Missed the first few collection days? That is okay, you can join the challenge at anytime before Friday May 5. The challenge is not about being perfect but about discovering how to throw away less.

MBTS residents, families and groups can bring whatever trash you collected between April 28- May 5 at 3-5PM on May 5 to the Manchester-by-the-Sea Sustainability Committee  table at the library to have your trash weighed.

The household with the lowest weeklong trash accumulation will receive the honor of being Manchester-by-the-Sea’s 2023 Zero Waste Champion! Prizes for the 1st place is a 7 Seas Whale Watch gift certificate, 2nd place will win a Bravo Pizza gift certificate, 3rd place will recieve an Unpacked Living gift certificate and all runners up will get a Captain Dusty coupon. All those who register and come to the weigh in on Friday will win a prize! Register at bit.ly/mbtszerowaste 

Hearthside Book Group: Reading "The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post"
TUESDAY, MAY 2 AT 4:00—5:00PM

Join us in person at the library or on Zoom to discuss the novel The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post a novel by Allison Pataki. Contact Lori Dumont at [email protected]  or call 978-526-7711 for further information. Copies of this book are available at the circulation desk, curbside pickup or by home delivery.

Read to Gus, a Certified Reading and Therapy Dog
THURSDAY, MAY 4 AT 3:45 and 4PM

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! 

First Friday Movies at MBTS: A Man Called Otto
FRIDAY, MAY 5 AT 5:30—7:30PM

We will be showing a movie in our newly renovated Reference Room on the first Friday of every month at 5:30PM. We will supply the popcorn. Feel free to bring covered, non-alcoholic beverages. 

The movie this month, A Man Called Otto has a MPA rating: PG-13; for mature thematic material involving suicide attempts, and language. Starring Tom Hanks, "Based on the comical and moving New York Times bestseller, it tells the story of Otto Anderson, a grumpy widower whose only joy comes from criticizing and judging his exasperated neighbors. When a lively young family moves in next door, he meets his match in quick-witted and very pregnant Marisol, leading to an unexpected friendship that will turn his world upside down."

MBTS Recycling A-Z
TUESDAY, MAY 9 AT 6:00—7:00 PM

Come and learn all about recycling! Caitlin Smith, Recycling & Organics Coordinator from Republic Services, will be presenting an in-depth look on recycling. Find out what happens to your recycling once it leaves your curbside bin and how the recycling facility sorts the material. Learn what Massachusetts and Republic Services are doing to help increase recycling and what we can do as a community to help. This event is made possible through a partnership with The Manchester-by-the-Sea's Sustainability Committee.

Special Community Movie Screening: The Clean Bin Project
TUESDAY, MAY 9 AT 7:00—9:00PM

Stay after the Recycling A-Z presentation for a special screening of "The Clean Bin Project" Snacks, Popcorn, Coffee and Tea will be provided. This event is made possible through a partnership with the Manchester-by-the-Sea's Sustainability Committee. Registration is encouraged but not required. 

About the Clean Bin Project: Is it possible to live completely waste free? In this multi-award winning, festival favourite, partners Jen and Grant go head to head in a competition to see who can swear off consumerism and produce the least garbage Their light-hearted competition is set against a darker examination of the problem waste. Even as Grant and Jen start to garner interest in their project, they struggle to find meaning in their minuscule influence on the large-scale environmental impacts of our “throw-away society”. Described as An Inconvenient Truth meets Super Size Me, The Clean Bin Project features laugh out loud moments, stop motion animations, and unforgettable imagery. Captivating interviews with renowned artist, Chris Jordan and TED Lecturer Captain Charles Moore, make this film a fun and inspiring call to individual action that speaks to crowds of all ages.

Let's Make Music with Ms. Teresa
FRIDAY, MAY 12 AT 10:30—11:15 AM

Join Teresa Coehlo for a joy-filled morning of music!  Perfect for children ages 0-5yrs & their caregivers. Registration is required as indoor space is limited. In the event of a beautiful morning, ALL are welcome to join us outside! This event is made possible by the Hooper Fund. 

CFCE Early Childhood Partners presents: Seaside Saturday with Julie Arthur PLEASE REGISTER!
SATURDAY, MAY 13 AT 10:00—11:00AM

Join Ms. Julie for Seaside Saturday at the Library, where participants will enjoy themed stories, activities and crafts! This program will be in the Children's Room (or outside depending on the weather). Please register on their website or call: www.EarlyChildhoodPartners.com / 978-468-5489.

Cookbook Throwdown
SATURDAY, MAY 13 AT 11:30 AM—12:30PM

The cookbook book club meets on the 2nd Saturday of every month and we share recipes from a cookbook from off our library shelves. May's pick is "Manchester Woman's Club Cookbook" by the local Manchester Woman's Club. 

Sign up for a recipe in the library or online and bring your dish to be sampled on Saturday, May 13th along with any utensils needed. The library will provide small plates, napkins, and the standard cutlery but if you are bringing a soup or other recipe that needs specialized cutlery please bring bowls or cups for everyone to use. I have picked some recipes to showcase but you can pick any recipe from the book. Please call Maddy Willwerth at 978-526-7711 if you have any questions.

Virtual Events

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

Lioness of Boston - The Life of Isabella Stewart Gardner (Virtual)
MONDAY, MAY 8 AT 7:00—8:00PM

Author Emily Franklin will discuss her brand new novel, The Lioness of Boston, in conversation with author Dawn Tripp, in this ZOOM webinar. The Lioness of Boston is a deeply evocative novel of the life of Isabella Stewart Gardner, a daring visionary who created an inimitable legacy in American art and transformed the city of Boston itself. Click Here for more info and to register.

Native Americans of New England: History, Colonial Legacies, and Survival (Virtual)
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17 AT 7:00—8:00PM

Explore the history of Native Americans in New England. While we will not turn a blind eye to the impact that colonization, dispossession, and racism had on the story of Indigenous peoples in the region, we will also explore Native American resistance, adaptation, and survival under often harsh and unfavorable circumstances. Moreover, we will examine some of the colonial legacies that still shape the views and (mis-) perceptions about Indigenous peoples to this day.

Led by Christoph Strobel, a Professor of History at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. He is the author of War and Colonization in the Early American Northeast, Native Americans of New England (2021 Choice Outstanding Academic Title); The Global Atlantic: 1400–1900, The Testing Grounds of Modern Empire.

NOTE: This program will be recorded. All registrants will receive the recording via email within 24 hours of the program. This program is made possible through a partnership with the Tewksbury Public Library.

Weekly Events

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

Dungeons and Dragons
TUESDAYS AT 3:45-5PM

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

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 AT 11AM-12PM

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