Adult Programs

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All programs are free and open to the public. 

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Front entrance is handicap accessible. 

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Click on the calendar for Library activities.  
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Fall Programs

Electronic Database Workshops

One-on-one workshops with Assistant Director Mike O'Connor to learn about virtual services available to library users.  Call Mike to make an appointment:  978-526-2017 or email moconnor@mvlc.org.  Free Ebsco book bag to participants while supplies last.

Wednesday, September 10, 6:30 PM - author Bill Sargent to discuss Storm Surge : a coastal village battles the rising Atlantic.
William Sargent, relative of the painter John Singer Sargent and son of a former governor of Massachusetts, is a consultant for the NOVA Science series. He is also the author of The House on Ipswich Marsh (UPNE, 2005), Crab Wars: A Tale of Horseshoe Crabs, Bioterrorism, and Human Health (UPNE, 2002), and A Year in the Notch: Exploring the Natural History of the White Mountains.
From Library Journal
This slim book describes the effect of storm-accelerated coastal erosion on the town of Chatham, Massachusetts, and how the problem is viewed by homeowners, fishers, scientists, and engineers. Sargent, a Cape Cod-based science writer and consultant to the PBS series Nova, addresses the conflicts between residents whose homes are at risk and environmental policies based on scientific evidence that is subject to change. However, his format of short, diary-like entries made every few months over a seven-year period seems disjointed, and we don't really get to know the people he briefly introduces to us. The subject would have benefited from a more in-depth treatment, but Sargent does present an evenhanded view of a complex subject that should be of interest to more than just coastal residents.
Gary Williams, Southeastern Ohio Regional Lib., Caldwell
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
 

Wednesday, September 24, 6:30 PM - Cummings & Whidden on restoring old homes.
Mathew Cummings, (left), lead archiect of Cummings Architects, LLC, and James Whidden (right), a skilled "woodwright" (joiner and timber framer), have created a program to teach old house owners (or those who want to be) about the best practices in old house restoration.
Mathew Cummings and James Whidden have restored some of the most historically significant 17th- and 18th-century houses still standing on the North Shore. Hear what these experts can teach you about the restoration process, and how they work closely with each client to "do it right."

Mathew Cummings has practiced architecture for 23 years. He is the lead architect for Cummings Architects, LLC in Ipswich, Mass. His many historic restoration/renovation projects include the Day-Dodge House (Ipswich, ca. 1747), White Horse Inn (Ipswich, ca. 1658), and Knowlton House (Ipswich, ca. 1725). He is a trustee of the Ipswich Historical Society, and a volunteer for the Boston Society of Architects.

James Whidden is a master joiner, including timber framing. For over 20 years he has practiced the art of recreating early American woodwork, hoping to preserve a vanishing skill. His woodworking shop is in Ashburnham, Mass., but his projects are primarily on the North Shore including the Day-Dodge House (Ipswich, ca. 1747) and the Captain Sutton House

 
 

Thursday, September 25, 6:30 PM - Bill Rappa, author of Doing it Wrong
After a teaching career of 36 years, Bill Rappa retired from the Lynn, MA school system, to write his first novel. Like his character JT in Doing It Wrong, he became disillusioned by the dumbing-down of the educational system. Biil will speak about his novel, and his experiences. Read more...

 

Monday, September 29, 6:30 PM - Emancipation Proclamation
Attorney and former Marine Corps officer DeLane Andersen, of the Civil War Roundtables of Massachusetts will speak on the 145 anniversary of Lincoln’s greatest act as president.
 

Wednesday, October 1, 6:30 PM - Steve Elman and Alan Tolz will discuss their tribute to Jerry Williams, "inventor of talk radio," Burning up the Air.  Barbara Anderson and Bob Katzen will discuss Jerry Williams, the "inventor of talk radio," with biographers Elman and Tolz.
Anderson, who heads Citizens for Limited Taxation, and Katzen, who directs Beacon Hill Roll Call news service, were both members of "The Governors" political commentary team, heard on WRKO with the Dean of Talk Radio, Jerry Williams. They'll remember their late colleague and friend with the authors of Williams's biography, who will bring along great audio and historic photos from Jerry's career. Jon Keller of Channel 4 and WBZ radio says that the new book by Elman and Tolz, Burning Up the Air, is "perhaps the best ever written about talk radio."
 
