Tag Archives: Special Events

Uncategorized

Planning for June…

Summer is here, beloved patrons, and we can only hope that you are looking forward to plenty of sunshine-filled adventures, intriguing getaways, and days filled with exploration, learning, and revelations.

Via colorfully.eu

And we are here to help!  As always, we have been hard at work thinking of new classes, events, and presentations that will help you learn, grow, and relax a bit.  Some of these are featured below, but you can check out all our sensational plans on our the calendars available on our website.

If you have paid a visit to the Main Library lately, you’ll have noticed that there are some changes afoot.  We are renovating and moving our materials around in the hopes of making the library a better place for you.  As a result, the offering at the Main Library are being kept on the low side for the month in order to make sure that we can complete all the tasks on our ‘to do’ list well–but rest assured, we will be back to our full schedule, and with some shiny new surprises for you at the Main Library very soon!

So please check out all the events we have on offer for you!  You can register for these events on our website, or by calling the Libraries themselves:

Main Library: (978) 531-0100
South Branch: (978) 531-3380
West Branch: (978) 535-3354

And, as always, please let us know what classes and programs you would like to see at the Library.  We are always working to make the Library a place where everyone feels welcome and everyone can enjoy, and your input is a critical part of that process!

At the Main Library:

Wednesday, June 20 & 27, 3:00 – 4:30pm: Intro to Excel 2016 (Two Part Class!)

In this two-week course, we will explore the basic functions of Microsoft Excel 2016.  Topics will include creating workbooks and spreadsheets, entering and arranging data, basic formatting, shortcuts, simple formulas, and if time allows, we will discuss basic tables, charts, and graphs.  Attendees must be comfortable using a computer and a mouse. Prior exposure to Excel is helpful but not required.

Please note: The library has just (5) available laptops with Excel 2016 for attendees, so space is limited.

In the Creativity Lab:

Tuesday, June 19, 6:30pm – 8:30pm: Create Your Own Bumper Sticker

Learn how to use the Creativity Lab’s vinyl cutter to create professional-quality weatherproof bumper stickers that you can design yourself!  Whether you want to write a message, cut a logo, or draw something from scratch, you can make it here.  For ages 9-adult. Space is limited so please register.

At the West Branch:

Wednesday, June 13, 1:00 – 2:00pm: Heritage Films Presents Wagon Trail: Legacy of the Old West

Calling fans of westerns and movie buffs!  Come join us for a 40 minute film presentation by local historian and film maker Dan Tremblay of Heritage Films! This particular film will focus on the Wagon Trails and the Legacy of the Old West.

Also at the West Branch…

Tuesdays, June 19th, June 26th, July 10th and July 17th, 4:00 – 5:00pm: Latin Dance Series with Greg Coles (Four Part Class!)

Greg Coles has years of experience in teaching Latin Dance and will be teaching a basic introduction to different varieties of Latin dance in this course. No prior experience is necessary. Wear comfortable clothing you can move in and comfortable, lightweight shoes.  Signing up for the first class signs you up for the whole series.

This program is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Peabody Institute Library.

At the South Branch:

Wednesday, June 6, 1:00pm – 2:30pm: Learn to Make Natural Deodorant

Are you concerned about using traditional underarm deodorant and antiperspirant? If so, join beautician Linda Sessa in a workshop to learn how to make your own natural deodorant! With ingredients already likely in the kitchen, Linda will walk attendees through the process of making deodorant and you’ll be able to take a small sample home! Come dressed to get messy!   This program is free but space is limited and registration is required.
Uncategorized

Looking Ahead to May…

As T.S. Eliot noted in The Waste Land:

April is the cruellest month, breeding
Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing
Memory and desire, stirring
Dull roots with spring rain.

For us in the Massachusetts area, it’s been a particularly tough month, with more snow than seems fitting for April, nasty storms, and, you know, taxes.

via hellocoton.fr

However, May will soon be upon us, and with May comes the promise of longer days, ice cream stands opening, and new events and classes at the Library!  Check below for some of the highlights from our May Events Calendar, and don’t forget to check out website for a full list of the programs on offer.  You can register on our website, call us at 978-531-0100, or drop by to register, as well!

