AT YOUR LIBRARY: Challenge Your Stereotypes With Library Programs

Adult Events

TEWKSBURY JOB SEEKERS NETWORK: Get Ready For Your Next Job Interview

Monday, November 18, 2pm

Today’s job seeker must be prepared for any interview scenario: by phone, by Skype and in-person. This session will outline steps to get yourself prepared, tips for handling various interview situations, what information is essential to brush up on, as well as potential questions you’ll need to be ready to answer. Bring your interviewing questions for the Q&A afterward. Led by Elizabeth Gross, who is passionate about helping people succeed in searching for new jobs. A former marketing executive at Monster.com, she's assisted countless people with their resumes and job searches. Gross was a featured speaker at SXSW 2017 & 2018, presenting the talks "You've Just Been Laid Off. Now What?" and “Conquering Your Job Search Journey” and holds a B.A. in Professional Writing from Carnegie Mellon University. There will be plenty of time for networking after the presentation. Register HERE.

Ask A Muslim Anything

Monday, November 18, 7pm

Are you challenged to understand all the media noise about Islam and what it means to be a Muslim? Join Arab-American Robert Azzi for a conversation about his experiences as a Muslim in America. Azzi is a photo journalist, columnist, public speaker, education consultant and world traveler who is eager to answer questions and engage in conversation about his life, how he came to convert to Islam, about the religion of Islam and its history - especially in America, and about the Middle East, terrorism, and associated political and social issues. Nothing is off the table! Azzi is committed to addressing all questions and looks forward to the discussion, which celebrates our diversity and facilitates different people reaching out and talking to one another. Register HERE.

Laughter Yoga

Wednesday, November 20, noon

Laughter yoga combines simulated laughter exercises with gentle breathing techniques to teach the body how to laugh without relying on jokes or humor. This is a participatory program where we will create moments to laugh in through guided actions. No need to bring a yoga mat--most of the program is seated, with options for standing or gentle movement. There is no registration required, but please arrive on time. Session will last about 30 minutes. This program is for all ages.

Crafternoon

Wednesday, November 20, 1:30pm

Calling all knitters, crocheters, needle workers, beaders, and colorers! Bring your own craft project to the Library and work on it while enjoying conversation with other crafters. (Please, no crafts involving glue or paint.) Take advantage of the many books available at the library to get ideas for your next project or to explore a new craft.

Tewksbury News Discussion Group

Thursday, November 21, 12:30pm

Do you enjoy talking about town topics? Want to learn more about what’s going on in Tewksbury? Attend these monthly meetings to review the month's major local news stories. All attendees will receive copies of some of the most interesting Tewksbury news stories recently published in the Tewksbury Town Crier, Tewksbury Advocate, Lowell Sun, Your Tewksbury Today, and Tewksbury Patch. Limited to 20 seats. Register HERE.

Ask Members Of The LGBTQIA Community Anything

Thursday, November 21, 7pm

Join SpeakOUT Boston for a panel about sexual orientation and gender identity. Along with speakers sharing their personal stories, there will be an opportunity to ask questions. SpeakOUT's motto is "Ask Us Anything," so feel free to bring the questions you would like answered. SpeakOUT is a community of speakers working to create a world free of homo-bi-transphobia and other forms of prejudice. Speakers share their lives and experiences publicly in order to support those struggling with sexuality and gender identity, as well as to educate their communities on issues that can sometimes cause divisions. Register HERE.

Tewksbury’s 2nd Annual Human Library

Saturday, November 22, 10am-1pm

A Human Library offers people as "books" to be lent out to curious readers who will ask them questions and challenge their perceptions on different groups in the community. These selected books aim to represent members of the community who are exposed to general misconceptions, stigma, stereotyping and/or prejudice. Books will be loaned during the event in nine 15-minute sessions to individuals or small groups (2-3 individuals), with 5-minute breaks in between each session. Books will be stationed in designated conversation areas around the building. The purpose of the Human Library is to challenge what we think we know about other members of the community, as well as our own stereotypes and prejudices in a positive framework, where difficult questions are accepted, expected and appreciated.

For planning purposes, registration IS required. Limited to 50 spots. Staff member Robert Hayes will follow up with each registrant 2-3 days before the event to ask which "human books" they anticipate loaning out. While registrants CAN pick and choose, the library's preference is registrants speak with ALL 9 books -- or as many as possible given the registrants' schedules -- over the three hours. Register HERE.

How 6,000 Refugees Transformed A New England Town

Saturday, November 23, 2pm

Author CB Anderson will discuss her brand new book, "Home Now: How 6,000 Refugees Transformed An American Town." Over the past 15 years, Lewiston, Maine has become one of the most Muslim communities in America. About 6,000 of the city’s 36,000 inhabitants are African refugees and asylum seekers, many of them Somali. Anderson tells the story of this fractious yet resilient mill town near where she grew up, offering the unfolding drama of a community’s reinvention—and humanizing some of the defining political issues in America today. A book selling & signing will take place after the event for those interested. Register HERE.

Kids Events

Tiny Tykes Story Time

Monday, November 18, 10:15am & 11am

For young children ages 0 to 18 months. Older siblings are always welcome to join in! Join us for a fun session of stories, songs, fingerplays, instruments, and gentle movement that help build early literacy skills. Please note, we have 2 sessions that are the same, one is at 10:15am and the other is at 11:00am. There is no registration, HOWEVER, there is limited space in the room. Please check in at the Children's desk upon arrival to check to see if there is still room available in the session.

Story Time Stations

Tuesday, November 19, 11am

Storytime Stations is a fun way to explore stories and make connections with books to a number of other skills, such as reading, writing, math, and art. Storytime Stations is designed for children aged 3-5; siblings are always welcome. This program is presented in conjunction with Community Teamwork.

Dewing & North Street School Nights

Tuesday, November 19, 6:30pm-8pm

Welcome to the students from the Dewing School and North Street School in Tewksbury! Join us for a tour of the building, book bingo, a scavenger hunt, and to clear any fines from your library cards!

Helping Hands Club

Wednesday, November 20, 4pm

Join us for a fun project to benefit the community! Each month, we will make something that will be donated to various local nonprofit organizations. This program is open for children ages 7 to 11. Registration is required and begins on November 13. Register HERE.

Teen Events

Cupcake Wars

Tuesday, November 19, 3:30pm-5pm

It's time for CUPCAKE WARS! Please let us know if you have any food allergies. Register HERE.

Book VS Movie Club MOVIE

Wednesday, November 20, 5pm-7:15pm

Did you love the book but hate the movie? Maybe you saw the movie, but didn't like the book? Book VS. Movie club is for you. Read the book, come watch the movie and talk about it! Just want to watch the movie? No problem. You can show up for the film. Can't stand the movie but ready to discuss it? That works too! You can come for the second half of the event. Copies of the book can be picked up in the teen area. Pizza will be served during the film. This month we are reading and watching “Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.”

Book vs Movie Club DISCUSSION

Wednesday, November 20, 7:15pm-8:15pm

Did you love the book but hate the movie? Maybe you saw the movie, but didn't like the book? Book VS. Movie club is for you. Read the book, come watch the movie and talk about it! Just want to watch the movie? No problem. You can show up for the film. Can't stand the movie but ready to discuss it? That works too! You can come for the second half of the event. Copies of the book can be picked up in the teen area. Pizza will be served during the film. This month we are reading and watching “Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.”