Boston Magazine, March, 2008
"Long before Imus and Carr, there was Jerry Williams, a talk-radio pioneer who took aim at the Hub's politicians and the outrages they trafficked in. This bio (the authors are both former producers for Williams, who died in 2003) makes like quality radio: no cheap superficiality, or lingering on any one point. Fast-paced and crisply written, it succeeds at placing William's rise and fall in vivid historical context. As the host would have wanted, there is no dead air in this show."
 

Wednesday, October 8, 6:30 PM - Everything you've ever wanted to know about Google with Barbara Andrews.
There are so many free functions available from Google, you will be amazed.  Barbara Andrews will demonstrate and answer your questions on using Google to its maximum potential.
After more than 25 years teaching and working in libraries, Barbara A. Andrews has established Andrews Consulting to provide training and consulting services to libraries and other organizations.

From April 1998 - December 2004, Barbara served as the Assistant Regional Administrator for the Metrowest Massachusetts Regional Library System.  Prior to employment at Metrowest, Barbara was the Assistant Library Director at Newbury College, and Reference Computer/Resources Librarian at Massachusetts School of Law.  While attending Simmons College, she worked as a Database Designer at SilverPlatter Information and also in Reference and Cataloging at the Plymouth Public Library.  Before working in the Library field, Barbara was employed for many years as a Professor and Director of the Radiologic Technology Program at the Massachusetts Bay Community College. 

Barbara has a Masters in Science Degree in Library and Information Science from Simmons College and a Masters in Administration with a specialization in Business from Framingham State College.  

 
 

Saturday, October 18, 3 PM - Local resident, Jeff Longcor, on his adventure, climbing Mount Aconcaqua in the Andes.

Jeff’s parents raised him with a love for adventure and the excitement of overcoming challenges in the outdoors.  He was an Eagle Scout of Manchester Troop 3 and a graduate of Manchester High School.  He attended Tufts University where he became involved in the Tufts Mountain Club and the Tufts Wilderness Orientation program.  His experiences include river rafting down the Grand Canyon, a month long mountaineering course with NOLS, and countless trips to the mountains and lakes of northern New England.  Jeff met climbing partner, Ed Warren, on a 2007 winter mountaineering trip along the presidential ridge.  Through Ed's leadership and guidance, Jeff acquired the necessary skills and experience to successfully summit the highest mountain outside of the Himalayas, Mount Aconcaqua, which towers 23,000 feet over the Andes in Argentina.
  
 

Wednesday, October 29, 7 PM - Heritage Films presents Cape Ann Ghosts
Presented by Dan Tremblay of Heritage Films
 

Wednesday, Nov 5, 6:30 PM - Dorothy Stevens, local author of Kwa Heri Means Goodbye: Memories Of Kenya 1957-1959 will speak.
 

 
 

Monday, November 10, 6:30 PM - Al Smith of the Civil War Roundtables on the  Gettysburg Address
 

Wednesday, November 30, 6:30 PM - Meet Terry Walker, nature photographer
"I love wild places. They penetrate my soul and uplift my spirit like nothing else on earth. I return to them year-in and year-out for renewal like a migrating bird driven by instinct. The farther I venture into them, the deeper I fall in love with them…Although 'wild' by nature, these places give me comfort. They calm the beast in me. And quell the chaos of modern living. They are where I feel most at peace with myself. What laws of nature frame such an enigmatic contradiction? I do not know. It is one of those unsolved mysteries of life that photographers like myself are left in solitude to ponder on film. A mystery for which I have no desire to find an answer, but merely delight in exploring." (Terry Walker)

Mr. Walker’s images have appeared in Ansel Adams' Polaroid Land Photography.  Mr. Walker emphasizes the miniature wonder of nature rather than Adams’ grand vistas.  Walker still uses a Nikon film camera and natural light. 

Space is limited, register early.  978-526-2017

 
 

Winter

Wednesday, January 7, 6:30 PM - Local author, Linda C. Greenberg, a senior citizen who works as an adoption coordinator at the Marblehead no-kill animal shelter will discuss her book No Fleas On Us: Animal Shelter Tales.
 

