Tag Archives: Learn at the Library

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Looking Ahead: Summer Programming!

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If you are anything like us, beloved patrons, today’s summer sunshine is a welcome relief from the rain and chill of the past month, and a bright reminder that summer is, actually just around the proverbial corner!  As such, we’re taking a look through out summer programming and getting terribly excited about the upcoming events, classes, and performances that will be coming to the Main Library and Branches in the month of June!  Take a look at some of the highlights below to see what we mean!

And please let us know what classes and programs you would like to see offered at the Library in the future.  We are here for you, so be sure to let us know your needs!

You can register for these programs on our website, by calling the library that is hosting the program, or by coming in and speaking to a friendly member of staff.  We look forward to seeing you at the Library soon!

At the Main Library

Monday, June 24, 7:00 – 8:00pm: Hikes Through History

A hike is more than a stroll through the woods when you know how the land was used in the past. In Massachusetts, many parks and trails have been carved out of historical sites, including Native villages, industrial sites, or grand estates.  Author/speaker Alison O’Leary, coauthor of the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Best Day Hikes Near Boston, will share her favorites through this hour-long program. Using maps and historic photos, she describes many day trip destinations with historical significance and interesting features in Eastern Massachusetts. Special effort is made to include varying levels of difficulty (flat and easy to steep and challenging) and variety of scenery. Best Day Hikes Near Boston (AMC Press 2017) is the second hiking book O’Leary has published; her first was Inns & Adventures: A History and Explorer’s Guide to New Hampshire, Vermont, and the Berkshires, coauthored with Michael Tougias (OnCape Publishing 2015). Their other coauthored book is So Close to Home: The True Story of an American Family’s Fight for Survival in WWII. In 2017 she won the Silver Charlie Award from the Florida Magazine Association for history writing.
This event is generously sponsored by The Friends of the Peabody Institute Libraries.

In the Creativity Lab

Monday, June 3: 6:30 – 8:30pm: Make 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.   This two-week class is for ages 9-adult. Space is limited so please sign up soon!

In the Teen Room

Wednesday, June 5: 6:30 – 8:30pm: Open Mic Night

Come share your songs, your stories, your poems, and your jokes at the library’s Open Mic Night!  Whether you’re a musician, storyteller, writer, comedian, or other type of entertainer, the mic is yours. The sign-up sheet goes out at 6 p.m., and performers can sign up on a first-come-first-serve basis.  And if performing’s really not your thing, that’s okay.  Come hang out, drink coffee, and support some inspiring local talent.   All ages welcome!  Hosted by Molly Pinto Madigan

 

At the West Branch

 

Tuesday, June 4: 6:30pm – 8:00pm: Let’s Talk About Social Security

Gilbert A. Gallant Jr., CFP, ChFC, MBA from Ledgewood Financial will be here to talk about the basics of Social Security benefits and to discuss strategies for claiming benefits. Join us to learn more about this important benefit. If you are considering retiring soon, this information may be a key for setting your goals. Registration is required. Space is limited. Call 978-935-3354 or email Kbryant@noblenet.org for more information and to register.

At the South Branch

Thursday, June 13, 7:00 – 8:00pm: Eating the Rainbow–Making Colorful Gnocchi

Easy to freeze and great in soup or on their own, gnocchi is a versatile pasta that is easier to make than you think! In this one hour class, Peabody native, Linda Sessa will teach participants how to make gnocchi with different vegetable bases such as avocados, spinach, and beets for eye-catching meals.  We ask that you please bring a cutting board as you will be joining in on all the fun! Participants may also want to consider bringing an apron.  Please Note: We will be using traditional wheat flour, so this is not a gluten-free event.  Space is limited and registration is required.

