba Brook Bakery, Nashoba Brooks School, Open Table, Orangetheory, TimberNook Middlesex County, Village Art Room, and the Visitor Center.
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Special Collections Highlights: Elizabeth Palmer Peabody’s Library |
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Elizabeth Palmer Peabody (1804-1894) was a teacher, linguist, writer, and educational reformer who worked as an advocate for Transcendentalism through publishing, lectures, and her Foreign Library.
She was born in Billerica, Massachusetts, on May 16, 1804. She grew up in Salem with her parents Nathaniel, a doctor, and Elizabeth Palmer. She had three brothers and two sisters, Sophia, an artist who married Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Mary, a teacher who married Horace Mann.
Elizabeth worked as an assistant to Bronson Alcott in his Temple School in Boston, and as the business manager of the transcendental publication, The Dial. Later in her life, she became an advocate for kindergarten in the United States, opening the first formally organized one in 1860.
In the 1840s, she ran a circulating library and bookstore at 13 West Street in Boston, providing the Transcendentalists with volumes of literature and philosophy in languages other than English. Her reading knowledge of ten languages helped her select books that would interest members of the transcendental circle. Margaret Fuller conducted some of her conversations at 13 West Street, and it is where attendees planned the Brook Farm utopian community. Moreover, Peabody published Emancipation by Rev. William Ellery Channing (her mentor), several volumes by Hawthorne, two of the four volumes of The Dial, and the short-lived journal Aesthetic Papers (1849), which included the first appearance in print of Thoreau’s "Resistance to Civil Government" ("Civil Disobedience").
The collection—the remainder of a gift of about 1,000 items presented by Elizabeth Peabody to the Concord Free Public Library primarily in 1878-79—consists of printed books, pamphlets, and periodicals ranging in date from 1524 to 1878, the bulk published between 1820 and 1850. It includes American, Austrian, Belgian, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Scottish, and Spanish imprints. Literature and history are well represented in the collection. There is also some emphasis on books reflecting interest in revolution, reform, reformers, and education.
For more on the Foreign Library, please see Leslie Perrin Wilson’s article “No Worthless Books” in The Papers of the Bibliographical Society of America from March 2005. For more on the Peabody sisters, please see Megan Marshall’s The Peabody Sisters. The collection of the Foreign Library can be found in Special Collections, and a guide to the books can be found here.
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