• What If? 2 with Randall Munroe. What would happen if you rode a helicopter blade, built a billion-story building, made a lava lamp out of lava, or jumped on a geyser as it erupted?  Randall Munroe is back with more serious scientific answers to absurd hypothetical questions.  After studying physics in college, Munroe got a job building robots for NASA.  Now he draws comics and has been nominated for a Hugo Award three times.  He also has an asteroid named after him.  Register for the webinar.  Tuesday, January 31 at 2 p.m.
• Author Talk: Lydia Maria Child: A Radical American Life. Lydia Moland will discuss in person her new biography of the pioneer feminist, courageous abolitionist, and one of Wayland’s most renowned citizens.  Ms. Moland, Professor of Philosophy at Colby College, conducted some of her research at the Wayland Museum & Historical Society (one of the sponsors of this program.  The others are the Library and First Parish Church).  Register to attend in person or online.  Sunday, February 5 at 2:30 p.m.
• Great Presenters: Addressing Dementia and Other Brain-Related Disabilities. Brain diseases are a greater cause of disability than cardiovascular diseases or cancer, and the current approach to brain care is largely reactive, considered only when patients or families raise concerns.  Dr. Alvaro Pascual-Leone’s approach focuses on promoting brain health and resilience to prevent brain diseases.  Considered a world leader in noninvasive brain stimulation technologies, Dr. Pascual-Leone has published more than 850 scientific peer-reviewed papers.  Register to attend in person or online.  Thursday, February 7 at 7:30 p.m.
• Author Talk: The Combat Zone—Murder, Race, and Boston’s Struggle for Justice. Veteran novelist and journalist Jan Brogan’s latest work is a true-life examination of how the 1976 murder of a Harvard football player and the subsequent trials of three Black men reflected a city in turmoil and a flawed criminal justice system.  Register to attend in person or online.  Wednesday, February 8 at 7 p.m.
• Author Talk: Back in a Spell. Join us online for an evening with New York Times-bestselling author Lana Harper as she discusses the enchanting third installment of her immensely popular The Witches of Thistle Grove series.  Born in Serbia, studied psychology and literature at Yale University, law at Boston University, and publishing at Emerson College. She now lives in Chicago.  Register for the webinar.  Thursday, February 9 at 7 p.m.
• Wayland Free Public Library: 175 Years of History. Founded in 1848, the WFPL is one of the oldest public libraries in the United States. It played a pivotal role in the passage of legislation that authorized the use of public funding to support public libraries. In the past 175 years, the Library has come to be not only a place where residents can borrow books, but a hub of programs for all ages, art exhibits, and community gatherings, as well as a refuge in stressful times.  Our library history program will feature a number of illuminating speakers:

• • Jane Sciacca will discuss her experience as a Wayland resident and de facto town historian.
  • Brandeis History Dept. doctoral students Rafael Abrahams, Elizabeth Simms, and Joseph Weisberg will present their research on highlights from the WFPL’s past in a roundtable discussion.
  • UConn Professor Emeritus Dr. Robert Gross will give a talk titled “The Public Library and the Community: Reflections on Wayland’s Experiences,” reflecting on the WFPL’s unique history as a pioneering library and its place in the broader contexts of Massachusetts, New England, and the nation at large.

    Register to join us in person or online.  Sunday, March 19 at 2:30 p.m.

• Library Anniversary Photo Project. As part of the Library’s 175th anniversary celebration in March, we’d like to display photos from community members taken at the library.  They could be pictures from book groups or library programs, children’s events, or of friends or family members reading or browsing.  Send them to abrahams@brandeis.edu with the subject line “Library Memories.”  If they’re physical prints, you can scan them at the library.  When sending, please include the names of people in the photo (if you feel comfortable), the event, and the approximate year the photo was taken.  These photos may end up in the library archives for historical purposes.
• Sign Up for ESOL Tutor Training. It doesn’t matter if you don’t speak a foreign language or have never taught before.  Once you complete the Library-sponsored training course, you’re ready for what could be a wonderfully rewarding relationship.  The course for this winter/spring will be on Zoom, from 9:15-12:15 a.m.  on five consecutive Mondays starting February 27.  The training is free, though it requires a $40 textbook.  For more information or to enroll, contact Ginny Steel at 508-358-7517 or virginia@thesteels.com.
• Database of the Month: LinkedIn Learning  Even if you didn’t use Lynda (the earlier version), now’s the time to acquaint yourself with this terrific resource.  LinkedIn Learning comprises hundreds of video tutorials that can help anyone learn business, software, technology, and creative skills.  Sharpen your tools for the job market or job performance.  Just log in with your Wayland library card, and start tapping your potential. 

