Wayland Public Library Events, Activities: Week Of Sept. 19

WAYLAND, MA — Here's what's going on at the Wayland Free Public Library the week of Sept. 19, 2022:

ADULT SERVICES

Virtual Author Talk: Simon Winchester
Join us for an online conversation with New York Times bestselling author, journalist, and consummate adventurer, Simon Winchester (The Professor and the Madman; Land). His talk will cover many aspects of his work across myriad fields of history, technology, and science, as well as his path to becoming an acclaimed writer. Register. Wednesday, September 20 at 2 p.m.

Virtual Author Talk: Building Rte. 128
David Kruh presents the story of “the road we love to hate,” from its beginning in the 1920s as an ad hoc collection of two-lane roads that formed a rough arc 15 miles from Boston, through the construction of the divided highway in the 1950s, to how one man’s vision became the catalyst for the fantastic growth around the highway. Register. Hosted online by the Ashland Public Library and co-sponsored by the Wayland Public Library and others. Thursday, September 22 at 1 p.m.

Ask a Medicare Plan Options Expert
Whether you’re new to Medicare or have questions about your current plan, stop by the library to ask an expert. Lisa Farnham, Senior Plan Consultant at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, will be available to answer your questions and make it easier to find the right Medicare plan for you. Tuesday, September 20 at 7 p.m.

ONE Read Discussion Group
Join librarian Andy Moore to discuss Thank You, Mr. Nixon by Gish Jen, a collection of eleven linked short stories that "take measure of the fifty years since the opening of China and its unexpected effects on the lives of ordinary people." Copies are available to borrow. This program is part of the MetroWest Readers Fest ONE Read of Jen’s book. Check out metrowestreadersfest.org for information and events at 24 area libraries, culminating in an "Evening with Gish Jen" on Thursday, October 6th at Goodnow Library in Sudbury. Register. Friday, September 23 at 3 p.m.

Virtual Author Talk: Hernan Diaz and Trust
Diaz's latest novel delves into the mystery behind the wealth of a 1920s tycoon and the reverberations down the years of a novel based on his life. Both of Hernan Diaz's novels have been translated into more than twenty languages. His first, In the Distance, was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and the PEN/Faulkner Award. His work has appeared in The Paris Review, Granta, Playboy, The Yale Review, McSweeney’s, and elsewhere. Register for the webinar (Zoom account not needed). Tuesday, September 27 at 4 p.m.

The Opening of China and the Chinese American Experience
In conjunction with our ONE Read of Gish Jen's Thank You, Mr. Nixon (see above), Karen Teoh, Ph.D., will contextualize some of the historical themes in Jen's stories: the Cultural Revolution, China's re-opening to the West, emigration to the US and Hong Kong, anti-Asian racism, and the political relationship between America and China. Dr. Teoh has taught at Stonehill College, Bowdoin College, and Northeastern University, and is now a Research Associate at the Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies at Harvard University. Register to attend in person or via Zoom. Wednesday, September 28 at 7 p.m.

ESOL Tutors Needed
It doesn’t matter if you don’t speak a foreign language or have never taught before. Once you complete the Library-sponsored training course, you’re ready for what could be a wonderfully rewarding relationship. The course for this fall will be through Zoom from 6-9 p.m. on five consecutive Wednesdays, starting October 12. The course is free but does require a $40 textbook. For more information or to enroll, contact Ginny Steel at 508-358-7517 or virginia@thesteels.com.

YOUTH SERVICES

FOR BABIES, TODDLERS AND PRESCHOOLERS

Outdoor Storytimes with Ms. Leslie
Join Ms. Leslie outdoors for storytime! Children and their caregivers will listen to stories, sing songs, and perform fun rhymes and movements. We will meet on the lawn behind the library. In the case of inclement weather we will hold the storytime in the Children’s Room. For babies through preschool age children, with caregivers. You can register here or from our online eventkeeper calendar. Tuesdays, September 20 , September 27 , October 4, October 11, October 18, and October 25 at 10:30 a.m.

Outdoor Storytimes with Ms. Pam
Join Ms. Pam outdoors for stories, songs, puppets, and activities. We will meet on the lawn behind the library. For ages 2.5 to 5 years with an adult. You can register here or from our online eventkeeper calendar. Thursdays, September 29, October 6, October 13, October 20, and October 27 at 10:30 a.m.

Storytime with Obie the Dog
Children will listen to dog stories and have a chance to visit with Obie, a beautiful Samoyed. Obie will be accompanied with his owner Helen. We will meet in the Raytheon Room. For ages 3 and up, with an adult. Please register HERE or from our online eventkeeper calendar. Thursday, September 22, at 10:30 am.

FOR ELEMENTARY AGE CHILDREN

Rosh Hashanah Storytime and Craft
Rosh Hashanah is coming! All are welcome to join Ms. Stephanie and Scott Newman of Temple Beth El Sudbury for songs, stories and a craft to learn about and celebrate the start of the new Jewish Year. In case of inclement weather we will run this program in the Raytheon Room. For ages 4 and up. Please register HERE or from our online eventkeeper calendar. Wednesday, September 21, at 3:30 p.m.

Design a Box: Tinkercad Workshop
Children will design their own sliding-lid box using Tinkercad.com. Children ages 6-7 must be accompanied by an adult. For ages 6 and up. Please register HERE or from our online eventkeeper calendar. Thursday, September 22 at 5:00 p.m.

Make a Nature Mobile with Ms. Elise
Using pine cones, leaves, twigs and other natural materials, children will create beautiful fall mobiles. Program will take place outdoors. All materials supplied. For ages 4 and up, with an adult. Please register HERE or from our online eventkeeper calendar. Wednesday, September 28, at 3:30 p.m.

Lego Club
Children will make fabulous creations out of Legos. This month we will work together to make a town out of legos. We will meet in the Raytheon Room. For ages 5 and up, with caregivers. Please register HERE or from our online eventkeeper calendar. Wednesday, October 5, at 3:30 p.m.

FOR TEENS

Magic the Gathering for Teens
Teens! Play Magic the Gathering with your friends! Bring your own Magic Cards or use ours. Experienced players and newbies welcome. For teens in grades 6 and up. Please register. Friday, September 30, at 4:30 p.m.

FOR FAMILIES

Outdoor Family Concert with Thomas Meunier
Join local musician Thomas Meunier for an outdoor family concert! He will get everyone singing with his repertoire of original songs and old favorites. A great way to reconnect with friends at the beginning of the school year! For all ages. Please register HERE or from our online eventkeeper calendar. Saturday, September 24, at 11:00 a.m.

SEEKING VOLUNTEER CODING TEACHERS
The Wayland Library Girls Who Code Club is looking for volunteer facilitators for the 2022-2023 academic year. Affiliated with the national Girls Who Code organization (girlswhocode.com) and its mission of closing the gender gap in technology, the Wayland club brings together girls for hands-on learning about code and technology.

The club will be for girls in grades 6 and up. Enthusiasm for working with the girls is required; technical skill is helpful but not necessary, especially if you are willing to learn along with them. If you are interested, or would like to know more, please contact Head of Youth Services, Pam McCuen, at pmccuen@minlib.net