Hours:
- Main Library: 10-6 (Mon., Tues., Wed., Fri.), 10-8 (Thurs.)
- Fowler Branch: 10-6 (Mon. through Fri.) (Closed 1–2 for cleaning)
- Special Collections: 10-6 (Mon. through Fri.)
- Closed on Sat. & Sun.
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Special Collections Highlights: Concord Stories, Episode 7: The Stones Cry Out: Epitaphs Carved by Ithamar Spauldin of Concord |
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The Special Collections Department presents Concord Stories, Episode 7: The Stones Cry Out: Epitaphs Carved by Ithamar Spauldin of Concord, featuring John Hanson.
John Hanson has been collecting and studying early New England epitaph verse for years. This presentation will share some representative verse from local gravestones and discuss their sources, including Scripture, hymnody, lyric poetry, and epitaphs made to order for a particular individual. The presentation will consider these epitaphs in the context of the work of one eighteenth-century Concord stone carver, Ithamar Spauldin, and his remarkably detailed account book, preserved in the William Munroe Special Collections at the Concord Free Public Library.
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Book-A-Mystery Book Group
Wednesday, July 21, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Love a good mystery? All are welcome to join our mystery book discussion in person at Fowler in the Large Meeting Room. July's title is The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie. Print copies of the title are available at the Fowler Branch for pickup. An eBook and an audiobook of the title are instantly available to check out via Hoopla. No registration required. |
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FREE Online Group Meditation with Be Well Be Here
Thursday, July 22, 8:30 - 9:00 a.m.
Join Be Well Be Here 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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Mindful Power Hour: Gratitude Practice
Tuesday, July 27, 7:30 - 8:15 p.m.
Engage in a new way of Being! Explore mindful wellness practices that help us Pause and Be present in every seasons. Learn techniques to release the grip of stress as you begin to settle the mind, honor the body and enhance overall wellbeing. Be Well Be Here founder, Lara Wilson, shares simple ways to integrate Gratitude Practice into daily life. The Mindful Power Hour is FREE and open to ALL! [ Register for Zoom Link] |
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Films at Fowler Series: Summer Art House |
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Films at Fowler Series continues in the summer months. The new theme for the summer is Summer Art House, and the six movies selected for the season are provocative, surprising, fun, and independent in spirit. Please watch—on your own time schedule—the selected movies on Kanopy, a free streaming service available to Library patrons. The group will then gather on Zoom on scheduled evenings for a lively movie discussion.
Wednesday, July 21, 7:00 p.m. (Discussion date on Zoom)
A father and his thirteen-year-old daughter are living an ideal existence in a vast urban park in Portland, Oregon when a small mistake derails their lives forever. [Watch Film on Kanopy]
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2021 Summer Reading Program |
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Join the Concord Free Public Library for the 2021 Summer Reading Program - children, teens, and adults are all encouraged to register for the program! This year’s program is titled “Tails & Tales” and features animal-themed programs and events from June 14 - August 6. Readers of all ages, from pre-readers to adult readers, can sign up online or by visiting the Main Library or Fowler Branch Library to sign up with a staff member.
Readers who register for the Summer Reading Program are able to track their reading, write reviews, earn badges online, and more. Set your own reading goals over the course of the summer, try out fun activities, search for our missing owls, and win prizes.
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Children's, Tween & Teen Events |
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Jacob Reads
All ages
Most Mondays, thirteen year-old Concordian Jacob reads a special story from our staff-curated list of 101 Picture Books Concord Free Public Library Loves! Can't make the Facebook video premiere at 10? No problem! "Jacob Reads" storytimes will be archived in a playlist, linked above.
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Outdoor Baby Time at the Main Library
Monday, July 19, 11:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Hear stories, songs, and rhymes in this gentle half-hour storytime for our very youngest readers. Outdoor programs may be cancelled in the case of inclement weather. No registration required.
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Bullet Journaling, Ages 12 and up
Monday, July 19, 4:00 - 5:15 p.m.
Lower Level Meeting Room, Main Library
Teens! Have you ever wanted to start a bullet journal? Are you interested in learning more about what it is? Join us for this 4-week, in-person workshop to learn the basics and explore the different elements of bullet journaling! Through the month we spend together, we will set up weekly spreads, create lots of cool trackers, and play around with different styles of journaling. All materials will be provided. Claire Sun is a local artist from Carlisle, Massachusetts who has been brush-lettering and bullet journaling for over five years. [ Register] |
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PJ Storytime on Zoom, Ages 5 and Under
Monday, July 19, 5:00- 5:30 p.m.