Happy Summer, beloved patrons!  We look forward to seeing you at the Library!
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Looking Ahead To April

Somehow, beloved patrons, March swept by in a blast of wind and a few drifting snow storms, and suddenly, we find ourselves preparing, in a handful of days, for April.   We’ve organized a pretty intriguing calendar of events, classes, and programs for you at our branches, and in the various departments of our Main Library–please, consider this your formal invitation to register for any and all of them that interest you!

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Via Dribble

In addition, please let us know what classes, events, or performances you would like to see at the Library in the coming months.  We strive everyday to provide for the needs of our community, and we can best do that with your input and advice.

So, without further ado, let’s look at all the neat things going on in the Libraries in April!

At the Main Library:

Wednesday, April 17, 7:00 – 8:00pm: Guided Meditation

So often in our hurried lives we become ungrounded, unfocused and scattered. Please come for an evening of relaxation as Reiki Master Teacher Valerie York leads us in a guided meditation to ground and call back our energy. Space for this class is limited, so be sure to sign up online, or call the Main Library to reserve your spot.

In the Teen Room:

Tuesday, April 2, 6:30 – 8:30pm: Truth or Fail Trivia Night

Created by author and YouTube personality Hank Green, Truth or Fail Trivia is the perfect game for trivia aficionados to come compete for prizes and brainy glory!

In the Creativity Lab:

Monday, April 8, 6:30 – 8:30pm: Make A Laser-Cut Dog Tag

The Creativity Lab’s laser cutter uses a powerful laser to cut through materials like wood, acrylic, and linoleum. In this class, you will learn how to use our laser cutter by making a custom wooden dog tag, luggage tag, or keychain. Materials will be provided.  This class is limited to patrons aged 18 and over.  Please register in advance.

At the West Branch:

Wednesday, April 24, 1:00 – 2:00pm: Heritage Films presents “The Colonials and British at Lexington and Concord”

Come join us for a 40 minute film presentation by local historian and filmmaker Dan Tremblay of Heritage Films! This particular film will focus on the history of the The Colonials and British at Lexington and Concord.

 

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Telling New Stories about The First World War

Those of you who attended the first week of our two-week book discussion on Mary Borden’s The Forbidden Zone were treated to a lively discussion about the kind of stories we tell about the First World War, and how they shape the way we think about history and what we can learn from a given moment in time.

As was pointed out last night, the traditional narrative of The First World War tells us that the war was ugly and disillusioning and utterly, totally futile.  That it’s only value lies in the fact that it led to the Second World War.  But in reality, that narrative obscures the critical importance of the First World War to a significant number of historic events, movements, and developments.  To take just a few examples, our language evolved as a result of the war.  Phrases like “binge drink”, “blind spot”, and “pushing up daisies” all entered the vernacular between 1914 and 1918.  The rise of women employed in industry, mechanics, and technical jobs rose significantly, if only for the duration of the war.  But the result was that a significant number of women received training for new kinds of work, were exposed to new people, and learned a new kind of self-reliance.  In the United States, Black men and women enlisted in a number of positions, and worked on the home front, leading to a change in national demographics, but, more importantly, a renewed fight for civil rights across the country.  Some of the medical advancements made during the war remain with us today, from plastic surgery to burn treatments.

And so, with that in mind, we wanted to share some book recommendations for those looking to read some new stories about the First World War that get away from the narratives of the War Poets and traditional narratives that stick with us regarding the war.  We hope you enjoy!

The Forbidden Zone: Mary Borden was born in Chicago, but was living with her husband in London when the war broke out.  When the Red Cross turned down her offer to buy them a hospital, she built, funded, and staffed a hospital on her own, and worked there as a volunteer nurse for the duration of the war.  This book is a collection of her reminiscences, memories, and experiences of war service, written largely while she was at the front.  As a result, this is a collection of stories about the women who lived behind the front lines, and how they survived the war, about the colonial troops who served for the British and the French armies, about the kind of wounds she treated, and the moral and physical challenges of caring for soldiers in war, knowing you were healing them to go back and fight further.  Structurally, the book is a modernist masterpiece, show that the modernist form of writing was not in anyway exclusive to the men in the trenches.

