In this issue: Special Collections Exhibition - Board Games for All Ages - Poetry at the Library - Virtual Films at Fowler - Hoopla Bonus Borrows - Adult Events - Teen Events - Children's Events | |
Special Collections Exhibition: Daniel Chester French: Art & Enterprise in Concord | |
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The Library's Special Collections Exhibition: Daniel Chester French: Art & Enterprise in Concord
February 2 - March 30, 2023
Art Gallery, Main Library
We invite you to the exhibit Daniel Chester French: Art and Enterprise in Concord, on view in the second-floor Art Gallery at the Main Library. Why, you ask, are we leading the Library’s 150th anniversary-year celebration with an exhibit on Daniel Chester French. William Munroe, the Library’s founding benefactor, initially intended that the Library expand into hosting an art museum. The Library immediately began taking in the art upon opening the doors with art pieces like David Scott's Ralph Waldo Emerson and Daniel Chester French's bust of Simon Brown, French’s oldest surviving portrait bust. Done as a commission for the Concord Farmers’ Club, of which both Brown and Daniel Chester French’s father, Henry Flagg French, were members. By the time French completed the Seated Emerson in 1914, located in the Library’s rotunda, French was acknowledged, “to be the first sculptor of America.” His monumental career capstone, the Lincoln Memorial, was still in its planning stages.
Yet, in Concord, French would always be the favored son who created the defining symbol of the town, the Minute Man. His sculptures captured the town's unique place in history, and the community allowed him to develop both his artistic vision and vocation. Special Collections is pleased to highlight French’s art and enterprise in Concord in the current exhibit.
The William Munroe Special Collections holds over 200 pieces of art, including sculptures, paintings, and lithographs, from a wide variety of artists from Concord and beyond. Over the past two years, Special Collections completed a comprehensive inventory and documentation of the Library’s unique art collection, including creating high-quality digital images of the complete collection that are on view on our art collection website here.
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Board Games for All Ages
Sunday, February 5, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Main Library
Don't let Winter boredom get you down... Bust that boredom with a cozy afternoon of board games at the Main Library. Join the Friends of the Library on February 5 when we will have games for all ages, including children's games in the Children's Library and Commons, Kahoots for tweens and teens in the Teen Lounge, and adult offerings in the Forum. You can also bring your favorite game from home to play. Come for the games, stay for snacks, raffle prizes, and more! Sponsored by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library. Open to all. No registration required.
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Poetry at the Library Series Spring 2023 | |
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The Poetry at the Library Series for Spring 2023, generously sponsored by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library, presents a trio of Sunday afternoons with award-winning authors who will read and engage in a Q and A about inspirations and craft. Each program begins at 2:00 p.m. in the Goodwin Forum at the Main Library.
March 5, Mikko Harvey (Let the World Have You) and Nina MacLaughlin (Summer Solstice: An Essay). [Learn More and Register]
April 2, Anna VQ Ross (Flutter, Kick) and Jason Tandon (This Far North). [Learn More and Register]
May 7, Jordan Escobar (Men with the Throats of Birds) and Adam Scheffler (Heartworm). [Learn More and Register]
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Virtual Films at Fowler: True Stories | |
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Films at Fowler continues in winter 2023 with True Stories. For 26 years Concord film viewers gathered on winter evenings at Fowler Library to see some of the most interesting and stimulating examples of current and classic cinema from around the world. That movie series, now called Films at Fowler, changed to an online video streaming format in 2021 and continues in that format in 2023. Because we no longer meet in person, we now watch—on your own schedule—selected movies on Kanopy, a free streaming service available to Library patrons. We will then gather on Zoom on scheduled evenings for a lively movie discussion. The theme of the movies this winter is True Stories. The movies in this series are based on real events, and have varying degrees of surprise, suspense, compassion, and drama at their heart.
I, Tonya (2017)
Wednesday, February 8, 7:00 p.m. (Discussion Date on Zoom)
In this darkly comic biopic, skater Tonya Harding (Margot Robbie) conspires with her ex-husband to injure fellow skater Nancy Kerrigan in a scandalous attack.
Please watch the film on Kanopy before the discussion. To register for the discussion and receive a Zoom link, send an email to the host of the series Randall Warniers at FilmsatFowler@concordlibrary.org.
This series is sponsored by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library.
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February Hoopla Bonus Borrows | |
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Arts & Crafts Club with Art for All at Fowler (teens & adults)
Tuesday, February 7, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Fowler Branch Large Meeting Room
Art for All comes to Fowler - Every Tuesday from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., teens and adults with cognitive differences are welcome to attend Arts and Crafts Club. Projects and activities may include making art for local shows, making holiday cards, and playing drawing games. This club is led by members of Art for All and made possible through support from Three Stone Gallery, the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library, the Massachusetts Cultural Council, and individual contributors. [Register]
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FREE Online Group Meditation with Be Well Be Here
Thursday, February 9, 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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Tuesday Book Discussion Group
Tuesday, February 14, 9:30 - 11:15 a.m.
Trustees Room, Main Library
Each month, join other readers to discuss a range of books, from classics to contemporary. For February, we will discuss Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates. Copies of the book are available at the Main Library Circulation Desk. [Register]
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Teen Dungeon and Dragons
Wednesday, February 8, 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 are encouraged. Experts expected to help out. No registration required. Ages 11-18 welcome.
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Teen Board Game Advisory Board
Thursday, February 9, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Teen Lounge, Main Library
Teens - Join The Board Game Advisory Board. Register now and visit the Teen Lounge 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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Children's Events at the Main Library | |
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StoryWalk: M is for Melanin: A Celebration of the Black Child by Tiffany Rose
February 2023
Main Street Leading to the Children's Library Entrance
Our Children's Services Department invites everyone to visit this month's StoryWalk. In honor of Black History Month, the StoryWalk features M is for Melanin: A Celebration of the Black Child by Tiffany Rose. Each letter of the alphabet contains affirming, Black-positive messages, from A is for Afro, to F is for Fresh, to W is for Worthy.
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Musical Mondays with Hugh Hanley
Monday, February 6, 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 led by Hugh Hanley, a nationally– known early childhood educator and musical entertainer who specializes in programs for young children and their teachers and families. Hugh accompanies his singing with guitar and banjo and draws on a wide repertoire of songs, finger plays and music activities that are engaging and accessible to young children. Musical Monday concerts are generously sponsored by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library. No registration required.
For more Children's events at the Main Library, visit here.
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Fowler Branch Children's Events | |
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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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Fairy Tales at Fowler, Ages 4-12
Thursday, February 9, 4:30 - 5:15 p.m.
Fowler Branch
Explore the world through folktales and fairy tales in this storytime for a slightly older audience. We will share songs, stories, and do a hands-on craft. No registration required.
For more Children's events at Fowler, visit here.
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