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Outdoor Storytime at Fowler
Tuesdays, 10:00-10:45 a.m. and 11:00 - 11:45 a.m.
Join Fowler Branch Librarian Dorrie Karlin 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. No registration required.
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Big 6 Read-Along at Fowler
Tuesday, July 20, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
For middle schoolers and high schoolers!
Getting started on your summer reading? Join classmates (and Madeline) at the Fowler Branch garden and jump into the books. Bring a copy of the book you have chosen or read one that we have on hand - we will do our best to have copies of both the middle school and high school books available. Sustenance (individually wrapped snacks) will be provided, but BYOH20 (bring your own water). If it is rainy, we will cancel. Keep an eye on our calendar for cancellations. It will take place outside, so dress for the weather. No registration required.
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Outdoor Storytime with Royce
Wednesdays, 10:00 - 10:30 a.m. and 10:30 - 11:00 a.m.
Join us on the lawn of the Main Library for an in-person storytime. We will enjoy stories, songs, and rhymes! We will gather near the Sudbury Road entrance in the enclosed garden. No registration required.
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Among Us, Ages 10-14
Wednesdays, 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.
Join friends, impostors, and the like over Zoom, and play the very popular, freely downloadable game Among Us. Ages 10-14.
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Shifting Gears: AAA Driving Series for Teens
Wednesdays, July 21, and 28, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Teens - join us for a free series hosted by AAA to learn about driving safety. Come to one, two, or all three workshops. July 28 - Learn about distracted driving and the risks that come with driving while distracted. [Register for July 21][July 28]
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Thursday Storytime from Fowler
Thursdays, 10:00 a.m.
Join Branch Librarian Dorrie for stories, songs, and rhymes. Please register to receive the Zoom link. For ages 5 and under. The same link will work weekly. [ Register for Zoom Link]
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Outdoor Concord Theater Puppet Show
Friday, July 23, 10:00 - 10:45 a.m.
Sudbury Road Garden, Main Library
Join Royce and Cary for a monthly puppet show. We will have songs, stories...as well as general puppet-y silliness. Stay tuned for puppet take-and-make crafts. In case of poor weather, outdoor programs may move to Zoom. [ Register] |
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Craft Lab at Fowler, Ages 12 and under
Friday, July 23, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Fowler Backyard
Drop by Fowler to craft, experiment, and create. Join us each week for hands-on artistic exploration. No registration required.
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Make Your Own Pet Treats, Ages 8-12
Friday, July 23, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Sudbury Road Garden, Main Library
Join us on the library’s front lawn as we celebrate our furry friends with instructor Mandy Roberge. We will make a batch of homemade dog treats (no nuts or eggs) and while they bake in the oven, we will sew an easy catnip mouse toy for your favorite feline. If you don't have pets, make treats for your neighbor or local animal shelter. This event is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library. [ Register] |
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Book Donations Accepted at the Main Library |
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We are pleased to announce that we have resumed accepting book donations at the Main Library location.
Please drop off your book donations by the elevator near the Reference Desk in the Lobby. You may also borrow a rolling bin from the Circulation Desk and wheel your donations to the drop-off spot. If you have a large donation and/or require assistance, please email the Friends of the Library to schedule an appointment.
We thank our online bookseller partner for the gracious use of the book bins near the Sudbury Road lot over this past year. These bins provided a means for patrons to donate books and for the Friends to receive a portion of the proceeds of all books sold. The bins will be removed at the end of July.
Our 2021 Annual Book Sale will take place on Saturday, September 11, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. on the front lawn.
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The Treasured Yellowwood Tree |
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A Note from the Concord Free Public Library Corporation -
Tropical storm Elsa came through Concord on Friday, July 9 and took down tree limbs throughout the town. One large fallen limb was from the treasured yellowwood tree outside the Children's Room of the Main Library.
This tree has been so loved throughout our Library’s history. However, after the Department of Public Works quickly addressed the fallen limb, which had crashed onto the windows of the Children’s Room, it became clear that the central trunk was rotted and for safety, the tree had to be removed.
The tree will be missed, but we are very grateful that no one was injured.
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