- Great News! The Main Library resumes Sunday hours (1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.) starting December 4, 2022.
- In this issue: Holiday Book Sale - Poetry at the Library - Adult Events - Teen Events - Children's Events - Special Collections Highlights
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Don't miss the popular Holiday Book Sale organized by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library which is well underway in the Goodwin Forum, Main Library.
The sale is full of nearly-new or gently used books, movies, and music CDs for adults and children. Come for your holiday shopping and have a fun time.
Friday, December 2, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 3, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 4, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
[Sign up to volunteer for the Book Sale]
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Poetry At the Library: Helena Minton and Maya Janson
Sunday, December 11, 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.
Goodwin Forum, Main Library
Join us for an in-person Poetry at the Library afternoon with award-winning poets who will read from their recent collections and engage in a Q & A about craft, influences, and their writing lives. Books can be purchased before and after the reading. Conversation, light refreshments, and book signings to follow.
Former Concord resident Helena Minton and Maya Janson of Western, MA celebrate the wild contradictions and joys of life and the everyday moments and meditations on the past, especially the bonds of mothers and daughters.
This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library. [Register]
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After Hours at Fowler with Radha Jalan
Tuesday, December 6, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Fowler Branch
Join West Concord resident Radha Jalan for a discussion of her recently published memoir From Calcutta to Concord: The Journey of an Independent Woman. Learn about the challenges she faced and overcame and ask her your questions. Refreshments will be provided. [Register]
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FREE Online Group Meditation with Be Well Be Here
Thursday, December 8, 8:30 - 9:00 a.m.
Zoom
Join Be Well Be Here for a 30-minute morning meditation practice with the Concord Free Public Library 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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Ornament Workshop: Introduction to Needle-Felting at Fowler
Friday, December 9, 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Fowler Branch
Please join us for this introduction to needle-felting. You will learn the basics of needle-felting, the process of transforming raw wool into decorative forms. In this workshop, we will decorate a ball ornament for the holidays. No prior experience is necessary and materials will be provided. [Register]
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Holiday Stroll at Fowler: Henna and Garland-making for all ages
Saturday, December 10, 1:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Fowler Branch
West Concord is celebrating the season with a Holiday Stroll from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. Stop by Fowler Branch to warm up, make a citrus garland, and get decorated with henna (while supplies last). All are welcome. No registration required.
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A Christmas Carol Featuring Actors Stephen Collins and Poornima Kirby
Wednesday, December 14, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Goodwin Forum, Main Library
Join actors Stephen Collins and Poornima Kirby for a funny, heartfelt journey through Charles’ Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol. This 1-hour adaptation shows Ebenezer Scrooge’s transformation from a grumpy, selfish misanthrope to a generous, wise and kindly man, full of the spirit of Christmas. With Stephen playing Scrooge and Poornima swiftly changing between the other characters, this fast-paced, playful adaptation keeps the beauty and humor of Dickens’ original text, interspersed with melodious Christmas carols, and even a lively English folk dance. This event is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library. [Register]
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Teen Dungeon and Dragons
Wednesday, December 7, 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Teen Lounge, Main Library
Teens! Join Dungeons and Dragons. Play casual one-off games or start a campaign with others. Beginners encouraged. Experts expected to help out! No registration required. Ages 11-18 welcome.
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Teen Board Game Advisory Board
Thursday, December 8, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Teen Lounge, Main Library
Teens! Join The Board Game Advisory Board. Register now and visit the Teen Room on Thursdays this Winter. Receive your very own Board Game Board Member membership card! Choose from our game selection at the library, plan which games we purchase in the future, or bring your own from home (board games, table top role playing, card games [Magic, Pokemon, etc]). Popcorn will ALWAYS be provided. [Register]
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Teen Ornament Workshop
Friday, December 16, 3:30 - 5:00 p.m.
Teen Lounge, Main Library
Decorate a wood slice ornament! Paint, draw, hot glue, or affix with a polaroid. The perfect gift or decoration to cheer up the season. No registration required. Ages 11-18 welcome.
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Children's Events at the Main Library | |
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Musical Mondays with Alan Goodrich
Monday, December 5, 10:30 - 11:15 a.m.
Goodwin Forum, Main Library
Enjoy music and stories with Alan Goodrich! Alan is a guitarist and singer-songwriter/solo performer who presents live music concerts "for kid's of all ages" including classic and current children's songs and original songs. Sponsored by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library. No Registration Required.
