Fall has library buzzing with activities!

September is an exciting time at the library! All of our book groups that took a summer break are ready to get started once again, the farmers market continues on the front lawn on Fridays, the book sale will take place toward the end of the month and we have new classes and programs to offer!

Library Card Sign-Up Month

September is Library Card Sign-Up Month! Do you have a library card, but can’t seem to find it? Come in during September and we’ll give you a replacement card for free (normally $2 per card). All you need is a photo ID and proof of your Massachusetts address. That’s right! We can issue cards for Massachusetts residents, even if you don’t live in Methuen! Can’t make it into the library? Sign up for a library card online! Once the computer system verifies your address, you’ll be able to borrow digital materials right away. Find out how on our website, nevinslibrary.org, under “Library Cards.”

Book Groups starting

The summer break is over, and our book groups are restarting! All of our groups are always welcoming new members, so stop in for a meeting. Books are available at the Main Desk about one month before the discussion date. More information about all of our groups, including book lists, can be found on our website, nevinslibrary.org/services/book-groups. Here is a quick breakdown of our book groups for adults:

• Noche de Libros, Tertulias, y Café: Our Spanish Language book group, meets the first Wednesday of the month at 7pm.
• Thursday Night Book Group: meets the first Thursday of the month at 7pm.
• Stranger than Fiction: Our nonfiction book group meets the second Monday of the month at 7pm.
• WORDs (We Only Read Diverse Stories): meets the second Tuesday of the month at 7pm.
• LGBTQ+ Book Group: meets the second Thursday of the month at 3pm.
• Wednesday Afternoon Book Group: meets the third Wednesday of the month at 1pm.
• Forever Young-ish: Our book group for adults that enjoy teen literature meets the third Thursday of the month at 7pm.
• Sociable Seniors: meets the last Friday of the month at 10am.

 

Buried in Treasures

Nevins Library is happy to host the next session of Buried in Treasures classes, presented by the City of Methuen Health and Human Services Department. This class is a relaxed, non-judgmental program that teaches you how to build insight, skills and strategies to help declutter, get organized and reduce acquiring. Workshops begin Sept. 4 at the library, and continue for 15 weeks. Buried in Treasures is a free class, and includes all workbooks that will be needed. If interested, please call Patrick McCarty at (978) 857-1813 or e-mail pmccarty@ci.methuen.ma.us for more information or to register. 

Drop-In Tech Help

Need help with your laptop, phone, tablet, e-reader, or have another technology-related question? Then stop into the library Tuesday, Sept. 17 between 6 and 8pm. Bring your devices and your questions! Our Technology Librarian will do his best to answer them, and if he can’t, he’ll look for answers and learn alongside you. No registration is required. Troubleshooting computer hardware problems and running virus scans are beyond the scope of the library’s tech help. The library reserves the right to determine whether a patron’s request for tech help is beyond the scope of service.

Planning for Medicare

Join us for a Planning for Medicare-Countdown to 65 no-cost seminar that will help you understand your Medicare health insurance options outside of your employer-sponsored coverage, whether or not you’re planning to retire. This is a presentation and discussion led by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts representative Heather Hurd and will include learning about the Medicare enrollment timeline, supplemental coverage, prescription drug plans and more. This seminar will take place Thursday, Sept. 26 at 6:30pm. Please save your seat by registering on our calendar of events on our website or by calling (978) 686-4080.

Library hours

The library will be closed Saturday, Aug. 31 and Monday, Sept. 2 for the Labor Day holiday. The library will be open 9am-5pm on Saturdays beginning Sept. 7. 

‘New Adult’ Programs

Starting this fall, the Nevins Library will be hosting programs just for adults in their 20s and 30s. If you love coffee, tea and games, come to our new program, Board and Brewed, on Saturday, Sept. 28 from 11am-1pm. The library will provide coffee and tea, you provide the games. Come ready to meet people and have fun! There are no sign-ups for this program. Just drop in.

