WESTFORD — Assistant Library Director Kristina Leedberg has shared the most recent edition of “What’s Happening at the Library?” with WestfordCAT.
Unless otherwise noted, programs are generously funded by the Friends of the Library, Inc.
Director’s Corner: In case you didn’t see the exciting news — on July 7, the elected Board of Library Trustees received a Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program grant notification from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC). The MBLC is the state agency which oversees public libraries in the Commonwealth, and administers critical state-wide grants, programs and funds, including oversight of the MASSACHUSETTS PUBLIC LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM.
Westford is currently #5 on the Construction Grant waitlist, and has received notification of its potential award one year earlier than expected, due to increased funding at the state level. The $7.85 million Library Building grant and additional needed municipal funding will require municipal approval by voters within six months, by a two-thirds majority at the Special Town Meeting scheduled for October 17 and by a majority on the November 8 ballot.
Young Adult Writers’ Club: Tue., July 19 at 2 p.m. A chance to meet up with fellow writers to discuss your latest projects, read your work aloud if you want to, and write in a relaxing and encouraging space. YA Librarian Jess will be present at each meeting with writing prompts, brain exercises, and snacks! Register here.
Library Garden Check in with Fresh Start Food Gardens: Wed., July 20 at 10:00 a.m. We will be monitoring the progress in our library garden with Fresh Start Food Gardens – Christine Berthold will be back to help us observe and care for our spring planted garden bags. We can talk about what is growing, what it looks like, did we find any bugs, have the critters left us alone? This fun informational program is for kids ages 4 to 10 with a caregiver. Come and learn how you can help us take care of the library garden! Register here.
VIRTUAL JOB SEARCH HELP FOR 50 & OVER – Create Your “Career Story” Pitch: Wed., July 20, 9:30-11:30 a.m. The Massachusetts Library Collaborative’s 50+ Job Seekers Group meets on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month, from 9:30am to 11:30am, via Zoom. If you are unemployed and actively looking, underemployed, seeking a new career direction, re-entering the job market after a long employment gap, or recently retired and looking for your “Encore Career”, this networking group program is perfect for you! Register here.
The Yo-Yo-Guy: Thu., July 21 at 1:00 p.m. World Champion and four-time Guinness World record holder John Higby will be here to present his unique high energy comedy yo-yo show. This program takes place outside unless it rains – then it is in the Meeting Room. For ages four and up. This program is generously funded by the KDK Foundation in honor of Kurt Kelly. Register here.
Virtual American Gilded Age Heiresses: Thu., July 21 at 7:00 p.m. Long before the British Invasion, cash-strapped British aristocrats shifted from hunting foxes to more lucrative targets: cash-flush Gilded Age American socialites willing to trade their family’s money for an ancient title and often a chilly reception in the British aristocracy. Fans of Downton Abbey and The Gilded Age will delight as Anglophile and former U.K. resident Claire Evans recounts the tales of wealthy young Americans who infused the bank accounts of many stately homes, including close relatives of Winston Churchill and Princess Diana. She’ll also give travel tips for creating a Gilded Age tour for yourself. Register here.
Virtual Monday Mystery Book Club: Mon., July 25 at 2:00 p.m. We’ll meet on Zoom this month. If you are new to the Club, please email Ellen Rainville at erainville@westfordma.gov and we will add you to the mailing list to receive the Zoom meeting link. We’ll be discussing Personal: A Jack Reacher Novel by Lee Child. Print copies are available at Main Desk, and the ebook and digital audiobook are on Overdrive.
Let’s Go on a Bug Hunt: Wed, July 27 at 3:30 p.m. Hands on Nature comes to the library to help us discover some of our fascinating local bugs – such as beetles, worms, slugs, ladybugs and caterpillars. You will learn about their importance in our lives and their role in our ecosystem as we explore together on a fun LIVE BUG HUNT on the grounds of the library. We will make other plans if it rains. Register here.
Middle Grade Book Club and Author Q&A with Dr. Rajani LaRocca: Wed, July 27 at 2:00 p.m. For kids entering grades 5-8. Join us for a discussion of Rajani LaRocca’s novel-in-verse Red, White, and Whole. The author will be joining us for the end half of our meeting to answer any questions you may have! Copies of the book are available at the Main Desk. Register here.
Mother Goose Story Time: Every Thursday in July from 10:30 -11:15 a.m. We are OUTSIDE for the summer! This is a great early literacy program for you and your littlest ones. Get them started with reading fundamentals like rhymes, finger plays, and stories. No registration required!
Did You Know? Looking for legal forms? Check out Gale’s Legal Forms database for legal forms pertaining to wills and estates, bankruptcy, divorce, and more. You will need your Westford Library card number to log in from home. This database is funded by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.
Staff Recommends: If this is the time of year that you like to get lost in a good “beach read”, Kristina Leedberg recommends “The Hotel Nantucket”, by Elin Hilderbrand. The author lives on Nantucket and publishes the quintessential “beach read” every year, usually her novels are set on the island. It isn’t summer without an Elin Hilderbrand novel. “After a tragic fire in 1922 that killed 19-year-old chambermaid, Grace Hadley, The Hotel Nantucket descended from a gilded age gem to a mediocre budget-friendly lodge to inevitably an abandoned eyesore — until it’s purchased and renovated top to bottom by London billionaire, Xavier Darling. Xavier hires Nantucket sweetheart Lizbet Keaton as his general manager, and Lizbet, in turn, pulls together a charismatic, if inexperienced, staff who share the vision of turning the fate of the hotel around. They face challenges in getting along with one another (and with the guests), in overcoming the hotel’s bad reputation, and in surviving the (mostly) harmless shenanigans of Grace Hadley herself – who won’t stop haunting the hotel until her murder is acknowledged.”
If you have questions or need assistance, please call us at 978-399-2300 or send us an email at westfordlibrary@westfordma.gov.
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