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Introduction to Italian Language
Saturday, December 10, 10:30 - 11:15 a.m.
Children's Activity Room, Main Library
The Concord Free Public Library is partnering with Concord Scholars Institute for Arts and Languages to host free monthly introductory language classes for children and their caregivers. Led by highly qualified, experienced and creative native-speaking teachers, these foreign language classes focus on developing communicative skills while enhancing a cultural understanding of these languages. No registration required.
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Take & Make Gingerbread Kits
Monday, December 12, All Day
Children's Library, Main Library and Fowler Branc
The Concord Free Children's Department is offering children free gingerbread house kits! Stop by the Main Library or the Fowler Library to pick up your free kit. These will be given out on a first come, first served basis. One per family. Please note: these kits contain small pieces. We recommend adult supervision for our youngest participants. Thank you to the Concord Free Public Library Corporation for generously sponsoring this program!
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Musical Mondays - Hugh Hanley
Monday, December 12, 10:30—11:00 a.m.
Goodwin Forum, Main Library
Come join the fun at our music/play activity session for young children and the adults who sing with them. The sessions will be lead by Hugh Hanley, a nationally– known early childhood educator and musical entertainer who specializes in programs for young children and their teachers and families. Sponsored by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library. No Registration Required.
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Concord Puppet Theatre at Main
Friday, December 16, 10:30 - 11:00 a.m.
Goodwin Forum, Main Library
Each week we will feature different puppets, new songs to learn and sing along to, and occasional crafts. 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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Fowler Branch Children's Events | |
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Musical Mornings with Ricardo, A Music Class in Spanish & English at Fowler (Ages 7 & under)
Saturday, December 3, 11:00—11:30 a.m.
Fowler Branch Backyard or Large Meeting Room
Join Ricardo Rosales on the first Saturday of every month for a special music class in Spanish and English. Expand your musical and language skills in this program sponsored by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library. No registration required.
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Fowler Baby Time, Ages 0-12 months
Monday, December 5, 11:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Fowler Meeting Room, Fowler Branch
Join us for songs, stories, and a chance to chat with other parents. No registration required.
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Zoom PJ Storytime, Ages 5 and under
Monday, December 5, 5:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Zoom
Get a jumpstart on bedtime with songs, stories, and rhymes! [Register for Zoom Link]
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In Person Fowler Storytime
Tuesdays, 10:00 - 10:45 a.m. & 11:00 - 11:45 a.m.
Fowler Branch Large Meeting Room or
Labyrinth Garden at West Concord Union Church
Join us at Fowler for storytime. We will share stories, songs, and rhymes and do a simple hands-on activity. Rain location: Fowler Large Meeting Room. No registration required.
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ZOOM Storytime from Fowler, Ages 5 and under
Thursday, December 8, 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Zoom
Join Fowler staff online for weekly songs, stories, and rhymes. [Register for Zoom Link]
For more Children's events at Fowler, visit here.
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Special Collections Highlights: Parent-Teacher Conferences | |
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This time of year, parents and guardians meet with teachers to receive a more detailed progress report on their children's progress.
A. Bronson Alcott was an American educator, philosopher, mystic, lecturer, essayist, poet, Transcendentalist, idealist, reformer, and father of four daughters, including author Louisa May Alcott. He founded and taught at the Temple School in Boston, 1834-1838; Elizabeth Palmer Peabody served as his assistant. In 1840, the disapproval of parents alarmed by his educational methods forced the school's closing; he moved his family to Concord. He served as the Superintendent of Schools in Concord from 1859-1865. In 1879, he founded the Concord School of Philosophy, which continued until 1888, mainly under the direction of William Torrey Harris.
In A. Bronson Alcott’s detailed 1859-1860 Superintendent's Report, you can read about the duties of this post, as well as reports on the performance of Concord's pupils in arithmetic, penmanship, school exercises, geography and history, and grammar and the study of language, among other aspects of Concord's schools.
Bronson laments, "I am sorry to find by the register so few credits for visits to the schools by the parents; in some, but the names of the committee-man and two or three others; nor is it much better in any of the districts. The parent who seldom or never visits the school to see for himself how his children are managed, and to form his opinions from personal observation, cannot reasonably complain of what happens there under the ordinary proceedings. He can know next to nothing about it. Of its merits or demerits, he cannot judge. And he should be slow of taking hearsay from any, least of all from his own children, when they are parties interested.” You can read Bronson Alcott's complete 1859-1860 Superintendent's Report here.
Happy Parent Teacher Conferences!
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