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: 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 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 within six months, both at the Special Town Meeting and on the ballot.
Session 2 Minecraft Build Battle with One Up Games: Mon., July 11, 12:00-1:30 p.m. Hosted by local Massachusetts eSport and gaming venue, One Up Games, we will have full set ups for two free play Minecraft Build Battle events for kids in grades K-4. Play outside and in person. All you need to do is sign up. Space is limited so please sign up for one session only (session 1 is already full). Outside, if it rains, we will be in the Meeting Room. Register here.
Ooch Summer Birthday Dance Party: Tues., July 12 at 6:30 p.m. We are celebrating summer reading ( AND Nancy’s birthday!) with the ultimate in an outdoor dance party. You may know Ooch from a visit to your school or, you may recognize him from the fabulous Harry Potter Trivia events we had the past two summers with Ooch and his brother Nik – the Trivia Brothers. Party dances! Contests! Follow-along dance moves! Celebrate those summer birthdays with us and the whole family. This program takes place outside unless it rains. Then, it is in the Meeting Room. This program is generously funded by the KDK Foundation in honor of Kurt Kelly. Register here.
Middle Grade Book Club: Wed., July 13 at 2:00 p.m. For kids entering grades 5-8. Join YA Librarian Jess in the Meeting Room for a discussion of Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston. Copies of the book can be picked up at the Main Circulation desk. Snacks provided! Register here.
YA Book Club: Thursday, July 14 at 2:00 p.m. For teens entering grades 8-12. Join YA Librarian Jess for a discussion of Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao. Copies of the book are available at the Main Desk. Snacks provided! Register here.
Adult Book Club: Thu., July 14 at 7:30 p.m. We will discuss The Hundred-Year Walk by Dawn Anahid MacKeen. Copies are available at Main Desk. The meeting will take place in the downstairs Meeting Room. Please request the book by title when you come to pick it up and tell the staff it is for the Library Adult Book Club. The ebook and audiobook are both available on Hoopla. If you have any questions, please email Kristina Leedberg at kleedberg@westfordma.gov
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.
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 your next great read? Find it at “Book Browse” your guide to exceptional books! Search for book information by theme, read-alikes, book club resources, articles and reviews, and much more! This database is perfect for book lovers and is accessible from the library or from home with your Westford Library card number.
Staff Recommends: One of Jacki Dibble’s favorite authors is Marie Benedict. “I just finished Her Hidden Genius, by Marie Benedict. I have read and loved each and every one of Marie Benedict’s books. Each book presents historical fiction about a woman who, in real life, made huge contributions, albeit uncelebrated because she was a woman.” This novel, “shines a light on Rosalind Franklin, a woman who died to discover our very DNA, a woman whose contributions were suppressed by the men around her but whose relentless drive advanced our understanding of humankind”.
If you have questions or need assistance, please call us at 978-399-2300 or send us an email at westfordlibrary@westfordma.gov.