And, as a friendly reminder, don’t forget that Memorial Day weekend marks the beginning of our Summer Schedule here at the Library.   The Main Library and Branches will be closed Saturday May 26, Sunday, May 27 and Monday, May 28 in observance of the Memorial Day holiday.  Following Memorial Day, the Main Library’s summer hours are:

Monday through Thursday:  9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Friday:  9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Saturday:  9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday:  Closed

We look forward to seeing you soon!

At the Main Library & Creativity Lab:

Saturday, May 19, 10:00am – 4:00pm: PILCON 2018!

Welcome to PILCON 2018, the 2nd annual FREE all-ages Comic Con at the Peabody Institute Library! Get free tickets and learn more at http://pilcon.eventbrite.com!  This year will feature even more kids’ activities and projects: Come and explore comics, graphic novels, cosplay, video games, art and books!   Get creative in our Creativity Lab makerspace, and participate in our Iron Cosplay challenge (space is limited)!  Come in your best cosplay and participate in our costume contest!  Attend presentations by artists, podcasters & games for all ages!  This is guaranteed to be a day of excitement and fun for the whole community, from newbies to Comic Con experts!
PILCON is generously sponsored by Century Bank.

At the West Branch

Thursday, May 17, 6:00pm: Novel Arrangements: A Peabody Institute Library Foundation Fundraiser

The Peabody Institute Library Foundation, with the support of Evans Flowers, is hosting a hands-on flower arranging class called Novel Arrangements.  Tickets for this event are required and may be purchased are at all three Peabody Library locations. Ticket cost is $40 and covers all materials as well as wine and cheese.  All proceeds benefit the Peabody Institute Library Foundation, whose mission is to promote, maintain, preserve and enhance the activities and programs of the Peabody Institute Library.  Questions can be directed to Melissa Robinson at mrobinson@noblenet.org or 978-531-0100 ext. 16.

At the South Branch:

Thursday, May 24, 6:30pm – 8:30pm: Basic Digital Video Workshop with Bob Michelson

Join photographer and videographer Bob Michelson at the South Branch Library in a special 2-hour workshop that will teach everything you need to know about digital video! Attendees will get an introduction to video camcorders and their controls as well as to smart phone cameras, compact digital cameras, and DSLR cameras.  Attendees will also learn about videotape recording formats, memory cards, filters and accessories, white balance, composition, video lighting, audio, editing, and more!  Bob Michelson of Photography by Michelson, Inc. is a published underwater photographer/videographer whose work has appeared in numerous books and magazines such as National Geographic, Natural History, Highlights for Children, Field & Stream, TROUT, The Conservationist, and NH Wildlife Journal, and on various broadcast networks such as Discovery Science, ABC, NBC, CBS, and PBS.  Space for this program is limited and registration is required.  Register online, call 978-531-3380, or stop by in person.

Happy Spring and Summer, dear readers!

Uncategorized

April is National Poetry Month!

National Poetry Month was introduced in 1996 by the Academy of American Poets as a way to increase awareness and appreciation of poetry in the United States, and, since 1998, it’s also been celebrated in Canada.  The idea for the celebration came when the Academy saw the success of Women’s History Month (in March) and Black History Month (in February), and wanted a way to celebrate and promote the work of poets, and the power of poetry.  So, as a Library who always enjoys a celebration, we are happy to oblige!

via the American Academy of Poets

Every year, the AAP put out a poster as part of the National Poetry Month campaign.  You can see this year’s poster right above this paragraph.  It was designed by AIGA Medal and National Design Award-winning designer Paula Scher, It’s unique typeface and coloring is a tribute to Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass, a Peabody Library favorite, so we’re particularly pleased to see Whitman’s work honored in this way!