Three Comrades: Erich Maria Remarque is perhaps best known for his novel All Quiet on the Western Front, but his later works are also sensational, and drive home the lasting effects of the war, not only on veterans, but on the societies as a whole that had to endure the war.  This book, written during the rise of Hitler and his National Socialist Party, tell of three war veterans, and the woman with whom one of them falls in love.  It’s a tragedy, and it’s a hauntingly beautiful study of the melancholy and loss that its main characters are all suffering after the war, and in the world it left behind.  It’s also a deeply moving story of friendship and love that counters the narratives of brutality and anger that are so often found in stories from the trenches.

The Forty Days of Musa Dagh cover 2012 edition.jpgThe Forty Days of Musa Dagh: The First World War was not only a European war–it was one that truly encompassed the world, and Austrian novelist Franz Werfel shares one of the darkest parts of the war in this novel, based on true events.  The story was inspired by the self-defense by a small community of Armenians living near Musa Dagh, in the Ottoman Empire (the area is part of current-day Turkey), and recounts the events of the Armenian Genocide, which began within the context of the war, with perpetrators using the chaos of war to hide and justify their actions.  Werfel continued to rewrite and update the book after its first publication in response to the rise of the Nazi party, and the persecution of people within Werfel’s own life.  The Armenian Genocide is a critically important aspect of the First World War, but this book also documents the Genocide itself, and sheds light on how states and people shift their language to dehumanize groups within its own borders.

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Looking Ahead to February!

The period after New Year’s isn’t, frankly, that much fun.  It’s cold, it’s dark, and this year, we don’t even have the benefit of snow cover to reflect any kind of light back to us, making everything just a little bit bleaker.

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Here at the Library, we try to disrupt the winter doldrums by providing fun classes, lecture series, and other events that can keep your brain buzzing and your imagination humming.  Here are just a few of the events we have on the horizon.  And keep your eye out, as our spring calendar will be out in a few short weeks with another helping of programming.

And, as always, if there are events or classes you’d like to see offered here or at our branches, let us know!  We aim to provide the best possible programming we can, and your input is vital to that process.

At the Main Library

Wednesday, February 20, 7:00 – 8:00pm: Guided Meditation

So often in our hurried lives we become ungrounded, unfocused and scattered. Please come for an evening of relaxation as Reiki Master Teacher Valerie York leads us in a guided meditation to ground and call back our energy.

At the Main Library

Tuesday, February 26, 6:00 – 7:00pm: Writing for Professional Success

Strong writing skills and a good understanding of grammar are more than just helpful assets to list on a resume. In fact, effective business writing skills, from emails and memos to reports and presentations, are the tools that can launch and build careers. This workshop is designed for those who are looking to explore the fundamental skills needed for effective professional writing. We will focus on some basic rules of grammar and sentence structure that will provide clarity to your writing, as well as tips and tricks for making your writing more credible and persuasive. We will also discuss etiquette for composing workplace emails and helpful strategies for networking and collaborating with co-workers. This course is designed for those who are new to professional writing, or just entering the workforce, as well as those looking to brush up on their writing skills or make a career change.

In the Teen Room

Wednesday, February 6, 10:00am – 12:00pm: Mosaic Sun Catchers

Bring some light and color into the gray landscapes of winter!  Join Leslie Doherty of Ways of Color for this workshop where you will learn to create a mosaic sun catcher. All materials will be provided.

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

At the South Branch

Thursday, February 7, 7:30 – 8:30pm: Real Talk Real Moms

Join Peabody native, Jessica Luque, to discuss the joys and hardships of being a mom. Jessica is a mom of 3 all under 4 years old and knows the struggle of working full time, raising her kids, and trying to squeeze in time for herself. Come to the South Branch to sit back, relax, and meet other moms who know just how you feel. Feel free to talk or just listen — all moms are welcome!   Moms, we encourage you take this hour for YOU, so we ask that you do not bring children along.  Registration is not required. Just show up!

