The Concord Free Public Library is open on Saturday, July 2. Closed on Monday, July 4. Happy Independence Day! [View Library Hours]

The Concord Free Public Library is encouraging children, teens and adults to bike to the Main Library or the Fowler Branch Library.

Every time you bike to the Main Library or the Fowler Branch, show us your helmet and we will stamp your bike card. After ten stamps, you earn a $5 gift certificate to Bedford Farms Ice Cream.

Thank you to the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library for sponsoring the Bike for Books program.

Tuesday, July 5, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Fowler Branch

Join fellow knitting, crocheting and needlework enthusiasts for an hour of social crafting. Help each other out of tough spots, share patterns and tips, and enjoy crafting together. No registration required.

Thursday, July 7, 8:30 - 9:00 a.m.

Zoom

Join Be Well Be Here for a 30-minute morning meditation practice sponsored by the 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]

Tuesday, July 12, 8:30 - 9:00 a.m.

Trustees Room, Main Library

Each month, join other readers to discuss a range of books, from classics to contemporary. For July, we will discuss Heartburn by Nora Ephron. Copies of the book are available at the Main Library Circulation Desk. eBook copies are available via OverDrive. [Register]

Wednesday, July 13, 12:00 - 1:30 p.m.

Fowler Branch Backyard

Let's hope for nice weather and take Cookbook Club outside! Weather permitting we will meet in the Fowler Branch backyard. Rain date is Wednesday, July 20, same time and location. This month we will make more summer recipes. Please register for additional information. [Register]

For twenty-six 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 format in 2021 and continues in that format in 2022. We don’t meet in person, so we now view—on your own time schedule—selected movies on Kanopy, a free streaming service available to Library patrons. We will then gather on Zoom on scheduled evenings for lively movie discussions. The theme of the movies in summer 2022 is Breaking Boundaries. All six movies in this summer series are about going beyond the status quo and challenging limits and expectations. View Poster for selected films and Zoom discussion dates. All are welcome to join the discussions.  

Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang (2005)

Wednesday, July 6, 7:00 p.m. (Discussion Date on Zoom)

In this deadpan parody of LA film noir, a low-life crook (Robert Downey Jr.) stumbles into an audition for a mystery film while on the run from the cops.

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.

The series is sponsored by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library.

July 2022

Main Library (Main Street Sidewalk)

The Concord Free Public Library invites everyone to visit our StoryWalk, newly installed for the season on Main Street, leading to the new Children’s Library entrance. The July StoryWalk features Henry Builds a Cabin written and illustrated by D.B. Johnson. With striking illustrations and minimal words, Johnson tells a story about nature-lover Henry David Thoreau and inspires a joyful appreciation for nature. Johnson’s art has won numerous awards, including The Boston Globe/Horn Book Award for Best Picture Book, a New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book, and a Publishers Weekly Best Book award.

Tuesday, July 5, 10:00 - 10:45 a.m. & 11:00 - 11:45 a.m.

Labyrinth Garden at West Concord Union Church

Join us for a morning of music making and fun at Concord Conservatory of Music's Family Notes class, led by instructor Holly Jennings. Discover musical experiences that your whole family will love in a social setting that is celebratory of all ages, stages, and skill levels. Family Notes classes incorporate simple percussion instruments, creative movement, improvisation, and playful props. Children's physical, language, social, cognitive, and musical development are all stimulated through musical play. In case of poor weather, we will meet in the Fowler large meeting room. No registration required.

Tuesday, July 5, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Children's Activity Room, Main Library

Come enjoy a story and a fun craft. No registration required.

Wednesday, July 6, 10:30 - 11:15 a.m.

Children's Garden, Main Library

Meet acclaimed Children's illustrator, D.B. Johnson! Learn about his life and his work illustrating children's books. With the publication in 2000 of his first illustrated children’s book, Henry Hikes to Fitchburg, D.B. Johnson has made a distinct mark in the world of children’s literature by introducing kids to the important ideas and work of the likes of Henry David Thoreau, George Orwell, M. C. Escher and René Magritte. D.B Johnson will read one of his books, show children how to draw Henry, and answer questions. Children are invited to bring their own copies of D.B. Johnson's books from home and get them autographed by the author. Recommended for ages 4 and up. This event is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library. No registration required.

Zoom

Join Fowler librarian Dorrie for weekly songs, stories, and rhymes. For ages 5 and under. [Register for Zoom Link]

Children's Activity Room, 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.

Wednesday, July 6, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Fowler Branch Backyard

Drop by Fowler to craft, experiment, and create. Join us each week for hands-on artistic exploration. Please call Fowler at 978-318-3350 with questions.

Drop by the Fowler backyard or large meeting room 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. No registration required.

Rockabye Beats is a fun, family group whose music is reminiscent of founder Marcos Valles’s Puerto Rico. Their songs offer a range of styles from rock n’ roll to calypso to funk and even blues. Enjoy movement, dancing, counting, singing, and a little bit of Spanish vocabulary. Bring a blanket or chair and bug spray and picnic on the lawn of the Main Library. No registration required.

Children's Activity Room, 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.

Fowler Branch Backyard

Fowler is closed on Saturdays in July and August, so our usual Saturday Studio will be held on Fridays! Join Fowler staff each week for a mix of stories, crafting, and other hands-on activities. If weather permits, we will meet in the backyard. Otherwise, please wear your masks and join us in the large meeting room!

Fowler Branch Large Meeting Room

Join fellow builders to construct from our Lego collection. Try out weekly challenges or work on your own project. No registration required.

Tuesday, July 5, 4:00—5:00 p.m.

Teen Lounge, Main Library

[Register]

Applying to college this Fall? Join The College Essay Studio, Tuesdays in July and August from 4:00 - 5:00 p.m., to hone your writing, brainstorm in an inviting and safe environment, and leave equipped with skills that will go beyond college applications to essays you will be writing in college. Facilitator Cary Stough, a Brown University graduate and published writer, will lead you through the Common App 2022-2023 essay prompts, so none of it will be a surprise. This program is open to all teens, age 11-18, but recommended for high school students. Registration is required. Contact Teen Librarian Cary Stough for questions: cmstough@minlib.net.

Wednesday, July 6, 3:00—4:00 p.m.

Teen Lounge, Main Library

Teens - Join us every Wednesday in July and August from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m., for Magic: The Gathering tutorials and Practice. Whether you are a beginner or an old pro, you are going to learn a lot. Some decks will be provided by the Library, but are limited. We recommend you bring your own decks. Magic: The Gathering is a tabletop and digital collectible card game created by Wizards of the Coast. Released in 1993, Magic was the first trading card game and has since taken the world by storm. Cast spells, collect mana, and come play with us. This program is open to all teens, age 11-18. No registration is required. Contact Cary Stough for questions: cmstough@minlib.net. No registration required.

Teen Lounge, Main Library

The multi-talented, social media famous artist Claire Sun has returned to the Concord Free Public Library. Last summer, she dazzled participants with the popular Bullet Journaling workshop. This summer, she'll be introducing us to the world of Brush Lettering. Supplies will be provided by the presenter. Please register individually, and give ample notice if you must cancel your registration so we can give the spot to someone else. Program is reserved for teens only, ages 11-18. [Register]