Fall Book Sale

The Friends of the Nevins Library will hold their annual Fall Book Sale starting with a Friday, Sept. 20 Preview Night from 5-8pm. Preview Night is free for Members of the Friends group, and $20 admission for all others. Then, Saturday, Sept. 21 from 9am-5pm and Sunday, Sept. 22 from noon-4pm, the book sale is free and open to the public. The Book Sale wraps up Monday, Sept. 23 from 9am-8pm with Bargain Day! On Bargain Day, you can purchase a bag for $10, then fill it up with as much as you can. There are plenty of books, CDs and DVDs for your winter reading and viewing during the upcoming cold nights. There are also tons of games and jigsaw puzzles!

Teen Programs

School’s back in session and so are afterschool clubs for teens! Most teen clubs will start up in October. Be sure to check the Calendar of Events on our website to learn more about upcoming clubs and programs. Book Babble will start up again Thursday, Sept. 5 at 7pm. This month we’ll be doing a reader’s roundup! Come ready to discuss the books you loved, or didn’t, last summer! Sign-ups are required for this club. Please sign up using the Calendar of Events on our website or by calling the Youth Services Department at (978) 686-4080 ext. 26.

Teen Section Makeover

Come check out the new Teen Section! It has all-new furniture, including a new table with a dry erase top, new chairs and a new couch. Just a reminder that the Teen Section is reserved for teenagers between the ages of 12 and 18. Any children or adults must be accompanied by a teenager while using the Teen Section. 

From the Children’s Room

The Youth Services Department had a great time enjoying summer programs with our young patrons – not to mention stamping the fun “passports” to record kids’ reading over the summer! Thank you to all the children, teens, families and caretakers who joined us for so many wonderful programs and events.

Now it’s time to start up our school-year programming, and you’ll see some old favorites return in September, plus some ongoing standards and a few new programs. For example, we’ll resume Saturday programming again, including the popular “Donuts with Grown-Ups,” “Boredom Busters” and “Sensory Saturdays.” September will also offer a special program featuring the return of bilingual storytellers Esther Gomez and Karina Liendo, who will tell the beautiful Peruvian legend about the creation of Cusco – the city that became the historic capital of the Inca Empire when Inti (the sun) sent two of his children to bring civilization to mankind. The story has been told for generations in Peru, where many descendants of the Incas believe that the Inca Empire will return some day, and this will undoubtedly be an entertaining and intriguing event. (This program is funded by REFORMA: The National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking.)

We’ll also introduce new book groups for different age ranges this fall – although we’re calling them “Not a Book Group” because we’re trying a different approach: instead of a typical book group where everyone reads and discusses a book, these programs (for ages 5-6, 7-9 and 10-12) give kids a chance to hang out and sample different book genres in a fun and relaxing environment. Maybe they’ll find a new favorite type of book to read! Also returning to the schedule is our Homeschool Hub program, where homeschoolers can connect with each other and explore a different topic each month. 

Last but not least, once again we’ll offer the popular 26-week “Alphabits” program series for ages 2-5: Each week’s session will focus on a different letter, and even if your children already know the alphabet they’ll enjoy the stories, crafts and company of other preschool children. When you sign up for the first session, which is on Sept. 26, you’ll automatically be registered for all 26 sessions, to be held on Thursdays mornings.

And of course we’ll have our usual array of storytime, craft, history and preschool programs – plus Murphy the Dog, who will enjoy hearing your kids read aloud to him throughout the fall.

Looking ahead, be sure to mark your calendars for a visit with best-selling children’s author and illustrator Raúl the Third, who will engross your kids with stories of his life and his art! The program is scheduled for Oct. 6 at 6:30 pm, and registration will open Sept. 15 – you won’t to miss this very special event!

Keep an eye on the Youth Services calendar and Facebook page to learn the latest about upcoming programs, fund-raisers and special events – there’s always something interesting going on! 

Happy September, and Happy Reading!

For an extensive list of Nevins Memorial Library happenings, check out nevinslibrary.org.