UNDERSTANDING THE POWER OF EMPATHY
Helen Riess, M.D., Director of the Empathy and Relational Science Program at Massachusetts General Hospital and Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, is the next speaker in the library’s Great Presenters Series. Her talk on Tuesday, March 3, at 7:30 p.m. will describe the underlying science of empathy, the evolutionary advantage model for prosocial behavior, and the benefits of empathy in healthcare and human relationships
WAYLAND READS OPENING EVENT
This year’s Wayland Reads selection is “The Opposite of Loneliness” by Marina Keegan, who grew up in Wayland. The opening event will be on Sunday, March 1, from 3-4:30 p.m.
The program will begin with several readings from “The Opposite of Loneliness.” The moderator, Beth McNamara, Marina’s high school English teacher for two years, will then take questions from the audience for the panel and open up the discussion on Marina, her writing, and her legacy. Location: Lecture Hall at Wayland High School
MORE WAYLAND READS EVENTS —
Book Discussions of “The Opposite of Loneliness”
- Saturday, March 7, 11 a.m.-Library’s Raytheon Room, moderated by Joyce Kulhawik
- Tuesday March 10, 7 p.m.-Library’s Raytheon Room, moderated by Beth McNamara
- Friday, March 20, 10 a.m.-Panera (Town Center), moderated by Judy Hoyer
Panel with Steve Grossman
In her writing and her life Marina Keegan exhorted people to “make something happen to this world.” Join us upstairs at the library on Thursday evening, March 12, at 7 p.m. for a panel discussion of Wayland people who are doing just that! The panel will be moderated by Steve Grossman, former State Treasurer and will include:
- Lauren Grimanis of the Akaa Project
- Patrick Higdon of World Connect/Kids Connect
- Zach Tofias from c40 Cities Climate Leadership Group
- Maddy Schwartz of Wayland Water Warriors
- The Washek Family from Neighbor Brigade
- David Rockermann, former WHS English teacher and career changer
Middle School Writing Workshop with Mrs. Corbet
Marina Keegan was always a curious and passionate writer and from an early age kept journals. As a middle schooler in Wayland and as a high schooler, she explored her ideas, hopes, and questions in words and sketches. Middle school writers are invited to join a workshop on Thursday, March 19, from 2:45-4:15 p.m. with Angela Corbet to explore their ideas, hopes, and questions. Angela Corbet recently retired from the Wayland Middle School where she taught English for many years.
Make-a-Journal Workshop for Kids
Marina Keegan kept journals from an early age. We invite our young people ages 9 and up to join us for journal-making workshops on Wednesday, March 11. Participants will make simple journals with blank pages for writing or artwork. Or bring a store-bought blank journal and decorate your cover with paper ephemera. Feel free to bring your own paper mementoes and photos, but we will provide lots of other materials and tools, including paper punches, rubber stamps, special papers, postcards, cutouts from magazines, postage stamps, tapes, ribbons, decorative scissors, etc. Led by librarian Elise Katz. Two sessions: one starting at 2 p.m. and one starting at 3:30 p.m.
Personal Essay Writing Workshops
One of Marina Keegan’s writing strengths was the compelling voice that comes through in her personal essays. As part of our “Wayland Reads” programming, Giulietta Nardone will conduct a Personal Essay Writing workshop on March 9, 16, and 23 from 7 to 8:30 pm. During the three-week program, participants will discuss essays from “The Opposite of Loneliness,” as well as selected others. Then they will jump right in and start writing essays of their own. Giulietta believes that almost everyone can write prose that is heartfelt, insightful, and universal. Seats are limited, so registration is required. Register through our event calendar at waylandlibrary.org.
“Utility Monster” Play Reading and Talk Back
For members of the community who enjoyed “The Opposite of Loneliness,” this staged reading is an opportunity to experience more of Marina Keegan’s writing in a live performance. The play “Utility Monster” was performed at the Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theatre in 2013. Wayland High School students in Richard Weingartner’s advanced theater class will perform the reading, and Mr. Weingartner will lead a discussion (talk back) of the play and its themes following the reading. Thursday, March 26, 7 p.m. Location: Wayland High School Lecture Hall
HOW TO FIND YOUR NEXT GREAT READ
Do you struggle to find a good book to read, often wandering bookshelves for something that grabs your attention? Or, do you read the latest bestsellers or recommendations from friends to find those disappoint you? If so, this workshop on Wednesday, February 25, at 11 a.m. is for you. We will introduce you to online tools that will make finding your next great read easy and fun. Tools include Novelist, Books & Authors and GoodReads. Workshop limited to 10. For more information, contact librarian Rachel Sideman-Kurtz at 508-358-2311. The workshop will be held in the Raytheon Room.
