Library Closed Wednesday August 9

The offsite and virtual events like Tai Chi, Shut Up and Write and the author chat with Gail Sahar are still happening as planned. Due to work being done on the library's sewer system, the library will be closed tomorrow, Wednesday 8/9. The library will reopen at 10AM on Thursday August 10. As always our virtual library is open 24/7 at manchesterpl.org

Calling All Local Artists For the Friends of the Library’s 1st Falling For Art Exhibit and Sale, October 20-22, 2023

Artists and photographers are invited to submit up to 5 digital jpeg images by August 30 to [email protected]. Include your name, title of the piece and price. 50% of proceeds benefit the Friends of the Manchester Library. 

Youth Summer Reading Ends This Friday, August 11

Bring in your child’s sheets this week for a chance to win free admission, ride tickets, free meal and drink vouchers to the Topsfield Fair! Haven’t registered yet? No problem, register and fill out your sheet with all the reading you have enjoyed this summer.

Weekly Events

Kids    Teens    Adults    All Ages

Summer Storytime with Miss Audrey
Mondays At 10:30am

This summer join Youth Librarian, Audrey Carman every Monday for stories, songs, and games for ages 0-5. 

Digital Advice with Expanded Hours
Mondays: Appointments At 11, 11:30am, 12pm & 12:30pm & Drop-In From 1-2pm

Select Friday Drop In At 3-4pm  

Registration is required for the 4 appointments on Monday. Click Here to register.

Mindfulness Meditation
Tuesdays At The Mbts Community Center, 11AM-12PM

No program on July 18. Registration is required if you haven't attended the program before. Click Here to register or for more info.

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.

Summer Art and Sensory
Wednesday August 23 From 3:00-4:00pm

Art and Sensory encourages students to explore their creativity through the fun of using many different art materials. The project is always step by step, hands on and guided to help create individual masterpieces! This program starts 6/28 and runs every Wednesday in the summer. Kids entering pre-k - leaving 2nd grade can register at manchesterpl.org/events. Space is limited and you must register for every week you would like to attend.

In-Person & Hybrid Events For All Ages

Kids    Teens    Adults    All Ages

Cold Brew / Hot Books on the Lawn
Thursday, August 10 At 11:00—11:30am

Summer is hot and good books are even hotter! We’ll provide the cold brew coffee for you and we can all chat about the books we have been reading or hearing about. Thursday, August 10, 11 AM on the lawn with Lori, Sara and Maddy as we dish and ditch the good, bad, and ugly books that caught our attention in July. Whether you love gripping thrillers, historical fiction, laugh out loud comedies or romances that never go the way you want, we'll have something to share. It's 30 minutes and a free cold brew coffee, relax and chat about books, what could be better? See you here and bring a friend!

The Didgeridoo Down Under Show
FRIDAY, AUGUST 11 AT 2:30—3:30PM

The Didgeridoo Down Under Show is sponsored by the Ron Borel Bequest to honor his birthday, love of children's books, generosity and unending support of the MBTS Public Library. Ron Borel's life and his many generous gifts will be celebrated with a sweet treat for all attendees. 

The Didgeridoo Show is an energetic fusion of Australian music, comedy, character building, storytelling and audience participation. The didgeridoo has been played by Aboriginal Australians for at least 1500 years, and it's known for its otherworldly sound. You'll learn about Aussie animals, culture, unity and more ... all while moving and grooving to the pulsing rhythms of the didge. The Didgeridoo Show is interactive, educational, motivational and super fun for all ages! 

In the event of rain, we will be at the Manchester Community Center so please register (just in case) or call 978-526-7711.

This event is a celebration of the end of youth summer reading, so make sure to bring in your reading tally's on or before August 11 to be entered to win the Topsfield Fair prize package.

Massage and Energy Work Demo and Q&A
Thursday, August 17 At 6:00—7:00pm

Massage Therapist, Matt Kurdt, of Holistic Energy Works will be leading a workshop to help spread the word about the positive benefits of Massage Therapy and Energy Work. He will be available to provide hands-on demonstrations of some simple yet incredibly effective techniques as well as to answer any questions you may have about massage in general.

Attendees can opt in to receiving a short massage demonstration but will need to sign a waiver. The massage demos are not private as this program will take place in the Reference Room of the library.

Registration is required and space is limited.

Friday Movies at MBTS: Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret
Friday, August 18 At 5:30—7:30pm

Movies at the Library have returned! We will be showing a movie in our newly renovated Reference Room once a month on Friday at 5:30PM. We will supply the popcorn. Feel free to bring covered, non-alcoholic beverages.

The movie this month, Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret has a MPAA rating: PG-13; thematic material involving sexual education and some suggestive material. "For over fifty years, Judy Blume's classic has connected with readers through its relatable story, achingly funny details, and candid exploration of life's biggest questions. In Lionsgate's big-screen adaptation, eleven-year-old Margaret is uprooted from her life in New York City for the suburbs of New Jersey, going through the messy and tumultuous throes of puberty with new friends in a new school. She relies on her mother, Barbara, who is also struggling to adjust to life outside the big city, and her adoring grandmother, Sylvia, who isn't happy they moved away and likes to remind them every chance she gets."

Re-read the book as well. Click Here to put it on hold.

Virtual Events

Kids    Teens    Adults    All Ages

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

Author Chat with Gail Sahar, "Blame and Political Attitudes..." (Virtual)
Wednesday, August 9 AT 7:00—8:00PM

Have you been asking yourself "what does culture war even mean" and "what does it mean to be 'woke'" and how do these questions contribute to the current divide in America? If you have been, please join us for this conversation with Professor Gail Sahar, author of "Blame and Political Attitudes: The Psychology of America’s Culture War".

