Useful New Electronic Devices.  You’ve been working in the library for a few hours, you step outside to make a call—and your phone’s dead. And incompatible with our charging station. Fear not—just check out our Elephas 2 wireless charger from the Reference Desk, plug it into your laptop, put your phone on it, and pretty soon you’re good to go. And if you then go home and want to convert some old VHS tapes into digital files (before they crumble into dust), take our Elgato digital converter with you. No software necessary—simply plug one end into your camcorder, the other into your computer. You’ll end up with a file you can save onto a hard drive or load onto a DVD. New life for those old home videos!

Adult Programs:

• The Kennedys: Part 1 of a Four-Part Series. This year marks the centennial anniversary of the birth of John F. Kennedy.  Join us on Monday, September 11 at 7:00 p.m. as we discuss the life, politics and legacy of JFK with history professor Gary Hylander.  Was it really Camelot? Prof. Hylander earned his Ph.D. in American History and Government at Boston College.  He is a professor of History at Framingham State University as well as a program supervisor of student teachers at Boston University.
• Social Media and Digital Disruption of Modern Economics and Culture.  This talk on Tuesday, September 12 at 7:00 p.m. focuses on the many ways that digital disruption has occurred with modern culture and economics, from simply getting together for dinner to the potential future of industries like transportation and food services. Kyle Moody, Ph.D. is Assistant Professor of Communications Media at Fitchburg State University. He will explore how digital media are used in collaboration with other new industrial productions to create a new vision of our society.
• Introduction to the iPhone/iPad. You have some experience with your iPhone/iPad, but feel like you might be missing out on some of the basics.  Come on in on Tuesday, September 12, 2-3:00 p.m.  M.J. will discuss organizing icons, SIRI and the microphone, battery life, and other basics of these versatile and complex devices.  Be sure to bring your iPhone or iPad with you.
• New! Intermediate English Conversation Group. If you or someone you know has a good grasp of basic English and a desire to improve it, join us every Wednesday morning in the library mezzanine, Wednesday, September 13, 10-11:00 a.m. Learn more about the language and American culture.
• For beginning English learners, we have a conversation group that meets two Fridays each month from 10:30-11:30 a.m., starting September 8.
• Coding for Adults with Win Treese. Ever wondered how the software of the world gets made? This fall, the Wayland Library is sponsoring a short introduction to coding for adults. We’ll explore the basics of writing computer programs, key ideas in computer science, and how software works on our computers, phones, cars, the Internet, and more. The group will meet most Thursdays through mid-December. Bring your own laptop or use one of the library’s computers. Win Treese has worked on software in startups, industrial research, and academia for many years, including at Digital Equipment, MIT, and Boston University. He has also been a facilitator for the Girls Who Code club sponsored by the library. Enrollment is limited, so sign up now! Thursdays, 7-8:30 p.m., October 5, 19 and 26, November 2, 16 and 30, and December 7.
• September Book Discussions The library runs several book groups for adults. New members are always welcome and there’s no registration necessary. For more information about any of the groups, call the library at 508-358-2311.
  • New! Nonfiction Book Group.  They say we’re living in a golden age of nonfiction (well, we say it). Be part of it with this exciting new group, kicking off Wednesday, October 4 at 1:00 p.m. with Sudden Sea: the Great Hurricane of 1938. Journalist and mystery author R. A. Scotti creates a compelling story and detailed account of the terrifying storm that unexpectedly ripped across seven Northeastern states. Books will be available at the library right after Labor Day.
  • Noon Book Group.  Friday, September 8: Edith Wharton’s novel The Buccaneers will be the topic of discussion.
  • Armchair Travel Book Group,  Wednesday, September 13, 10:00 a.m.: Start the season’s virtual travels with Lonely Planet’s Better Than Fiction 2, a second serving of true travel stories told by some of the world’s best fiction writers. Copies are available now.
  • Cookbook Club. Thursday, September 14, 6:00 p.m.: Fall kicks off with a classic—Mollie Katzen’s Moosewood Cookbook. Pick up your copy from the library now so you can bring one of the delicious dishes to the meeting.
  • Evening Book Group. The first meeting is Monday, October 7 at 7:00 p.m., but copies of The Vegetarian will available just after Labor Day so you can get started. In Han Kang’s searing novel, the fault lines of an ordinary couple’s marriage and family are exposed when the wife makes a seemingly harmless decision.

Baby and Pre-school Programs

• Upcoming Storytimes
  • Mother Goose Time (Infants-2.5 years) Tuesdays, Sept. 5, 12, and 19 at 10:30 a.m.
  • StoryVine (2.5 -5 years) Thursdays, Sept. 14 and 21 at 10:30 a.m.
• Zumba Kids Jr.,  Tuesday, August 29, 10:30-11:00 a.m. Rhythm and dance program for children ages 2.5 to 4 years old. Led by Hayley Chizinsky of H2K Happy Healthy Kids Fitness Studio.
• Brain Building Storytime,  Wednesday, September 27, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Storytime, parachute play, and brain building activity. Program led by Beverly Mobilia of Wayland Community Partnerships for Children and Families. For ages 2 to 5, with parent/caregiver.

School Age Programs

Lego Club,  Wednesday, September 6, 3:00pm-4:00 pm. Children will make creations out of Legos and share them with members of the club. This month’s theme: bridges. For ages 5 and up.

Drop-In Family Game Day, Wednesday, September 13, 3:00-4:30 p.m. Destress from the back-to-school rush and come to the library to play games! Spend quality time with your child(ren) and their friends. We will have board games, card games, and other activities to do with your children. For ages 4 and up, with parent/caregiver.

Pop-Up Makerspace, Wednesday, September 20, 3:00-4:30 p.m. Put on your Maker’s Hat and join our new Assistant Children’s Librarian Carly Moniz
in our Pop-Up Makerspace. Carly will have several projects and activities set up for kids who like to make stuff. For ages 5 and up.

For Teens: 

Girls Who Code. The Wayland Library will hosting a Girls Who Code club again this year. The club will meet Tuesdays, from 4 to 6 p.m., starting on October 17, and will run throughout the academic year. The mission of GWC is to help bridge the gender gap in the technology fields. Girls will learn Scratch, JavaScript, AppInventor, Python, HTML/CSS and more, to build graphics, videogames, and websites. The club will be run by Wayland parent and teacher volunteers. For girls in grades 6 to 12. Please register online from the Wayland Library’s eventkeeper calendar.

Parents/Teachers – If you basic computer programming skills and would like to volunteer to help facilitate this club, please contact Youth Services librarian Pam McCuen at pmccuen@minlib.net. We have room for another volunteer or two.