Join us Sunday, March 19th at 2:30 for a presentation and panel discussion on the 175 year history of the Wayland Library!

Founded in 1848, WFPL is one of the oldest public libraries in the United States. WFPL played a pivotal role in the passage of legislation that authorized the use of public funding to support public libraries. In the intervening 175 years, WFPL has come to be not only a place where residents can borrow books, but a hub of programs for all ages, art exhibits, and community gatherings, as well as a refuge in stressful times.

The program will feature a number of illuminating speakers:

-Jane Sciacca will discuss her experience as a Wayland resident and de facto town historian.

-Brandeis History Dept. doctoral students Rafael Abrahams, Elizabeth Simms, and Joseph Weisberg will present their research on highlights from WFPL’s past in a round-table discussion.

-UConn Professor Emeritus Dr. Robert Gross will give a talk titled “The Public Library and the Community: Reflections on Wayland’s Experiences,” reflecting on WFPL’s unique history as a pioneering library and its place in the broader contexts of Massachusetts, New England, and the nation at large. 

Registration is required to attend via zoom. If you plan to join us in person registration is encouraged for planning purposes but not required. 

Sunday, March 19  2:30 PM