Sandy Raymond is New WFPL Director.  The Board of Library Trustees is delighted to announce the appointment of Sandy Raymond as the Director of the Wayland Free Public Library.  Sandy brings with her more than 30 years of experience in corporate and public libraries.   She has been serving the Library admirably as Acting Director since late June 2017.  Before that, she was our Assistant Director.  Since starting here in 2003, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to the Library’s mission and an unflagging enthusiasm for serving the public.  Stop by and offer Sandy your congratulations.  She’ll be happy to meet you.

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

• 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.
• 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.
• Overcoming Emotional Eating. In this interactive talk, you’ll come with your biggest issues around emotional eating, weight loss/metabolism, body image, or digestion.  You’ll leave with new knowledge and some simple, natural strategies that will help you make real, lasting changes—possibly without changing anything about WHAT you eat!  Kali Patrick is a Mind-body Wellness Consultant specializing in improving people’s health with more ease and enjoyment.  Monday, November 13 at 10:00 a.m.
• Memoir of Alzheimer’s Disease. Join us as Wayland resident Deborah Lynn Straffus talks about her experience with Alzheimer’s as shared in her memoir, On Angel’s Wings: A Journey Through Alzheimer’s with My Mother.  Monday, November 13 at 7:00 p.m.
• Robot Demo! Come see the Wayland High School Robotics Team give a live demonstration of their First Robotics Competition 2017 robot!  What will it do?  Stop by and find out.  Learn about the Wayland First Lego League, too.  The demo will be held in a sectioned-off part of the library parking lot.  No registration required.  Saturday, November 18 from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
• Rare Book Dealer on the Value of a Book. In an Antiques Roadshow-type format, Ray Rickman, a long-time rare book dealer, will discuss which sorts of books tend to have high market values, explain characteristics that can influence the worth of a book, and offer complimentary estimates for up to three books for each attendee. Rickman is a former host of “Booksellers” on Rhode Island Public Television, and a leader in the promotion of African American history. This event is in collaboration with the Wayland Historical Society.  Sunday, November 19 at 2:00 p.m.
• The Great Presenters: Remote and Exciting Travel by Bicycle with Herb Kavet. You can’t see the world from the window of an air-conditioned bus, says Herb Kavet.  Not really.  On a bicycle, you can easily meet the local people because you’re traveling in such an unthreatening and often locally acceptable manner.  Herb will be talking about his adventures and encounters, mostly in developing countries.  Tuesday, December 5 at 7:30 p.m.

LIBRARY BOOK GROUPS. Open to all, no registration required.  Books are available at the library.

• Evening. As created by Kathleen Rooney, Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk through Manhattan to a New Year’s Eve party, discovering the city anew and recalling her sixty years in the advertising business.  Monday, December 4 at 7:00 p.m.
• Non-Fiction. You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me is Sherman Alexie’s powerful memoir of growing up poor on an Indian reservation while being raised by a mercurial, intelligent, abusive mother.  Wednesday, December 6 at 1:00 p.m.
• Noon. Anuk Arudpragasam tells The Story of a Brief Marriage between two residents of an evacuee camp in Sri Lanka who wed in a desperate attempt to reclaim their humanity. December 8.

BABY AND PRE-SCHOOL 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, 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 p.m. Wear your pajamas to the library and listen to stories!  Program led by librarian Carly Moniz.

SCHOOL AGE PROGRAMS

• 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.
• Lego Mindstorms:  Program the Bot. Wednesday, November 15, 3:00-5:00 p.m. Challenge yourself to program a Lego Mindstorms Bot with our Technology Librarian Tyler Kenney.  For tweens in grades 4 and up. Registration required.
• 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