MBTS PUBLIC LIBRARY NEWS & EVENTS

Manchester Reads 2023 begins April 1st and runs all month. We will be celebrating laughter, humor and joy with the theme "Lighten Up at the Library." We will be reading a graphic novel: “Number One is Walking” written by Steve Martin and illustrated by Harry Bliss. We will interview Harry Bliss over Zoom on Thursday, April 13 at 7PM and you are invited! Register here. Help us decide what classic film to watch on Friday April 7th by voting between two classic comedies every week. This week it is "Pillow Talk" vs "Roman Holiday."  Comment on your favorite on Facebook or Instagram and visit us to vote in person. You can vote once, every time you visit!

IN-PERSON & HYBRID EVENTS FOR ALL AGES

Beekeeping 101
THURSDAY, MARCH 23 AT 5:30—6:30PM

Manchester residents Mike and Martha Chapman have been beekeepers for over 15 years. Last year, they had five hives at various locations around their neighborhood. Mike is a graduate of Essex County Beekeepers “Bee School”. This is a great intro for beginners looking to get connected and learn the basics.

“Beekeeping 101” will be a brief discussion of bees and beekeeping based on Mike and Martha’s personal experiences over the years. Registration is required

Author Chat with Stella Nahatis ("Taxi to America: A Greek Orphan's Adoption Journey")
TUESDAY, MARCH 28 AT 6—7PM

Join local author, Stella Nahatis and librarian, Maddy Willwerth as we discuss Stella's newly released memoir, "Taxi to America: A Greek Orphan's Adoption Journey." Registration is required and coffee and tea will be provided. Copies of the book will be available for sale; cash, check and venmo accepted. Stella has also offered to sign books at the end of the chat.

Stella Nahatis was born in northern Greece and lived there until adoption by Greek emigrants landed the 11-year-old orphan in the United States of America. After overcoming the hurdles inherent to the immigrant experience; assimilation language barrier and cultural differences, resilient and strong Stella embraced her new country with fervor. Stella and her husband Charles live in Manchester by the Sea.

Seasonal Stories & Bingo
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29 AT 3:30—4:15PM

Join Ms. Carol for stories and picture bingo. For children ages 3-6 and their caregivers. Registration is required, with a minimum of 3 children needed to play.

Make a Night Sky Painting with Pop-Up Art School
THURSDAY, MARCH 30 AT 5:30—7PM

Join Pop-Up Art School for a fun canvas painting event at the library. Follow along step-by-step to create a magical star-filled night sky with silhouettes of a hillside and trees. It's amazing what you can create with four colors and some simple brush techniques! This event is appropriate for beginner painters ages 11-Adult. Registration is required.

Mystery Book Group
FRIDAY, MARCH 31 AT 10:30—11:30AM

The Manchester Mystery Book Group meets on the last Friday of the month at 10:30 AM.  Email [email protected] with any questions or to get connected with the group. We will discuss "The Godwulf Manuscript" by Robert B. Parker. Physical copies will be available at the circulation desk in late February or you can check out an ebook or audiobook through the Libby app. Use your MBTS library card to sign up for Libby for free. New members are always welcome. For the date, times, and book of the month during 2023 please Click Here.

Discover Tarot
FRIDAY, MARCH 31 AT 6—7:30PM

How can a deck of cards tell you the story of your life? Tarot began as a game but has evolved into so much more. It illuminates our life path through pictures and helps us navigate how to move forward towards our true destiny. Join tarot teacher, Laura Campagna, for a fun workshop to learn how to read tarot. No experience necessary. Participants will connect with their intuition and gain confidence in reading for themselves or friends.  You can bring your own Tarot deck, if you have one or the library will supply you with a deck. Please also bring a journal and pen or pencil. This program is for ages 12 - Adult and registration is required.

Virtual Events

Romance Authors Rodale & Linden discuss "Dangerous Books For Girls" (Virtual)
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22 AT 7:00—8:00PM

Join us for a conversation between friends and romance authors Maya Rodale and Caroline Linden! They'll be discussing Maya's re-released and expanded edition of "Dangerous Books For Girls: The Bad Reputation of Romance Novels Explained". Bring your popcorn because this is going to be a good one! Due to the nature of the topics discussed this event is suggested for an Adult audience.

