Closures:
Sunday, Sept. 3 & Monday, Sept. 4 - Labor Day Holiday
Sunday, Sept 10 & 17 - Closed

Notices:
Sunday hours are back beginning Sunday, Sept. 24. Library hours will be 1-5 pm on Sundays through April 2024.

For those patrons who wish to continue pickup outside, please go to 'Curbside' under Services on our website or contact the Circulation Desk at 781.275.9440 for details.

ALL closings, whether planned (such as holidays) or unplanned (such as power outages, weather, etc.) are posted in the banner across the top of our website at https://bedfordlibrary.net/

Get in Your Element this September—

Sign Up For A Library Card!

From borrowing books, ebooks, and museum passes to getting homework help, learning new skills, or attending story time, a library card helps you do more of what you enjoy. Get a library card and dive into a new hobby. Use your library card to spark your creativity.

A library card is your most important school supply—it's elemental, really—and everyone should have one!

It's Free - It's easy - More Info

Conference Room
Available Beginning Tuesday, Sept. 5

We are pleased to announce the 3rd Floor Conference Room will be made available to small groups for use beginning Tuesday, September 5.

This room is designed for groups of four to eight people. The room is equipped with a conference table and eight chairs, a white board and a wall-mounted monitor with cables to which a laptop may be connected for use. The room will be available from 9:30 am until 1/2 hour prior to Library closing Monday to Saturday. Sunday the room will be available from 1:30-4:30 pm. You will be able to view the calendar of available dates and times for the room from our website.

All requests must be made online via the reservation form.  All requests will be reviewed as they are received, after which an email will be sent confirming receipt of reservation. After review, an email will be sent with the outcome of the review. 

You will find further details, terms of use, and the calendar of availability on our website at

https://www.bedfordlibrary.net/services/study-rooms/

Please select 'Conference Room' option

Special Online Series For The Fall

Conversations With The Author

[All Online Via Zoom Links]

Wednesday, Sept 13  @ 7:00 PM

Q&A with Author, Heather Wolf
This one is for our bird and nature lovers! Author Heather Wolf will discuss her new book "Find More Birds: 111 Surprising Ways to Spot Birds Wherever You Are". It will be a fascinating conversation about being in the moment and noticing the wonderful and varied birds around us...even in your own backyard!

Please register at: 
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/3316865947241/WN_Qkb1tHUbR06H62iRFxlpJw

Monday, Sept 15  @ 7:00 Pm

Q&A with Author, Erica Cirino
Erica Cirino, photojournalist, scientist, and artist, will discuss her book "Thicker Than Water: The Quest for Solutions to the Plastic Crisis". Erica hopes to share important facts and immediate action we can take to help our communities and protect our health from plastics.

Please register at: 
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/8116865947576/WN_rs2DQ6poSv-YN9i4ENTvWg

Wednesday, Sept 20 @ 7:00 Pm

Q&A with Historical Fiction & Romance Author, Piper Huguley
Piper Huguley is an author of historical fiction featuring African American characters. She tells the untold stories of people who might have been lost to time. Her most recent book, "By Her Own Design: a novel of Ann Lowe, Fashion Designer to the Social Register" tells the inspiring story of the Black fashion designer of Jackie Kennedy’s wedding dress. Join us for this very special event!

Please register at:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/2516904875076/WN_mP4xBaFUT0OjtLMOD9kjnw

Celebrate Bedford Day and get a head start on holiday gift shopping all in one big event.

As always, the Friends have thousands of fiction and non-fiction books, DVDs, CDs and more for adults, teens and children. Don’t miss out on some wonderful books and merchandise at great prices. 

And remember, 100% of all proceeds go directly to support Bedford Public Library programs and acquisitions.

Thursday, September 28
10:00-11:00 AM

Welcome Back! 

Reunion Episode
It's been a while since last we met. Here's our chance to reunite! Let's share what we discovered during the summer months. This meeting will be held via Zoom.

Join the Zoom Meeting at:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83930719189?pwd=T2ZhV2VONnh3VmhLSTNsSCtzUlBWUT09
Meeting ID: 839 3071 9189
Passcode: 034000

It's the fall and activities turn toward educational pursuits and personal skill development. Need help with using apps or creating social media accounts to help you in your endeavors? Patrons can book a half-hour appointment with our Head of Reference Services by contacting the Reference Desk at 781-275-9440 option 3. Be sure to bring any needed passwords along with your device.

Slots available at:

7-7:30 pm / 7:30-8 pm / 8-8:30 pm

Location: Reference Desk/Area

for Teens

1:00 PM - Wednesdays after school - 1st Floor Meeting Room
Food ~ Friends ~ Fun!

For September 2023:

9/13 - Back to School Buttons
- Design your own pins and make them with our button maker.

9/20 - Perler Bead Pixel Art
- Use fuse beads to create pixelated art.
9/27 - Board Games 
- Play a favorite board game or learn a new one.

MA Teen Choice Book Award Club

Voting for the MTCBA begins on September 1st!

If you read any of the nominated books, you are eligible to vote! Stop by the MTCBA display in the Teen Area for more information.