You can buy signed books (by bookplate) by Gail from Aesop's Fable. Just write that you would like the book signed in the notes section at checkout.

About the book: Questions about the causes of events, from terrorist attacks to mass shootings to economic and public health crises dominate conversations across the US. Recent research in social psychology outlines the process we use to identify the causes of such events, reveals how we determine who is responsible or to blame, and documents the far-reaching consequences of these determinations for our emotions, our actions, and our attitudes. Current approaches to political opinions posit a direct path from a person’s worldview (liberal or conservative) to their attitudes toward specific political issues like abortion and welfare. This book argues that blame is the missing link between the two.

About the Author: Gail Sahar is the Jane Oxford Keiter Professor of Psychology at Wheaton College in Norton, MA. She earned her Ph.D. at UCLA and has been teaching social and political psychology while researching attitudes toward controversial social issues for over 25 years. She has won awards for her teaching and was recently honored with an endowed chair for teaching and research. Her research focuses on how a person’s worldview or political ideology is linked to their perceptions of the causes of social problems and how those perceptions influence blame, emotions, and opinions. She has investigated public attitudes toward numerous issues, such as poverty, abortion, and terrorism. Her work offers hope to those working for political change as it suggests ways to influence the attitudes of others by focusing less on political ideology and more on perceptions of the causes of social problems. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, reading, music, movies, cooking and tasting good wine. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband and beloved mutt.

This program is made available through a partnership with the Ashland Public Library sponsored by the Friends of the Ashland Public Library. Register Here or call 978-526-7711.

Author Nan Fischer, Discusses "The Book of Silver Linings" (Virtual)
MONDAY, AUGUST 21 AT 7:00—8:00PM

We're excited to be celebrating a book birthday with author Nan Fischer! Her new book, "The Book of Silver Linings" just came out on August 15th and is a must read for anyone who loves uplifting books with a touch of magic (seriously, who doesn't?!?). It's a timeless love story - our favorite kind! We hope you can join us for this very special Q&A.

You can buy signed books (by bookplate) by Nan from Aesop's Fable. Just write that you would like the book signed in the notes section at checkout.

About the Book: Constance Sparks always says yes…when her capricious best friend needs money; when her boss gives her more responsibility without a raise; and when her boyfriend, Hayden, who is very kind but also secretive, asks her to marry him. While planning their wedding—and struggling with anxiety about the right course for her future—Constance researches the history of her antique engagement ring and unearths the name of a man who might be connected to it, plus his tragic love story. When she finds a book of letters in her library’s old manuscript section written by the long-dead man, Constance is deeply touched by his words and leaves a note for him confessing her uncertainty and doubts. She’s shocked days later to find a response tucked among the pages. As the notes continue to arrive, Constance finds herself quickly falling in love with a ghost and putting her real-life relationship in jeopardy. Will a bond based on letters impossibly sent from the past derail her future? Or will Constance discover her voice and risk everything for the chance to somehow connect with her true soul mate?

About the Author: A graduate of Cornell University and former Traveling Writer for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus and Senior Campaign Writer for The University of California, San Francisco, Nan’s articles have appeared in Harper’s Bazaar, Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine, The Huffington Post, Powell’s Book Blog, YA Books Central, Germ Magazine, Hypable, and School Library Journal. Nan lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, Henry, and sometimes vorpal, but always lovable, Vizsla, Boone. When she’s not conjuring a story or reading, Nan can be found hiking, biking, kitesurfing, skiing or planning her family’s next adventure.

This program is made possible through a partnership with the Ashland Public Library and is sponsored by the Friends of the Ashland Public Library. Click Here or call 978-526-7711 to register.

Zero Waste for Parents & Kids (Virtual)
Wednesday, August 29 At 7:00—8:00pm

Please note the date of this event has changed.

We learned so much from Sarah last time she was with us, we just had to have her back! This time, we'll dig into practical tips to make your children's birthday parties and school lunches eco-friendly and low waste. We'll also be discussing how kids, families, and communities can be more sustainable as some towns/cities/states move towards free lunches for all. All ages are welcome!

Sarah Robertson-Barnes, founder of the Sustainable in the Suburbs blog, is a freelance writer, educator, and consultant. She lives with her husband, two kids, and rescue dog outside of Toronto, Ontario. Sustainable in the Suburbs is a resource for living low waste with kids in a culture of convenience.

Please register for this event, you'll receive the zoom link in the confirmation and reminder emails.

This program is made available by the Ashland Public Library sponsored by the Friends of the Ashland Public Library. We are pleased to be partnering with the Ashland Sustainability Committee, GreenUp Ashland, and a multitude of MA Libraries for this event.

Check Out Free Virtual 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, movies and TV shows to stream and enjoy along with many other databases and digital resources by using your Manchester-by-the-Sea Public Library card.

A to Z World Travel is a comprehensive, informative, and fun e-content travel database offering free and exclusive tourist and culture information on more than 160 of the top travel destinations in North America and around the globe. For Manchester residents, use your library card number to log in.

A nonprofit organization, Consumer Reports provides an easy-to-use guide for unbiased ratings on thousands of products and services used in everyday life. Included in the subscription are helpful tools for cars and televisions, satisfaction scores from nearly a million consumers, and expert tips on topics including health, food, tech and money. When accessing Consumer Reports from home you will need your library card’s barcode numbers.

Access to real-time stock/fund quotes, prices, performance data, analysis, and much more. Morningstar Investment Research Center is a financial services resource that provides beginner or seasoned investors access to even more up-to-date research and online articles and videos to help navigate smart investing, future financial planning, and staying ahead of the market.