About the Book: Long before clinch covers and bodice rippers, romance novels have had a bad reputation as the lowbrow lit of desperate housewives and hopeless spinsters. But in fact, romance novels—the escape and entertainment of choice for millions of women—might prove to be the most revolutionary writing ever produced. Dangerous Books for Girls examines the origins of the genre’s bad reputation—from the “damned mob of scribbling women” in the nineteenth century to the sexy mass-market paperbacks of the twentieth century—and shows how these books have inspired and empowered generations of women to dream big, refuse to settle, and believe they’re worth it. 

This program is is made possible through a partnership with the Ashland Public Library.

Learn All About Fixit Clinics! The How and Why! (Virtual)
TUESDAY, MARCH 28 AT 1—2PM

We are partnering with Peter Mui, the founder of the Fixit Clinic and Kathi Mirza, an Environmental Analyst for MassDEP, to bring you the nuts and bolts of hosting or attending a Fixit Clinic in your very own community! Peter will discuss the history, the resources his organization offer to get a clinic off the ground, and the repair movement. Kathi will discuss local sources that libraries and community members can access to support Fixit Clinic programming in the Commonwealth. Meena Jain, Director of the Ashland Library, will discuss the Fixit Clinics the APL has hosted and the impact they've had. Discover more about the movement to fix it instead of tossing it!

This program is made available through a partnership with the Ashland Public Library. 

Weekly Events

Craft Circle by the Hearthside
SUNDAYS AT 2-3PM

Digital Advice with Expanded Hours
MONDAYS: APPOINTMENTS AT 11:30AM, 12PM & 12:30PM & DROP-IN FROM 1-2PM

ALTERNATING THURSDAYS: APPOINTMENTS AT 6PM          

Registration is required for the 3 appointments on Monday and the 1 appointment on Thursday. Click Here to register. 

F.E.E.D. Families Exploring Equity & Diversity Stories and Activities

7 WEEK SERIES BEGINS MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27 AT 3:30—4:15PM

Families and children ages 3.5 - 5 are invited to share stories and activities with educator and diversity trainer, Lindsay Banks and Manchester Public Library Children's Librarian, Carol Bender. Registration is encouraged but not required. Click Here to register or for more info. 

Dungeons and Dragons
TUESDAYS 3:30-5PM

For Ages 11-18. Most Tuesday and registration is required. Click Here for more details and to register. 

Tai Chi Class
WEDNESDAYS AT 9:45-10:45AM

Safety Registration Form must be completed before 1st session. Fill out the form here. 

Shut Up and Write!
WEDNESDAYS AT 10:30 AM-12PM

Virtual over Zoom and registration is required. Email [email protected] for the zoom link.

Stories & Songs in the Children's Room
WEDNESDAYS 10:30-11AM

For our youngest patrons and thier caregivers, ages birth-6. Registration is required and space is limited. Click Here to register.

Mindfulness Meditation
EVERY OTHER THURSDAY AT 11AM-12PM

Alida Bryant is a Dharma Leader and meditation instructor under the guidance of Anam Thubten Rinpoche. She has been meditating for over 30 years (still very much a beginner!) and studying and practicing with lineage holders in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Beginners and experienced meditators are welcome. There will be guided meditation, some silence, and discussion. Registration is encouraged but not required. Click Here to register or for more info. 

Chess Club in the Teen Loft
THURSDAYS AT 3—4:15PM

Come out and "rook" the house (sorry, chess humor) with club organizers Marcel and Milla and their energetic middle school group of aspiring grandmasters! Ages 9-11 must register for every week you can make it as space is limited!

Check Out Free Virtual Resources

We are always open online where you can check out our free to use digital collection! There you can find a great selection of eBooks, Audiobooks, movies and TV shows to stream and enjoy along with many other digital resources by using your Manchester-by-the-Sea Public Library card.

Audio Book Cloud is a database of streaming audiobooks of over 1200 titles in popular literature, classics, children and teen books, mystery, sci-fi, history, biography and more

Creativebug is a resource that offers over 1,000 high-quality online videos in arts and crafts instructional workshops and techniques. Learn how to paint, knit, crochet, sew, screenprint, make jewelry and more! No matter what level maker you are, you can find a crafting medium that fuels your creative side! When accessing Creativebug from home you will need your library card’s barcode numbers. If you do not have access to your library card, please see a librarian at the Manchester Library.

Download eBooks, Audio Books, Streaming Video and Magazines. To sign in, choose your library system from the dropdown menu — Massachusetts-by-the-Sea library cardholders are considered Merrimack Valley Library patrons (MVLC); use your library card number and pin to login. Download or stream across multiple devices using the Libby app.