Because one of our goals here at the Free For All is to bring a little poetry into your life, we are looking forward to sharing some verses with you this National Poetry Month.  Keep an eye out for our “Raining Poetry” Event as well, which is taking place on Monday, April 9, beginning at 3:30pm.  Using stencils created with the library’s laser cutter, participants will transfer poems to Peabody sidewalks. We’ll treat the stencils with a solution, so that poems appear up and down Main Street when it rains. The spray used to write the poems is invisible; when the surrounding pavement is darkened by rain, the dry words emerge and treat pedestrians to the secret poems that quietly wait to be read.  This particular art-instillation is brought to you by Mass Poetry, the Peabody Cultural Council, Peabody Institute Library, the Friends of the Peabody Institute Libraries, and a mother-daughter team of locals: Jennifer and Chloe Jean.

We can’t wait to fill Peabody’s sidewalks with poetry–and to share some with you here on our blog, as well.  If you’re looking for even more poetry, check out the American Academy of Poet’s website, which features oodles of poem, from Shakespearean sonnets to the most recent slam poetry, from the tried and true to the experimental and unique.  To get things started here, today we are featuring Emily Dickinson’s “Dear March – Come in -“, a perfect poem for springtime, with all it’s vagaries, surprises, and unpredictability:

Dear March – Come in – (1320)

Emily Dickinson, 1830 – 1886
Dear March - Come in -	
How glad I am -
I hoped for you before -
Put down your Hat -	
You must have walked -
How out of Breath you are -	
Dear March, how are you, and the Rest -
Did you leave Nature well -	
Oh March, Come right upstairs with me -
I have so much to tell -

I got your Letter, and the Birds -	
The Maples never knew that you were coming -
I declare - how Red their Faces grew -	        
But March, forgive me -	
And all those Hills you left for me to Hue -	
There was no Purple suitable -	
You took it all with you -	        
  
Who knocks? That April -
Lock the Door -
I will not be pursued -
He stayed away a Year to call	
When I am occupied -	        
But trifles look so trivial	
As soon as you have come
	
That blame is just as dear as Praise	
And Praise as mere as Blame -
via the American Academy of Poets
This poem is in the public domain
Uncategorized

April Events At The Library

March may have come in like a proverbial lion, beloved patrons, but it seems to be preparing to go out like a lamb.  The added sunshine to the day is making everything a little brighter, and we know many of you have begun to look forward to real, honest, Spring.  So, in the spirit of looking ahead, we wanted to highlight a few of the programs taking place at the Main Library and Branches in April to help you plan and prepare.   You can register for these events at our website, or by calling the hosting library directly.  And check out our full calendar to see all the great programs we have in store in the coming months!

And don’t forget–if there are any events, programs, or classes you would like to see at the Library, please let us know!  We always aim to bring you the best programming we can, and your feedback is critical to that goal.  And now, without further ado, here are some of the great events we have planned for April!

At the Main Library: 

Sean Gaskell: West African Kora Performance
Wednesday, April 4: 7:00 – 8:00pm

Sean Gaskell will give a performance and educational demonstration on the kora, an ancient 21-stringed harp from West Africa.  He will feature traditional songs that are the heart and soul of the kora’s musical repertoire in addition to some of his own personal compositions.  The Kora is native to the Mande peoples who live within the countries of Gambia, Senegal, Mali, Guinea, and Guinea Bissau. The music is traditionally played by oral and musical historians known as Griots (Gree-ohs). The Kora is a melodic and seemingly peaceful instrument, which is somewhat contrary to its musical repertoire. Many songs tell ancient stories of war and hardship, while others praise people of high political status and those who helped expand the Mande Empire. While the Kora is only 300 years old, some commonly played songs can be traced back 800 years to the Mande empires’ founding. Gaskell has been featured at numerous festivals in the US, Gambia, and Senegal.

