On Exhibit in the Gallery…

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Impermance: Embracing the Beauty of the Impermanent Nature of Man

Works by Bonita LeFlore

January 12th to March 9th, 2023 

Through my paintings I take to heart a quote from the photographer Henri Cartier Bresson “make visible what perhaps might never be seen.”  My work embraces the impermanence of manmade structures and the opalescence of nature using unexpected colors and technique.
 
 
The public is invited to view the exhibit during regular library hours.

This exhibit would not be possible without assistance from the Friends of the Bedford Free Public Library.

 

Winter Lecture Series

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Great Moments in Polar Exploration – Antarctica

with Professor Dan Breen

A 5-PART SERIES: Sundays: January 22nd, 29th, February 5th, 12th, 26th from 2-4 pm in the 1st floor meeting room. This a hybrid (live and virtual) program – see links below.

Part 1: JANUARY 22 at 2:00-4:00 pm:

Watch on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/lTNTRh1grBU
The first known human encounters with Antarctica did not happen until the late eighteenth century, but by the beginning of the twentieth, the continent had become to capture the imaginations of people around the world. That story has a lot to do with an Englishman, a Russian and in particular, with a seal hunter from Connecticut.

Part ll: JANUARY 29 at 2:00-4:00 pm:

Watch on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/2IsxOkFSEpQ

In this session we will meet the two men who more than any others, would be forever associated with the quest for the South Pole: Robert Falcon Scott, and Ernest Shackleton. The two could hardly have been more different–but in 1902, the two would embark together upon one of the great epic marches of the history of polar exploration. 

Part III: FEBRUARY 5: 
WITH SHACKLETON ON THE NIMROD

Watch on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HQ9re_FkgI

In what was called ‘the Great Southern Journey,’ Shackleton and a small group of companions nearly reach the Pole in 1908 becoming the first humans to travel on the Polar Plateau.

Part IV: FEBRUARY 12:

THE RACE TO THE POLE (PART ONE)

Watch on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/G-0vnGAXAko

In 1910, Captain R. F. Scott sets off again on an attempt to reach the South Pole. To everyone’s surprise, however, Scott would have a competitor in the formidable form of Roald Amundsen, already famous as the first person to navigate the Northwest Passage.

Part V: FEBRUARY 26
THE RACE TO THE POLE (PART TWO)

Watch on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVP3d55RoFc
While Scott’s attempt at the Pole ended with the most storied tragedy in the history of polar exploration, Amundsen would triumph magnificently, only to find his achievement widely vilified on his return to Europe.

This a hybrid (live and virtual) program.

Dr. Daniel Breen is a professor of Legal Studies at Brandeis University. In the past fifteen years,   Dr. Breen has a BA from the University of Wisconsin,  a JD from the University of Georgia and a PhD in History from Boston College. He has taught at Framingham State University and Newbury College. 
Winter Lecture Series Programs:  (All with Professor Daniel Breen)
2006 World War I
2007 The Great Depression
2008 World War 2 Part 1
2009 World War 2 Part 2
2010 The Civil War Part 1
2011 The Civil War Part 2
2012 Prohibition
2013 Landmark Supreme Court Decisions
2014 Modern Chinese History
2015 Great Moments in Science: A Tale of Six Countries
2016 The Roosevelts:  An Intimate History
2017 Little Known Presidential Elections in American History
2018 Getting to the Moon: American Space Exploration 1945-1969
2019 The Hundred Years War: A Century of Native American Resistance 1790-1890
2020 History of the U.S. in Six Songs
2021 Five Real Life Murder Cases
2022 Great Moments in Polar Exploration – Arctic
 

 Thanks to the Friends of the Bedford Free Public Library for sponsoring this program. Free and open to the public.

 

50+ Job Seekers Group: Free Career & Networking Program

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The Massachusetts Library Collaborative’s 50+ Job Seekers Group meets on Wednesdays twice a month, from January to June.  There is a morning session 9:30 am to 11:30 am and an evening session from 6 pm to 8 pm via Zoom. (see schedule below) 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! Remember, 85% of jobs are found through networking!
 
Join us in a professional forum for networking with peers in a safe and comfortable environment conducive to developing new relationships and developing skills and strategies to help in your career transition. Each meeting features a new topic. Meetings include a presentation and hands-on workshop on topics relevant to career transition, guest speakers, access to hiring managers, small group breakout rooms to network, and 1-on-1 coaching guidance. Participating on a regular basis will give job seekers the many tools and strategies needed for a successful job search.  You can sign up for all all sessions or attend individual sessions at your convenience.  There is overlap between the morning and evening sessions so if you miss a morning session you can catch the same information the next week in the evening. 
 
Each biweekly meeting is facilitated by Deborah Hope, MBA, PCIC, an experienced executive career coach. Deborah is a former Fortune 500 executive, investment banker and entrepreneur and transitioned to executive coaching over 12 years ago. She has coached with Harvard Business School Executive Education programs, the Mass. Conference for Women., and has been trained or certified in a variety of coaching models and assessment tools. Deborah has facilitated 50+ job seekers networking groups since 2016.
 
This group is sponsored by more than 60 Massachusetts public libraries. The program is free of charge.
 
