ADULT SERVICES

• Sugar and Spice: Gingerbread History. In early America, ginger was considered a sign of wealth because it had to be imported. Not until after Christmas became a national holiday in 1870 did gingerbread become associated with American Yuletide. Cookbook author Clara Silverstein of Historic Newton will show how recipes have changed over time and offer a historic recipe to try at home.  Register through our Events menu.  Thursday, December 2 at 7 p.m.
• Great Presenters: Paintings by Barbara Grad. Barbara earned a BFA and MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and is a Professor Emeritus, Massachusetts College of Art and Design.  She’ll discuss the painting process, impacts on her works, and the nuances of color and line to develop a dialogue.  As a founding member of one of the first women’s art collaboratives in America, she can also comment on challenges she faced as a woman artist exhibiting in galleries and museums.  Register through our Events menu.  Tuesday, December 7 at 7:30 p.m.
• Adult Craft: Braided Nautical Rope Wreath. We’ll meet in person in the Raytheon Room. Masks are required. If you prefer to participate from home via Zoom, check the box on the registration form. Note: this craft requires a hot glue gun.  Registration required. Age 13+.  Limit 15 people.  Supplies provided: Rope, wire wreath form, ribbon/decorations, glue gun and glue.  Thursday, December 9 at 3 p.m.
• Author Talk: From Schnitzel to Nockerln with Joy Viola. With her late husband, Alfred, Wayland resident Viola traveled by horseback, zodiac, combi, tundra buggy, and small aircraft to photograph and write about the natural world on all seven continents.  They came face to face with a polar bear, dined with sheikhs, and put more than 2,300 species on their birder’s life lists.  Register through our Events menu to hear these and other tales.  Thursday, December 9 at 7 p.m.
• Library Gift Guides. We’ve got them for adults, kids, and teens, with lots of great book ideas for every reader on your list.  Pick up print copies at the library or find them online at our Library Spotlight blog.
• Wayland Center Annual Holiday Open House. Stop by the library as you make the rounds.  Take home something festive to read/watch/listen to.  And walk around the building with the kids to see the story in the windows (details below)!  Sunday, December 5, 2-5 p.m.
• New ESOL Tutors.  If you happen to bump into Lauren Alongi, Sue Robison, or Steve McCarthy, be sure to congratulate them on their new identity as ESOL tutors.  All three, along with Bob Lewis and Melissa Rowcotsky of Weston, have completed the three-week training course and are now working with learners.  They join more than 30 other tutors currently teaching, mostly remotely, using whatever technology works for both tutor and learner.  The next (virtual) training session is in February; if you’re interested, contact Ginny Steel at virginia@thesteels.com for more information.

BOOK GROUPS

• Evening. Special appearance by Marjan Kamali, author of The Stationery Shop.  Monday, December 6 at 7 p.m.
• Cookbook Club. The Chef and Slow Cooker by Hugh Acheson.  Thursday, December 9 at 6:30 p.m.
• Noon. The Shakespeare Requirement by Julie Schumacher.  Friday, December 10.
• Social Justice. Climate Justice by Mary Robinson.  Monday, December 20 at 7 p.m.
• Dystopian/Sci Fi. Of Wars, Memories, and Starlight by Aliette Bodard.  Thursday, December 16 at 7 p.m.

YOUTH SERVICES

FOR BABIES, TODDLERS AND PRESCHOOLERS

• Indoor Storytimes with Ms. Carly. Join Ms. Carly in the library for storytime! Children and their caregivers will listen to stories, sing songs, and perform fun rhymes and movements. We will meet in the Round Room on the main floor of the library. For babies through preschool age children, with caregivers. Attendance is limited. Masks must be worn by everyone ages 2+.  Registration required! If you are waitlisted you have the option of viewing the storytime from home via Zoom. If you prefer to view the storytime via Zoom, please email Carly at cmoniz@minlib.net. You can register here or from our online eventkeeper calendar. Tuesdays, Dec. 7, Dec. 14, and Dec. 21 at 10:30 a.m.
• Indoor Storytime with Ms. Pam. Join Ms. Pam in the library for stories, songs, puppets, and activities. We will meet in the Round Room on the main floor of the library. For ages 2.5 to 5 years with an adult. Attendance is limited. Masks must be worn by everyone ages 2+.  Registration required! If you are waitlisted you have the option of viewing the storytime from home via Zoom. If you prefer to view the storytime via Zoom, please email Pam at pmccuen@minlib.net. You can register here or from our online eventkeeper calendar. Thursdays, Dec. 2, Dec. 9, and Dec. 23 at 10:30 a.m.
• Storytime with Obie the Dog. Children will listen to dog stories and have a chance to visit with Obie, a beautiful Samoyed. Obie will be accompanied by his owner Helen. Registration is required, as enrollment is limited. Please register HERE or online from our Eventkeeper calendar. For ages 3 and up, with an adult. Thursday, December 16, at 10:30 a.m.

FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

• Pokemon Card Trading Day. Pokemon card trading day at the library. Come with cards you are willing to trade! We will meet in the Raytheon Room. For ages 7 to 11. Registration is REQUIRED. We are limiting to 15 children. Attendance is limited. Masks must be worn by everyone ages 2+. Registration required! Please register HERE or from our online eventkeeper calendar. Wednesday, Dec. 1, at 4 p.m.
• Lego Club. Children will make fabulous creations out of legos. This month’s theme: Wacky Building! We will meet in the Raytheon Room. For ages 5 and up, with caregiver. Attendance is limited. Masks must be worn by everyone ages 2+. Registration required! Register HERE or from our online eventkeeper calendar. Wednesday, Dec. 8, at 3 p.m.
• Kids Take & Make Craft Kit: Penguin in the Snow. Welcome the chilly weather with this Penguin in the Snow Take & Make Craft Kit! We will provide most of the supplies you need to make this craft at home. This craft is best for children ages 4-10.  Please register each child separately. Limit one per child. Pick up your Take & Make Craft Kit from our curbside service shelf anytime between 9:00AM- 9:00PM on Monday December 13. Registration for this craft will open on Monday November 29. 
• 4th/5th Grade Book Club. We will be discussing No Talking by Andrew Clements. We will meet upstairs in the Teen Space in the Mezannine. Register HERE or online from our eventkeeper calendar.  For 4^th and 5^th graders. Questions or to get a copy of the book email Pam at pmccuen@minlib. Tuesday, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m.
• Hibernation and Sleep: Stories with Ms. Elise. What do bears do all winter? Ms. Elise will read picture books about hibernation and sleep. We will meet in the Raytheon Room. For ages 4 and up. Attendance is limited. Masks must be worn by everyone ages 2+. Registration required! Register HERE or from our online eventkeeper calendar. Wednesday, Dec. 15, at 3 p.m.
• Winter Holiday Stories with Ms. Elise. Ms. Elise will read picture books about celebrating the winter holidays. We will meet in the Raytheon Room. For ages 4 and up. Attendance is limited. Masks must be worn by everyone ages 2+. Registration required! Register HERE or from our online eventkeeper calendar. Wednesday, Dec. 22, at 3 p.m.

FOR TEENS

• Teens Take & Make Craft Kit: Mini Yarn Hat. Create something cozy with this Mini Yarn Hat Take & Make Craft Kit for Teens! We will provide most of the supplies you need to make this craft at home. This craft is best for ages 11 and up. Please register each teen separately. Limit is one per teen. Pick up your Take & Make Craft Kit from our curbside service shelf anytime between 9:00AM- 9:00PM on Monday December 13. Registration for this craft will open on Monday November 29. 
• Teen Advisory Board Meeting: Winter Craft. Teens! Join us for this month’s Teen Advisory Board Meeting and make a winter craft to bring home. We’ll brainstorm ideas for the library programs YOU want and talk more about what you’d like in the Teen Space. We will meet in the Teen Space upstairs in the mezzanine. For grades 6-12. Register HERE. Tuesday, Dec. 7, at 4:15 p.m.

FOR FAMILIES

Story Walk: A Story for Small Bear. Families are invited to walk around the outside of the library and read the Story Walk of A Story for Small Bear by Alice McGinty. The Story Walk will be hung in the windows of the library throughout the month of December. This is event is part of Wayland’s Holiday Open House celebration.