 This program is generously funded by the Friends of the Peabody Institute Libraries

At the Main Library: 

Raining Poetry Painting Day
Monday, April 9: 3:30 – 5:30pm

Cloudy with a chance of poetry? Yes! This spring it will be ‘Raining Poetry’ in Peabody! The Peabody Institute Library is pleased to invite people to participate in the creation of a temporary art installation called ‘Raining Poetry.” Participants will meet in the courtyard of the Main Library.  Using stencils created with the library’s laser cutter, participants will transfer poems to Peabody sidewalks. We’ll treat the stencils with a solution, so that poems appear up and down Main Street when it rains. The spray used to write the poems is invisible; when the surrounding pavement is darkened by rain, the dry words emerge and treat pedestrians to the secret poems that quietly wait to be read.

Launched in honor of National Poetry Month, ‘Raining Poetry’ was begun by Seattle resident Peregrine Church and this particular art-instillation is brought to you by Mass Poetry, the Peabody Cultural Council, Peabody Institute Library, the Friends of the Peabody Institute Libraries, and a mother-daughter team of locals: Jennifer and Chloe Jean.

This event is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Peabody Institute Libraries

At the West Branch

Basic Gardening with Dan Tremblay
Saturday, April 14: 10:00 – 11:00am

Dan, who is also the filmmaker from Heritage Films, who many of you may remember, is bringing an informational gardening program to the West Branch! Dan will cover soil prep, planting, maintenance, fertilizing, and harvest. This session and the one in April will cover the same topics.
Note: This is the same presentation that is being offered in March.

At the Creativity Lab

Coding for the Web
Tuesday, April 10: 6:30 – 8:30pm
Eight Part Class

If you want to build your own website or web app, this course is the place to start. This eight-session course will teach attendees how to use the essential coding languages of the Web, from laying out web pages using HTML and CSS to programming your site’s behavior with JavaScript.  For ages 13+. Space is limited; sign up is required. Signing up for the first class session automatically registers you for the full eight-session class.

 

Happy Spring, dear readers!

Uncategorized

Looking Forward to March…

It’s not really February’s fault that it became the month where everything is kind of dark and murky and generally not conducive to optimism.  However, dear readers, it’s also the shortest month.  And with the turning of the calendar page, we get that much closer to Spring, and the potential for sunshine, longer days, and new adventures.  So, in the spirit of looking ahead, we wanted to highlight a few of the programs taking place at the Main Library and Branches in March to give you something to look forward to on this last Monday of February.   You can register for these events at our website, or by calling the hosting library directly.  And check out our full calendar to see all the great programs we have in store in the coming months!

And, as always, if there are classes or programs that you would like to see offered at the Library, please let us know!  We are here for you, and are always striving to provide the best classes, programs, and events possible for you!

At the Main Library:

Pleasure Grounds: Public Gardens Close to Home
Monday, March 5: 7:00pm – 8:00pm

Flowers and foliage in the dull days of March! This armchair tour showcases six public gardens within just 40 miles north of Boston—gardens with important history and significant horticultural elements. The audience will ‘meet” the ladies and gentlemen who created these gardens including the Editor of The Atlantic Monthly magazine, a nephew of Isabella Stuart Gardener, and an heiress who gave away her entire fortune to historical and charitable endeavors. Antique photos are mixed with colorful images of perennial borders, rose gardens, allées and drives, woodland paths, tropical annuals, water features, statuary, and more. b North Shore native Gail Anderson is a trained horticulturist and has been researching and photographing these gardens for nearly 10 years. Gardens covered in the lecture include: Ropes Mansion, Salem; The House of the Seven Gables, Salem; Glen Magna Farms, Danvers; Sedgwick Gardens at Long Hill, Beverly; the Crane Estate at Castle Hill, Ipswich; and the Stevens Coolidge Place, North Andover.  To register, please call (978) 531-0100.
This program is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Peabody Institute Libraries.

At the Creativity Lab:

Making Decals With Vinyl Cutting
Wednesday, March 21: 6:30pm – 8:30pm

For ages 13 to adult. A vinyl cutter can be used to make all sorts of professional-quality decals, from small bumper stickers to giant wall decorations. Learn the basic operation of a vinyl cutter here, and leave with a decal of your own!  To register, please call (978) 531-0100.