For more information, please feel free to call 978-531-3380 x11 or email Jessica at jessicaluque86@gmail.com.

 

 

At the West Branch:

Wednesday, February 28, 1:00 – 2:00pm: Heritage Films presents “Ol’ Time Radio Days”

Before there were podcasts, there were radio shows.  The origins of most of our popular entertainment, from soap operas to game shows, got their start on the radio.  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 the Ol’ Time Radio Days.

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Looking Ahead…

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It’s pretty dark and gloomy out there today, dear readers, but we are eager to combat our growing autumnal lethargy with a look at the phenomenal programs that we have coming up in November and December!  We have done our best to assemble a line-up of classes, concerts, film screenings, and activities to drive away the winter doldrums.  You can register for these lovely events by going to our website, giving us a call, or coming in and speaking with your friendly public service staff.

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As ever, if you have ideas or suggests for programs you would like to see here at the Library, please let us know!  We are here for you, after all.  And now, on to the calendar!

At the Main Library: PowerPoint, Photographs, and Digital Slideshows

Tuesday, December 4, 4:00 – 5:30pm

In this one day course, learn how to use Microsoft Powerpoint to share your favorite pictures with family and friends. Topics will include the basics of Powerpoint, digital photo editing and scanning, and creating digital slideshows using your favorite memories. Bring digital photo files that you’d like to use on a flashdrive, any physical photographs that you’d like to scan, and your own laptop, if possible- the library has just (5) available laptops with Powerpoint 2016 for attendees.

At the South Branch:

Tuesday, November 20, 2:30 – 3:30pm: Introduction to Yoga & Meditation

This four week series is designed to help adults discover the fundamentals of yoga.  This is a practice of reconnecting the Mind and Body through Breath & Movement. Guided meditation, yoga philosophy, and posture alignment with modifications will be shared during the class. This class will allow you leave class feeling grounded in your body and balanced in your mind.  The South Branch Library has a small number of mats for use, but we ask to please bring your own, if possible. You may also bring a throw blanket or pillow to sit in meditation with. Wear comfortable clothing you can move freely in. This series will be led by Certified Yoga Instructor, Reiki Master, and Peabody native Marco Aurelio Vinci. Any direct inquiries about the class should be e-mailed to marcovinciyoga@gmail.com

At the West Branch:

Wednesday, November 14, 1:00 – 2:00pm: Heritage Films presents Norman Rockwell, Illustrator

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 Norman Rockwell.

In the Teen Room (Main Library)

Wednesday, December 5, 6:30 – 8:30pm: Open Mic Night

Come share your songs, your stories, your poems, and your jokes at the library’s Open Mic Night!   Whether you’re a musician, storyteller, writer, comedian, or other type of entertainer, the mic is yours. The sign-up sheet goes out at 6 p.m., and performers can sign up on a first-come-first-serve basis.  And if performing’s really not your thing, that’s okay.  Come hang out, drink coffee, and support some inspiring local talent.  All ages welcome!
We hope to see you soon, beloved patrons!
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Dreaming of September…

Did someone say September?

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Personally, each and every one of us here agrees that we seemed to have slipped into a time vortex, and we are completely unable to account for the swiftness with which September is approaching.  Professionally, however, we have been hard at work planning events, classes, concerts, and other programs here at the Library for you, beloved patrons.  With the start of a new school year comes the potential for lots of learning, fun, and new beginnings, and we look forward to welcoming you to the Library for these events, and the many others listed on our website, soon!  Registration is open for these events, so please call or go online to secure your place!

As always, please let us know what kinds of programs you would like to see offered here.  We constantly try to meet the needs of the community, and your input is vital to ensuring we achieve that goal!

