It’s a busy summer at the Nevins Library! Check out what we’ve got going on in July:

Local author
Jay Dowd

Join us Thursday, July 23 at 6:30pm as local author Jay Dowd shares his book “The White Fund,” which celebrates two of Lawrence’s great philanthropists: Daniel Appleton White and the Rev. William E. Wolcott. Both men intended their gifts (which included a library, fine art and a lecture series) to lift and inspire workers who may not otherwise enjoy the fruits of an education. Please save your seat by registering on our online Calendar of Events or by calling (978) 686-4080.

‘Wildlife Out
Your Window’

Join wildlife ecologist and nature author Brad Timm on Thursday, July 17 at 6:30pm for a lively, eye-opening presentation that will forever change how you see the natural world around you. You’ll discover surprising secrets about the animals you thought you knew all about! Through stunning photos, engaging videos and captivating stories from his book “Wildlife Out Your Window,” Brad brings common backyard species to life in ways that are fun, memorable and often surprising. Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing. Register for this free presentation through our online Calendar of Events or by calling (978) 686-4080.

‘Walk Through the
Delta’ with the blues

Join us Sunday, July 19 at 1pm as Poor Howard Stith takes us on “A Walk Through the Delta,” an overview of the Southern blues styles of the 1920s-’30s. This is a truly American artform that became the basis for both New Orleans-style jazz and the Chicago electric blues that gave birth to rock ‘n’ roll and soul music. In addition to explaining the songs, he incorporates folk humor and short shaggy dog stories to introduce some of the songs. Mike Rogers is a virtuoso harmonica player, and accompanies him in the styles of the masters from Sonny Terry to Little Walter. This program is funded by a generous grant from the Mass Cultural Council.

 

Celebrating America’s
250th (virtually)

We have three virtual talks this month, all centered on American history. Sign up for any (or all!) of these online programs through our Calendar of Events, and you will receive the link via e-mail.
Monday, July 6 at 7pm: Adventurer in History Kiersten Marcil and her book “Iron in the Water: How American Rebels Blocked British Control of the Hudson River.”
Monday, July 20 at 7pm: Historian Gracia Rich discussing “The Black experience of the Revolution.”
Monday, July 27 at 7pm: Historian Gregory E. O’Malley and his book “The Escapes of David George: An Odyssey of Slavery, Freedom, and the American Revolution.”

Accepting book
donations as of 7/6

The Friends of the Library will begin collecting your donations for the September Book Sale on Monday, July 6! Please bring your gently used books, puzzles, DVDs, board games and music CDs to the donation cart near the Main Desk no earlier than July 6. We’re sorry, but we cannot accept encyclopedias, magazines or anything in poor condition (yellowed pages, musty smell, etc). Thank you for your support and we’ll see you at the Book Sale in September!

Library hours

The library will be closed Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4 for the holiday.

From the Friends
of the Library

Thank you very much to everyone who has asked about the Friends of the Library and how they can help continue its very important mission. If you are thinking about it but want to know more, please come to our next meeting Monday, Aug. 3 at 6:30pm in the Nevins Library Garden Room. At this meeting, the next steps in installing the next board will be discussed and moved forward. We would love for you to be a part of that, and help us continue to support our beloved Nevins Library.

Summer programs
for teens

Summer is in full swing this July! Pick up your Summer Reading bags at the Youth Services desk for a chance to win prizes at the end of the summer. The more you read, the more chances you have to win!
We have several fun programs happening this summer! Sign up for all summer programs using the Calendar of Events or by calling (978) 686-4080 ext. 26.
• Monday, July 6 from 12:30-3:30pm: Video Games and Mini-Golf in the library! Explore virtual worlds with the Oculus Quest, or play the latest titles on Xbox Series S, PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch 2! Alternatively, play a round of 9-hole mini-golf.
• Wednesday, July 15 at 3pm: Escape the Room! Spend an exhilarating afternoon working together to unravel the mystery of the Stargazer’s Manor and save a renowned astronomer. You’ll find clues, solve puzzles and unlock secrets to progress in the game.
• Monday, July 20 at 11am: Pop Up Art School – Felted Carnivorous Plant! Using colorful wool and a special barbed needle you will sculpt a fun green carnivorous plant complete with fangs and a bright red tongue – all rooted in a real terra-cotta pot.
• Monday, July 27 at 2pm: Join Mastermind Adventures to play a Dungeons and Dragons-like Table Top Role-Playing Game! Come to Camp Mythos, inspired by world mythology and “Percy Jackson”-style adventures, where participants train as demigods, complete quests, interact with mythic characters and uncover ancient secrets.
• Tuesday, July 28 at noon: Storytelling Workshop! Because you have a life, you have a story. This workshop teaches participants how to develop a personal narrative through the art of storytelling on themes aligned with College Common Application essay prompts. Participants will also learn valuable presentation skills and engage in narrative forms as “authors.” These skills are of practical use in college application essays, college interviews and job interviews. This program is supported by a grant from the Methuen Cultural Council (a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council).

From the
Children’s Room

Our summer is off to a great start, with fun programs last month and even more in store for July! The highlight is a visit from best-selling author Jarrett J. Krosoczka, whose wildly popular books include the Lunch Lady series, Jedi Academy adventures, “Punk Farm,” “Peanut Butter & Jellyfish,” the memoir “Hey, Kiddo” and more. His multimedia presentation about his life and work includes drawing demonstrations, Q&As with the author and book signings – kids will leave the event feeling inspired by his enthusiasm and ready to create their own masterworks (July 21 at 6pm, for ages 6 and up).
This month we will also welcome back two favorite performers: Jungle Jim will lead kids through a high-energy dinosaur-themed mix of magic, storytelling and mind-blowing balloon artistry (July 14 at 10am, for ages 3 and up), and acrobat Li Liu will once again dazzle us with a solo acrobatic performance in her “Traditions of Chinese Acrobats” program (July 30 at 1pm, all ages)!
You can look forward to a wonderful array of other special programs (including the return of One Up Games with both gaming and mini-golf, an interactive Disney movie viewing, and Book Bingo), as well as summer program series such as read-alouds from Andy the Armadillo from the Texas Roadhouse, hands-on Summer Science fun, Summer Craft Sessions for various age groups, and of course our Friday morning Little Bookworms storytimes at the MSPCA at Nevins Farm!
It’s also Summer Reading season! Kids in kindergarten and above can drop by to collect a Summer Reading swag bag and start tracking their reading, with opportunities to enter our end-of-summer raffles (and little ones can start, or keep working on, their 1000 Books Before Kindergarten goal).
Keep an eye on the Youth Services calendar and the Children’s Room Facebook page to learn the latest about upcoming programs and special events – there’s so much fun ahead! And remember that it’s always worth putting your name on a program’s Wait List if registration is full – we’re often able to open events up to more people.
Happy July, and Happy Reading!
For an extensive list of Nevins Memorial Library happenings, check out nevinslibrary.org.