IN-PERSON & HYBRID EVENTS FOR ALL AGES

MBTS Tiny Art Show
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20-27

Pick up art work by Feb 1st.

Dog bones and hearts surround a father and 3 children reading to a black lab.

Read to Gus, a certified reading and therapy dog
THURSDAY, JANUARY 26 AT 4 & 4:15PM

Only 2 spots left at 4 & 4:15, so don't wait! Deb Kaneb and Gus, a Certified Reading Partner and Therapy Dog, are back and looking forward to hearing stories read by YOU!  Reading with a certified reading dog helps to build confidence with a safe, nonjudgmental partner.  Sign up for a 15-minute appointment and make sure to bring a favorite book or allow time to pick out your just right book at the Library. This program is especially for those starting to read and that want to little extra practice with our special friend, Gus!

Red, Asian style lanterns hang along a dark city street.

Mystery Book Group
FRIDAY, JANUARY 27 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 Jan. 27th, 10 min before 10:30 AM) Email [email protected] with any questions or to get connected with the group. We will discuss "21 Immortals: Inspector Mislan and the Yee Sang Murders" by Mohd Noor, Rozlan. Physical copies will be available at the circulation desk but we have very limited copies. You can also check out a free digital ebook through the Hoopla app. Use your MBTS library card to sign up for Hoopla for free. February's pick will be "Mission Hill" by Wechsler, Pamela. Physical copies will be available at the circulation desk in late January. New members are always welcome. For the date, times, and book of the month during 2023 please Click Here.

Puzzle Swap
SATURDAY, JANUARY 28 AT 1:00—3:00PM

Bring a puzzle you have completed and are sure has all its pieces and trade with friends for a new puzzle to enjoy. Drop in any-time between 1-3PM. We will have a few puzzles to give so please stop by even if you don't have anything to swap. Try your hand at our current community puzzle, set out by the fireside. Please, only bring one puzzle you are not expecting to get back. 

Afternoon Kids Movie: Spider-Man: Into the Spider Verse
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1 AT 1:00—3:00PM

Join us in the Children's Room for an action-packed afternoon with this 2018 animated, super-hero story featuring Miles Morales. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse matches bold storytelling with striking animation for a purely enjoyable adventure with heart, humor, and plenty of superhero action.  AND you'll be in the know for when the much anticipated sequel is released in June 2023.  Rated PG for mild language, frenetic action violence, and thematic elements. Snacks provided, but please bring a closed drink. Recommended for ages 8+.  All kids under the age of 8 must be accompanied by an adult. 

Discover Tarot
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4 AT 2:00—3:30PM
At the Manchester Community Center

How can a deck of cards tell you the story of your life? Tarot began as a game but has evolved into so much more. It illuminates our life path through pictures and helps us navigate how to move forward towards our true destiny. Join tarot teacher, Laura Campagna, for a fun workshop to learn how to read tarot. No experience necessary. Participants will connect with their intuition and gain confidence in reading for themselves or friends.  You can bring your own Tarot deck, if you have one or the library will supply you with a deck. Please also bring a journal and pen or pencil. This program is for ages 12 - Adult and registration is required.

Weekly Events

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.

Mindfulness Meditation
EVERY OTHER THURSDAY BEGINNING FEBRUARY 2 AT 11AM-12PM

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

Virtual Events

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

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.

The Challenges of Being a Debut Author featuring Chelsea Banning
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6 AT 7-8PM

Debut author (and librarian) Chelsea Banning was very excited to publish her first book, "Of Crown and Legends". And then came the book signing where only 2 people showed up and the Twitter storm of support when Chelsea posted about the experience. Now, we speak with Chelsea in conversation with debut authors Laura Gao, Brian D. Kennedy, Jean Louise, and XiXi Tian to chat about the challenges and joys of getting your first book out in the world. This event will interest Teens and Adults.

If you have not seen Chelsea's Tweet storm, you should check it out! Responses from some of the biggest names in publishing, sharing their stories of book signings gone awry. It's must read

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.

Rocket Languages is a highly effective 14 languages-learning app uses audio lessons, interactive exercises, readings. Rocket Languages is an online language-learning course offers practical and powerful downloadable lessons, games and more that will encourage learning any new language at your own pace! Must have an active MBTS library card to access. This resource is sponsored by the Friends of the Manchester Library.

Access 1888 through current issue of National Geographic from anywhere. Plus National Geographic Kids, National Geographic Traveler. Must have an active MBTS library card to access.

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.