Reading Dragons and Friends

Posted on by Nicole Monk

Reading Dragons and Friends is a school-year reading program for children in Kindergarten – 5th grade. It runs from mid-September – May. 

Children earn cards for reading throughout the year. Reading Dragons cards can be used to play two games: one similar to Rock, Paper, Scissors and one similar to War. Your child will earn one new card for every two hours they read. Listening to audiobooks, graphic novels, magazines and reading with family and friends – it all counts!

Reading must be tracked online using Beanstack. Once you are signed up simply log the minutes your child reads in the app or on the Beanstack website.

Great Boston Fires with Author and Historian David Kruh

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Monday, September 30th

7:00—8:00 PM

Online-Zoom

A look at the devastating fires and their impact on Boston, from the many “great” fires of the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries (including the truly Great Fire of 1872,) the Cocoanut Grove tragedy of 1942 (which killed 492,) and the Hotel Vendome fire of 1972 (which resulted in the deaths of eight firefighters.) How did these fires happen? What was learned from these events? What, if anything, was done to try and prevent similar catastrophes? David’s newest slide show, filled with images from these events, answers these and other questions.

Please register here In collaboration with the Ashland 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.

Please register the Zoom link above.

Early Rock Song Origins (Part #2 of 2)

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Friday, September 27th

2:00—3:00 PM

Online-Zoom

We’re all familiar with many outstanding songs from the early days of Rock and Roll such as Elvis Presley’s “Love Me Tender,” The Flamingos’ “I Only Have Eyes For You,” and “Night” by Jackie Wilson. What is less known, and often little appreciated, is that the melodies for those songs, as well as many others recorded during the 50’s and ‘60’s, were written decades or in some cases centuries earlier and have their roots in classical music, grand opera, or Broadway shows. Relive a dozen or so examples of songs in this category, compare them to the original version, and examine how the adaption from classical themes to Rock ‘n Roll standards was accomplished so successfully. Led by Rich Knox, a retired school teacher and administrator, who lectures on musicals, films, and opera to libraries across the country.

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 of the program.

Please register the Zoom link above.

No TAG for Now

Posted on by paghababian

There is no TAG (Teen Activity Group) for the time being. Our ongoing construction project means that the Meeting Room is not available for programs. We will get TAG up and running as soon as possible, but in the meantime, teens will have access to crafts and board games in the Teen Room on Wednesdays after school. As always, food is not allowed in the library, so please make sure to take your snacks outside.

Teen Council – Second Tuesday of each month

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Middle School and High School students are invited to join our brand-new Teen Council! Bring your ideas for the Teen Room, teen activities and programs, events for younger kids, and library materials. Earn community service and hang our with your friends.

The Teen Council will meet on the second Tuesday of each month at 4pm in the Reference Room. Join us on:

  • October 8
  • November 12
  • December 10
  • January 14
  • February 11
  • March 11
  • April 8
  • May 13

Questions? Email Teen Librarian Pam at bedmail1@minlib.net

On Exhibit in the Gallery…

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Buoyancy: Paintings by Jill Goldman-Callahan

September 4th – November 13th, 2024.

 Art Reception – Sunday, October 27th at 5 pm.

Jill Goldman-Callahan is an abstract painter whose layered surfaces may incorporate sand, coffee beans, cardboard, or rock dust. “My surfaces, spread like icing, or dripped across a tilted plane live at the intersection of intent and accident. I rarely use a brush, instead choosing squeegees to glide, push and pull paint.”
 
Goldman-Callahan has a BA in Fine Art and Anthropology from Bennington College and a Masters in Art Therapy from Lesley University. She has worked as an art therapist, art educator and studio artist.  
 
Everyone is welcome at a reception for the artist at 5 pm on Sunday, October 27. 
 

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.

 

Teen Summer Reading Prize Winners

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Thank you so much to everyone who participated in the Teen Summer Reading program this year! We had great participation despite not being able to have any programs because of our construction project. 

We had over 1150 days of reading logged and a whopping 765 spins of our prize wheel!

Our grand prize winners are Elaine C. and Minha P!

Now that Summer Reading is over, we can plan for events during the school year. Please take our programming survey (online or on paper in the Library) to help us plan.

Chasing Shadows: My Life Tracking the Great White Shark with Dr. Greg Skomal

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Wednesday, August 28th

7:00—8:00 PM

Online-Zoom

The shark biologist who quite unexpectedly found himself in the middle of the newest white shark hotspot tells his story and the story of these magnificent creatures. Based on his book Chasing Shadows, written with Ret Talbot, this presentation highlights this remarkable conservation success story, which is loaded with cutting-edge science, drama, and controversy. From the fascinating early days of shark research on the east coast to the consequences of the so-called Jaws effect and the heart-stopping moment when he found himself beneath a 17-foot white shark off Cape Cod, Skomal sets the record straight about this iconic species.

Dr. Greg Skomal—in addition to being an accomplished marine biologist, underwater explorer, photographer, and author—is a leading white shark expert in the Atlantic. He is a senior fisheries biologist with the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries and currently directs the Massachusetts Shark Research Program. He is an adjunct professor at the University of Massachusetts Intercampus Marine Science graduate program; an adjunct scientist at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Woods Hole, Massachusetts; and a member of the Explorers Club and the Boston Sea Rovers. Greg has authored dozens of scientific research papers and has appeared in several film and television documentaries, including programs for National Geographic, Discovery Channel, PBS, and numerous television networks. He is a regular on Shark Week and Shark Fest and is the author of The Shark Handbook. He holds a master’s degree from the University of Rhode Island and a PhD from Boston University. He lives with his family in Marion, Massachusetts.

Please register here In collaboration with the Cary 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.

Please register via the Zoom link above.

Romance Author Danica Nava Discusses “The Truth According to Ember”

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Thursday, August 22nd

7:00—8:00 PM

Online-Zoom.

Please join us for a discussion with debut romance author, Danica Nava, about her book The Truth According to Ember – in which a Chickasaw woman who can’t catch a break serves up a little white lie that snowballs into much more in this witty and irresistible rom-com. 

About Danica: 

Danica Nava is an enrolled citizen of the Chickasaw Nation and works as an Executive Assistant in the tech industry. She has her MBA from USC Marshall School of Business. She currently lives in Southern California with her husband and daughter. The Truth According to Ember is her debut novel. You can find her on Instagram at the handle @danica_nava.

Please register here

In partnership with the Ashland 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.

Please register via the Zoom link above.