DISCOVER SOME LIBRARY RESOURCES!
- Creating the Ultimate Road Trip with Online Tools, February 23, 7-9 p.m.
- Using Ancestry.com (rescheduled), Wednesday, March 11, 7-9 p.m.
Space is limited, and registration is recommended for all classes. Register by going to “Events” at waylandlibrary.org or by calling the library at 508-358-2311.
MASTERS OF ITALY WITH FRANK SMITH
Classics scholar Frank Smith is back this spring teaching a four-week course that traces the history, art, and culture of the Italian provinces of Lazio, Umbria, and Tuscany. The course will begin with the Etruscans, move on to the Romans, and will journey through the Middle Ages and into the Renaissance, ending with the world of Michelangelo and his contemporaries. The class will meet on the following Tuesdays: March 17, 24, 31 and April 7 from 1-3 p.m.
GREAT DECISIONS
The Great Decisions Program empowers readers to discuss global issues shaping U.S. foreign policy and the world. The library has sponsored a Great Decisions group for many years. This year’s first meeting will be on March 6 in the Raytheon Room, and the topic under discussion will be U.S. Trade Policy. For more information about joining the group, contact Steve Engler at 508-358-4980 or steve@englersite.com.
BOOK GROUPS FOR ADULTS
Our book groups generally meet monthly. Drop in and check one out! Upcoming dates are:
- Evening Book Group, Monday, March 2, at 7 p.m., “The Yellow Birds” by Kevin Powers.
- Armchair Travel Book Group, Wednesday, March 11, at 11:30 a.m., “Double Take” by Kevin Connolly
- Noontime Book Group, Friday, March 13, 2015, at 12 noon, “The Opposite of Loneliness” by Marina Keegan
Needlework/Handwork Group
Our needlework group is a group facilitated by Ann Moses for people to work on needlework and handwork projects together. It generally meets on the first Wednesday morning of each month in the library’s Raytheon Room. Upcoming meetings are scheduled for March 4, April 1, May 6, and June 3.
Super Smash Bros. Tournament
Calling teen gamers! The library is having a Super Smash Bros. Brawl Tournament for teens on Wednesday, March 25, 1:45-3:45 p.m. (There will be other video and board games as well!) The Tournament will be run by Robert Lorino, gamer and Simmons library student. For more information, call Youth Services Librarian Pam McCuen at 508-358-2308.
STEM PROGRAM FOR PRESCHOOLERS
On Wednesday, March 25, from 3:30-4:30 p.m., children ages 3-5 with a caregiver can come to the library to explore the properties of light, air, and bubbles. This is the first of a 4-part series.
The program will be led by Beverly Mobilia of Wayland Community Partnerships for Children and Families and is funded with a grant from the Mass. Department of Early Education and Care.
The program is limited to 9 children. Register for all 4 sessions through the event calendar at www.waylandlibrary.org. Location: Raytheon Room
WHS ART EXHIBIT
The Wayland High School Art Department will exhibit student artwork in the Raytheon Room during the month of March. There will be a reception in celebration of Youth Art Month on Tuesday, March 24, from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Raytheon Room.
PARENT/CHILD BOOK GROUP
The next meeting of the Parent/Child Book Group will be on Tuesday, February 24, from 7-8 p.m. in the Children’s Room. This month we will talk about “Gilda Joyce: Psychic Investigator” by Jennifer Allison. Led by Youth Services Librarian Pam McCuen. Questions? Call the Children’s Room at 508-358-2308.
SING-ALONG WITH JEANNIE MACK
Jeannie Mack will lead her next sing-along for preschoolers on Thursday, March 5, from 10:30-11:15. She performs all kinds of participatory, fun, bounce-around, sing-along songs geared for young children.
BOOK BUDDIES
Book Buddies is a parent-child book group led by Youth Services Librarian Pam McCuen for children in grades K-3 with a parent/caregiver. This month’s book is “Monkey and Robot” by Peter Catalanotto. We will meet on Thursday, March 5, from 3:30 -4 p.m. in the Raytheon Room. Parents, please read the book with your child before the session.
