- Personal Essay Writing Workshops. One of Marina Keegan’s writing strengths was the compelling voice that comes through in her personal essays. As part of our “Wayland Reads” programming, Giulietta Nardone will conduct a Personal Essay Writing workshop on March 9, 16, and 23 from 7 to 8:30 pm. During the three-week program, participants will discuss essays from “The Opposite of Loneliness,” as well as selected others. Then they will jump right in and start writing essays of their own. Giulietta believes that almost everyone can write prose that is heartfelt, insightful, and universal. Seats are limited, so registration is required. Register through our event calendar at waylandlibrary.org.
- Book Discussion. Join Wayland Reads committee member Judy Hoyer at Panera in the Town Center on Friday, March 20, 10 a.m. for a discussion of “The Opposite of Loneliness.”
- Middle School Writing Workshop with Mrs. Corbet. Marina Keegan was always a curious and passionate writer and from an early age kept journals. As a middle schooler in Wayland and as a high schooler, she explored her ideas, hopes, and questions in words and sketches. Middle school writers are invited to join a workshop on Thursday, March 19, from 2:45-4:15 p.m. with Angela Corbet to explore their ideas, hopes, and questions. Angela Corbet recently retired from the Wayland Middle School where she taught English for many years. Register online through the event calendar at waylandlibrary.org.
- “Utility Monster” Play Reading and Talk Back. For members of the community who enjoyed “The Opposite of Loneliness,” this staged reading is an opportunity to experience more of Marina Keegan’s writing in a live performance. The play “Utility Monster” was performed at the Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theatre in 2013. Wayland High School students in Richard Weingartner’s advanced theater class will perform the reading, and Mr. Weingartner will lead a discussion (talk back) of the play and its themes following the reading. Thursday, March 26, 7 p.m. Location: Wayland High School Lecture Hall
DAVID HACKETT FISCHER. Wayland resident and Pulitzer Prize winner David Hackett Fischer will be at the library on Sunday, March 22, from 3-5 p.m. to give a program on “Wayland People in the World.” Dr. Fischer’s talk will center on people from Wayland who have had an effect on our country, like Lydia Maria Child, Archibald Cox, Robert Patterson, and others. Dr. Fischer is University Professor and Earl Warren Professor of History at Brandeis University. The recipient of many prizes and awards for his teaching and writing, he is the author of numerous books, including “Washington’s Crossing,” which was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in history.
Super Smash Bros. Tournament. Calling teen gamers! The library is having a Super Smash Bros. Brawl Tournament for teens on Wednesday, March 25, 1:45-3:45 p.m. (There will be other video and board games as well!) The Tournament will be run by Robert Lorino, gamer and Simmons library student. For more information, call Youth Services Librarian Pam McCuen at 508-358-2308.
WHS ART EXHIBIT-EXPLORATIONS Join the visual arts students of Wayland High School and the National Art Honors Society for their Youth Art Month celebration. Artwork will be on display in the Raytheon Room during March. Come experience the introductory work of Art 1, Art 2, Metals, and Digital Art & Photo students and join them on March 24, 6-7:30 p.m. for a reception.
DEVELOPING AN UNDERSTANDING AND A LOVE OF MATH WITH YOUR CHILD On Wednesday, April 15, at 7:30 p.m., Aidan McCann, Elementary Math Coach for the Wayland Schools, will talk about how to work with children to develop their understanding and love of math. He will answer questions like: What kinds of things should I do at home? And what really matters? Why are the basic “math facts” important? Most importantly, hear about how to help students understand that math can be fun! Aidan has worked with teachers and students for the past four years in Wayland, assisting in developing curriculum, implementing Common Core, and sharing engaging and successful math practices across the district.
POETRY READING On Wednesday, April 1, at 7 p.m., join three award-winning Massachusetts poets—Emily Ferrara, Zvi A. Sesling, and James B Nicola—in the library’s Raytheon Room as they read their work. The event is free and open to the public. Poetic patrons are invited to bring a favorite poem to share, time allowing. For more information, contact James B. Nicola at nicolajamesb@juno.com
DECONSTRUCTION DAY. Teens and ‘tweens! Bring old computers and other electronics to deconstruct and figure out how they work. Salvage useful parts for other projects. You might even be able to fix things if we discover how they are broken. Kevin Osborn will lead this hands-on workshop, which will be in the Raytheon Room on Wednesday, March 28, from 1:45-3:45. Federally funded by an LSTA grant awarded by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.
READ TO CORBYN THE SAMOYED. Children are invited to read to Corbyn, a beautiful Samoyed, on Saturday, March 21, from 11-12 noon. This is a drop-in event. No registration required. Corbyn and her owner Helen are certified through Pets and People Foundation to give read-to-a-dog programs
LIBRARY TECH CLASSES TO HELP YOU KEEP UP!
The library is running some workshops, described below, to help people stay apace with the techy world. Space is limited, and registration is recommended for all classes. Register by going to “Events” at waylandlibrary.org or by calling the library at 508-358-2311.
- Social Media Morning, Wednesday, March 18, 10-11a.m. Social media are transforming communication for people and the organizations and businesses they work with. An overview of Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr, Google Plus, and LinkedIn for people curious to learn about sharing on these platforms.
- ReferenceUSA for Company Info, Thursday, March 19, 1-2 p.m. Find companies and their executives, sort them by location, and see how successful they are.
- Intro to the iPad/iPhone—Part 2, Monday, March 23, 2 p.m. Did you know your iPad has three keyboards? You’ll also learn about: autocorrect and predictive text to speed up typing; copying and pasting text with your finger, Google search in the Safari web address bar, and article-save for offline reading.
- Overdrive: the Library eBook App, Monday, March 30, 2 p.m. Discover how easy it is to find, reserve, and download library ebooks and eAudiobooks. You’ll also learn how to modify the print size and color, and how to create bookmarks. Bring your Apple ID and password.
MASTERS OF ITALY WITH FRANK SMITH. Classics scholar Frank Smith is back this spring teaching a four-week course that traces the history, art, and culture of the Italian provinces of Lazio, Umbria, and Tuscany. The course will begin with the Etruscans, move on to the Romans, and will journey through the Middle Ages and into the Renaissance, ending with the world of Michelangelo and his contemporaries. The class will meet on the following Tuesdays: March 17, 24, 31 and April 7 from 1-3 p.m.
GREAT DECISIONS. The Great Decisions Program empowers readers to discuss global issues shaping U.S. foreign policy and the world. The library has sponsored a Great Decisions group for many years. This year’s first meeting will be on March 6 in the Raytheon Room, and the topic under discussion will be “Russia and the Near Abroad.” For more information about joining the group, contact Steve Engler at 508-358-4980 or steve@englersite.com.
BOOK GROUPS FOR ADULTS Our book groups generally meet monthly. Drop in and check one out! Upcoming dates are:
- Evening Book Group Monday, April 6, at 7 p.m., “The Story of Lucy Gault” by William Trevor
- Armchair Travel Book Group Wednesday, April 8, at 11:30 a.m., “Long Way Round: Chasing Shadows Across the World” by Ewan McGregor and Charlie Boorman
- Noontime Book Group Friday, April 10, at 12 noon, “Brideshead Revisited” by Evelyn Waugh
- Non-Fiction Book Group Tuesday, April 21, 7-9 p.m., “The Johnstown Flood” by David McCullough
Needlework/Handwork Group Our needlework group is a group facilitated by Ann Moses for people to work on needlework and handwork projects together. It generally meets on the first Wednesday morning of each month in the library’s Raytheon Room. Upcoming meetings are scheduled for April 1, May 6, and June 3.
