Please note due to planned electrical work for the HVAC project the library will be closed 9-1 on Thursday, 9/26 and all day on Friday 9/27. We expect to reopen on Saturday 9/28.
Author Sharon Kitchens will discuss her new book, Stephen King’s Maine: A History & Guide. Explore Maine locations that serve as the basis for Stephen King’s fictional towns of Castle Rock, Jerusalem’s Lot, Derry, and Haven. Drawing on historical materials and conversations with locals and people who know King, learn about the places that would become the settings for Carrie, Salem’s Lot, The Dead Zone, Cujo, IT, and 11/22/63.
Please register here In collaboration with the Tewksbury Public Library. Thanks to the Friends of the Bedford Free Public Library.
RECORDING NOTE: This program will be recorded. All registrants will receive the recording via email within 48 hours of the program
Explore the worlds of the Indigenous peoples of North America before European colonization. North America was a place filled with cities, towns, and villages. Across the continent, Indigenous peoples produced architecture and monumental construction. The ancient and medieval communities of North America were fed by agriculture. Moreover, Indigenous Americans actively managed their environment and participated in long-distance exchange networks. Led by Christoph Strobel, Department Chair and Professor of History at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. He is the author of War and Colonization in the Early American Northeast; Native Americansof New England; and The Global Atlantic: 1400 to 1900. He has published many other books and academic papers.
The Massachusetts Library Collaborative’s 50+ Job Seekers Group meets via Zoom on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month, from 9:30 am to 11:30 am. Informal networking occurs from 9 am to 9:30 am and 11:30 am to noon. 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! 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 interactive 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 regularly will give job seekers the many tools and strategies needed for a successful job search.
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. She transitioned to executive coaching over 12 years ago. Deborah has coached with Harvard Business School Executive Education programs and the Massachusetts Conference for Women. She 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 week’s topic (August 7) is Self-Assessment. This group is sponsored by approximately 50 Massachusetts public libraries. Be sure to name your library when registering.
Explore eight late-19th and early-20th century summer art colonies across New England: Provincetown and Cape Ann in Massachusetts; North Conway and Cornish in New Hampshire; Old Lyme and Cos Cob in Connecticut; and Ogunquit and Monhegan Island in Maine. During the summer and fall months, you’ll be able to visit these sites and their museums. Discover the incredible, creative energy that still exists in these art colonies in New England. Led by Martha Chiarchiaro, owner of Seeing History, who has brought history to life through the art of the times for more than 30 years. She received her Masters’ degree in the History of Art from Williams College and provides a variety of art history presentations at the Worcester Art Museum, the Worcester Institute for Senior Education (WISE), libraries, senior centers, and garden club
Please register here. In collaboration with the Tewksbury Public Library. Thanks to the Friends of the Bedford Free Public Library.
RECORDING NOTE: This program will be recorded. All registrants will receive the recording via email within 48 hours of the program.
The Bald Eagle, formerly endangered, now has a thriving population over much of the country including the northeast. Learn the natural history and life cycle of bald eagle as well as the historic restoration project in Massachusetts resulting in a healthy population and removal of endangered species status. Eagles are seen in the northeast throughout the year, and during fall migration you might be fortunate to see a non-nesting golden eagle. Led by Patti Steinman, the Education Coordinator for Mass Audubon’s Connecticut River Valley Sanctuaries, based out of Arcadia in Easthampton and Northampton. She has worked at Mass Audubon for 30 years, developing and overseeing programs for adults, families, and children.
Please register here In collaboration with the Tewksbury Public Library. Thanks to the Friends of the Bedford Free Public Library.
RECORDING NOTE: This program will be recorded. All registrants will receive the recording via email within 48 hours of the program
Join us for this discussion with author Kirsten Miller. Her book Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books isa provocative and hilarious summer read that will have book lovers cheering and everyone talking! Kirsten Miller, author of ‘The Change’, brings us a bracing, wildly entertaining satire about a small Southern town, a pitched battle over banned books, and a little lending library that changes everything.” In a day when this topic can rip people apart, learn how one small community was able to come together – it’s fictional but, maybe, hopeful, too!
Please join author Madeline Bilis discussing her book 50 Hikes in Eastern Massachusetts. She’ll focus on coastal view walks. Maybe we can even get Madeline to discuss her favorite pizza shops along the way. As you gear up for the end of summer, you won’t want to miss this!
About the Book:
In this first-edition guide, Madeline Bilis shares her years of outdoor experience in the Boston area, providing 50 hikes for people of all skill and experience levels. While the Berkshires tend to get all recognition when it comes to hiking in Massachusetts, the eastern part of the state is packed with treasures for lovers of the outdoors.
Reversed 2024: Works by Jean Hammond, Astrid Reischwitz & Carol Rissman.
July 9th – September 4th, 2024.
Reversed 2024gives patrons a look at the creations of the Bedford residents who comprise the Art Steering Committee at the library. Though the committee is tasked with selecting other people’s artwork, they are also all talented artists in their own fields. Works included will be books and masks by Jean Hammond, photography by Astrid Reischwitz, and ceramic wall and table pieces by Carol Rissman.
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.
Do you have a baby, toddler or preschooler in your home? We have a new and exciting offering for you! You can now sign up to receive text messages with age-appropriate early literacy activities. All activities are easy to complete with items you will already have at home. You will receive 8-10 messages per month, approximately 2 per week. As with all library resources – it’s completely free!
TALK activities build pre-literacy skills starting from birth, such as hearing letter sounds, building hand muscles and dexterity, and recognizing letters and numbers. Activities also build STEM and social emotional skills, to help parents make sure their children are fully prepared for a successful school experience.
TALK: Text to Learn for Kindergarten was developed by librarians in 2017 to help caregivers of children from birth to five years prepare their children for school readiness and success. Unlike other similar text messaging services, TALK is based on the national research-based program “Every Child Ready to Read,” which encourages caregivers to read, write, talk, sing, and play with their children every day.
Feet are the same around the world, but what we wear can be so different! Learn why with a virtual tour of the Bata Shoe Museum! As the only museum in North America dedicated to footwear (in Toronto, Canada), the BSM showcases 4,500 years of history and nearly 15,000 artifacts in its collection. So put on your comfiest or fanciest shoes and join us (a virtual program in which you don’t have to wear shoes!)
