World-Class Art in Worcester. With a collection of over 35,000 pieces, a stunning Renaissance Court, and a lovely café, the Worcester Art Museum makes for an outstanding and often surprising museum experience. This month, the museum opens its anticipated Winslow Homer exhibit, Coming Away: Winslow Homer and England, on exhibit from November 11, 2017 – February 4, 2018. The Library’s Worcester Art Museum passes admit two adults and all children, free of charge. Reserve your pass online or by calling the library directly.

Adult Programs

• Mysterious Massachusetts.  Every state has its ghost stories, but no other state has the Dover Demon or the Salem witch trials. This program will peek at Massachusetts’ rich history of paranormal legends, odd events, and strange denizens. Sarah Hodge-Wetherbe is a library associate with the Springfield city library and tours New England lecturing on various topics. Wednesday, October 25 at 7:30 p.m.
• 3D Design Workshop (Fusion 360). Participants will be using Fusion 360 to design their own decorative vase or pen cup. Fusion 360 is an intermediate-to-advanced level design software. Some familiarity with design software or at least proficiency with mouse and keyboard is advised. All 3D prints will be free.
  Thursday, October 26 at 5:00 p.m. Adults only. Please register.
• Friends of the Library Book and Bake Sale.  Book donations will be accepted during set-up in the Town Building Large Hearing Room on Wednesday and Thursday, November 1 and 2. Baked goods will be accepted from Friday until the end of the sale on Sunday. This fundraiser helps the Friends support many library programs, including museum passes. Preview for Friends: Friday, November 3, 5-8:00 p.m.; Saturday, November 4, 10 a.m.-4:00 p.m.; Sunday, November 5, 12-4:00 p.m.
• Gossels Program for Human Dignity.  In honor of Transgender Awareness Month, Chris Edwards, who grew up in Wayland as the “daughter” of Ed and Nancy Eskandarian, will discuss life before, during and after his transition, and how he used what he learned working in advertising to rebrand himself with dignity and grace at a time before the word transgender was part of the vernacular. His heartwarming and hilarious memoir is BALLS: It Takes Some to Get Some. Sunday, November 5 at 3:00 p.m.
  NOTE: this program will be on the main floor of the library, so you’ll need to head to the Raytheon Room if you need a quiet space.
• The Great Presenters: Making a Splash After the Ice Bucket Challenge.  Wayland resident Stephen Winthrop was diagnosed with ALS (“Lou Gehrig’s Disease”) in November 2013, just months before the viral ice bucket challenge. He and his wife, M. Jane Williamson, will describe their experiences and how they’ve plunged into education, advocacy, research, and fundraising to fight the disease on many fronts. Tuesday, November 7, 7:30 p.m.
• New Library Focus Groups.  Stop in to tell us how you use the library and how to improve it. Wednesday, November 8, 4:00 p.m. and Thursday, November 9, 7:00 p.m.
• Author Panel.  November is National Novel Writing Month, also known as NaNoWriMo. To get you inspired, we are hosting a panel of local novelists who will share their writing process and publishing experience. Panelists include Juliette Fay, Jacqueline Dembar Greene, George Harrar, Mark Peter Hughes, Tilia Klebenov Jacobs and Ray Daniel. Wednesday, November 8 at 7:00 p.m.

Library Book Groups. Open to all, no registration required. Books are available at the library.

• Nonfiction.  They say we’re living in a golden age of nonfiction (well, we say it). Be part of it with this exciting new group. On Wednesday, November 1 at 1:00 p.m. we’ll discuss The Art of Rivalry: Four Friendships, Betrayals, and Breakthroughs in Modern Art by Sebastian Smee.
• Are Dystopian/Sci-Fi Books in Your Future? This is a trial run for another new group, starting with Emily St. John Mandel’s bestselling Station Eleven. Wednesday, November 1, 7:00 p.m.
• Evening.  In Kaitlyn Greenidge’s novel We Love You, Charlie Freeman, a chimpanzee comes to live with an African-American family as part of a scientific study, leading to unforeseen consequences for all involved. Monday, November 6 at 7:00 p.m.
• Armchair Travel. Treasure Palaces: Great Writers Visit Great Museums. Revered writers tell us about their favorite museums, large and small, and reveal the special hold that some museums have over us all. Wednesday, November 8, 10:00 a.m.
• Cookbook Club.  Participants make recipes from a selected cookbook and share them, potluck-style. While enjoying our homemade delights, we discuss book and author. This month: Ina Garten’s Barefoot Contessa Parties! Thursday, November 9, 6:00 p.m.
• Noon.  In It Can’t Happen Here, Sinclair Lewis envisions a U.S. falling into the grip of Fascism. November 17.

Baby and Preschool Programs

• Upcoming Storytimes
  • Mother Goose Time (Infants-2.5 years) Tuesdays, Nov. 7, 14, and 21 at 10:30 a.m.
  • StoryVine (2.5 -5 years) Thursdays, Oct. 26 Nov. 9, 23, and 30 at 10:30 a.m.
• Brain Building Storytime,  Wednesday, Nov. 15, 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.
• Storytime with Corbyn the Dog, Thursday, November 16, 10:30 a.m.  Children will listen to dog stories and have a chance to visit with Corbyn, a beautiful Samoyed. Corbyn (with her owner Helen) has been certified as a therapy dog by Pets and People Foundation. For ages 3 and up.
• Zumba Kids Jr., Tuesday, November 28, 10:30-11:00 a.m. Rhythm and dance program for children ages 2.5 to 4 years old. Led by Julia Walderzak of H2K Happy Healthy Kids Fitness Studio.
• PJ Storytime.  Thursday, November 30, 6:30-7:00 pm. Wear your pajamas to the library and listen to stories! Program led by librarian Carly Moniz.

School Age Programs

• Harry Potter Halloween Party, Wednesday, October 25, 3:00-5:00 p.m.Fly on in and join us for a magical afternoon of treats, activities, and crafts from the world of Harry Potter. Halloween costumes and muggle attire welcome! For ages 5 and up.
• Lego Club, Wednesday, November 1, 3:00-4:00 p.m. Children will make fabulous creations out of legos. This month’s theme: Robots. For ages 5 and up.
• Book Buddies, Wednesday, November 8, 3:00-3:45 p.m. This month’s book is Pinch and Dash Make Soup by Michael Daley. We will read the book, enjoy a snack, and make a craft. For children in grades K-2 with parent/caregiver. This program is co-run with the WCPA.
• Parent/Child Book Club, Wednesday, November 15, 7:00-8:00 p.m. This book club is for 4th and 5th graders with a parent. November’s book is Orphan Island by Laurel Snyder.
• Drop-in Thanksgiving Crafts Wednesday, November 22, 3:00-4:00 p.m. Get crafty and make decorations for the Thanksgiving table. For ages 4 and up.

For Parents: Preschool Parent Conversations. Tuesdays, November 7, 14, 21 and 28, 9:15-10:15 a.m. Preschool parents, you are not alone! Share the joys and challenges of parenting this special age with other parents and facilitator Dr. Dossie Kahn form Wayland Youth and Family Services. Infants and young toddlers are also welcome! Please RSVP to dkahn@wayland.ma.us