Adult Book Clubs

The Hearthside Book Club meets on the 1st Tuesday of each month (September through June) at 4:00 PM in the Reading Room of the Manchester Public Library.  Copies of the books are available in the Library one month before they are discussed.   New members are welcomed.
Click here for Schedule and Titles.

Everyone is welcome to the Mystery Book Discussion Group.  The group meets on the last Friday of the month (with some exceptions) at 10:30 AM.  Copies of the books are available in the Library one month before they are discussed.  New members are welcome!  Click here for Schedule and Titles.  Click here for the Mystery Blog.

Non-fiction Book Group meets monthly on Monday evenings, 7 PM (usually the first Monday of the month).  
New members are always welcome.  Members recommend books for the group to read.  The Library provides copies for the members to borrow.  Click here for Schedule and Titles.

 

Computer Classes

The library provides free computer workshops by appointment.  Choose the best time for you to learn (or brush up on) the Internet, IPAC (on-line catalog), E-mail, Search Engines, NetLibrary, Subscription Databases, or a topic of your choice.  Make an appointment today for one-on-one assistance from a staff member.  Designate the day, time and topic.  Don't put off getting your digital feet wet any longer.  Stop in or call the library at 978-562-7711 or email: moconnor@mvlc.org

 

Food Drive

Twice a year, June and December, the library collects non-perishable food in for the Cape Ann Food Pantry, in Gloucester.

Children's Programs
Children's programs are free and open to all, infants through junior high.  Some programs are limited to certain ages and require registration.  For more information on children's programs go to the Children's page or call the library at 978-526-7711.
There were 144 children's programs in 2000, with 2,982 children attending.  Programs included regular story times as well as one time events such as movies and concerts.  The Friends of the Manchester Library and the Hooper Fund sponsor many of the children's programs.

Mother Goose Asks Why? - Schedule varies
Offers science based stories, experiments, programs, and materials in the Children's Room for ages 3-7 and a caregiver. The Children's Room received a $10,000 LSTA grant from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners in 2003 to start this program. 

Pentominoes - a student and parent book group.
Meets once a month on Tuesdays, 7-8 PM.  For information contact Sara Collins, Children's Librarian, 978-526-2016, or scollins@mvlc.org.

Story Times 
Schedule changes each season.  Check the calendar before dropping in.
bulletMother Goose: for infants-2½ and a parent. Story Times are 20 minutes and include simple books, songs, and finger plays.  
bulletPreschoolers-Kindergarten: for ages 3-5, children only. Story Times are 40 minutes and include books, songs, and simple crafts. 

Homework Center
The Homework Center was funded through a federal LSTA Grant and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (2001).

Summer Activities 

Summer activities include book clubs, crafts, and special events which center around a theme.  The theme for the coming summer is announced during National Library Week in April.
Click here for Children's Room
 
 

Young Adult Services
Thanks to a LSTA grant from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners in 2007, the Library has expanded programs and services to young adults in the community, ages 11-18.  The two year, $20,000 grant provides for materials, programs, and a new Young Adult Librarian, Eileen Fitzgerald (efitzgerald@mvlc.org).
 

T@L?K! - a Teen Advisory Board - Visit our Blog, click on T@L?K!
Open to all teens, ages 11-18.  Members will recommend books, DVDs, programs, and furnishings for the Library.  For information contact Sara Collins, Children's Librarian, 978-526-2016, scollins@mvlc.org, or efitzgerald@mvlc.org, Young Adult Librarian. 
 

T@L?K! Book Club - Open to all teens ages 11-18.

Summer Volunteen Program

Volunteens are a volunteer opportunity for students who have or will have completed grades 6th -12th by the close of the school year. The volunteens participate in a variety of tasks adjusted by need, interest, and ability.  Over the course of a typical summer, the group will provide a total of 150-200 hours of volunteer work assisting with children’s summer programs, making displays, shelving books, photocopying, inputting computer data, etc. The contribution made by the volunteens allows us to have a very busy summer reading program for the hundreds of children who participate in our summer programs. The experience gained by the students fulfills the volunteer requirements of many schools and provides a good beginning at collecting work experience and resume building. The best experiences have been had by students who pick up their own applications, return it, and follow through on the process themselves.  Please contact Sara Collins with any questions, 978 526-2016 or scollins@mvlc.org.

 

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15 Union St.  Manchester, MA 01944    978-526-7711    manchester@mvlc.org