PROTECTING & EMPOWERING KIDS IN TODAY’S ONLINE WORLD.   Today’s kids and teens are growing up in a world far different from the one in which their parents grew up. With the Internet, gaming systems, MP3 players, and cell phones, they’re always connected to something digital. And, because it’s all coming at us so fast, it’s hard to stay on top of the technology and help our kids make good decisions in the virtual world. On Tuesday, October 12, at 7:30 p.m. in the library’s Raytheon Room, Dr. Gwenn Schurgin O’Keeffe, leading medical authority on Internet safety and child health issues and author of the newly released book, CyberSafe, will provide insight into the digital world our kids immerse themselves in and how we can effectively parent them in that world and deal with any problems that may arise.  CyberSafe will be available for purchase after the event and for author signing.

AUTHOR ERIC JAY DOLIN.  On Tuesday, October 19, at 7:30 p.m. Eric Jay Dolin (author of Leviathan) returns to Wayland to talk about his newest book, Fur, Fortune, and Empire.  In the book he shows how the fur trade, responding to the demands of “Old World” fashion, sparked controversy, fostered economic competition, and fueled wars among the European powers, as North America became a battleground for colonization and imperial aspirations. Co-sponsored by the Wayland Historical Society.

BOOK GROUPS.  Monday, October 4, at 7:30 p.m. is the first meeting for this year’s evening book group, led again by librarian Andy Moore.  The title up for discussion is Go With Me by Castle Freeman, Jr.  Our monthly Noontime Book Group, led by Assistant Director Kathy Powers, will resume on Friday, October 8, with a discussion of Mr. Sammler’s Planet by Saul Bellow.

BUILD-A-BUG ROBOTICS WORKSHOP.  On Wednesday, October 6, from 3-5 p.m., students (grades 3-5 only please) can learn more about robotics at our Build-A-Bug robotics workshop.  Participants will learn about simple machines, gears, and energy while working in pairs to construct a LEGO bug built from kits. Students will not be taking the LEGOS home.  Led by the Children's Technology Workshop, this program requires pre-registration.  You may register online through our event calendar at waylandlibrary.org or by calling 508-358-2308.

TUESDAY STORYTIMES.  Storytime begins on Tuesday, October 26, at 10:30 a.m. All ages are welcome, and no registration is necessary.  Children 8 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

“ARTISTS OF PLACE” WITH JUDY SCHURGIN.  Judy Schurgin’s art series on landscape artists continues on Fridays October 1 and 15 from 1-2:30 p.m. The focus of our October 1 meeting will be Winslow Homer.  Homer received early recognition for his portrayals of the Civil War. Following the war, he produced light-filled scenes of such locations as the White Mountains of New Hampshire, the Adirondack Mountains, Gloucester, Massachusetts, as well as small towns and waters in Canada, Bermuda and the U.K. In his later years, his favorite scenes included the dramatic and sometimes turbulent seascapes near his home in Prout’s Neck, Maine.

GREAT PRESENTERS SERIES.  This year we have once more organized a series of educational programs by local experts.  The series will start on the evening of Tuesday, October 5.  Wayland resident Bill Haney will present a program entitled “Roll 'Em:  Making Movies that Make a Difference.”  Our second GPS program on the evening of Tuesday, November 2, will feature former V-P of Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Dr. Paul Schendel, speaking on “Is There Such a Thing as a Safe Drug?”

AUTHOR ERIC JAY DOLIN.  On Tuesday, October 19, at 7:30 p.m. Eric Jay Dolin (author of Leviathan) returns to Wayland to talk about his newest book, Fur, Fortune, and Empire.  In the book he shows how the fur trade, responding to the demands of “Old World” fashion, sparked controversy, fostered economic competition, and fueled wars among the European powers, as North America became a battleground for colonization and imperial aspirations.

ARTS AND CRAFTS WORKSHOPS.  Announcing more workshops is this popular series.  Registration is required.  Call the library at 508-358-2311 or go to our Events Calendar at waylandlibrary.org to register online.

• On Saturday, October 2, from 2-4 p.m., jewelry artist Norma Radoff will offer a “Beginning Beading” workshop. 
• On Saturday, October 16, from 2-4 p.m., join a “Drawing Class” with Margret Krakauer.  If you want to draw but think you can’t, this workshop is for you.  You do not have to bring anything but an open mind and the willingness to concentrate for two hours.
• On Tuesday, October 26, at 7 p.m., photographer Barbara Hakim will present a workshop on “Travel Photography” for those interested in improving their skills in this area by learning more about composition, lighting, color, and editing.  Barbara has been a professional photographer for 29 years.

ART EXHIBITS.  This year’s annual fall exhibit in the Raytheon Room by the Sudbury Valley Nature Photographers is entitled “A Different Point of View.”  It features the work of 21 local photographers, with an emphasis on pictures that involve uncommon approaches to commonly photographed nature subjects. During September the library foyer features photographs by award-winning artist Alice Shafer.

GREAT DECISIONS.  The next meeting of the library’s Great Decisions group will be on Friday, October 1, at 9:15 a.m. in the Raytheon Room.  The topic under discussion is “Russia and its Neighbors.”  Russia's policy of maintaining a sphere of influence in former Soviet satellites has been challenged in recent years by movements against pro-Russia regimes.  Russia has pushed back by cutting Ukraine's natural gas supply and intervening in Georgia's campaign in South Ossetia. Will Russia regain its traditional leadership role in the region?  For more information about Great Decisions, contact Sema Faigen at 508-653-6098.