Open to everyone going into Grades 6-12.

No registration necessary.

For Tweens

Homeschool Book Clubs
Friday, September 29 at 10:30—11:30 AM

For Ages 11-14
Location: Reference Meeting Room

Home school students are invited to join us as we read and discuss with Teen Librarian Pam.

September's Book: 
When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson

'When Stars Are Scattered' follows co-author Mohamed and his younger brother, Hassan, who were born in Somalia and fled to a refugee camp in Kenya when they were toddlers. Although an older woman adopted the brothers, they never stopped searching for their mother.  Eventually, they were able to move to the United States'.

Registration requested.

Have a younger child? They can join Children's Librarian Sue at the same time in a group meant for ages 8-11.

For Ages 8-11
Location: 1st Floor Meeting Room

Home school students are invited to join us as we read, discuss and complete activities with Miss Sue.

September's Book: 
Because of the Rabbit by Cynthia Lord

Emma, who has been homeschooled since kindergarten, is looking forward to starting fifth grade at a public school. The day before school starts, her father, a game warden, rescues an injured bunny from a fence. Emma convinces him to take it home for the night. On her first day of school, she's partnered with an animal-obsessed autistic boy named Jack, and the two bond over the rescue bunny.

Registration requested.

MA Children's Book Award (MCBA) Club

Thursday, September 14
4:00-5:00 pm
Location: Meeting Room, 1st Floor

Kids entering 4th-6th grade this Fall are invited to join us!

The Massachusetts Children's Book Award (MCBA) is a list of nominees put out by teachers and librarians every year that becomes a kids choice award. Students that read at least 5 books on the list before April 2024 can vote for their favorite to be announced in May. We will read a book from the list each month.

September's book:
Another Kind
(a graphic novel!)
by Trevor Bream and Illustrator, Cait May

Summary: Tucked away in a government facility nicknamed the Playroom, six not-quite-human kids learn to control their strange and unpredictable abilities. Life is good--or safe, at least--hidden from the prying eyes of a judgmental world. That is, until a security breach forces them out of their home and into the path of the Collector, a mysterious being with leech-like powers. Can the group band together to thwart the Collector's devious plan, or will they wind up the newest addition to his collection?

 Register Here.

Saturday
Sept 9
10:30-11 am
All ages

Summer is over but Sarah is still going to be here with all the music and fun we’ve come to enjoy!  Join her for singing, dancing, and lots of music-making.

This event moves indoors for the season.

No Registration Needed

Monday, Sept. 18
4:00-4:45 PM
All ages welcome.

A New monthly craft program - 'Creation Station'

Each month there will be one craft to follow (if you want) and various craft supplies to make anything you can think up.

No Registration Needed

Construction Club 
Monday, Sept. 11
4:00-4:45 pm

Join us monthly for Construction Club - we'll have Legos, Keva Planks, and other fun building blocks. This is an unguided program and children are encouraged to use their creativity to build alone or together. Materials may change month to month.

Best for K-5, but siblings are welcome.

No Registration Needed

Tuesday, Sept. 19

4:00-4:45 PM
Best for 4+

September 19 is Talk Like a Pirate Day and we plan on celebrating! "HAAARRRR!"

Join us in the meeting room for crafts, games and more!

No Registration Needed

Wednesday, Sept. 20
11:00-11:45 PM
All ages welcome

Join us for a younger version of Construction Club.
There won't be any Legos, but there will be lots of other fun things with which to build.
No registration necessary.

Wednesday, Sept. 13
10:30-11:15 AM
 all ages welcome

Join us as one of our most popular events returns - play dough day! Mix, make and play with dough that is safe to eat (though we don't recommend it).

In order to contain the mess of this event, caregivers do need to be able to sit on the floor with their little ones.

No Registration Needed

Family Storytime Begins
Wednesday, Sept. 27
10:30-11:00 AM

Join Miss Nicole for an all ages weekly storytime including books, stories, rhymes, shakers, scarves and more.

No Registration Needed

Irate Story & Craft

Thursday, Sept. 14
10:30-11:15am

All ages welcome

Join Miss Nicole for a special pirate themed storytime, followed by a craft.

No Registration Needed

Thursday, Sept. 28 
10:30-11:00 AM

Join us and learn all the parts of storytime, in a shortened time - about 20 minutes. Designed to introduce children to storytime, all songs and rhymes will be repeated each week so children can learn what to expect, how to participate and grow their listening ears. 

No Registration Needed

Friday, Sept. 15
10:30-11 am
Best for toddlers, 2+

Sing, dance, and make merry noise in this guided exploration of music and movement for young children and their caregivers.

Dress comfortably.
No Registration Needed

Pirate Ship Building
Saturday, Sept. 30
10:30-11:30 AM

All ages welcome.

Join us in the morning and use your imagination to create a pirate ship out of a cardboard box and some other materials.

No Registration Needed

Unless otherwise noted, Library programs are made possible through the generous support of the Friends of the Bedford Free Public Library.

To become a 'friend', visit their website.

Click Here for more information about Bedford Free Public Library News - September 2023