YOUTH SERVICES

FOR BABIES, TODDLERS AND PRESCHOOLERS

• Babytime with Ms. Carly. This lapsit storytime encourages early literacy and caregiver-child interactions with lively songs and rhymes, gentle tickles, bounces, and body-awareness. Best for babies birth to 18 months. Please register. Tuesdays, January 31, February 7, February 14, February 21, February 28 at 10:30 a.m.
• Toddler Stem with Ms. Leslie. Join Ms. Leslie for some fun, hands-on Engineering activities in this three-part STEM series. Registration required. Register for 1, 2, or all 3 sessions! For ages 2-4 years with a caregiver. February 1, February 8, and February 22 at 10:30 a.m.
• Indoor Storytime with Ms. Pam. Join Ms. Pam for stories, songs, puppets, and activities. For ages 2.5 to 5 years with an adult. Please register. Thursdays, February 2, February 16, and February 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 with his owner Helen. We will meet in the Raytheon Room. For ages 3 and up, with an adult. Please register HERE. Thursday, February 9, at 10:30 am.
• Sing, Move, Story! Jodi Levin from Family ACCESS Community Connections will lead children in songs and movement, and will share a story! We will meet in the Children’s Room. For ages 0-3. Please register HERE. Wednesday, February 15, at 9:30 a.m.

FOR ELEMENTARY AGE CHILDREN.

• Lego Club. Children will make fabulous creations out of Legos. This month’s theme: Winter Wonderland. We will meet in the Raytheon Room. For ages 5 and up, with caregivers. Please register HERE. Wednesday, February 1, at 3:30 p.m.
• Friendship Bracelet Workshop. Join us for a bracelet making workshop! Tweens will craft woven friendship bracelets out of string and beads. This program will be led by a Wayland High School student Aimee Smith.  For grades 4-6. We will meet in the Raytheon Room. Please register HERE. Wednesday, February 8, at 4 p.m.
• Chinese Painting Class for Kids. Children will paint bamboo and birds with Chinese brushes and watercolors. The workshop will be led by Wayland High School senior Gina Wang. All supplies provided. For ages 7 and up. We will meet in the Raytheon Room. Please register HERE. February 11 at 2:00 p.m.
• Pokemon Card Trading Day. Kids are invited to a 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. Please register HERE. Monday, February 13, at 4:00 p.m.
• Animals in Winter. How do animals survive through the snowy winter months? Ms. Pam will read Under the Snow by Melissa Stewart and then children will choose an animal and make a shoebox diorama of the animal’s winter home. For ages 4 and up, with caregiver. Please register HERE. Wednesday, February 15, at 3:30 p.m.
• 4th/5th Grade Book Club. This month we will be discussing Orphan Island by Laurel Snyder. We will meet in the Teen Loft. Questions or to get a copy of the book, please email Pam at pmccuen@minlib.net. For 4^th and 5^th graders. Please register HERE. Wednesday, February 15, at 7:00 p.m.

FOR TEENS

• Magic the Gathering for Teens. Teens! Play Magic the Gathering with your friends! Bring your own Magic Cards or use ours. Experienced players and newbies welcome. For teens in grades 6 and up. We will meet in the Teen Loft. Please register HERE. Friday, February 10, at 4:30 p.m.
• Candy Sushi Making for Teens. Teens will make tasty candy sushi that looks like the real deal. We will meet in the Teen Loft. For teens in grades 6 and up. If you have a food allergy please email Carly at cmoniz@minlib.net ahead of time. Please register HERE. Thursday, February 16, at 4:00 p.m.