The Library will close early at 1pm on Saturday Dec 31st and will remain closed until Tuesday January 3rd at 10AM. As always our digital resources are available 24/7 at manchesterpl.org/resources/all-resources/

Upcoming Library Events

Virtual Events

Kids    Teens    Adults

All virtual events require registration. Click on the events to register.

Author Conversations Featuring: Maureen Johnson (Nine Liars) & Jennifer Lynn Barnes (The Final Gambit)
Wednesday, January 4 At 7-8pm

Enjoy a special evening with two of the country's top young adult authors, Maureen Johnson (Nine Liars) is interviewed by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (The Final Gambit), in this ZOOM webinar.

Maureen Johnson is the #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than a dozen young adult novels, including the Truly Devious series, the Shades of London series, Suite Scarlett, and 13 Little Blue Envelopes. Her collaborative books include Ghosts of the Shadow Market (with Cassandra Clare), as well as Let It Snow (with John Green and Lauren Myracle), which was also a hit feature film on Netflix. Maureen's books have sold more than three million copies worldwide and have been published in more than thirty countries. She grew up in Philadelphia, graduated from the University of Delaware and has an MFA in Writing from Columbia University. Maureen lives in New York City with her husband and dog.

Jennifer Lynn Barnes is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty acclaimed young adult novels, including The Inheritance Games trilogy, Little White Lies, Deadly Little Scandals, The Lovely and the Lost, and The Naturals series. Jen is also a Fulbright Scholar with advanced degrees in psychology, psychiatry, and cognitive science. She received her Ph.D. from Yale University in 2012 and was a professor of psychology and professional writing for many years.

Check out Nine Liars. Published soon on Dec 27, 2022. Check out The Final Gambit.

This program is offered in partnership with Tewksbury Public Library and other MA libraries. 

Chaco & Aztec: The Center of the World
TUESDAY, JANUARY 31 AT 7-8PM

Chaco Cultural National Historical Park and Aztec Ruins National Monument are preserves and a major centers of Ancestral Pueblo culture, dating between 850 and 1250CE. Today Chaco Canyon seems to be in the middle of nowhere; however, 1,000 years ago, this was the Center Place for the American Pueblo people, the middle of everything!

Buried for hundreds of years under wind-blown sands, the monumental complexes they constructed were occupied for several centuries and ultimately left behind whisper echoes from the past of a complex and sophisticated society continued by their descendants today. This presentation takes us into the lives of the Ancestral pueblo people of Northwest New Mexico. We’ll look at the largest man-made structures in North America (up until the mid-1800s), examine the mysteries of the Chaco roads and explore the solar and lunar alignments built into these monumental structures.

ABOUT THE PRESENTER: Dave Meyers at NPS is a Park Guide at Aztec Ruins National Monument. Dave has a Master’s in Museum Studies, and a BS in History, and has been living in the Four Corners area of the country since 1997.

This program is offered in partnership with the Rockport Public Library and other MA libraries

In-Person & Hybrid Events For All Ages

Kids    Teens    Adults    All Ages

Family Afternoon Movie: Lyle, Lyle Crocodile
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29 AT 2-3:45PM

We've got a fun family flick lined up for you!  Based on the classic children's book, Lyle will charm and sing his way into your heart.  Bring a pillow, blanket, a closed drink container and a friend but DON'T FORGET TO REGISTER because space is limited and this is going to be a sold-out show.  Rated PG for mild peril and thematic events.

Please note that children under the age of 8 must be accompanied by an adult. 

Mystery Book Group
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30 AT 10:30-11:30AM

The Manchester Mystery Book Group meets on the last Friday of the month at 10:30 AM. December's meeting will occur in the library's reading room & over Zoom. Click Here for the Zoom meeting link. (This link will not work until Dec. 30th, 10 min before 10:30 AM) Email [email protected] with any questions or to get connected with the group.

We will discuss "The Long Call" by Ann Cleeves. Physical copies will be available at the circulation desk in late November or you can check out a digital audiobook and ebook through the Libby app. Use your MBTS library card to sign up for Libby for free.

January's pick will be "21 Immortals: Inspector Mislan and the Yee Sang Murders" by Rozlan Mohd Noor. Physical copies will be available at the circulation desk in late December.

New members are always welcome. For the date, times, and more book club resources Click Here.

Make Art This January

Take & Make Kits: Tiny Art
TUESDAY, JANUARY 3 - UNTIL SUPPLIES LAST

MBTS Made By Hand Event: Paint Pouring
THURSDAY, JANUARY 19 AT 4-5PM

Want to make art for the Tiny Art Show but not sure where to begin? Why not try paint pouring, the viral Tik Tok trend. Bring a t-shirt you don't mind getting messy, we will supply the rest. You can take your art with you or enter it into the Tiny Art Show on Saturday, January 21.