At the South Branch:

Adult Game Night
Thursday, March 15: 5:30pm – 8:30pm

Adults 18+ are invited to the library for a night of board games and card games! Bring your friends or other family members who are 18 years or older for light snacks, laughs, and fun! Enjoy more classic games like Chess, Scrabble, and Backgammon, or indulge in newer games such as Cards Against Humanity, What Do You Meme?, and Codenames. All snacks and games will be provided, but please feel free to bring your own along as well! Come for all three hours or any time in between. Space is limited and registration is required; please call (978) 531-3380, ext. 11
Please note: Some of our games contain crude humor, strong language, or suggestive themes.

At the West Branch:

DIY Aromatherapy Crafts and Beauty Recipes
Monday, March 19: 4pm – 5pm
Have you ever wanted to try making your own natural beauty products? Join us once a month through the spring and summer as we try a different recipe each month. We’ll make things like sugar scrubs, facial mists made with tea and essential oils, and aromatherapy eye pillows. All supplies will be provided.
Sign up for one session or multiples.  Please contact Linda if you have any questions or concerns about potential allergens at (978) 535-3354 , ext. 11
We look forward to seeing you at one of our programs soon!
Uncategorized

What are you doing (at the Library)?

It may still be winter, beloved patrons, but apparently we’ve gained over a half-hour of daylight a day since the Winter Solstice!  Meanwhile, we here at the Library have been busy putting together programs, events, and classes to help you learn, savor, and grow.  Here are just a few of the programs on offer in the month of March.  Be sure to check out our full Events Calendar for all the programs that are on offer.  And, as ever, don’t hesitate to tell us what kind of programs would be helpful to you–we are always open to new ideas and new programs!

To sign up for any of the events listed below (or any events listed in the full Events Calendar), you can go to www.peabodylibrary.org, or call us at (978) 531-0100.  Registration for these events begins tomorrow, February first.  We look forward to welcoming you to the Library soon!

At the Main Library:

Pleasure Grounds: Public Gardens Close to Home
Monday, March 5: 7:00pm – 8:00pm

Flowers and foliage in the dull days of March! This armchair tour showcases six public gardens within just 40 miles north of Boston—gardens with important history and significant horticultural elements. The audience will ‘meet” the ladies and gentlemen who created these gardens, including the Editor of The Atlantic Monthly magazine, a nephew of Isabella Stuart Gardener, and an heiress who gave away her entire fortune to historical and charitable endeavors. Antique photos are mixed with colorful images of perennial borders, rose gardens, allées and drives, woodland paths, tropical annuals, water features, statuary, and more.  North Shore native Gail Anderson is a trained horticulturist and has been researching and photographing these gardens for nearly 10 years. Gardens covered in the lecture include: Ropes Mansion, Salem; The House of the Seven Gables, Salem; Glen Magna Farms, Danvers; Sedgwick Gardens at Long Hill, Beverly; the Crane Estate at Castle Hill, Ipswich; and the Stevens Coolidge Place, North Andover.
This program is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Peabody Institute Libraries.

Digital Library Freebies – E-Books, Magazines, Music, Movies and More!
Saturday, March 24: 10:00am – 12:00pm

In this workshop, we’ll show you some of the awesome FREE digital entertainment content you can get with your library card! We’ll give you the highlights of various services the library offers to help you enjoy e-books, e-audio books, music, TV shows, digital magazines, movies, comics, and more!  Feel free to bring your own device. The library does have (5) laptops and a couple of tablets available if you need one! Some of these services will require an e-mail and most will require your library card to use and/or register. Bring your logins and library card to class.
This class will take place in a new location at the Main Library – Program Room – in the basement of the building. Please contact staff if you have any questions or need directions: (978) 531-0100
Please note: Registration for this class begins on March 1.