Meeting Schedule:
 
Morning Meetings: ZOOM registration link:
Evening Meetings: ZOOM registration link:

December Teen Events

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TAG (Teen Activities Group) is for everyone in middle school and high school and normally meets every Wednesday. We meet in the Meeting Room (first floor, past the Children’s Room) starting at 1pm

Wednesday, December 7 – DIY Holiday Crafts – Make gifts and decorations from our supply of craft materials!
 
Wednesday, December 14 – Board Games – Play a favorite board game or learn a new one!
 
Wednesday, December 21 – Movie: Elf (2003) – Buddy the Elf goes to New York to find his real human father. (PG)
 
Wednesday, December 28 – No TAG – enjoy your winter break!

On Exhibit in the Gallery…

Posted on by rcallaghan

Works by Printmaker Coco Berkman

November 10th to January 11th, 2023 

Gloucester artist and printmaker COCO BERKMAN utilizes her love of drawing and a literary inspired imagination along with Japanese carving tools, luxurious oil-based inks and beautiful cotton rag papers to create images that inspire a particular emotional effect. Coco has studied at several printmaking studios throughout the United States and Ireland.
 
The public is invited to view the exhibit during regular library hours.

This exhibit would not be possible without assistance from the Friends of the Bedford Free Public Library.

 

Friends of the Library Holiday Book Sale!

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Saturday, December 2:  1 – 4 pm

Sunday, December 3:  1 – 4 pm 

Stop by the Library and shop the Friends Room, the 1st Floor Study Rooms, and the Book Nooks. Choose from fiction and non-fiction books in great condition across all genres.  The sale also includes many holiday themed books.  This sale features a wide selection of gift-ready fiction, non-fiction, holiday, and children’s books as well as CDs and DVDs. These make great gifts at especially great prices.

All proceeds go to the Friends of the Bedford Free Public Library to support children, teen and adult programming as well as acquisitions for the Library.  We hope to see you there.

November Teen Events

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TAG (Teen Activity Group) is BACK! Join us every Wednesday after school in the Meeting Room for snacks and activities. Everyone in grades 6 through 12 is welcome!

November 2 – Perler Beads Pixel Art – Use fuse beads to create pixelated art!

November 9 – Board Games – Play a favorite board game or learn a new one!

November 16 – Movie: Enchanted – A young maiden in a land called Andalasia, who is prepared to be wed, is sent away to New York City by an evil Queen, where she falls in love with a lawyer. Watch this before Disenchanted comes out!

November 23 – No TAG – Enjoy Thanksgiving!

November 30 – Tower Building – Can you build the tallest or strongest tower with only toothpicks and marshmallows?

Personal Finance Workshops: October 11th, 18th, 25th, November 1.

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Boost Your Personal Finance Know How:
Join us for four workshops that will help position you for financial success!
Sponsored by the Babson Financial Literacy Project
Tuesdays October 11, October 18, October 25, and November 1
Time: 7-8:30pm

BOOST YOUR PERSONAL FINANCE KNOW-HOW
A series of workshops that will help position you for financial success!
Via Zoom  from 7-8:30 pm

OCT. 11: Tips & Tricks for Managing Credit
Credit cards can offer many benefits but can be a source of fees and stress. This workshop will help you learn to manage your credit cards and avoid traps. You will also learn about credit reports and credit scores and what steps you can take to improve your financial standing.
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84147902599?pwd=RVg5RTB6N2ZONmZ5RndCWWNMdmdGUT09

OCT. 18:  Getting Started with Investing 
Do you want to begin investing but don’t know where to start? This fun and interactive workshop will help you learn about stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and ETFs, and how to choose investments that make sense for you.
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85983062818?pwd=dURQMlIyNDIxWGF6QWpxRDJ0Tk1lZz09

OCT. 25:  Saving &  Retirement 
Saving can help you reach your life goals. Saving even a small amount of money each week can dramatically improve your financial future! Join us to learn how to save for emergencies, short-term goals such as vacations, and long-term goals such as retirement.
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89688046681?pwd=WFRtRFROMndrSWdPUVFUWG92WldMZz09

NOV. 1: Preparing for the Unexpected
Life as an independent adult requires some careful planning. How can you be ready for the challenges ahead? This workshop will help you organize your financial and legal matters and safeguard your financial accounts and possessions.
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81507488602?pwd=ZzVaNGtUQVk2Wk9xSHpTZ3ZncFNLUT09
 
Made possible through the Babson Financial Literacy Project with funding from the Friends of the Bedford Free Public Library.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TeenTober Digital Scavenger Hunt

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Download our TeenTober Digital Scavenger Hunt or ask for a copy at the Reference Desk – open to all middle school and high school students!

Find the pumpkins scattered across the library website (bedfordlibrary.net) by finding the pages mentioned on the worksheet. You can find each page by searching the website or by browsing the blue header bar at the top of the homepage. Each pumpkin has a number with it – write the numbers on the corresponding spots on the worksheet and add them together to get a secret code. Tell the secret code to the librarian at the Reference Desk to get a prize! If you can tell the librarian why that number is important to the library, you get two prizes!