This event is appropriate for all ages but kids younger than 8 will need the help of an adult. 

MBTS Tiny Art Show 
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20-27 with Reception on SATURDAY, JANUARY 21 AT 1:30-3PM

Kits are available until supplies last. Each kit includes a tiny canvas, watercolor paints, paint brushes, pens and a label. You can use any mediums and supplies so long as they fit on the canvas or are the same size as the 3in X 3in canvas. Return your artwork by Friday, January 20th for a chance to win an art kit and to be included in the art show. MBTS Tiny Art Show Reception is Saturday, January 21 from 1:30-3PM. All ages and abilities welcome.

Hearthside Book Group
Tuesday, January 3 At 4-5pm

Join us in person at the library or on Zoom to discuss "West With Giraffes" by Lynda Rutledge. Contact Lori Dumont at [email protected] or at 978-526-7711 for further information. Copies of this book are available at the circulation desk, curbside pickup or by home delivery. 

Diversity Book Group : “How the Word is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America” by Clint Smith
Tuesday, December 13 At 5:30-6:30pm

We will discuss “How the Word is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America” by Clint Smith. Physical book copies available to whomever picks up first at the circulation desk or put a copy on hold for pickup. 

Febuary's read will be “I am Still Here” by Austin Channing Brown

TAB (Teen Advisory Board)
Tuesday, January 10 At 5:30-6:30pm

Meets the second Tuesday of every month at 5:30-6:30 Earn community service hours while having fun planning events for your friends and the community! Please register by clicking on the title above so we know how many snacks to bring!

Comics-Making Workshop
FRIDAY, JANUARY 13 at 4-5:30PM
Four Friday Series: January 13th-February 3rd

Be the star of your own comic! Join Boston-based author/illustrator Jonathan Todd (the upcoming Scholastic graphic novel “Timid,” the online YA graphic memoir “Cecil Hall”) for a four-week workshop covering all the fundamentals of creating autobiographical comics, from writing to drawing to editing. Registration is limited to 20 participants, and art supplies are included. Please register on the Library Events Calendar on January 13 for all 4 weeks as the session build upon each other. 

Weekly Events

Kids    Teens    Adults

Craft Circle by the Hearthside
SUNDAYS AT 2-3PM

Digital Advice
MONDAYS: APPOINTMENTS AT 11AM and 11:30AM & DROP-IN FROM 12-1PM         

Registration is required for the 2 appointments at 11 and 11:30AM. Click Here to register. 

Dungeons and Dragons
ALTERNATING TUESDAYS 3:30-5PM

For Ages 11-18. Most Tuesday and registration is required. Click Here for more details and to register. 

Tai Chi Class
WEDNESDAYS AT 9:45-10:45AM

Safety Registration Form must be completed before 1st session. Fill out the form here. 

Shut Up and Write!
WEDNESDAYS AT 10:30 AM-12PM

Virtual over Zoom and registration is required. Email [email protected] for the zoom link.

Stories & Songs in the Children's Room
WEDNESDAYS 10:30-11AM

For our youngest patrons and thier caregivers, ages birth-6. Registration is required and space is limited. Click Here to register.

MBTS Literary Libations Writing Group
THURSDAYS AT 7-8PM

Registration is encouraged but not required. Click Here to register or for more info. 

Free Digital Library Resources

We are always open online where you can check out our free to use digital collection! There you can find a great selection of eBooks, Audiobooks, and movies and TV shows to stream and enjoy along with many other digital resources by using your Manchester-by-the-Sea Public Library card.

Check out some of the popular options below! To see more free resources visit our Virtual Library page.

Libby: Download eBooks, Audio Books, Streaming Video and Magazines. To sign in, choose your library system from the dropdown menu — Massachusetts-by-the-Sea library cardholders are considered Merrimack Valley Library patrons (MVLC); use your library card number to login. Download or stream across multiple devices using the Libby app. Begining next year you will need your pin to access this resources. Please call 978-526-7711 if you need to reset your pin.

The Internet Archive, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, is building a digital library of Internet sites and other cultural artifacts in digital form. Like a paper library, they provide free access to researchers, historians, scholars, the print disabled, and the general public. Their mission is to provide Universal Access to All Knowledge.

With their assistance, the Manchester-Essex Regional School District yearbooks in the Library’s possession have been digitized and available for viewing.

Check out free resorces including a book display, LED light therapy lamp available for checkout and information from the National Institute of Mental Health about Sesonal Affecitive Disorder or SAD in the library and online.

Popular Audiobooks on Libby!

Download the app on your phone or tablet or use on your computer and sign in using your Manchester library card. You will need to know your pin to login. Call 978-526-7711 if you need help or email [email protected] to sign up for a tutorial on how to use this service with your device