At the West Branch: 

DIY Aromatherapy Crafts and Beauty Recipes
Monday, March 19: 4:00pm – 5:00pm

Have you ever wanted to try making your own natural beauty products? Join us once a month through the spring and summer as we try a different recipe each month. We’ll make things like sugar scrubs, facial mists made with tea and essential oils, and aromatherapy eye pillows. All supplies will be provided.  Sign up for one session or multiples.  Please contact Linda if you have any questions or concerns about potential allergens (978-535-3354 x11).

At the South Branch: 

Adult Game Night at the South Branch
Thursday, March 15: 5:30pm – 8:30pm

Adults 18+ are invited to the library for a night of board games and card games! Bring your friends or other family members who are 18 years or older for light snacks, laughs, and fun! Enjoy more classic games like Chess, Scrabble, and Backgammon, or indulge in newer games such as Cards Against Humanity, What Do You Meme?, and Codenames. All snacks and games will be provided, but please feel free to bring your own along as well! Come for all three hours or any time in between. Space is limited and registration is required. Sign-ups will open one month prior to the event.

 Please note: Some of our games contain crude humor, strong language, or suggestive themes. For more information about this event, please call 978-531-3380 x11.

Uncategorized

What Are You Doing (at the Library)?

As many of you know, dear readers, we strive to provide plenty of quality classes, events, and activities here at the Library, and though Winter keeps trying to thwart our plans, we have yet to be deterred from our goal!  Here’s a look at some of the events we have coming up in February for your delectation.  You can see the full list of events by checking out our Adult Events Calendar, our Children’s Room Calendar, and our Creativity Lab Calendar.

And, as always, our events are free for all.

At the Main Library:

iPad & iPhone Basics
Tuesday, February 13: 3:00pm – 5:00pm
Second Floor Tech Lab

In this 2-hour class, we’ll cover some of the basic functions of the Apple iPad & iPhone, including current operating system features and those on previous versions. We will explore basic set up of the device, touch screen gestures, your home screen, managing settings, privacy, and notifications, along with taking and storing/sharing photos, messaging, e-mail, apps, and additional functions as time allows.

Note: Please bring your iPhone or iPad if you want to follow along in class, as the library cannot provide devices to attendees.

At the Creativity Lab:

Digital Embroidery
Wednesday, February 24: 6:30pm – 8:30pm

Learn how to create your own custom embroidery with the Creativity Lab’s digital embroidery machine. This machine can take any digital image and stitch it into fabric. You can embroider a design of your own during the class, and afterward, you will be able to use the machine during any Open Lab session.

For ages 13-adult. Space is limited; please sign up in advance.

At the West Branch:

Georgia O’Keeffe: A Life of Art, Lecture and Slide Presentation with Meg Dall
Tuesday, February 6: 7:00pm – 8:00pm

For seven decades Georgia O’Keeffe was a major figure in American art. Remarkably she remained independent in her vision and finding the essentials in form, color, shape and light that illuminated her canvases. The images were drawn from her life experiences to places where she lived. The very landscape outside her window was the inspiration she drew from.  Come and see slides of O’Keeffe’s work as well as photographs of the artist and learn more about her life and work with Meg Dall.  Meg Dall is a teaching artist, who studied at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. She is
Director of Young @Art, an art appreciation program, and a former docent at the Guggenheim Museum’s LEARNING THROUGH ART program, the Boston Public Library and at Boston College’s McMullen Museum (Klee exhibit). In the past she has taught an Enrichment program at the Marblehead Community Public School.
This program is generously sponsored by The Friends of the Peabody Institute Library. Please register in advance to reserve a space.

Heritage Films presents Revere Beach Story and Pleasure Island Park History
Wednesday, February 14: 1:00pm – 2:00pm

Come join us for a 40 minute film presentation by local historian and film maker Dan Tremblay of Heritage Films! This particular film will focus on the history of Revere Beach and Pleasure Island Park.

 

As always, if there is a program, event, or class you’d like to see at the Library, let us know!  We are, after all, here because of and for you!