At the Main Library:

Monday, September 10, 6:00 – 7:30pm: All About Social Networking: Social Media Services and What’s Right for You

One of the easiest ways to stay in touch with friends and family is through social media. In this class we’ll walk you through the most popular social networks and talk about which ones are best for you.  Feel free to bring your own smartphone and laptop or just follow along.

In the Creativity Lab:

Tuesday, September 4 & 11, 6:30 – 8:30pm: Sew a Personalized Wallet

No sewing experience necessary. In this two-session class, you will sew a fabric wallet from scratch. You will also learn how to make it yours with a custom embroidery design that will be stitched into the front. Fabric and sewing machines will be provided, but you may bring your own if you wish.  This class is for ages 13-adult. Space is limited and sign up is required. Signing up for the first class session automatically registers you for the full two-session class.

At the West Branch:

Tuesday, September 18, 1:00 – 3:00pm: Eco Jewelry Making Workshop

Green Art Workshop Presents Eco Jewelry Making!  Discover how to upcycle paper, metal, and natural objects into one-of-a-kind decor and wearable art! Play with your favorite eco-friendly materials and design earrings, a pendant, necklace, or bring an accessory to adorn. Please register in advance as space is limited to 15 participants. There is no charge and all materials will be provided, unless you want to bring an accessory of your own to adorn.

This program is made possible through the generous support of the Friends of the Peabody Institute Library.

At the South Branch: 

Tuesday, September 25, 6:30pm – 8:30pm: peabody Recreation Department Fall Painting Program

The Peabody Institute Library’s South Branch will host Peabody Parks & Recreation Department’s Fall art class taught by Jeanette Lerner.  This session will run 6 weeks on Tuesdays, September 25, October 2 & 30th, and November 6, 13, and 20 from 6:30-8:30pm. For more information or to register, please contact the Peabody Parks and Recreation Department at 978-536-0600.

 

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Getting Ready For School? We’re Ready to Help! (Part 1)

First and foremost, our apologies for the deafening silence on this blog in the past few days.  We were getting over a bit of summer sickness, and appreciate your patience with us a great deal.

We’re back, and, no doubt like many of you, getting ready for the all the back-to-school fun.  There’s no joy quite like a new box of crayons for the first day of school–but there’s also a lot of stress and anxiety around heading back to school, too.  That’s true no matter how old you are, how long you have been a student, or where you go to class.

The good news is that, as with nearly all things, the Library is here to help!

We’ve already mentioned the Library’s subscription to Tutor.com, which provides on-demand, one-to-one tutoring in an online classroom for students in kindergarten through college in over 60 academic subjects and test preparation areas, including the ACT and SAT.  It’s a phenomenal resource that can help students in any grade.  Today, we’re eager to feature a class that might very well prove helpful to those who may be writing research papers in the coming school year, and would like to learn more about the process and the resources available to you as Library patrons.  Here’s the course description:

Intro to Research and Writing

Writing a research paper can feel feel scary and overwhelming, but having the right tools and skills at your disposal can help make the process clear, and aid you in making the grade with confidence.  

This 2-week class is for students of all ages who are looking to acquire or enhance their research and academic writing skills for any class or academic program.

We will begin by looking at the physical and digital resources available through the library to help you assemble the facts, data, and sources necessary to write a strong paper.  We will then discuss how to construct a research paper, including building a strong thesis statement, crafting a persuasive argument, and citing your sources correctly. We will also brainstorm some effective writing strategies and support methods for students to help make the research and writing process as easy and low-stress as possible.

This course will be held at the Main Library on Monday, September 17 & 24, from 6:00 – 7:30pm.  As mentioned in the description, students of all ages and from any academic discipline are welcome–as are patrons looking to brush up on the research and writing skills.  Registration is now open on our website, or you can call us are (978) 531-0100 to register by phone.

We hope this class, and the other resources that we’ll be featuring in the coming weeks will prove useful to those of you heading back to school, supporting a student, or looking to learn more for yourself alone.  Please let us know what else we can do to make your academic life more easy, too!